Best KitchenAid alternatives 2023: tested stand mixers

May 26, 2024

You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to snag one of the best stand mixers

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1. The list in brief ↴2. Best overall: Cuisinart Precision3. Best small: Delish by Dash4. Best large: Kenwood Chef XL5. Best-looking: Smeg Retro6. Best luxury: Wolf Gourmet7. Best budget: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore8. How we test9. Meet the team10. FAQs

KitchenAids are iconic. After years of testing stand mixers we've found that they are always the best. They come with variable speed settings, attachable accessories, and a premium design – at a premium price point. If you're shopping for a stand mixer, but you don't have hundreds of dollars to spare, you'll need to find an alternative.

It's not just a question of cost, but of quality, too. Though KitchenAid make many of the best stand mixers, their products aren't perfect. More experienced bakers might appreciate a more powerful motor, while mass caterers will need larger bowls.

The best stand mixer isn't always a KitchenAid: it's the mixer that meets your needs. Our team of experts have tested all the best stand mixers to find the strongest alternatives to KitchenAid. We've narrowed it down to our top six to suit every size and style of kitchen.

These mixers can knead dough, whip cream, and fold flour. We've ranked them based on power, capacity, style, special features, and, of course, price.

We'll get into the specifics later. For now, here are the best KitchenAid alternatives at a glance.

Best overall

The best stand mixer overall

This stand mixer combines form and function. It has the same sleek style as a KitchenAid, with another two speed settings, for hundreds of dollars less.

Read more below

Best small

The best small stand mixer

This compact mixer is perfect for budding bakers working in smaller kitchens. Much like a KitchenAid, this machine comes in a range of rich colors to complement your kitchen.

Read more below

Best large

The best large stand mixer

This machine comes with an ultra-powerful motor, as well as several stainless steel baking accessories. This machine doesn't just mix: it can blend, slice, shred, and grate, too.

Read more below.

Best-looking

The best-looking stand mixer

This mixer marries the retro charm of old-school baking with all the modern conveniences, such as variable speed settings and anti-tip technology.

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Best luxury

The best luxury stand mixer

While this mixer is even more expensive than a KitchenAid, you really do get what you pay for. This machine comes with a professional-grade stainless steel bowl and baking accessories.

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Best budget

The best budget stand mixer

If you're shopping for a stand mixer, but you don't have hundreds of dollars to spare, then the budget-friendly Beautiful Stand Mixer by Drew Barrymore could be the perfect solution.

Read more below

You can trust Homes & Gardens. Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing the latest products, helping you choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Our expert review:

✅ You like to bake in bigger batches: this bowl is half a quart larger than the KitchenAid Artisan, so it's easier to cater for a crowd.✅ You're a control freak: this machine comes with 12 speed settings, which is more than the KitchenAid, for greater granular control.✅ You're looking for a colorful mixer: this machine comes in six bright shades.

❌ You like to make the most of your ingredients: many of the mixer's attachments don't quite reach the bottom and edges of the bowl. On test, this meant that some flour wasn't worked into the dough.❌ You like to bake smaller batches: this machine works best with larger quantities of ingredients.❌ You hate washing up: you'll have to wash the whisk by hand, though the bowl and the rest of the baking accessories are dishwasher-safe.

🔎 Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer is best for large volume bakes and recipes.

KitchenAid vs Cuisinart: the debate rages on. If you're catering for a crowd, you'll appreciate the Precision's bigger bowls and larger selection of speed settings, as well as its much more reasonable price.

The Precision proved itself on test to be a capable mixer, especially when it comes to larger batches. This machine works best with double quantities, so you should make the most of the 5.5-qt. bowl space. It's less effective with smaller servings. Since some of the attachments can't reach right down inside the bowl, you might struggle to fully incorporate smaller quantities of ingredients.

But it's great at beating cream and kneading dough: heavy-duty tasks that allow the 500-watt motor to come into its own. Most of the accessories are dishwasher-safe, though you'll have to wash the whisk by hand.

If you tend to bake in bigger batches, and you need a kitchen workhorse, then the Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer would be a great choice.

You can find more detail in our Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer review.

Our expert review:

✅ You like to work with liquid ingredients: on test, this mixer beat egg whites into perfect soft peaks.✅ You hate washing up: the bowl, the dough hooks, and the beater are all dishwasher-safe.✅ You're on a budget: this machine is far less expensive than most stand mixers. It doesn't even scrape the $100 mark.

❌ You like to make the most of your ingredients: a few of the mixer's attachments don't quite reach the bottom and edges of the bowl. On test, this meant that some flour wasn't worked into the dough.❌ You're sensitive to noise: this machine is surprisingly loud, given its size.❌ You like to bake larger batches: with a capacity of 3.5qt., this mixing bowl is on the smaller side.

🔎 Delish by Dash Stand Mixer works best with liquid ingredients, though it leaves a little to be desired when it comes to dough.

This mini mixer would fit right into a smaller kitchen. It's just 12 inches tall, and weighs less than five pounds, so it's easy to store in cabinets or cupboards. Should you choose to leave it out, this machine comes in a range of colors to complement any kitchen.

For a small machine, the Delish by Dash Stand Mixer packs a punch. It vigorously kneaded dough and whipped egg whites on test, though it's best at beating butter. This mixer really whirs as it works: our tester recorded a high of 90 decibels, which is about as loud as a power mower. If you're sensitive to noise, this is not the machine for you.

On the plus side, it's super easy to clean. The bowl, dough hooks, and the beater are all dishwasher-safe. To clean the base, all you need to do is wipe down with a damp dish cloth.

This mixer is a good option for beginner bakers working in a smaller space. Just beware the noise.

You can find more detail in our Delish by Dash Stand Mixer review.

Our expert review:

✅ You want a more powerful motor: with 1700W, this machine has the most powerful motor of any we've tested.✅ You're a messy baker: this machine comes with an optional shield to protect your counters from flour clouds.✅ You're a chef, as well as a baker: this machine comes with a K-beater to mix minced meat.

❌ You struggle to lift heavy weights: given its size and power, this machine is pretty heavy.❌ You're working with a smaller kitchen: to accommodate this machine, you'll need deep countertops.❌ You're only an occasional baker: it's definitely possible to get a decent machine for much less.

🔎 Kenwood Chef XL Titanium Stand Mixer is a great choice for more experienced bakers.

This is a heavy-duty mixer, with 1700 watts' worth of power. For context, that's more than five times the power of the KitchenAid Artisan. The mixing bowl is strong and deep, with a capacity of almost 9 quarts. This machine means business, but it's intuitively designed in a way that even new bakers can understand.

We were impressed with the Chef XL's neatness on test. There were no flour clouds or batter splatters. That's mostly down to the depth of the bowl, as flour just falls down the steep sides. The sturdy titanium structure provides extra stability.

The size of this machine accounts for its power, but it also makes it more difficult to store. Almost 15 inches tall, the Chef XL might not fit inside smaller cabinets. Since it weighs over 20 pounds, it's far too hefty to move comfortably. For that reason, I'd recommend keeping this mixer on your kitchen counter.

The Chef XL is one of the more expensive mixers on the market, but it's great for serious chefs who like to batch-bake.

You can find more detail in our Kenwood Chef XL Titanium Stand Mixer review.

Our expert review:

✅ You're looking for a colorful mixer: this machine comes in seven bright shades.✅ You're a messy baker: this machine comes with a pouring shield to safeguard your counters from spills and stains.✅ You're left-handed: the buttons on this machine are strategically situated to suit both right- and left-handers.

❌ You're baking in a smaller kitchen: as mixers go, this one is tall and broad.❌ You're a noise-sensitive baker: this motor really whirs.❌ You hate washing up: you'll need to wash each part of this mixer by hand.

🔎 Smeg Retro Stand Mixer whisks, beats, and kneads like a dream, though it is pretty noisy.

This machine combines old-school style with all the modern conveniences. It comes in a range of colors to rival KitchenAid, with baby pinks and bold blues. It also comes with a 600-watt motor, a tilt-head mixer, and several stainless steel accessories.

Most stand mixers have a power lever on one side of the machine. If the dial is on the right-hand side, let's say, and you're left-handed, it gets pretty difficult to adjust the speed of your machine. Smeg solve this problem by putting their lever on top of the mixer, so it can be used by any baker at any angle.

The Smeg accessories are sturdy and well-proportioned, large enough to reach right down inside and around the bowl. The 600-watt motor makes for quick whipping. Our tester only needed to use six of the 10 speed settings to produce creamy frosting. The biggest problem with this mixer is the noise it makes. It's fine in short bursts, but it starts to grate around the 10-minute mark.

This machine is powerful and pretty, but it won't be suitable for noise-sensitive bakers.

You can find more detail in our Smeg 1950s Retro Stand Mixer review.

Our expert review:

✅ You like to bake large batches: the 6.8qt. bowl can accommodate larger quantities of ingredients.✅ You're a messy baker: each mixer comes with a splash guard to protect your kitchen counters.✅ You're sensitive to noise: given its power and size, this machine is surprisingly quiet.

❌ You're on a budget: this machine is even more expensive than a KitchenAid mixer.❌ You're baking in a smaller kitchen: as mixers go, this one is tall and wide.❌ You're looking for a brightly colored mixer: this machine only comes in stainless steel.

🔎 Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer is the best-performing mixer on test.

We were blown away by the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer on test. It's bigger and better than almost every other mixer on the market. Its 7-qt. bowl can fit enough batter to make 168 cookies. That's eight pounds of dough at a time. With a dough hook, a flat beater, and a thick splash guard, this machine means business.

The Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer is highly efficient, whipping butter and kneading dough in a matter of moments. The 500-watt motor delivers power, while 10 speed settings and a pulse function offer control. It's easy to clean, too. While you'll have to hand-wash the accessories, the mixing bowl can go through your dishwasher − if it fits.

That leads us onto the biggest issue with the Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer: its size. This stainless steel mixer is tall and wide, and it weighs almost 30 pounds. It might not fit inside smaller cabinets, and it's too hefty to lift up into cupboards. You should really display this mixer, if you have the counter space.

This machine is made for the messy bakers and the mass caterers. It's one of the best stand mixers we've ever tested, though you can definitely get a good one for less.

You can find more detail in our Wolf Gourmet Stand Mixer review.

Our expert review:

✅ You're on a budget: where most stand mixers cost hundreds of dollars, the Beautiful Stand Mixer is just $99.✅ You're a messy baker: each machine comes with a bowl shield to keep your kitchen counters clean.✅ You hate washing up: the mixing bowl, bowl shield, and each of the baking attachments are all dishwasher-safe for quick and easy cleaning.

❌You like to bake large batches: the mixing bowl measures just 5.5qt. ❌ You like to make the most of your ingredients: many of the mixer's attachments don't quite reach the bottom and edges of the bowl. On test, this meant that some flour wasn't worked into the dough.❌ You're looking for a more powerful motor: this mixer only delivers 300W, which is much lower than professional-grade mixers.

🔎 Beautiful Stand Mixer performs pretty well at such a low price point.

The Beautiful Stand Mixer is a great option for the everyday baker on a budget. The mixing bowl can accommodate bigger bakes, thanks to its generous 5.3-quart capacity, which makes it suitable for larger families. This machine weighs less than ten pounds, so it's easy to store in your cabinet or carry to your counter.

The Beautiful Stand Mixer performed pretty well on test, creaming butter and folding batter. This machine offers great granular control, thanks to its 12 speed settings (two more than you'll find on a KitchenAid Classic). Each mixer comes with a bowl shield to protect your kitchen from spills and splatters.

The mixer itself is great. Where this machine falls down is the attachments. The whisk is made from plastic, so it isn't the sturdiest, and it's not quite long enough to reach the bottom of the bowl. Our expert tester had to stop her machine several times to scrape the bottom and sides of the bowl. So much for hands-free mixing.

You'll save money on this mixer, and time, too: each attachment is dishwasher-safe. Just don't expect it to perform as well as a premium model.

You can find more detail in our Beautiful Stand Mixer by Drew Barrymore review.

Each one of these mixers is tried and tested by the team at H&G. We use these mixers to make a simple sponge batter, knead dough, and whip cream. We set them up in our own kitchens to assess their size and special features.

We test mixers across several weeks, if not months, to monitor their performance over time. We measure the time it takes for each machine to adequately mix. We even record decibel readings, so you can steer clear of noisy mixers. We'll either wash each attachment by hand or throw them in the dishwasher to determine how to clean a stand mixer.

Millie Fender is our expert Head of Reviews. She specializes in cooking appliances, such as the best kettles, and also reviews outdoor grills and pizza ovens. Millie loves to bake, so she's always keen to review stand mixers and other baking essentials.

Jaclyn was H&G's eCommerce editor and oversaw all things shopping. She regularly scouts out the best of the best to help you fill your home with quality products and appliances.

Molly spends her time searching the internet for the next best thing for your home. While she tests all sorts of appliances, stand mixers are her favorite appliance to investigate.

It all depends on what you want to make in your mixer, as well as your level of baking expertise. With that said, there are a few things to consider when shopping for a mixer.

SizeIf you're baking in a smaller kitchen, you'll need a more compact mixer that fits into tight corners or inside your cabinets. Larger kitchens tend to have more counter space to accommodate bigger mixers.

VersatilityWhile a budding baker might only need a standard mixer, an experienced chef might appreciate the special features that come with more sophisticated machines. Some of the best stand mixers double as pasta makers and meat grinders.

DurabilityThe best stand mixers are built to last. Our Head of eCommerce, Alex, still uses his grandmother's mixer from the early 70s. Its stainless steel finish resists corrosion and never goes out of style.

PriceA premium stand mixer comes with a premium price tag. You can get a decent mixer for less than $100, but it won't pack the same power. If you're a keen baker, and you intend to use your mixer frequently, then it's worth investing in a quality product.

AppearanceMany of the best stand mixers come in a range of shades to complement your kitchen's color palette.

The best stand mixer in the world is the KitchenAid Artisan. It's easy to use and store and makes top-quality cakes and cookies. But it isn't perfect. This machine shakes a little when kneading dough and might struggle to incorporate dryer ingredients. It's worth considering one of these KitchenAid alternatives to find the mixer that meets your needs.

Top-of-the-range stand mixers can cost as much as $1000. While they're built to last, and come with ultra-powerful motors and useful attachments, they're just not affordable for most Americans.

Most stand mixers cost around $300, but it's possible to get a good one for less. If you're seriously strapped for cash, but you still want a mixer, you might want to consider the merits of a hand mixer versus a stand mixer. The best hand mixers cost a fraction of the price, and take up a fraction of the space, of your average stand mixer.

If you still aren't sold on these alternatives, then you might consider one of the best KitchenAid stand mixers, instead. We've assessed each option to help you make an informed choice.

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Before she joined Homes & Gardens, Emilia studied English at the University of Oxford, where she sharpened her critical writing skills. She also worked on the other side of the aisle writing press releases for regional newspapers and crafting copy for Sky. Emilia combines her business savvy with her creative flair as our eCommerce Editor, connecting you with the products you’ll love. When she’s not in the office, Emilia is happiest when entertaining friends al fresco or out in the country.

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