The Best Stand Mixer
The all-around best for everyday baking: powerful enough, endlessly versatile, and built to last generations. · Updated June 24, 2026
KitchenAid Artisan
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer (KSM150PS)
$399Buy on Amazon
★star.shop pickWirecutter pickReddit favorite
Pros
- Wirecutter's top pick for over a decade across exhaustive bread, cookie, and cake testing
- Most consistently recommended all-around mixer on Reddit for home bakers
- Compatible with 80+ attachments (pasta roller, meat grinder, ice cream maker) for serious versatility
- Mostly-metal construction that's repairable and can last for generations
- Tilt-head design makes adding ingredients and swapping the bowl quick and easy
- 5-quart bowl handles most everyday batches with room to spare
Cons
- Tilt-head mechanism is less ideal for very heavy, dense bread doughs than a bowl-lift
- Has a nylon worm gear and documented kneading-duration limits for hard doughs
- Serious and frequent bread bakers may prefer the pricier Ankarsrum Assistent
- At ~$399 it's a real investment, and sales fluctuate by color
- 5-quart capacity can feel tight for large double batches