The Only Stand Mixer Worth Buying, According to 6 Pro Bakers

It's the brand I own and would never replace.

When I was younger, I had a wonky hand mixer that sometimes blew a fuse, and if I could find two matching beater attachments to make it run, it half worked. I watched "Martha Stewart Living" and "Barefoot Contessa" episodes and longed for a stand mixer. If I had one, I, too, could be like these culinary legends. With the power to cream, mix, whip, and knead, what couldn’t I do? Then, when I graduated culinary school in 2008, my mom gifted me a KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer.

While I’m certainly no Ina or Martha, I can say that the gift my mom gave me so many years ago improved my life, if not my baked goods. I have put this machine through the ringer; countless batches of cookies, brioche, cakes, muffins, and brownies have been churned out of that mixer, and it’s still running like the day I took her out of the box.

Fast forward 16 years, I became curious. Is there anything new on the block I should covet for my kitchen? I spoke to six star bakers and they all told me the same thing.

The 6 Pro Bakers I Asked

• Kevin Masse: Founder of Small State Provisions, an organic sourdough bakery in Connecticut
• Erin Clarkson: The genius behind the baking blog Cloudy Kitchen, where she shares recipes that are reliable, dependable, heavily tested, and downright delicious
• Jessie Sheehan: Self-proclaimed (and verified by me!) queen of easy-peasy sweets and author of Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes
• Kelly Senyei: A mom of four, creator of the beloved blog Just a Taste, and podcast host of Sports & Forks
• Laura Kasavan: Founder of baking blog Tutti Dolci
• Andrena Forlenzo: Owner of Crazy Confections, a cottage bakery in Stamford, Connecticut, specializing in gorgeous custom cookies, cakes, cupcakes, and more

The Best Stand Mixer, According to Pro Bakers

When Kevin started his first cottage bakery, he did all the breadmaking and baking in his home kitchen. This meant he put his stand mixer to the test! He explains, “When it comes to mixers, I’m an old pony and love my KitchenAid. For the serious home baker, consider upgrading to the commercial eight-quart pro model. We started with that as our everyday mixer!”

He has since upgraded to a 40-quart industrial model for his bakery but still uses his beloved KitchenAid at home. All of the pro bakers I spoke to agree that the KitchenAid makes the best stand mixers.

KitchenAid offers two basic formats for its iconic machine. I have a tilt-head, but many of the bakers I spoke to prefer the bowl lift. Instead of the head of the mixer flipping up so you can access the bowl, the bowl sits on a mechanism that raises it to the machine and then back down again when the mixing is complete.

Erin explains, “I have a KitchenAid bowl lift, and it has stood up to me using it very heavily for years. I bake for my job and have worn out a few tilt-head mixers due to overuse, and the bowl lift is super sturdy and much better for making things like bread dough.”

No matter which version you go with, what most bakers love most about the KitchenAid is the reliability.

Jessie says, “I adore my KitchenAid because it is just the most reliable workhorse of a piece of kitchen equipment out there. I have had mine for over a decade, and it is as reliable and strong as ever. Even when kneading bread dough, the machine remains stable on the counter and impressively transforms the shaggy tough mixture into something glossy and smooth. And to watch her beat egg whites into fluffy, pillowy perfection is a thing of beauty.”

Kelly loves its beauty and versatility. “The iconic KitchenAid stand mixer is my most trusted countertop appliance and is used daily at my house, whether it’s to shred chicken breasts, cream butter, whip heavy cream, or knead dough. It saves me countless minutes in the kitchen, plus it’s got all the multipurpose attachments to justify its big, bold presence.”

While purchasing a KitchenAid is an investment, Laura points out that even novice bakers can benefit from its power. She says, “My all-time favorite baking tool is the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt stand mixer. Whether you're a baking novice or a pro, the mixer can handle everything from classic chocolate chip cookies to homemade cinnamon rolls! It's a must-have for bakers of all skill levels.”

Andrena depends on the machine at her home bakery, so much so that he has multiple mixers! She says, “I actually have various sizes, totaling five mixers! I love the convenience of my KitchenAid, and I can make my dough, batter, and buttercream all in one. A nice perk is it also looks great on my counter. It’s a very versatile small appliance."

I can say my mixer is one of my most beloved kitchen tools, hands down. After researching this article, I’ve convinced myself I need the new 2024 Blue Salt version, but since they are so reliable, I can’t justify a new purchase just yet.

Get a Deal

KitchenAid sells refurbished stand mixers on its website at a discount, which can make it more affordable.