Stand mixers for beginners? We’ve done the heavy lifting so you can focus on the mixing!
Are you ready to upgrade your cooking game? A stand mixer is a must-have for any home cook, and it’s a particularly great tool for beginners. But with so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one.
But don’t you worry, dear reader, because we’ve done the legwork for you and rounded up the very best stand mixers for beginners. We’ve selected mixers at a variety of price points and with different features, so you can find the one that’s perfect for your needs and budget.
Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking to replace your old mixer, we’ve got you covered. So, put on your apron and get ready to mix, knead, and beat like a pro.
Without further ado, let’s dive into it.
Best Stand Mixers for Beginners
The perfect choice for beginners with its durable all-metal construction, and spacious stainless steel bowl. Trust KitchenAid, the reliable American company that's been making beloved stand mixers since 1919.
Everyone knows that, when it comes to stand mixers, KitchenAid is a household name that you can trust. The company has been making high-quality mixers since 1919, and the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt. Stand Mixer is no exception.
Built to last with a sturdy and durable all-metal construction, this mixer is designed to handle even the thickest doughs with ease. The spacious, dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl has a capacity of 4.5 quarts, so you can mix up enough batter for a crowd. And the 275W motor with 10 speeds lets you knead, mix, and whip ingredients for a variety of recipes.
It’s about more than just the motor; this KitchenAid stand mixer also comes with a coated flat beater, a coated dough hook, and a 6-wire balloon whip, so you can tackle all kinds of recipes with confidence.
Why wait? Take your home cooking game from drab to fab with the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt. Stand Mixer and join the millions of home cooks who have relied on this American company for all their mixing needs.
Die-cast all-metal construction, powerful motor, and 7 speeds. Its tilt-head design and dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl make it easy to use and clean.
Whether our top pick is out of stock or you’re the type of shopper who likes to have options, our runner-up, the GE Tilt-Head 5.3-Qt. Stand Mixer, is a formidable contender in the stand mixer game for beginners.
With its die-cast all-metal construction and powerful 350W motor with 7 speeds, this mixer can handle just about anything you throw at it. And thanks to its soft start feature, you can mix flours and batters without making a mess.
But it’s not just about power—this stand mixer made it on our list because of its ease of use. The tilt-head design gives you easy access to the bowl, so you can add ingredients or scrape down the sides without any fuss. And when you’re done, the 5.3 qt. stainless steel bowl is dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning.
In addition to the coated flat beater, the coated dough hook, and the wire whisk, this mixer also comes with a pouring shield to keep your counter mess-free. All in all, the GE Tilt-Head 5.3-Qt. Stand Mixer is a solid choice for the beginner home baker.
Budget-friendly option. High-quality performance with planetary mixer design, tilt-head feature, and 300W motor with 7 speeds. The 4-qt. stainless steel mixing bowl is dishwasher-friendly and comes with a splash guard.
Attention, budget-conscious bakers! Just because you don’t want to spend a fortune on a stand mixer doesn’t mean you have to settle for subpar performance. Meet the Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Stand Mixer, our budget pick that delivers the goods without breaking the bank.
Despite its lower price tag, this planetary mixer stands up well to its more expensive counterparts. Its tilt-head design gives you easy access to the 4-qt. dishwasher-friendly stainless steel mixing bowl with a handy splash guard. And while the body of the mixer isn’t metal, it’s sturdier than you might think.
So don’t let the lower price fool you—this budget-friendly mixer packs a punch with its 300W motor and 7 speeds. And it comes equipped with all the attachments you need to get started, including a dough hook, whisk, and flat beater.
If your budget is too tight for our top pick or runner-up, get your bake on with the Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Stand Mixer.
Why We Picked the Stand Mixers We Picked
Top Pick
When it comes to stand mixers, it’s hard to beat the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt. Stand Mixer. This mixer is our top pick for a variety of reasons, but the biggest one is its sturdy and durable all-metal construction. You can trust that this mixer will last for years, no matter how many batches of cookies you make.
Another reason we love this mixer is its spacious and dishwasher-safe stainless steel bowl. With a capacity of 4.5 quarts, you’ll have plenty of room to mix up enough batter for a crowd. And when you’re done, just toss the bowl in the dishwasher and let it do the work for you.
And if you want to extend the appliance’s utility even further, you can purchase additional attachments like a food grinder or pasta maker. Overall, the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt. Stand Mixer provides the best value for the money for most home cooks, which is why and how it ended up on top of our list.
Runner-Up
The GE Tilt-Head 5.3-Qt Stand Mixer earned the spot as our runner-up.
One reason it didn’t quite make it to the top of our list is that it’s bigger than our top pick, which means the bowl has more capacity, but it also takes up more space on your counter. If you’ve got a small kitchen or limited counter space, this might not be the best choice for you.
Another reason is that the motor has 7 speeds, compared to the KitchenAid Classic Series mixer’s 10 speeds. While 7 speeds is still plenty for most home bakers, those who frequently tackle thicker doughs or heavier mixes might find the extra precision of a 10-speed mixer more appealing.
But don’t get us wrong, the GE Tilt-Head 5.3-Qt Stand Mixer is still a solid choice for the beginner home baker. Its die-cast all-metal construction, powerful motor, and convenient tilt-head design make it a reliable and easy-to-use option.
Budget Pick
The Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Stand Mixer is our budget pick because it’s sturdy, functional, and built to last. Despite its lower price point, this planetary mixer is more than capable of tackling all your mixing needs.
Although the body of the mixer isn’t metal, the construction is sturdier and the mixer itself is less shaky than you might think.
This budget-friendly mixer comes equipped with all the attachments you need to get started, including a dough hook, whisk, and flat beater. So if you’re looking for a reliable stand mixer that won’t break the bank—and is less likely to break than the other appliances in its price category—the Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Stand Mixer is the way to go.
How to Pick a Good Stand Mixer
When it comes to finding the perfect stand mixer for your home cooking needs, there are a few key things to keep in mind.
First and foremost, think about the build quality. You don’t want a mixer that’s going to break on you after just a few uses, so look for one with a sturdy, durable construction. This might mean opting for a mixer with a metal body or at least one that comes with a good warranty.
Next, think about the bowl’s capacity. How much space do you have in your kitchen, and how much do you typically bake? If you’re only making small batches of cookies or muffins, a smaller mixer with a smaller bowl might be enough. But if you’re a bread-baking enthusiast or you like to entertain, you’ll probably want a larger mixer with a bigger bowl.
Power and mixing speeds are two other important factors to consider. A more powerful mixer will be able to handle thicker doughs and heavier mixes, but it will also be louder and potentially more expensive. Speeds give greater control over the process and outcome. Decide how much power you need based on what you’ll be using your mixer for.
Finally, the attachments. The basic attachments you’ll want are a dough hook, whisk, and flat beater, but some mixers, like our top pick, can be extended with additional attachments like a meat grinder or pasta maker. If you know you’ll be using these extras, make sure to get a mixer that comes with them or is compatible with them.
How to Use and Care For Your Stand Mixer
Using and caring for a stand mixer is straightforward; you just have to stick to a few rules.
To get started, simply attach the bowl to the base of the mixer and choose your desired speed setting. Then, add your ingredients to the bowl and let the mixer do the work for you. Depending on your recipe, you may need to use a specific attachment like the dough hook or whisk.
One of the most important things to get right when using your stand mixer is the mixing speed. If you go too slow, you might not fully incorporate your ingredients, resulting in an uneven texture or flavor. But if you go too fast, you risk over-mixing and potentially ruining your recipe.
It’s all about understanding the ingredients you’re working with and the consistency you’re trying to achieve. Suppose you’re making a simple cake batter. You’ll want to start on a low speed and gradually increase as you add your dry ingredients. This will help prevent a floury mess all over your kitchen.
The key, no matter what you’re mixing, is to start low and gradually work your way up if and as needed. And if you’re ever unsure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and go slower rather than faster. With a little practice, you’ll get a feel for the right speeds for different recipes and ingredients.
To clean your stand mixer, start by unplugging it and removing the bowl and attachments. The bowl and attachments are usually dishwasher-safe, so you can just toss them in the dishwasher. If you’d rather wash them by hand, just use a soft sponge and some mild dish soap to scrub them clean.
As for the body of the mixer, use a damp cloth to wipe it down. Avoid using abrasive cleaners or sponges, as they can scratch the surface. If your mixer comes with a splash guard, be sure to remove it and clean it separately.
Why Trust Our Picks
If you’re reading this product roundup, chances are you’re in the market for a stand mixer—and you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the options out there. Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered. We spent a few days researching the best stand mixers for beginners, so you don’t have to.
We read through product specs, owner’s manuals, and customer reviews to separate the good from the bad and the fact from the fiction. We then came up with a list of contenders and scrutinized our picks once more until we arrived at our selection:
- Top pick: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt. Stand Mixer
- Runner-up: GE Tilt-Head 5.3-Qt. Stand Mixer
- Budget pick: Hamilton Beach 4-Qt. Stand Mixer
We’ve included options at a variety of price points and with different features, so you can find the one that’s perfect for your needs and budget. So go ahead, put on your apron and get cooking!
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