KitchenAid Classic Plus Stand Mixer
Make up to six dozen cookies at once with the KitchenAid Classic Plus! Featuring 4.5 quart stainless steel bowl, tilting head, and variable 10-speed power control, the KitchenAid is a must-have for any kitchen.
With a wide range of add-on options, your KitchenAid mixer will allow you to do away with many other appliances and gadgets such as juicers and pasta makers. With the soft start mechanics, you can mix without having to worry about ingredient splash and flour puff because it starts at a slow speed. And with 10 speed options, you have enough power to mix just about anything you want.
While higher-end models and other brands have added handles to their mixing bowls, a potential draw back of the Classic is that it does not have this feature.
This is one appliance that you will likely want to leave on the counter as it is quite cumbersome to regularly have to pull out of a cabinet and put away when done. However, its stylish look makes for a great accent piece anyway.
Pros
- Soft start to avoid splatter
- Locking head for secure mixing
- Heirloom quality construction
- Planetary dual-motion mixing
Cons
- Coated flat beater and dough hook rather than stainless steel
- No handle on mixing bowl
Key Features
- Tilt-head with lock
- Locking 4.5 quart stainless steel mixing bowl
- Variable 10-speed power
- Flat beater, dough hook, and 6-wire whip
Specifications
- Brand: KitchenAid
- Dimensions: 14 x 8.8 x 14 inches
- Weight: 22 pounds
- Wattage: 275
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal 12-Speed Electric Stand Mixer
The Hamilton Beach Eclectrics stand mixer is a great option for those who are in the market for a high quality, long-lasting mixer that won’t break the bank. With this mixer, whipping up your favorite from-scratch baked goods is easier than ever.
The Eclectrics stand mixer is most comparable to our Editor’s Choice mixer from KitchenAid. With 12 speed options, this mixer comes with a 4.5 quart stainless steel mixing bowl that will lock into the mixer, and even includes a handle for easy pouring. Coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, and pouring shield all come standard and will provide any level of cook a fantastic assistant in the kitchen.
We love this mixer because it’s designed for durability and quick mixing––the die-cast metal finish offers a timeless design and the powerful 400 watt motor that is built to last.
Key Features
- Variable 12-speed power
- Locking 4.5 quart stainless steel mixing bowl with handle
- Coated flat beater, coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, and pouring shield
Specifications
- Brand: Hamilton Beach
- Dimensions: 9 x 14 x 14 inches
- Weight: 21 pounds
- Wattage: 400
Aucma Stand Mixer
Need to bake for a crowd? Look no further than the Acuma Stand Mixer to get you started. With the 6.5 quart stainless steel mixing bowl, this mixer has the plenty of room for all your mixing needs without splatter. Plus, the bowl has two handles making transferring the batter from bowl to baking dish that much simpler.
We love this mixer because it is constructed with lightweight plastic, making it simpler to store and carry around. We also like the blue LED power light indicator on the speed control dial so you always know when your mixer is ready to go.
Similar to the other products that have already been reviewed, the Aucma comes standard with a dough hook, flat beater, whisk, and splash guard for whatever mix your recipes may throw at you. Plus, the tilt-head design allows you to easily install or install your mixing bowl or accessories as needed.
Overall, the Acuma is a great mixer for the everyday baker who is need of a mixer that will get the job done in a pinch.
Key Features
- 6.5 quart stainless steel bowl with handles
- 6-speed control with LED power light
- Dough hook, flat beater, whisk, and splash guard
Specifications
- Brand: Aucma
- Dimensions: 15.2 x 9.4 x 12.4 inches
- Weight: 13.85 pounds
- Wattage: 660
Dash Stand Mixer
Though The Dash Stand Mixer is a bit smaller than the others on this list, don’t let that fool you, this mixer still packs a punch.
The Dash is optimal for kitchens with small mixing projects and cluttered countertops. We love this mixer because at under five pounds, this is an appliance you can easily store away in a cabinet or pantry to conserve counter space. And if, for whatever reason, you need to take your mixer on the go, this one will surely be the least hassle.
We also love the trendy retro design. And with six color options, it will look great in any kitchen. Another plus is that the Dash mixer comes with a recipe book, so you’ll get to bake your favorites and try out new recipes along the way.
The stationary attachments are similar to that of a hand mixer and will require you to use a spatula more regularly to ensure even mixing. However, the base is adjustable to ensure you are able to reach each side of the bowl as well. It comes with a three quart stainless steel mixing bowl and two traditional mixer beaters and two dough hooks.
Key Features
- Variable 6-speed power
- 3 quart stainless steel bowl
- Two mixer beaters and two dough hooks
- Recipe book
Specifications
- Brand: Dash
- Dimensions: 8 x 10.5 x 11.5 inches
- Weight: 2.65 pounds
- Wattage: 250
Not all kitchen stand mixers are created equal, and it is important to do your research and ensure the product you purchase is the best choice for your needs. Construction, attachment options, and usability are all important factors to consider before dropping a substantial amount of money on a kitchen appliance.
Construction
The top of the line models are all built entirely out of strong die-cast metal both for durability as well as stability, however this comes with higher sticker prices as well. These units are heavy, making them stable even during high speed mixing, but it also makes them cumbersome to store in a cabinet. Other units use an ABS plastic to form the main structure of the mixer which is far lighter and easier to store between uses. However, at high speeds, the plastic will be less stable. This greatly reduces the cost of the unit however and makes for a more affordable option for many households. The mixing bowls themselves are almost always made from durable stainless steel even if the unit itself is not, but make sure to verify before purchase.
Attachments
A mixer is only as good as the beaters it uses. Most high-end models feature what some would call a “planetary” rotation where the beater itself spins in place while the plate that the beater connects into also rotates with the attachment off to one side. This dual-action rotation ensures that the mixture is worked evenly throughout the bowl. Other mixers offer up stationary beaters that simply spin in place, similar to that of a hand mixer.
Varied beater attachments help with additional mixtures and will vary depending on the model. Most will come with a traditional beater, but others will include a whisk attachment or dough hook among others. Top brands include an outlet for additional attachments such as food processors, pasta makers, and juicers to be utilized using the same device.
Usability
Usability includes ease of preparing the mixer for use, mixing capabilities, and cleanup. Lighter options are easy to store in a cabinet or pantry, while heavier mixers are often better off left on the counter due to their sheer size and weight. If your kitchen is cluttered, a smaller, lighter option that can be stored away after use would be preferable. For those with plenty of counter space, consider just leaving your mixer out to increase the likelihood that you will use it regularly, not to mention to show off your beautiful kitchen gadget!
Make sure to find a model that will be able to handle the work you give it. If you will regularly be making thick mixtures such as bread dough or shredding large quantities of meat, you will want to spring for a higher-end mixer with more power and a sturdier construction. If the extent of your mixing needs is the occasional cake mix, then a more cheaply built and affordable option is all that you are likely to need. Don’t over buy to “keep up with the Jones” if you and the Jones family have very different cooking needs.
Lastly, consider cleanup. If you prefer to throw everything in the dishwasher then make sure to find materials that will be suitable for the dishwasher. Certain materials are just safer to hand wash and it is important to know that up front, and some will caution you to hand-wash items even if they say they are dishwasher safe, so use your best judgement.
