Our user testing found this KitchenAid ideal for apartment dwellers, seniors, and as an extra mixer in busy kitchens.
The 3.5-quart capacity is enough for a full batch of cookies. Head is easy to unlock and tilt for adding ingredients or scraping the bowl. Offers 10 speeds, including slow start feature that gradually increases speed. Smooth gliding switch is pleasant to use. Compatible with standard KitchenAid attachments.
We found it a little underpowered when kneading large batches of dough.
This small stand mixer was almost too powerful for its size and weight in our user testing.
Attractive retro styling. The 2.5-quart capacity is good for whipping cream and small batches of meringue. Weighs only 3.3 pounds. Handy lever moves bowl aside for adding ingredients or scraping. Suction cups on base add grip. Powerful motor. Dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments.
Motor sometimes seemed too fast and strong for the small, light unit.
An attractive small mixer that offers full-size power in a compact form.
Sturdy design. Operates at a powerful 800 watts that can handle all your recipes. Features a 3-function key with LED display. Offers a splash guard that helps to add ingredients without making a mess. Comes with a dough hook, flat beater, and whisk. It has anti-slip feet to stay steady.
Needs to be stopped to scrape the sides.
A small stand mixer with the same mixing action and power as more expensive models.
Planetary mixing action is more efficient than double beater designs. Has a 4-quart capacity for versatile projects and a 300-watt motor. Tilt-head design allows for easy scraping and adding ingredients. Includes splash guard along with dough hook and flat beater. Offers 7 speeds.
Plastic construction is more fragile than pricier brands.
This classic electric option works as both a stand and hand mixer and comes with multiple attachments.
Has a 290-watt motor, 6 speed settings, and comes with a Quick Burst function. Hand mixer can be removed from the stand for multipurpose use. Features a Shift and Stir design to ensure the ingredients get fully mixed. Bowl can hold up to 4 quarts. Comes with 2 beaters, 2 dough hooks, and a whisk.
The attachments do not fully reach the bottom of the bowl when used as a stand mixer.
After going through an intensive research process to narrow down our short list of top products in this space, we tested most of our top five — including the KitchenAid Artisan® Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer and the Dash 6 Speed 2.5 Qt. Stand Mixer — to be sure that these products are worth your time. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter and test to verify manufacturer claims.