So you are on the hunt for a new stand mixer, and while doing your initial research like a responsible consumer, you realize the options are literally endless.

The decision to choose a mixer can be intimidating, especially if you are someone who loves to bake. Choosing a mixer will either be one of the best investments for your kitchen, or a serious disappointment and headache. Because we understand how easily the pressure can accumulate, we’ve decided to review four mixers to help you through these important decisions.

4 Best Stand Mixers for the Kitchen

Kitchenaid’s Signature Stand Mixer – The Artisan Series

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield, 5-Quart

Let’s start with this iconic KitchenAid model.

The 5-quart bowl allows enough room to mix up to 9 dozen cookies worth of dough, or 4 loaves of bread in one batch, perfect for baking for your family.

However, if you are planning to make triple batches, you may want to consider a machine with a larger bowl.

The motor on this mixer offers 325 watts of power, which is enough for most home bakers. All basic recipes should be doable with this mixer — think cakes, cookies, or pizza dough. The tilt-head is designed so as to allow you to continue to add ingredients into the bowl as the mixer mixes.

Ships with three different mixing arms and a splash guard.

This mixer is available in every color under the sun. Seriously, you can match it to just about any Kitchen design or wishful color scheme.

Related: Kitchenaid Electric Range Review

This model is durable and likely to last you your money’s worth. However, with the durability, take into account the heaviness of this mixer. It isn’t an easy one to move around.

Pros: Tried and tested design, proper mixer layout, tons of colors.

Cons: Very small mixing bowl, under-powered for the price.

Hamilton Beach’s Stand Mixer may look brutish, but it is the best deal in town.

Hamilton Beach 63227 All-Metal Stand Mixer

This Hamilton mixer is more powerful than the Kitchenaid Artisan Mixer with 400 watts of power and a 12-speed setting. It is built entirely of metal (aside from the pour shield), making it the most durable machine in our lineup.

A 4.5 qt locking stainless steel mixing bowl is paired with a locking mixer head which spins in one direction as it rotates in the opposite direction around the bowl, just like the Kitchenaid Artisan and other far more expensive commercial stand mixers.

Ships with 3 mixing arms.

It is slightly larger than the other mixers reviewed here, and though it does have legs to stand on, customers report it can vibrate under certain conditions you aren’t holding it steady.

At just under $175.00, the Hamilton Beach mixer is a good choice for those who want to stick to a budget.

It is very well-priced for the build quality and features set, while perhaps not as versatile as the Kitchenaid Artisan mixer.

Easily wins our “best buy” for this segment.

Pros: Crazy low price, proper mixer design and operation.

Cons: Small mixing bowl, vibration complaints under certain loads.

Bosch’s Universal Mixer is unlike any other mixer on the market.

Bosch MUM6N10UC Universal Plus Stand Mixer, 800 watt, 6.5-Quarts

Far the more advanced baker — where budget is of no concern — the Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer, MUM6N10UC is something of an oddity.

It looks like it would be more at home in a chemistry lab than a kitchen, but do not let the looks deceive you. Bosch Appliance has created a unique design, and this little machine can run circles around the competition.

The Bosch comes with two types of mixing arms, and many optional accessories.

This is the mixer you want if you are looking to do some heavy duty mixing. Especially if bread is your baking preference.

With its high power motor offering 800 watts, you can knead really large quantities of dough at a time free of worry.

Aside from the high wattage, this Bosch model is quite light (12.3 pounds), and won’t rock back and forth when you leave it alone. With this machine, the work will come when it is time to clean it.

Because of its unique design, there is more parts to clean requiring a little extra clean-up time after each use. Overall, this is the most capable machine in the line-up, and by far the most expensive.

Related: Bosch Refrigerator Review

The Bosch Universal Stand Mixer also comes with good warranty coverage: 3 year warranty on the motor and transmission. 1 year on accessories.

Pros:  Unrivaled versatility, prosumer features, German engineering.

Cons: High entry price, clean-up is more intensive.

Cuisinart’s Stand Mixer Comes in 3 Colors

Cuisinart SM-55BK 5-1/2-Quart 12-Speed Stand Mixer

This little appliance is made of heavy-duty die-cast metal, a tilt-head design, and dead simple operation.

Cuisinart Small Appliances has really continued to put out impressively built, well-thought out counter top appliances.

Related:  Cuisinart Chefs Toaster Oven Review

The Cuisinart SM-55BK is impressive, at just $261 you get a near commercial quality mixer with an 800-watt motor. It can handle thick dough, massive cookie batches and allows for a slow-start so you aren’t covering your kitchen in food you’ll later have to clean.

This Cuisinart model also has a countdown timer, three power outlets, and an auto shut off, many features you won’t find on other models. There is a high-speed outlet for attaching many other optional accessories such as the meat grinder, juicer, or pasta maker attachments.

This Cuisinart Unit reminds me of my old (discontinued) Viking Mixer

The unit comes in a three color options currently: white, black, or chrome.

Ultimately, with this Cuisinart stand mixer you get the best warranty around. We are talking a 3-year limited warranty and a 5-year full warranty on the motor. Easily the best in this line-up, and for the price it simply cannot be beat.

Pros:  Low price, long warranty, commercial quality.

Cons: Lots of attachments are optional, only ships with three attachments out the gate.