What’s the perfect stand mixer for 2023?
There’s simply one thing stately a couple of stand mixer in a single’s kitchen. As a countertop fixture, it lends a sure culinary seriousness to your area, whether or not or not you employ it day-after-day. Of the numerous choices now accessible, KitchenAid’s Artisan Collection continues to be the perfect stand mixer for the cash, though some new entries into the class give this stalwart a run for its cash.
As a proud, longtime proprietor of an iconic KitchenAid, I can guarantee you that, even for infrequent use, a stand mixer is nicely price your consideration. As somebody who selected a stand mixer colour to match the kitchen home equipment of a comparatively new boyfriend on the time of buy, I can advise you not to try this. A stand mixer has significantly better longevity than many relationships. (With all due respect to my empire pink mannequin, I nonetheless lengthy for wedgewood blue.)
Learn extra: Tips on how to Clear a Stand Mixer
A stand mixer differs from a hand mixer in that it has a heavy base and highly effective motor that lets you set it and let it do its factor, somewhat than needing to produce the literal elbow grease and time to get the blending carried out. From cupcake batter to whipped meringue icing to artisanal bread dough, a stand mixer is a flexible piece of apparatus to have in your kitchen. It is also a considerably giant and probably costly piece, so we have carried out some digging to assemble our checklist of the perfect stand mixers for 2023. With the fitting buy, you and your stand mixer can have a lifelong relationship that you could be ok with betting your colour palette on.
Finest stand mixers for 2023
KitchenAid makes numerous totally different home equipment, however by some means “mixer” appears to be the suffix that finest belongs with the model, and for good cause. I prefer to fancy myself an iconoclast in the case of these equipment opinions, by way of not getting sucked in by unwarranted hype, however this was a no-contest, I am afraid. Practically each website that reviewed stand mixers listed this as their No. 1. (One overview website that shall stay anonymous did not even trouble to place some other manufacturers on its checklist.)
As a proud proprietor since 2008, it is usually my No. 1, and I’ve used it to make wedding ceremony muffins, industrial batches of cinnamon rolls and the whole lot in between. Not solely is it sturdy and dependable, it is also iconic and enticing, with a whiff of midcentury and accessible in quite a few, ever-expanding colour choices. Along with its attractiveness, it is also versatile, with accessible attachments that put its utility nicely past that of merely mixing. KitchenAid additionally makes a barely smaller mannequin, the Artisan Mini, for whenever you’ve gotta have the model however haven’t got the area.
- Dimension: 14.1 x 8.7 x 13.9 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 22.8 kilos
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capability: 5 quarts
- Energy: 325 watts
- Variety of settings: 10
- Attachments: Paddle, whisk, dough hook, pouring protect; 12 non-compulsory attachments, together with ice cream maker, meat grinder, pasta curler and spiralizer
Cuisinart is to the meals processor as KitchenAid is to the stand mixer, however Cuisinart is actually nothing to sneeze at in the case of its stand mixers, particularly for those who’re brand-loyal. Should you’re additionally price-sensitive, this Cuisinart mannequin permits you the safety of a serious model identify with important financial savings over the KitchenAid mixer. (It is nonetheless on the expensive aspect to be thought of “price range,” however that is the place the helpful time period “worth” comes into play.) The look is a bit more smooth and industrial than the KitchenAid mannequin however nonetheless is available in a beneficiant variety of colours. A speed-adjustment dial, somewhat than levers, might make you are feeling such as you’re capable of have extra nuance within the pace division, on high of which it affords 12 pace settings, essentially the most of any on this checklist. And, whereas the checklist worth is technically $250, we regularly discover it on sale for below $200.
- Dimension: 14.17 x 7.87 x 14.13 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 20 kilos
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capability: 5.5 quarts
- Energy: 500 watts
- Variety of settings: 12
- Attachments: Paddle, whisk, dough hook, pouring protect; 12 non-compulsory attachments, together with ice cream maker, meat grinder and pasta curler
Compact and comparatively gentle, this Hamilton Seashore mannequin was the clear winner when it got here to price range stand mixers. In each my very own hands-on expertise and overview evaluations, Hamilton Seashore is a particularly dependable model in the case of a great money-saving possibility, and certainly it received the “price range” spot in nicely over half of the overview websites I consulted. For lower than $100 you continue to get important energy, six pace choices, three totally different mixing kinds, and a 3.5-quart bowl that may deal with most elementary recipes. You probably have a big household or in any other case anticipate giant batches, it could be price it to scale as much as a bigger mannequin, however for small households, kitchens with out a lot area, or which have solely the occasional want for a stand mixer, this is a superb possibility. Your solely colour selection right here is black, however that is completely basic for a lot of kitchens.
- Dimension: 8.66 x 13.58 x 11.88 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 11.05 kilos
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capability: 3.5 quarts
- Energy: 300 watts
- Variety of settings: 6
- Attachments: Paddle, whisk, dough hook
Identical KitchenAid design, identical KitchenAid colour selections (principally), however with 40% extra quantity, 66% extra energy, and two further mixing paddles to take your stand mixing performance as much as knowledgeable stage. I additionally just like the half-speed setting right here for the potential of gently folding nuts or chips into your batters. The bowl-lift mechanics permits for even higher maneuverability (and much much less swearing than with a tilt-head whenever you unintentionally hit the cabinets).
Pay attention, I do not make the foundations, however this mannequin additionally hit each single website as your best-bet giant capability or bowl-lift quantity. A barely inexpensive, 600 Collection professional mannequin can be accessible from KitchenAid for those who’re within the bowl-lift possibility however do not essentially want the higher quantity, and in both case, KitchenAid sells a number of refurbished skilled fashions on its website for potential financial savings.
- Dimension: 14.63 x 11.31 x 16.5 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 31 kilos
- Type: Bowl-lift
- Capability: 7 quarts
- Energy: 500 watts
- Variety of settings: 11
- Attachments: Double-flex edge beater, flat beater, dough hook, pastry beater, whisk, pouring protect; 12 non-compulsory attachments together with ice cream maker, meat grinder, pasta curler and spiralizer
This Wolf Gourmand mannequin was second solely to KitchenAid in checking all of the packing containers and garnering mentions in overview website finest lists. It comes with a hefty price ticket — almost double the price of our high decide — however you additionally get nearly double the ability and considerably extra capability. Wolf is as revered as KitchenAid for craftsmanship and design, and this stand mixer is available in a chrome steel end making for the simplest cleanup. Not like some other mannequin on this checklist, the Wolf stand mixer has an “infinite” pace dial, that means there aren’t particular pace settings, supplying you with infinite nuance the place pace adjustment is worried.
- Dimension: 18 x 11 x 18 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 29.5 kilos
- Type: Bowl-lift
- Capability: 7 quarts
- Energy: 500 watts
- Variety of settings: Infinite
- Attachments: Paddle, whisk, dough hook, pouring protect; non-compulsory meals grinder attachment
When GE unveiled its Sensible Mixer at CES 2023, it caught the eye of some people in attendance, together with CNET’s personal Jessica Dolcourt, who deemed this entry into the class a “huge deal.” Dolcourt, who was capable of each see the Sensible Mixer in motion and mess around with it, was impressed by its many futuristic capabilities, none of which is extra helpful than the built-in scale.
GE Profile’s stand mixer stands out amongst the group for this, dare I say, genius built-in scale that lets you shortly measure substances with precision proper within the bowl. The size then zeroes out so you possibly can add the subsequent ingredient with out having to bust out measuring cups or spoons. We merely adore skipping a step, irrespective of how small.
One other sensible ingredient is the mixer’s auto-sense expertise, which works with dozens of programmed recipes from the app to observe adjustments in viscosity via motor torque whereas in use to optimize pace and energy for finest outcomes when whipping, mixing, emulsifying and such. Merely put, this mixer does quite a lot of the give you the results you want. It is also highly effective, with 540 watts of oomph, and options a big 7-quart bowl.
- Dimension: 14 x 11.33 x 17.07 inches (depth, width, top)
- Weight: 22 kilos
- Type: Bowl elevate
- Capability: 7 quarts
- Energy: 540 watts
- Variety of settings: Dozens, together with preprogrammed recipes
- Attachments: Dough hook, wire whisk, beater
Stand mixers in contrast
| KitchenAid Artisan Collection | Cuisinart Precision Grasp SM-50 | Hamilton Seashore 6-speed | KitchenAid 7-qt | Wolf Gourmand | GE Profile | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimension (inches; depth, width, top) | 14.1 x 8.7 x 13.9 | 14.17 x 7.87 x 14.13 | 8.66 x 13.58 x 11.88 | 14.63 x 11.31 x 16.5 | 18 x 11 x 18 | 14 x 1.33 x 17.07 |
| Weight (kilos) | 22 | 20 | 11 | 31 | 29.5 | 22 |
| Type | Tilt-head | Tilt-head | Tilt-head | Bowl-lift | Bowl-lift | Bowl-lift |
| Capability (quarts) | 5 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Energy (watts) | 325 | 500 | 300 | 500 | 500 | 540 |
| Settings | 10 | 12 | 6 | 11 | infinite | infinite |
| Checklist worth | $449 | $200 | $103 | $650 | $1,000 | $1,000 |
Stand mixer shopping for information
Varieties of stand mixers
Stand mixers sometimes are available in two totally different modes: tilt-head and bowl-lift. Tilt-head stand mixers have a hinge in the back of the mannequin that actually tilts the top again and lets you simply take away the bowl from the mixer, in addition to change the blending paddle as wanted. The aim of bowl-lift fashions is similar, however as an alternative of a hinge that tilts the top, two arms are normally situated towards the bottom of the mannequin, with a lever that lifts up the bowl to fulfill the paddles.
Most average-size stand mixers are tilt-head fashions, whereas skilled choices are inclined to make the most of the bowl elevate. With a tilt-head mannequin, it is necessary to contemplate that the peak of the mannequin adjustments when the top is tilted again, that means that you simply may need to tug it out from below overhead cabinets as a way to accommodate the additional top when in use.
In terms of stand mixer colour choices, it is arduous to beat KitchenAid’s assortment.
Stand mixer measurement and capability
Dimension-wise, the peak requirement of a stand mixer could also be a very powerful consideration in the case of both the counter area or the space for storing to host it, with common fashions being sometimes 14 to fifteen inches in top. (With one other inch or two wanted to tilt the top again as required.) Smaller fashions might prevent a few inches, and bigger professional-grade fashions might be as tall as 18 inches.
Quantity-wise, common stand mixers provide a bowl that’s between 4 and 6 quarts. Some smaller fashions can be found which can be between 3 and 4 quarts, which continues to be sufficient capability for typical cookie and cake recipes, however might really feel crowded for additional giant batches or some bread recipes. Skilled-grade stand mixers might provide bowl volumes of as much as 8 quarts, which might deal with many catering-size jobs.
A tilt-head stand mixer in motion.
Stand mixer options
Apart from the tilt-head and bowl-lift performance, stand mixers have a tendency to come back with a number of totally different beaters for various capabilities: a paddle for typical cake and cookie mixes, a whisk for whipping meringues or cream, and a dough hook that approximates gentle kneading in the way it strikes the dough across the bowl. Low-, medium- and high-speed settings are usually anticipated, with many fashions providing as many as 10 or 12 speeds to fulfill your exact wants. Moreover, a number of fashions might provide separate-purchase attachments for added performance, corresponding to making ice cream or noodles, or grinding meat.
How we evaluated stand mixers
GE Profile’s Sensible Mixer encompasses a built-in scale for precisely measuring substances proper within the bowl.
Our checklist of finest stand mixers was aggregated from quite a few overview websites amongst fashions that had essentially the most inclusions, in addition to bestselling and top-rated fashions at main retailers corresponding to Amazon, Williams Sonoma and Crate & Barrel. Of observe, and excellent news for meticulous comparability customers, stand mixers had been essentially the most constantly ranked kitchen equipment from website to website of any I’ve beforehand reviewed.
I researched the stand mixers on this checklist by analyzing specs and person opinions, diving deep for mentions of persistent points, and contemplating the accessible options and performance in comparison with worth as a measure of every mannequin’s total worth. I centered totally on these fashions that had extraordinarily excessive person rankings, sometimes 4.5 and above with at the least 1,000 distinctive rankings. Whereas these weren’t examined in individual in a lab setting, as a culinary school-trained house prepare dinner, I’m very accustomed to the options and performance of stand mixers, and each stand mixer on this checklist has been examined by quite a few websites for prime efficiency. Moreover, I used to be capable of look at a number of in individual (together with one which I personal) as a way to get a really feel for his or her footprint, weight, design and controls.
Stand mixer FAQs
Is a KitchenAid the perfect stand mixer?
KitchenAid is actually the preferred stand mixer and has a decades-long observe document of satisfaction from bakers and residential cooks alike. Whereas it may be the most secure guess, KitchenAid machines are additionally costly, with most fashions costing nicely over $300. Amongst our checklist of finest stand mixers, any of those ought to serve the aim of constantly dealing with typical recipes regularly and any of them might be thought of a worthwhile funding. The perfect stand mixer for you is the one that matches your price range, area and way of life.
How a lot does a stand mixer value?
Anticipate to spend between $200 and $500 for a mean, well-reviewed stand mixer. Only a few are priced decrease than $100; our price range decide right here is fairly near that mark. Skilled grade or splurge-worthy choices can value $1,000 or above. Common fashions will probably be worthy investments for many house cooks and their wants. It’s possible you’ll need to take into account a higher-end mannequin in case you have an particularly giant family, a catering operation or the verve to make artisanal bread at house a number of instances every week.
How do you clear a stand mixer?
The bottom of a stand mixer might be wiped down with water and a clear dish or paper towel. It is necessary to do that totally after every use, as residual flour or batter can construct up near the motor or hinge and inhibit its performance. The bowl and removable beaters or paddles of a stand mixer might be washed totally with cleaning soap and water. These components might also be dishwasher-safe; you must examine the person guide of your specific mannequin to verify whether or not it is acceptable to place them within the dishwasher.
For extra, learn CNET’s full information to cleansing your stand mixer.
How do I select a stand mixer?
There are lots of necessary issues when selecting a stand mixer, corresponding to worth, area requirement, quantity and attachments, and all of those issues should think about how usually and for what you’ll use your stand mixer. Should you plan to place it to frequent use, I might advise investing in a sturdy, well-reviewed mannequin, which is able to higher serve you in the long term than choosing a less expensive mannequin. How usually you suppose you’ll use a stand mixer will dictate whether or not it is one thing you’ll want to maintain out on the counter or one thing you’ll want to retailer in a cabinet or pantry when not in use. Both method you will want to make sure you have the area accessible and are capable of comfortably transfer it as wanted, as many fashions are fairly heavy.
Most common stand mixer fashions provide a bowl quantity of between 4 and 6 quarts, which is ideal for nonindustrial scaled recipes. Smaller quantity fashions can be found, however in these instances that’s most likely extra of a matter of the footprint of the machine in case you have a decent area, somewhat than you anticipate solely making half recipes.
Bigger fashions can have a quantity of as much as 8 quarts, which can be helpful for those who’re ceaselessly making extra-large batches, although these are sometimes thought of skilled fashions. If you are going to maintain your stand mixer on the counter, colour or design may be an necessary consideration as nicely. Getting essentially the most use out of your stand mixer might also decide whether or not it is necessary to you to have further attachments, corresponding to a meat grinder, ice cream maker or pasta curler.
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