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If you’re getting serious about baking, or even just making a lot of homemade pizza dough, you’ve probably hit “the wall.” That point where your hand mixer is smoking and your arms feel like they’re going to fall off. You know it’s time for the “big gun”: a stand mixer.
But let’s be honest. When most people say “stand mixer,” they just mean “KitchenAid.”
That iconic, colorful machine has been the king for decades. But is it *still* the best? Or are you just paying for the name? We dove into the **best stand mixers** on the market, comparing the legendary KitchenAid to its toughest competitors to see who’s *really* worth your counter space (and your cash).
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The 3 Best Stand Mixers: At a Glance
1. Best Overall (The Icon): KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart
The legend. It’s the standard for a reason. Powerful, reliable, comes in 50+ colors, and has a “power hub” for dozens of attachments (pasta maker, meat grinder, etc.).
2. Best Power/Value: Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer
The muscle-bound challenger. This Cuisinart has a more powerful motor (500 watts vs. KitchenAid’s 325) and a larger bowl, often for a *much* lower price. A true workhorse.
3. Best Budget Pick: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer 4-Quart
For the casual baker. If you’re not kneading heavy dough every week and just want help with cookies and cakes, this Hamilton Beach gets the job done for a fraction of the price.
In-Depth Reviews of the Best Stand Mixers
1. KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer
Best Overall (“The Icon”)
This is the mixer you see on every cooking show. The Artisan is the perfect blend of power, size, and style. Its “tilt-head” design makes it easy to add ingredients, and the 5-quart bowl is big enough for 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in one batch.
But the real secret weapon? The front “Power Hub.” You can attach over 15 optional accessories (sold separately) that turn it into a pasta maker, a meat grinder, a vegetable spiralizer… you name it. It’s not just a mixer; it’s the center of your kitchen. With a 325-watt motor, it handles tough bread dough without complaining.
Verdict
It’s the industry standard for a reason. If you want a reliable, beautiful machine that can do *everything* (with attachments) and will last for 20 years, just get the KitchenAid.
Pros:
- Iconic, beautiful design (50+ colors)
- Power Hub for 15+ attachments (super versatile)
- Durable, all-metal construction
- Excellent mixing performance (planetary action)
Cons:
- Premium price tag
- Heavy (over 20 lbs)
2. Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer
Best Power/Value (“The Muscle”)
Cuisinart looked at the KitchenAid and said, “We can do that, but with more power, for less money.” And they basically did. The SM-50 comes with a beefy 500-watt motor (compared to the Artisan’s 325-watt). This thing chews through stiff dough with zero struggle.
It also gives you a slightly larger 5.5-quart bowl and 12 speeds (vs. KitchenAid’s 10) for more precise control. It’s also a “tilt-head” design and feels very sturdy and well-built. It has its own attachment hub on the front, but the accessory range isn’t as huge as KitchenAid’s.
For the price, the power and capacity you get are just incredible. It’s the practical choice.
Verdict
If you care more about raw power and bowl size than you do about brand name or color options, the Cuisinart SM-50 is arguably a better value than the KitchenAid. A true workhorse.
Pros:
- Very powerful 500-watt motor
- Large 5.5-quart bowl
- Excellent value for the price
- Solid 3-year warranty
Cons:
- Fewer color options
- Attachment ecosystem isn’t as big as KitchenAid’s
3. Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer 4-Quart
Best Budget Pick (“The Starter”)
Okay, what if you just want to make cookies or a birthday cake once a month? Do you really need to spend $300? Nope. The Hamilton Beach is the perfect “starter” mixer. It does the job for occasional baking without the huge price.
It has a 4-quart bowl, 7 speeds, and a 300-watt motor, which is plenty for cake batter, whipped cream, and light cookie dough. It might struggle a bit with a very stiff, large batch of bread dough, but for most everyday tasks, it’s a champ. It’s also much lighter and easier to move around.
(Once you’ve baked that perfect bread, you’ll need the perfect pot to make soup with it. Check out our guide to the best cookware sets to complete your kitchen.)
Verdict
For the casual baker who wants to ditch the hand mixer but isn’t ready to invest in a “pro” machine, this is the one. It’s the best budget stand mixer, hands down.
Pros:
- Extremely affordable price
- Great for everyday tasks (cakes, cookies, whipped cream)
- Lightweight and easy to store
Cons:
- Will struggle with heavy bread dough
- Build quality isn’t “buy it for life”
Final Verdict: So, Which Stand Mixer Should You Get?
Here’s the simple breakdown:
Get the KitchenAid Artisan if: You’re a serious baker, you love the “iconic” look, and you want the *option* to buy attachments for pasta, meat grinding, etc. It’s an ecosystem.
Get the Cuisinart SM-50 if: You’re a practical, power-user. You want the most power and capacity for your money and don’t care as much about brand name or 50 color choices.
Get the Hamilton Beach if: You’re a casual baker on a budget. You just want something to make cookies and cakes way easier than a hand mixer.
