Let's call a spade a spade: KitchenAid mixers are iconic. They are not only beautiful, they have mega power, heirloom quality, and an enormous range of compatible accessories, which all stack up to a very premium price tag. If you're shopping for a stand mixer, but you don't have hundreds of dollars to spare, you'll need the best KitchenAid alternative.
It's not just a question of cost. Though KitchenAid make some of the very best stand mixers, their products aren't suited to everyone. More experienced bakers will appreciate a more powerful motor, mass caterers will need larger bowls, and beginner bakers might appreciate something smaller and cheaper. After all, the best appliance isn't always the most famous brand; it's the one that meets your needs.
Our testing team of expert chefs and keen home cooks have trialled the rival brands to find the best KitchenAid alternatives. We've narrowed it down to our top six to suit every kitchen, budget and baker's needs. We've ranked them based on power, capacity, style, and, of course, price.
The quick list
We'll get into the specifics further down the page. For now, here are the best KitchenAid alternatives at a glance.
Best overall
Cuisinart is the most famous rival, and rightly so. It has a similarly sleek style to KitchenAid, with more power, two extra speed settings, and half the price tag.
If you need a stand mixer but you're on a budget, the Beautiful Stand Mixer by Drew Barrymore is under $100. A very sweet solution.
This compact mixer is perfect for budding bakers working in smaller kitchens. Much like a KitchenAid, this machine comes in a range of rich colors to complement your kitchen.
The professional capacity of the Wolf Gourmet Mixer doesn't falter, even when it's full to the brim with thick dough. It's expensive but professional.
The digital timer and dishwasher-safe components on Instant's mixer make it easy use. It's not as chic, but it is $150 cheaper than a KitchenAid Artisan.
While this mixer is even more expensive than a KitchenAid, you really do get what you pay for. This machine comes with a professional-grade power for kneading brilliant bread.
The best KitchenAid Alternatives
The best overall
KitchenAid vs Cuisinart: the debate is heated. If you're catering for a crowd, you'll appreciate the Precision's bigger bowl and larger selection of speed settings, as well as its much more reasonable price.
The Precision proved itself on test to be a capable mixer, especially when it comes to larger batches. This machine works best with double quantities, so you should make the most of the 5.5-qt. bowl space. It's less effective with smaller servings. Since some of the attachments can't reach right down inside the bowl, you might struggle to fully incorporate smaller quantities of ingredients.
But it's great at beating cream and kneading dough: heavy-duty tasks that allow the 500-watt motor to come into its own. Most of the accessories are dishwasher-safe, though you'll have to wash the whisk by hand.
If you tend to bake in bigger batches, and you need a kitchen workhorse, then the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer would be a great choice.
You can find more detail in our Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer review.
The best budget KitchenAid alternative
The Beautiful Stand Mixer is a great option for the everyday baker on a budget. The mixing bowl can accommodate bigger bakes, thanks to its generous 5.3-quart capacity, which makes it suitable for larger families. This machine weighs less than ten pounds, so it's easy to store in your cabinet or carry to your counter.
The Beautiful Stand Mixer performed pretty well on test, creaming butter and folding batter. This machine offers great granular control, thanks to its 12 speed settings (two more than you'll find on a KitchenAid). Each mixer comes with a bowl shield to protect your kitchen from spills and splatters.
The mixer itself is great. Where this machine falls down is the attachments. The whisk is made from plastic, so it isn't the sturdiest, and it's not quite long enough to reach the bottom of the bowl. Our expert tester had to stop her machine several times to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. So much for hands-free mixing.
You'll save money on this mixer, and time, too: each attachment is dishwasher-safe. Just don't expect it to perform as well as a premium model.
You can find more detail in our Beautiful Stand Mixer by Drew Barrymore review.
The best small KitchenAid alternative
This mini mixer would fit right into a smaller kitchen. It's just 12 inches tall, and weighs less than five pounds, so it's easy to store in cabinets or cupboards. Should you choose to leave it out, this machine comes in a range of colors to complement any kitchen.
For a small machine, the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer packs a punch. It vigorously kneaded dough and whipped egg whites on test, though it's best at beating butter. This mixer really whirs as it works: our tester recorded a high of 90 decibels, which is about as loud as a power mower. If you're sensitive to noise, this is not the machine for you.
On the plus side, it's super easy to clean. The bowl, dough hooks, and the beater are all dishwasher-safe. To clean the base, all you need to do is wipe it down with a damp dish cloth.
This mixer is a good option for beginner bakers working in a smaller space. Just beware the noise.
You can find more detail in our Delish by Dash Stand Mixer review.
The best large capacity KitchenAid alternative
At 7 quarts, the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer is much bigger than the other models on this list. It is tall and wide, but it offers a flawless experience on whipping large batches of cream, cake, or dough. A great choice for professionals or determined home bakers.
Wolf has thought carefully about the unique design of this stand mixer. Where the usual title-head design of other large stand mixers can lead to instability (looking at you, KitchenAid), the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer has a special twist-up bowl design. Simply put this bowl in the base and then twist it to lower or raise it to the mixer attachments. It's undeniably stable, quiet and ideal for large batches.
Our tester, Jacyln, said the Wolf mixer made the best cookies, fluffy cream, and it didn't even struggle with sticky enriched dough. It was easy to use and even easier to clean. A clear winner across the board performance-wise.
When we first reviewed it, there was a hefty $1000 price tag on the Wolf Gourmet – which was very off-putting. Since then, the price has dropped significantly to a much more reasonable $699.95 at Williams Sonoma.This reduction has levelled it with the 7-quart KitchenAid Pro Line Stand Mixer.
There's more detail in our Wolf Gourmet mixer review.
Easiest to use KitchenAid alternative
The Instant Stand Mixer Pro retails for $300, which is around $150 cheaper than the KitchenAid Artisan. While the Instant model doesn’t come in the same range of colors as a KitchenAid, there are a few reasons you might choose it over the legacy brand.
One of the biggest benefits of the Instant Stand Mixer Pro is its oversized 7.4-quart mixing bowl—by comparison, the KitchenAid Artisan has a 5-quart bowl.
The other advantage of the Instant Mixer is its ease of use; it has a modern digital control panel, complete with a built-in timer, to help you get accurate results.
We tried it on meringues, which need to be precise. We programmed it to mix for 2 minutes, and after the timer counted down, it automatically stopped. If you don’t set the timer to count down, it will count up instead, so it still offers an idea of how much time has passed.
Another contributor to easy, breezy baking is that all the removable components are dishwasher-safe. The mixing bowl and three attachments can all be put in the dishwasher, making clean-up extremely quick and easy. Just keep in mind that the mixing bowl is quite large, so you’ll need a full-size dishwasher to accommodate it.
However, if you’re someone who frequently whips up small batches in your stand mixer, the Instant Stand Mixer Pro probably isn’t the best option for you. Its large bowl and paddle design don’t fare well with small quantities, and you’ll find yourself scraping the bowl manually in order to get your ingredients mixed uniformly. A KitchenAid mixer is much better in this regard, as its paddle has rubber sides that wipe down the bowl with each turn.
Read more in our full Instant Stand Mixer Pro review.
The best KitchenAid alternative for bread dough
If you regularly whip up sweet brioche and sourdough bread (or you have aspirations), the Ankarsrum stand mixer is a great KitchenAid alternative. The unique rotating bowl mimics the motions of hand-kneading, while the whopping 1500-watt motor effortlessly works the densest dough. It's a real powerhouse.
It excels at combining cake batter and cookie dough, too. There is also a formidable-looking dough hook, best used for seriously intense bakes. If you want to explore more mixer accessories, there's a pantry-load to choose from on Ankarsrum.com – rivalling KitchenAid's versatility with an array of citrus juicers, pasta rollers, mincers, ice cream makers, and cookie cutters.
We were equally impressed by the Nordic design, available in 12 chic colors. It's pretty heavy, but that's what makes it stable and study.
However, it really is quite expensive. The priciest option on this list, in fact. Also, if you're used to working with a KitchenAid, this design will take some getting used to – it's not quite as intuitive. It's also incredibly heavy and can be hard to move around the counter. Finally, this is a minor point, but the included recipe booklet isn't great – some recipes had annoying mistakes.
There's more detail in our Ankarsrum Mixer Review.
| Header Cell - Column 0 | KitchenAid Artisan Series | Ankarsrum Assistent Original |
|---|---|---|
Power | 325 watts | 1500 watts |
Capacity | 5 quarts | 7 quarts |
Performance | Best in class | Powerful and sturdy |
Style | Iconic and retro | Professional and polished |
Warranty | 1 year limited warranty | 7 year limited warranty |
RRP |
Other stand mixers we tested
We've tested tonnes of stand mixers, so we've got a lot of thoughts to share with you. Below, you'll find the runners up and more links to reviews of stand mixers that we still rate, but they just didn't quite make the cut for this list of KitchenAid alternatives.
- Best design: Smeg Retro Stand Mixer
- Best budget: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer review
- KitchenAid equal: Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer review
How we test stand mixers
Each one of these mixers is tried and tested by the team at Homes & Gardens. We use these mixers to make a simple sponge batter, knead dough, and whip cream. We set them up in our own kitchens to assess their size and special features.
We test mixers across several weeks, if not months, to monitor their performance over time. We measure the time it takes for each machine to adequately mix. We even record decibel readings, so you can steer clear of noisy mixers. We'll either wash each attachment by hand or throw them in the dishwasher to determine how to clean a stand mixer.
Meet our expert testers
Lydia is the Kitchen Appliances Editor for Homes & Gardens, testing everything from mixers to air fryers, frying pans and ovens. Lydia trained in essential patisserie at Leiths School of Food & Wine. She was previously Recipe Editor for Mindful Chef.
Millie has written for Homes & Gardens since the beginning of 2021. She's a small appliance specialist, testing some of the best and biggest names in the mixing world, from KitchenAid to Cuisinart. She is a keen at-home baker with a sharp, critical eye; she never misses an unevenly mixed batter, a lump of flour or a design flaw.
Jaclyn is a US product tester across the homes titles at Future, including Homes & Gardens. She has also written for foodie publications like The Kitchn and The Spruce Eats. Jaclyn tested the Wolf stand mixer in her own home for months – she attributes her best-ever batch of homemade cookies to this mixer.
Writing across Future titles, Molly reviews appliances she’s tested in her kitchen and at our testing facility (namely air fryers, coffee machines, stand mixers and more), as well as curating buying guides. She's a certified Consumer Expert for several product categories after passing a five-step program including hands-on experience, consumer interviews and extensive research into her specialist area.
FAQs
How do I choose a stand mixer?
It all depends on what you want to make in your mixer, as well as your level of baking expertise. With that said, there are a few things to consider when shopping for a mixer.
Size
If you're baking in a smaller kitchen, you'll need a compact mixer that fits into tight corners or inside your cabinets. Larger kitchens tend to have more counter space to accommodate bigger mixers, like the Kenwood XL.
Versatility
While a budding baker might only need a standard mixer, an experienced chef might appreciate the special features that come with more sophisticated machines. Most KitchenAids (and a few alternative brands, like Ankarsrum) double as pasta makers and meat grinders.
Durability
The best mixers are built to last. Our Head of eCommerce, Alex, still uses his grandmother's mixer from the early 70s. Its stainless steel finish resists corrosion and never goes out of style. The more premium, professional models on this list have long warranties to back them up, too.
Price
A premium stand mixer comes with a premium price tag. You can get a decent mixer for less than $100, but it won't pack the same power. If you're a keen baker, and you intend to use your mixer frequently, then it's worth investing in a quality product.
Appearance
If you plan to keep your stand mixer on the counter all year round (the case for most bakers, since they are fairly large appliances that get frequent use), you will want it to look good. Many KitchenAid alternatives on our list come in a range of shades to complement your kitchen's color palette. Drew Barrymore's range is the prettiest, in my opinion.
Which is the best stand mixer?
The best stand mixer in the world is the KitchenAid Artisan. It's easy to use and store and makes top-quality cakes and cookies. But it isn't perfect. This machine shakes a little when kneading dough and might struggle to incorporate dry ingredients. It's worth considering one of these KitchenAid alternatives to find the mixer that meets your needs.
Why are stand mixers so expensive?
Top-of-the-range stand mixers can cost as much as $1000. While they're built to last, and come with ultra-powerful motors and useful attachments, they're just not affordable for most Americans.
Most stand mixers cost around $300, but it's possible to get a good one for less. If you're seriously strapped for cash, but you still want a mixer, you might want to consider the merits of a hand mixer versus a stand mixer. The best hand mixers cost a fraction of the price, and take up a fraction of the space, of your average stand mixer.
Final thoughts
If you still aren't sold on these alternatives, then you might want to consider one of the best KitchenAid stand mixers, instead. We've assessed each option to help you make an informed choice for your kitchen, budget, and lifestyle.
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