When it comes to kitchen appliances, an electric stand mixer is a must-have for both casual bakers and serious home chefs. Whether you’re whipping up fluffy cakes, kneading dough for fresh bread, or mixing the perfect cookie batter, the right stand mixer can make all the difference. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the best one?
To help you make an informed decision, we’ve analyzed customer reviews to find the most reliable, versatile, and best-performing stand mixers. From power and durability to ease of use and extra attachments, these top-rated mixers have won the trust of home cooks everywhere. Let’s dive into the best electric stand mixers, backed by real user experiences.
1. Aucma Electric Stand Mixer 6.5 QT
Helpful Review: I am changing toward veggies diet so I need lot and lot of seitan, bread and pasta. That means a lot of kneading. Kneading shows true power of the any mixer. I bought the Halmilton Beach originally but disliked the C kneading hook and small 4 quart bowl. The Aucma does not cost that much more but has 6.5 quarts bowl, high power and S kneading hook.
Well since I got this in less than a week I had made many seitan, Chinese noodle which require a lot of kneading and some mixing. Works great except one thing. The kneading hook does not have the round plate near attachment. That means flour travels up there and makes a mess which requires cleaning. My solution is to make a smaller dough and that seems to solve the issue.
What more do you need if you only care about kneading, mixing and stirring which this mixer can do easily as good as the more expensive Kitchen Aid? In my case i need to make pasta and Chinese noodles. My solution is to buy the hand crank pasta maker which i did. Nothing beats home made pasta and noodle. So cheap and easy to make with the mixer and the pasta maker!!!!!
Everyone wants the Kitchen Aid which is heavy and pricey. Sure it is a standard that other mixers follows. I can buy 3 other mixers for one Kitchen Aid which work just fine for my need and I am a heavy user. The majority of people out there is not heavy user.
If you care to show off then buy the Kitchen Aid. If you care about practicality, affordability and sensible this Aucma serves well. Works for me. It is a keeper. Longevity is not an issue because i can buy 3 Aucma for one K.Aid. At the beginning I was struggling to decide but with Amazon great return policy why not try out then find out.
My main intention to buy the mixer is that i do not want to knead flour by hand and i know if it works great for kneading then everything else is a piece of cake for the mixer. Kneading puts a lot of stress on the mixer. It requires power, good S kneading hook and quality machine to run. I see those with the Aucma so this works for me.
2. Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer 4 QT
Helpful Review: I use to have a kitchen aid and rarely used it. Only used it for pizza dough. Also, most of the mixers that are fancy and expensive also have a fancy non stick coatings. This one is almost 500 times less expensive and has no coatings. But I couldn’t figure out how to use it and could not find the manual. Looked it up on YouTube and lady uses a spoon to help the dough just a bit. I did that and my dough came out so good. Gluten structure was beautifully built. I would think that can be done in other items that seem are hard like pizza dough. I’m going to try making butter using heavy cream the next time. So far, i love it. It’s different but it’s not toxic. Also, my kitchen aid simply took up space for soooo many years and I rarely used it. This one i can take apart and it doesn’t have to take up space on my counter, If i don’t want it to. It’s light. And as the video ad part of the item shows, the spinning of the bowl is normal. It’s a genius idea if you ask me. Because that’s how it gets to all the flour to make dough. If it can make great dough for pizza, then hey there, pain au chocolat, here we come!! Highly recommend!
3. Kitchen in the box Electric Stand Mixer 3.2 QT
Helpful Review: First, I do love this mixer. It’s just me & my husband, & as much as I love the commercial-grade appliances, I do not need them. This will work for pancakes, a box cake mix, mixing your own dressing, & I’ve just made butter with it. Now, let me state some things that could help you decide if this is the right size mixer for you & yours! Yes, technically a 3.2 capacity, & that’s just over 12 cups. I filled it with 12 cups water & it was *right* to the brim of the bowl, so there is absolutely no way you will be able to use 3.2 quarts of anything.
I put 1qt (4cups) heavy cream in there & it did a beautiful job with making the butter. From that, I got about a pound of butter, & 2 cups fresh buttermilk that I freeze & use for French toast, pancakes, or other baking. There is zero chance I’d have been able to make a double batch, or 8 cups of the aforementioned 12 cup capacity, without it becoming a huge mess on the counter. So know that it is 3.2qt capacity, but maybe about half that is useable capacity. I have included photos & used a 1 cup glass measuring cup for reference.
Next, I have arthritis & the Kitchenaid mixers I have had in the past would now be very, very difficult to move on my own. This little honey has 4 strong suction cups that keep it securely in place on the counter, it’s compact enough to leave in its own spot, & when I do need to move it I can do it on my own & without having to ask my husband.
Finally, just a helpful hint. When I took off the bowl a little buttermilk got on the area where the bowl sits, & so I wiped it up. When I went back to do my normal post-use wipe down I pushed it back & there was some buttermilk on the counter. So when you clean it, take care to wipe the bowl seat & underneath the unit itself. Overall, this is perfect for my needs. If I baked like I did in my younger days, it wouldn’t have worked at all.
4. Cuisinart Electric Stand Mixer 5.5 QT
Helpful Review: When I was in the market for a stand mixer, I was researching different brands. I noticed my daughter has this Cuisinart brand and she said it worked well for her. “That other brand” (you know the one) gave me sticker shock, so I gave this one a chance between reading the reviews and knowing someone that has it and uses it. So glad I did! No complaints from me and I have used it regularly for the last year. I have used this for cream cheese fillings, batters, and a bread dough that requires 20 + minutes of mechanical mixing.
Dough hook works as expected. The mixer stays put while working the batch of dough at the required medium low to medium setting and does not walk across my counter. Same with the batter and cream cheese filling using the paddle. Whisk worked well egg whites, which is the only time I have used it. However, you will need to scrape down the sides of the bowl from time to time as the paddle does not have a built-in scraper. Over longer singular dough mixing sessions, does get warm (as expected), but does not overheat. Able to take attachments, though I have not had the opportunity to try this feature out yet.
5. KitchenAid Artisan Electric Stand Mixer 5 QT
Helpful Review: This is my most-used kitchen tool besides my tea kettle. I’ve had it for over six years, and it’s still going strong. It’s incredibly versatile and heavy-duty. Due to its weight, I keep it on the counter, where it also looks great. My friends are always jealous, and many end up buying one.
It’s fantastic for baking cakes, muffins, and bread, and even better for blending meat. Use the flat paddle to mix canned chicken or tuna for delicate sandwiches or blend ground turkey and beef for the smoothest meatloaf or burger patties. No more cold hands from mixing. There is even a sausage-making extension.
The powerful motor supports many attachments beyond the mixing bowl. I have the pasta-making extension, which works well, though I now prefer my Philips Pasta Maker. Still, it is a great option if you don’t want a separate pasta machine. It also makes excellent honey butter by mixing equal parts honey and butter. You can even make homemade butter, though not nut butters, since you would need a high-powered blender for that.
Cleaning is easy. The bowl and mixing tool are dishwasher-safe, and I wipe the machine down with a damp paper towel. After years of use, it still looks as good as new.
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What can I make with an electric stand mixer?
You can use an electric stand mixer for baking (cakes, cookies, bread, and muffins), whipping cream, making meringues, kneading dough, and even mixing meat for meatloaf or burger patties. Some models have attachments for pasta, sausage, ice cream, and more.
2. What size stand mixer should I buy?
It depends on your needs. A 4.5–5-quart mixer is ideal for home bakers, while a 6–8-quart model is better for large batches or heavy doughs like bread.
3. What attachments should I get?
Standard attachments include a flat beater (for general mixing), a dough hook (for kneading), and a wire whisk (for whipping). Optional attachments like pasta rollers, meat grinders, and vegetable spiralizers can add versatility.
4. Can I mix dough in a stand mixer?
Yes, most stand mixers can handle dough, but heavier bread doughs may require a more powerful model with a strong motor and a dough hook attachment.
5. How do I clean my stand mixer?
The bowl and attachments are usually dishwasher-safe, while the main unit should be wiped down with a damp cloth. Avoid submerging the motor base in water.
6. Why is my mixer struggling with thick dough?
Your mixer may be overloaded or not powerful enough for heavy doughs. Try mixing smaller batches or using a stronger model with a higher wattage.
7. How long should I run my stand mixer?
Avoid running the mixer at high speeds for long periods to prevent overheating. Always follow the recommended mixing times in recipes.
8. Can I leave my stand mixer on the counter?
Yes, many people keep their stand mixers on the counter for convenience, especially since they can be heavy to move frequently.
9. Why is my stand mixer making noise?
Some noise is normal, but excessive grinding or rattling could indicate an issue. Check if the bowl and attachments are properly secured, and contact customer support if needed.
10. Is a stand mixer worth the investment?
If you bake frequently or want a versatile kitchen tool, a stand mixer can save time and effort. It’s especially useful for mixing, kneading, and whipping with minimal effort.
