A stand mixer is one of the most powerful and versatile devices you can buy for your kitchen. Yet, it is among the most expensive kitchen appliances too; thus, we decided to research which models are the best and which features truly matter to deliver culinary masterpieces.
Stand mixer buying guide
Since stand mixers are not cheap and take up substantial space in the kitchen, some people question their necessity. Indeed, if you need a mixer mainly for occasionally whisking egg whites, mashing potatoes, or making cookie batters, a good-quality hand mixer or stick blender will suffice for those tasks. These appliances will also be lighter and will require less storage space.
However, if baking is one of your passions, a stand mixer becomes irreplaceable. Its powerful motor will mix the ingredients quicker and more evenly, leading to better results. A stand mixer will beat more air into egg whites and liquid batters than its hand-operated cousin and knead dense bread or pizza doughs that, let’s be honest, no other device can handle.
However, the most significant benefit of getting a stand mixer is that you still have two free hands to do other things while it’s working. It’s just like having a full-time assistant in your kitchen. And with the right attachments, your mixer will manage everything from mincing to juicing, making it the ultimate cooking device.
Stand mixer types
Most stand mixer models can be divided into two types depending on how the bowl is inserted.
Tilt-head
The most common ones are tilt-head stand mixers. The top part can be lifted up (in best models, it is spring-loaded) for placing or removing the bowl. The tilt-head models tend to be less bulky and more affordable; that’s why they are popular among home bakers. However, they require more vertical space and can be problematic to use under kitchen cabinets. For durability, this construction is not optimal either.
Bowl-lift
The bowl-lift stand mixers are larger, heavier and more stable. As the name suggests, they have a lever for inserting the bowl and lifting it towards the mixing attachment, whereas the head itself does not move. These mixers used to be found in professional kitchens only, but there are also some models for home bakers nowadays. The bowl-lift models can manage larger capacities and more frequent use even when handling the dense dough. They don’t need extra space above either. However, adding additional ingredients or scraping the bowl becomes harder–every time you want to remove the bowl, you have to turn off the mixer and remove its attachment first.
Mixing performance
Once we have the bowl securely in place, the next step is mixing the ingredients well. Nearly all stand mixers will use one of the two mixing actions to perform the task.
Most models use planetary action. The attachment rotates in one direction while the drive shaft moves the opposite way – just like the Earth orbits around the sun. This double action ensures more efficient mixing, meaning that pretty much nothing remains unstirred, and you have to scrape the sides of the bowl less. Planetary action works well, no matter which attachment tool you use.
The mixers geared towards bread making (sometimes called spiral mixers) often use a different mechanism. The agitator itself does not move, and the bowl rotates instead. This allows for much faster mixing with less friction. Thus, the dough does not increase in temperature and, afterwards, rises better. The spiral mixers often are not well suited for other tasks like whipping.
Engine power
The engine power in watts is one of the first selling points the manufacturers will throw at you. It is easy to believe that more simply means better; however, the truth is a bit more complicated. The placement and quality of the motor are as important as the watt figure. For example, the KitchenAid models typically will have way fewer watts than the competitors of the same price range; however, they are among the best mixers available and continuously perform well.
If you only bake occasionally and in small quantities, a light-duty stand mixer will be enough. Still, don’t go below 250 W; that’s the minimum if you also want to make cookies and biscuits, not just meringues and pancakes. Be aware that light-duty stand mixers are not well-suited for making bread and pizzas. They might still manage the task occasionally, but this is likely to strain the engine and shorten its lifespan.
A medium-duty stand mixer will be optimal for regular bakers who cook larger batches and love to make bread and pizzas occasionally. With the power starting from 350 W, these models are versatile enough for most cooking needs while remaining small and relatively affordable. The upper limit for a medium-duty mixer is kneading heavy dough once to twice a week.
If you need a model that regularly manages large quantities of dense dough, it is worth investing in a heavy-duty stand mixer with a minimum engine power of 600 W. The heavy-duty mixers come with large bowls, high-quality built and long guarantee periods. They also come with steep price tags; however, these machines are irreplaceable for those who enjoy homemade bread, bagels and pizzas.
Capacity
Just like the watt number, the bowl capacity in specifications tends to be misleading as well. First, you will never be able to fully fill the mixer bowl without making a mess in your kitchen. Here’s some useful guidance on how much you can get out of it.
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If you cook in small batches (for 1-3 people), a stand mixer with a capacity of ~3 litres will suffice.
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4-5 litre mixers are optimal for average-sized families and occasional batch cooking if you have guests.
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Large mixers with a bowl capacity of over 6 litres are ideal for batch bakers; however, the best models will handle small amounts as well.
It is also practical to know what amount of food your stand mixer can handle in a go. Different manufacturers will offer various estimates that are considered safe, for example, the maximum amount of egg whites, number of loaves, or weight of flour. These are calculated taking into account the mixer’s power, built, and capacity together. Try to find this information in user reviews or specifications to have a more accurate picture of the number of ingredients you will be able to mix.
Stand mixer weight
Generally, we believe that lighter appliances are better; however, stand mixers are the exception to the rule. It is the weight that will prevent your mixer from walking over the counter when kneading heavy dough; thus, heavier means better.
Often, the heftiness also indicates better quality (read, metal) parts. The stand mixers are not designed to be taken out and put away regularly; they deserve to bask on your counter. Therefore, pay attention to the design and whether it will fit your kitchen décor.
If there’s no space on the countertop for permanent storage, some manufacturers also make plastic models that have rubber suction feet to keep their devices lightweight but steady in action.
Understanding stand mixer speeds
Essentially, your mixer only needs three speeds: A slow speed for gently stirring the ingredients and kneading the dough, a medium one for mixing batters, and a high one for whisking. Everything else is a variation of those three but can be useful for elaborated recipes.
We prefer models that have a slow-start mode, either automatic or manual. This means that the mixing speed increases gradually, preventing flour-shower in your kitchen. Some other extra options, such as pulse mode or pause, can be useful for some recipes, but they are not essential.
Mixing accessories
Pretty much every model on the market nowadays comes with at least three essential stand mixer attachments. These are:
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Flat beater – sometimes also called paddle attachment, this tool is excellent for beating batters and cooking doughs or even mashing potatoes. It is arrowhead-shaped to better stir the ingredients and has one or two crossbars for support.
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Dough hook – typically shaped like the J letter or a spiral, this tool is almost exclusively used for tough doughs, such as bread, pasta, or pizza. The hook presses the dough against the sides or the bottom of the bowl, ensuring even and efficient kneading.
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Balloon whisk – formed from wire loops, this tool is used for whisking, whipping, and creaming. Its distinctive shape allows the incorporation of more air into the mix; however, it is not strong enough for denser batters and usually has to be hand-washed.
For a better mixing experience, you may want to consider a model with additional accessories:
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Pouring shield – also called splashguard, this is the best way to minimize mixer-related mess in your kitchen. Typically made from transparent plastic, it tightly seals the bowl around the attachment so that nothing escapes. Some pouring shields have a hinged lid or a feed chute for adding ingredients during the mixing process.
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Flex-edge beater – this tool looks and functions similarly to the paddle attachment; however, it has one or both sides covered in silicone or rubber for scraping the bowl more thoroughly. A Flex-edge beater is especially useful for recipes that require ingredients such as cream, butter or honey that tend to stick to the sides of the bowl.
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Extra bowls – these get very handy since you can make two mixtures one after another. It is also a good idea to have bowls of various capacities for different cooking amounts if your model allows it. Most bowls are made of stainless steel, but some options of glass and ceramics are available. Irrespective of the material, we strongly prefer bowls that have handles since they can be carried and emptied easier.
Extra attachments
Many stand mixer models will allow purchasing a vast range of extra attachments from food processors and mincers to juice extractors, pasta rollers, or even ice cream makers. If bought separately, these extras tend to be costly, and you will get a better value from a model with additional accessories included. Here are some useful extras you might want to add to your stand mixer:
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Food processor attachment is usually placed on the top of your stand mixer. Depending on the blades included, this accessory can chop, slice, shred, or even juice citrus fruits.
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Blender jug is useful for breaking down liquids. You can use it to quickly prepare smoothies, sauces, and dips. The jug is also attached to the top of the mixer.
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Mincer can be attached on top or in front of your stand mixer, depending on the model. It can be used to grind ingredients for meatballs, burgers, or pâtés.
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Juice extractor allows enjoying freshly squeezed juices. Some models have a simple citrus press, whereas others can extract juice from harder fruits and veggies.
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Pasta maker will allow you to make homemade pasta. The shapes you’ll be able to prepare depending on the attachments included, but most tools can at least prepare spaghetti and a few other types.
Be aware that extra attachments will occupy space in your kitchen (considerably less than separate devices, but still), so it may not be worth it to invest in extensive bundles that contain accessories you don’t use much.