Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven us to discover new pastimes at home. If you’re anything like me, you’ve been watching a lot of baking and cooking shows during the stay-at-home guidelines of 2020, and it’s only natural to want to scratch that baking itch yourself after weekend marathons of The Great British Baking Show and Nailed It! I all, who doesn’t recall the banana bread phase of quarantine?

A great stand mixer is a must-have tool in every baker’s armory, whether you’re a seasoned baker trying to spruce up your gear ahead of the holidays or a first-timer hoping to whip up some pies, cookies, cobblers, and cakes. It’s crucial to understand for the uninitiated that these mixers are considered investments. While a good handheld mixer can be found for a reasonable price, if you want a stand mixer with a specific style or size — or one with all the bells and whistles — you’ll want to invest in one that will last for years.We’ve compiled a list of the best of the best, and all you have to do now is choose one before it’s time to bake this year’s Christmas cookies.

Best Mixer on a Budget
The Dash Stand Mixer is a great crowd-pleaser, with nearly 4,000 five-star reviews. This multi-purpose machine may be used to make icing, creamy dressings, doughs, and much more. What’s the Dash’s finest feature? It can perform everything a more expensive model can do for a fraction of the price.

The equipment is tiny enough to fit in most kitchen cabinets, making it ideal for people who live in apartments or bake in small kitchens with limited counter and storage space. Despite its diminutive size, the Dash delivers a powerful punch, beating, kneading, and combining your ingredients at six speeds. The completely tilting motor head makes removing the mixing bowl and the beaters a breeze, ensuring that this cost-effective Dash won’t leave a mess on your worktops — or your checkbook.

High-End Mixer of the Year
Who doesn’t appreciate a few extra features, especially when it comes to kitchen appliances? There are a number of compelling reasons why high-end stand mixers are so expensive, which is all the more reason why you shouldn’t rush into such a large purchase. What’s our advice? Customers rave about the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer’s ability to knead bread dough, shred poultry, and beat precise combinations every time.

This gadget, which comes in more than 20 hues, is likely to not only blend in with your kitchen’s decor but also stand out as a true countertop statement piece. This KitchenAid stand mixer is unsurpassed in the kitchen, with more than 10 attachments, 10 different speeds, a five-quart stainless steel bowl, and a tilt-head design that makes adding ingredients and cleaning the appliance simple. After all, you know it’ll last a lifetime if you get it from a reputable brand like KitchenAid.

The Most Effective Mixer for Large Batches
If you need a solution for large-scale cooking endeavors but don’t want to spend the money on a KitchenAid or Cuisinart mixer, the Aucma Stand Mixer is a great option. It’s rated as the best stand mixer for large quantities on Amazon, and buyers agree, with over 3,000 reviews giving it five stars. So, what distinguishes the Aucma mixer?

The appliance features a strong engine and variable speed control with six modes to select from. The Aucma has a tilt-head design and several mixing attachments, just like higher-end stand mixers. These features are nice to have, but when it comes to large-batch applications, the mixing bowl is everything. The 6.5 litre stainless steel bowl in this product is ideal for the most ambitious bakers with a lot of time on their hands.

Best Mixer for Small Spaces
Although it performs similarly to a KitchenAid, the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer costs half as much and is significantly smaller. It might be tough to strike a balance between size and quality when looking for a stand mixer that takes up less space. Many ultra-compact mixers are just not made to last. Although you could probably find a smaller stand mixer on the market, this Hamilton Beach model offers the best of all worlds.

The appliance’s 300-watt motor, seven variable speeds, and top-notch planetary mixing design, which lets the beaters reach every inch of the four-quart bowl, make mixing thick batters and bread doughs a breeze. The splash guard is by far one of the mixer’s nicest features, since it prevents batter from splattering on you or your counters. In terms of small size, this Hamilton Beach model is around half the weight of a typical KitchenAid model, and it comes with a handy handle to make toting and storing even easier.

Mixer with the Best Retro Design
Perhaps it’s because of our collective obsession with shows like Mad Men, Palm Springs, and 1950s cafes, or perhaps it’s simply because the mid-century modern look has resurfaced after a few decades. Whatever the cause, there’s no denying that Smeg, best known for its retro refrigerators, produces some gorgeous, eye-catching items. The Smeg Retro Style Stand Mixer is no exception, with its unusual design and enticing pastel colors.

The Smeg, on the other hand, promises to do more than just look good on your kitchen counter. The mixer comes with numerous extras, including a pouring shield, dough hook, wire whisk, and flat beater, in addition to its five-quart stainless-steel bowl. There are ten different speeds to choose from, as well as anti-slip feet for increased stability. Best of all, you can complete the 1950s style by using Smeg products throughout your kitchen. It’s not just a single purchase; it’s a full new look. We propose adding this beautiful Smeg Retro Style Drip Coffee Machine to your arsenal while you’re at it for cookie and cake bakers.

Overall Best Stand Mixer
Cuisinart is linked with kitchen appliances for a reason. The brand is known for producing high-quality, long-lasting items. But first-time bakers and cooks shouldn’t be put off by the Cuisinart Stand Mixer’s impressive capabilities; it’s also highly user-friendly, making it a perfect device for both novices and seasoned bakers.

This heavy-duty, 12-speed mixer is designed with enough power to mix, knead, and whip practically anything with precision and high-quality results. The Cuisinart model also includes a few useful equipment, such as a chef’s whisk, a mixing paddle, and a dough hook, as well as a 5.5-quart stainless-steel bowl that can handle large-batch jobs. The Cuisinart mixer is praised for its price, especially when compared to similar high-end competitors, in addition to its versatility, power, precision, and ease of use.