A great stand mixer is a 20-year investment. The best ones handle bread dough without straining, clean up easily, and have attachments that turn them into pasta makers, meat grinders, and ice cream machines.
Our Top Picks
KitchenAid
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan is the benchmark every other stand mixer is judged against. 59 available attachments turn it into a complete kitchen workhorse. Planetary mixing ensures the paddle reaches every part of the bowl.
Pros
- 59 available attachments
- Iconic 25-year track record
- Planetary mixing action reaches all bowl areas
- Available in 50+ colors
Cons
- Premium price
- Heavy (26 lbs)
Cuisinart
Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer
The Cuisinart SM-50 delivers 90% of the KitchenAid's capability at 60% of the price. 5.5-quart bowl handles double batches of cookies or a full bread recipe. The best value in stand mixers.
Pros
- 5.5-qt bowl at a fraction of KitchenAid price
- 12 speeds
- Tilt-back head
- Dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments
Cons
- Fewer attachments than KitchenAid
- Slightly louder at high speeds