Bestcovery Reviews the 5 Best Stand Mixers of 2023
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KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer -
KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer -
Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer -
Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Stand Mixer -
Smeg SMF03 5-Quart Stand Mixer -
Buyer's Guide
In the world of baking, a stand mixer is an essential tool that can help you achieve the perfect consistency and texture for your cakes, cookies, and breads. With so many models on the market, choosing the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. That's why Bestcovery has taken the time to review and compare the best mixers of 2023, so you can make an informed decision before purchasing.
Our team of experts has analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of various stand mixers — from the KitchenAid Artisan to the Cuisinart Precision Mixer — based on factors such as power, speed, capacity, and durability. We've also considered additional features like attachments, ease of use, and design to help you find the best stand mixer that fits your budget and preferences. Our evaluation will make it easy to compare brands like the Wolf mixer vs. the Kitchenaid or the Cuisinart vs. the SMEG.
Whether you're a professional baker or a home cook who enjoys experimenting with different recipes, Bestcovery's list of the best stand mixers of 2023 will help you make the perfect choice for all your baking needs. So, get ready to whip up your favorite treats with ease and precision.
Price legend
$: 0 - 350
$$: 350 - 650
$$$: 650 - 950+
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- Bowl is heavy-duty and has handle
- Huge array of colors to double as a workhorse and a showpiece
- Dishwasher-safe
- No built-in timer
- Mid-sized capacity is not ideal for large batches
KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer
- Great value for a lower price
- Sufficient for most bakers’ needs
- Financing available
- Only 2 color options
- No mixing bowl handle or splash guard
Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer
- High capacity for large batches
- Professional-grade blending quality
- Smooth, splatter-free operation
- Very expensive
- Bulky, tall, and space-consuming
Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Stand Mixer
- Excellent value for the money
- 12 speed settings for enhanced precision
- Splash guard prevents counter messes
- Ingredients sometimes stick to the side of the bowl
- Some complaints of noisy operation
Smeg SMF03 5-Quart Stand Mixer
- Pleasing mid-century aesthetic and color choices
- Ultra-powerful motor for thicker doughs and batters
- Easy-to-clean attachments with non-stick coating
- Ranges on the pricey side
- Controls are on top, unlike most other mixers
The Top Kitchen Mixers Review
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - Best Stand Mixer Overall
The KitchenAid® Artisan® Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is an iconic, user-friendly appliance that’s just the right size for your baking and cooking needs, whether you’re making a batch of cinnamon rolls for Sunday brunch or shredding meat for dinner. It’s a slight upgrade from the KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer, offering more power, a slightly larger bowl capacity, a much wider range of colors, and a pouring shield. This mixer is not only sturdy and durable; it locks in and out of place quickly and also offers powerful performance with 10 different speed settings. It can knead thick doughs without straining and aerate light batters for various recipes, making it a top mixer for home cooks and bakers. It’s easy to use and clean and is available in over 20 colors, so it’s ideal for matching your kitchen design or personality. You can add even more versatility to your stand mixer with over 10 optional hub-powered attachments, including pasta makers and food grinders, which can be purchased separately. Ultimately, this is among the best stand mixers of 2023 — and an excellent choice for any at-home cooking or baking enthusiast who wants to achieve amazing consistency with their recipes and enjoy an increased ability to experiment in the kitchen.
- Bowl is heavy-duty and has handle
- Huge array of colors to double as a workhorse and a showpiece
- Dishwasher-safe
- No built-in timer
- Mid-sized capacity is not ideal for large batches
Performance: 10 speeds, 325 watts, 10+ attachments available; comes with stainless steel bowl, 6-wire whip, pouring shield, and coated flat beater and dough hook.
Design and build: Durable, long-lasting metal construction with 59 touchpoints around the mixer bowl; tilt-head design for easy addition of ingredients; dishwasher-safe attachments; 26 pounds for stability
Warranty: 1 year ($19.95), 3 years ($50.95), 5 years ($74.95)
Bowl Capacity: 5 quarts for up to 9 dozen cookies in a single batch
Colors: 27
Price Range: $$
KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer - Best Budget Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid® Classic Plus™ Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a great option for all your baking and cooking needs if you’ve been wanting a KitchenAid Artisan but can’t make it work within your budget. This 4.5-quart capacity kitchen mixer machine can handle the baking and cooking needs of most households and amateurs, be it whipping up your famous cupcakes or achieving the perfect consistency for your Sunday dinner mashed potatoes. Its sturdy build and tilt-head design make it a durable and reliable choice for your kitchen that allows you to incorporate ingredients with ease. With 10 different speed settings, this stand mixer’s range of power can gently knead, mix, and whip ingredients for a variety of recipes, and it comes in neutral black or white to suit your style and kitchen decor. It's also compatible with 10+ optional hub-powered attachments, such as pasta makers and food grinders, each of which can be purchased separately. With the KitchenAid® Classic Plus™ Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, you can unleash your creativity and prepare a variety of culinary delights without breaking the bank.
- Great value for a lower price
- Sufficient for most bakers’ needs
- Financing available
- Only 2 color options
- No mixing bowl handle or splash guard
Performance: 10 speeds, 275 watts, 10+ attachments available; comes with stainless steel bowl, coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and 6-wire whip.
Design and build: Durable, long-lasting metal construction with 59 touchpoints around the mixer bowl; tilt-head design for easy addition of ingredients; dishwasher-safe attachments
Warranty: 1 year ($16.95), 3 years ($42.95), 5 years ($63.95)
Bowl Capacity: 4.5 quarts for small to large batches
Colors: Black, white
Price Range: $
Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer - Best Luxury Stand Mixer
The Wolf Gourmet high-performance stand mixer is a powerful and high-end kitchen mixer designed to help you prepare basic to intricate foods with ease. With a 7-quart mixing bowl, it can handle large batches, making it ideal for those regularly tasked with feeding a crowd. This top mixer features a powerful motor and 12 speed settings and includes a wire whip, dough hook, and flat beater, allowing you to achieve the perfect consistency for any recipe. The appliance will add a touch of elegance to any kitchen and will look just as good on your countertop as the fresh-baked treats you'll create; with its sleek stainless steel and sturdy design, this stand mixer makes a stylish and durable addition to any kitchen. And thanks to the proprietary bowl lift and simplified mixing attachment area, you’ll get a seamless mixing experience from start to finish.
- High capacity for large batches
- Professional-grade blending quality
- Smooth, splatter-free operation
- Very expensive
- Bulky, tall, and space-consuming
Performance: Variable infinite speed dial, pulse function for gentle incorporation; robust motor and gearing system; 500 watts of power; comes with a 7-quart bowl, flat beater, whisk, dough hook, pouring shield, silver knob accessories.
Design and build: Unique bowl lift and 29-pound design for optimum stability; durable stainless steel construction.
Warranty: 5-year limited warranty
Bowl Capacity: 7 quarts
Colors: Stainless steel
Price Range: $$$
Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Stand Mixer - Best Value Stand Mixer
The Cuisinart SM-50 Precision Stand Mixer has a reputation for being a reliable, high-performing option that won’t break the bank. With its powerful 500-watt motor and 12 speed settings, this stand mixer is capable of handling light to heavy mixing tasks, including dense doughs and batters. It comes with a 5.5-quart mixing bowl that can accommodate large batches, making it ideal for entertaining and baking enthusiasts. The mixer features a tilt-back head design for easy access to the mixing bowl and comes with three mixing attachments — a chef's whisk, a dough hook, and a flat mixing paddle. Its sleek and durable die-cast metal construction makes it a stylish and long-lasting addition to any kitchen, and its modern stainless steel features are consistent across the brand’s product range for uniformity in your home.
- Excellent value for the money
- 12 speed settings for enhanced precision
- Splash guard prevents counter messes
- Ingredients sometimes stick to the side of the bowl
- Some complaints of noisy operation
Performance: 12 speeds; 500 watts of power; comes with a 5.5-quart bowl, chef’s whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook, and splash guard with pour spout.
Design and build: Weighs approximately 22 pounds and features a tilt-back head and one power hub for optional attachments
Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Bowl Capacity: 5.5 quarts
Colors: 13
Price Range: $
Smeg SMF03 5-Quart Stand Mixer - Best Design
SMEG is an Italian home appliance manufacturer known for its stylish, retro-inspired appliances that boast chrome accents and sleek lines, which is why we’ve named the SMF03 5-Quart Stand Mixer the best stand mixer for looks and design. Along with its other products, the SMEG mixer was designed with the help of renowned architects and combines a vintage aesthetic with contemporary features and a new design. The stand mixer has ten adjustable speeds, an impressive 600 watts of power, a 5-quart stainless steel bowl with an ergonomic handle, a thicker bowl than previous models, and it can be matched with other SMEG appliances or cookware sets. This model offers planetary mixing action to ensure that all ingredients are thoroughly mixed, as well as several attachments, including a flex edge beater, a wire whisk with five crimped steel wires, a new flat beater and dough hook with nonstick coating, and a plastic bowl cover. The die-cast aluminum housing features a powder-coated enamel finish, and the mixer has an anti-slip foot for maximum stability. Users will also enjoy that the front accessory port allows for optional attachments to be used with the mixer, which has a safety lock on the mixing head.
- Pleasing mid-century aesthetic and color choices
- Ultra-powerful motor for thicker doughs and batters
- Easy-to-clean attachments with non-stick coating
- Ranges on the pricey side
- Controls are on top, unlike most other mixers
Performance: 10 speeds; 600 watts of power; comes with a 5-quart bowl, flex-edge beater, wire whisk, flat beater, and dough hook.
Design and build: Die-cast aluminum housing, powder-coated enamel finish
Warranty: 2-year manufacturer guarantee
Bowl Capacity: 5 quarts
Colors: White, black, cream, red, slate grey
Price Range: $$
Buyer's Guide
When evaluating the best stand mixer for each category of our mixer review, Bestcovery accounted for a variety of factors to help readers choose the best mixer for their needs. Here are some of the key metrics considered:
How to Choose the Best Mixer
When choosing a stand mixer, consider your cooking and baking needs. If you often make large batches of dough or batter, a stand mixer with a large mixing bowl and powerful motor is ideal. If you have limited counter space, a compact mixer that is easy to store may be a better choice. The considerations below should also play a significant role in the mixer you choose.
Tilt-Head vs. Bowl-Lift Stand Mixers
Tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers are the two main variations of stand mixers. Tilt-head models are generally more compact and easier to use, while bowl-lift models have a larger capacity and are better suited for heavy-duty mixing tasks. Bestcovery evaluated both types of stand mixers to determine which is best for different needs.
Size and Storage
Stand mixers range in weight and dimensions, so you'll need to consider how much counter space you have available and how you plan to store the mixer when not in use. If your storage is limited, both on the counter and inside your cabinets, you’ll want to avoid bulkier mixers. However, if you regularly make large batches of baked goods, the weight and stability of the mixer may be a desirable feature to keep the appliance from rocking on the counter. This mixer review has accounted for the overall size and weight of each stand mixer.
Accessories You Will Use
Stand mixers often come with a range of accessories, such as dough hooks, wire whisks, and flat beaters, which can be used for different tasks in the kitchen. Some mixers also have extra accessories available for an additional cost. We’ve covered which mixers come with what appliances and indicate which ones are nonstick and dishwasher-safe in our mixer review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a stand mixer if I already have a food processor?
A food processor is specifically designed for chopping, slicing, and shredding vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other such food items, whereas a stand mixer is ideal for mixing, kneading, and whipping ingredients for cakes, batters, doughs, and so forth. While a food processor can handle many food preparation tasks and shares some overlap in function with stand mixers, it cannot replace a stand mixer entirely. Along with your food scale, pressure cooker, food processor, and other favorite kitchen appliances, no kitchen is truly complete without a stand mixer!
Are KitchenAid stand mixer attachments and bowls interchangeable?
Yes, as long as they are designed to fit the same model of stand mixer.
How do you grease the bowl of a stand mixer?
Greasing the bowl is easy; just use a small amount of vegetable oil or cooking spray and rub it onto the bowl's surface using a paper towel, microfiber cloth, or your hand if you don’t mind getting dirty. Alternatively, you can use a pastry brush to apply the grease. Just be mindful about what materials are safe to use on your stand mixer’s bowl and check the manufacturer manual, as not all bowl materials can be handled the same way.
How long should I knead dough with my stand mixer, and what’s the best way to do it?
The amount of time you need to knead dough with your stand mixer depends on the type of dough and the recipe you are making. As a general rule, you should knead dough in a stand mixer on low to medium speed for 5-10 minutes or until the dough is smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky.
To knead dough with a stand mixer, follow these steps:
1. Attach your dough hook to the mixer and add the ingredients to the mixing bowl.
2. Put your mixer on low speed and let it incorporate the ingredients until they are roughly combined.
3. Increase the speed to medium and let the dough knead for 5-10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
4. Check the dough periodically to see if it's ready. You can test the dough by pinching a small piece of it between your fingers. If it feels smooth and elastic, it's ready.
5. Finally, form it into a ball shape. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise according to your recipe.
Remember to consult your recipe for specific kneading instructions and adjust the time and speed accordingly. Additionally, be sure not to over-knead the dough, as this can result in a tough, chewy texture.
What can I make with my stand mixer?
The best stand mixer can be used to prepare a wide variety of foods, including cakes, cookies, bread, pizza dough, whipped cream, meringue, and more. Here are some common things you can make with the best stand mixer of 2023:
Baked goods: A stand mixer is ideal for making baked goods like cakes, cookies, bread, and pastry dough. If you opt for a top mixer with a 6- to 7-quart capacity, it will be able to handle large batches of dough or batter, making it perfect for feeding a crowd.
Sauces and dips: You can use your stand mixer to prepare sauces and dips like mayonnaise, aioli, whipped cream, and salsa.
Meat dishes: With the right attachment, a stand mixer can be used to grind meat or make sausage.
Pasta: You can make fresh pasta dough using your stand mixer and pasta attachment.
Smoothies and drinks: A stand mixer can be used to blend smoothies, milkshakes, and other drinks.
Mashed potatoes: Use your stand mixer to make smooth and creamy mashed potatoes.
Vegetables: You can use a stand mixer with a vegetable attachment to slice, grate, or julienne vegetables.
These are just a few examples of the many things you can make with the best stand mixer. The possibilities are endless, and it all depends on the attachments you have and your creativity in the kitchen.
Where is the best place to buy a stand mixer?
Stand mixers are available at many kitchen supply stores, department stores, and online retailers. You can also find them at specialty stores that sell kitchen appliances. Some popular options include:
Kitchenware stores: Williams Sonoma, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Sur La Table carry a wide range of stand mixers from various brands.
Department stores: Stores like Macy's, Kohl's, and JCPenney often carry popular brands of stand mixers.
Online retailers: Online retailers like Amazon, Wayfair, and Overstock offer a wide selection of the best stand mixers at competitive prices.
Brand websites: Many stand mixer brands like KitchenAid and Cuisinart sell their products directly on their websites.
When choosing where to buy a stand mixer, consider factors such as price, availability, shipping options, and return policies.
What size of stand mixer do I need?
The size of the stand mixer you need depends on the amount of food you plan to prepare. For most home cooks, a 4.5- to 5-quart stand mixer is sufficient. However, if you frequently prepare large batches of food, a 6- to 7-quart stand mixer may be more suitable.
Should I get a tilt-head or bowl-lift stand mixer?
The choice between a tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixer comes down to personal preference. Tilt-head models are easier to use and require less space, while bowl-lift models are more powerful and can handle heavier loads.
Should I get a hand mixer or a stand mixer?
A hand mixer is suitable for light-duty tasks such as whipping cream and beating eggs, whereas a stand mixer is more powerful and versatile and can handle heavy-duty tasks like kneading dough and mixing thick batters. Consider your cooking needs and preferences when looking for the best stand mixer or the best hand mixer of 2023.
