Kitchenaid dough mixers
The 7 Best Stand Mixers for Bread of 2023
The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer is our winner
By
Bernadette Machard de Gramont
Bernadette Machard de Gramont
Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a freelance writer for The Spruce Eats specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products, specifically cookware.
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Updated on 01/5/23
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The Spruce Eats / Chloe Jeong
Tested & Approved
After extensive testing by our experts, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer earned our overall best spot as it handled everything that our tester threw at it, including mixing cookie dough, kneading bread, and churning butter. If you're on a budget, consider the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Stand Mixer, which performed above average and is more affordable.
Stand mixers are a favorite appliance for those who like to bake, but not every mixer can stand up to the rigors of bread making. Dense doughs that require plenty of kneading can overwhelm a mixer without enough power, and mixers that don't have variable speeds need to be watched carefully to make sure they provide adequate gluten development without overworking the dough.
If you enjoy making bread and want to incorporate a stand mixer into your baking routine, you'll want to choose a good quality mixer with the right attachments, capacity, and enough power to handle your favorite bread recipes. We purchased each of these machines to test in our Lab, and several of the popular models were sent to our independent reviewers to test in their home kitchens. When mixing bread dough, we tested how long it took to bring the ingredients together based on the recipe's suggestion, how well the gluten had developed during mixing, and if additional kneading by hand was necessary. Our testers also noted if the mixer itself overheated, shook, or struggled in any way during the bread dough mixing process. In the process, we found a variety of machines that should fit your needs, whatever they may be.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer at Amazon
Best Budget:
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Stand Mixer at Amazon
Best Countertop Display:
SMEG 5 Qt. Tilt-Head Stand Mixer at Amazon
Best Heavy-Duty:
KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Stand Mixer at Amazon
Best for Small Spaces:
KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer at Amazon
Best Large Capacity:
Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer at Amazon
Most Versatile:
Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine at Amazon
In This Article
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Our Picks
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How We Tested
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Other Options We Tested
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What to Look for
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FAQs
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Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
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Sources
Bed Bath & Beyond
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Our Ratings
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Design
5/5
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Performance
5/5
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Size
4/5
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Features
5/5
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Value
5/5
What We Like
Dishwasher-safe bowl, beater, and dough hook
Maximum 4-loaf capacity
Mixes thick bread and pasta doughs easily
Heavier-weight machine keeps machine stable
What We Don't Like
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Review
Bread machines are great, but you can make bread without them. Combining the ingredients in a stand mixer and oven-baking is another reliable method. The KitchenAid Artisan Series stand mixer might be the most iconic model out there, known for its durability and performance when mixing everything from meringues to pizza dough.
With 10 speeds and a 325-watt motor, this model features a 5-quart mixing bowl and standard paddle, dough hook, and whip attachments (with a power hub to use with a multitude of additional attachments). Weighing in at 23 pounds, this stand mixer will stay in place without worry while in operation, and the tilt-head mechanism allows for easy removal of the mixing bowl.
Our home tester found that the Artisan mixer was able to mix up both bread dough and pasta dough without an issue. Having a machine that can smoothly transition from mixing pasta dough to rolling it out is a huge labor, time, and storage advantage when it comes to home pasta-making. In the Lab, our tester found that this machine is most effective at kneading dough at lower speeds, which helps the dough hook really latch onto the dough and keeps the machine from overworking.
We noticed that the machine does begin to shake more with thicker bread doughs, but the weight of the machine keeps it anchored to the counter. Additionally, the motor of the stand mixer became a little warm after mixing for over 20 minutes, but the planetary mixing components showed no signs of struggling.
For lighter-weight projects, the Artisan KitchenAid Mixer smoothly tackled every task we threw at it, including cookie dough and churning butter for fresh heavy cream. The handle on the bowl is a plus (allowing you to retain a firm grip while scraping bread dough out of the bowl), as well as the coated dough hook (making it dishwasher-safe). Since the machine is often a constant fixture on the counter, it also helps that there are 29 available finishes, allowing you to color-coordinate with your kitchen decor. For home bakers who want to do it all, this mixer is a reliable and uncompromising choice.
Price at time of publish: $450
The Spruce Eats / Donna Currie
Number of Speeds: 10 | Power: 325 watts | Bowl Volume: 5 quarts | Attachments: 1 beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
What Our Testers Say
"With this stand mixer willing to do the kneading, we gave it a go, and soon we had a silky ball of pasta dough. While the mixer’s motor got a little warm, it didn’t get hot so we didn’t worry about overheating...[T]he mixer did an excellent job kneading bread dough, and it didn’t complain one bit." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Amazon
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Our Ratings
-
Design
4/5
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Performance
4/5
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Size
4/5
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Features
3.5/5
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Value
5/5
What We Like
What We Don't Like
Paddle is plastic
Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Stand Mixer Review
For the price, the 300-watt Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Stand Mixer does a decent job at mixing most bread dough and batters for quick breads. “The Hamilton is great for smaller batches and for softer doughs,” says Kelsey Weber, food & product stylist at KR Food Styling. “For the price point, this mixer will be a great addition for a novice baker. ”
Our home product tester agrees: "The mixer seemed to strain just a little, but it still gave me a silky-smooth dough...It would be a great mixer for bakers with more modest needs," she notes. During testing, she also noted that the folding option (in addition to the appliance's six speeds) is particularly useful for delicate ingredients, as well as the initial slow mixing of dry ingredients.
In the Lab, our tester noticed that "the shape of the dough hook actually helps the mixer to incorporate dry ingredients from the edges of the bowl," which cuts down on how often you'll need to stop the machine and scrape down the sides. The machine is a little louder than some of the other stand mixer models we tested alongside it, but it didn't overheat or show signs of struggling while mixing. To make up for the lighter overall weight, the mixer has suction cups on the bottom to help anchor it to the counter.
Similar to KitchenAid, it has a planetary mixing action that allows the attachment to revolve around the bowl to ensure even mixing. Unlike the KitchenAid models, it's only available in black and has a more contemporary boxy design. This model includes a 3.5-quart capacity stainless-steel mixing bowl, dough hook, wire whisk, and plastic paddle. While this machine comes at a nice price and mixes lighter ingredients with impressive ease, it can handle the occasional small batch of denser dough for bakers looking to get started with bread-making.
Price at time of publish: $105
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: 6 | Power: 300 watts | Bowl Volume: 3.5 quarts | Attachments: 1 plastic beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
What Our Testers Say
"With easy tasks like whipping cream, making butter, and whipping my fluffy frosting, this mixer did a great job." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
Williams Sonoma
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Our Ratings
-
Design
5/5
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Performance
4.5/5
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Size
4/5
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Features
4.5/5
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Value
4.5/5
What We Like
Appealing signature retro design and colors
Powerful 800-watt motor makes mixing doughs easier
Can mix nearly 3 pounds of dough
What We Don't Like
The Italian brand SMEG is known best for quality appliances in stylish, award-winning retro designs, and the brand's stand mixer does not disappoint. This compact mixer has a die-cast aluminum housing with a powder-coated enamel finish reminiscent of a classic car, complete with chrome accents and gearshift-like speed control on the top of the unit. It’s available in more than half a dozen attractive colors that match all of the other SMEG appliances you may have or want.
Like many other mixer brands, the SMEG comes with the trinity of attachments (flat beater, wire whisk, and dough hook) and a pouring shield. But the SMEG brand doesn’t get by on looks alone—when it comes to performance, this machine keeps up with the KitchenAid Artisan Series with its similar planetary mixing action, 10 speeds, and tilt-head design. In fact, this mixer boasts an 800-watt motor, more than twice the power as the KitchenAid version, and it has the “Smooth" start function, which starts the machine with a slower initial speed to prevent ingredient splatter.
In our Lab tests, our tester noted that the machine's instructions specifically recommend not mixing doughs above speed two, which is good practice for most stand mixers. Even at a lower speed, the SMEG mixer was able to mix the bread dough we tested in it efficiently, and get it kneaded to point of being elastic. A minute or two of kneading the dough by hand after removing it from the machine, and the dough was perfectly developed.
The only downside our tester noticed was the sound the mixer makes. Given that it's got a more powerful motor, it makes sense that it would be louder; with great power comes greater noise, which is something to consider if that's something you're sensitive to. But even though the machine may get louder than the others, it doesn't show any signs of distress or overheating while mixing and kneading dough.
Price at time of publish: $540
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: 10 | Power: 800 watts | Bowl Volume: 4.8 liters (5 quarts) | Attachments: 1 beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
Lab Test Takeaway
"The splatter guard helps to keep anything from really jumping from the bowl and makes the machine itself easy to clean. [The SMEG stand mixer is] comparable in price to other machines with the same capabilities, and it can tackle most any job without laboring."
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Our Ratings
-
Design
4.5/5
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Performance
4. 5/5
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Size
5/5
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Features
4/5
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Value
4/5
What We Like
Great for heavier, denser doughs
Spiral dough hook kneads exceptionally well
7-quart capacity can make 8 pounds of dough
What We Don't Like
If your bread-baking habits are higher in volume, the high-performance KitchenAid Pro Line 7-quart Stand Mixer is an outstanding option. It’s a bigger, more powerful version of the trademarked KitchenAid design that can mix up to a whopping 8 pounds of dough at a time. With 10 speeds to choose from, this mixer excels at kneading heavier doughs thanks to its quiet yet powerful 1.3-horsepower motor, which gives it the capability to knead for longer without overheating.
While it's clear that the larger capacity of this machine can easily knead several batches of bread dough at a time, it is also able to mix single batches of bread dough efficiently. It performed impressively when our Lab tester put it to lighter-duty tasks like mixing cookie dough and whipping cream. And unlike the SMEG stand mixer, the KitchenAid Pro Line mixer didn't get any louder when mixing faster or thicker doughs. In fact, it hardly exhibited any signs of exertion, other than becoming ever-so-slightly warm after intense dough mixing for almost 15 minutes.
True to its name, the KitchenAid Pro Line 7-quart bowl-lift stand mixer is trusted in professional kitchens and bakeries everywhere. It's great for bread dough mixing, but it's also ideal for anyone who's serious about making pasta dough regularly, or even bakers who find themselves making larger cakes, batches of frosting, and cookie dough several batches at a time.
This mixer features 10 speeds, and its heavier weight—approximately 25 pounds—ensures that the machine won’t budge when it’s in use. The bowl-lift design utilizes a crank that locks the bowl into the raised position while the bowl itself snaps into place at three points for maximum stabilization. It includes a wire whip, paddle attachment, and a spiraled dough hook, which mimics hand-kneading. If you bake often, you’ll love how this mixer performs; it’s a true workhorse and lives up to everything you’d expect from a professional-grade mixer.
Price at time of publish: $679
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: 10 | Power: 969 watts | Bowl Volume: 7 quarts | Attachments: 1 beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
Lab Test Takeaway
"The lever to lift the bowl up and down makes for ease of disassembly for cleaning or moving on to the next project. The 7-quart bowl makes this mixer able to do larger jobs but does not take away from the ability to do smaller jobs either. It can work single batches and double batches with ease."
We Tested the Best Bread Lames for the Most Decorative Loaves
Amazon
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Our Ratings
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Design
4. 5/5
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Performance
4/5
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Size
3/5
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Features
4.5/5
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Value
4/5
What We Like
Similar functionality as full-size version
Takes up less counter space
“Soft Start” feature eliminates ingredient “splash-out”
What We Don't Like
If you’re looking for the capability of a full-sized machine but simply don’t have the room for one, look no further than the 3.5-quart version of the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer. Armed with the same functionality and tilt-head feature as the full-size version, this 250-watt model is perfectly sized for mixing smaller quantities. Not to mention it comes in about a dozen colors to choose from.
We used the very same tests for this smaller KitchenAid that we did for the larger 5.5-quart Artisan model—whipping cream, mixing cookie dough, and kneading bread—and it performed just as well when working with single batches of each recipe. Even when mixing a single batch of bread dough, the machine didn't appear to be taxed in the least.
Our testers agreed that you'd be sacrificing a little in the way of bowl volume, but not compromising on performance (or style, for that matter). Given that you're getting the reliability of a KitchenAid mixer that could potentially last several decades with proper care, the price tag makes sense. It's not out of the question that you could be giving it to your kids when they get their first apartment—at which point, you can upgrade to a larger model.
Bonus: This model has the “Soft Start” feature that eliminates ingredient “splash-out” when turning the mixer on. The paddle attachment is also designed with a rubber edge that helps scrape the sides of the bowl clean while mixing.
Price at time of publish: $380
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: 10 | Power: 250 watts | Bowl Volume: 3. 5 quarts | Attachments: 1 beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
What Our Experts Say
"[This mixer is] perfect for a single batch of bread, and it takes up less counter space for those in space-conscious kitchens. It doesn't have a pouring shield, so it can get a little messy, but it's perfect for bakers who are medium-skilled and making single loaves of bread." — Kelsey Weber, Food & Product Stylist at KR Food Styling
The 12 Best Bread Making Tools in 2023
Williams Sonoma
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Our Ratings
-
Design
4.5/5
-
Performance
5/5
-
Size
4/5
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Features
4.5/5
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Value
4/5
What We Like
7-quart bowl accommodates several batches of dough
Powerful enough for mixing heavy ingredients effortlessly
Can handle smaller quantities just as well
What We Don't Like
Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer Review
Though this stand mixer is fairly new to the game, the Wolf brand is known for superior quality and craftsmanship. This professional-grade machine features a 7-quart capacity bowl and a robust 500-watt motor that can handle 8 pounds of dough at a time. Like the KitchenAid Pro Line mixer, this model uses a bowl-lift, but Wolf’s proprietary design lifts and lowers the bowl from the base with an easy turn of the bowl’s handle.
Bakers will enjoy the great control of mixing speed thanks to the variable speed dial and a pulse function for slowly adding ingredients into the mix. When our home tester mixed a batch of bread dough, they were impressed with the power and speed with which the mixer worked. The mixer gave no signs of distress, overheating, noise, or extreme shaking. Where other models may "walk" across countertops with extreme mixing, the Wolf Gourmet stood its ground.
In our Lab tests, we were impressed by how well the mixer handled a batch of bread dough. It was one of the few mixers that were able to completely knead a batch of dough without finishing it by hand after removing it from the machine. But given how large the bowl is, you may need to scrape down the bowl a few times while mixing to make sure everything mixes evenly and all ingredients are incorporated. Our tester also mentioned that this machine can easily handle two, if not three, batches of dough at a time.
The Wolf Gourmet High-Performance Stand Mixer also includes a flat beater, whisk, and dough hook that are all top-rack dishwasher-safe, making for hassle-free cleanup. The only downside is the cost of the machine, which may be prohibitive to some bakers. If you already own Wolf products, you’ll appreciate the professional styling of this mixer, as its red knob and brushed finish coordinates well with other industrially-inspired Wolf appliances.
Price at time of publish: $1,000
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: Variable and pulse | Power: 500 watts | Bowl Volume: 7 quarts | Attachments: 1 beater, 1 dough hook, 1 wire whip
What Our Testers Say
"No matter what speed I chose, the mixer gave a soft start, so it didn’t fling ingredients around the way a fast start can do. But even better is the pulse option that allows the mixer to be turned on and off in gentle pulses." — Donna Currie, Product Tester
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Our Ratings
-
Design
4.5/5
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Performance
4/5
-
Size
4/5
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Features
5/5
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Value
4/5
What We Like
Built intentionally for kneading dough
An impressive line of attachments
7-year warranty on motor assembly
11 color options
What We Don't Like
While this stand mixer may look and operate slightly different than others, it packs no less of a punch. The 600-watt motor in this machine, situated beneath the mixing bowl, provides open access to the top of the mixing bowl. Adding ingredients in several steps is less messy and provides for maximum use of the bowl’s capacity.
Ankarsrum is a Swedish company that introduced this style in 1940, under the familiar brand Electrolux. The mixer comes with a 7-liter metal bowl specifically for dough mixing and a 3.5-liter plastic bowl for use with the beater and whisk attachments. The dough-mixing function involves a dough roller, instead of a hook, that pairs with a scraper attachment, which continuously scrapes the dough from the bowl’s sides while mixing. The roller rests on the side of the bowl as it spins or can be manually moved across the bowl and locked into the position that suits you best. Don’t let the operational learning curve scare you off, though—Ankarsrum provides a complete collection of videos to show you how to use your machine correctly.
In our Lab tests, we noticed how well this machine kneads dough, completely developing the gluten with a more natural kneading action than some of the other machines. It was also especially efficient at whipping cream due to the lower position and movement of the smaller double whisk attachments. Even after 10 minutes of kneading dough, the machine didn't get warm or shake, even at top speeds. The machine was also easy to clean, with no mess made during mixing, and no small cracks or grooves for debris to collect in.
The typical attachments are provided with this stand mixer, including two cookie beaters, two whisks, a dough mixing set, two bowls, and a bowl cover. Ankarsrum also sells an impressive selection of attachments that turn your stand mixer into a versatile small kitchen appliance. The machine is heavy, clocking in over 20 pounds. But the extra weight provides more stability while mixing heavier doughs.
While this mixer is on the more expensive end of the available options, it could be worth it if you're planning on using it often for a wide variety of tasks. It's built to take the place of several smaller kitchen appliances, making it worth the price for those who love to bake and cook. The Assistent Original also comes with a whopping 7-year warranty for the motor, which is incredibly comforting if you plan on using your machine for heavy-duty dough mixing regularly.
Price at time of publish: $750
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Number of Speeds: 12 | Power: 600 watts | Bowl Volume: 7.4-quart metal bowl and 3.7-quart plastic bowl | Attachments: 2 beaters, 2 whisks, 1 dough mixing set (dough roller, dough scraper, dough knife), bowl cover
Lab Test Takeaway
"This mixer has a bevy of attachments that you can purchase and comes with various attachments in the box. Overall it is a very versatile machine. [The Ankarsrum mixer is] a little cumbersome as a whole but is large enough to take care of large or small quantities and not as heavy as it looks."
Final Verdict
The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Mixer is a tried-and-true mixer that will give you the mixing flexibility to hop from kneading doughs to whipping up frosting. For an affordable alternative that will get the job done, we recommend the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Stand Mixer.
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
How We Tested
Each of the stand mixers on this list was tested side-by-side in our Lab with the 12 most popular stand mixer brands, sizes, and styles. Each of the mixers was reviewed based on their whisking, beating, and kneading performance. Special attention was also paid to how quickly and well the ingredients were mixed, and if the machines showed any sign of stress while mixing. The stand mixers that performed the best while mixing and kneading bread dough specifically made the cut for this list.
Several of the stand mixers were also sent to our independent home testers to gather realistic in-home testing results. Each of our home testers rigorously tested the mixers with several types of dough and reported all of the results, as well as ratings on how well the machines performed each task, the overall design, and the value of the mixers based on the performance and features.
How We Test Products
Other Options We Tested
- Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer: While we didn't dislike this particular stand mixer in general, we did notice that it began to show signs of struggling when mixing bread dough. After several minutes of mixing, the motor was hot to the touch and louder at higher speeds. It also shook a lot more than other machines while mixing dough. It's a great choice for lighter-duty mixes like cookies, cakes, frosting, and whipped creams.
- Hamilton Beach Classic Stand and Hand Mixer: Even after nearly 15 minutes of mixing, this combination hand and stand mixer failed to knead a batch of bread dough thoroughly. The biggest issue is that it doesn't have the range of motion that the planetary mixers have when mixing, so it isn't able to mix all of the ingredients. Ultimately, our testers confirmed that this machine isn't effective as a stand mixer, and most definitely not for bread dough.
- Amazon Basics Multispeed Stand Mixer: While the Amazon Basics stand mixer performed relatively well while whipping cream, it started to shake while mixing both cookie dough and bread dough. This machine is a great deal, but not really built for consistent heavy-duty bread mixing, which seems like it will wear it out quickly.
- Dash Stand Mixer: This machine seems like a great idea for smaller spaces and comes with a much smaller investment than most of the other stand mixers. Unfortunately, it isn't designed for kneading bread dough. A single batch of bread dough hardly fits into the bowl of the mixer. The light weight of the machine doesn't keep it anchored to the counter, so it moves around quite a bit while mixing. And the bowl itself struggles to keep turning and mix the dough in the process.
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
What to Look for When Buying a Stand Mixer for Bread Making
Bowl Size
Generally speaking, if you’re planning on making bread dough in your stand mixer, you’re going to want a mixer with a larger bowl size. For bakers making smaller loaves, a 5-quart bowl is really the smallest functional option for full-sized recipes. Even the smallest batches of dough need room to mix and expand. If you’re tight on space and need a smaller mixer with a smaller bowl, you’ll just have to get creative with half-sized batches. Ideally, a bowl that’s 6 quarts or more will give the dough space to mix and allow the dough to stretch and build a solid gluten structure.
Most yeasted doughs require a bulk fermentation period after mixing, which many bakers do directly in the mixing bowl. A larger bowl allows you to go straight from mixing to proofing without having to switch bowls. It’s also a good idea to remember that, while a bowl size indicates the maximum amount of volume it can hold, it usually mixes best with several cups to a quart fewer ingredients than the indicated bowl amount. Additionally, most larger bowls come with machines that pack more power.
Power
When it comes to mixing bread doughs, the more power the better. Some countertop stand mixers boast up to 1000 watts of power, which is fantastic, but not entirely necessary. Stand mixers like the 5-quart tilt-head KitchenAid stand mixer function just fine with a 325-watt motor. With that said, a machine with an average power of 500 watts is going to ensure that your dough gets mixed without struggling.
Keep in mind that you should always keep a close eye on your machine while it’s mixing doughs, and take note of any signs of struggle. A machine that’s working harder than it’s designed to will overheat, make clicking or scraping noises, struggle to spin or stall out, and even smoke or give off a burning smell. To avoid overworking your machine, always mix the dough on the lowest setting needed to get the job done efficiently, and remember that you may need to finish the dough by hand. Also, realize that while a machine may claim to use 500 watts of power, some of that energy is going to the operation of the machine, and less power is actually going towards mixing your dough.
Design and Color
Stand mixers usually spend the majority of their time sitting on your countertop, which is why so many people lean towards mixers that are as attractive as they are functional. It might not be your biggest concern, but it’s worth it to consider how the machine is going to look in your space. Brands like KitchenAid, SMEG, and even Wolf Gourmet have designed machines with specific forms, colors, and finishes to accent your kitchen. Both the KitchenAid and SMEG mixers have retro designs and are available in a wide range of colors to match your cabinetry, kitchen linens, or cookware. Machines like the Wolf Gourmet and Hamilton Beach are designed for a more contemporary look with brushed stainless steel and shiny black surfaces. If you’ve got all stainless-steel appliances, going for a stainless-steel mixer would be a nice look. If you’ve got your heart set on a specific model, and aren’t concerned about the way it looks, that’s okay, too. If it really clashes with your decor, it’s perfectly fine to store it away in a cabinet and just pull it out when you need it.
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
Settings and Controls
Every brand has designed the controls of its stand mixers a little differently. Whether it be a lever, dial, knob, or electronic button, the controls should be easy to understand and operate. Operating the machine should eventually feel like second nature while you’re mixing, so you can keep your attention on the food.
The settings for mixers range from three to twelve increments and cover low, medium, and high speeds at the very least. The more speed settings there are, the smoother the transition will be from one speed to the next, making it less likely that you’ll end up with ingredients flying out of the bowl. Machines with a “stir” or slow-start setting are also useful to avoid shocking the ingredients and making a mess. Additional settings may include timers, alerts, and automatic shutoff settings. While none of these settings are necessary, they’re a nice addition to the machine.
Warranties
Since most stand mixers require a substantial financial investment, they all typically include a manufacturer’s warranty. Most stand mixer warranties only cover one to three years of use, which isn’t a very long time, considering that this is an investment that’s expected to last for years, if not decades. On the upside, most stand mixers are designed and constructed for the long haul, so you can take comfort knowing that as long as you take care of your machine, it should last a while. Any problems the machine may have due to manufacturing will probably show up well before the warranty period expires. If you’d like some additional coverage, some retailers may offer an extended warranty for an additional price.
The Spruce Eats / Russell Kilgore
FAQs
How do stand mixers work?
With few exceptions, all stand mixers operate the same way. A motor is suspended at the top of the mixer over a bowl. Mixing attachments connect at the bottom of the motor and extend down into the bowl. The hub where the attachments connect moves in a planetary motion to move the attachments around the bowl, mixing your ingredients. The benefit of a stand mixer is the power that it brings to mixing. Stand mixers are typically stronger than hand mixing and hand mixer options, which have smaller and less powerful motors.
Are stand mixers necessary for baking bread?
Depending on the type of bread you’re making, stand mixers are not necessary for making bread. Most high water content, sourdough, and no-knead breads require minimal mixing in small batches, which can quickly be done by hand, even if you don’t have a lot of strength. The larger the batch, the more likely the dough will benefit from mixing in a machine. Other glutinous doughs that require substantial kneading to develop the structure can be made by hand but will require a lot of physical labor and will likely take longer to mix. These doughs will be much easier to make in a stand mixer and faster to make than using a hand mixer which might not stand up to the stress of mixing dough.
Can you over-knead bread dough?
Yes, you can over-knead bread dough, but it would take a great deal of mixing to over-knead a dough in a home mixer. A dough that’s been sufficiently kneaded will still have elasticity to it without falling apart. Signs that your dough has developed properly include ingredients pulling away from the sides and bottom of the bowl while mixing, and in some cases, the dough pulling away entirely and slapping against the side of the bowl. At this point, your dough has probably been mixing for at least five to ten minutes, and it’s pretty apparent that your dough is finished mixing. If you have to step away from the mixer and the machine continues to mix past this stage, the dough may overmix, which will result in a dough that’s hard and breaks instead of stretches. Once you’ve had experience mixing dough a few times in your machine, you should become familiar with the different stages of your dough. If your dough is only slightly overmixed, a longer rest time will help relax the dough.
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
The author of this piece, Bernadette Machard de Gramont, specializes in global food and wine content. She interviewed LA-based food stylist Kelsey Rose Weber for this piece and has personally used the KitchenAid Artisan series. She often uses her KitchenAid Pro Line mixer at home to bake traditional French boules, brioche, and the occasional chocolate-cinnamon babka.
This article was updated by Jenny Kellerhals, a freelance food and beverage writer based in Queens, New York. Jenny has been a professional pastry chef for over 10 years, with extensive experience using both professional and home-grade kitchen equipment.
Sources
- Kelsey Weber, Food & Product Stylist at KR Food Styling in Los Angeles
These 9 Best Hand Mixers Are Versatile and Efficient
Additional reporting by
Jenny Kellerhals
Jenny Kellerhals
Jenny Kellerhals is a freelance writer covering food and beverage. She is also a pastry chef and an active recipe developer with more than a decade in the industry.
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The 4 Best KitchenAid Stand Mixers We Tested in 2023
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Save Article IconA bookmarkShare iconAn curved arrow pointing right. Read in app KitchenAid stand mixers make quick work of baking tasks and last for years. Lauren Savoie/Insider- Best overall
- Best budget
- Best for bread
- Best for small spaces
- What else we considered
- Our testing methodology
- KitchenAid FAQs
- How to choose a KitchenAid
- Why buy a KitchenAid
- Glossary
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A stand mixer is the crown jewel of a kitchen, and KitchenAid's stand mixers have been the standard for over a century. They make efficient work of whipping egg whites to soft or stiff peaks, turning cream into whipped cream, churning out big batches of cookies, and kneading tough, heavy bread doughs.
I've used a KitchenAid stand mixer daily — sometimes all day — while working in professional kitchens for more than a decade. I have years of experience with each stand mixer in this guide: I've broken them, repaired them, purchased them for my own personal use, and am intimately aware of each model's advantages and limitations.
But I didn't just rely on my previous experiences. I researched eight models and put four top-selling KitchenAid stand mixers through a standard set of tests for this guide. I used a King Arthur recipe for bagels, a stiff dough with a 10-minute mixing time; I prepared Compost Cookies (kitchen-sink cookies with five cups of mix-ins including chocolate chips, potato chips, and pretzels) from New York City's Milk Bar; and put each mixer through additional tests to evaluate its capacity, mixing capability, and ease of use. You can read more about how I tested KitchenAid stand mixers below, along with how to shop for a KitchenAid and what to make with it.
Learn more about how Insider Reviews tests and researches tech products.
Our top picks for KitchenAid stand mixers
Best overall: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer - See at Amazon
This popular model balances power, capacity, and size for a mixer that is perfectly designed for most home bakers; plus it comes in more than 45 fun colors.
Best budget: KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - See at Target
The least expensive model made by KitchenAid, the Classic Plus has all the quality components of more expensive mixers but it's compact, efficient, and powerful enough to accomplish most tasks for casual bakers.
Best for bread: KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer - See at Williams Sonoma
The KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer is the largest, most powerful KitchenAid mixer you can buy without venturing into commercial models, which makes it perfect for avid bakers.
Best for small spaces: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - See at KitchenAid
The smallest of KitchenAid stand mixers, this model is the perfect size and strength for occasional bakers, new cooks, and those with petite kitchens.
Best overall: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer
Lauren Savoie/Insider- Best for: batters, cookies, most everyday baked goods, occasional stiff bread dough or sticky pizza dough
- Functional capacity: 3.75 quarts
- Power: 325 watts
- Weight: 23 lbs.
- Compatible attachments: all KitchenAid attachments
- Color selection: available in 47 colors
Pros: Easily accomplishes common cooking tasks, lots of customization options, work bowl has a handle
Cons: Not enough power for regularly making a lot of stiff or wet doughs
The Artisan Series 5 Quart model strikes a great balance of power, size, and design. During testing, it quickly became my favorite mixer to use. Tilt-head stand mixers have a smaller base than bowl-lift stand mixers so the bowls tend to be narrower and can feel cramped. You often have to stop the mixer and tilt the head back whenever you want to scrape down the mixing bowl. This wasn't the case with the Artisan mixer; the large bowl felt open enough that I could scrape the sides without adjusting the head. The bowl also has a sturdy handle for easy lifting, and provided plenty of room for pouring in ingredients — particularly helpful when adding more than five cups of mix-ins for Compost Cookies.
While it shook a bit when I made bagel dough, it was never overly noisy and I didn't feel like I had to babysit it for fear of it walking off the counter. That said, I don't think I would make multiple batches of bagels in a row to avoid overheating the mixer's lower-powered motor.
This model also offers customization, allowing you to choose from almost 50 color options, engrave your stand mixer, or switch out the standard bowl for a patterned ceramic or glass mixing bowl.
Since initial testing, we've continued to use this model at least once a week. It's worked its way through pierogi dough and filling, multiple babkas, and many batches of holiday cookies, and still functions as well (and looks as good) as it did when I first received it. We'll continue to use this model regularly and report on its long-term durability.
Overall, this is a great option for beginner bakers.
Best budget: KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Lauren Savoie/Insider- Best for: cookies, brownies, whipped cream, cake, and occasional bread loafs
- Functional capacity: 3 quarts
- Power: 275 watts
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Compatible attachments: all KitchenAid attachments
- Color selection: available in two colors
Pros: Relatively inexpensive, spacious but still maneuverable, can handle most common tasks and occasional tough doughs, good for beginners
Cons: Work bowl doesn't have a handle, relatively low-powered motor, not ideal for heavy use
If you're an occasional or beginner baker, the KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a great model to begin with. It's made with the same metal parts as more expensive KitchenAid stand mixers, has a strong motor, and a relatively roomy work bowl. While on the smaller side, it still easily accommodates single batches of common recipes.
An earlier version of the KitchenAid Classic Plus was, in fact, my first mixer. I used it heavily for about five years until it gave out on me while kneading dough for hand-pulled noodles (a notoriously tricky dough, and one known to tax stand mixers). This issue first highlighted to me how most stand mixers break and the importance of choosing a model built for your typical usage.
I tested a new version of this mixer for this guide, and while it happily worked through cookies, egg whites, and even hefty bagel dough without issue, it's possible that with too much heavy use, like making many batches of bagel or pizza dough back-to-back, the mixer can overheat or — in the case of my old mixer — wear down its gears. While the issue is repairable, it requires seeing a KitchenAid repair specialist, which can be expensive, so you're better off purchasing a stand mixer with a wattage that meets your needs from the get-go.
Read our full review of the KitchenAid Classic Plus stand mixer.
Best for bread: KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer
Lauren Savoie/Insider- Best for: bagel dough, pizza dough, thick noodle doughs, bread dough, double batches of recipes
- Functional capacity: 5. 75 quarts
- Power: 970 watts
- Weight: 27 lbs.
- Compatible attachments: all KitchenAid attachments
- Color selection: available in six colors
Pros: Largest capacity of any residential model, bowl-lift design provides stability when mixing, wide mixing bowl for adding ingredients, powerful motor that can handle all kinds of doughs, work bowl has a handle
Cons: Heavy, takes up a lot of space, only comes in a few colors
Stiff or heavy doughs like bagel dough, pizza dough, and some noodle doughs require a large amount of power to knead properly, which can be taxing on many stand mixers. The 7-Quart Pro-Line model has a 970 watt motor for powerful and thorough kneading without overheating the mixer. The wider bowl-lift design also provides more stability during mixing, so the mixer doesn't "walk" or shake as much during use.
This is the model I primarily used during a decade of work in professional kitchens. The machine is reliable, nimble, easy to use, and remarkably quiet for such a large mixer. It can handle everything from whipping two egg whites to mixing triple batches of cake batter. KitchenAid claims the 7-quart size can make up to 14 dozen cookies in a single batch, and while I haven't ventured to test the limits of that claim (I love cookies, but I don't need 14 dozen), it made double batches of compost cookies and bagels with plenty of room to spare.
The wide bowl is easy to remove from the mixer, has a large comfortable handle, and provides lots of space for adding ingredients during mixing. Avid bakers and especially those who make bread will appreciate its reliability — these mixers saw heavy daily use when I worked with them in professional kitchens and rarely needed repairs. If you take care of this mixer, it's likely to last you decades.
That said, it's a hefty machine and not the sort of mixer you want to lug around, so it's best for those with ample counter space to devote to its large footprint.
Read our full review of the KitchenAid Pro Line stand mixer.
Best for small spaces: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Lauren Savoie/Insider- Best for: cookies, biscuits, muffins, pasta dough, single batches of recipes
- Functional capacity: 2 quarts
- Power: 250 watts
- Weight: 17 lbs.
- Compatible attachments: all KitchenAid attachments except the ice cream maker
- Color selection: available in 11 colors
Pros: Perfectly sized for small kitchens, easy to maneuver, makes single batches of most recipes well, ideal for occasional bakers, a good size for kids, work bowl has a handle
Cons: Too small for double batches, shakes a lot when running at high speed
When I moved into a 600 square foot apartment, every inch felt precious. Since counter space was limited, I needed a mixer light enough that I wouldn't mind hauling it out from a cabinet every time I wanted to bake. The KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer hit all these marks for me.
Measuring just over 11 inches wide, the Mini is about 25% smaller than our best overall pick. While this may not seem like a drastic difference, the Mini is much more maneuverable, and I love that it fits easily under my cabinets or on a shelf. Less surface area also means less to clean, and the Mini's work bowl doesn't hog space in my sink or dishwasher.
Despite being more petite, the Mini is perfectly capable of whipping up a single batch of cookies or biscuits. I've made muffins, pasta dough, bread dough, pizza dough, cake, frosting, and more cookies than I can count in the Mini with no issues or changes to the mixing times called for in the recipes.
When I put my Mini through strenuous tests for this guide, it showed some of its limitations. The work bowl was just able to fit all the mix-ins for compost cookies, but it started to overflow a bit when I turned on the mixer. Bagel dough also came together fine, but the mixer shook and "walked" around the counter during the long kneading time, enough so that I felt like I had to keep an eye on it for the whole 10 minutes it was mixing.
That said, if space is your primary concern or you're an occasional baker, the Mini is a great option for an unobtrusive machine that can do just about anything a full-size mixer can do.
How we tested KitchenAid stand mixers
While I drew from my own experience as a food editor working in professional kitchens and using these mixers over many years, I also put each model through a standard set of tests to see how they'd compare to each other. Here's how I evaluated KitchenAid stand mixers:
Size, capacity, and ease of use: I weighed and measured all the stand mixers, including comparing the stated versus functional capacity (the capacity when measured from the bottom of the work bowl to the top of the mixing attachment) of each work bowl. I carried the mixers around and noted how comfortable they were to move and handle.
Power: We consulted the company to learn the power of each motor in watts. Residential stand mixers range from 250 to 970 watts, and mixers with higher wattage motors can mix heavy, wet doughs more readily.
Whipping: I whipped two egg whites to stiff peaks in each mixer, which tests the mixers' control during gradual ramping up of speed. It also tested the larger mixers' ability to function well even with a very small volume of ingredients.
Creaming: I used each stand mixer to make Milk Bar compost cookies, which have more than 5 cups of mix-ins. Not only did this test the functional capacity of the mixers, but also their ability to operate on different speeds — high speed for creaming butter and sugar, and low speed for incorporating delicate mix-ins like chips and pretzels without breaking them.
Kneading: Each mixer was used to make a batch of King Arthur bagels; a stiff dough with a long, 10 minute mixing time. I made a note if any of the mixers shook or walked, struggled, or made excessive noise during this tough task.
Durability: The true test of a stand mixer is how it performs over time. While I included information from my own experience working with these models over nearly a decade, I'll continue to use the stand mixers in this guide and report back on any durability issues.
How to choose a KitchenAid stand mixer
Lauren Savoie/InsiderKitchenAid makes an overwhelming number of models. Here are some considerations to help you narrow down your selection.
Wattage: The higher the wattage of the motor, the more powerful the mixer will be. Mixers with higher wattage — like the 970 watt motor on the KitchenAid Pro — glide through tough doughs and don't easily overheat. If you bake at least once a week or you regularly make a lot of heavy, wet doughs like pizza or bread dough, then you'll benefit from a larger, more expensive model with a high wattage motor built for power and durability. However, if you're the kind of person who breaks out the stand mixer once a year to make holiday cookies, you don't need the Cadillac of KitchenAids. Occasional bakers will be perfectly well off with 250 or 275-watt models, like the Artisan Mini or the Classic Plus. Lower wattage models can also handle the occasional tough task like kneading bagel dough a few times a year. Be mindful that tough kitchen tasks can be hard on the gears of smaller machines, so give your machine time to cool down between uses if you're making a hard dough in a lower wattage model.
Capacity: The advertised capacity of a KitchenAid mixer is not its actual capacity. The advertised or stated capacity refers to how much the work bowl can hold when completely full. Not only would you have a big mess on your hands if you tried to use a mixer at full capacity, but it also wouldn't operate effectively since the ingredients would actually cover the mixing attachment. Instead, the functional capacity is measured from the bottom of the bowl to the top of the mixing attachment and it's usually about 1 to 1.5 quarts less than the stated capacity. One quart is about the size of a large deli container, so if you have a recipe that regularly makes enough dough to fill four or five of those, opt for a mixer with a larger stated capacity of 6 or 7 quarts. It's also a good idea to buy a mixer with a larger capacity if you make a lot of bread since the mixer needs a fair amount of clearance to knead the dough effectively.
Maneuverability and storage: The bigger the capacity and more powerful the mixer, the heavier and larger the mixer will be. The largest KitchenAid mixers in our guide can weigh almost 30 pounds. Unless you're comfortable regularly lifting an appliance of that size, you'll either need to consider a small mixer or have dedicated counter space. Larger mixers will take up about half the width of a standard size counter and may not fit readily under your cabinet overhang. If space is at a premium, consider a smaller, less expensive mixer.
Colors and customization: For some people, the most important factor in choosing a KitchenAid is the color. If a fun color is your priority, opt for a mixer from KitchenAid's Artisan series. Our best mixer for small spaces and best overall pick are both Artisan mixers and are available in up to 47 different colors. Our best overall pick also offers further customization with interchangeable decorative work bowls in various patterns and materials. The Classic and Pro Line series offer a much more limited color choice — just red and a handful of neutrals.
Why buy a KitchenAid stand mixer
While there are a number of other stand mixer brands out there — including Breville, Sunbeam, Oster, and Bosch — none are as ubiquitous or revered as the KitchenAid stand mixer. Some people consider purchasing a KitchenAid stand mixer to be a life milestone, and according to The Knot, a KitchenAid stand mixer was the most-wished-for product on wedding registries in 2021. Julia Child's KitchenAid mixer even lives in the Smithsonian Museum. But what makes KitchenAid stand mixers so special?
KitchenAid stand mixers have been around for more than a century. According to KitchenAid, the brand got its name in 1919 when an executive's wife called the first home model stand mixer "the best kitchen aid I've ever had." The name stuck and KitchenAid has been synonymous with stand mixers ever since. While there are a number of great stand mixers from other brands out there, KitchenAid still stands out in a number of ways.
Durability: I've tried almost every brand of stand mixer out there in my seven years reviewing kitchen products, and KitchenAid mixers are the only ones that use an almost all-metal construction. Other brands cut costs by using plastic in part of the design: either in the body of the mixer, on knobs and dials, in the mixing attachments, or even in the gears. Mixers made with a lot of plastic are usually lighter and less expensive, but much less durable. KitchenAid mixers can last for decades because of their strong metal parts. While this stronger construction comes at a premium — KitchenAid mixers are among the most expensive out there — their durability makes them a great investment. Even the most affordable KitchenAid mixer shares this same hearty construction and powerful motor and will last for decades with proper care. There is also a robust network of authorized KitchenAid repair technicians who can repair your stand mixer if something does break.
Stability: The all-metal design makes KitchenAid mixers much heavier than most other brands. While they can be a pain to lug around, the added heft produces an important benefit: more stability when mixing. Lighter machines can shake or "walk" off countertops. The heaviness of KitchenAid mixers helps them stay put.
A mixer for everybody: Many brands that make stand mixers only produce one or two models. KitchenAid makes almost a dozen models with different capacities, power, and price points. This allows you to choose a model that meets your needs and excels at the tasks you perform most.
Attachments: KitchenAid is the only brand that has produced a robust lineup of attachments that extend the versatility of its stand mixers. These attachments can turn your KitchenAid into a food processor, meat grinder, ice cream maker, spiralizer, pasta machine, and more — eliminating the need to buy separate appliances that are often larger and more expensive.
Colors: It's undeniable that one of the major selling points of a KitchenAid mixer is the sheer number of colors available to choose from. KitchenAid offers its mixers in 47 different colors — no other brand even comes close to that much customization. While choosing an appliance based on color may seem silly to some consumers, the ability to pick out a color that matches your personality or decor is one of the reasons people feel such an affinity to KitchenAid mixers.
Glossary
Lauren Savoie/InsiderTilt head: A common mixer design where the work bowl twists onto the base of the mixer. The head of the machine tilts forward for operation and lifts back so you can attach a paddle, whisk, or dough hook; add ingredients to the work bowl; or use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl. These machines have a lever that allows you to lock the head in place so it doesn't accidentally lift during mixing or moving. This style is common in smaller capacity mixers and is contrasted to a bowl-lift design.
Bowl lift: A mixer design where the work bowl sits on a Y-shaped arm extending from the body of the mixer. A lever allows you to raise and lower the bowl. A raised position brings the bowl closer to the mixer head for operation, while a lowered position allows you to more easily add ingredients or add/remove the paddle, whisk, or dough hook. This design allows for more stability during mixing but comes at the cost of a larger footprint.
Hub: A circular port at the front of the mixer head where you place KitchenAid branded attachments such as the meat grinder, pasta cutter, or spiralizer. When not in use, the hub is usually covered by a silver medallion with the KitchenAid logo.
Paddle: A flat, open mixing attachment included with every KitchenAid stand mixer. The paddle is used for mixing ingredients together when you don't want too much air incorporated, such as when creaming butter and sugar, mixing cookie dough, and combining some batters. Think of it as the stand mixer equivalent of a wooden spoon.
Whisk: A balloon-shaped wire whisk mixing attachment included with every KitchenAid stand mixer. The whisk attachment is used when you do want to incorporate a lot of air into the ingredients you're mixing, like when whipping cream, making meringue or frosting, or mixing cake batter. It's used in similar ways to a hand whisk.
Dough hook: A corkscrew-shaped mixing attachment included with every KitchenAid stand mixer. The dough hook is used for kneading bread dough. Typically you'll mix the dough with another attachment such as the paddle, and then use the dough hook to form the dough into a ball and knead it. The corkscrew shape pushes the dough against the sides of the work bowl in an action that approximates kneading by hand.
Attachment: Can refer to the paddle, whisk, and dough hook that come with the mixer, but also used to describe the various accessories you can purchase to extend the versatility of your stand mixer such as the ice cream maker, food processor, or meat grinder. Check out our guide on the best KitchenAid attachments.
What to make in your KitchenAid stand mixer
Lauren Savoie/InsiderWe've put together a number of how-tos for making the most out of your KitchenAid stand mixer. KitchenAid makes more than two dozen different attachments that expand the versatility of your machine and let you make everything from zoodles to sausage to ice cream and more. Most of the attachments operate from the "hub" of the mixer — the portion underneath the metal disk on the top front of the machine. Since all KitchenAid mixers have this hub, almost all the attachments are compatible with every KitchenAid model in our guide. If you're interested in KitchenAid attachments, we reviewed them all here.
Here are some of our favorite things to make with our KitchenAid mixers and attachments:
Fresh pasta: This is one of those tasks that shows the true versatility of a KitchenAid stand mixer. You use the stand mixer and work bowl to make the dough, and then the KitchenAid pasta sheeter or pasta extruder to form the pasta shapes. Read more about how to make pasta in your stand mixer.
Bagels: Chewy bread like bagels are one of the hardest and most arduous tasks to do by hand, which means they're the perfect recipes to outsource to your stand mixer. While writing this guide, I used this recipe by King Arthur and it churned out perfectly springy bagels that reminded me of home in New Jersey.
Sausage: KitchenAid makes several attachments that allow you to grind your own meat for homemade sausage. Read more about how to grind meat and make sausage with a KitchenAid stand mixer.
Pizza dough: This type of dough is really wet and sticky, but a stand mixer excels at pulling it all together. Here's a recipe I really love for pizza dough made in a stand mixer.
Ice cream: KitchenAid makes a special bowl that fits on all stand mixers except the Artisan Mini that makes homemade ice cream. Read more about how to make ice cream in your Kitchenaid stand mixer.
KitchenAid stand mixer FAQs
Lauren Savoie/Insider What is the warranty on KitchenAid stand mixers?Almost all of KitchenAid's stand mixers come with a limited one year warranty, though you can purchase an extended service plan for another three years of coverage.
What do I do if my KitchenAid stand mixer breaks?When a KitchenAid stand mixer stops working, it can usually be repaired. The machines are designed so that inexpensive gears fail before the core part of the mixer; oftentimes a repair is as simple as replacing a gear. If your stand mixer is still within warranty, you should contact KitchenAid for a replacement.
However, in my experience, don't expect much from KitchenAid customer service if you're out of warranty. While plenty of KitchenAid repair videos exist online, you'll get the best results from a paid repair from the KitchenAid factory or by visiting a reputable appliance repair service. Keep in mind that you can void your remaining warranty if you attempt to repair your stand mixer on your own.
Will my KitchenAid stand mixer last a lifetime?With proper care, it's possible! Keep in mind that technology changes, so it's never a guarantee that a small appliance like a KitchenAid stand mixer will be forever compatible with modern home wiring or safety specifications. (Your grandma's toaster or microwave may still work, but it might not necessarily be safe. ) While your stand mixer might not become a family heirloom, you should get many years of use out of it.
How do I use my KitchenAid stand mixer?I'd start with a solid recipe for something you like to eat often, like cookies or bread. Once you know what you want to make, a well-written recipe should guide you through when to add ingredients, what speed to use, and even when to scrape down the bowl. Recipes from cookbooks or food magazines are usually well-tested and thoroughly written. Some good cookbooks to start with include "Pastry Love," "Black Girl Baking," "Bravetart," "Cook's Illustrated Baking Book", "The New Way to Cake," and "The Back in the Day Bakery Cookbook."
It's also good to keep best practices in mind: avoid overloading the mixer or adding too many ingredients at once, and turn up the speed slowly to avoid kitchen messes. Only operate your stand mixer on a stable countertop or table, and don't leave it unattended while it's running.
Can I use an electric hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?Electric hand mixers are best used for light batters or frostings where you want to incorporate a lot of air, and it doesn't take a lot of mixing to bring the ingredients together. While the electric mixer is spinning the whisks, you're still responsible for moving the mixer around the bowl. This is much less efficient than a stand mixer where the whisk is rotating, but also moving in a circular motion around the work bowl. Electric hand mixers also aren't very good for heavy doughs or recipes with a lot of varying textures since these tend to get caught in the smaller tines of the beaters. While an electric hand mixer is an efficient way to whip up a batch of brownies or frosting, stand mixers are much more versatile.
Where can I buy a preowned or refurbished KitchenAid?
The best way to buy a refurbished KitchenAid is through the company's website. Each one preowned mixer sold on KitchenAid's website has been inspected and repaired by a certified technician. For more information, check out our guide on everything you need to know about buying a refurbished KitchenAid stand mixer.
Lauren Savoie
Deputy Editor, Reviews
Lauren Savoie is the deputy editor at Insider Reviews, a wing of Insider's service journalism team. She manages growth for home & kitchen coverage, gift guides, and big deal days like Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Lauren is deeply involved in all editorial decision-making, with a particular focus in strategic content planning, career growth of reporters and editors, and strong journalistic standards for the Reviews team. Lauren joined the Insider team in 2020, first as kitchen editor and soon after as senior home & kitchen editor, where she pioneered original testing methodologies for buying guides and built a diverse team of freelancers and reporters with deep expertise in product testing. You can see some of her work in our guides to the best flower delivery services, the best pillows, and the best sous vide machines. Before her time at Insider, Lauren was the senior reviews editor at America's Test Kitchen, where she wrote and edited more than 300 in-depth, unbiased buying guides and reviewed more than 1,000 kitchen products. Her work has appeared in Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines, in dozens of cookbooks, on two Emmy-nominated TV shows, and on CNN.com, Fodor's, Yahoo, LifeHacker, the Splendid Table, and more. Lauren is based in Boston, and lives life as a stereotypical Bostonian: drinking Dunkin' iced coffee in the winter, spending summers "down" the Cape, and sharing her home with a cat named Chowder. Say hello at [email protected] or @el_savvy on Twitter and Instagram. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider.
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Kitchenaid mixer | The cook knows
Contents
The first stationary K mixers were designed by Egmont Ahrens in 1930. Since then, the streamlined lines of the KitchenAid brand mixers have hardly changed, and the 5KSM150PSE is still considered the most reliable. Since 1917, this mixer was discontinued, but instead of it, two similar models appeared, differing only in their configuration.
Comparison chart of the most popular mixers KitchenAid
Criteria | MINI 5KSM3311 XEHT | 5KSM125E | 5KSM175PSE | 5KSM7580 |
Bowl capacity | 3. 3 l | 4.8 l | 4.8 l and 3 l | 6.9 l |
Number of speeds | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Completeness | Whisk, spatula, hook | Whisk, spatula, hook | Whisk, spatula, flexible edge spatula, hook | Whisk, spatula, hook |
How it works | Swing head | Swing head | Swing head | Lifting cup |
Power | 250 W | 300 W | 300 W | 500 W |
Features of the KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE mixer
The KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE mixer is a stationary electromechanical device, consisting of a base on which the bowl is attached, and a folding head with an electric drive that rotates the beater head and beater shaft. In this case, any of the nozzles that are mounted on the shaft move along the perimeter of the fixed bowl, simultaneously rotating around its axis in the opposite direction.
Characteristic | Index |
Weight | 11.3 kg |
Bowl size | 4.8 L |
Drive power | |
Motor | 300 W |
Voltage | 220V |
Power supply | AC |
Number of speeds | 10 |
Dimensions | |
Height | 362 mm |
Length | 343 mm |
Width | 222 mm |
Main purpose
KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE kneader is intended for use with:
- flat beater - for making normal and thick dough for baking cookies, muffins and pies, as well as for making butter creams and mashed potatoes;
- wire beater - for preparing thick creams based on egg whites, mayonnaises and mixtures for glazing;
- hook - for making yeast dough.
In addition to these tips, there are many additional ones that connect to a special socket with a universal mount:
- vegetable cutter;
- meat grinder;
- juicer;
- pasta press;
- ice cream bowl.
Attention! A glass bowl is available for the mixer, which makes it easier to keep track of the preparation of various mixtures, and can also be used to prepare liquid chocolate in the microwave.
Features
All KitchenAid kneaders have a switch that allows you to select one of 10 speed settings. This allows not only to choose the speed for preparing a certain mixture, but also to increase it, starting from any of the 10 speeds, while avoiding splashing of the components.
Productivity
The main indicator of productivity for any dough mixer is the amount of flour that can be mixed in the mixer bowl. In a bowl with a capacity of 4.8 liters, you can knead 1 kg of flour in about 10 minutes and get 2-2. 5 kg of finished dough from it.
Help . The large capacity of the bowl allows you to whip up 12 egg whites or 1 liter of cream at once.
What's in the box
The KitchenAid mixer comes with 3 main attachments (whisker, spatula and dough hook), 4.8 l stainless steel bowl with a comfortable handle, a protective cover for the bowl and a technical sheet with instructions for use.
Pros and cons
Pros
- flip head allows easy changing of main attachments;
- metal case, which allows you to use the appliance for a very long time;
- spatula and hook have a protective coating, which makes them dishwasher safe;
- protective lid on the bowl prevents splashing of the ingredients of the mixture, and also allows you to add them during operation;
- adjustable immersion depth of the nozzles.
Disadvantages
- The derailleur fails quickly if it is not properly fixed in the first place;
- kapron gear, which protects the drive from jamming and burnout, is short-lived and needs to be replaced.
Important ! Many users attribute heavy weight and high cost to disadvantages, but a stationary dough mixer must be stable, and a long service life determines the price of an electrical appliance.
Instructions for use
All actions to prepare the dough mixer for work are carried out by setting the speed switch to the “0” position and disconnecting the electrical appliance from the outlet.
- The tilting head is fixed in the upper position with the locking lever at the “closed” mark.
- Place the bowl in place and lock it by turning it clockwise.
- Any of the nozzles is put on the shaft, pressed against the stop and turned to the right until it sits on the shaft pin.
- A head with a fixed nozzle is lowered into the bowl. The mixer is plugged in.
- Ingredients are loaded into the bowl and the desired speed is selected with the speed selector lever, including the electric drive.
- After preparing the mixture for removing the bowl, all operations are carried out in reverse order. In this case, the switch is set to "0", and the device is disconnected from the network.
Price
Price for KitchenAid 5KSM150PSE varies from 43630 rubles up to 57790 r.
Reviews
Ilya S.
Rating - 5.
Advantages: copes with all tasks with a bang.
Weaknesses: not found.
Elka Alieva
Rating — 3.
Advantages: assistant number 1 in the kitchen for me. It does an excellent job with all its functions.
Disadvantages: 1. Expensive. 2. Speed switch.
Olga Z.
Score - 4.
Advantages: it beats perfectly, I can’t find fault with all the desire (it’s more convenient to roll out and cut pasta than on a manual typewriter).
Disadvantages: after 4 months from the start of operation, the gearshift lever no longer locks to "0", i. e. the unit does not turn off.
Helpful Video
About the Manufacturer
The first kitchen helper (Kitchen Aid) was produced by Hobart Troy Metal Products Springfield in 1918. The main stand mixer factory is now located in Greenville. The company also manufactures dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators.
Classic planetary mixer, 4.28 l, 3 nozzles, stainless steel, plastic, white, 5K45SSEWH, KITCHENAID, USA
Article: 5K45SSEWH
Code: 55405
Catalog: TECHNICA, Stationary mixers
Trademark: KITCHEN (USA) Sections: Mixers
54900
Temporarily out of stock
Please note that the price of the product may change after receipt.
- Description
- Mixers
- KITCHEN AID (USA)
Weight (kg) : 10.45
Packaging type : proprietary
Dimensions of the goods (b x sh x g cm) : 35. 3 x 22.1 x 35.8
Warranty (years) : 2
9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 Protection against children : yesSound signal : no
Impulse operating mode : no
Book of recipes : Yes
Number0384: 3
Number of speeds : 10
Material : Stainless steel
Wars in the dishwasher : Yes
Voltage (c) : 220
Volume
power input (W) : 250
brand country : USA
control type : electromechanical
color : white
9002 instruction manual0003Mixer Classic 4.28 l
The legendary classic mixer comes in a single color option - white.
In addition to flawless performance, the device has:
- all-metal durable case, covered with enamel;
- classic rounded and smooth design;
- unique planetary mixing method;
- fixative for nozzles;
- quiet, stable and reliable operation;
- direct drive design;
- ease of use;
- durability.
Mixer Classic 4.28 l is multifunctional, easy to use, quickly and thoroughly mixes any ingredients.
Contents
4.28 l food bowl
Made of stainless steel, no handle, durable, suitable for any food, easy to clean in the dishwasher.
Mixing paddle
With this nozzle, you can replace the batter for baking cookies and muffins, pastry for pies, pies and tartlets, mix the sauce, prepare mashed potatoes and butter with various additives.
Dough hook
From the simplest rustic loaf to brioche, focaccia and German pretzels, you can also knead the dough for fresh pasta with the dough hook attachment.
Steel wire whisk
The main purpose of this tool is to whip heavy cream and egg whites and saturate them with air bubbles. The sturdy steel whisk can whip all kinds of creams, sweet and savory mousses, hollandaise fish sauce or mayonnaise.
KitchenAid creates the most reliable, functional and stylish mixers. The KitchenAid kneader is invariably an extension of the chef's hands. Its secret lies in the steel mechanical drive, which provides high power and wear resistance.
Kitchen Aid mixers are the most reliable, functional and elegant in their class
Whether you are looking to buy the KitchenAid Planetary Mixer (5KSM150PSE, 5K45SSEWH, 5KSM150PSEER Artisan) or the Handheld Model (5KHM9212EAC, 5KHM9212ECU), you can be sure that you will easily cope with kneading dough, whipping cream and making cream with their help. The KitchenAid Artisan is a real "all-round soldier" with many useful attachments for chopping, chopping, making fruit puree, delicious ice cream or minced meat.
Choose KitchenAid mixers on the official website of the VAZARO online store. In our catalog you will find the most popular appliances of the American brand, whether it is the KitchenAid hand mixer with non-slip handle and soft start function or the famous device with a planetary system, in which the whisk rotates in one direction and the working head goes in a circle in the other. Read reviews of KitchenAid planetary mixers, and then see for yourself that their price is fully consistent with the quality.
If you find a black or white mixer boring, remember that KitchenAid is the world's only manufacturer of appliances in the widest range of shades. What product would you like to decorate your kitchen with - purple, lilac, blue, violet, tangerine, espresso or berry caramel? Happy shopping!
"How do they do it?" — perhaps, this is the first question that comes to mind for those who try American-made Kitchen Aid equipment for the first time.
Everything works so efficiently, easily and quickly that there is something to be surprised and something to admire. Not without reason, since 1930, the Kitchen Aid planetary mixer, as well as other products of this brand later, has been the most desired Christmas gift in the USA, Europe, and more recently in Russia. For the Kitchen Aid brand, it is important that the concept that the company developed at the beginning of the 20th century and has been strictly adhered to for more than a century is important. This concept says that everything that is produced under the Kitchen Aid brand must be of high quality, durable, beautiful, ergonomic and must necessarily include some kind of innovative solution.
Household appliances as a symbol of progress
Following this concept helped the company become a world leader in the production of various household appliances, both small and large, including refrigerators, dishwashers. Everything you need for cooking, processing and storing food is in the catalog of the American brand. And everything that is manufactured and sold by this brand meets the strictest quality requirements and incredible aesthetics. Kettles - electric, for stoves of various types - are not just a device that will warm or boil water. This is a symbol. A bright, recognizable symbol of the spirit of America, freedom, it is a symbol of the active and lively fifties and sixties, when the whole world came to its senses after a devastating war and allowed itself to become bright, plastic, spectacular.
There is room for everything!
Kitchen Aid baking dishes - round, oval, square, rectangular shapes for pies and other pastries, are more like dishes for elegant serving: they are made so stylishly and impeccably from a technological point of view. The ceramics used by the company have been specially prepared, and therefore the dishes cooked in it do not dry out, they are baked quickly and evenly. Ceramic molds are durable, enamel does not fly off them, chips do not form even during active use and washing in the dishwasher.
It is on the example of an American company's baking dishes that one can show how important it is for a company that its products do not take up much space in the kitchen. It's no secret that the same mixers or baking dishes always cause a problem where to store them. And, it would seem, with such serious, solid and powerful products as Kitchen Aid, such a problem should also arise. However, the company's engineering approach also manifested itself in relation to the ergonomics of space.