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Top 10 stand mixers


Best stand mixer 2022, tried and tested by our experts

(Image credit: KitchenAid )

Whether you're hoping to step up your home baking for bake sales and holiday entertaining or are an amateur pastry chef in the making, the best stand mixers dial down your effort levels drastically.   

To create this guide, we tested stand mixers from KitchenAid, Smeg, Cuisinart and more, so that we could judge which comes out on top for effectiveness, quality, durability, ease of cleaning, price and, of course, looks – since yours will likely be out on the countertop full time. We've taken weight into consideration, too, in case you have the space to be able to tuck your stand mixer away when not in use.

Our top pick of the best stand mixers is the iconic KitchenAid Artisan, which has a five-quart mixing bowl that can accommodate enough cake batter to make at least two tiers at once. When we put it to the test, it impressed us not only with its brilliant, colorful finishes but also with its range of tools to whisk eggs, fold in the flour and knead bread dough.  

More details on our best buy and other models, below; if our picks don't quite suit, we've also reviewed the best hand mixers. 

Best stand mixers 2022, according to our experts

Why you can trust Homes & Gardens Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

(Image credit: KitchenAid )

1. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer overall

Specifications

Dimensions: 14.3" x 9.3" x 14"

Capacity: 5 qt.

Power: 325W

Colors: countless

Attachments: dough hook, flat beater, wire whisk

RRP: $449.95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Comes in an endless range of colors

+

Highly capable of many kitchen tasks

+

Buy more attachments to expand its capabilities

Reasons to avoid

-

Not the largest capacity

Tried and loved by us, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer needs no introduction. It has a stainless steel bowl, but you can buy accessories to customize your mixer to your personal style. 

Why we love it
Not only is this classic stand mixer a statement piece in any kitchen, but it's also a real workhorse. There are 10-speed settings, and the tilt-head will allow you to add ingredients and easily switch out your attachments.

Much like in our KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer review, this stand mixer comes with all the attachments you need for most of your baking needs. That includes a wire whisk for beating eggs, a flat beater for integrating cake batter, and a dough hook to work your bread dough. 

We were particularly impressed by the flat beater that comes with the KitchenAid Artisan. It creamed sugar and butter with minimal intervention before adding our eggs and flour to make easy loaf cakes. The dough hook needed more supervision on larger loaves, but it's perfectly suitable for your brioche or sourdough.  

Good to know
The Artisan is made in the USA, and it's a seriously high-quality machine for the money. You may find the 5-quart capacity is a little lacking for the most enormous cakes you could hope to make, but for most home chefs, it's a top choice. Luckily, KitchenAids are available in several bowl sizes to suit your baking needs.

(Image credit: Cuisinart)

2. Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for value

Specifications

Dimensions: 16.5 x 11.2 x 15.9 inches

Power: 500W

Capacity: 5.5qt.

Colors: 6

Attachments: Dough hook, whisk, flat beater

RRP: $249.99

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Value for money

+

Larger-than-average capacity

+

12 speeds for added precision

Reasons to avoid

-

Less color options than the KitchenAid

The KitchenAid vs Cuisinart debate is always tight, but if the value for money is your number one consideration then the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer is a brilliant choice. It comes in six colors: periwinkle blue, white, silver, red, black, and robin's egg green, and has an extra half quart on the KitchenAid Artisan at 5.5-quarts total.

Why we love it 
It excelled in heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread, and the design is noticeably sturdy. The dial makes it very easy to adjust the speed mid-mix, and the bowl is larger than the KitchenAid Artisan by half a quart. 

There are also more speed settings than the KitchenAid; 12 in total. It's controlled by a simple side dial and packs 500 watts of power. The side dial is very easy to use, and we enjoyed the slow-start design that helps to avoid creating a cloud of icing sugar or flour in your kitchen. 

Need to know 
When we put the Cuisinart Precision to the test we found that it had the tendency to leave some ingredients stuck to the side of the bowl, so we had to go in and remove it to fully incorporate the ingredients.

(Image credit: KitchenAid)

3.

KitchenAid Pro Line Series Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for serious or professional bakers

Specifications

Dimensions: 14.6" x 13.3" x 16.4"

Power: 969W

Capacity: 7 qt.

Colors: Red, black, silver

Attachments: Dough hook, whisk, splash guard, flat beater

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Capable of mixing large volumes

+

Powerful kneading

+

Dishwasher-safe attachments

+

Sturdy to use

Reasons to avoid

-

The bowl can be tricky to reach into

When we tried the KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer it impressed us with its sturdy design and capable motor. We made cake, bread, and brownies, and found that its design is perfect for serious bakers. 

Why we love it
If you have aspirations of making glamorous multi-tiered cakes, up to 14 dozen cookies at once, or if you like to make large loaves of bread, the KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer is an investment worth making. It has a bowl-lift design, which means you twist a lever to bring the bowl up to your attachment, and makes it more stable. 

The mixer was able to knead our bread dough until it was smooth and elastic, with no juddering or moving on the kitchen counter. It also had far less trouble with ingredients sticking to the side of the bowl than other stand mixers in our lineup, because the wire whisk is broad and enables a very efficient planetary motion. 

Good to know
The bowl-lift design helps to make sure that the KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer is sturdy enough to work with large capacities, but it can make switching out your attachments a little tricky. Our KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer review got top marks, and it is easy to see why we love it so much.

(Image credit: Smeg)

4. Smeg Retro Stand Mixer

Best looking stand mixer

Specifications

Dimensions: 8.86 x 15.94 x 14.88 inches

Power: 600W

Capacity: 5qt.

Colors: 7

Attachments: whisk, flat beater, dough hook, pouring shield

RRP: $539.95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Compact

+

Sleek look

+

Has an express setting

+

Matching appliances available 

Reasons to avoid

-

Only neutral colors available 

-

A noisy mixer

Quirky and packed with character, the Smeg Retro Stand Mixer is a capable kitchen assistant, and arguably the most stylish KitchenAid alternative available. It's larger and more powerful than other options on the market, and unbelievably capable when it comes to mixing 

Why we love it
It's got plenty of attachments, including a pouring shield that's designed to stop spills and messes as you bake, and comes in seven lovely colors. There are two different color ranges available, one where the color doesn't extend down the entirety of the stand mixer, instead acting as a pop of color on the tilt-head itself, and one set in which the entire mixer is one color.

We did love how powerful it was, as well as how easily we were able to work the machine thanks to the intuitive layout of the controls. The capacity is also astounding and perfect for anyone who wants to please crowds with their cakes and brownies.

Need to know
When we tested the Smeg 1950s Retro Stand Mixer review we found it a little large, which makes it perfectly positioned for larger kitchens with sprawling counter space, but too expansive for apartments or tighter spaces. 

(Image credit: KitchenAid)

5. KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer

Best compact stand mixer

Specifications

Dimensions: h22.3 x W7.8 x D12.3 inches

Power: 250W

Capacity: 3. 5qt.

Colors: 10

Attachments: flat beater, wire whisk, dough hook

RRP: $379.99

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

25% smaller than the original Artisan

+

Works with other KitchenAid attachments

+

Perfectly designed for smaller spaces

+

Excelled in our tests 

Reasons to avoid

-

Limited motor strength

-

No bowl handle

-

Similar RRP to full-sized model

The KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer is the perfect investment for those with smaller kitchen space to work with. It is delightfully miniature in comparison to the original model its design is based on, the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, and works powerfully to deliver batches of a smaller size. 

Why we love it 
This mini stand mixer is considerably smaller and lighter than the other KitchenAid models on the market, and yet has considerable power behind it to easily churn through cake batter, dough, and more, as we established in our testing process. Plus, you'll get the same wire whisk, flat beater, and dough hook as you'd expect with a regular KitchenAid, but they work with the 3.5-quart bowl to make batches of cookies, cake, and bread for smaller households. Any attachments purchased separately will also still be compatible with this petite model, meaning you can still get the full benefits of the brand.

Need to know
It caps out at 250 watts, which is nearly half that of some more high-end stand mixers, but if you need a smaller size it's a sacrifice worth making. This smaller model is only $20 cheaper than the full-sized alternative, but it will free up a lot more space on your countertops, and look fabulous while doing so.

(Image credit: Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer)

6. Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer to splurge on

Specifications

Dimensions: 14.3 x 9.3 x 14 inches

Power: 500W

Capacity: 6.8qt

Colors: brushed stainless steel

Attachments: dough hook, flat beater, wire whisk

RRP: $999. 95

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Unique twist-up bowl

+

Pro-level blending quality

+

Smooth operation, and never splattered

+

Didn't overheat or shake

+

Additional attachment hub

Reasons to avoid

-

No enticing color range

-

Very expensive

Interestingly enough, the creme de la creme of stand mixers is not a KitchenAid. If money is no object, the Wolf should be at the center of your desires.  We love the unique twist-up bowl design, which creates a sturdy, stable mixing experience, but everything about the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer is elite. In fact, we could only fault its limited color range and price tag, which are quite superficial. Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer looks the part, too when paired with other Wolf classics, from slow cookers to toasters.  

Why we love it
The tilt-head is a classic feature of many stand mixers, but it can lead to shakey motions when ramped up to high speeds on the kitchen counter. The Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer aims to fix this with a special twist-up bowl design. Simply put this bowl in the base and then twist it to lower or raise it to the mixer attachments. It's undeniably stable, and quiet, and the motor doesn't seem to get warm after consecutive minutes of use.

The bowl is 6.8 quarts, which is more than capable of taking on very large bakes. There is also a splash guard attachment that slots onto the side of the bowl and prevents any spills and clouds of flour. 

Good to know
Because Wolf Gourmet is known for quality and premium designs and carries a price tag that will elicit sticker shock. However, its premium build will last you for years, maybe generations, and it looks sharp too. Despite only being available in Wolf's signature stainless steel, it does come with knobs in three different colors ( black, stainless steel, and red) to accentuate the machine.  

(Image credit: KitchenAid)

7. KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for stability

Specifications

Dimensions: 11.3 x 14.9 x 16.5 inches

Power: 525W

Capacity: 5 qt.

Colors: 4

Attachments: Flat beater, wire whip, powerknead spiral dough hook

RRP: $449.99

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Bowl-lift design adds more stability

+

Powerful design

+

Comes in plenty of colors

+

For the experienced home chef

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

Serious home chefs or batch bakers will love the KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus Stand Mixer. 

Why we love it
It's big, it's powerful and it's got the muscle to work through numerous batches of bread and cookies in one go. The 5-quart bowl can make 9 batches of cookies in one go and you can make the most of 10 speeds to work on high-intensity or more gentle tasks. 

The mixer comes with a power knead dough spiral, but you can pair it with everything from pasta rollers to food processor attachments to make the most of this versatile option. We're quite taken by the Ink Blue color, which is exclusive to Best Buy, but it's also available in red, black and silver. 

Good to know
With professional quality comes a professional price, so only invest if you know you'll need something with a large capacity and immense power. 

Our review of the KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus Stand Mixer is currently underway.

(Image credit: Ankarsrum)

8. Ankarsrum Assistent Original Mixer

Best stand mixer for making dough

Specifications

Dimensions: 20" x 15" x 20"

Power: 1500W

Capacity: 7 liters

Colors: 12

Attachments: 7 liter stainless steel mixing bowl, dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, dough hook, dust cover lid, a 3. 5 liter BPA/BPS free Tritan plastic mixing bowl, multi-wire balloon and single-wire cookie whip

RRP: $749.50

Today's Best Deals

Reasons to buy

+

Very powerful

+

Large capacity

+

Scraper attachment to keep the bowl clean

+

Timer dial

+

Very adjustable speed

+

Easy to clean

Reasons to avoid

-

Expensive

-

Some of the recipes were hit-and-miss

The Swedish icon has made its way stateside, and may soon become a household name. The Ankarsrum Assistent Original Mixer puts bread-making front in center of its capabilities, while still shining at everyday stand mixer tasks whisking, creaming, and even ice cream.

Why we love it
With our first test, the bread, of course, we were pleased with just how many ingredients could fit in the bowl. Its mixing was so stable we almost felt that we could leave the dough to knead, unattended, and the possibility to proof bread straight from the device. 

It comes with a plethora of accessories and attachments including a 7-liter stainless steel mixing bowl and a 3.5-liter plastic mixing bowl,  dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, dough hook, dust cover lid, multi-wire balloon, and single-wire cookie whip.

Good to know
What's unique about the Ankarsrum is that the stainless steel bowl rotates to mix as opposed to an overhead mechanism, like in your traditional stand mixers, and mimics the motion of kneading. The clear bowl, which is best for creaming frostings and beating eggs, stays stationary while the whisks are driven from below via a center column in the bow. The Ankarsrum Original Mixer really prioritizes quality and is a high-power design. Though for the bowl size, it's best suited for those prepared to make multiple loaves at once. 

Early Black Friday stand mixer deals

Though we're a few weeks away, we have Black Friday home deals on our minds, and we're sharing the best savings for those who want to snag a bargain ahead of the biggest shopping period.  

KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt. 10-Speed Empire Red Stand Mixer| $449.99 $349.99 at The Home Depot

Stock appears to be very limited on Black Friday KitchenAid deals at the moment, but we spotted a $100 savings on the Artisan 5-Qt in the iconic Empire Red shade.

KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt. 10-Speed Rose Stand Mixer| $449.99 $349.99 at Williams-Sonoma

Meanwhile, we've spotted a deal on romantic Rose and neutral hues like Onyx Black, Contour Silver, and Milkshake at the same price.

KitchenAid Deluxe 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer| $379 $299 at Walmart
Meanwhile, we've also spotted an $80 discount on the slightly smaller KitchenAid Deluxe 4.5 QT Tilt Head Stand Mixer, also with 10-speeds and the ability to make up to 8 dozen cookies at once.

GE Stand Mixer| $299.99 $229.99 at Amazon
We've yet to personally try the GE Stand Mixer, but based on reviews and the quality of the GE brand is known for, this could definitely be a worthwhile machine with seven speeds, a 59-point mixing cycle for thorough mixing, and a sturdy 350-watt. It also has an easy Lift tilt-head and 5.3 qt. capacity.

Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts| $109.99 $70.99 at Amazon
The Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer is an affordable option for those looking for a decent mixer on a budget. It claims to offer the same mixing action as KitchenAid, though has slightly less power at just 300 watts. Reviewers are concerned with longevity as to how long the product may last, but it seems to get through the required basics. Helpful markings on the side give advice as to what speed setting to use based on what you're making.  

What is the best stand mixer?  

(Image credit: Future/Molly Cleary)

We have tested or are currently testing every single stand mixer in this guide, meaning we have an informed opinion when it comes to which model is truly the best. We've gone deep comparing KitchenAids against each other, KitchenAid to Cuisinart and KitchenAid to Smeg. With that in mind, we have decided that the best stand mixer is the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer.  It comes in over 42 colors and has a huge range of bowls to switch out your design and achieve your desired look, but it's also very capable of cooking up a storm in the kitchen. The 5-qt. is a good happy medium size, though there are other KitchenAid models you can look to if you need a bigger size. Meanwhile, Cuisinart Precision stand mixer offers greater value, but fewer size and color options; its mixing bowl could be too great for smaller servings. Smeg Stand Mixers also the singular bowl size options and become a stylistic preference, but they do pack a powerful motor.

For professional-level results, we're incredibly impressed with the sheer power and stability of the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer and the Ankarsrum Assistent Original Mixer , but it's hard to overlook their hefty price unless you'll be using your mixer multiple times a week. Though it's something we'd expect to last for years, and it will. 

How we test and review stand mixers

(Image credit: Future/Molly Cleary)

At Homes & Gardens, we believe that the only way we can truly inform you of which appliance is the best is if we have hands-on experience with them ourselves, which is why we've formulated a plan as to how we test different products. We went to lengths to test each of these mixers, some of them simultaneously, so we can establish which performed the best. We also used our testing facility in order to gauge the size, features, and maneuverability of these mixers.

When it comes to the tests themselves, we tried these mixers out on three different tasks in order to see the performance of different attachments, as well as the power of the mixers. The tests were made as quantifiable as possible, with recordings of time taken to adequately mix as well as decibel readings. We also gauged how easy it was to clean the stand mixers as part of this process.

How much does the best stand mixer cost? 

There's no denying that the very top-stand mixers can be expensive. The most expensive one in our guide can cost as much as $1,000, but it is possible to get a powerful stand mixer for $100 if you are willing to compromise on looks or bowl capacity. 

Most stand mixers cost around $300, and if your heart is set on a KitchenAid mixer, the Classic Plus is the cheapest KitchenAid stand mixer you can buy and still features the dough hook for kneading bread, the flat beater for making cookies, and the whisk for cake and buttercream icing. 

If you are on a budget and looking to upgrade from your wooden spoon, it may be a good time to consider stand mixers versus hand mixers. The best hand mixer costs a lot less but can still power through icing and cake mix with ease.  

Features to look for in the best stand mixer

(Image credit: Future/Molly Cleary)

Size matters
How much space do you have to dedicate to a new stand mixer? Some stand mixers come with large mixing bowls and tilt-head designs that won't lift if placed under a cabinet. Others come with a more compact design, perfect for lifting into shelving units when not in use or leaving in a corner without losing a whole counter in your kitchen.

Looks aren't everything, but they do matter
A stand mixer is a style statement in any kitchen, which is why you'll find one displayed in just about any carefully composed kitchen. Smeg and KitchenAid certainly have the edge on style, but you may end up paying a premium for something that looks the part when it's got just as much power as a less expensive option. 

Price can vary
If you want a top-of-the-range stand mixer, prepare to spend as much as $700 to get it. Some stand mixers cost less than $100, but they are hardly the kitchen workhorses you'll want for serious baking on a regular basis. A good middle ground between power and price is the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer, which lacks color options or classic style, but is a favorite with many home bakers and looks lovely too.  

The best stand mixer for you and your baking needs really depends on your budget and how often you’ll use this machine. Some mixers come with handy add-ons such as pasta makers and meat grinders to ensure they’re used regularly, but others have detachable mix heads and emphasize their primary function as stand mixers, with compact storage options. 

Built to last
One thing’s for sure - you’ll want a stand mixer that lasts the test of time. Some mixers come in durable plastic, but the best stand mixers have durable stainless steel finishes to make them last a lifetime. 

Round up of today's best deals

KitchenAid Artisan® Series 5 Quart

£523. 22

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Reduced Price

Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer

£315

£246.99

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Reduced Price

Smeg Retro Stand Mixer

£399.95

£349

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Reduced Price

KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart

£349

£312. 87

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Reduced Price

Kitchenaid Professional 5™ Plus Series

£1,103.99

£599.99

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Millie Fender is the Reviews Editor on the Homes and Gardens Ecommerce team. She specializes in cooking appliances and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens. Millie loves to bake, so she will take any excuse to review stand mixers and other baking essentials. All of Millie's reviews are conducted at home, meaning she uses these products in her own kitchen, the way they're designed to be used. 

With contributions from

The best stand mixers in 2022

Content is created by CNN Underscored’s team of editors who work independently from the CNN newsroom. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more

Reviews

What's in this guide

Sam Fuller

There are many workhorses when it comes to the kitchen. And while cast iron skillets, Dutch ovens and cutting boards are all impressive in their own right, there is perhaps no appliance more sought after than a stand mixer. Since KitchenAid pioneered the concept in 1919, stand mixers have helped mix countless batches of cookies, knead bread dough and whip frosting — and that’s before you consider the other tasks possible with attachments that can do everything from spiralizing vegetables to rolling out pasta.

With a wide range of stand mixers on the market, we decided to test nine different popular and highly rated mixers. As we put them through the paces, we discovered the ability to evenly mix ingredients while also handling wet, sticky dough is a key differentiator, ultimately leading us to recommend a pair of appliances that stood out above the mix.

KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer overall

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, 5-Qt.

Williams Sonoma

The KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer delivered the best performance of the mixers we tested. With more than 20 available colors and a classic profile, you’ll want to keep this tilt-head mixer on display in your kitchen.

$449.99 $349.99 at Kitchenaid $399.95 at Williams Sonoma

KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer

Best stand mixer for large batches

Williams-Sonoma

If you prefer a bowl-lift mixer because it feels sturdier, the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series is a solid upgrade option from the Artisan series. It has a bigger stainless steel bowl and a more powerful motor that can handle bigger batches and recipes.

$550 at KitchenAid $550 at Williams Sonoma

Cuisinart SM-50

Best affordable stand mixer

Cuisinart SM-50 5.5 - Quart Stand Mixer

Amazon

The Cuisinart SM-50 outperformed all of the cheaper mixers we tested, so if you’re looking to upgrade your baking or cooking tools without stretching your budget too much, it’s a great choice.

From $188 at Amazon

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer

Jonathan Bender/CNN Underscored

The KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer bested the competition in each of our three recipe tests, mixing, kneading and whipping more effectively than the other mixers we examined — no surprise from the latest iteration of a design that’s been around for a century.

The KitchenAid stood out as the best in class when it came to mixing and kneading dough. The paddle easily creamed butter and sugar, then gently folded in chips and dried fruit. Slack dough came together quickly, and the bread loaf had a crackly crust surrounding a soft interior. While it wasn’t the quietest machine we tested, the noise didn’t stop a conversation at normal volume, and the motor didn’t sound like it was laboring.

The stainless steel bowl locked in and out of place quickly, and the handle was easy to grip. The 10-speed gear shifter slid with a smooth motion, and the clearly differentiated speeds all proved useful. It could gently mix at low speeds and whip at high speeds.

The KitchenAid comes with a full set of accessories that will get you started baking or mixing right out of the box; we were impressed with the simplicity of attaching and removing these during our time with the mixer, and with the versatility the wide range of available tools gives the mixer.

The powder-coated aluminum dough hook and paddle are sturdy and dishwasher-safe, while the whip (which, as is the case with nearly every other mixer whip attachment, has to be hand-washed) produced light, fluffy frosting that was smooth and evenly mixed. The included pouring shield had a wide mouth for adding flour while the mixer was running, and it kept splatter in the bowl during our tests.

A strength of the KitchenAid mixer lineup is that it’s easy to extend it to do a huge range of kitchen tasks. Dozens of attachments are available, ranging from alternative beaters and paddles that you can use in the bowl to full-fledged appliance replacements that attach to the mixer’s front-mounted “power hub” port. A flex edge beater (with a built-in scraper that moves along the sides of the bowl while mixing) is a good first addition, and from there you can purchase devices that do everything from shredding and spiralizing vegetables to rolling out pasta, grinding flour or meat, or making ice cream

The KitchenAid is on the heavier side at 26 pounds, but the weight gives it stability that is worth the extra effort in moving it around the kitchen. The mixer has the heft to handle up to 9 cups of flour without sliding around the counter.

It’s available in more than 20 colors ranging from mineral water blue to feather pink and a variety of bowl materials and designs from glass to ceramic with a floral motif. With a mix of colors and top-notch performance, the KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer lets you have a showpiece and workhorse in the same machine.

KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer

Jonathan Bender/CNN Underscored

If you bake more than twice a week, find yourself regularly hosting large family gatherings or needing to make big batches of cookies (anything above four dozen), the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series is worth stretching your budget. One important note: The Professional 600 Series mixer is 17 inches tall, so you might want to measure the space between your countertop and upper cabinets before purchasing.

The 6-quart bowl can work through enough dough to make 13 dozen cookies or mash up to 8 pounds of potatoes, so you can tackle everyday tasks in between big holiday gatherings. The bowl has a solid U-shaped handle. It snaps securely into place and can then be raised or lowered with the bowl lift handle.

The dough hook sat slightly too far above the base of the bowl when it came out of the box, but that was easy to remedy by using a flathead screwdriver to adjust the set screw that sits behind the bowl in the stem of the mixer.

The bowl mixer worked well when there were a lot of ingredients in the bowl. The cookie dough was even without being dense. There were chips and fruit in each bite of cookie, a trick that other mixers couldn’t manage. In short, this machine is built to get through big batches of dough.

A quick wipe with a damp cloth got the mixer clean. The wire whip needs to be hand-washed, and while the other accessories (dough hook and paddle) could be cleaned in the dishwasher, it was just as easy to rinse them in the sink, as dough didn’t stick to the powder coating.

Cuisinart SM-50 Stand Mixer

Jonathan Bender/CNN Underscored

The Cuisinart SM-50 mixed significantly better than any of the ultra-budget mixers we tested. Although it didn’t do as well as the top performers, for those looking to spend a bit less it can likely do everything you need. The more we worked with it, the more we liked it.

The 12-speed motor provided a surprising amount of power without being noisy, working quickly through thick cookie dough and slack bread dough. The whisk, however, didn’t live up to the other accessories. The size was a bit too big for the 5.5-quart bowl — adding powdered sugar was messy — and we had to stop whipping several times to scrape down the bowl. Once the butter was incorporated, the Cuisinart produced light and fluffy frosting with a great texture.

At slightly over 18 pounds, it was easy to lift on and off the counter yet still sturdy enough to remain in place when mixing a bowl full of ingredients.

The Cuisinart SM-50 has a three-year limited warranty, comes in 11 color options, has appealing styling (the chrome bubble on the head reminded us of a character from the Among Us viral video game) and there are five additional attachments available if you want to extend its usefulness. It may not be cheap at $250, but nothing cheaper was as satisfying to use. If you’re looking to get into baking and don’t want to stretch your budget too much, the SM-50 makes sense.

There are two common types of stand mixers: tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers. A tilt-head stand mixer has a hinged top so you can swing the head up to place a bowl in the base or add ingredients. A bowl-lift mixer has a fixed head and a lever that lets you raise or lower the bowl.

With a tilt-head mixer, you’ll have more space to swap out accessories or scrape down the sides of the bowl while the mixer is off. But if you’ll be fine-tuning your recipes or need to add ingredients while a mixer is running, you may find a bowl-lift mixer to be a better option because there is more space between the bowl and the bottom of the mixer head. A bowl-lift mixer may also provide more stability when a mixer is churning through heavier dough, whereas a tilt-head mixer may vibrate or move up and down slightly as the motor has to work harder.

A pair of heavy-duty mixers that we tested — the Bosch Universal and Ankarsrum Original — have a motor in the base and a bowl that slides on top; this design leaves the top open for adding ingredients.

You’ll also want to think about whether your mixer will stay on the counter or be tucked away in a pantry or cabinet. The stand mixers we tested ranged in height from 10.3 inches to 19 inches tall. While they all fit underneath a standard set of cabinets, the weight proved to be a more significant factor.

The Dash, at just under 3 pounds, was easily portable. The KitchenAid Professional 600 Series at 29 pounds took some arm muscle to lift on and off the counter. The heavier mixers were better at handling bigger batches of ingredients because the weight helped them stay in place on the counter once the motor was on. If your mixer is going to live on the counter, it might be a nice accent piece or colorful addition to your kitchen. Mixers have expanded past chrome, white or black and now come in a wide range of pastel or bright hues.

Stand mixers can become trusty kitchen partners and help save you time and sore forearms with mixing and kneading. If you regularly make cookies or bread, consider a stand mixer with a stronger motor (325 watts or above) and a bit more weight for stability.

Most of the machines we looked at ship with three accessories: a paddle for mixing, a dough hook for kneading and a whisk attachment for whipping. Check to see what’s included before purchasing and what’s available as an add-on.

The major brands offer bowls in different materials (glass, ceramic or stainless steel) as well as attachments that allow your stand mixer to function as a grinder or pasta roller, or even replace other appliances, such as an ice cream maker, blender or food processor.

KitchenAid in particular has a very large range of attachments, both for the bowl and the front-mounted “power hub” motor port common to its mixers. Bosch and Ankarsrum accessories take advantage of the base-mounted motor design and offer blender, food processor and juicer attachments that work much like their stand-alone counterparts.

You can clean the base and the head of your mixer with a wet dish towel. Keep in mind that tilt-head mixers might have more open spaces where dry ingredients can get caught.

While you will have to hand-wash your whisks (soak them in warm water and dish soap first to break down frosting or whipped cream), it’s fairly standard for a mixer to otherwise have attachments and a bowl that are dishwasher-safe.

If you’re looking for peace of mind on what can be a big investment, every mixer we tested had a replacement warranty of at least one year, with the Ankarsrum Original offering a seven-year warranty on its motor.

After looking at well-reviewed and best-selling models, we treated nine stand mixers as if it were the holidays and a lot of family were coming over for dinner. Over the course of a month, we tested the same recipes for buttercream frosting, a crusty loaf of bread and dried apricot and white chocolate chip cookies on each machine.

The mixers ranged in price from $50 to $700, and their performance was as varied as you might expect. We looked at different design styles and various configurations, including tilt-head and bowl-lift mixers, and were delighted that the mixers came in as many colors as the food dye we used for the frosting.

We also considered how easy it was to get a mixer up and running, how well it operated once we started adding ingredients to the bowl and how hard it was to clean up everything when we were done. Here are the criteria we used in testing each model:

This mixer scored on the lower end in performance. The tilt head released with a nifty lever but an ominous clank. Unlike the KitchenAid, the Aucma struggled to evenly mix ingredients. It was loud when whipping frosting, and we had to stop repeatedly to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Thick cookie dough had the small tilt mixer rocking slightly, although the compact mixer was able to knead bread dough together after initially struggling to pull the wet dough off the sides of the bowl.

If you’re looking for a mixer to complete the look of your kitchen, the Aucma is adorable, with a glowing LED speed knob and colors fit for Hello Kitty’s kitchen. And if you don’t want to leave it out, the tilt-head mixer is also lightweight at less than 12 pounds and has a large 6.5 quart bowl with two handles.

The Smeg stand mixer looks like a high-performance race car with sleek lines and chrome accents. It was portable and easy to operate out of the box, but it didn’t quite perform at the same level as our top mixers despite a similar price tag.

Smeg’s “Smooth Start” feature means the motor gradually accelerates to the speed you set on the dial (up to 10). While this felt choppy at first and ingredients didn’t combine as quickly, the mixer was effective once it got up to speed.

The bread hook and whisk attachments had heft and were up to the task of kneading bread dough and whipping frosting. The paddle left a bit more cookie dough at the bottom of the bowl than we’d like, and didn’t evenly distribute the chips and dried fruit as well as our top picks.

The glossy exterior, while beautiful (and the Smeg is available in a bunch of attractive finishes), tended to show smudges after cleaning. Smeg offers a range of accessories (including pasta makers, a grinder, a slicer and a grater), though not quite as extensive as that available for the more established KitchenAid, Bosch or Ankarsrum machines.

The handle — reminiscent of a giant hand mixer — makes it easier to carry. But even with suction cup feet, the Hamilton Beach doesn’t have the weight to mix ingredients well. It bucked up and chipped the plastic splash guard while trying to plow through a big mound of cookie dough. The frosting was slightly grainy, and the bread was too dense. The bowl’s base, with grooves for locking in place, took extra time to clean.

The Bosch Universal Plus consistently ranked near the top of the models we tested in terms of performance, but the plastic bowl, the need to hand-wash attachments and the fact that neither cookie paddles nor the heavy-duty mount for them were included at a price point equivalent to the KitchenAid Artisan kept it from topping the charts.

The Universal Plus (which Bosch has made since 1952) uses a very different design from KitchenAid-style machines, with the motor in the base and the bowl mounted from the top; the accessories mount on a central column that attaches at the center of the bowl. This makes for a squatter machine that is deeper than it is tall, unlike the KitchenAid.

The shorter profile holds a robust 500-watt motor with four distinct speeds and a pulse option. On the plus side, the wide 6.5-quart plastic bowl offers plenty of room to add ingredients around the attachments that snap onto a central column. The attachments, though, are all hand-wash, which made for a bit more work than the other models we tested.

The Bosch is a great performer, and just like the KitchenAid it shone with bread dough, quickly kneading it into shape with good elasticity. The Bosch produced light and airy frosting, although some powdered sugar got stuck to the central column just out of the double whisks’ reach. It handled cookie dough well with an even distribution of the chips and fruit. At 17 pounds, the mixer stayed in place (it has suction cup feet for extra grip) but could still be moved without too much effort.

A three-year warranty on the motor, along with more than 20 available accessories (the  bottom drive means there are attachments that convert the device to a full-fledged blender and food processor) means the Bosch could happily live in your kitchen for quite a while. If the design appeals to you but you prefer a stainless steel bowl, a version is available for $60 more, though with the same limited accessories as the less expensive version.

This 3-pound micro mixer has some nice touches — a base that slides to allow you to negotiate around big lumps — and a dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments, but it performs like an undersized hand mixer. The instructions warn you not to add too many ingredients or use it for longer than three minutes at a time. Based on the noise of the motor, this seems like sage advice. Large batches of frosting didn’t whip, and our bread dough didn’t come together evenly. If you were making only single servings, the Dash might make sense, but you’re likely better off finding a new hand mixer or used stand mixer in an online marketplace.

With a variable speed motor and an 8-quart bowl, the Ankarsrum Original Kitchen Machine feels like a commercial kitchen’s mixer that accidentally got shipped to your house. The Swedish mixer, which debuted in 1940, arrives with a hardcover recipe guide, two bowls and a recommendation (take the recommendation) that you watch a YouTube video before using it.

While the bevy of attachments and options seem daunting, the learning curve isn’t steep. A scraper slots in underneath the arm that holds the dough hook and dough roller, which worked together effectively to knead and mix dough in the 8-quart stainless steel bowl. The single-wire beaters quickly creamed butter and sugar for the frosting, but it was difficult to add dry ingredients without getting them on top of the central mixing widget above the included 6.5-quart plastic bowl.

The most expensive mixer we tested, the Ankarsrum Original was quiet and amply powered at 600 watts.

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