ConsFirst / Stand mixers
Stand mixers: the downsides, first
A stand mixer is a big purchase, and some popular models struggle with bread dough from day one. Here are the most popular models in the US, with owner complaints about dough, mixing and reliability up front.
8 models compared20 sources readUpdated October 2026
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All 8 stand mixers, ranked
Ranked by test scores, minus how common and serious the complaints are. How we rank
#1
KitchenAid
$$$Tilt-head5 qtScore 4.0/5
5%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools all KSM150PS colors (about 23,200 ratings).The default pick of nearly every expert: simple, stable, repairable and good at almost everything. It is less happy with stiff bread dough, and its first speed is fast enough to throw flour.
Top complaints
- Strains or walks with stiff doughVery common
Serious Eats says the tilt-head Artisan struggles with stiffer bread and pizza dough and tends to walk if you bake lots of bread. Food Network saw it jump on the counter with heavier breads at higher speeds.
- Durability and reliability split ownersMentioned often
Amazon's review summary says customers disagree on durability and reliability (durability: 227 positive vs 198 negative mentions). Low-star Walmart reviews describe a paddle coating peeling, overheating with a burning smell, a screeching motor, and a latch that sticks.
- Fast first speed, no half speedMentioned often
Wirecutter says it has one of the fastest first speeds it has tested, so dry ingredients can puff out as a flour cloud. Serious Eats also finds the tapered, footed bowl harder to scrape.
What owners love
- Handles almost any recipe
Wirecutter has used it since 2013 for cookie dough, bagel dough, batters and pizza dough without stalling, wobbling or failing, including a 15-minute bagel knead where the motor stayed cool.
- Simple two-lever design
One lever locks the head and one sets the speed, which Wirecutter calls great for beginners. Ease of use is a positive aspect on Amazon.
- Repairable, with many colors and attachments
Wirecutter notes repair support, DIY regreasing and about two dozen colors. Food Network says it has the most color options of any brand it tested.
Skip it if…- You knead stiff bread or pizza dough often
- You want a gentle half speed for folding
- You want more than a 1-year warranty
Good for- Cakes, cookies and whipped cream
- First stand mixer for most home bakers
- Using KitchenAid attachments
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance4.5
Why 4.5?
It handles batters, cookie dough and small amounts of cream with ease (Wirecutter, Food Network), but the fast first speed can throw flour. - Heavy dough3.0
Why 3.0?
Wirecutter's bagel dough went fine, but Serious Eats says it struggles with stiff dough and Food Network saw it jump with heavy bread. - Ease of use4.5
Why 4.5?
Two simple levers and a tilt-head that can work one-handed (Wirecutter); Amazon owners rate ease of use highly. - Quietness4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter says it runs relatively quietly; Serious Eats says it kneaded without getting too loud. - Durability4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter's 2013 unit still works and the mixer is repairable, but the warranty is 1 year and Amazon durability mentions are split.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Top pick for over a decade: sturdy, relatively quiet and easy to use. Its flaws are the lack of a half speed, a fast first speed and only a 1-year warranty.
- Serious Eats: Best for casual bakers. It creams and whips well but its 325 W motor struggles a bit with stiffer doughs.
- Food Network: Best overall for everyday baking, but it jumped on the counter with heavier bread doughs at higher speeds.
#2
KitchenAid
$$Bowl-lift5.5 qtScore 3.8/5
6%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: about 130 ratings on this Amazon listing.Wirecutter's pick for more power and room, with a true half speed for gentle mixing. It is tall and heavy, and the bowl-lift design makes adding ingredients and scraping more awkward.
Top complaints
- Tall, heavy and hard to moveMentioned often
Wirecutter says it is a few inches taller and wider than the Artisan and about 6 lb heavier (about 32 lb), so it is a pain to lug between cabinet and counter.
- Awkward to add ingredients and scrapeMentioned often
Wirecutter notes you may need more scraping and attention to the bottom of the bowl than with the Artisan. Low-star Walmart reviewers complain that the head doesn't flip up, so adding ingredients gets messy.
- Some early failuresMentioned often
Walmart 1-star reviews describe units that stopped working mid-use, overheated on the first day, died after two months, or ran only at full speed.
What owners love
- More power for dense doughs
Wirecutter says it kneads dough, mixes batter and whips cream quickly and quietly, without wobbling, and has a power boost over tilt-head models.
- Half speed for gentle mixing
It has one of the slowest first speeds Wirecutter tested, useful for mixing dry ingredients or folding without clouding.
- Owners like performance and noise
Amazon's summary says buyers like its performance, durability, noise level and value, with one noting it handles double batches of cookies.
Skip it if…- You store the mixer in a cabinet
- You want lots of color options
- You add ingredients mid-mix a lot
Good for- Regular bread and dense doughs
- Bigger batches of cookies
- Gentle folding with the half speed
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance4.0
Why 4.0?
Mixes batter and whips cream without issue and has a gentle half speed, but needs more scraping than the Artisan (Wirecutter). - Heavy dough4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter: more power to work through dense doughs, stable with no walking. - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Heavy and tall (Wirecutter); Walmart owners find adding ingredients awkward, and Amazon ease-of-use feedback is mixed. - Quietness4.0
Why 4.0?
Wirecutter says it works without making a ton of noise; noise level is mostly a positive on Amazon. - Durability3.5
Why 3.5?
Sturdy and stable per Wirecutter, but Walmart low-star reviews report early failures.
What experts say
- Wirecutter (NYT): Best for more room and mixing power, with a useful half speed; the flaws are its height and weight and only three color options.
#3
KitchenAid
$$$Bowl-lift7 qtScore 3.8/5
23%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)About 2,700 ratings, pooled across colors and the 'with accessories' bundle (KSM70SKXX). 1 star alone is 21%.Experts rate it the most capable KitchenAid for big batches and stiff dough, but its Amazon listing has an unusually high share of 1-star reviews citing units that quit early.
Top complaints
- Reliability complaints from ownersVery common
Amazon's summary reports units that stop working after minutes or break after a second use (reliability: 82 positive vs 180 negative mentions), and 21% of its Amazon ratings are 1 star. Walmart 1-star reviews describe a unit that died on first use, overheating and a clucking noise, and one that burned out kneading a large high-hydration dough.
- Fiddly bowl and a bump that traps ingredientsMentioned often
Serious Eats says it takes finagling to seat the bowl on the arms, and a raised bump at the bottom lets unmixed ingredients pool. One Walmart reviewer says flour flies past the pouring shield.
- Heavy, bulky and expensiveMentioned often
ATK lists it as heavy and bulky and notes KitchenAid limits the dough hook to speed 2. On Amazon, value for money draws more negative than positive mentions for a $600+ product.
What owners love
- Powerful and stable
Serious Eats' top pick: it whipped cream, mixed batter and kneaded pizza dough deftly and handles tough dough without moving. ATK says it handled large dough batches well.
- Better accessories
Uncoated stainless attachments, three beaters including a silicone-edged one, a pouring shield with bumpers, and a removable hub cap (Serious Eats, ATK).
- Large bowl, 2-year warranty
Amazon owners like the large bowl for big cakes; Serious Eats lists a 2-year warranty.
Skip it if…- You bake occasionally
- You have limited counter or cabinet height
- Reliability reports worry you more than capacity
Good for- Avid bakers making big or double batches
- Stiff bread and pizza dough
- A mixer that stays on the counter
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance4.5
Why 4.5?
Serious Eats: handles small and large amounts deftly, though a bump in the bowl can trap unmixed ingredients. Amazon mixing feedback is mostly positive. - Heavy dough4.5
Why 4.5?
Kneads stiff, sticky dough without moving (Serious Eats) and handles large batches well (ATK). The dough hook is limited to speed 2. - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Simple speed lever, but the bowl is hard to seat (Serious Eats), it is heavy (ATK), and Amazon ease-of-use feedback is mixed. - Quietness4.0
Why 4.0?
Serious Eats calls it fairly quiet when operating. - Durability2.5
Why 2.5?
Sturdy in expert tests with a 2-year warranty, but Amazon reliability and durability mentions are mostly negative and the listing shows 21% 1-star ratings.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best stand mixer overall: powerful, fairly quiet and well accessorized; the bowl can be hard to seat and a bump in the bowl traps ingredients.
- America's Test Kitchen: Highly recommended for large dough batches; heavy and bulky, and the dough hook is limited to speed 2.
#4
Ankarsrum
$$$Other7 qtScore 3.9/5
Amazon 1–2 star share
not available
A Swedish spinning-bowl mixer that experts rate the best for bread and big batches, with a 7-year motor warranty. It is expensive, has a real learning curve, and its plastic bowl setup feels flimsy for cakes and cookies.
Top complaints
- Steep learning curveVery common
Serious Eats says you must add wet ingredients first and adjust the arm position, which takes getting used to. ATK lists a steep learning curve and many parts.
- Weaker setup for cakes and frostingMentioned often
Wirecutter says it falls short on other baking tasks: batters use a smaller, flimsy plastic bowl that flexes, the center column gets in the way, and bain-marie frostings need a separate bowl.
- Expensive, with pinch riskMentioned often
Serious Eats calls it quite expensive (about $800). Wirecutter warns it's easy to squish a hand between attachment and bowl, and ATK says the open bowl with a high-torque motor requires care.
What owners love
- Best-in-class kneading
ATK's overall winner for strong kneading with no dough-speed limit. Serious Eats says the dough roller kneaded both sticky and stiff doughs with ease, and Wirecutter calls it great at bread dough.
- Fast at whipping and creaming
Serious Eats whipped cream to stiff peaks in 35 seconds and easily creamed butter and sugar.
- Big capacity, long warranty
A 7-liter bowl that a contributor says holds nearly twice the dough of a 6-quart KitchenAid, and a 7-year factory warranty on the machine (Serious Eats). ATK praises the sturdy parts.
Skip it if…- You're a beginner or bake with kids
- You mostly make cakes and frosting
- You want a familiar KitchenAid-style workflow
Good for- Frequent bread bakers
- Very large dough batches
- Long-term ownership (long warranty)
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance3.5
Why 3.5?
Serious Eats found it fast at whipping and creaming, but Wirecutter says the plastic-bowl setup falls short for cakes and cookies. - Heavy dough5.0
Why 5.0?
ATK's winner for kneading, and every source praises its bread dough performance. - Ease of use2.5
Why 2.5?
Learning curve, ingredient-order rules and many parts (Serious Eats, ATK); Wirecutter warns of pinch risk. - Durability4.5
Why 4.5?
7-year factory warranty on the machine (Serious Eats) and sturdy parts (ATK); the plastic bowl flexes (Wirecutter).
What experts say
- America's Test Kitchen: Highly recommended overall winner for heavy-duty, large-batch baking; large with many parts and a steep learning curve.
- Serious Eats: Best for bread bakers, and good at whipping too; not intuitive if you're used to planetary mixers.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Worth considering for bread experts, but it falls short on other baking tasks and isn't recommended for beginners or kids.
#5
Smeg
$$$Tilt-head5 qtScore 3.4/5
8%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)Small sample: about 99 ratings, pooled across colors.A stylish retro mixer with a 750 W motor and spiral hook that kneads better than KitchenAid tilt-heads, but its whisk and beater miss the bowl sides, the head bounces, and the bowl scratches easily.
Top complaints
- Leaves ingredients on the bowl sidesVery common
Serious Eats says the whisk didn't catch the sides when whipping cream, so it had to stop and scrape. Homes & Gardens found the one-sided flex-edge beater left butter around the bowl.
- Head bounces; accessories fit roughlyMentioned often
Both Serious Eats and Homes & Gardens saw the head bounce while kneading; Homes & Gardens worries this could loosen the joint over time and found the dough hook scraped and caught when fitted.
- Scratch-prone bowl, no half speedMentioned often
Homes & Gardens got deep scratches in the stainless bowl from a metal cookie scoop and missed a half (folding) speed. Amazon's summary says reliability feedback is mixed, with some units not working properly.
What owners love
- Better kneading than KitchenAid tilt-heads
Serious Eats says its spiral dough hook made smoother, more elastic pizza dough than KitchenAid's C-shaped hook. Homes & Gardens got airy focaccia.
- Stable, with a slow start
It didn't walk even at top speed, and the slow start kept flour in the bowl (Serious Eats).
- Looks and quality
Amazon shoppers love its appearance and quality; Homes & Gardens notes seven colors.
Skip it if…- You need a gentle folding speed
- You hate stopping to scrape the bowl
- You use metal scoops in the bowl
Good for- Bread bakers who want a tilt-head
- Matching other Smeg appliances
- Pizza and focaccia dough
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance3.5
Why 3.5?
Even results in cakes and cookies, but the whisk and flex beater leave ingredients on the sides (Serious Eats, Homes & Gardens). - Heavy dough4.0
Why 4.0?
The spiral hook beat KitchenAid's on pizza dough (Serious Eats), but the head bounces on wet dough (Homes & Gardens). - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Easy to use with a light head to lift (Serious Eats), but accessories are tricky to fit and there's no folding speed (Homes & Gardens). - Quietness3.0
Why 3.0?
Homes & Gardens found it a little loud while whipping, as expected for the motor size. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
1-year warranty, a bowl that scratches easily, and a bouncing head (Homes & Gardens); Amazon reliability feedback is mixed.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: A stylish mixer just as good as KitchenAid and the best option for bread bakers below the Ankarsrum; the whisk misses the bowl sides and the head bounces a bit.
- Homes & Gardens: 4.5 stars: powerful and easy, but with a scratch-prone bowl, no folding speed, a one-sided flex beater and a bouncing head; the Artisan Plus edged it out.
#6
KitchenAid
$$Tilt-head3.5 qtScore 3.2/5
3%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)A compact, well-liked KitchenAid that mixes batters and cream very well. It lacks the torque and bowl space for regular bread making or double batches.
Top complaints
- Struggles with bread doughVery common
ATK says it lacked torque for sticky pizza dough. Serious Eats says it was louder when making bread and doesn't recommend it for extensive bread-making. A Walmart 1-star reviewer returned it because it didn't work for bread.
- Small bowl, rocks at speedVery common
Wirecutter found the bowl too small for standard recipes, and the footprint only a few square inches smaller than the Artisan. ATK says it couldn't fit double batches. Food Network says the smaller base made it rock with brioche at the highest speed.
- Dough hook fit, coating and noisesMentioned often
Amazon's summary mentions a dough hook not attaching securely and metal coating coming off. Walmart low-star reviews describe clicking and whirring noises and failures after about a year.
What owners love
- Excellent on everyday tasks
Food Network says it excelled in all tests, including whipping and thick, sticky dough, and its flex-edge paddle cut down on scraping. Serious Eats says it easily mixed cake batter.
- Lighter and easier to store
At about 18 lb it is much easier to lift and move than other stand mixers (Serious Eats), and Amazon owners call it perfect for small kitchens.
- Handled bowl, simple controls
Serious Eats liked the large bowl handle and easily adjustable controls.
Skip it if…- You bake bread regularly
- You double recipes
- You want the smallest footprint for the money (it's only slightly smaller than the Artisan)
Good for- Small kitchens and apartments
- Standard-size cakes and cookies
- Moving the mixer in and out of storage
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance4.0
Why 4.0?
Excelled in Food Network's tests and aced most of ATK's; Amazon mixing feedback is mixed. - Heavy dough2.5
Why 2.5?
Acceptable ciabatta but not for extensive bread (Serious Eats); lacked torque for pizza dough (ATK). - Ease of use4.0
Why 4.0?
Easy to move, clean and store, with simple speed controls (Food Network, Serious Eats); some Amazon owners find it hard to add ingredients. - Quietness2.5
Why 2.5?
Serious Eats found it louder than other models when making bread; Walmart owners mention whirring and clicking. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
Food Network says it is less sturdy than others; Amazon durability mentions are mixed (coating) and Serious Eats notes the usual tilt-head longevity concerns.
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best small stand mixer: mighty for most baking, but louder and strained when making bread.
- Food Network: Best compact pick that excelled in every test; it's less sturdy and rocked a bit at top speed.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: the bowl was too small for standard recipes and the footprint barely smaller than the Artisan.
#7
Cuisinart
$$Tilt-head5.5 qtScore 2.9/5
4%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing pools SM-50 colors (about 10,000 ratings).A popular, quiet, easy KitchenAid alternative that is often discounted, but three expert tests found it strained on dough, and owners split on whether it mixes thoroughly.
Top complaints
- Struggles and heats up with doughVery common
Serious Eats says it struggled with pizza dough while the motor got extremely warm and made an alarming sound. ATK says it struggled with cookie and ciabatta dough, and Wirecutter saw it rock and strain while kneading.
- Beater doesn't reach the bowlVery common
Mixing performance is split almost evenly on Amazon (94 positive vs 93 negative mentions). Walmart 1-star reviewers say the beater sits too far from the bowl and left a butter-sugar glob unmixed. ATK notes the attachment height isn't adjustable, and it struggled with egg whites.
- Wobbling head, rustOccasional
A Walmart reviewer returned one after the head wobbled at speed 4; another says the bowl started to rust. Wirecutter also found it awkward to use.
What owners love
- Quiet and steady
ATK calls it steady and quiet, and noise level is a positive aspect on Amazon.
- Easy to use and clean
Serious Eats found it easy to use and clean and great for whipped cream and cake batter. Ease of use is the top Amazon positive.
- Well liked by owners
About 10,000 Amazon ratings, with owners praising its looks, light weight and power.
Skip it if…- You knead bread or pizza dough
- You hate scraping unmixed ingredients
- You want adjustable beater height
Good for- Occasional cakes and whipped cream
- A bigger bowl on a budget
- Quiet operation
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance2.5
Why 2.5?
Good on cream and batter (Serious Eats), but ATK and Wirecutter saw struggles and Amazon mixing feedback is split. - Heavy dough2.0
Why 2.0?
It strained, heated or rocked on dough in all three expert tests. - Ease of use3.5
Why 3.5?
Easy to use per Serious Eats and Amazon owners; Wirecutter found it awkward and ATK notes the beater height isn't adjustable. - Quietness3.5
Why 3.5?
Quiet per ATK and Amazon owners, but Serious Eats heard an alarming sound when kneading. - Durability3.0
Why 3.0?
There's no negative durability aspect on Amazon, but the motor got very warm in Serious Eats' dough test and Walmart owners report wobble and rust.
What experts say
- America's Test Kitchen: Recommended with reservations: steady and quiet, but it struggled with egg whites, cookie dough and ciabatta.
- Serious Eats: Not a pick: easy and good with cream and batter, but the motor got very warm and made an alarming sound on pizza dough.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: awkward to use, rocked and strained while mixing and kneading, and struggled with small amounts.
#8
Hamilton Beach
$Tilt-head4 qtScore 2.5/5
7%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-10)The listing appears to pool several color variants (model numbers 63393 and 63390 both appear on the page).The cheapest way into a stand mixer, and ATK says it performs well for the price, but it walks across the counter with dough and owners frequently report broken beaters, whisks and tilt buttons.
Top complaints
- Parts breakVery common
Durability is the most negative aspect on Amazon (77 positive vs 244 negative mentions), with multiple reports of the beater and whisk breaking. ATK says the plastic housing and tilt button seemed fragile, and Walmart reviewers describe a tilt-release button coming out and speed markings wearing off.
- Walks and lacks torque for doughVery common
ATK saw it walk during kneading when its suction feet clogged with flour. Walmart reviewers say it walked across the counter while creaming and has poor torque for bread or pizza dough.
- Uneven mixingMentioned often
Amazon's summary says some owners find it hard to get ingredients properly mixed (mixing performance: 117 positive vs 73 negative mentions).
What owners love
- Good results for the price
ATK says it performed well for the price, and Amazon owners call it excellent value.
- Light and easy to move
Amazon owners like that it is lightweight and easy to move.
- Very popular
Over 10,800 Amazon ratings, with functionality its most-mentioned positive.
Skip it if…- You knead bread or pizza dough
- You want a mixer to last years
- You need a big bowl
Good for- Occasional cookies, cakes and whipped cream
- Tight budgets
- A light mixer that's easy to move
Scores (tap for why)
- Mixing performance3.0
Why 3.0?
Performs well for the price (ATK), but Amazon owners are split on how thoroughly it mixes. - Heavy dough2.0
Why 2.0?
Walked during kneading (ATK); Walmart owners report poor torque for dough. - Ease of use3.0
Why 3.0?
Light and easy to move (Amazon), but the suction feet clog and the tilt button feels fragile (ATK). - Durability2.0
Why 2.0?
Durability is the most negative Amazon aspect; ATK found the housing and tilt button fragile.
What experts say
- America's Test Kitchen: Recommended with reservations: good performance for the price, but a fragile-feeling plastic housing and tilt button, and it walked during kneading.