How do you avoid choosing the wrong mixer? Choosing the wrong mixer creates a mess literally. It doesn’t do everything you wish it could (extra grinding, mixing with cool attachments, etc.). The wrong mixer often is messy, loud, hard to clean, unstable, and just not powerful enough to get the job done well.
So, how do you avoid choosing the “wrong” mixer? First, you need to identify exactly what it is that you want out of a mixer.
Perhaps you’re considering upgrading your mixer or you’re starting from stratch. Either way, identify what it is that you want out of your mixer.
A few things to consider when choosing the best mixer:
- Power – The more powerful the mixer, generally speaking, the better it will mix (just make sure that you can vary the speed).
- Ease of Use – If the thing is so complicated that you won’t be able to use it, all the bells and whistles won’t really matter. So consider a mixer that the controls look easy to use and aren’t too complicated.
- Accessories – How versatile is the mixer? Can you attach a flat beater, a dough hook, or a wire whip? Having different accessories will help ensure that you have the right tool for the right job. You wouldn’t use a toothpick to chop down a tree (let’s hope not), so don’t use one mixer accessory tool to try to do everything. The right accessories will make a world of difference.
- Attachments – Can you mixer be connected to attachments such as a juicer, meat grinder, pasta maker, food processor, etc. Be aware that most of the attachments are sold separately, so figure that into your costs/budget when making your decision. The great thing about a having a mixer with those attachments is that if you don’t get the attachments right away, you have the option of getting them later and enjoying the full range of functions for your mixer.
- Capacity – How big is the mixing bowl. You’ll need to decide what works best for you, but 5+ Quarts is a good size from some of the best mixers out there.
- Speeds – Can the mixer operate a different speeds. Some mixers offer a slow start function that starts the mixer slowly at first and then increases speed which if you’ve ever mixed before, you’ll know that this will save you from a lot of messes, splatter, and cleanup.
So, what if you’re still not entirely sure? There are a lot of mixer options out there to choose from, so if we had to narrow it down to just three mixers that provide quality, a good variety of features and versatility, and value for the price, it would have to be the following three mixers:
#3 If you want low price and won’t be making lots of bread
KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250-Watt 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer
KitchenAid K45SS Classic 250-Watt 4-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer
The price for this mixer is what a lot of people like. It can be found on Amazon (usually for under $200).
It has over 300 reviews on Amazon with an average of 4.5 stars.
The K45SS has the accessories you’ll need to get started. However, I would suggest go with this model only if price is a big issue and you’re not going to be making lots of bread. At 250 Watts, it’s powerful, but not powerful enough sometimes, so you may find yourself wishing you would have bought the higher grade mixer for just a little bit more.
#2 A Mixer that Shines – One of the Best Kitchenaid Stand Mixers
Number two on the list is the famous KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer
What makes this mixer great?
All the features? -Yes
The Color Selection? -Yes
The power? -Yes
But what really shows that this mixer shines? Look at the review count…over one-thousand seven-hundred reviews on Amazon alone and an average rating of 4.5 stars. That’s a lot of customer reviews! Check them out on Amazon 
It is a little more pricey coming in just under $300 (sometimes there’s a post-purchase rebate to check out on the Amazon page as well).
The Artisan has good capacity with 5 Quarts, and is more powerful at 325 watts.
#1 Our Choice for Best Value in a Mixer Goes to…
The Cuisinart SM-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer
Cuisinart SM-55 5-1/2-Quart Stand Mixer
So what sets the Cuisinart apart from the Kitchenaid? They’re both great mixers. The Cuisinart has only just over 100 reviews on Amazon (still a 4.5 average rating). But it’s interesting to what everyone else is saying about it vs Kitchenaid:
- “I’m a satisfied Cuisinart convert!”
- “Better than the Kitchen Aid Artisan”
- “I bought this to replace a 5 qt. KitchenAid Artisan…In my opinion, it is far superior to the KitchenAids in almost every way.”
The Cuisinart has power! It’s 800 watts compared to the 325 watts on the KitchenAid Artisan. Its price is right in line with the KitchenAid, so you really get more bang for your buck.
Obviously, we’re big fans of the Cuisinart, but you decide for yourself. Both the KitchenAid Artisan and the Cuisinart are fantastic mixers so you’ll be much better off with these than the lower end options.
So how do you avoid choosing the wrong mixer?
Simple. Go with a great mixer. #1 or #2 on the list above are both great mixers and you’ll lessen (maybe eliminate) the chance of going wrong and not meeting your mixing needs by going with a great mixer. Just read the reviews on the pages on Amazon.
We posted an in depth review of the Cuisinart showing why it’s one of the Best Stand Mixers.
