Comparison: Who Makes The Best Stand Mixer (Updated | Dec 9th)

KitchenAid is renowned for its iconic design, robust build quality, and extensive ecosystem of attachments, making it a versatile long-term investment. Other brands may offer more powerful motors at a lower price point but often have fewer compatible accessories and less durable construction. The best choice depends on whether you prioritize brand prestige and versatility or raw power and affordability.

For everyday baking and small households, a 4.5 to 5-quart bowl is usually sufficient for most recipes like cookies and cakes. If you frequently bake in large batches, make multiple loaves of bread, or have a large family, a 6-quart or larger model will prevent you from having to mix in batches. Consider your typical recipe quantities to avoid under or overbuying capacity.

Not necessarily. A higher wattage motor is better for heavy, dense doughs like bread, but a well-designed gearbox is just as important for efficient mixing. For lighter tasks like whipping cream or mixing cake batter, a less powerful motor is perfectly adequate and often comes in a quieter, more compact mixer. Focus on the type of baking you do most often rather than just the motor’s wattage.

Tilt-head mixers have a hinged top that swings back, allowing for easy access to the bowl and are generally more compact and affordable. Bowl-lift models use a lever to raise and lower the bowl, offering more stability and are better suited for large, heavy batches and commercial use. Choose a tilt-head for convenience and a bowl-lift for heavy-duty performance and stability.

No, stand mixer attachments are almost always proprietary to a specific brand and often to specific model series. KitchenAid has the largest and most diverse range of attachments, from pasta makers to food grinders, which adds significant long-term value. Before purchasing, consider what attachments you might want in the future and check their availability and cost for that brand.

KitchenAid Artisan mixers offer the best long-term value due to their durability and the vast world of attachments that can transform it into a multi-purpose kitchen appliance. Brands like Cuisinart or Hamilton Beach provide excellent short-term value with lower upfront costs, making them ideal for occasional bakers. The ‘best’ value depends on your budget and how seriously you plan to use the mixer over its lifetime.

Stainless steel bowls are durable, lightweight, and often included with the mixer, making them a standard, reliable choice. Glass bowls are heavier but offer the advantage of being microwave-safe and allowing you to see the mixing progress from the side. Some high-end models also offer ceramic bowls, which are great for temperature retention but require more careful handling.

Look for a model with multiple speed settings to provide precise control for different tasks, from slow stirring to high-speed whipping. A ‘soft start’ feature is also valuable as it prevents ingredients from flying out of the bowl when the mixer first turns on. Additionally, check for a planetary mixing action, where the attachment spins in one direction while it rotates around the bowl, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.