Comparison: Cook’S Illustrated Best Stand Mixer (Updated | Dec 8th)
But fear not, home bakers! Cook’s Illustrated has done the heavy lifting, testing and retesting to crown the ultimate kitchen workhorse. Whether you’re whipping up ethereal meringues or kneading dense bread dough, their top pick promises to revolutionize your culinary adventures. We’ll dive into why this mixer reigns supreme, how it stacks up against competitors, and whether it truly deserves a spot in your kitchen arsenal. Ready to mix things up?
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for kitchenaid recipe guide: KitchenAid Stand Mixer Cookbook
- Best for attachment mastery book: The Mixer Bible: Maximizing Your Stand Mixer and Attachments
- Best for daily bread recipes: Your Daily Homemade Bread: Easy Stand Mixer Bread Recipes: Best Basics
- Best for classic kitchenaid power: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for dual function mixer: Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer
- Best for dual bowl mixing power: OSTBA Stand Mixer
- Best for complete mixing solution: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for compact kitchen mixer: Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer
- Best for space-saving mixer: Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer
- Best for efficient power mixer: Electric Stand Mixer
Product Comparison: Cook’S Illustrated Best Stand Mixer
KitchenAid Recipe Guide
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Cookbook
Publications International, Ltd.
Attachment Mastery Book
The Mixer Bible: Maximizing Your Stand Mixer and Attachments
Robert Rose
- Used Book in Good Condition
Daily Bread Recipes
Your Daily Homemade Bread: Easy Stand Mixer Bread Recipes: Best Basics
CREATESPACE
Classic KitchenAid Power
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
Dual Function Mixer
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.
Dual Bowl Mixing Power
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
Complete Mixing Solution
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.
Compact Kitchen Mixer
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.
Space-Saving Mixer
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.
Efficient Power Mixer
Electric Stand Mixer,10 Speeds Tilt-Head Food Mixer, 3-IN-1 Kitchen Mixer for Daily Cooks with Dishwasher-Safe 6QT Bowl,Dough Hook, Beater, Whisk (Almond Cream)
SAMSAIMO
- 660W POWERFUL DYNAMICS – Powered by a precision-engineered 660W motor with copper-core technology, this mixer delivers high-torque performance . Its smart energy algorithm reduces power consumption by 35% compared to conventional models. The dual-cooling system ensures continuous 1-hour operation without overheating.
- EASY TO CLEAN AND COMPACT SIZE – The mixing head and bowl of Standing Mixer do not need to be cleaned after use, directly into the dishwasher can be rinsed at high temperature. Avoid improper cleaning damage to the accessories, prolong the service life, so that kitchen cleaning becomes easy and simple
- THOUGHTFUL SPACE-SAVING DESIGN – The 6-quart food-grade stainless steel bowl features a vertical layering structure that maintains professional-grade capacity while compressing the overall height to 10.4 inches (approximately the height of an A4 sheet). Combined with a detachable accessory storage rack, it can be easily stored in cabinet gaps, narrow countertops, or compact kitchens, making it specially tailored for urban apartments, dorm rooms, or mobile cooking setups.
- 3-IN-1 VERSATILE ACCESSORIES – This stand mixer features three pro attachments: a whisk (airy meringues), a dough hook (effortless bread kneading), and a mixing paddle (smooth batters). Its planetary mixing thoroughly blends ingredients in the 6QT stainless steel bowl, while the multi-tool splash guard combines measuring cups, portioning slots, and a ruler for precision. Streamline recipes and boost baking efficiency—all in one compact powerhouse.
- WORRY-FREE AFTER-SALES COMMITMENT – Whether you encounter operational questions or unexpected issues while using your mixer, our team of professional engineers will provide remote troubleshooting and solutions within 24 hours, ensuring your baking experience is backed by reliable, long-lasting performance.
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 makes a stand mixer the best choice for home baking?
The best stand mixers offer powerful motors, durable construction, and versatile attachments for tasks like kneading dough and whipping cream. Look for models with consistent performance and a range of speed settings to handle different recipes efficiently.
How do the top-rated stand mixers compare in terms of performance?
Top models like KitchenAid and Wolf excel in mixing evenness and motor power, but KitchenAid is more budget-friendly. Wolf mixers offer advanced features like a bowl-lift design, while KitchenAid’s tilt-head is easier for frequent ingredient additions.
What key features should I prioritize when buying a stand mixer?
Focus on motor power (measured in watts), bowl capacity, and included attachments like dough hooks and whisks. A planetary mixing action ensures thorough blending, while a slow-start feature prevents splattering.
Are expensive stand mixers worth the investment?
Premium mixers often last longer and handle heavy-duty tasks better, making them ideal for avid bakers. Budget models can suffice for occasional use but may struggle with dense doughs or prolonged mixing.
How do I decide between a tilt-head and a bowl-lift stand mixer?
Tilt-head mixers are more compact and easier to access, while bowl-lift models offer greater stability for heavy loads. Choose based on your kitchen space and the types of recipes you’ll make most often.
What attachments are most useful for a stand mixer?
Essential attachments include a flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip, but optional tools like pasta rollers or food grinders add versatility. Consider your cooking habits to avoid paying for unused accessories.
How do I maintain my stand mixer for longevity?
Regularly clean the attachments and bowl, and avoid overloading the motor with dense mixtures. Periodically check for wear on gears and lubricate moving parts as recommended by the manufacturer.
What’s the difference between a 5-quart and a 7-quart stand mixer?
A 5-quart mixer is suitable for most home recipes, while a 7-quart is better for large batches or commercial use. Larger mixers often have stronger motors but take up more counter space.