Comparison: America’S Test Kitchen Best Stand Mixer (Updated | Dec 8th)
Standing in the kitchen aisle, you’re faced with a dizzying array of stand mixers promising to revolutionize your baking. America’s Test Kitchen has put these culinary workhorses through their paces, mixing, kneading, and whipping to uncover the absolute best. We’ve sifted through their rigorous testing results to bring you the definitive guide to stand mixers that deliver on performance, durability, and value. Get ready to discover which machine will become your trusted baking companion.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for classic kitchen workhorse: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for timeless white classic: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for high-capacity power mixer: 900W Stand Mixer 8 QT kitchen Dough mixers LED Touch Screen Adjustable Speed Electric Household Mixers With Bowl
- Best for professional quiet performance: Kraftsman Stand Mixer All Metal – Heavy Duty Kitchen Standing Mixer 5.3 Quart with 4 Stainless Steel Attachments
- Best for dual bowl versatility: OSTBA Stand Mixer
- Best for die-cast durability: Hamilton Beach Die-Cast Metal Classic Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for compact space saver: Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer
- Best for budget mixing essential: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for 2-in-1 mixer solution: Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer
- Best for small kitchen companion: Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer
Product Comparison: America’S Test Kitchen Best Stand Mixer
Classic Kitchen Workhorse
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS, Onyx Black
KitchenAid
- Built to take it all on with the durable and built-to-last metal construction, and 59 touchpoints around the mixer bowl for great mixing results.
- 4.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl to mix up to 8 dozen cookies in a single batch. Dishwasher safe. Using the flat beater; 28g dough each
- Easily add ingredients with the tilt-head design, because you’ll have better access to the bowl – lock the head in place while mixing
- 10 speeds for nearly any task or recipe, from mixing ingredients together on the stir speed, to whipping cream at speed 8, you’ll get thorough ingredient incorporation every time
- 10 plus attachments to make more with your mixer to make everything from fresh pasta to burgers, veggie noodles, ice cream and more, sold separately
- Model K455 includes (1) 4.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, (1) Coated Flat Beater, (1) Coated Dough Hook, (1) 6-Wire Whip
Timeless White Classic
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS, White
KitchenAid
- Built to take it all on with the durable and built-to-last metal construction, and 59 touchpoints around the mixer bowl for great mixing results.
- 4.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl to mix up to 8 dozen cookies in a single batch. Dishwasher safe. Using the flat beater; 28g dough each
- Easily add ingredients with the tilt-head design, because you’ll have better access to the bowl – lock the head in place while mixing
- 10 speeds for nearly any task or recipe, from mixing ingredients together on the stir speed, to whipping cream at speed 8, you’ll get thorough ingredient incorporation every time
- 10 plus attachments to make more with your mixer to make everything from fresh pasta to burgers, veggie noodles, ice cream and more, sold separately
- Model K455 includes (1) 4.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, (1) Coated Flat Beater, (1) Coated Dough Hook, (1) 6-Wire Whip
High-Capacity Power Mixer
900W Stand Mixer 8 QT kitchen Dough mixers LED Touch Screen Adjustable Speed Electric Household Mixers With Bowl,Dough Hook,Whisk And Beater For Baking, Cake,Pizza And Most Home Cooks
FIWOTOOJI
- 900W Blender Powerplant: Powered by a commercial-grade pure copper motor, this electric kitchen mixer delivers the highest 190RPM speed in its class with planetary mixing action to ensure perfectly blended dough and a homogeneous batter.
- Touchscreen stand mixer: precise adjustments to handle each stage, with a pulse function and 6 speed settings: knead dough at low speed (1-2), mix cake batter at medium speed (3-4), and whip egg whites at high speed (5-6).
- Multiple Accessory Sets: This stand mixer includes a set of food-grade stainless steel accessories – dough hook, wire whip, flat mixer, and 8.QT stainless steel bowl. The height-adjustable design makes it easy to accommodate both large and small batches.
- 8QT Household Stand Mixer Large Capacity: 8QT capacity can not only meet the needs of a family of 7-9 people, but also save more labor and bring more convenience
- Stable mixer safety: One-touch tilt head automatically cuts off power when lifted, while 6 suction cup non-slip rubber feet create 360° stability
Professional Quiet Performance
Kraftsman Stand Mixer All Metal – Heavy Duty Kitchen Standing Mixer 5.3 Quart with 4 Stainless Steel Attachments, DC Motor & Multifunctional Power Hub, 8-Speed & Timer, Lower Noise (Black)
Kraftsman
- Achieve Great Mixing, Kneading and Whipping Results: Equipped with DC Pure Copper motor, not traditional AC Motor, this stand mixer ensures smooth, efficient kneading even for heavy loads. No sudden speed drops when dough resistance increases, knead dough with consistent texture, critical for baking quality.
- Stainless Steel Bowl with Handle & Splash Guard: Provides ample capacity 5.3 Quart to mix dough for 46 cookies or 4 loaves of bread all in one batch. Works for daily baking and lfamily meals alike.
- Unique Flexible Double-Edge Mixing Paddle, Scrapes Every Inch of Mixing Bowl: All Attachments are made of stainless steel—NO coatings at all! Include: (1) 5.3 Quart Mixing Bowl, (1) Flat Beater, (1) Dough Hook, (1) 6-Wire Whip/Whisk, (1) Flexible Double-Edge Mixing Paddle. Stop worrying about coating peeling off during use mixer.
- Versatile Stand Mixer with Universal Power Hub: It’s easy to extend front-mounted POWER HUB to do a huge range of kitchen tasks. Do everything from shredding and spiralizing vegetables to rolling out pasta, grinding flour or meat, or making ice cream. Warm Tips: Tools requiring additional purchase
- Lower Noise (≤60dB) & Quiet Operation with Second-Precision Timer: The noise in the highest speed is equal to 68 dBa. Avoiding loud disturbances in kitchens, no worry about early-morning or late-night baking. Set exact durations for different dough needs, say goodbye to standing by to track kneading time, avoid over-kneading or under-kneading!
- One Click Tilt-head & Splash Guard with Removable Pouring Chute: Easy to place or remove the bowl and switch accessory so you can easily add ingredients for a recipe.Without removing the guard or stoping the stand mixer—you can pour slowly and precisely to adjust dough consistency, while keeping dust or debris out of the bowl.
- Why Choose Our Kraftsman Stand Mixer? Every part of this stand mixer is designed to balance aesthetic appeal (perfect for “art kitchen” displays) with heavy-duty durability. The main body and base are crafted from heavy-gauge die-cast aluminum alloy—sturdy enough to stay stable even during high-speed kneading of dense sourdough, yet sleek enough to complement modern or rustic kitchen decor. No more wobbly mixers shifting across countertops!
- Heavy Duty Stand Mixer – 24.9 Pounds: Professional Power Meets Uncompromising Stability, making it a reliable workhorse for high-volume or heavy-load applications.
- Unique Control Button Design: Innovatively combining push-to-start and rotary adjustment, it offers an intuitive, user-friendly experience—easy to master with no complex learning. The rotary knob enables flexible setting of mixing speed and working time.
Dual Bowl Versatility
OSTBA Stand Mixer, 5QT+5.5QT Two Bowls Electric Kitchen Mixer, 10+P Speed Dough Mixer with Whisk, Beater & Dough Hook, Dishwasher Safe, Black
OSTBA
- 5QT+5.5QT Stainless Steel Bowls: The OSTBA standing mixer includes two durable stainless steel bowls. Made from high-quality stainless steel, they are rust-resistant, long-lasting, and easy to clean. The nesting design saves space and allows you to prepare different ingredients separately with ease
- 800W Peak Power Motor & Overheat Protection: This household stand mixer delivers strong, consistent power to handle heavy dough and large batches with ease. Built-in overheat protection ensures safe and reliable performance every time
- 10+P Speeds & Tilt-Head Design: Our kitchen mixer with bowl offers 10 speeds to handle different tasks—from slow kneading for dough to fast whipping for cream. The Pulse mode delivers a quick power boost, perfect for beating egg whites. The tilt-head design lets you easily add ingredients and change attachments
- Smart Accessories & Anti-Slip Suction: Comes with whisk, dough hook, beater, and silicone spatula for easy mixing and scraping. The splash guard has a built-in dough cutter, egg separator, and ingredient chute for mess-free baking. Strong suction cups keep the mixer stable during use
- Attractive Design & Worry-Free Warranty: Sleek and modern, this bread mixer fits any kitchen and makes a great gift for your family or friends. For any questions, our customer service team is ready to assist you
Die-Cast Durability
Hamilton Beach Die-Cast Metal Classic Electric Stand Mixer, 12 Speeds, 4.5-Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Includes Flat Beater, Whisk, Dough Hook & Pour Shield, Powder-Coated Black Finish (63227N)
Hamilton Beach
- BUILT TO LAST: Enjoy years of top mixing performance and timeless style in your kitchen. This 12 speed stand mixer has durable die-cast metal housing with a powder-coated finish and all-metal gears, so you can be sure it will stand the test of time.
- 400 WATT MOTOR EFFORTLESSLY POWERS THROUGH INGREDIENTS: This Hamilton Beach stand mixer has a powerful 400 watt motor that powers through thick batter, bread dough and more with ease.
- MIXING VERSATILITY WITH 3 ATTACHMENTS, POUR SHIELD AND 4.5 QT. BOWL: The stand mixer includes a dough hook for kneading, whisk for whipping cream or meringue, flat beater for mixing cookies or cake batter, pour shield and 4.5 qt. stainless steel bowl with handle.
- COMPLETE BOWL COVERAGE: Enjoy hands-free mixing with this electric stand mixer. It has 59 point planetary mixing action, which provides 59 touchpoints per rotation around the bowl for thorough ingredient incorporation.
- 12 SPEEDS FOR PRECISE CONTROL AND MIXING FLEXIBILITY: This Hamilton Beach stand mixer has 12 speeds for precise control and mixing flexibility, so you can easily go from a slow stir up to a fast whip.
- MAXIMUM MIXING CAPACITY: The large 4.5 qt. stainless steel bowl has enough capacity to mix dough for 8 dozen cookies or a double batch of 4 loaves of bread (.75 lbs./12 oz. each) in a single batch.
- EASILY ADD INGREDIENTS: The removable pour shield of this kitchen stand mixer makes it easier to add ingredients to the bowl and helps block splatter as you mix.
- EASILY ACCESS BOWL WITH TILTING HEAD: The tilt mechanism makes it easy to put on and remove attachments and access the bowl. Simply press the button to unlock the top of the mixer, then tilt it up.
- WHAT’S INCLUDED: 12 speed stand mixer, 4.5 qt. stainless steel bowl, 3 stand mixer attachments, pour shield, user manual
- #1 BRAND IN MIXERS: People all over America love our mixers — Hamilton Beach is the #1 brand in mixers in the U.S.*
Compact Space Saver
Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer,3.2Qt Small Electric Food Mixer,6 Speeds Portable Lightweight Kitchen Mixer for Daily Use with Egg Whisk,Dough Hook,Flat Beater (Blue)
Kitchen in the box
- Compact Designed And More Color Options – The stand mixer is less than 7lbs with dimension 12.9*7*10.2 In, small and easy to storage,which could help space-saving. Perfectly suitable for small kitchen,apartment,or limited storage space. And multiple colors to choose,meet a variety of aesthetic needs for your kitchen.
- 3.2Qt Capacity and Tilt Head Design – Our little kitchen mixer equipped with 3.2Qt stainless steel bowl,suitable for new baker,1-2 members family or couples,easy to operate and clean up.Tilt-head design mixer allows access to install or uninstall bowl and accessories easily.And transparent anti-splash lid could prevent the ingredient making a mess.
- 6 Speeds and 4 Anti-Slip Suckers – This Mini Mixer has 6 different speed options,suitable for mixing bread dough, thick batters, meringues, and whipping cake cream, plus lower speeds for stirring and finessing your most delicate concoctions,could suit perfectly to different ingredients.Chassis 4 stronger suckers,can keep the machine steady and avoid moving or bounce during operation.
- Upgraded Multi Attachments – Aluminium dough hook and flat beater,stainless steel whisk are easy to attach,using upgraded material,more sturdy and durable.There is a gasket at the top joint to prevent food residue from splashing into the joint to make cleaning more convenient.
- Excellent Gift and Support – The electric mixer is also a excellent gift idea for your family and friends. We have confidence in the quality of our products and will provide after-sales guarantee for it,if you have any questions when received or during your using, please contact us at ease.
Budget Mixing Essential
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts, Dough Hook, Flat Beater Attachments, Splash Guard 7 Speeds with Whisk, Easy-Carry Top Handle, Black
Hamilton Beach
- BAKE WITH EASE: Effortlessly mix thick batters and doughs for bread, cookies and more. With a powerful 300 watt motor, this Hamilton Beach stand mixer will easily handle the ingredients for all your homemade baked goods from cupcakes and cookies to bread.
- COMPLETE BOWL COVERAGE — The planetary mixing action rotates the beaters around the 4 quart stainless steel bowl for even and complete hands-free mixing. The stand mixer has the same rotating mixing action as the higher-priced brands.
- INCLUDES EVERYTHING YOU NEED: In addition to the stainless steel bowl with handles, the stand mixer comes with a splash guard, dough hook, whisk and flat beater. The bowl and the stand mixer attachments are all dishwasher safe.
- VERSATILE — 7 SPEEDS, SLOW FIRST SPEED & MIXING GUIDE: A helpful guide on top of the electric mixer helps you choose the right speed for the job. The slow first speed is great for kneading bread and reducing splatter when adding dry ingredients to wet ingredients.
- EASY TO LIFT, MOVE AND STORE WITH BUILT-IN HANDLE: The top handle gives you a better grip on lifting the mixer’s head to add ingredients or swap out attachments. When you want to store the stand mixer away, use the same handle for easy moving.
2-in-1 Mixer Solution
Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer, 4 Quarts, 6 Speeds with QuickBurst, Bowl Rest, 290 Watts Peak Power, Red (64654)
Hamilton Beach
- 2 PRODUCTS IN 1: Why take up room in your kitchen for 2 mixers when 1 space-saving appliance does it all? The stand mixer is perfect for thick mixtures like cookie and bread dough and the hand mixer easily unlocks from the base for quick mixing jobs.
- 5 ATTACHMENTS AND 4 QT. STAINLESS STEEL BOWL. Set includes 2 traditional beaters, 2 dough hooks and whisk, and the 4 qt. bowl is large enough to accommodate your favorite recipes. For easy cleanup, attachments and bowl are dishwasher safe.
- POWERFUL MOTOR FOR ALL YOUR MIXING NEEDS. The 290 watt peak power* motor lets you easily do everything from mixing batter and kneading thick dough to whipping fluffy meringue.
- BOWL MOVES SIDE-TO SIDE FOR THOROUGH MIXING. As you mix, the Shift & Stir lever lets you move the bowl from side-to-side to provide thorough mixing for all your ingredients.
- 6 SPEEDS COVER EVERY MIXING TASK. Go from slowly folding ingredients all the way up to whipping at top speed. This hand mixer has 6 speeds to cover every mixing task and a Quick Burst button for an extra burst of power at any speed.
Small Kitchen Companion
Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer,3.2Qt Small Electric Food Mixer,6 Speeds Portable Lightweight Kitchen Mixer for Daily Use with Egg Whisk,Dough Hook,Flat Beater (Black)
Kitchen in the box
- Compact Designed And More Color Options – The stand mixer is less than 7lbs with dimension 12.9*7*10.2 In, small and easy to storage,which could help space-saving. Perfectly suitable for small kitchen,apartment,or limited storage space. And multiple colors to choose,meet a variety of aesthetic needs for your kitchen.
- 3.2Qt Capacity and Tilt Head Design – Our little kitchen mixer equipped with 3.2Qt stainless steel bowl,suitable for new baker,1-2 members family or couples,easy to operate and clean up.Tilt-head design mixer allows access to install or uninstall bowl and accessories easily.And transparent anti-splash lid could prevent the ingredient making a mess.
- 6 Speeds and 4 Anti-Slip Suckers – This Mini Mixer has 6 different speed options,suitable for mixing bread dough, thick batters, meringues, and whipping cake cream, plus lower speeds for stirring and finessing your most delicate concoctions,could suit perfectly to different ingredients.Chassis 4 stronger suckers,can keep the machine steady and avoid moving or bounce during operation.
- Upgraded Multi Attachments – Aluminium dough hook and flat beater,stainless steel whisk are easy to attach,using upgraded material,more sturdy and durable.There is a gasket at the top joint to prevent food residue from splashing into the joint to make cleaning more convenient.
- Excellent Gift and Support – The electric mixer is also a excellent gift idea for your family and friends. We have confidence in the quality of our products and will provide after-sales guarantee for it,if you have any questions when received or during your using, please contact us at ease.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
Buying Guide
FAQs
What should I look for in a stand mixer?
Consider the mixer’s capacity, power, and bowl-lift versus tilt-head design. Look for multiple speed settings and included attachments like a dough hook and whisk. Durability and ease of cleaning are also important factors.
How do KitchenAid and other brands compare?
KitchenAid mixers are known for their versatility and wide range of attachments, while brands like Cuisinart offer more power at a lower price. Breville models often feature innovative designs but may be pricier. America’s Test Kitchen often highlights KitchenAid for its balance of performance and value.
What features are most important for baking?
A powerful motor with consistent torque is crucial for heavy doughs. Planetary mixing action ensures even ingredient incorporation. Look for a large bowl capacity if you bake in bulk.
Are stand mixers worth the investment?
Yes, if you bake frequently or need versatility for tasks like pasta making or meat grinding. They save time and effort compared to hand mixing. Higher-end models offer long-term durability and more attachments.
What’s the difference between bowl-lift and tilt-head mixers?
Tilt-head mixers are more compact and easier to access, ideal for smaller kitchens. Bowl-lift mixers are sturdier and better for heavy-duty tasks like bread making. Choose based on your cooking needs and counter space.
How do I decide on the right size mixer?
For occasional baking, a 4.5-5 quart mixer is sufficient. Frequent bakers or those with large families should consider 6-7 quart models. Smaller 3.5 quart mixers are great for limited storage but may struggle with large batches.
What attachments are worth buying separately?
A pasta roller or grain mill can expand your mixer’s functionality significantly. A food grinder or ice cream maker are popular add-ons for versatile cooking. Prioritize attachments based on your most frequent cooking tasks.
How do stand mixers perform with heavy doughs?
High-wattage mixers with sturdy construction handle heavy doughs best. Look for models with a slow start speed to prevent splattering. America’s Test Kitchen often recommends bowl-lift mixers for bread makers.
