Comparison: Serious Eats Best Stand Mixer (Updated | Dec 9th)
Choosing the right stand mixer can feel like a culinary commitment, a decision that impacts everything from weeknight bread to birthday cakes. You’ve likely seen the Serious Eats recommendation, but is it truly the best stand mixer for *your* kitchen? We’ve put their top pick through its paces, comparing its performance against other popular models.
Editor’s Choice
Best for a specific purpose
- Best for classic kitchen power: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for timeless white mixer: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer K45SS
- Best for quiet mixing pro: Honinst Stand Mixer
- Best for dual function mixer: Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer
- Best for high-power mixing: Kitchen Stand Mixer
- Best for professional spiral mixing: Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer – Dough Stand Mixer with Attachments
- Best for compact color choice: Kitchen in the Box Stand Mixer
- Best for effortless baking companion: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for durable mixing power: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
- Best for large capacity touchscreen: 900W Stand Mixer 8 QT kitchen Dough mixers LED Touch Screen Adjustable Speed Electric Household Mixers With Bowl
Product Comparison: Serious Eats Best Stand Mixer
Classic Kitchen 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
Timeless White Mixer
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
Quiet Mixing Pro
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.
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.
High-Power Mixing
Kitchen Stand Mixer, 6.5Qt Household Stand Mixers, 660W 6+P Speed Tilt-Head Electric Dough Mixer, Food Mixers for Daily Use with Dough Hooks, Whisk, Beater
Ecunafix
- 🍞【660W HIGH POWER & LOW NOISE】 660W high performance pure copper motor and 360° planetary mixing action around the bowl ensure ingredients are evenly mixed. What’s more, the low-noise working (60-72 dB) won’t disturb other people. Whether it’s fluffy cake batter or thick sourdough, this mixer can get the job done with ease.
- 🍩【6.5QT LARGE CAPACITY BOWL WITH HANDLES】This 6.5Qt mixing bowl is made from imported 304 stainless steel which guarantees safety. The Stand Mixer can hold 1200g flour, meeting all your kitchen needs. Equipped with a transparent splash guard with access hatch helps add ingredients without making a mess.
- 🍕【TILTING HEAD DESIGN AND SAFE ADJUSTMENT】 The tilt-head design mixer allows access to install or uninstall bowl and accessories easily. When the tilting head is raised, the electric kitchen mixer stops working automatically. In the event of a serious overload, it can be switched off intelligently. 6 non-slip silicone pads on the bottom ensure that the pastry blender remains stable even at high speeds.
- 🍰【6+P SPEEDS MEET ANY RECIPES】 mixers kitchen electric stand mixer comes with 3 attachments( Dough Hook, Beater, Whisk)offer mixing versatility to any job, from blending to whipping. Features 6 settings to gently knead, thoroughly mix, and briskly whip(P-Mode), suitable for mixing cakes, cookie dough, fudge, or potatoes, or kneading the dough for bread, pizza, or cinnamon rolls.
- 💌【RELIABLE QUALITY & 24/7 SUPPORT】ETL certificate, overheating and overload protection. We provides long-term quality assurance and 24/7 online support. Our household stand mixers are a preferred present for family, and friends.
Professional Spiral Mixing
Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer – Dough Stand Mixer with Attachments, 7.3 Quart Capacity and 58 Speed Settings – Charcoal Grey
ooni
- Better Dough at Home – Make bakery-quality dough at home with groundbreaking spiral mixing technology used in professional kitchens, bakeries and pizzerias.
- Professional Spiral Mixing Technology – The Spiral mixer technology, with a Rotating Bowl, Spiral Dough Hook and patent-pending Removable Breaker Bar, develops stronger gluten networks for better dough and, ultimately, tastier bread and pizza.
- Precision Control – Fine-tune your mixing through 58 speed settings, from 60 RPMs to over 1,000.
- Mixing. Whisking. Beating. – Make exceptional cakes, cookies, whipped cream, frosting and more, with included multi-functional attachments.
- Four Attachments Included – Breaker bar, flexible beater, spiral dough hook and geared whisk
Compact Color 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!
Effortless Baking Companion
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts, Dough Hook, Flat Beater Attachments, Splash Guard, 7 Speeds with Whisk, Easy-Carry Top Handle, Aqua
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.
Durable Mixing Power
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts, Dough Hook, Flat Beater Attachments, Splash Guard 7 Speeds with Whisk, Black
Hamilton Beach
- THOROUGH MIXING AND COMPLETE BOWL COVERAGE. As you mix, each stand mixer attachment rotates around the entire bowl as it spins at your selected speed. This planetary mixing action ensures that ingredients are mixed thoroughly and provides complete bowl coverage.
- POWERS THROUGH THE THICKEST DOUGH AND MAINTAINS CONSTANT SPEED. No matter how thick or heavy your ingredients are, the powerful 300 watt motor of this kitchen stand mixer maintains constant speed.
- PROVIDES MIXING VERSATILITY — DOUGH HOOK, WHISK AND FLAT BEATER INCLUDED: Three versatile attachments let you do everything from kneading pizza dough to mixing cookie dough and whipping cream.
- DURABLE STAINLESS STEEL BOWL WITH REMOVABLE SPLATTER SHIELD: The stainless steel bowl is designed to withstand year after year of mixing and includes a removable splatter shield that fits on top when needed. Dishwasher safe for easy cleanup.
- 7 SPEEDS HANDLE EVERY MIXING TASK: Go from slowly folding and combining ingredients on the first speed all the way up to beating ingredients or whipping cream at top speed. The stand mixer’s wide range of 7 speeds will cover every mixing task.
Large Capacity Touchscreen
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
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’s the difference between a tilt-head and a bowl-lift stand mixer?
Tilt-head mixers are generally more compact and have a hinge that allows you to tilt the head back to access the bowl. Bowl-lift models use a lever to raise and lower the bowl, offering more stability and support for heavy doughs and larger capacities. Your choice depends on your kitchen space and the intensity of your baking.
How important is the mixer’s power, measured in watts?
While wattage can indicate power, it’s not the only factor to consider. A mixer’s torque and gear design are more crucial for handling heavy mixtures like bread dough without stalling. For most home bakers, a mixer with robust, efficient mechanics is more valuable than one with the highest wattage number.
Which stand mixer is best for making bread?
For frequent bread making, a bowl-lift mixer with a powerful motor and a strong transmission is ideal. Models like the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series or the Ankarsrum Original are specifically designed to handle the stress of kneading dense, heavy doughs for extended periods. A tilt-head model may struggle or wear out faster under such heavy use.
Are the various attachments interchangeable between different brands of mixers?
No, stand mixer attachments are almost always brand-specific and not interchangeable between companies like KitchenAid, Cuisinart, or Smeg. You must purchase attachments designed for your specific mixer model. This is an important long-term consideration, as the ecosystem of available accessories can greatly expand your mixer’s functionality.
What capacity bowl do I need for my household?
A standard 4.5 to 5-quart bowl is sufficient for most households, capable of mixing dough for up to 9 dozen cookies. For those who bake in large batches or have a big family, a 6-quart or larger bowl provides more flexibility. Be sure to check the mixer’s total capacity, as some are better suited for small batches while others excel with large ones.
Is it worth paying more for a high-end stand mixer?
A more expensive mixer often translates to greater durability, more power, and better performance under heavy loads. If you are a casual baker, a mid-range model will likely suffice. However, for avid bakers who make bread or large batches frequently, investing in a high-end mixer can provide better value and longevity over time.
How do I know if a stand mixer will have enough clearance on my countertop?
Tilt-head mixers require vertical clearance to allow the head to fully swing back, while bowl-lift mixers need more front-to-back depth for the bowl to move up and down. Always check the product’s dimensions, including the height at its tallest point, and measure your available counter and cabinet space before purchasing.