An electric mixer saves you from beating batter, whipping cream and kneading dough by hand. There are two main types. Stand mixers sit on the counter and do heavy work on their own, while hand mixers are lighter, cheaper and easier to store. Think about how often you bake and how much counter space you can spare before choosing a type.
The six mixers below cover both types: three stand mixers and three hand mixers from well-known brands. Capacity and attachments vary by listing, so we describe them in general terms. We have not used these products ourselves, so please confirm sizes, features and details on the current listing before you buy.
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What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Stand mixers handle bread dough; hand mixers are lighter and cheaper |
| Bowl size | A larger bowl suits big batches and double recipes |
| Attachments | Whisk, beater and dough hook cover most recipes |
| Storage | Hand mixers tuck away; stand mixers often live on the counter |
Specs at a Glance
| Mixer | Type | Bowl | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer | Stand mixer | 5-quart class | Iconic design |
| Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer | Stand mixer | Large bowl | Multiple speeds |
| Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Stand Mixer | Stand mixer | 4-quart class | Budget-friendly |
| KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer | Hand mixer | Any bowl | Colorful options |
| Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer | Hand mixer | Any bowl | Scraping beaters |
| Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer | Hand mixer | Any bowl | Budget-friendly |
The 6 Best Electric Mixers
1. KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
A famous tilt-head stand mixer with a big range of colors and attachments. It is the standard many home bakers start with for bread, cookies and cakes. It handles bread dough, heavy batter and large batches of cookies without strain.
Suits: frequent bakers. Strengths: a wide range of attachments and finishes. Weaknesses: it is heavy and takes up counter space. Skip it if you only bake once in a while.
View KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer on Amazon
2. Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer
A Cuisinart stand mixer with a large bowl and a wide range of speeds. It is a respected alternative for bakers who want strong performance. Check the current listing for the exact bowl capacity and attachments.
Suits: home bakers. Strengths: a roomy bowl and good power. Weaknesses: it is large to store. Skip it if you have a small kitchen.
View Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer on Amazon
3. Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Stand Mixer
A budget-friendly stand mixer from a well-known small appliance brand. It is a good way to start with a stand mixer without a large outlay. Check the current listing for the capacity and included attachments.
Suits: occasional baking. Strengths: a friendly price. Weaknesses: it is lighter duty than premium models. Skip it if you bake stiff dough often.
View Hamilton Beach Eclectrics Stand Mixer on Amazon
4. KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer
A hand mixer with five speeds from the same brand as the famous stand mixers. It suits small kitchens and everyday baking. Its light weight makes it easy to hold and store in a drawer.
Suits: everyday baking. Strengths: a trusted name and several colors. Weaknesses: fewer speeds than premium hand mixers. Skip it if you want to knead bread dough.
View KitchenAid 5-Speed Ultra Power Hand Mixer on Amazon
5. Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
A hand mixer with scraping beaters that clean the bowl as they turn. It appeals to bakers who like clever design.
Suits: clean bowl mixing. Strengths: scraping beaters and smart design. Weaknesses: it costs more than simple mixers. Skip it if you want a basic mixer.
View Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer on Amazon
6. Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer
A budget-friendly hand mixer from a well-known small appliance brand. It has six speeds and a case for the beaters.
Suits: casual baking. Strengths: an easy price and a handy case. Weaknesses: it is less powerful than premium models. Skip it if you mix heavy dough.
View Hamilton Beach 6-Speed Hand Mixer on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Wash beaters and bowls right after use.
- Wipe the mixer body with a damp cloth only.
- Start on a low speed to avoid splashes.
- Store attachments together so none get lost.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overloading a hand mixer with stiff dough.
- Starting on high speed.
- Ignoring the bowl capacity.
- Putting motors in water.
Electric Mixer FAQ
Stand mixer or hand mixer?
A stand mixer is better for bread and big batches. A hand mixer is lighter, cheaper and easy to store.
Is a tilt-head stand mixer okay for bread?
Yes for most home loaves, though very stiff dough can strain lighter models.
What attachments should I expect?
Most stand mixers include a flat beater, a whisk and a dough hook. Hand mixers include two beaters.
Where do I store a stand mixer?
Many people keep it on the counter because of its weight. Check the dimensions before buying.
The Short Version
For an iconic stand mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan. For a strong alternative, the Cuisinart Precision Master. For budget stand mixing, the Hamilton Beach. For a hand mixer, the KitchenAid 5-Speed. For a clean bowl, the Breville Handy Mix. For a budget hand mixer, the Hamilton Beach 6-Speed.