Gone are the days where most of our cooking processes had to be done by hand. Now, we have machines and all sorts of appliances that makes preparing food a whole lot easier. One of them is the kitchen mixer, which is a cooking utensil used to combine two or more ingredients via spinning motion.
If you are currently looking for a new mixer, there are two popular variants of it that you need to look out for. One is the hand mixer and the other is the stand mixer. Depending on your kitchen setup and cooking style, your decision between the two will vary. And since there are different models and brands of these two items out there, we will be comparing the best 6 mixers in the market, so it will be easier for you to pick one.
Top 6 Best Kitchen Mixers
Bear in mind the all six products below are listed in no particular order. The inclusion of multiple models is just for the sake of comparison as well as to allow you to choose a model that can best meet your needs and expectations. Rest assured that regardless of which unit you choose, you are guaranteed with a quality product.
The KitchenAid brand is one of the best makers of mixers in the kitchen appliance industry, so it is no surprise for this model to be included in the list. This particular hand mixer is designed with a 5-speed setting. With it, you can perform a wide range of mixing, from slow incorporation of chunky ingredients, to blending cookie dough and chocolate chips, and even whipping eggs into a meringue consistency.
This device is also equipped with a beater ejector button, allowing you to seamlessly detach the accessory from the main unit. The cord can also be locked to either left or right side of the mixer, giving you the opportunity to approach the mixing process at different angles. Plus, the cord can be cleaned without much difficulty.
The pair of brand-exclusive Stainless Steel Turbo Beater™ II accessories that comes with the package are also great at performing moderate to heavy mixing. Additionally, they are dishwasher safe, so you do not have to be afraid of making a mess.
For added aesthetics, you can select from 12 different vibrant colors of this model, so you can select a unit that will perfectly match your kitchen’s interior.
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With over 20 different colors to choose from, you can easily match the KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan to your kitchen’s atmosphere. Along with the main unit, you also get a 5 quart stainless steel bowl with an ergonomic handle. Such capacity can hold a dough mix worth 9 dozen cookies, 7 pounds of mashed potato, and a dough that can create 4 loaves of bread.
The bowl is also dishwasher-safe, allowing for quick and effortless after care. For the attachment options, you get to select from 15 compatible ones in varying forms, giving you the means to take on different recipes with ease. In terms of speed setting, this model offers up to 10 different spin levels at a 325-watt power, ensuring that you can knead a dough as easy as whipping some cream.
Furthermore, you can be sure that your ingredients are thoroughly combined, thanks to the 59-point planetary mixing action of this particular appliance. The standard retail package of this product comes with a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, a 6-wire whip, and a pouring shield, but you can add others as your resources permits. For quick access, this stand mixer comes with a tilt-head design, which is ideal for fast attachment swaps and mixture retrieval.
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With this product you are essentially getting two mixers in one unit. As you can already probably tell by its product name, this item can double as a hand mixer and a stand mixer. But, what is even more surprising is that it is retailed like a hand mixer, which is a bargain you cannot just simply ignore.
Powered by a 250-watt motor, this hand/stand mixer can handle quite the heavy mixing, albeit not as strong as dedicated stand mixers. Furthermore, this device comes with a 5-level speed setting, which further enhances its mixing capabilities. In times where your mixture gets a little too tough for this product, you can simply push its built-in burst of power button, giving you that extra boost to finish the job, regardless of current speed level.
Out of the box, you get a 3-quart stainless steel bowl, a pair of chrome-finished beaters, and a dough hook, along with the main unit. But perhaps the biggest appeal of this unit is its dual-function nature. If you want more control over your ingredients you can use this device as a hand mixer, whereas if you prefer more stability, you can just mount it on its stand.
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The Hamilton Beach 64650 may not have the same quality as KitchenAid stand mixer, but its accessible price is well worth the value you get from it. Plus, it is not like this unit performs with mediocrity, not even the slightest. It is true that it needs a couple of improvements, but it is certainly not bad.
With your purchase of this kitchen utensil, you get a 4-quart stainless steel bowl, which is just right for most basic home cooking. Otherwise, if you are running a business, such as selling pastries, then such capacity may not be enough.
For speed options, you can choose between 6 different spin rates, which is more than enough to get most mild to moderate mixing tasks done. And if you feel like the device is struggling with a particular component, you can simply use the QuickBurst button to give the motor that extra push.
It may not be indicated in its product name, but this unit can actually be utilized like a hand mixer as well, similar to the 3rd entry on this list, albeit this one has a slightly stronger motor, powered at 290-watts. As for the included attachments, you get the usual pair of traditional beaters, along with a whisk and two dough hooks.
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Build-wise, the VonShef RED hand mixer has dimensions of 7.2 x 4.3 x 3 inches. Despite its cheap price tag, this unit performs rather decently well. With its 250-watt motor, you can perform simple to slightly tough mixing jobs such as whisking, kneading, and mixing, with relative success.
However, do not expect this model to handle extremely tough ingredients and highly dense dough. Although, if you do encounter a slight hitch when mixing, the Turbo Function of this appliance might just save your day. In addition, you can choose from 5 different speed settings, so you can whip some cream or egg whites just as effortless as stirring gravies or mashed vegetables.
When you want to change accessories, you can simply push the ejection button to swap out attachments. Speaking of which, this product comes with a pair of beaters, a pair of dough hooks, and one balloon whisk, ensuring that you are always prepared for different mixing demands.
This hand mixer is also fairly lightweight, which reduces the strain on your hand. Storing it is also easy, thanks to its compact build. Moreover, it also has a striking red color that is complemented with silver accents, resulting in a premium appearance.
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This is, by far, the most expensive entry on this catalogue of mixers. But, its features and overall quality more than justifies its very high cost. Think of it as an even better version of the 2nd entry item which is already an amazing product in and of itself.
Much like the 2nd-listed product, which happens to bear the same brand name, this model also offers over 15 optional attachments, guaranteeing that you never run out of recipes to try out. However, unlike the aforementioned unit, this one is only available in 10 varying colors, which may or may not matter to you.
Performance-wise, both the KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan stand mixer and this particular model offers the same 10-speed setting. However, the latter has almost double the wattage power (575-watt) than the former (325-watt), meaning the Professional 600 series KP26M1XER can handle much tougher ingredients and mixtures.
Another obvious difference that this stand mixer has over the 2nd entry, is in its bowl setup. Aside from having a larger capacity (6-quart), the bowl on this model is also lifted above the mixer’s base, which leads to a more optimal beater-to-bowl contact. Partner this with a higher, 67-point planetary mixing action, and you can be certain that every mix you do is done meticulously.
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Kitchen Mixers Comparison: Each Model, Side By Side
Each product listed above is impressive in its own right. It is also totally normal for you to base your purchase on a specific aspect of such item, such as whether you want to go for the cheaper one or the model that has the most features. To help narrow down your list, here are the usual factors for you to compare upon:
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Price
Price will always be a staple factor when it comes to buying a certain merchandise, and it is no different with hand and stand mixers.
Within this specific product list, the cheapest mixer you can get is the VonShef RED hand mixer, followed by the Sunbeam FPSBHS0301 hand and stand mixer and the Hamilton Beach 64650 stand mixer, respectively. The KitchenAid KHM512 on the other hand falls somewhere in the middle price range for hand mixers.
For the most expensive entry, the KitchenAid Professional 600 series KP26M1XER stand mixer rightfully takes the cake, whereas the KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan stand mixer comes second as the most expensive. Given that these two are heavy-duty stand mixers, and add that fact that both share a well-known brand name, their steep costs are to be expected.
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Technology
The innovativeness of a certain device is a key aspect to its overall appeal. Naturally, the more features a product has, the more inclined you will be to check it out.
Upon comparing all 6 mixers on this list, it was obvious that the KitchenAid Professional 600 series KP26M1XER and KitchenAid KSM150 Artisan stand mixers would be hailed as the ones with the best technologies.
Aside from providing high wattages, both these units also come with 10 rotation speeds setting. Moreover, the former’s 59-point and the latter’s 67-point planetary mixing actions delivers unmatched precision.
However, the electric mixing sensor of the KitchenAid KHM512 hand mixer, and the 6-speed with QuickBurst setting of the Hamilton Beach 64650 stand mixer, are two features also worth mentioning here.
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Ease of use
Ease of use has a relatively loose definition, meaning what is easy for you may not be the same to others. Nevertheless, a sign of a good quality product is being something you can easily adapt to, but without oversimplifying its features to a point of being useless.
In this catalogue of mixers, the KitchenAid KHM512 hand mixer is probably the easiest to get used to. It offers a well-balanced ergonomic design that aims to alleviate hand strain while mixing, especially since hand mixers are meant to be held during operation. The 5-speed setting is also a sweet spot for testing out various recipes without being overwhelmed with higher spin options.
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Utility
Basically, this factor refers to the flexibility of the product, and how it can yield the most use for you. With that said, the dual functionality of the Sunbeam FPSBHS0301 and Hamilton Beach 64650 mixers definitely gives the two high marks for utility. The ability to freely switch between hand mixing and stand mixing is truly a unique opportunity, allowing you to tailor your approach to the current task at hand.
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Accessories
For some products, accessories are seen more as something extra. But, the same cannot be said with mixers, which heavily relies on its attachments. And among the 6 products listed here, the two KitchenAid stand mixers offers you the best selection, with up to 15 optional attachments available for each one.
Hopefully, you can use all this information to your advantage. Each product mentioned here may have their differences, but they still serve the same purpose, which is to mix ingredients with optimal quality. And before you make any rash purchases, consider what you truly need.
Just know that you do not really have to spend thousands just to get a quality mixer. And whether you get yourself a handheld type or a stand type as long as you factor in your normal kitchen routine and usual recipes, it will not be that difficult to pick the right model.
But What is a Kitchen Mixer?
A mixer is a kitchen appliance that is built with a gear mechanism to spin a pair of beaters in order to incorporate multiple food components. The mechanism can be moved either by manual manipulation or via an electric motor. Depending on the type of mixer, the beaters can come either completely attached to the entire unit or can be detached.
Manual hand mixers are usually just limited to light mixing, whereas the motorized versions, be it hand or stand type, can perform much heavier-duty preparations. A stand type may even be attached with unique accessories, like a dough hook perhaps, which is primarily used for mechanically kneading dough.
What To Look For In A Hand Mixer And Stand Mixer
When buying either the hand mixer or the stand mixer, here are the factors you need to consider:
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Build and weight
The lighter the hand mixer the better, since you are going to be holding it during mixing. Stand mixers on the other hand can get away with a heavier build, since all it needs is a flat surface to be placed on.
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Speed options
The more spin levels the better, since you can cover a wide variety of recipes that requires different mixing intensities. Usually, speed settings can range from 3 up to 12 levels, but the more there are the pricier the unit gets. Just base your speed range of choice on your usual cooking recipes.
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Price
Hand mixers are naturally cheaper, with most brands rarely going over $100. On the other hand, stand mixers can retail for as low as $200 to as high as $700, maybe even beyond $1,000 for commercial models.
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Attachments
Stand mixers are more stable and more powerful than handheld models; therefore it can put different attachments to better use. Nevertheless, having multiple accessories can potentially expand your whole recipe repertoire.