Best stand mixer 2021: reviews of KitchenAid stand mixers, and more

Behind every home-cook and budding baker is one kitchen counter essential. The best stand mixers will knead dough, beat egg whites, fold in flour and whisk together perfect cupcakes, with a variety of attachments suitable for making bread, cake, pastry, meringues, cookies and so much more. 

There are a few brands that have become synonymous with making the best stand mixer, and both KitchenAid and Cuisinart are long-standing stalwarts of the kitchen appliance industry. You may be wondering what the best stand mixer is for you, your budget, and your needs, so we’ve compared the best stand mixers from a whole host of brands to help you make up your mind. 

Featuring stand mixers from KitchenAid, Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, Smeg, and Frigidaire, our best stand mixer guide will lay out the key differences between many of the leading mixers on the market. This includes color selection, mixing bowl capacity, attachments, and more for all the best blenders on the market now.

Best stand mixers 2021

Tried and loved by us, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer needs no introduction. 

Why we love it

Not only is this classic stand mixer a statement piece in any kitchen, it's a real workhorse too. For a start, this stand mixer comes with all the attachments you need for most of your baking needs. That includes a wire whisk for beating eggs, a flat beater for integrating cake batter, and a dough hook to work your bread dough. 

Need to know

The Artisan is made in the USA, and it's a seriously high quality machine for the money. You may find the 5-quart capacity is a little lacking for multi-tier cakes but for most home chefs, it's a top choice. 

The KitchenAid vs Cuisinart debate is always tight, but if value for money is your number one consideration then the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer is a brilliant choice. It comes in six colors: periwinkle blue, white, silver, red, black and robin's egg green, and has an extra half quart on the KitchenAid Artisan at 5.5-quarts total.

Why we love it 

Where it really excelled was heavy-duty tasks like kneading bread, and the design is noticeably sturdy. 

There are also more speed settings than the KitchenAid; 12 in total. It's controlled by a simple side dial and packs 500 watts of power. The side dial is very easy to use, and we enjoyed the slow-start design that helps to avoid creating a cloud of icing sugar or flour in your kitchen. 

Need to know 

When we put the Cuisinart Precision to the test we found that it had the tendency to leave some ingredients stuck to the side of the bowl, so we had to go in and remove it to fully incorporate our ingredients.

• Read: Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer review

Quirky and packed with character, the Smeg Retro Stand Mixer is a capable kitchen assistant. 

Why we love it

It's got plenty of attachments, including a pouring shield that's designed to stop spills and messes as you bake, and comes in seven lovely colors. The colors don't extend down the entirety of the stand mixer, instead acting as a pop of color on the tilt-head itself.

We did love how powerful it was, as well as how easily we were able to work the machine thanks to the intuitive layout of the controls. 

Need to know

When we tested the Smeg Retro Stand Mixer we found it a little large, which makes it perfectly positioned for larger kitchens with sprawling counter space, but too expansive for apartments or tighter spaces. 

The KitchenAid Classic Plus sells out a lot less regularly than the Artisan, and it's also the cheapest KitchenAid on the market.

Why we love it 

Available with most retailers in black and white, what it lacks in color options it makes up for in value and space-efficiency. You'll get the same wire whisk, flat beater and dough hook as you'd expect with a regular KitchenAid, but they work with the 4.4 quart bowl to make batches of cookies, cake and bread for smaller households. 

Need to know

It caps out at 275 watts, which is nearly half that of some more high-end stand mixers, but for the money and the size it's a sacrifice worth making. The bowl comes without a handle, but as with all KitchenAids, you can buy new bowls to customize as you see fit. 

Who says you can't find one of the best stand mixers for under $100?

Why we love it

The Frigidaire ESTM020 Stand Mixer has it all; the classic tilt-head, the three attachments and the attractive color options, all for under $100. 

Need to know

It's not as powerful as some of the options in our guide, so don't expect it to knead tough dough for prolonged periods of time, but it is a handy option to have in your kitchen and it looks lovely, too. 

Serious home chefs or batch bakers will love the KitchenAid Pro 5 Plus Stand Mixer. 

Why we love it

It's big, it's powerful and it's got the muscle to work through numerous batches of bread and cookies in one go. The 5 quart bowl can make 9 batches of cookies in one go and you can make the most of 10 speeds to work on high intensity or more gentle tasks. 

The mixer comes with a powerknead dough spiral, but you can pair it with everything from pasta rollers to food processor attachments to make the most of this versatile option. We're quite taken by the Ink Blue color, which is exclusive to Best Buy, but it's also available in red, black and silver. 

Need to know

With Professional quality comes professional price, so only invest if you know you'll need something with a large capacity and immense power. 

The Hamilton Beach Professional All-Metal Stand Mixer is new to the market, but Hamilton Beach's answer to a professional stand mixer is a promising one. 

Why we love it

It's got a 450-watt motor and comes with more attachments than the industry standard. This includes a flat beater, whisk, and spiral dough hook, as well as a pouring shield that prevents flour or sugar from going everywhere when you add them to the bowl. 

Need to know

It's not got the color options or the charming design of other stand mixers, but the Hamilton Beach Professional All-Metal Stand Mixer makes up for this in practicality. It's got a planetary mixing motion to leave no areas un-integrated, and the five year limited warranty is well above average. 

What is the best stand mixer?  

A classic for a reason; the best stand mixer in our guide is the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Qt. Stand Mixer.  It comes in over 42 colors and has a huge range of bowls to switch out your design and achieve your desired look, but it's also very capable of cooking up a storm in the kitchen. 

Our top budget pick is the Frigidaire ESTM020 Stand Mixer, which is the best stand mixer for under $100 for sale right now. It's also lovely to look at, with a range of colors and modest footprint for kitchens of any size. 

What to consider when looking for the best stand mixer

Size matters

How much space do you have to dedicate to a new stand mixer? Some stand mixers come with large mixing bowls and tilt-head designs that won't lift if placed under a cabinet. Others come with a more compact design, perfect for lifting into shelving units when not in use or leaving in a corner without losing a whole counter in your kitchen.

Looks aren't everything, but they do matter

A stand mixer is a style statement in any kitchen, which is why you'll find one displayed in just about any carefully composed kitchen. Smeg and KitchenAid certainly have the edge on style, but you may end up paying a premium for something that looks the part, when it's got just as much power as a less expensive option. 

Price can vary

If you want a top-of-the-range stand mixer, prepare to spend as much as $700 to get it. Some stand mixers cost less than $100, but they are hardly the kitchen workhorses you'll want for serious baking on a regular basis. A good middle ground between power and price is the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer, which lacks color options or classic style, but is a favorite with many home bakers and looks lovely too.  

The best stand mixer for you and your baking needs really depends on your budget and how often you’ll use this machine. Some mixers come with handy add-ons such as pasta makers and meat grinders to ensure they’re used regularly, but others have detachable mix heads and emphasize their primary function as stand mixers, with compact storage options. 

Built to last

One thing’s for sure - you’ll want a stand mixer which lasts the test of time. Some mixers come in durable plastic, but the best stand mixers have durable stainless steel finishes to make them last a lifetime.