Delonghi DSM5

Reviews say that 5-quart DeLonghi DSM5, which is known in other countries as the Kenwood Chef Classic, is an excellent performer. The DeLonghi stand mixer's design helps keep ingredients low in the bowl, which minimizes the need to scrape down the sides. In expert tests, however, the DeLonghi mixer wobbled and made noise while mixing heavy ingredients. The larger and more powerful DeLonghi DSM7 performed similarly. But its 7-quart bowl is so large that this model has difficulty mixing small amounts, and reaching into the deep bowl can be awkward. On consumer review sites, some owners say that the DeLonghi stand mixer is better than its competitors, while others complain that this machine, which is hard to find in stores, is only average in overall quality. Several owners say that replacement parts are hard to find. The DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 have a sleek appearance, and come with dishwasher-safe parts, a splash guard, dough hook, whisk and beater. In the same price range as the DeLonghi mixers, the KitchenAid Professional 600 (*est. $350) and Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer (*est. $350) receive more consistent reviews.

Cook's Illustrated and Consumer, a New Zealand magazine, have both included the DeLonghi DSM5 in their tests of stand mixers. This model and the larger DSM7 (*est. $460) have garnered more than 50 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions.