The Best Stand Mixers, Judged by Our Expert Testers (2026)

“Like an Eames chair or a Noguchi paper lamp, the KitchenAid stand mixer is an instantly recognizable icon in its category,” says senior Test Kitchen editor Shilpa Uskokovic. After years of testing, I can confirm: These mixers are classics for a reason. And while there are several different mixer models in the brand’s lineup, I believe the best option for most home cooks is the brand-new 5-quart Artisan Plus.

What we love: I’ve been a fan of KitchenAid’s Artisan Series mixers for years, but this latest addition to the lineup marks a significant improvement over the original 5-quart tilt-head model. While the Breville mixer previously outperformed the KitchenAid by a hair, the Artisan Plus proved it was worthy of the top spot.

The Artisan Plus combines everything we’ve come to know and love about the 5-quart Artisan with key upgrades previously offered only by the Breville mixer.

The Artisan Plus has the same 5-quart capacity as the original, which hits the size sweet spot in that it’s large enough to accommodate all the cookie dough a home baker could want to make in one batch (nine dozen or so), but not so large that it’s inconvenient for smaller tasks.

The 350-watt motor is 25 watts stronger than the original and has more than enough oomph to whip, knead, and whisk to the right consistency. Where the original Artisan has 10 speed settings, the Artisan Plus has 11—plus a precision speed control mode that allows you to adjust the speed on a sliding scale. In testing, I was pleased that the mixer didn’t move across the countertop even when set to the highest speed (a common occurrence in cheaper stand mixers).

The streamlined shape and tilt-head design of the KitchenAid (that is, a design that opens at the top of the mixer) make it very easy to clean, and the addition of a light makes it easy to see what’s going on inside the bowl even if the lighting in your kitchen leaves something to be desired. I also like that the mixer has a relatively compact footprint that can conceivably fit in your cabinet (though if you’re splurging on a KitchenAid and choosing from their 14 color options, wouldn’t you want to display it proudly on your counter?)

The Artisan Plus also comes with a pouring shield and a revamped suite of stainless steel accessories that feel luxe and heavy-duty—including a double flex edge beater blade that does a great job of scraping down the bowl as it mixes.

Perhaps the number one reason why you might choose a KitchenAid over another brand is that its stand mixers can famously accommodate the whole menagerie of KitchenAid attachments. That means the same appliance that mixes your pizza dough can serve as a pasta maker, a meat grinder, an ice cream maker, a spiralizer, and even a food processor.

What we’d leave: My main gripe with this mixer is that it’s $150 more expensive than our other top pick at the time of writing, and doesn’t include an extra bowl like the Breville. It’s also worth noting that we’ve historically found the Breville to be sturdier when mixing dense doughs than most tilt-head KitchenAid models. The Artisan Plus was able to knead challah dough with no issue, but the head of the mixer did bob up and down ever so slightly as it did so.

Another great option: Breville Bakery Chef 5-Qt. Stand Mixer