4 Best Stand Mixers, According to Testing
These top-tested stand mixers can do it all from doughs, cakes, cookies and more.
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Whether for amateur cooks or seasoned bakers, a stand mixer comes in handy for plenty of jobs, from kneading homemade bread to whipping cream or a frosting to ice a cake. So the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Technologies Lab curated a list of the best stand mixers based on more than 80 hours of testing to find the six favorites that performed best in our Lab evaluations.
Our top picks:
Electric stand mixers are an epic multipurpose tool in the kitchen. Whether you’re whipping up cake batter or shredding chicken, the best are powerful and can include stand mixer attachments you can buy separately that let you grind meat, roll pasta and spiralize vegetables.
The pros at Good Housekeeping Institute have tested all kinds of appliances, from blenders to microwaves, for decades. When testing each stand mixer, our pros evaluate how well it can mix cake batter and cookie dough, knead bread dough and whip cream and egg whites. We also assess its ease of use, the thoroughness of the owner's manual, the ease of the assembly, the intuitiveness of the controls and of course, if the mixer is simple to clean.
Read on to learn more about our top picks along with what to look for when buying a stand mixer and more details about how we tested. Working on a baking project? Look no further for our top baking pans, measuring cups and favorite gifts for bakers too.
KitchenAid Artisan Design Series 5-Qt. Mixer
KitchenAid Artisan Design Series 5-Qt. Mixer
Pros
- Aced Lab tests across the board, from cookie dough to egg whites
- Many color, attachment and customization options
Cons
- Pricey
When you think of stand mixers, you might picture a KitchenAid model — the company has been around since 1919. This 5-quart option comes in multiple colors from red to silver and includes great basic tools, like a paddle, whisk and dough hook. But you can purchase a variety of unique compatible accessories like a pasta maker, spiralizer or juicer, which the KitchenAid mixer's impressive motor has no trouble running.
While pricey, this model scored well in all of our tests — we even thought the manual was helpful — but in particular it aced our cookie dough and whipped cream tests, easily tackling dense oatmeal-chocolate chip cookies and turning out fluffy, stable whipped cream. It's also a great mixer for bread bakers, since it received a perfect score for kneading in our tests. When it comes to all-around mixer power, this pick is a top performer.
| Capacity | 5 qt |
|---|---|
| Power | 250 watts |
| Weight | 25 lbs |
| Dimensions | 9.3" x 14.3" x 14" |
| Speeds | 10 |
| Attachments | Flat beater, dough hook and wire whip |
| Type of mixer | Tilt-head |
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
Pros
- High scores for kneading and whipping
- Suctions to countertop for sturdy performance
Cons
- Had some issues with splattering in our tests
If you're looking for a powerful mixer on a tight budget, this Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer was among the most affordable models we tested and earned a high score in nearly every one of our evaluations. Our Lab pros were impressed with its ability to both whip delicate egg whites into stiff peaks and to quickly (and evenly) knead bread dough.
Designed with a handle on top to make lifting the head easy, the mixer also suctions to your countertop so it'll stay in place while mixing. All attachments are dishwasher safe too. With seven different speeds, you'll have enough control to avoid under-mixing and over-mixing batters, doughs and frosting. That said, we did note some splattering in our tests.
| Capacity | 4 qt |
|---|---|
| Power | 300 watts |
| Weight | 9 lbs. 6.24 oz. |
| Dimensions | 10.4" x 15.55" x 16.3" |
| Speeds | 7 |
| Attachments | Flat beater, dough hook, whisk and splash guard |
| Type of mixer | Tilt-head |
Cuisinart SM-50TQ Stand Mixer
Cuisinart SM-50TQ Stand Mixer
Pros
- Impressive performance at a nice price
- Can purchase useful attachments for pasta, ice cream and more
Cons
- Head may move with stiff bread dough
For Cuisinart fans, this versatile pick in a retro color will be a nice addition to their kitchen. It features 12 speed settings that are easy to select with the turn of a dial. The lowest setting is very gentle so flour won't spew everywhere, while the highest setting is good for putting the final touches on whipped cream. The bowl attaches to the base effortlessly, and the attachments are easy to add and remove. In our tests, the whisk whipped excellent fluffy egg whites and cream that didn’t seep. The flat beater attachment handled a monster cookie recipe very well. While the mixer tackled a multigrain bread dough, we did note that the head can move when kneading stiff doughs.
Several attachments for this stand mixer can be purchased separately, including a pasta roller and cutter, spiralizer and ice cream maker. (We especially like using ice cream attachments on stand mixers because you can increase the speed to make a fluffier ice cream.) Plus, this mixer comes in so many different cool colors, you'll be sure to find the right one for your kitchen.
| Capacity | 5.5 qt |
|---|---|
| Power | 500 watts |
| Weight | 23 lbs |
| Dimensions | 12.75" x 20" x 17.5" |
| Speeds | 12 |
| Attachments | Flat beater, dough hook, chef's whisk and splash guard with pour spout |
| Type of mixer | Tilt-head |
GE 7-Quart Smart Mixer with Auto Sense
GE 7-Quart Smart Mixer with Auto Sense
Pros
- Connects to GE app so you can control mixer from afar
- 7-quart capacity suits a variety of cooking projects
Cons
- Scale is less precise than other kitchen scales
In testing, this appliance stood out for the smart skills that other models weren't able to provide. A built-in scale is available to weigh ingredients, plus the voice command setting provides hands-free operation and auto-sense technology works with included recipes to keep an eye on how well ingredients are mixing. It's important to note that the scale only measures in 5 gram increments, so it is less precise than using a traditional scale.
The 7-quart capacity of the bowl allows space to make both small- and large-batch bakes. The mixer features 10 different speeds, including a slow start function, and can connect to your phone via the GE SmartHQ app so you can control it remotely to monitor and change the speed, set a timer or receive a notification once each step in the recipe is completed. In testing, the app connected quickly and efficiently and the pairing technologies provided multiple recipes that are easy to follow through the application.
| Capacity | 7 qt |
|---|---|
| Power | 600 watts |
| Weight | 35 lbs |
| Dimensions | 11.33" x 14" x 17.07" |
| Speeds | 11 |
| Attachments | Whip, beater, dough hook and pouring shield |
| Type of mixer | Bowl-lift |
How we test stand mixers
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab test a wide variety of kitchen products, including stand mixers. For our most recent test of 13 stand mixers, our experts consider how simple each machine was to set up and to switch tools. They evaluate the handiness of the user's manual, the noise level of the motor and how easy the parts are to clean. They put each product to the test with a roster of classic baking tasks:
- Whipping egg whites and heavy cream to ascertain how quickly they reached stiff peaks. To determine whether the ingredients were uniformly aerated, our pros checked to see if the meringue or whipped cream was sturdy or wept over time.
- Creating a cake batter using a specific boxed cake mix for consistency. This test provides data on mixing as well as splashing and scraping.
- Mixing an oatmeal cookie dough to test the ability to work with stiff dough. Experts then added chocolate chips to check how well they were distributed throughout.
- Kneading a smooth and elastic bread dough to note how long the process took.
- Baking everything from all tests to view and taste the final product.
Types and styles of stand mixers
Stand mixers come in a few varieties, and understanding the difference will help you find the style that's right for you.
✔️ Tilt-head stand mixers: A tilt-head mixer has a hinged neck so that the head can tilt back, giving you better access to the bowl and letting you insert and remove the accessories more easily. When lowered over the bowl, the head generally locks into place so that it won't bounce on the hinge when in use. Tilt-head mixers usually have small- to medium-capacity bowls and are good for most baking and mixing tasks.
✔️ Bowl-lift stand mixers: A bowl-lift mixer has a fixed head, but the bowl sits either on two arms or a rotating platform that can be raised to meet the mixing attachment. These mixers often have a larger base and can support a large-capacity bowl and, therefore, are ideal for larger batches and heavier tasks, like making bread dough.
Mixers use two styles of mixing:
✔️ Planetary mixing stand mixers: This is the most common type of stand mixer for household use. With planetary mixers, the bowl locks into place and the mixing attachment — such as paddle, whisk or hook — rotates on its axis while also rotating around the bowl (just like our solar system's planets, hence the name). They do require scraping the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated, but they are reasonably good at working ingredients into the mixture.
✔️ Stationary mixing stand mixers: Usually these involve two beaters that spin in place while the bowl rotates below. These are less commonly found models for home cooks. They can require frequent scraping to incorporate ingredients that are not below the beaters.
What to look for when buying a stand mixer
Finding the best stand mixer for your needs comes down to these main factors:
✔️ Capacity: This refers to the size of the work bowl. We like a 5-quart bowl as a baseline, but a larger bowl can give you more flexibility for batch size if you find that you’re always doubling your recipes to cook for a crowd. That said, if you bake for just one or two people or need the ability to whip just a few egg whites or a small portion of heavy cream, a smaller bowl is a better choice.
✔️ Wattage: This indicates the maximum power of the motor. The higher the watts listed for the motor, the greater the power. Think about what you like to bake most. Will you be using the stand mixer for sourdoughs and pizza crusts? If so, you'll want motor that can tackle stiff or sticky doughs. Looser items, like cake batter, can turn out nicely even with a lower wattage.
✔️ Price: Clearly you must consider what you can afford. Some high-end mixers can cost more than $500, while others are closer to $50. Sometimes a budget-friendly model is a steal, but other times you might find that the motor can’t handle heavy-duty tasks or just won’t last as many years. A larger upfront investment in a high-quality mixer may save you money over time.
✔️ Material: Higher-quality machines are usually constructed of metal, which provides both durability for a long life and heft to help keep the machine in place during use. Metal is often easier to clean because it's usually smoothly polished with fewer crevices. Lower-priced models are often made of plastic, which can be a boon for lifting and storing (and price!), but the lightweight design may mean it shifts around during use or shows wear and tear more quickly.
✔️ Size and weight: Do you plan to store your stand mixer on the counter? If so, you need to consider the width of your available space and the height of your cabinets when choosing your model. If you want to store your stand mixer in a cabinet or pantry, the weight will be an important factor, as you'll need to be able to lift and move the unit with each use.
✔️ Attachment and accessories: Most stand mixers will come with a paddle attachment (for cookie doughs and brownie and cake batters), a whisk attachment (for meringues, marshmallows and whipped cream) and a dough hook (for bread doughs). Some might also provide a paddle attachment with a fin that helps you scrape the sides of the bowl as you mix. The most versatile machines include the option to buy additional attachments that let you use the stand mixer’s motor for completely different tasks, like rolling pasta, juicing fruits and veggies, grinding meats or peeling produce.
How to clean and care for your stand mixer
To ensure that your mixer can stand the test of time, practice good clean-up and maintenance. Always follow the instruction manual for care, and contact the manufacturer for larger issues. But for day-to-day cleaning, these tips from Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou will help:
✔️ For stray flour or dry goods, wipe the mixer with a dry cloth or use a dry pastry brush to sweep the mess from any crevices; this will prevent clumps and buildup (since introducing water can create a paste that will harden if not removed).
✔️ For wet messes like batter or liquid, wipe with a damp sponge or cloth right away to prevent sticking and staining. Then dry the mixer with a dry cloth.
✔️ Hand wash attachments and accessories and dry — or allow to air dry — thoroughly. While many stand mixer tools are dishwasher safe, hand washing will help prevent potential nicks, chips and rusting, and it will help preserve the nonstick finish, where applicable.
✔️ Store the attachments in the bowl of the mixer, preferably in a tea towel to help prevent scratching.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything you could ever hope to stock your kitchen with, including stand mixers.
Sarah Wharton is a deputy editor with the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has tested some of the stand mixers on this list and has tested and written about products like immersion blenders.
Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances & Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014, though she started using them all when she started cooking at 12 years old. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.
Becca Miller is an associate food editor with the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen team. She spends her days researching food products and kitchen appliances and is an avid baker and considers her stand mixer one of her most used tools.
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
Becca Miller (she/her) has been working in the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen since 2018, where she researches and writes about tasty recipes, food trends and top cooking tools. She graduated from NYU with a liberal arts degree focusing on creative writing. She makes killer scrambled eggs, enjoys a glass of un-oaked chardonnay and takes pride in her love of reality television.
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