Best Stand Mixers in 2021 – Buyer’s Guide & Reviews

Stand mixers are multi-purpose kitchen tools that help you prepare artistic and delicious baked goods without excessive strain. Thanks to their rich sets of features, good stand mixers simplify home baking, enhance the cooking experience, and give you more time to enjoy doing what you love.

Compared with hand mixers, these useful devices are typically much more powerful and can tackle a wider range of cooking tasks. From blending cake batter to mixing cooking dough, to whipping cream, to kneading sticky bread and pizza doughs, the best stand mixer can do it all, simply and quickly.

How to Choose the Best Stand Mixer: A Buying Guide

A good stand mixer is a sturdy machine that doesn’t bounce around when kneading heavy dough. It should be powerful enough to work through thick doughs and aerate light batter with ease. Besides having a wide range of speeds that can be easily adjusted to handle any recipe, the mixer should come with extra attachments that are practical, easy to clean, and easy to remove. Also, you’ll want a mixer that can bring its attachments up to speed gradually to ensure cake batter doesn’t splatter everywhere.Below are some points that you should keep in mind when looking for a stand mixer.

Working Space

Conventional stand mixers are a lot heavier and bulkier than hand mixers. They’re as tall as countertop blenders— usually about 12 to 17 inches. Due to their size, they are not easy to move around. Also, it may not be a good idea to stash your heavy stand mixer away in a floor-level kitchen cabinet, since retrieving it can be hard on your back, especially if you have to do so on a regular basis.

If you intend to use your device often, have ample counter space, and find a mixer that matches your kitchen decor, it may deserve a permanent spot on the counter. On the other hand, if you think your stand mixer clutters the area and you only plan on using it occasionally, there are still inventive ways to store the mixer, such as installing an appliance lift or a counter-level closed cabinet, often referred to as an appliance garage.

Power and Speed

Most electronic mixers feature a wide range of speeds to tackle various cooking tasks. As a rule, the more speeds your mixer has, the more tasks it can perform. Make sure you choose the one that can ramp its motor up smoothly from low to high speed in order to prevent the ingredients from splashing around.

Mixers with more speeds and stronger motors (i.e. higher wattage and more horsepower) work faster and usually with greater finesse. With the included paddle attachment, they are even strong enough to shred multiple chicken breasts in less than a minute. This power, however, tends to make them heavier and more expensive.

Interchangeable Attachments

Most stand mixers come with three attachments: a flat mixing paddle for beating batters or cookie doughs, a dough hook for kneading bread or pizza dough, and a whisk for whipping egg whites or heavy cream. All the included attachments should be made from metal and easy to wash.

More expensive models feature a power hub (usually a built-in port covered by the silver cap at the top of a mixer) that allows the machine to connect to other attachments. With this option, your stand mixer can do all kinds of things, from making pasta to grinding meat.

Top-rated Stand Mixers Comparison Chart

Reviews of the Best Stand Mixers in 2021

All of the machines in our best stand mixer list are either tilt-head or bowl-lift models. These styles exhibit efficient performance, solid construction, and long operational lifespans.

1. KitchenAid KSM150PSER – Best to Buy in 2021
2. Cuisinart SM-50BK - Best Value Stand Mixer
3. KitchenAid K45SSOB Classic – Best KitchenAid Stand Mixer
4. Hamilton Beach 63391 - Best Affordable Stand Mixer
5. Ankarsrum AKM 6220 – Best Professional Stand Mixer
6. Bosch Universal Plus – Best Stand Mixer for Baking

Here’s our pick of the Best Stand Mixers.

1. KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PSER Stand Mixer – Best to Buy in 2021

Everyone should have the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer in their home. It’s durable, multi-purpose, and attractive. It makes baking a joy and fits perfectly on the countertop under the cupboards.

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• Various color options

• Durable and reliable

• Dishwasher-safe attachments

• Excels at mixing dough

• Useless splatter shield

• No instructions for setting up

Why You Will Like It

This mixer is claimed to be one of the best stand mixers available on the market. It isn’t as big as you might think it’d be, but it’s still heavy duty and solid as a rock. It has a powerful motor with plenty of low-end torque to push through even the most difficult concoctions. The best part about the KitchenAid KSM150PSER is that it comes in 20 different color options, creating the opportunity for buyers to find the one that best matches their style and personality. There is no way you wouldn’t be able to find one that is an aesthetically pleasing addition to your kitchen.

Now on to what people like about the machine: The mixing beaters work fine for mixing dry or wet ingredients. The dough hook has great performance for a standard bread dough. The 5-quart stainless steel bowl with a comfortable handle offers enough capacity to mix dough for 9 dozen cookies, 4 loaves of bread or 7 pounds of mashed potatoes in a single batch!

All the attachments (pasta maker, pasta rollers, grinder, shredder, juicer, sausage stuffer) work very well.

More impressively, the newest attachments being made can be used with older mixers, meaning you don’t need to worry about not being able to buy new attachments as they come available even if you’ve had your mixer for years.

Drawbacks

The splatter shield isn’t really needed if the speed of the mixer is started slow and not raised too much while mixing ingredients. It doesn, however, have a pouring spout that makes it easy to add ingredients while the mixer is running. Depending on what kind of mixing is being done, the shield might be useful, or it might not be needed at all.

2. Cuisinart SM-50 - Best Value Stand Mixer

The Cuisinart SM-50BK is a basic tilt-head model, but it can battle through thick dough better than any other stand mixer you will find for under $300. Of course, the motor is not as strong and the base not as heavy as those of higher-end options. The capacity and mixing ability still make this device worth the price, though.

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• Inexpensive

• Power outlet for optional attachments

• Compact and lightweight

• Various speeds

• Less efficient than the KitchenAid 5-quart

Why You Will Like It

This mixer is roughly the same size as the KitchenAid 5-quart, but is a lot lighter. Its relatively light weight can be a good thing, making it easier to move the machine around or pull out of a cabinet. However, it doesn’t have a heavy base to stabilize and balance the machine while operating. Your mixer might jump and strain when dealing with thick dough.

The Cuisinart SM-50BK also has nearly all the same specs and features as the top pick, but with a higher-capacity mixing bowl and controls in a different location. The 5.5-quart mixing bowl with easy-to-grip handle is made of stainless steel and is dishwasher safe. It has plenty of room to mix batter for five dozen cookies or to stir six cups of dry ingredients.

Even at the low price point, the Cuisinart SM-50BK comes equipped with a power outlet for optional attachments, such as an pasta maker and a meat grinder. It also has a pouring shield that makes it easier to add ingredients.

Drawbacks

The intuitive dial lets you control the motor’s 12 speeds. However, even at the highest speed setting, the machine is just barely faster than the KitchenAid’s medium speeds. So don’t be surprised if your mixer takes about 10 minutes to knead five cups of flour (enough for two loaves of bread). Our top pick— the KitchenAid KSM150PSER can usually knead enough dough for 3-4 loaves by that point.

3. KitchenAid Classic K45SSOB - Best KitchenAid Stand Mixer

KitchenAid stands for quality, so that’s why many people highly favor this brand. And, like most KitchenAid products which epitomize quality, this one is no exception.

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• High quality

• Best for kneading dough

• Time saving

• No pouring shield and handle on the bowl

• Fairly heavy

Being one of the best tools for any baker, this machine has turned the hardest tasks into a simple matter of throwing the ingredients in the bowl and turning on the power. Although it is a bit on the expensive side, if you don’t mind paying for quality, it certainly will never let you down. Truly, this kind of appliance will offer so many uses in your kitchen.

Why You Will Like It

This machine is great for mixing anything that requires a little elbow grease. It is durable and well-built, as well as being stylish enough to have a permanent home on your kitchen counter.

It comes with three different attachments for various uses: the dough hook which makes kneading bread a joy, the whisk which is perfect for making whipped cream or meringue, and the paddle attachment which is perfect for everything else. We also love how many different attachments are available for purchase so you can create a custom system for your cooking/baking preferences.

However this unit does not come with a pouring shield. It also does not have a handle on the bowl (but you can buy an extra bowl with a handle as an accessory), and that’s taken a little bit of getting used to. Aside from that though, this is definitely a great product.

Referring to the dough hook, it significantly cuts down on the amount of time required to get the job done. In less than a few minutes, the dough is evenly mixed and you can work on another step in the process at the same time since your hands are completely free. Honestly, we’ve never known a mixer could make such a difference!

Drawbacks

The only thing that surprised us a lot is how heavy this device is. It’s hard to lift or move it on your own. But we think this is not really a big problem as long as you have it in a convenient spot in your kitchen. It’s heavy enough so that it doesn’t bounce around the counter. The heaviness does lead to more stability, and that is something we look out for before purchasing a stand mixer. But, despite the large appearance, it runs so quietly that you hardly even realize it’s switched on. It’s also so quick and efficient.

4. Hamilton Beach 63391 - Best Affordable Stand Mixer

If you’re searching for a stand mixer that looks good and offers the best value for your money, try the Hamilton Beach 63391. This inexpensive machine is perfect for light use, has a convenient design, and comes with a wide range of advanced features that let you handle challenging cooking tasks with confidence.

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• Complete bowl coverage

• Various speeds and mixing guide

• Mixing versatility

• Unstable when mixing

Why You Will Like It

The Hamilton Beach 63391 is advertised to use the same planetary mixing action as KitchenAid models for complete bowl coverage and hands-free mixing. However, we don’t think this 4-quart tilt-head mixer can deliver the same efficiency and smooth, consistent mixtures as the KitchenAid.

The mixer is also less versatile than the KitchenAid due to a lack of the power outlet for extra attachments. This all makes it a pretty basic stand mixer. You of course get the basic attachments, including a flat beater, a dough hook, a wire whisk, and a splash guard. Together with the stainless steel bowl, all are dishwasher safe and easy to secure or remove. So if you’re after an affordable electric mixer for use only on cakes and light baking projects, go for this model.

A 300-watt motor powers the whole machine and allows you to switch between seven speeds. To know which speed is most appropriate for each mixing task, consult the helpful guide at the top of your mixer. This mixing guide will help you use each setting properly.

Besides the steady grip handle at the top of the mixer, the tilt-up button is another nice Hamilton Beach feature. The button makes it very easy to raise the mixer’s head to insert or remove the mixing bowl and attachments.

Hamilton Beach offers a 3-year limited warranty on this mixer.

Drawbacks

The non-slip feet keep the device stable on your countertop. That said, it does still rock and walk a bit around the countertop while kneading thick dough.

5. Ankarsrum AKM 6220 – Best Professional Stand Mixer

We absolutely love this mixer, especially for heavy things like breads and cookies. It works exactly as advertised by the manufacturers and dealers. Although it’s an expensive machine, we’re glad to say that it is definitely a valuable lifetime investment which will be with you for years to come.

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• Well designed attachments

• Solid construction

• Durable

• Energy saving

• Quite expensive

• Poorly constructed gears

• Requires knowledge on how to use

Why You Will Like It

The advantages of this machine are numerous. There seems to be nothing that it can’t handle. Right out of the box you can immediately see the very high build quality of this device. It’s built like a tank that’s meant to last a lifetime. It also has an enormous capacity for home use. We have used this for heavy batches of dough that can burn out most home mixers but this unit hasn’t even shown the slightest sign of strain. It does the job well without any grinding and gnashing of the motor.

Interestingly, it runs more quietly and uses less electricity than the Bosch Universal. Plus, you can add ingredients and see how it is blended without having to stop the mixer and lift the beating tool.

In regards to the attachments, the machine comes with a big, open bowl to view and dump ingredients in as well as two different mixing attachments for regular mixing duties (including whipping). It also has a timer on the switch that many users will really appreciate. You can set the timer and go work on something else until it shuts off. Frankly speaking, every part of this mixer is extremely well designed.

Unlike previous reviewed models, The Ankarsrum does require some studying on how to use it. You can’t figure out how to use the mixer on your own. But, once you go through the short learning curve (simply take a few minutes to watch one of the many videos that are posted on YouTube), you’ll be all set.

So, if you’ve been using a conventional mixer for bread dough, and don’t want to learn anything new, then don’t bother with the Ankarsrum. On the other hand, if you like learning new things, and want to expand your baking repertoire, then we would highly recommend this mixer. Yes, this may be more expensive but in the long run the extra cost is totally worth it.

Drawbacks

The Ankarsrum Original AKM 6220 is our favorite home mixer. However, there are still some things that we dislike. First, the roller tool can really be used for just about everything except whipping creams and egg whites. Secondly, for the price point, we cannot believe that the gears on the beating tool are plastic which could potentially break.

6. Bosch Universal Plus - Best Stand Mixer for Baking

Not only is this machine a super useful kitchen appliance, it also has been built and engineered very well indeed, more like a commercial product than a consumer product. If you are looking at quality and value, look no further. The Bosch mixer is the superlative mixer for your kitchen.

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• Good for kneading a BIG bowl of dough

• Dough hook of industrial-strength

• Powerful motor

• A bit expensive

• Cannot use hot liquids due to its plastic design

Why You Will Like It

The Bosch Universal Plus is popularly known for its bread making ability. With a powerful motor, this kitchen mixer has no problem in kneading a BIG bowl of dough (up to 14-pound) in about 25% less time than many other regular mixers. When you turn the machine on, you can get the feel of the full 800 watts of power it is capable of by its roaring sound. However, it’s still considerably quieter than some traditional mixers.

Keep in mind that since it’s so big, it’s not great at kneading smaller amounts. Less than 2 loaves worth of bread at a time would not be kneaded efficiently.

Besides kneading dough, this machine also can tear up just about anything you throw at it. Of course, the results always come out beautifully. When using this, we think you might need to modify your recipes slightly in terms of kneading or mixing time: this machine does a pretty efficient job in less time than you expect!

In terms of performance, the knead arm does a great job of mixing and kneading. It doesn’t take up a lot of space and the convenient suction cups on the base make sure it stays on your countertop. The dough hook is of industrial-strength, and the mixing paddles do a great job with thinner batters. Plus, there is a removable splash guard around the rim that allows users to add extra flour while the device is running without making a mess.

Drawbacks

The included mixing bowl has an awesome design which is very handy for baking as compared to other stand mixers, and also offers easy clean-up. Since this part is made from plastic, you cannot use any hot liquids in it, so it wouldn’t be able to make marshmallows, Italian meringue buttercream or meringues.

Bosch does make stainless bowl accessories which are particularly designed for mixing boiling liquids. Generally, stainless bowls are easier to clean than plastic bowls, especially when kneading sticky bread dough. Having a secondary stainless bowl makes it extremely convenient when preparing multiple dishes at a time.

Another small consideration is that it would be great to have a kneading arm scraper device to draw material from the bowl walls into the kneading arm. Other than that, we would not change a thing.

Conclusion

All in all, stand mixers are must-have appliances for any modern kitchen. The best stand mixer should have a heavy base so that it doesn’t rock around when dealing with heavy-duty tasks. It also should offer the perfect amount of power for kneading thick dough, efficiently mixing batter, and whipping cream or egg whites. - Good, reliable stand mixers aren’t cheap, but if you cook and bake a lot, they’re absolutely well worth the investment in the long run.