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Listen, we all know that the KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Tilt-Head is the gold standard when it comes to stand mixers. After all, it has Ina Garten’s stamp of approval — what more is there to say? We all also know that it’ll set you back 300 bucks (or more). And while visions of the fluffiest creams and smoothest batters are enticing, dropping a car payment on a stand mixer may not be in the budget. Fortunately, affordable alternatives that’ll help you become a master of baked goods do exist.
Most Affordable Stand Mixers at a Glance
Best Overall:Instant 7.4-qt 10-Speed Stand Mixer Pro, $200
Most 5-Star Shopper Reviews:Aucma 6.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $160
Most Aesthetically Pleasing: Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 5.3-qt Stand Mixer, $99
Best for Everyday Use:Aicok 5-Quart 6-Speed Stand Mixer, $100
Best on a Budget: DASH Everyday 3-qt Stand Mixer, $50
Best for Beginners:Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $120
You might be thinking, But, but… everyone on Instagram has the KitchenAid Artisan! Admittedly, it seems like that some days. And it’s a phenomenal option, so it makes sense. But don’t let the KitchenAid hype keep you from exploring other options that may work just as well for you at a fraction of the cost. Some of the more affordable alternatives on the market even have features the KitchenAid lacks.
Because here’s the thing: If you love to bake, a stand mixer is a worthy investment. It saves time and energy. The results are often noticeably better. If something is supposed to be smooth, it comes out like velvet. If it’s supposed to be light and airy, it comes out like a cloud. True story. A stand mixer will rock your baking world. And once you realize that, it’ll be a real struggle to ever return to that cheap hand mixer you bought on clearance at K-Mart 10 years ago.
What to Look for in an Affordable Stand Mixer That’s Still High Quality
As Lynne Just, chef and Consumer Test Kitchen Manager for Hamilton Beach told SheKnows, there are several things you’ll want to consider in order to choose the right stand mixer for you.
Usage
For instance, how often will you use your mixer? “If you are baking for a family or small group, then a mixer with a 4–5-quart bowl capacity will work well,” Just said. “If you typically bake for a crowd, look for a mixer with a larger capacity bowl.”
Attachments & Accessories
Next, you’ll want to see what attachments are included. According to Just, mixers typically come with three attachments: a flat beater, a whisk, and a dough hook. “These attachments will handle most of your mixing needs,” she said.
Depending on the brand and retailer you purchase your stand mixer from, additional attachments may be included. “Many mixers offer accessories that attach to a specialty hub,” Just said. “These can range from meat grinders, slicer/shredders, pasta cutters, and more.”
Speed Settings
“More speed settings allow for greater flexibility in mixing,” Just shared. Because of that, she suggests looking for at least six to seven speeds that offer “low settings for mixing delicate batters and higher settings for mixing bread dough or heavier cookie dough.”
Mixing Action
How a stand mixer operates can make all the difference. “Top-rated stand mixers use orbital (also referenced as planetary) mixing action (the mixing head rotates around the bowl and the beater rotate in the opposite direction),” Just said. “This design allows the beaters to reach more areas of the bowl.”
Wattage
How much power you’ll need depends on the kind of food you’ll be making. For example, if you’ll be frequently mixing heavier doughs for bread, you’ll want a mixer that can keep up. According to Just, “The higher the wattage, the more power the mixer has.”
Height & Weight
Last but not least, you’ll want to be mindful of the mixer’s height and weight. Per Just, lighter stand mixers may be easier to store, however, they’re also more likely to “vibrate and shimmy” across your counter while in use. Height is also important to consider as mixers with tilting heads need extra clearance.
Now that you know what to look for, we’ve rounded up a few more-affordable-than-KitchenAid stand mixers that have received rave reviews from users. After all, the perfect chocolate chip cookies aren’t going to make themselves!
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DASH Everyday 3-qt Stand Mixer
This stand mixer by Dash is perfect for everyday use. It offers everything you need to make a quick batch of brownies or a last-minute cake. It features 250 W total power, six preset speeds, and dishwasher-safe pieces. We adore the cute look of the mixer, as well as the variety of colors to choose from. According to one shopper, it’s the ideal starter mixer. “My daughter is six and loved to cook,” they wrote. “She requested a pink mixer for Christmas and this everyday stand mixer did not disappoint! So far, we’ve only used it for baking cookies and cakes, but we will be using the dough hooks for bread soon!”
Special features: 250W total power, six preset speeds
Dimensions: 13.3″ x 6″ x 10″
Pros:
– A good everyday mixer
– Easy-to-use making it good for beginners
– Compact size
– Under $50
Cons:
– Might not have enough features for more complex recipes
– Size might not suit larger families
– Some reviewers wish it had lower speed settings
Beautiful by Drew Barrymore 5.3-qt Stand Mixer
For a compact and beautiful mixer that looks stunning on any countertop, check out this one from Drew Barrymore’s Beautiful kitchen line. The mixer has 12-speed settings and a tilt-head design that makes adding ingredients a total breeze. It even has a splash shield to help prevent any crazy messes. We love the soft matte premium finish, which really sets it apart from any other stand mixer out there. According to shoppers, it makes a “great KitchenAid replacement.” One reviewer even wrote, “As a baker, $300 kitchen mixers were hard to come by and not nearly as easy on the eye. This beauty is literally on display in my kitchen. It works amazingly and looks perfect.”
Special features: 300W mixing system, tilt-head design, splash guard
Dimensions: 15″ x 9″ x 17″
Pros:
– 12 speed settings
– Splash guard that helps to prevent messes
– Lightweight design
– Suction cups at base to keep mixer in place
Cons:
– Some shoppers say it doesn’t mix ingredients at the bottom of the bowl well
Instant 7.4-qt 10-Speed Stand Mixer Pro
If you consider yourself a total pro in the kitchen, but don’t want to splurge on a proessional-level stand mixer, this option from Instant makes a great, more affordable alternative. It comes with a large, 7.4-quart bowl, dough hooks, whisks, and a flat paddle. It also features a digital display and 10 preset functions, and comes in three colors (ice blue, pearl white, and silver). As one shopper wrote, “I used this for all of my holiday baking this year. I love the splatter shield and the timer, those are some super convenient features that I’ve never had on my previous mixers. This mixer is much lighter than other mixers I’ve dealt with, and the larger capacity mixing bowl and suction cups really help with stabilizing while mixing.”
Special features: 600W total power, digital display with timer, non-slip feet on base
Dimensions: 41.9″ x 9.6″ x 13.6″
Pros:
– Easy to clean
– Lightweight design
– Has a digital display with timer
Cons:
– Some reviewers say mixing heavier doughs like bread can be a little tough
Aucma 6.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
With over 15,000 reviews, the Aucma boasts a huge mixing bowl that will accommodate your most ambitious bakes. The mixing bowl has handles, which will make it easier to haul off of the stand when you’re done mixing. There are a total of six speeds and a pulse function. This mixer is a step above the rest, because it has a splash guard, which helps keep your kitchen clean.
Special features: 660W total power, tilt head, pure copper motor, 6 speeds and pulse function, anti-slip pad
Dimensions: 15.2″ x 9.4″ x 12.4″
Pros:
– Quiet
– Under $200
– Suction feet at base make are very secure, per reviews
– Easy to clean
Cons:
– Best for occasional use
– May be better for beginners
Kenmore Elite Ovation 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
If you’re a neat freak, this Kenmore Elite Ovation could be your stand mixer soulmate. Why? It features a unique 360-degree splash guard and pour-in-top design so you can add ingredients directly to the mixing bowl without annoying splashes and splatters. It has a powerful 500-watt motor with 10 speeds, a large 5-quart mixing bowl, 9 accessories included and boasts a beautiful heavy-duty glass mixing bowl. It’s just under the price of a KitchenAid, but every little bit counts, right?
Special features: 500W power, pour-through top, removable 360-degree splash guard, 9 accessories and attachments incldued
Dimensions: 14.75″ x 9.5″ x 13″
Pros:
– Sealed bowl prevents messes
– Everything mixes with ease, per reviews
– Good for making large batches
Cons:
– Heavy bowl
– Price is comparable to a KitchenAid
Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer
This may be one of the pricier of the affordable options, but Cuisinart’s stand mixer has a lot going for it. At 5.5-quarts, the mixing bowl is big. With 12 speed settings, there’s not much it can’t blend into submission. It comes equipped with a whisk, paddle, and hook attachments as well as a splashguard, but you can also buy several attachments separately. Our favorites? A pasta roller and ice cream maker.
Special features: 500W power, die-cast metal construction, 12 speeds, tilt-back head, power outlet for additional attachments
Dimensions: 11.2″ x 16.5″ x 15.9″
Pros:
– Trusted brand
– Perfect size for small kitchens
– Reviewers love its powerful motor
Cons:
– Mixing dough at lower speeds may see slowdowns
– Price varies based on color of choice
Hamilton Beach 7-Speed Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
The 4-quart bowl on this Hamilton Beach standing mixer makes it a bit more compact than the KitchenAid, but don’t let its smaller size fool you. This 7-speed mixer comes with three attachments — a dough hook, whisk and a flat beater — as well as a splatter shield. And at under $150, it’s a fraction of the price.
Special features: 300W power, planetary mixing action, 7 speeds, slow first speed for kneading bread
Dimensions: 10.5″ x 16.31″ x 16.31″
Pros:
– Under $150
– Durable
– Easy controls
– Mixes all the ingredients in the bowl
Cons:
– On the louder side, per reviews
Aicok 5-Quart 6-Speed Stand Mixer
For a fraction of the price of higher-end models, you can get the same functions and more with this stand mixer — this puppy has a double dough hook, which makes bread-kneading (and plenty of other stuff) a breeze. Users are big fans of the fact that the large 5-quart mixing bowl has a handle that makes it easy to empty. The motor can be a little louder than other mixers at times, but it definitely gets the job done — and it’s less than $100.
Special features: 500W power, 6 speeds, planetary mixing action, tilting head design
Dimensions: n/a
Pros:
– Under $150
– Good for everyday use
Cons:
– Loud
– Lack of extra attachments
If you don’t want to spend on a KitchenAid, clearly there are a ton of really great options to choose from. And if you really want the classic KitchenAid, you can still find it on sale at select retailers.
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