The best stand mixers are sturdy, long-lasting and convenient. They look great and are far more functional than hand mixers.
Choosing a stand mixer can be confusing as there are so many features, settings and capacity options to consider.
As this is an investment and something you don’t want to replace for a long time, check out our reviews and buyer’s guide to ensure you choose the best mixer for your home.
1. KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer (Top Pick)
At the top of our list of best stand mixers is the classic, stylish Artisan from KitchenAid. This mixer will look great in any kitchen thanks to its timeless design. This level of quality does not come cheap but the Artisan is durable and built to last.
Easy to use and versatile, the set comes with everything you need to start baking; 2 stainless steel mixing bowls, a pouring shield, a wire whisk, a dough hook and a flat beater.
This machine is powerful and ingredients are blended together quickly. The controls are simple to use and there are 10 speed variables to give you control over the mixing.
You can achieve even more with this appliance by using the attachment hub and optional extras, the Artisan can be transformed into a pasta maker, a mince grinder or a vegetable spiraliser.
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What We Like:
- High quality
- Mixes quickly
- Stylish design
What We Don’t Like:
- Heavy (10.6kg)
2. Kenwood Chef Stand Mixer (Best Value)
The Kenwood Chef Stand Mixer is modern, minimalistic and excellent value for money. You can achieve professional results at home with this machines ease of use and features.
There is a generous 4.6L capacity and a selection of high quality attachments including; K beater, whisk and a dough hook so you’ll find an attachment suited to whatever you are making.
The 1000W motor maintains power and speed even when it comes to denser, thicker mixes such as bread dough.
A feature we love is the speed control; with soft start, variable speeds and a pulse option you will have complete control over your mix.
What We Like:
- Best value for money
- Easy to use controls
- Selection of attachments
What We Don’t Like:
- Only very minor flaws noted such as needing to scrape the bowl sides for unmixed ingredients
3. Breville the Bakery Boss Stand Mixer
The sturdy, powerful Breville Bakery Boss makes light work of even heavy doughs. The features of this quiet stand mixer makes baking effortless.
The set comes with 2 bowl (1 glass and 1 stainless steel), a dough hook, flat beater, whisk and scraper beater and there is a bowl light, a splash guard and a pouring shield to avoid spillages.
The mixer ensures full bowl coverage by using a planetary mixing action, there is an LCD timer so you can keep an eye on how long you are mixing for and the glass bowl lets you see exactly how the mix is looking.
The powerful motor automatically adjusts the power when mixing denser ingredients to maintain the selected speed.
A useful feature for tidying up is that the cord can be stored away inside the mixer body and there are handles so you can easily move the unit around.
What We Like:
- Quiet but powerful
- Sophisticated and stylish
- Built to last
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
4. Kenwood Chef XL Stand Mixer
The Kenwood Chef XL is an affordable, large capacity (6.7L) mixer that looks great but doesn’t dominate the kitchen. It comes with plenty of accessories and features so you can make a range of food with ease.
The electric mixer is versatile, it comes with a K beater, wire whisk, dough hook and a splash guard.
Each tool is designed for certain mixes; if you are whisking egg whites use the wire whisk, if you are whipping up cream the K beater is perfect and if you are making bread dough then the hook is ideal.
The accessories are easy to switch and the mixer can be converted into a range of other appliances with attachments such as a spiraliser and blender.
Using the variable speed setting and pulse setting you can choose the speed you need to achieve the desired consistency.
What We Like:
- Spacious capacity
- Affordable
- Versatile
What We Don’t Like:
- Noisy when in use
5. Smeg 50s Retro Style Stand Mixer
This vintage-inspired retro style stand mixer is functional and straightforward to use. It offers a beautiful combination of usability and design.
These retro stand mixers use a high power planetary action and have 10 settings for precise mixing of any baking tasks.
There is a smooth start function that prevents ingredients from splattering outside the bowl when you begin mixing (a very handy feature for any cake mixer!).
The 4.8L stainless steel bowl has a convenient handle and a handy pouring shield to keep things smart and clean in your kitchen.
The set includes a wire whisk, a flat beater and a dough hook and there is a front port that can fit an assortment of accessories.
What We Like:
- High power
- 1950’s retro aesthetic
- Variable power with 10 speed settings
What We Don’t Like:
- Heavy (9.5kg)
Stand Mixer Buyer’s Guide
Although stand mixers may all look similar at first glance, there are a lot of settings, features and attachments that vary from product to product.
Below we’ve outlined some of the key aspects to consider:
Tilt head vs bowl lift
This is one of the biggest differences between stand mixers.
A tilt head model means the mixing bowl and attachments are put in place by lifting the head of the mixer up while a bowl lift has arms that extend from the machine and the bowl hooks onto these arms.
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Key Considerations
- Basic attachments – the three standard attachments you can expect to be included tend to be a whisk, beater and dough hook. These should be enough to fulfil most of your needs, including making cake mix, cookie dough or whipping cream.
- Size – consider the size of the mixer and the capacity of the bowl. Some units come with more than one mixing bowl with different capacities.
- Speed settings – having different speed options is very important as this lets you perform any task from whipping egg whites at quick speeds to kneading dough at slower speeds. The slow start feature is great as it prevents the ingredients flying out of the mixing bowl when you first turn the mixer on.
- Planetary action – this is an effective technique for mixers, it means the attachment rotates one way while the mixer head rotates the other giving complete bowl coverage.
- Weight – most stand mixers are quite heavy. Heavier mixers are good for stability but if you plan to move the kitchen mixer stand around then a lighter model will be far more convenient.
Extras
These extras are not offered by all mixers but you may find them to be useful additions:
- Countdown timer
- Pause or folding function
- Splashguard
- Light
- Additional mixing bowls
Stand Mixer FAQs
The Artisan is a slightly more advanced and expensive model, it has more capacity and is a great option for larger families and people who bake often or bake big batches. The Artisan is available in over 30 colours and has a convenient handle for easy manoeuvring too.
