The Best Stand Mixers (Review) in 2020

What to Look for in a Stand Mixer

• Capacity

This is one of the first things to come up on any stand mixer as it will give you a rough idea of just how much can be made in a single sitting. After all, if you’re looking for something that suits you and your family, or have taken up baking as a hobby, it’s likely that you won’t need a high-capacity kitchen mixer that is designed to create large quantities, ready for batch cooking.

• Motor

Another good way of deciding how well the electric mixer will stand up to your needs is the power of the motor. Measured in watts, these can indicate how well the mixer will stand the test of time before the motor burns out- not because they are necessarily better but because a high watt indicates that this mixer has been designed for heavier use.

As such, the higher the wattage, the stronger your mixer will be too. So, if you are looking to use your stand up mixer for larger quantities, then you will want to purchase a stand mixer that has a high-powered motor (ideally 450-watts and above)

• Overall size

If your kitchen countertop space is limited, it’s fair to say that you would need to purchase either a kitchen machine that either has smaller dimensions or is slim enough to be placed into storage (most likely a kitchen cupboard) until it’s next used.

• Design and convenience

These tend to come hand-in-hand as the design of any technology inevitably leads to an improved convenience. Take the controls, for example, a well-designed stand mixer will have clear, simple controls that allow the user to get their desired results in a few moments- in this case, a simple turn of the knob should be able to give you just the right speed for your mixing, whipping or kneading requirements.

It also covers other aspects too, however. For example, the best mixer will be made of the best materials, which allow you to easily care for and clean your appliance. In particular, added features such as being dishwasher-safe can negate the worst part of any cooking experience- the cleanup.

• Efficiency

Somewhat of a necessity, efficiency is considered not only by the electricity your new mixer would use but rather how well it mixes your ingredients together. Some mixers use beaters that are a little shorter than required, so as not to scratch the surfaces of the bowl used but also, most likely, to save money.

As well as this, you should be able to add ingredients without fuss or mess. Look for a bowl that has adequate space between the edges and the beater, so you can add in your extra foodstuff without having to repeatedly turn your stand mixer on and off, just to include the necessities. Better still, ensure your mixer has a pouring lid that allows for this.

• Quality and customer service

Stand mixer reviews are the best way to check for the quality of a product, since many of these will have been tried and tested by multiple users who can warn you of any failings on behalf of the product. Where there are problems, look for responses from sellers and manufacturers, who can give prior warning to any manufacturing defects or simply work to come to an amicable solution with buyers. While the latter cannot wholly make up for the former, it certainly goes a long way in making your new purchase as painless as possible.

Benefits of Stand Mixers

• Zero Effort

As much as we love to cook, we also all know the pain of aching arms from folding or tired feet from standing in the kitchen all day. Having a stand mixer in your kitchen allows you to multi-task without any extra effort on your part. Simply follow your recipe and allow your mixer to beat, mix and whip up a storm, at whatever speed gives you the best consistency for your task.

• No Mess

Well, it’s more like less mess, as you would still have to clean up the bowl and mixer. However, with benefits like pouring lids and soft-start, you may notice with many of our top picks that you no longer have to worry about getting batter all over your kitchen floor and worktops.

• Greater Control

Stand mixers often come with more options for mixing, through both their use of additional attachments and with their variable speeds. The former is perfect for those who like to use their kitchen mixer for more than just batter, since dough hooks and wire whips (which are usually included as standard) give your mixing a greater range.

Meanwhile, the latter gives you a chance to go as slow as you need, or power through tougher mixtures to get the perfect consistency. Not to mention that having a stand mixer is akin to having an extra hand- you can effectively add the next ingredients without having to stop and start your mixing, allowing for greater distribution of flavor.

Tilt-head vs Bowl-lift Stand Mixer

• Tilt-head stand mixer

Designed to lift to a 90-degree angle at the “neck” of the appliance, tilt-head stand mixers are perfect for handling a multitude of family-based kitchen tasks. There are a huge range of these stand mixers available to almost any budget and to meet any sized kitchen, which is perfect for those who love to cook but want to enjoy all the benefits of a stand mixer.

Generally speaking, these have a lower wattage output, although you can still find some pretty powerful options on our list. For those who cook as a hobby or are looking for occasional use, these are still more likely to be the better option for you as they are generally much easier to use and won’t take up much space in storage or on your countertop.

Of course, compared to the bowl-lift mixer, you may end up sacrificing some nice features, such as having a little extra control over your mixture, as it’s generally a little tougher to control temperature. Plus, their smaller size means that they can be less appealing to batch-bakers, although finding larger capacities is becoming increasingly easier.

• Bowl-lift stand mixer

These guys are big, sturdy and generally much more durable than tilt-head mixers. With a larger motor and greater capacity, bowl-lift stand mixers are usually purchased by professionals- in particular, bakers. This is mostly because the space created beneath the bowl gives room for tempering the mixture, such as keeping pastry cold with ice water.

Its humble origins are based in professional kitchens, which means that you can expect to lose considerable counter space if you decide to purchase one of these- even with the slimmer, domestic version of the bowl-lift mixer.

Best Stand Mixer FAQ:

Q: What is a stand mixer and how does it work?

A: Stand mixers work much in the same way as hand mixers but come with a considerable amount of benefits for many avid cooks and bakers. The first of these is that a stand mixer is a freestanding appliance that you can work around with ease- no more lost fittings that sit awkwardly in the drawer and no more holding the mixing bowl up to your chest and getting all kinds of mess over your clothes and apron.

Each stand comes with a bowl that is made to fit that specific stand mixer- although you can usually buy spares if required- that is fitted, so that there is no movement as your electric mixer works. This frees up both of your hands and allows you to prep the next series of additions or simply multitask.

Once all your ingredients are added, all you need to do is turn your speed to the desired rotations per minute and you’re good to go- it’s that simple! You can even add in more ingredients as the appliance works.

Q: How do I clean my stand mixer?

A: We’ll start with the simplest part- the bowl and attachments. For these, you can begin by washing these items in hot, soapy water. If you have been making especially greasy foods, you might find you need to give these a rinse under hot water, first.

If you have a dishwasher, give your items a rinse as soon as you’re done using them, then place the attachments and bowl in your dishwasher on a standard cycle.

It can be a good idea to have a bottle brush or similar if you have dried-on food, as using this after giving your accessories a soak will help to dislodge the remnants from all of the awkward spaces.

Moving on to cleaning the main body, be sure to unplug your mixer before you start.

Dampen a microfiber cloth so that it is just wet enough to pick up any spills and stains from the surface of your mixer head- be careful not to have your cloth so damp that it drips, as allowing water near the motor can cause irreparable damage to the motor.

If marks are being particularly stubborn, try adding some baking soda to the mix.

Bring out an old toothbrush or use a toothpick to shift that stubborn dirt that builds up over time. These are likely to appear in vents, along the ridges and under the hinge of the stand mixer

Wipe clean these areas once completed.

Lift your tilt-head stand mixer or lower the bowl on your professional stand mixer to get into those crafty places where flour, sugar and all kinds of foodstuffs can build up.

Use your toothbrush to get into these areas and shift out any stubborn areas.

Wipe these clean.

Check underneath the bowl area, as this is usually where the first drips hit, after use. Once again, use your toothbrush and microfiber cloth to shift the tough spots.

Pop your mixer on its side and wipe down the underside of your kitchen mixer, being sure to get underneath any sucker pads that are placed here.

Finally, without wetting the plug, wipe off any debris from the cord and the back of the plug.

Q: Do KitchenAid attachments fit all models?

A: With the constant update of new technology being placed into our appliances, it’s not unusual to find a new series of models from the same brand as regularly as every six months. This can be incredibly frustrating if you’ve invested a lot of money into getting the right accessories, only to find that they won’t fit the newer version and you have to start all over again.

The good news is that KitchenAid have thought about this when designing their new systems, the better news is that they have come up with the Attachment Fit Guarantee. This means that all of their accessories are guaranteed to fit on all models of the KitchenAid stand mixer. In fact, if you find an attachment that doesn’t fit your new stand mixer, KitchenAid have a system in place to ensure that you can use your accessory, with your kitchen mixer, no matter how old.

The only exception to this is the ice cream maker and precise heat mixing bowl.

Our Top Pick

With so many design features and a huge array of accessories, it would be hard to recommend anything other than the KitchenAid Artisan. It’s so popular, that you’ll even see other brands comparing themselves to this item, which sets the bar for every other stand mixer out there.

While it is a very expensive piece, KitchenAid stand mixers are known for being a power horse in the kitchen, handling pretty much anything you can throw at it with a powerful motor and impressive mixing action. All the while still remaining beautiful to look at and small enough to sit on any kitchen counter.

Better yet, this appliance can save you space in that it can be used for pretty much any kitchen prep, from use as an ice-cream maker through to the ability to create homemade pasta at the drop of a hat. This will save you room for any other appliances which may have taken this place and can even save you money in the long run by being available as quick and easy-to-use attachments.

Sources:

1. How to Use a Stand Mixer - HowStuffWorks