No kitchen is complete without the best stand mixer. These kitchen classics not only look the part, they're also capable of kneading, whipping and beating together all of your baking ingredients. For hobbyist bakers, you may be looking for a cheaper stand mixer for under £100. Those who want a stand mixer that makes a statement will love the classic KitchenAid or a retro-style Smeg mixer that packs in style and plenty of substance.
Most of the best stand mixers come with numerous attachments for making cake, bread and even meringues, but there are also optional add-ons to some of the smarter mixers in our lineup. This includes pasta maker attachments, spiralizer attachments and even ice cream makers for the ultimate summer dessert.
For more kitchen multi-taskers check out our guide to the best blenders to blitz up your soup and smoothies, and for the best stand mixers just keep reading.
The best stand mixer 2021
If you’re an avid baker, this professional stand mixer from Sage by Heston Blumenthal is a must-have gadget. Allowing you to mix a range of different ingredients quickly and easily, you'll be making everything from thick dough to delicate fluffy meringues in no time.
Your new kitchen helper
The Sage The Bakery Boss by Heston Blumenthal has a different take on speed dials when you compare it to the other stand mixers on the market. Instead of leaving the guesswork to you, this stand mixer lights up as you turn up the speed to tell you when you're in creaming, folding, whipping or kneading territory, meaning you won't have any overworked batter or under-beaten egg whites. It also comes complete with a timer, meaning you can leave this mixer to work its magic, while you get on with other tasks.
It's got the power
Its 1200 watt motor has four times the power of the average KitchenAid, which is just as well, because the 4.7 litre mixing bowl can handle some seriously big batches.
Make the smoothest, thickest dough around with the Kenwood kMix KMX754 Stand Mixer. Its high-capacity bowl is made for serious bakers who want to make large quantities of dough – ideal for pizza, cakes and much more.
Easy to clean
All of the attachments and bowls are dishwasher safe, making this food mixer extremely low maintenance and easy to use. This includes the iconic K flat beater, the twisted dough hook and the wire whisk.
Smart controls
The side dial makes it easier to feel in control of the speed of your machine, but keep in mind it has to face you as it mixes. These controls also build up gradually as you increase speed, which prevents any spills or clouds of flour in your kitchen.
The Morphy Richards MixStar probably doesn't look like any stand mixer you've seen before - after all, where's the stand? This compact design takes all its power from the sturdy stand, which attaches to a central column onto which you can attach whisks, flat beaters and dough hooks.
Easy to store
In testing, the Morphy Richards MixStar blew our socks off. It's got a lot of power for something so compact, and because all the muscle comes from the base it's pretty sturdy too. The bowl has an insert that fits all the attachments neatly, and the bowl is squat and wide meaning it will fit under just about any kitchen shelf.
Smart extras
We love the in-built timer with this mixer, which keeps track of your recipes as you work and pauses when you stop for a taste or to add extra ingredients. We were particularly impressed with the bread kneading in the MixStar, which went very well because of the two-sided attachments you get with the central column.
Designed with the same iconic 50s styling Smeg is renowned for, the SMF01 Stand Mixer makes a timeless addition to any kitchen, whatever your interiors style, and is available in a variety of colours.
Quality construction
In addition to a 4.8ltr high-polished stainless steel bowl and a die-cast aluminium body, it boasts 10 different speed settings which ensure you achieve your desired mixture consistency. As if this wasn't enough, a range of accessories is also available to help with a range of cooking and baking tasks.
Love the look
This 50's-style mixer will pair with matching kettles and toasters, for a coordinated retro kitchen. We found it incredibly easy to use when we put it to the test, and it comes with an edge beater as standard which can't be said for a lot of the best stand mixers. Yes it's weighty and hard to shift, but with such a lovely looking appliance, why would you ever want to move it from the kitchen counter?
If you fancy yourself a bit of a Mary Berry, then this KitchenAid 175 Artisan Stand Mixer is the ultimate tool for you. It comes in a huge range of colours to suit all styles of kitchen, and a range of attachments so you can whip up anything from frosting to creamy mashed potato
Premium option
Although pricey, if you are passionate about baking, this is a stunning food mixer that will look good and stand the test of time on your kitchen worktop. It's got so many optional attachments that you'll never run out of new recipes to try in it, from pasta makers to sausage stuffers. It really does do it all!
A classic for a reason
When we tested the KitchenAid Artisan we loved the results. It's especially great for cake, but may struggle with large batches of bread. The attachments are tactile and easy to clean, and while it's a heavy unit, it looks great sitting on the counter.
Another of our top picks, when it comes to the best food mixers, is the stylish and versatile Russell Hobbs Go Create Stand Mixer, which comes with a very reasonable price tag.
Smart extras
In addition to the large capacity bowl, which is perfect for all types of dough and cake batters, this stand mixer also has a ten-speed control and planetary mixing action. Attachments include a whisk, mixing beater, and dough hook and splash guard.
Looks the part
That classic stand mixer design is not lost on the Go Create. What you do lose is that sturdy metal design, because this mixer has more plastic than some of the other models out there. It also isn't the quietest but hey, for this price, it's a really great option for the best cheap stand mixer.
How to buy the best stand mixer
Our top retailers for the best stand mixers
When it comes to buying the best stand mixer to suit your needs, there are a few factors and functions we'd recommend considering:
Is it a stand mixer that you actually want?
Food mixers are a baker's best friend, allowing users to whisk and whip ingredients with ease. If you're looking for something that can whizz up soups, smoothies, and the like, you might be better suited to a food processor.
Ease of use
The whole point in a stand mixer is to make your life easier. With that in mind, look out for devices that are easy to use and subsequently easy to clean. Some parts may be dishwasher safe, while others are not, and some machines are louder than others.
Cost
A top quality stand mixer can cost anything from £100 to £800, but there are plenty around for those on a budget, too.
The price does not always reflect the quality, so it is important to look for the features you want and consider what you want to use it for before buying something expensive that doesn’t cater to your needs.
What is the best standmixer?
In our opinion, the best food mixer currently available comes in the form of the Sage by Heston Blumenthal Bakery Boss, a professional grade mixer which is perfect for keen bakers.
Designed with the capacity to mix a range of ingredients, quickly, you'll be making everything from thick dough to fluffy meringues in no time. Plus, it comes complete with a built-in timer, which means you can leave it to work its magic.
