The best stand mixer 2024 – all the top brands tried and tested by bakers

A stand mixer is a valuable tool for frequent bakers, saving time and effort while improving texture and quality of your sweet treats.

Roundups of the best stand mixer have historically been dominated by KitchenAid's iconic, highly competent models. However, rivals like Cuisinart and Wolf are now offering cutting-edge performance.

With so many models to choose from, I've tested all the top brands to find the best fit for your kitchen. From budget-friendly options for budding bakers to professional models with enormous capacity, extra accessories, and ice cream functions.

To find the very best stand mixer on the market, we look for exceptional performance. Our rigorous tests ensure that every mixer we recommend can whip the fluffiest cream, thoroughly mix batters, and effortlessly knead dough. The proof is in the pudding, so we taste-test all the results, too (it's a tough life, really). We also assess versatility – examining the speed settings and functions – as well as usability, which includes convenience, reliability and ease of cleaning. Finally, we weigh up value for money and aesthetics to see which stand mixers is worth the investment.

KitchenAid's Artisan Stand Mixer has defended the top spot for a while, but I also have my eye on the Ankarsrum mixer, which kneaded the dreamiest, fluffy cinnamon buns in the test kitchen.

The quick list

Here's a quick introduction to our favorite stand mixers on the market. If you want to know more, we go deep into the details further down this guide.

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Level up your baking equipment with the best stand mixers in 2024

The best stand mixer overall

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This iconic, American-made stand mixer is a statement piece in any kitchen, but don't let looks deceive you – it's a real workhorse. With 10 speed settings, it was slow enough for kneading dough and speedily making whipped cream with perfect results. The handy tilt-head makes it a joy to use, and it was easy for me to add ingredients and switch out attachments.

These attachments include a wire whisk for beating eggs, a flat beater for integrating cake batter, and a hook to work your bread dough. I was particularly impressed by the flat beater, which creamed sugar and butter with minimal intervention before adding in eggs and flour to make easy loaf cakes.

The wire whisk isn't dishwasher-safe, so you need to hand-wash this attachment. Plus, some customers find that cleaning the nooks and crannies around the attachment hub and the mixer head can be a bit challenging.

The dough hook needed a little supervision for larger loaves, but it's perfectly suitable for brioche or sourdough. I found that the 5-quart capacity is a little lacking if you're catering for a crowd. I turned out two chocolate sponge cakes in one go, but only one loaf of bread at a time. However, KitchenAid makes several bowl sizes if you need more capacity.

In fact, the range of attachments you can tack onto this KitchenAid adds exceptional value. My favourites is the ice cream maker attachment, which can expertly churn ice cream, sorbet, and frozen yogurt.

The retro design is timeless, but every year, we fall in love with KitchenAid's show-stopping 'Design Series.' Most recently, the walnut wood mixer of 2024.

There's more detail in my KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer review

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The best value stand mixer

The KitchenAid vs Cuisinart debate is still a hot topic, but if value for money is your top consideration, the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer is a great option.

I found that it excelled at heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread thanks to the sturdy design and high-quality attachments. Controlled by a simple side dial, it packs 500 watts of power and comes with 12 speed settings (more than the KitchenAid.) The dial makes it easy to adjust the speed midway through mixing. Customer reviews have noted that the higher speed settings are noisy, but the lower settings are great for delicate work. I loved the slow-start design that saves you from messy clouds of icing sugar or flour as you bake.

If you're catering for a crowd, the bowl is also larger than the KitchenAid Artisan by half a quart. Bear in mind that while it excels at mixing bread, some cake ingredients stuck to the side of the bowl, so I had to scrape the sides down to fully incorporate them.

Though it can't match the KitchenAid for colors, the six options - periwinkle blue, white, silver, red, black, and robin's egg green - suit almost every kitchen.

There's more detail in my Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer review.

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The best large capacity stand mixer

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From one baking obsessive to another: if you're taking on multi-tiered cakes, or a whopping 14 dozen cookies, or simply chasing the perfect loaf, the KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer is an investment worth making. This is the best stand mixer for serious bakers.

It created the best bread of any I've tested, kneading smooth, elastic dough. Unlike other stand mixers on the list, there was no juddering or moving on the countertop, which is great for safety, especially if you're cooking with kids. This is thanks to a bowl-lift design, which means you twist a lever to bring the bowl up to your attachment, guaranteeing stability.

It also had far less trouble with ingredients sticking to the side of the bowl than other stand mixers in our lineup, thanks to a broad wire whisk and efficient planetary motion. While it's designed to take on heavy ingredients in large capacities, I found that it mixed well even with small quantities of ingredients as in a buttercream.

So why isn't it number one? Well, I found that the same bowl-lift design that keeps this stand mixer sturdy makes switching out the attachments a little tricky. That said, all these attachments are dishwasher-safe, so it's easy to clean. But the bigger considerations here are size and price. This is a great machine but 7 quarts is a huge capacity and overkill for most users. Unless you're turning out a couple of loaves every day, you don't need this sort of power or capacity. It's hard to store and takes up a lot of room. It also costs more $600, and even in sales periods, it's more than $500. If you know you want huge capacity and don't mind paying out, buy this, but for more casual use, I'd go for the Artisan every time.

There's more detail in my KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer review.

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The best stand mixer for small kitchens

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This miniature marvel is much smaller and lighter than other KitchenAid models, but it still has the power to work through cake batter, bread dough, and more.

You get the same high-quality wire whisk, flat beater, and dough hook as you'd expect with a regular KitchenAid, but they work with a 3.5-quart bowl. While this is smaller than the other stand mixers on test, our reviewer Molly Cleary said the capacity was still impressive. She recommends this model for smaller families and smaller portions.

This mixer maxes out at 250 watts, which is less than half the size of some more high-end stand mixers, but if you need a smaller size it's a sacrifice worth making. Molly found that the smaller motor kept up with the bigger appliances on test. What's more, because it's smaller, it has the added bonus of being quieter, and smaller capacities meant that this mixer was stable on the countertop.

Any attachments purchased separately will also still be compatible with this petite model, so you still get the full benefits of the brand – excellent quality, great results, and a beautiful, statement appliance.

Of course, the capacity is smaller than the full-sized Artisan by a quart and a half. While this is more than enough for cakes and loaves, it limits you a little. It's unlikely you'd need to bake hundreds of cookies from a small kitchen, you won't have the option. It's also pretty expensive for the size, costing three times as much as our budget pick below.

There's more detail in Molly's KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer review.

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The best looking stand mixer

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A 21st-century homage to the atomic age, I think this mixer is the most stylish alternative to the KitchenAid Artisan. It's got plenty of attachments, and I particularly loved the pouring shield that stops spills and messes as you bake.

At 600W, it's remarkably powerful, and I found on test that it could whip up a perfect chocolate frosting. I used it on the middle speed setting and it was a blur. I can't imagine you'll ever need to go above six, even for meringues.

Making a cake batter was just as impressive as the whisking. I was pleased with the size of the flat beater. My only gripe is that it can't quite reach the bottom (the KitchenAids can) so you will need to be armed with a spatula to give the Smeg a little helping hand.

One of Smeg's biggest selling points is on aesthetics. It comes in seven bright colors in two different color ranges - one with a pop of color on the tilt-head, and one set in which the entire mixer is one color. Even better, it's designed to sit anywhere on the countertop, catering to both right- and left-handed users. The only downside is that this comes with a big footprint, so if you live in a smaller home, it might not suit you.

It's worth knowing a couple more things. First, the Smeg is noisy. This wasn't a problem for me until I made bread dough and had to leave the stand mixer running for longer. The dough itself was elastic and smooth, but my eardrums did not enjoy those five minutes. Second of all, the Smeg is relatively expensive. There are better mixers out there for less, like the KitchenAid Artisan or the Cuisinart Precision.

There's more detail in our Smeg 1950s Retro Stand Mixer review.

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The best luxury stand mixer

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Based purely on performance, this is the best stand mixer we've tested, and that's including KitchenAids. We made a wet cake batter, apprehensive that we'd end up with powdery lumps in the mix, but we didn't. All the ingredients were well mixed, and combined smoothly into a light cake.

Our expert tester, Jacyln, used the whisk to make a frosting for the cake and whipped up cloud-like frosting. She didn't struggle with any mess or powder spilling out of the bowl, which we put down to the tall sides of the bowl. However, she did say the height of the bowl makes it less convenient to access.

Wolf have clearly thought carefully about the unique design of their stand mixer. Where the usual title-head design of other stand mixers can lead to instability, the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer has a special twist-up bowl design. Simply put this bowl in the base and then twist it to lower or raise it to the mixer attachments. It's undeniably stable and quiet.

Jacyln said the Wolf mixer made the best cookies, fluffy cream, and it didn't even struggle with sticky enriched dough. It was easy to use and even easier to clean. A clear winner across the board performance-wise.

However, we have some valid reasoning as to why this mixer isn't quite as good as KitchenAid. The hefty price tag on the Wolf Gourmet is enough to make you wince. $1000 is simply too much to spend on a stand mixer. It's also quite tall, so won't work for every kitchen, and the stainless steel is more professional-working-kitchen than style statement. However, if you spot a discount in the sales – don't hesitate.

There's more detail in Jacyln's Wolf Gourmet mixer review.

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The best stand mixer for bread dough

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If you regularly whip up sweet brioche and sourdough bread (or you have aspirations), the powerful Ankarsrum stand mixer could be your new best friend.

Our kitchen expert Lydia and I both put this mixer through its paces in our home kitchens – and we quickly realized it kneads dough like an artisan baker. The unique rotating bowl mimics the motions of hand-kneading, while the 1500-watt motor effortlessly works the densest dough. It's a real Swedish powerhouse.

But it doesn't stop at bread. This versatile mixer excels at whipping cream, combining cake batter, and it even has attachments for cutting pasta.

We were equally impressed by the Nordic design, available in 12 chic colors. It's pretty heavy, but that's what makes it stable and study. The low, elongated base will sit neatly under your kitchen counters. It is on the pricey side, but you can really feel the quality.

For bread-lovers, this is a must-have mixer. Ankarsrum really prioritize powerr and longevity; we're confident you'll be passing the Assistent Original down to your kids one day.

There's more detail in our Ankarsrum Mixer Review.

We loved baking, kneading, and whipping with these stand mixers too much to let them slip through the net. If the ones above didn't quite hit the spot for your kitchen needs, these are your next best chance.

The ones that just missed the list

How to choose a stand mixer

Size
How much space do you have to dedicate to a new stand mixer? Some stand mixers come with large mixing bowls and tilt-head designs that won't lift if placed under a cabinet. Others come with a more compact design, perfect for lifting into shelving units when not in use or leaving in a corner without losing a whole counter in your kitchen.

Power
Any stand mixer which is less than 250 watts isn't worth investing in. You won't get far making even pancake batter with one of those. Powerful models will range from 500-1,000 watts and these won't struggle, even on tough bread doughs. I'd always opt for the more powerful motor.

Versatility
Stand mixer accessories are getting increasingly elaborate (you can get ice cream makers, meat grinders, ice shavers and more. However, on a basic level, your stand mixer should come with a flat beater, a whisk, and a dough hook. Look at the speed settings, because these will tell you whether your mixer can hand-fold ingredients as well as whipping up meringue.

Aesthetics
A stand mixer is a style statement in any kitchen, which is why you'll find one displayed in just about any carefully composed kitchen. Smeg and KitchenAid certainly have the edge on style, but you may end up paying a premium for something that looks the part when it's got just as much power as a less expensive option.

Price
If you want a top-of-the-range stand mixer, prepare to spend as much as $1000 to get it. Some stand mixers cost less than $100, but they are hardly the kitchen workhorses you'll want for serious baking on a regular basis. A good middle ground between power and price is the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer, which lacks color options or classic style, but is a favorite with many home bakers and looks lovely too.

The best stand mixer for you and your baking needs really depends on your budget and how often you’ll use this machine. Some mixers come with handy add-ons such as pasta makers and meat grinders to ensure they’re used regularly, but others have detachable mix heads and emphasize their primary function as stand mixers, with compact storage options.

Built to last
One thing’s for sure - you’ll want a stand mixer that lasts the test of time. There are stories of these mixers lasting for generations. Some excellent mixers come in durable plastic, but the very best stand mixers have durable stainless steel finishes that literally last a lifetime.

How we tested these stand mixers

I'll level with you: we love testing stand mixers. Our team of experts are home baking enthusiasts, so all you have to do is suggest a recipe that you like the look of and, the next day, someone will have baked it.

To give each model that we test a fair chance, we have a series of standard tests that we put every single stand mixer through:

Making cake
Every stand mixer comes with a flat beater. These are perfect for heavier, non-yeast mixtures, such as cakes, cookie dough, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, frostings, and more. By making a cake mix, we can test a few factors that we look for in a flat beater. First, creaming butter and sugar together is a good test for how well the beater handles different textures, how quickly and evenly it can combine them, and how much mess it makes. Then, when we add in flour and eggs, we're looking for the flat beater to combine completely opposite textures (light flour, dense eggs, and oily butter) into a smooth, silky cake mix. The beater needs to reach the sides and bottom of the bowl, otherwise it will leave different ingredients behind, spoiling the final result of our bakes.

Kneading bread
Another attachment we get with all of our stand mixers is a dough hook. Our experts test it on pizza dough, bread dough, and enriched dough, since all of these have different requirements. Enriched dough can be sticky and delicate, whereas pizza dough and bread dough needs to be worked hard and with some power. As the gluten develops the bread dough bounces back more and the flour should all be incorporated, making the sides of the bowl almost clean. Before we bake our bread, we do the window test, where we stretch out a small section of dough. If it becomes thin, like a membrane, there's a good level of elasticity. If it breaks or sags, the bread is under or overworked.

Whipping cream
The final attachment that comes with every stand mixer is a whisk. We use this for buttercreams, meringues, custards, batters, and pancakes. When we're incorporating more than one ingredient in meringues and pancakes, we try to avoid lumps and any powder from splashing over the sides. If a brand provides a splash guard, you know it'll be fixed on from the get-go.

Our standard test is on whipped cream, since this is easy to check. We use heavy cream, set the machine running and watch it thicken up into stiff peaks. We'll time how long it takes, take some out for taste testing, and then keep the stand mixer running to see how long it takes to split the cream. You'll want to know whether you can take your eyes off your stand mixer or not. Once the cream has split, we add whole milk to see whether we can take it back to whipped cream. It's a great test of how gentle the stand mixer is.

Extra features
If there are other attachments, such as pasta makers, and ice cream functions (it's a whole world out there), we make sure to test them too. We'll let you know whether they're worth investing in and whether they're gimmicks.

We'll also celebrate a stand mixer with an integrated set of weighing scales or a timer, since these are incredibly useful. If there are any other innovative features, we love to shout about them, since the world of stand mixers is always tweaking small, but important extras.

For all of our tests, we take pictures, have a timer running, and a decibel counter. We'll talk about the features, maneuverability, capacity, and how easy it is to clean the stand mixers.

The proof is always in the pudding, so we taste-test everything too. We check that our cake is moist, light and fluffy; that our bread has a good crust, open texture, and spongy bake; and that our cream is like eating clouds. It's a tough life, really.

After all that, we will step back and look at where the stand mixer is in the market. Because our tests are the same across the board, we can directly compare between models, giving you insight into what other brands offer around the same price point. We've gone deep comparing KitchenAids against each other, KitchenAid to Cuisinart and KitchenAid to Smeg.

We always let you know about value, warranty, and what other competitors offer. That way, when you make an investment, you know you have the full picture and you've only got good surprises waiting for you when yours arrives,

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Meet our expert testers

Millie Fender

Millie has written for Homes & Gardens since the beginning of 2021. She's a small appliance specialist, testing some of the best and biggest names in the mixing world, from KitchenAid to Cuisinart. She has a sharp, critical eye, and never misses an unevenly mixed batter, a lump of flour or a design flaw.

Lydia Hayman

Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from coffee machines and mixers to air fryers and ovens. Lydia learnt her patisserie and culinary skills at Leiths School of Food & Wine. She was previously Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef.

Jaclyn

Jaclyn is the US eCommerce editor across the homes titles at Future, including Homes & Gardens. She has also written for foodie publications like The Kitchn and The Spruce Eats. Jaclyn tested the Wolf stand mixer in her own home for months – she attributes her best-ever batch of homemade cookies to this mixer.

Molly Cleary

Writing across Future titles, Molly reviews appliances she’s tested in her kitchen and at our testing facility (namely air fryers, coffee machines, stand mixers and more), as well as curating buying guides. She's a certified Consumer Expert for several product categories after passing a five-step program including hands-on experience, consumer interviews and extensive research into her specialist area.

FAQs

Are stand mixers worth it?

If you love to bake and frequently find yourself in the kitchen, stand mixers are absolutely worth it. They save a whole bunch of time and effort in mixing, kneading, and whipping ingredients. They provide consistent results, can handle heavy doughs, make whipped cream in minutes and come with various attachments, making them a valuable tool for serious home cooks and bakers.

Why are stand mixers so expensive?

The first reason is the motor. A good stand mixer needs a powerful motor to handle strong, repetitive movement through resistant doughs and mixes. You might be able to get away with a cheaper stand mixer for a couple of years, but one day the motor will give out on a stiff dough and you'll have to buy another one, costing you more money in the long run. Top-line stand mixers from KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Smeg, and other iconic brands are reliable kitchen companions that last for decades, if not generations.

The other reason is attachments and functions. KitchenAids and other stand mixers aren't just for baking. With the right attachment, you can grate, spiralise, grind meat, mill, make pasta and much more. You're not only buying simpler, faster baking but better cooking no matter the dish.

If you're on a budget and looking to upgrade from your wooden spoon, it may be a good time to consider stand mixers versus hand mixers. The best hand mixer costs a lot less but can still power through icing and cake mix with ease.

Does KitchenAid make the best stand mixers?

Without a doubt, KitchenAid makes some of the best stand mixers on the market. They're classics for a reason. The attachments always reach the sides of the bowls, they're built to last a lifetime, and there are endless amounts of KitchenAid accessories that you can buy.

That being said, KitchenAid stand mixers are expensive and they're not the only good ones on the market. In fact, we have a whole buying guide dedicated to the best KitchenAid alternatives that we've tested.

What’s the difference between tilt-head and bowl-lift mixer?

Tilt-head mixers allow the mixing head to tilt back, so you can easily access the bowl and add new ingredients. They’re more compact, lightweight and suitable for home bakers with limited space and lighter mixing needs. However, they may be less stable and struggle with heavy dough. They typically have a smaller bowl capacity than bowl-lift mixers, too.

Bowl-lift mixers feature a lever that raises the bowl into place. They have broader bases, providing greater stability for their powerful motors. They also have a larger capacity – ideal for serious bakers who want to mix heavy dough. They do require more counter space though.

Choosing between the two depends on your passion for baking, space availability, and which type of recipes you typically prepare.