Mixers: Reviews

Updated December 2011

If you only cook occasionally, a good hand mixer is all you need. But if you're a serious baker, a stand mixer is far better for preparing cake batter or bread dough. ConsumerSearch consulted professional tests and user reviews to find the best mixers. Here, we share the results as well as tips for getting the most out of your stand or hand mixer.

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Best stand mixer overall

KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

*Est. $300 Compare Prices

Most reviewers say the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer is the best choice for serious bakers. This stand mixer, which has a roomy 5-quart bowl and enough power to mix larger batches, consistently outperforms other… expandmodels when it comes to mixing stiff cookie dough, kneading bread dough and whipping air into ingredients. It comes with three attachments -- a flat beater for mixing batters, a whisk and a C-shaped dough hook with a disk at the top to prevent sticking. Reviewers say its 10 variable speeds and splash guard with chute for adding ingredients make it easy to use. Another perk: The KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer comes in 25 color choices. It carries a one-year warranty. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors at ConsumerReports.org test the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer among 25 stand mixers.

Good Housekeeping: Editors at the Good Housekeeping Research Institute put a dozen stand mixers through a multitude of tests, including whipping egg whites and cream, mixing cookie dough and cake batter, and kneading bread dough.

Choice magazine: Australia's Choice magazine tests 12 stand mixers for ease of use, noise and performance using all three attachments: whisking egg whites, mixing cake batter and kneading pizza dough in less than five minutes with the dough hook.

Cooking.com: This site continues to provide a broad range of interesting user-generated comments across a wide spectrum of the mixer market.

Amazon.com: The KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer receives an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 1,900 reviewers.

Only-Cookware.com: Only-Cookware.com provides a recent in-depth review of the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer.

Viewpoints.com: The KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer is the top-rated mixer at Viewpoints.com.

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Buy from Amazon for $288.12
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Best budget stand mixer

KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

If most of your cooking duties amount to lighter tasks, such as whipping cream and blending cake batter, reviewers say the highly rated KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer will suit your needs. This stand mixer looks… expandsimilar to the more expensive KitchenAid Artisan but it has a less powerful motor and smaller 4.5-quart bowl. The Classic Series has no handle on the bowl, which may be a drawback for users who find mixer bowls with handles easier to maneuver. Another key difference: this stand mixer is only available in white. Experts say the KitchenAid Classic's performance is comparable to the Artisan at lighter duty tasks, although some owners say the mixing power seemed to lessen after frequent heavy mixing. The warranty on this KitchenAid mixer is one year. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors at ConsumerReports.org test the KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer and 24 other models.

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Editors at Cook's Illustrated magazine ask the question, "Can you buy a solid mixer for under $200?" These less expensive mixers have a smaller-sized mixing bowl (under 5 quarts). Eight mixers are tested with mixing cookie dough, kneading pizza dough, creaming butter with sugar and whipping cream.

Viewpoints.com: The KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer receives an overall rating of 4.8 stars out of 5 from nearly 1,050 owners.

Amazon.com: Several models of KitchenAid mixers have accumulated hundreds of owner-written reviews at Amazon.com.

Walmart.com: Owners can rate stand mixers on value, meets expectations, features, durability and appearance at Walmart.com.

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Buy from Amazon for $179.00
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Best hand mixer

Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer

*Est. $50 Compare Prices

The Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer's power rivals that of a stand mixer for whipping cream and mixing cake batter and cookie dough. Of course, since it is compact in size, it can easily be tucked into a… expanddrawer. Reviewers even say it does a decent job of kneading dough and that its stainless-steel whisk attachment whips ingredients beautifully. Users like the versatility of its seven speeds, and the slow-start feature limits splattering when the mixer is initially turned on. According to reviewers, the fuss-free digital control pad is easier to read and clean than raised buttons. This hand mixer is only available in white and is covered by a three-year warranty. collapse

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: Editors at ConsumerReports.org compare the Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer against eight other models.

Cook's Illustrated Magazine: Editors at Cook's Illustrated magazine evaluate the Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer and six other models.

Cooking.com: Reviews for the Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer and Cuisinart Power Advantage 5-Speed Hand Mixer are grouped together at Cooking.com.

Amazon.com: The Cuisinart Power Advantage 7-Speed Hand Mixer is the top-rated hand mixer with an overall rating of 4.1 stars out of 5 from about 150 owners.

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