Buyer's Guide Kitchen Appliances Stand Mixers

Best Stand Mixers for Bread Dough: Complete Buyer’s Guide for 2022 & Product Reviews

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If you make bread often and you’re tired of kneading it by hand, then using the best stand mixers can be a great solution and one that will save you plenty of time and energy. They do an efficient job of kneading bread, which will come in handy for beginners, or those who want to multitask in the kitchen and save the heavy-duty work for their appliances.

But finding a mixer that’s powerful and durable enough to withstand regular use is more difficult than it sounds. I’ve created an in-depth buyer’s guide that discusses all of the features you need to look for, and how these mixers can save you time and energy in the kitchen.

If you’re a new baker, or you’ve never used a mixer to prepare dough, then you may have trouble choosing the right model, one that’s powerful enough to handle all your mixing needs. Fortunately, I’ve reviewed many of the best-selling stand mixers on the market, narrowing it down to six machines that have what it takes to land on my best-of list. Below, you’ll find a comparison chart that includes important information such as setting options, power, and how they rated.

Stand Mixers for Bread Dough Comparison Chart

ProductSpeedsCapacityAttachmentsRating
Amazon Basics Stand Mixer
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74.5 Liters3
Aucma Stand Mixer
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66.5 Quarts3
KitchenAid KSM75SL
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104.5 Liters3
Cuisinart SM50 Stand Mixer
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125.5 Quarts3
KitchenAid KP26M1XTG
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106 Quarts3
VIVOHOME Stand Mixer
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66 Quarts3
Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer
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74 Quarts3

Amazon Basics Multi-Speed Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (5/5)

This multi-speed mixer comes loaded with some great features and is very beginner-friendly. To start, it offers a total of seven speed options, including a pulse feature. The four and a half-liter mixing bowl capacity allows you to mix and knead thicker doughs thanks to the addition of an interchangeable hook.

The set also comes with a whisk and beater attachment, so you can mix up batters, creams, puddings, and more. The anti-slip base is designed to keep the mixer securely in place, so it won’t budge even when you’re kneading dense dough. Since you need a versatile mixer that can handle more than doughs, this model comes with a variety of mixing components, a pulse feature and several speed options to choose from based on what you’re mixing. The included splash shield will save some cleanup time and prevents batter and dough from getting all over your clothing.

Pros

  • Three mixing attachments
  • Seven speed options
  • Versatile
  • Durable

Cons

  • Can be difficult to clean

Conclusion

Of course, different recipes will require different types of preparation from speed-whisking, to kneading and gentle mixing. This model does an excellent job of handling all your baking needs thanks to its feature-heavy design. It also comes with a stainless steel high-capacity mixing bowl, timer, and intuitive controls that make it very beginner-friendly.

Aucma Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This variable speed mixer comes equipped with a powerful six hundred and sixty-watt motor that’s made out of pure copper. The durable housing is made out of ABS plastic and features a total of six speed options including pulse. The mixing bowl offers a six and a half quart capacity and is made out of stainless steel.

On the mixing bowl, you’ll also find a decorative belt that’s also made out of stainless steel. The belt features vivid blue LED lights that work as a power indicator. This model can be used to knead and mix dough, prepare waffle and pancake batter, cookie dough, and much more. It’s tilt head design will give you easy access to remove or attach the mixing bowl.

This package comes with three mixing attachments including a mixing beater, dough hook, and a whisk. The splash guard is designed to protect your clothes from splatter, should you accidentally choose the wrong speed setting.

Pros

  • Three attachments
  • LED light power indicator
  • Durable
  • Powerful motor

Cons

  • 5 quart capacity
  • Body is made out of plastic

Conclusion

This multi-speed mixer comes loaded with all the right features that make it powerful, easy to use, and beginner-friendly. The included attachments and speed setting options will allow you to make anything from whip cream to your favorite bread dough. This appliance is a must-have for any baker in search of an affordable model that has what it takes to withstand heavy-duty use.

KitchenAid KSM75SL Classic Plus


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

If you’re looking for a mixer that comes equipped with all the bells and whistles you could ever want, then you’ll fall in love with this model by KitchenAid, which comes complete with three different attachment options. If you want to get more creative in the kitchen and try out new recipes, you can purchase seven other types of attachments for this particular model, straight from the manufacturer’s website.

It also offers a large four and a half quart stainless steel mixing bowl. The size of this mixing bowl will allow you to prepare enough dough to make three loaves of bread, in one batch. Pretty impressive right? The soft start feature will prevent any dry or wet ingredients from flying out of the mixing bowl since this setting causes the mixer to pick up speed gradually.

There are also ten speeds to choose from, so you can easily choose the correct speed setting based on what type of food you’re preparing. The tilt head design provides plenty of overhead access, so you can easily remove or attach the bowl.

Pros

  • Ten speed options
  • Three attachments
  • Splatter guard
  • Tilt head design

Cons

  • Steep price tag

Conclusion

KitchenAid is one of those leading companies that bakers of all skill levels are familiar with. It’s a company that’s known for quality and producing only the best, but this powerful mixer may be overkill for the occasional baker.

While this model may come with plenty of bells and whistles, it also has a steep price tag that bakers on a budget may not be able to afford. However, considering how durable, powerful, and versatile this mixer truly is, the serious baker will consider the higher price a fair tradeoff.

Cuisinart SM-50 Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

The five and a half quart capacity mixing bowl is made out of stainless steel and designed to whip up a couple of loaves of bread per batch. The twelve speed options ensure you choose the correct speed, based on what you’re preparing. You’ll also find a power outlet that you can use for optional attachments that are sold separately.

These optional attachments include a pasta maker, ice cream maker, spiralizer, and meat grinder. The powerful five hundred watt motor ensures this model can handle tough daily use, without overheating. Inside this package, you’ll get a splashguard with a pour spout, a flat mixing paddle, a dough hook, and a whisk.

Pros

  • Stainless steel mixing bowl
  • Ten speed options to choose from
  • Five hundred watt motor
  • Dishwasher safe

Cons

  • Not beginner-friendly

Conclusion

This feature-packed mixer is not the most beginner-friendly model on the market. The twelve speed options will come in handy for the experienced baker, but the amateur will need to experiment with each speed option to determine which one will work based on the type of food they’re preparing. Fortunately, the included user’s manual is very detailed, however, the beginner will still find themselves struggling to get the most out of this pricey mixer.

KitchenAid KP26M1XTG Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This is another leading stand mixer from KitchenAid and one that’s available in ten color options. You can choose from over fifteen optional attachments and purchase them directly from the manufacturer’s website. In this package, you’ll find three attachments: wire whisk, spiral dough hook, and a metal flat beater.

If you’re looking for a mixer that’s specifically designed to handle dough then you’ll appreciate the sixty-seven point planetary mixing action that ensures even the densest dough is mixed and kneaded to perfection. The included stainless steel mixing bowl is equipped with a comfortable handle and has a six-quart capacity.

The one-piece pouring shield fits over the mixing bowl and will prevent accidental spills and splatter. This model is also covered by a one-year product warranty, which will give buyers peace of mind knowing that KitchenAid stands behind their products.

The built-in power hub is where you’ll plug in any optional attachments you purchase separately. The hub definitely adds more versatility to this mixer, allowing you to use it to make pasta, shred cheeses, prepare veggies, and more. The planetary mixing action is a big deal. It makes a total of sixty-seven touch points per rotation for a more thorough mixing process.

Pros

  • Large capacity mixing bowl
  • Planetary mixing action
  • Built-in power hub
  • Includes three attachments

Cons

  • Price
  • Not beginner-friendly

Conclusion

If you’re in need of a multitasking machine, a mixer that helps to significantly cut down on the amount of time you spend in the kitchen, and one that’s equipped with a motor that’s designed to handle heavy-duty use, then you’ll appreciate all the features this top of the line model has to offer. A great buy for the avid bread maker and bakers in general, this is one tough mixer that’s up to the challenge.

VIVOHOME Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (4.5/5)

This mixer comes with some serious motor power at six hundred and fifty watts. The six speed control options, including pulse, allows you to choose the appropriate speed based on whether you’re mixing dry or wet ingredients and the type of batter or dough you’re preparing. The six quart stainless steel bowl is durable and allows you to whip up a larger batch of batter or dough in a single shot.

Like other models in this price bracket, this mixer comes with the standard three attachments including a whisk, a dough hook, and a mixing beater. The tilt head design makes it easier to remove or place the mixing bowl on the mixer. However, the design will also require you to have more overhead clearance, so the mixer may not be a good choice for your counter if you have low hanging cabinets.

Pros

  • Six hundred and fifty watt motor
  • Six-speed control options
  • Six-quart mixing bowl
  • Durable

Cons

  • Not beginner-friendly

Conclusion

Some bakers will find that the controls on this mixer are not very intuitive. The included user’s manual is vague at best and doesn’t walk the buyer through the different steps they need to take to use each feature. However, the complicated controls and the vague user’s manual is not enough to deter some bakers on a budget from hitting that buy now button.

Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer


Our Rating: (4/5)

This latest stand mixer from Hamilton Beach comes with seven speed options and a tilt head design that allows you to easily remove the mixing bowl for pouring. The three hundred watt motor can handle mixing dense doughs, but cannot take back to back use without a lengthy break in between.

The smaller four-quart mixing bowl may be an issue for the avid bread baker in need of a higher capacity bowl in order to make more than one loaf at once. This package comes with three attachments including a flat beater, whisk, and dough hook.

Pros

  • Low price
  • Seven speed options
  • Easy to clean
  • Tilt head design

Cons

  • Small mixing bowl capacity
  • Low-powered motor

Conclusion

If you’re a serious baker and you need a heavy-duty mixer that is tough enough to knead batch after batch of thick dough, then you’ll have to pass this model by. This mixer is a better choice for the casual baker on a budget who doesn’t need to prepare large volumes of dough at a time.

Stand Mixers for Bread Dough Buyer’s Guide

If you often make your own bread, then you need a machine that can help to make your job a little easier. Stand mixers are a must-have appliance for any baker, but not every mixer has what it takes to handle mixing dough or taking on other important mixing tasks in the kitchen. In order for a mixer to handle kneading thick doughs, it must have a powerful motor, a variety of speed settings, and a large capacity.

Many of these mixers are very versatile and can be used for more than just mixing and kneading bread. So, if you’re an avid baker, you’ll find yourself relying on these appliances often for all types of mixing jobs, whether you’re making cookies, waffles, or a cake.

Below, you’ll find a list of the essential features to look for, how these appliances work, and why you need one in your life.

Power

A higher wattage motor equals a more powerful motor. This means it can handle heavier and thicker doughs. A model that has a rating of four hundred watts or higher should be powerful enough to take on any mixing and kneading jobs. Lower powered motors may struggle with mixing denser dough or they will overheat if used too frequently.

Because of this, it’s important that you pay attention to the type of power rating each model offers and pay the higher price tag that will come with a mixer that’s durable and able to easily handle constant use. Lower-priced models tend to come with low-powered motors. While the initial cost is low, you’ll find that these mixers are prone to overheating and must be replaced often.

Speed

A variety of speed settings is also a must since you may need to use a higher speed setting when you’re working with a denser dough. Look for a model that offers at least three speed settings. These speed options will also prevent ingredients from flying out of the bowl when you’re mixing thicker doughs. When you’re mixing bread dough, using a slower speed is crucial.

Make sure you purchase a model that comes with a slow start option. With this feature, once you switch the mixer on, the mixing process will begin at a very low speed, gradually increasing the speed over a period of several minutes. This slow start is perfect for all mixing processes and allows you to mix in the dry ingredients first, which is the type of ingredients that are prone to flying out of the bowl at a higher speed.

Capacity

kneading

If you prefer to make enough dough for multiple loaves of bread at once, then a model equipped with a larger bowl will come in handy and will allow you to take care of your kneading duties in one shot. You’ll often find that high-powered mixers tend to come with a higher capacity bowl since these models have the motor power that it takes to whip up a bigger batch of dough in one shot.

Light-Duty Mixers

These mixers are not designed to handle thick doughs. Instead, they’re best suited for mixing up a batch of cookie dough or cake batter. Essentially, they’re a better choice for easy mixing jobs that don’t require a lot of power.

Medium-Duty

These mixers are more versatile and perfect for people who bake often, but they’re not a great choice if you make several loaves of bread a week.

Heavy-Duty

These are the mixers you need if you find yourself making bread often. They have the type of motor power you need to thoroughly mix even the densest doughs.

Weight

How much a mixer weighs is an important spec to pay attention to, especially you plan on using them primarily for kneading dough. A light mixer will be a great choice for small mixing jobs, such as when you’re preparing cookie dough, but if a mixer is too light, you’ll find that it can move around on your counter.

If you’re looking for a mixer specifically for dough kneading, then look for a model that weighs around twenty pounds. These mixers are heavy-duty all the way and often come with suction cups on the bottom of the base that is designed to keep the mixer securely in place.

Material Type

Most mixers are made out of a combination of metal and plastic. If you’re looking for a more durable mixer then go with one that features a design that’s made primarily out of metal. However, metal mixers tend to make more noise during the mixing process. All-plastic models are not quite as durable but tend to make less noise when mixing.

Price

A good mixer isn’t cheap. If you’re a serious baker and you and your family enjoy making fresh bread during the week, then plan on spending two to three hundred dollars on a mixer, one that won’t struggle with thicker doughs or overheat if used often. While the price may be steep, you’ll find that these higher-priced mixers can easily outlast low-priced models.

Mixing and Kneading Programs

closeup

Different beater movement options are included in a mixer’s program. If you want a standard mixer, then you’ll need one that features a planetary rotation program, which is the best option for mixing and kneading bread.

Many top of the line models will come with a few mixing programs to choose from, providing the type of versatility that the avid baker needs. These options are also great for beginners with little to no baking experience.

Storage

Bakers tend to leave mixers on their countertops or on their own dedicated carts. Most models of mixers will come equipped with a tilt head design that allows you to pull the head back before you insert the mixing bowl. This means, if you plan on leaving your mixer out on the counter, then you need to ensure that you have enough clearance. If you plan on storing one of these appliances in a cupboard, keep in mind that they tend to take up quite a bit up space, as do their attachments.

Kneading Dough with a Mixer

In order to make softer bread, the dough must be kneaded properly until it’s soft and smooth. Typically, the amount of work that comes with kneading can be a challenge for most bakers, especially those who are short on time. When you use a stand mixer, you won’t need to use physical effort. Just like when you bake with a bread maker, with a mixer, all you have to do is place all of the ingredients in the mixing bowl and let the appliance take care of the rest.

Many bakers will opt for using a mixer over a bread machine because they will have more control over the baking process. The mixer’s half automated, half manual process is designed to help the mixer work more efficiently while giving the user more control over the entire process.

The trick to using a mixer for dough is adding the dry ingredients before the wet ingredients such as milk, oil, or eggs. When you’re ready to add the wet ingredients you must turn up the beater’s speed slightly to mix all of the ingredients properly. Once the dough is formed, the mixer will begin the kneading process. For the kneading process, you’ll want to oil the bowl.

The mixer will knead the dough for a period of five minutes. During this time, you’ll notice a significant change in the texture of the dough. When the process is complete, the dough will be soft and smooth. After the dough has been properly kneaded, you must give it time to rise.

Flour Use

As I mentioned earlier, each mixing bowl will have a max capacity, so make sure that you read the user’s manual and care instructions before use to determine what the max flour capacity will be. If a recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you can use the recommended amount, but for specialty flours, you will need to use less.

Recipe Adjustments

You will also need to adapt kneading times for certain recipes. Most bakers are surprised to learn that the equivalent of two minutes of kneading time in a mixer is comparable to ten or twelve minutes of kneading dough by hand.

It’s important to pay attention to the dough’s progress, since kneading for too long can cause the dough to begin to climb up the mixer’s dough hook. When done correctly, the sides of the bowl will be free of dough and the dough itself will form a ball. The included dough hook must be used for all types of yeast breads.

Most models of mixers will come with two to three speed settings. Make sure that you use the second speed for doughs at all times. If you use a higher speed setting, it will be tough on the mixer’s motor. A much lower speed setting will not provide the type of momentum you need to properly knead the dough.

With the right settings and a large capacity bowl, you can make short work of any type of dough, and in just a fraction of the time.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best stand mixers for bread dough, make sure the appliance you choose features different mixing speeds, a heavier design, and a motor that can handle mixing and kneading dense doughs.

It’s also important that you choose a mixer based on how frequently you use it. obviously, if you make fresh bread daily then you’ll need a more powerful mixer that’s built with a motor that can withstand regular use, without overheating. This guide and my product recommendations will help to steer you in the right direction to find a mixer that will work for you and meet all of your baking needs.

Originally posted 2020-02-20 13:50:08.