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Kitchen review roundup

The best stand mixers, in plain English

A stand mixer mixes dough, whips cream and kneads bread while your hands are free. We read hands-on tests and boiled them down: is a KitchenAid worth it, and which cheaper mixers hold up?

  • Last reviewed October 20, 2026
  • 5 stand mixers
  • 4 expert reviews read

We didn't test these ourselves. We read reviews from experts who test products hands-on, then summed up where they agree and where they don't. Every source is linked. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Our top pick in each group. Tap one to jump to the details.

Best overall KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer $350–$450 The classic that every tester recommends. See details Best value KitchenAid KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer $280–$380 Nearly the same mixer for less. See details Best budget Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer (4 qt) $90–$130 Mixes well for about $100. See details

Before you buy: 3 quick checks

Size and how often you bake matter most.

Tilt-head or bowl-lift?

Tilt-head mixers fold back so you can reach the bowl. They're smaller and fit under cabinets. Bowl-lift mixers are bigger and sturdier for heavy bread dough.

Pick a bowl size

4.5 to 5 quarts handles most cookies, cakes and a loaf of bread. Go bigger only if you often double recipes or bake for a crowd.

Plan for weight

Stand mixers are heavy, often 20 pounds or more. Find a spot on the counter where it can stay, so you don't have to lift it out of a cabinet.

Compare at a glance

On a phone, swipe the table sideways to see every column.

MixerBest forTypical priceBowlStyle
1. KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Best overall $350–$4505 quartsTilt-head
2. KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Best value KitchenAid $280–$3804.5 quartsTilt-head
3. Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer (4 qt) Best budget $90–$1304 quartsTilt-head
4. Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer (SM-50) Best non-KitchenAid $180–$2605.5 quartsTilt-head
5. Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer Best for bread and pizza dough $700–$850Large spiral bowlSpiral (bowl spins)

The 5 best stand mixers, explained

Best overall first. Prices are typical ranges, not live prices, so check Amazon for today's price.

#1Best overall

KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

  • 5 quarts
  • Tilt-head
  • Dozens of colors; many add-on attachments

$350–$450typical price

The classic stand mixer, and the one testers agree on. Tom's Guide and TechGearLab both name it the best stand mixer overall, Reviewed calls it the best classic mixer, and America's Test Kitchen recommends it.

What testers liked

  • Sturdy, reliable and built to last.
  • Quiet motor, with plenty of power for cookies and cakes.
  • Works with add-ons like a pasta roller or meat grinder.

Common complaints

  • Expensive.
  • The tilting head gets in the way when you add ingredients, and very big bread batches may be too much for it.

Skip it if: You bake bread in big batches. A bowl-lift or spiral mixer handles heavy dough better.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (4)

Summed up from Tom's Guide, TechGearLab, Reviewed, America's Test Kitchen.

#2Best value KitchenAid

KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

  • 4.5 quarts
  • Tilt-head
  • Fits the same attachments as the Artisan

$280–$380typical price

The simpler, cheaper KitchenAid that performs almost the same. America's Test Kitchen names it the best mid-priced mixer, and TechGearLab picks it as the best for beginners.

What testers liked

  • Beat bigger, pricier mixers in some of America's Test Kitchen's tests.
  • Easy to use and store.
  • Strong results with egg whites and pizza dough.

Common complaints

  • The bowl has no handle, and there's no splash guard.
  • Its tilt head broke in America's Test Kitchen's extreme abuse test.

Skip it if: You often double recipes. The 5-quart Artisan has more room.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from America's Test Kitchen, TechGearLab.

#3Best budget

Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer (4 qt)

  • 4 quarts
  • Tilt-head
  • Light and easy to store

$90–$130typical price

A cheap mixer that mixes surprisingly well. Reviewed names it the best value stand mixer, and America's Test Kitchen recommends it, with a warning about how long it lasts.

What testers liked

  • Excellent mixing results for the price.
  • Easy to use.
  • Light and easy to store.

Common complaints

  • Testers question how long it will last.
  • Not much power for heavy bread dough, and few accessories.

Testers disagree on: TechGearLab tested it too and didn't give it an award, citing limited power, a wobbly base and doubtful durability.

Skip it if: You bake every week. A KitchenAid holds up much better over time.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Reviewed, America's Test Kitchen.

#4Best non-KitchenAid

Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer (SM-50)

  • 5.5 quarts
  • Tilt-head
  • Splash guard included

$180–$260typical price

A roomy, easy mixer that costs less than a KitchenAid. Tom's Guide names it the best budget stand mixer, and America's Test Kitchen recommends it with reservations.

What testers liked

  • Strong at mixing and beating batters.
  • Easy to use and clean.
  • Bigger bowl than many mixers at this price.

Common complaints

  • Build quality isn't as solid as a KitchenAid.
  • Weaker at kneading dough, and it struggled with egg whites in America's Test Kitchen's test.

Skip it if: You make a lot of bread. Its dough kneading is a weak spot.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Tom's Guide, America's Test Kitchen.

#5Best for bread and pizza dough

Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer

  • Large spiral bowl
  • Spiral (bowl spins)
  • Made for heavy dough

$700–$850typical price

A spiral mixer built for bread and pizza dough, like the ones bakeries use. Tom's Guide names it the best for bread, and America's Test Kitchen says it's excellent for big batches of dough.

What testers liked

  • Kneads big batches of dough easily.
  • The spiral action builds dough strength well.
  • Stable on the counter.

Common complaints

  • Expensive.
  • Struggles with small amounts, and has no built-in scale.

Skip it if: You mostly bake cookies and cakes. A KitchenAid is more flexible for less money.

See it on Amazon
Read the reviews (2)

Summed up from Tom's Guide, America's Test Kitchen.

How we pick

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