6 Best Stand Mixers, According to Testing

The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab test a wide variety of kitchen products, including stand mixers. For our most recent test of 13 stand mixers, our experts considered how simple it was to set up each machine and to switch tools. They evaluated the handiness of the user's manual, the noise level of the motor and how easy the parts were to clean. They put each product to the test with a roster of classic baking tasks:

Stand mixers come in a few varieties, and understanding the difference will help you find the style that's right for you.

✔️ Tilt-head stand mixers: A tilt-head mixer has a hinged neck so that the head can tilt back, giving you better access to the bowl and letting you insert and remove the accessories more easily. When lowered over the bowl, the head generally locks into place so that it won't bounce on the hinge when in use. Tilt-head mixers usually have small- to medium-capacity bowls and are good for most baking and mixing tasks.

✔️ Bowl-lift stand mixers: A bowl-lift mixer has a fixed head, but the bowl sits either on two arms or a rotating platform that can be raised to meet the mixing attachment. These mixers often have a larger base and can support a large-capacity bowl and, therefore, are ideal for larger batches and heavier tasks, like making bread dough.

✔️ Planetary mixing stand mixers: This is the most common type of stand mixer for household use. With planetary mixers, the bowl locks into place and the mixing attachment — such as paddle, whisk or hook — rotates on its axis while also rotating around the bowl (just like our solar system's planets, hence the name). They do require scraping the bowl to ensure all ingredients are incorporated, but they are reasonably good at working ingredients into the mixture.

✔️ Stationary mixing stand mixers: Usually these involve two beaters that spin in place while the bowl rotates below. These are less commonly found models for home cooks. They can require frequent scraping to incorporate ingredients that are not below the beaters.

Finding the best stand mixer for your needs comes down to these main factors:

✔️ Capacity: This refers to the size of the work bowl. We like a 5-quart bowl as a baseline, but a larger bowl can give you more flexibility for batch size if you find that you’re always doubling your recipes to cook for a crowd. That said, if you bake for just one or two people or need the ability to whip just a few egg whites or a small portion of heavy cream, a smaller bowl is a better choice.

✔️ Wattage: This indicates the maximum power of the motor. The higher the watts listed for the motor, the greater the power. Think about what you like to bake most. Will you be using the stand mixer for sourdoughs and pizza crusts? If so, you'll want motor that can tackle stiff or sticky doughs. Looser items, like cake batter, can turn out nicely even with a lower wattage.

✔️ Price: Clearly you must consider what you can afford. Some high-end mixers can cost more than $500, while others are closer to $50. Sometimes a budget-friendly model is a steal, but other times you might find that the motor can’t handle heavy-duty tasks or just won’t last as many years. A larger upfront investment in a high-quality mixer may save you money over time.

✔️ Material: Higher-quality machines are usually constructed of metal, which provides both durability for a long life and heft to help keep the machine in place during use. Metal is often easier to clean because it's usually smoothly polished with fewer crevices. Lower-priced models are often made of plastic, which can be a boon for lifting and storing (and price!), but the lightweight design may mean it shifts around during use or shows wear-and-tear more quickly.

✔️ Size and weight: Do you plan to store your stand mixer on the counter? If so, you need to consider the width of your available space and the height of your cabinets when choosing your model. If you plan to store your stand mixer in a cabinet or pantry, the weight will be an important factor, as you'll need to be able to lift and move the unit with each usage.

✔️ Attachment and accessories: Most stand mixers will come with a paddle attachment (for cookie doughs and brownie and cake batters), a whisk attachment (for meringues, marshmallows and whipped cream) and a dough hook (for bread doughs). Some might also provide a paddle attachment with a fin that helps you scrape the side of the bowl as you mix. The most versatile machines include the option to buy additional attachments that let you use the stand mixer’s motor for completely different tasks, like rolling pasta, juicing fruits and veggies, grinding meats or peeling produce.

To ensure that your mixer can stand the test of time, practice good cleanup and maintenance. Always follow the instruction manual for care, and contact the manufacturer for larger issues. But for day-to-day cleaning, these tips from Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab Director Nicole Papantoniou will help:

✔️ For stray flour or dry goods, wipe the mixer with a dry cloth or use a dry pastry brush to sweep the mess from any crevices; this will prevent clumps and buildup (since introducing water can create a paste that will harden if not removed).

✔️ For wet messes like batter or liquid, wipe with a damp sponge or cloth right away to prevent sticking and staining. Then dry the mixer with a dry cloth.

✔️ Hand wash attachments and accessories and dry — or allow to air dry — thoroughly. While many stand mixer tools are dishwasher safe, hand washing will help prevent potential nicks, chips and rusting, and it will help preserve the nonstick finish where applicable.

✔️ Store the attachments in the bowl of the mixer, preferably in a tea towel to help prevent scratching.

The Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything you could ever hope to stock your kitchen with, including stand mixers.

Sarah Wharton is a deputy editor with the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has tested some of the stand mixers on this list and has tested and written about products like immersion blenders.

Nicole Papantoniou runs the Good Housekeeping Kitchen Appliances and Culinary Innovation Lab, where she oversees all content and testing related to cooking products. She started testing and developing cooking tools, gadgets, gear and appliances in 2014 though she started using them all when she started cooking at 12 years old. She is trained in classic culinary arts and is a professional recipe developer.