KITCHEN TOOLS · BUYING GUIDE

Best Kitchen Mixer

Updated

The best stand mixers for home baking: KitchenAid, Breville, Cuisinart, SMEG and Hamilton Beach compared by bowl size, motor, attachments and the space they need.

We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page.

Our picks at a glance

ProductAwardScore
KitchenAid Artisan 5QT Stand Mixer Metal construction; polished stainless-steel bowl
Best overall 7.5 Check price
Best budget 7.0 Check price
SMEG Forte Stand Mixer, Black Die-cast aluminum; stainless-steel bowl
Best premium 7.6 Check price
Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer Die-cast metal body; borosilicate glass and stainless-steel bowls
Best with a timer 8.2 Check price
Best large bowl 7.9 Check price
How the editorial score works

The score rates documented features and practical tradeoffs on a 10-point scale, using the weighted criteria below. An 8 means strong support with one clear limit; a 9 means particularly complete support with minor limits. It is our editorial judgment from manufacturer information, not a hands-on test or a customer rating.

  • Capacity & bowl30%
  • Power & mixing action25%
  • Attachments & features25%
  • Size & storage20%

The order of the picks also reflects who each product suits best, so it is not decided by the score alone. More on our method

  1. 01 · Best overall
    KitchenAid Artisan 5QT Stand Mixer

    KitchenAid · KSM150PSWH

    KitchenAid Artisan 5QT Stand Mixer

    7.5/ 10
    Editorial score
    Capacity
    8.0
    Power
    7.0
    Features
    8.0
    Storage
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Capacity & bowl · 8.0
    5-qt stainless bowl with handle; suits regular baking
    Power & mixing action · 7.0
    325 W, 10 speeds, tilt-head; lowest motor wattage here
    Attachments & features · 8.0
    Coated beater, dough hook, 6-wire whip and pouring shield; hub attachments extra
    Size & storage · 6.5
    13.9 x 8.7 x 14.1 in needs permanent counter space

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forHome bakers who regularly mix cakes, cookies and dough

    A dedicated mixer with a handled bowl and a tilt-back head. It makes sense for regular baking rather than occasional small mixing jobs.

    Strengths

    • Ten speeds cover stirring, mixing and whipping.
    • Flat beater, dough hook and wire whip cover core baking tasks.

    Weaknesses

    • The mixer needs a permanent counter space or a place to store a substantial appliance.
    • Optional hub attachments are sold separately.

    Dimensions, material and details

    Bowl
    5-quart stainless steel bowl
    Speeds and controls
    10 mixing speeds; tilt-head bowl access
    Care
    Bowl is dishwasher safe
    Motor
    325 W
    Dimensions
    13.9 × 8.7 × 14.1 in (H × W × D)
    Included tools
    Coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip and pouring shield
    Material
    Metal construction; polished stainless-steel bowl

    Details checked against the kitchenaid.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  2. 02 · Best with a timer
    Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer

    Breville · BEM825

    Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer

    8.2/ 10
    Editorial score
    Capacity
    9.0
    Power
    8.5
    Features
    9.0
    Storage
    5.5
    Why this score?
    Capacity & bowl · 9.0
    Two bowls: 5 qt glass and 4 qt steel; bowl illumination
    Power & mixing action · 8.5
    550 W, 12 speeds, planetary mixing, scraper beater, count-up/countdown timer
    Attachments & features · 9.0
    Integrated timer, scraper beater and second bowl suit multi-stage recipes
    Size & storage · 5.5
    22.35 lb die-cast body is hard to lift out of storage

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forFrequent baking with timed mixing and two bowl sizes

    Planetary mixing and a scraper beater work around the bowl. An integrated timer and second bowl support recipes with several separately mixed components.

    Strengths

    • Two bowls help with multi-stage recipes.
    • A scraper beater works along the bowl sides.

    Weaknesses

    • The substantial body is less convenient to lift out of storage for occasional use.
    • Respect the manual’s dough limits and recommended mixing times.

    Dimensions, material and details

    Bowl
    5 qt glass and 4 qt steel bowls
    Speeds and controls
    12 speeds; integrated timer
    Motor
    550 W
    Timer
    Count-up and countdown
    Visibility
    Bowl illumination
    Material
    Die-cast metal body; borosilicate glass and stainless-steel bowls
    Dimensions
    11.4 × 14.4 × 14.6 in (W × D × H; most colors)
    Weight
    22.35 lb

    Details checked against the breville.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  3. 03 · Best large bowl
    Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer

    Cuisinart · SM-50NAS

    Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer

    7.9/ 10
    Editorial score
    Capacity
    9.0
    Power
    8.0
    Features
    7.5
    Storage
    6.5
    Why this score?
    Capacity & bowl · 9.0
    5.5-qt steel bowl, the largest in this guide
    Power & mixing action · 8.0
    500 W, 12 speeds, die-cast metal body, tilt-back head
    Attachments & features · 7.5
    Whisk, dough hook, paddle and splash guard; all dishwasher safe
    Size & storage · 6.5
    14.17 x 7.87 x 14.13 in; exact SM-50 availability should be checked

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forA larger bowl for regular cakes, dough and whipped mixtures

    A tilt-back head provides access to the bowl, with separate whisk, paddle and dough hook attachments. Twelve speeds support different preparation stages.

    Strengths

    • The 5.5-quart bowl supports shared baking batches.
    • Included attachments cover mixing, whipping and kneading.

    Weaknesses

    • Check local availability of the exact SM-50 version and its included accessories.
    • Respect the manual’s dough limits and recommended mixing times.

    Dimensions, material and details

    Bowl
    5.5 qt steel bowl
    Speeds and controls
    12 mixing speeds
    Motor
    500 W
    Body
    Die-cast metal
    Included tools
    Whisk, dough hook, flat paddle and splash guard with pour spout
    Care
    Bowl and all accessories are dishwasher safe
    Dimensions
    14.17 × 7.87 × 14.13 in (L × W × H)

    Details checked against the cuisinart.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  4. 04 · Best premium
    SMEG Forte Stand Mixer, Black

    SMEG · SMF05BLUS

    SMEG Forte Stand Mixer, Black

    7.6/ 10
    Editorial score
    Capacity
    7.5
    Power
    9.0
    Features
    8.0
    Storage
    5.5
    Why this score?
    Capacity & bowl · 7.5
    5 qt / 4.8 L stainless bowl, same class as the Artisan
    Power & mixing action · 9.0
    750 W direct drive with planetary action, 10 speed levels
    Attachments & features · 8.0
    Flex-edge beater and front accessory port; tilt head
    Size & storage · 5.5
    Needs about 19 in vertical clearance with head up; 21 lb

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forA coordinated countertop mixer for regular baking

    Planetary action and a direct-drive motor support mixing in a five-quart stainless-steel bowl. This US model in black combines a tilt head with a front accessory port.

    Strengths

    • A tilt head improves access when adding ingredients.
    • The included flex-edge beater works along the bowl sides.

    Weaknesses

    • Its tilted head needs roughly 19 inches of vertical clearance.
    • Respect the manual’s dough limits and recommended mixing times.

    Dimensions, material and details

    Bowl
    5 qt / 4.8 L bowl
    Speeds and controls
    10 electronic speed levels
    Action
    Planetary mixing
    Motor
    750 W; direct drive
    Electrical supply
    120 V; 60 Hz
    Body
    Die-cast aluminum; stainless-steel bowl
    Dimensions
    14⅞ in high (19 in with the head up) × 16 × 8¾ in
    Weight
    21 lb

    Details checked against the smeg.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon
  5. 05 · Best budget
    Hamilton Beach All-Metal Stand Mixer, Black

    Hamilton Beach · 63227N

    Hamilton Beach All-Metal Stand Mixer, Black

    7.0/ 10
    Editorial score
    Capacity
    6.5
    Power
    7.5
    Features
    7.0
    Storage
    7.0
    Why this score?
    Capacity & bowl · 6.5
    4.5-qt steel bowl, smallest here; handled
    Power & mixing action · 7.5
    400 W all-metal gears, planetary system, 12 speeds
    Attachments & features · 7.0
    Dough hook, whisk, flat beater, removable pour shield
    Size & storage · 7.0
    14.37 x 9.44 x 13.79 in; no weight or clearance noted

    Based on documented features and practical tradeoffs, not a hands-on test. Assessment: October 7, 2026. How the editorial score works

    Manufacturer information

    Best forA metal-bodied mixer for common home baking tasks

    An all-metal body and gears house a planetary mixing system. A handled steel bowl, pour shield and three attachments cover everyday baking preparation.

    Strengths

    • Twelve speeds let you start slowly and increase the mix.
    • The pour shield helps when adding ingredients.

    Weaknesses

    • The 4.5-quart bowl is smaller than the selected Cuisinart and KitchenAid Artisan bowls.
    • Respect the manual’s dough limits and recommended mixing times.

    Dimensions, material and details

    Bowl
    4.5 qt steel bowl
    Speeds and controls
    12 speeds
    Motor
    400 W
    Included tools
    Dough hook, whisk, flat beater and removable pour shield
    Body and gears
    All-metal construction
    Dimensions
    14.37 × 9.44 × 13.79 in (H × W × D)

    Details checked against the hamiltonbeach.com product page.

    Check price at Amazon

COMPARE

Side-by-side comparison

Select a column heading to sort.
KitchenAid Artisan 5QT Stand Mixer Home bakers who regularly mix cakes, cookies and dough5-quart stainless steel bowl10 mixing speeds; tilt-head bowl access325 W
Breville Bakery Chef Stand Mixer Frequent baking with timed mixing and two bowl sizes5 qt glass and 4 qt steel bowls12 speeds; integrated timer550 W
Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer A larger bowl for regular cakes, dough and whipped mixtures5.5 qt steel bowl12 mixing speeds500 W
SMEG Forte Stand Mixer, Black A coordinated countertop mixer for regular baking5 qt / 4.8 L bowl10 electronic speed levels750 W; direct drive
Hamilton Beach All-Metal Stand Mixer, Black A metal-bodied mixer for common home baking tasks4.5 qt steel bowl12 speeds400 W

How we chose

We have not tested these stand mixers hands-on. We compared the manufacturers’ information on bowl capacity, motor power, speed settings, included attachments and the space the mixer needs, and chose models that suit regular home baking rather than occasional whipping.

What to look for in a stand mixer

Bowl size. A 4.5- to 5-quart bowl handles cookie dough, cakes and a loaf or two of bread. Choose a larger bowl if you bake big batches.

Motor watts are not the whole story. Manufacturers measure power differently, and the gearing matters as much as the number. Follow each manual’s limits for stiff dough.

Attachments. A flat beater, a whisk and a dough hook cover most recipes. Check what is in the box before you compare prices.

Height and weight. Tilt-head mixers need room above them when the head is raised; measure under your cabinets. Heavy mixers are stable but hard to move, so plan a spot on the counter.

Do you need a stand mixer? For occasional whipping, a hand mixer is cheaper and takes up less space.

Frequently asked questions

How do the selected stand mixers compare for bowl size?

Cuisinart Precision Master has a 5.5-quart bowl; KitchenAid Artisan and SMEG each list five quarts. Hamilton Beach All-Metal has 4.5 quarts, while Breville Bakery Chef includes five-quart glass and four-quart steel bowls. Follow each manual's dough limits when choosing recipe batches.

Which mixer is useful for recipes with separately mixed components?

The Breville Bakery Chef includes two bowls, so it supports recipes with components mixed separately. Its integrated timer offers count-up and countdown options, and the included scraper beater works around the bowl sides. Allow storage space for both bowls.

Do I need separate attachments for mixing, whipping and kneading?

KitchenAid Artisan, Cuisinart Precision Master and Hamilton Beach All-Metal include a flat beater or paddle, whisk and dough hook for those tasks. Check the exact package contents before ordering. KitchenAid's optional hub attachments are separate purchases beyond the core mixing tools.

What clearance should I check for a tilt-head stand mixer?

Check space with the head raised as well as lowered. The KitchenAid Artisan and Cuisinart Precision Master use tilt-back heads for bowl access; the selected SMEG SMF05BLUS needs roughly nineteen inches of vertical clearance when tilted. Compare that movement with your cupboard layout.

What is the best KitchenAid stand mixer?

The KitchenAid Artisan 5QT Stand Mixer is the best overall pick in this guide. It has a 325 W motor, 10 speeds, a tilt-head and a 5-quart stainless steel bowl that is dishwasher safe, plus a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip and pouring shield. Optional hub attachments are sold separately, and the mixer needs permanent counter space.

What is the best kitchen stand mixer?

It depends on how you bake. The KitchenAid Artisan is the best overall pick, the Breville Bakery Chef is best with a timer and two bowls, and the Cuisinart Precision Master has the largest bowl at 5.5 quarts. The SMEG Forte is the premium pick and the Hamilton Beach All-Metal is the budget pick with a 4.5-quart bowl.