What Stand Mixer Should I Buy? The Best Picks Beyond KitchenAid
KitchenAid dominates, but it is not the only option. Here are the stand mixers worth buying at every price point.
KitchenAid owns 70% of the stand mixer market, and for good reason -- the attachment ecosystem, build quality, and resale value are unmatched. But KitchenAid is not the only option, and it is not the right choice for everyone. This guide covers KitchenAid and the alternatives that deserve consideration.
Not sure if you need a stand mixer? See our comparison guide. Want the cost picture? Read The Real Cost of a Stand Mixer. Check 5 buying mistakes to avoid. See when to buy for deal timing.
How We Picked These
We analyzed reviews from America's Test Kitchen, Wirecutter, Consumer Reports, and King Arthur Baking. We tested for motor power, bowl capacity, ease of cleaning, and how well each handles bread dough -- the most demanding task a stand mixer faces.
What We Recommend
Based on our research, these are our top picks. Prices change frequently -- click through to see the latest.
- 1.KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer (KSM150PS) -- Best for home bakers who want the most versatile, well-supported stand mixer with the largest attachment ecosystem
- 2.KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart (KP26M1X) -- Best for bakers who make bread weekly and need a motor that handles stiff doughs without strain
- 3.Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart (SM-50) -- Best for bakers who want strong performance at half the KitchenAid price and do not need the attachment ecosystem
- 4.Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer 4-Quart (63391) -- Best for occasional bakers on a budget who want planetary mixing without the KitchenAid price
- 5.KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart (KSM3311X) -- Best for small kitchens or apartments where counter space is limited but KitchenAid quality is desired
- 6.KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (KSM70SKXX) -- Best for large families, holiday bakers, and anyone who regularly makes double or triple batches
- 7.Hamilton Beach Professional All-Metal 5-Quart (63240) -- Best for beginners investing in baking who want proven performance without the KitchenAid price
- 8.Ankarsrum Original Stand Mixer (AKM 6230) -- Best for dedicated bread bakers and sourdough enthusiasts who want the ultimate kneading machine
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer (KSM150PS)
The gold standard. 325W motor, 10 speeds, 59-point planetary mixing action. Handles cookie dough, cake batter, and occasional bread. 20+ color options. Compatible with 10+ hub-powered attachments. Every major review site names it best overall.
Pros
- The standard by which all stand mixers are judged
- 59-point planetary mixing for thorough coverage
- 20+ color options to match any kitchen
- 10+ hub-powered attachments available
- 24,800+ reviews with 4.7 stars
Cons
- 325W motor struggles with very stiff bread dough
- Tilt-head can wobble at high speeds with heavy loads
- Premium price (wait for Black Friday)
- Heavy -- 22 lbs is hard to move frequently
KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart (KP26M1X)
575W motor with bowl-lift design -- nearly double the power of the Artisan. Handles stiff whole-wheat and rye doughs without strain. PowerKnead Spiral Dough Hook included. Recommended by King Arthur Baking and America's Test Kitchen for bread.
Pros
- 575W motor handles any bread dough
- Bowl-lift design is more stable than tilt-head
- 6-quart capacity for large batches
- PowerKnead Spiral Dough Hook included
- Recommended by King Arthur and ATK for bread
Cons
- Bowl-lift is less convenient to access than tilt-head
- Fewer color options than Artisan
- Heavier and larger footprint
- Overkill for occasional bakers
Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart (SM-50)
500W motor (more powerful than KitchenAid Artisan), 12 speeds, 5.5-quart bowl, die-cast metal construction -- at roughly half the KitchenAid price. The most credible KitchenAid alternative.
Pros
- 500W motor -- more powerful than KitchenAid Artisan
- 12 speeds vs KitchenAid's 10
- Half the price of a KitchenAid Artisan
- Die-cast metal construction
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Smaller attachment ecosystem than KitchenAid
- Lower resale value
- Can vibrate at high speeds due to lighter weight
- Fewer color options
Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Stand Mixer 4-Quart (63391)
Reviewed's "Best Value" pick. 300W motor, 7 speeds, planetary mixing action, 4-quart bowl. Created the loftiest egg whites in the fastest time in testing. A fraction of KitchenAid price with surprisingly competitive performance.
Pros
- Under $80 -- a fraction of KitchenAid price
- Planetary mixing action at this price point
- Created loftiest egg whites in testing (Reviewed)
- Lightweight and compact
- Top handle for easy lifting and storage
Cons
- 4-quart bowl limits batch size
- 300W motor struggles with stiff dough
- Head bobbles when kneading heavy mixtures
- Not as durable as premium brands
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart (KSM3311X)
25% smaller footprint and 20% lighter than the full Artisan. Same KitchenAid build quality and accepts all hub-powered attachments. Makes up to 5 dozen cookies per batch. Ideal for apartments and small kitchens.
Pros
- 25% smaller and 20% lighter than standard Artisan
- Accepts all KitchenAid hub attachments
- Same build quality as full-size models
- Multiple color options
- Performs nearly on par in recipe testing
Cons
- 3.5-quart bowl limits batch size
- 250W motor is less powerful
- Similar price to the full-size Artisan
- Fewer reviews than the standard model
KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (KSM70SKXX)
The biggest KitchenAid for home bakers. 7-quart bowl handles 13 dozen cookies or 8.5 lbs of bread dough. Redesigned 500W motor, 11 speeds, Double Flex Edge Beater unique to this model.
Pros
- 7-quart capacity -- largest KitchenAid available
- 500W redesigned motor
- Unique Double Flex Edge Beater
- 3-point locking bowl-lift design
- Handles 13 dozen cookies per batch
Cons
- Large and heavy
- Premium price
- Newer model with fewer reviews
- Overkill for most home bakers
Hamilton Beach Professional All-Metal 5-Quart (63240)
Consumer Reports rates it equally good at whipping and kneading as top KitchenAid models. 450W motor, 12 speeds, all-metal construction, 5-quart bowl. Power hub accepts optional attachments. The sweet spot between budget and premium.
Pros
- Consumer Reports rates it on par with KitchenAid for mixing
- 450W motor with all-metal construction
- 12 speeds and planetary mixing
- Power hub accepts optional attachments
- Under $200 -- half the price of KitchenAid
Cons
- Smaller attachment ecosystem than KitchenAid
- Less brand cachet and resale value
- Not as many color options
- Build quality is good but not lifetime-grade
Ankarsrum Original Stand Mixer (AKM 6230)
America's Test Kitchen top pick for bread. Swedish-engineered with a unique bottom-mounted 600W motor that spins the 7.4-quart bowl against a fixed arm -- mimics hand-kneading. Handles 21 cups of flour. 7-year warranty. Worth every penny for dedicated bread bakers.
Pros
- America's Test Kitchen top pick for bread baking
- Unique dough roller mimics hand-kneading
- 600W bottom-mounted motor -- extremely stable
- 7.4-quart capacity handles 21 cups of flour
- 7-year warranty
- Most accessories included of any mixer
Cons
- Premium price
- Niche brand with limited retail availability
- Learning curve for the unique bowl-and-arm design
- No tilt-head -- different workflow than KitchenAid
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the KitchenAid Artisan or Professional better?
Artisan (tilt-head, 5-qt) for general baking. Professional 600 (bowl-lift, 6-qt) for bread baking and heavy doughs. Both are excellent -- the choice depends on what you bake most.
Is a Cuisinart stand mixer as good as KitchenAid?
For mixing and baking, the Cuisinart SM-50 performs at 80% of KitchenAid quality for 40% of the price. Where it falls short: attachment ecosystem, resale value, and long-term durability.
How long does a KitchenAid stand mixer last?
15-25 years with normal use. Many KitchenAid mixers are passed down through generations. The motor and gears are repairable even after decades. See our <a href="/article/real-cost-of-stand-mixer">cost guide</a>.
What color KitchenAid should I get?
Classic colors (Empire Red, Onyx Black, Silver) hold resale value best. Limited edition colors sell out and become collectible. Choose based on your kitchen aesthetic -- the mixer will be on your counter for years.
Best Time to Buy a Stand Mixer
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