Comparison: Second Best Stand Mixer (Updated | Dec 9th)
We all dream of that iconic KitchenAid stand mixer, but what if your budget says otherwise? Don’t despair! The world of “second best” stand mixers is surprisingly impressive. These powerful contenders deliver exceptional performance without breaking the bank, offering features like multiple attachments and robust motors. We’ve sifted through the noise to find the top alternatives that can still elevate your baking game. Get ready to discover a reliable kitchen workhorse that proves you don’t need the most famous brand to achieve perfect results.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for classic kitchenaid power: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for reliable classic white: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for versatile 2-in-1: Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer
- Best for large capacity quiet: Honinst Stand Mixer
- Best for compact space saver: Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer
- Best for colorful compact choice: Kitchen in the Box Stand Mixer
- Best for complete bowl coverage: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for heavy duty pro: Kraftsman Stand Mixer All Metal – Heavy Duty Kitchen Standing Mixer 5.3 Quart with 4 Stainless Steel Attachments
- Best for mess-free accessory: Whisk Wiper® PRO for Stand Mixers – Mix Without The Mess – The Ultimate Stand Mixer Accessory – Compatible With KitchenAid Stand Mixers (For Tilt-Head Mixers
- Best for innovative 2-in-1: bella 3.5 Qt Hand & Stand Mixer
Product Comparison: Second Best Stand Mixer
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
Reliable Classic White
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
Versatile 2-in-1
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.
Large Capacity Quiet
Honinst Stand Mixer, 6.5QT 10-Speed Tilt-Head Electric Stand Mixer, 3-In-1 Kitchen Mixer with Bowl, Dough Hook, Whisk and Beater, Food Mixer for Baking, Cake and Most Home Cooks, Black
Honinst
- 【Pure Copper Motor & 10 Speed Control】Powerful pure copper motor with multi-speed adjustment and 6.5QT stainless steel bowl, access to a variety of recipes. 3D Multi-Dimensional Planetary Mixing Technology, which simulates manual techniques for better mixing of ingredients.
- 【Multifunctional Design】One-touch head-tilt design for easy operation and convenient to add ingredients. Splash bowl cover maintains clean kitchen and food hygiene. Anti-slip suction feet keep the food mixer stable during operation.
- 【Low-Noise & Overheating Protection】 Utilizing Aerodynamic Theory to reduce the resonance of the cook mixer’s internal chamber, with high quality bearing parts, resulting in less than 60 dB of noise. Overheating protection ensures longer dough mixer life.
- 【Multiple Accessories】Honinst Household Stand Mixer comes with 3 accessories: dough hook, whisk and beater, all obtained Food Safety ETL Certification. From whipping cream to kneading dough, from bread, cakes, pizzas to pastry, muffins and waffle, meet all your cooking needs and free your hands for easy cooking.
- 【Honinst 24/7 Online Guarantee】Honinst electric kitchen mixer is a great option for family or friends. We provide 24/7 online service, please feel free to contact us if you have any problems while using it.
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.
Colorful Compact Choice
Kitchen in the Box Stand Mixer, 3.5 QT Small Kitchen Electric Stand Mixers, 10-Speed Portable Lightweight Dough Mixer for Daily Use with Egg Whisk, Dough Hook, Beater (Cream White)
Kitchen in the box
- 【Compact Stand Mixer with 8 Stylish Colors】This small Kitchen in the Box stand mixer boasts a compact design (just 11.5″x6.5″x10.8″ & 5 lbs!), making it perfect for tight spaces and apartments. Lightweight for easy carrying and storage. Choose from 8 vibrant colors to perfectly match your kitchen style—a beautiful electric mixer for all your baking, cake, and bread making.
- 【Perfect 3.5-QT Size & Tilt-Head Convenience】Our small stand mixer is equipped with a 3.5-QT stainless steel bowl—ideal for beginner bakers, 1–2 person families, or couples, easy to operate and clean up. The tilt-head design allows effortless access for adding ingredients and swapping attachments. The transparent splash guard keeps countertops clean in any kitchen.
- 【10-Speed Power & Stable Mixing】Tackle any baking recipe confidently with 10 precise speeds. This Kitchen in the Box electric mixer handles thick bread dough, whips cream, blends cake batter, and gently stirs delicate ingredients – all with optimal control. Use it as a powerful dough mixer for bread or a gentle mixer for desserts. 4 strong suction cups firmly anchor this electric dough mixer to your countertop, making it a stable kitchen companion.
- 【Durable Attachments & Dishwasher Safe】As a versatile food mixer, it includes coated aluminum dough hooks & beaters, plus a stainless steel whisk for lasting performance. All attachments snap on and off in seconds for quick changes during baking. The stainless steel bowl and attachments are dishwasher safe (top rack recommended). This durable dough mixer from Kitchen in the Box simplifies kitchen cleanup.
- 【The Thoughtful Gift & Reliable Support】This electric stand mixer makes an excellent gift for housewarming, weddings, or holidays—perfect for anyone who loves baking cakes, bread, and more. If you have questions about your mixer, feel free to contact us. This reliable Kitchen in the Box stand mixer brings joy to every kitchen!
Complete Bowl Coverage
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts, Dough Hook, Flat Beater Attachments, Splash Guard, 7 Speeds with Whisk, Easy-Carry Top Handle, Red
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.
- 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.
- 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 other leading brand stand mixers.
- 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.
- 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.
Heavy Duty Pro
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.
Mess-Free Accessory
Whisk Wiper® PRO for Stand Mixers – Mix Without The Mess – The Ultimate Stand Mixer Accessory – Compatible With KitchenAid Stand Mixers (For Tilt-Head Mixers, Classic Blue)
WHISK WIPER
- THE ULTIMATE STAND MIXER ACCESSORY: wipe your stand mixer whisk and bowl in seconds
- CLEAN BOWL: the contours of Whisk Wiper Pro are perfectly designed to clean your stand mixer’s bowl
- KEEP YOUR COUNTER CLEAN: Whisk Wiper Pro catches drips when standing on counter
- Compatible with KitchenAid 4.5qt and 5qt Tilt-Head Stand Mixers. Made in USA.
- Hand wash only. Shouldn’t be exposed to high heat.
Innovative 2-in-1
bella 3.5 Qt Hand & Stand Mixer, 2 in 1 Electric Mixer with Bowl, Dough Hook, Whisk & Egg Beater, Multifunctional Handheld Mixer for Baking, 200 Watt, Oatmilk
BELLA
- TWO MIXERS IN ONE: Switch seamlessly between hand mixer and countertop mixer mode to tackle any recipe with ease. Whether you’re whipping up fluffy pancakes or kneading bread dough, this versatile kitchen gadget adapts to your needs.
- MESS-FREE, HASSLE-FREE CLEANUP: Spend more time baking and less time scrubbing with dishwasher-safe bowls and accessories. Plus, suction feet keep the mixer stable, so you don’t have to worry about slipping or spills while mixing.
- MESS-FREE, HASSLE-FREE CLEANUP: Spend more time baking and less time scrubbing with dishwasher-safe bowls and accessories. Plus, suction feet keep the mixer stable, so you don’t have to worry about slipping or spills while mixing.
- NO MORE GUESSWORK: The built-in viewing window lets you monitor ingredients as you work, so you can ensure the perfect consistency without stopping. No matter the recipe, with this dough mixer you’ll always know when it’s just right.
- MULTI-USE COVER PLATE: It’s not just a lid—it’s a built-in bench scraper and dough cutter. Prep, portion, and transfer with ease using the cover plate included in the appliance, designed to save you steps and space while you bake like a pro.
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 a strong ‘second best’ option?
A strong second best stand mixer typically offers a great balance of power and capacity for most home bakers at a more accessible price. While it may not have the ultra-high-end build of a top-tier brand, it excels with reliable performance and a solid set of core features. Look for models that provide consistent mixing results without paying for professional-grade power you might not need.
How do I compare the power of different mixers?
Don’t rely solely on wattage, as a higher number doesn’t always mean better mixing performance. A more telling factor is the mixer’s torque, which is its ability to power through thick doughs without stalling. Look for reviews that specifically mention performance with heavy loads like bread or pizza dough to gauge real-world power.
What key features should I prioritize for value?
For the best value, prioritize a model with a planetary mixing action, which ensures all ingredients are incorporated thoroughly. A tilt-head design is generally easier to use and store, while a bowl-lift model offers more stability. A slow-start feature is also crucial to prevent flour and ingredients from flying out of the bowl.
How important are attachments and accessories?
The versatility of a stand mixer comes from its attachments, so check what’s included and what’s available for purchase separately. Most models come with a beater, dough hook, and whisk, which is a great starting point. Consider a brand with a wider ecosystem of attachments, like a pasta maker or food grinder, if you want your mixer to be a multi-purpose kitchen appliance.
What’s the difference between a tilt-head and a bowl-lift mixer?
A tilt-head mixer allows you to pivot the head back for easy access to the bowl, which is convenient for adding ingredients and changing attachments. A bowl-lift mixer uses a lever to raise and lower the bowl into a fixed position, offering more stability and often a larger capacity. For most home kitchens, a tilt-head design provides ample power and greater flexibility.
Is a larger bowl capacity always better?
Not necessarily. While a larger bowl is great for big batches, it can be inefficient for small recipes as the beaters may not reach the ingredients at the bottom. A 5-quart bowl is a versatile size for most families, while a 6-quart or larger is better for avid bakers who frequently make multiple loaves of bread or large batches of cookies.
How can I determine if a mixer is built to last?
Look for mixers with an all-metal construction, including the gears and transmission, as this is a key indicator of durability. A heavier mixer often suggests more robust components and a more stable base that won’t ‘walk’ across the counter. Check the length of the warranty; a longer warranty period usually reflects the manufacturer’s confidence in the product’s longevity.
