The secret to making fluffy sponges, perfectly peaked meringues, and house-warming loaves is in the equipment you use. Mixing, kneading, and whisking by hand may feel wholesome, but why bother when you can get a stand mixer to do the hard work for you? Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a total novice, stand mixers are not only convenient and easy to use, but also look great on the kitchen countertop.
Otherwise known as a food mixer, stand mixers can be found in various shapes, sizes, and colorways to suit your setup. With stylish finishes and statement hues to choose from, it’s an appliance you’ll want to keep on display to tempt you to get baking when the opportunity arises. But as many of the best stand mixers are an investment buy, it’s worth thinking about your priorities to find a model to best suit your kitchen requirements—and your sweet tooth. We’ve put them through their paces (while stuffing ourselves with cake) to rate the latest models on performance, versatility, and design.
Updated December 2024: We’ve added the KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer, Breville The Bakery Chef, and the luxurious 2024 Design Series Evergreen Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, also from KitchenAid.
For more of WIRED’s kitchen guides, check out our Best Blenders, Best Air Fryers, Best Electric Kettles, and the Best Gear for Small Kitchens.
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Things to Consider When Buying a Stand Mixer
Versatile attachments: On top of the standard mixing, kneading, and whisking tools, some mixers offer attachments that can be bought separately. These include extra attachments for tasks such as shaving ice, rolling pasta sheets, grinding meat, citrus juicing, shredding, and slicing.
Speed settings: These vary from model to model, but a stand mixer with a good variable speed range means you can launch gently to combine liquids and lighter ingredients and dial up the speed for thicker mixes when needed.
Useful extras: Most designs come with a spatula in the kit that is useful for scraping out ingredients left in the bowl, while a recipe booklet is always a bonus to push you out of your cooking comfort zone. Some stand mixers also come with a splash guard that works well to make sure flour or liquids stay in the bowl and don’t spill out onto your countertop when you start mixing.
Storage: Larger than a kettle or toaster, stand mixers can be rather cumbersome. It’s a good idea to house it on the worktop if you have the space, so you can plug in and start it up easily when needed. But also consider storage space for all the extras such as a secondary bowl and attachments.
Cake Baking Tips From Paty Zamarripa, Pastry Chef at Hotel Chelsea in NYC
Chef Paty Zamarripa
Photograph: Hotel Chelsea
Take It Steady
To make the perfect sponge cake, the most critical step is whipping the egg whites. Room-temperature egg whites are more elastic, which helps trap air more effectively. Always whip at medium-low speed. Don’t rush the process; incorporating air gradually ensures uniform bubble sizes. If you whip at high speed, you’ll get uneven bubbles, and during baking, the larger ones will burst, causing the smaller ones to collapse as well.
Add Dry Ingredients
If you don’t have a bowl cover or pouring shield, before adding dry ingredients, stop the mixer and cover the bowl with plastic wrap, leaving a small opening to pour in the dry mix. This trick prevents the dry ingredients from puffing out of the bowl. Add them gradually on low speed. Be careful not to overmix once the flour is in, as over-developing gluten will yield a dry, tough sponge.
Frosting Tips for a Smooth Finish
For smooth and creamy frosting, make sure your butter and cream cheese are at room temperature. If you’re short on time, gently heat the butter and cream cheese with a kitchen torch, moving it evenly around the bowl. This softens the mixture just enough without melting it.
Perfectly Whipped Cream for Decorating
If you love decorating with whipped cream, chill the mixer bowl with the cream in the fridge for about 30 minutes before whipping. This keeps the cream cold for longer, helping it whip faster and hold its structure without breaking.
