Best Stand Mixer

There are a number of contenders for the title of "Best Stand Mixer" on the market. The list of kitchen stand mixers includes Hobart, Kitchenaid, Bosch, Sunbeam, Delonghi, Cuisinart , Viking, and Hamilton Beach. Do a little research and you will find that each model has its champions and its detractors. Some companies excel at providing the best customer service and win the best stand mixer contest that way. Other contenders for the title win through having the most economical product and some win by having the most powerful motors and gears.
To objectively consider the factors that make for a "Best Stand Mixer" I decided to look at several factors. These factors are power, mixer bowl size, accessories, cost, warranty, and product reviews from e-pinions.com and amazon.com . Other factors you might consider include customer service record, colors offered, number of functions that the machine can perform, and if they are recommended by people or websites you trust.

Hobart Stand Mixer N50 5-Quart Mixer
Hobart was the original manufacturer of the Kitchenaid brand of stand mixers. Originally started in 1908 Hobart specializes in making large heavy duty mixers suitable for schools, hospitals, and restaurants. They first started manufacturing the Kitchenaid stand mixer aimed at the home use market in 1919. Hobart eventually sold the Kitchenaid line to Whirlpool but continues to manufacture mixers with a capacity of 5 to 60 quarts. In order to keep consistency among the mixers reviewed I looked at the Hobart N50 which seems geared toward the home use market:

Power: 1/6 HP = to about 800 watts
Mixer bowl Size: 5 quarts
Accessories: comes with paddle or flat beater, whisk, and dough hook attachments.
Warranty: One year limited warranty on service and parts. Extended Warranty available for extra charge.
Cost: $2,035.11
Product Reviews: 5 Stars out 5 stars on e-pinions.com total of 4 ratings. No ratings on amazon.com

Kitchenaid Pro 600
Kitchenaid mixers and Hobart share a common ancestry. The Kitchenaid brand was purchased from Hobart by Whirlpool in 1986. Whirlpool continued to invest in the brand and remains committed to maintaining the quality the Kitchenaid brand is known for. In consumer product reviews the Kitchenaid brand is frequently picked as the best stand mixer. Kitchenaid mixers come in a variety of models ranging from 250 to 600 watts of power and 4 to 6 quart mixer bowls. The Kitchenaid Pro 600 was the model we used in this comparison:

Power: 575 Watts
Mixer bowl Size: 6 quarts
Accessories: paddle or flat beater, whisk, splash guard, and dough hook attachments. has over 12 additional accessories that can be purchased separately.
Warranty: 1 year replacement guarantee with extended protection plan available for up to 3 years.
Cost: $499.99
Product Reviews: 4 stars out of 5 stars on e-pionions.com total of 39 ratings. 4 1/2 stars out of 5 on amazon.com total 825 reviews.

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Bosch Universal Mixer Plus
Bosch is the manufacturer of a novel kitchen mixer design. Most stand mixers use a tilt lift style of mixer that raises and lowers the beaters into the mixing bowl. Bosch uses a design that has the attachments connect to a drive shaft that comes up from the bottom center of the bowl. Bosch also attempts to create a powerful All-Kitchen Appliances- In- One machine so the standard kitchen machine comes with a blender function for an optional blender attachment. The Bosch Universal Mixer Plus is the latest model in this series:

Power: 800 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 6.5 quart
Accessories: comes with whips, domed lid, and dough hook beater. Over 12 additional attachments are available for purchase separately including a food processor and a blender attachment.
Warranty: 3 year parts and labor on the motor and transmission. 1 year on other parts
Cost: $469.99 with blender $399.99 without blender
Product Reviews: 4 1/2 stars out of 5 stars on e-pinions.com total of 9 reviews. 3 stars out of 5 on amazon.com total 1 review, and 5 out 5 stars with total 3 reviews.

Sunbeam Stand Mixer
Sunbeam is one those brands that have been a household name since 1946. Sunbeam makes a variety of household appliances including several models of stand mixers. The models range from 300 watts to 450 watts of Power and 2 quart to a 4.6 quart mixer bowl. The Sunbeam Stand Mixer does not try to be anything but a mixer. So, if you are looking for a pasta maker, juicer and food processor you better pass on this stand mixer. The model reviewed here was the Sunbeam Heritage Series Model 2347:

Power: 450 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 4.6 quarts; replacement bowls available in 2 or 4.6 quart sizes
Accessories: comes with beaters, whisks and dough hooks. some slight variations available in the beater attachments.
Warranty: 2 year limited warranty
Cost: $169.99
Product Reviews: 3 stars out of 5 stars on e-pinions.com total of27 reviews. 4 stars out of 5 stars on amazon.com total of 40 reviews.

Delonghi Stand Mixer
De'Longhi is an Italian company that specializes in household appliances and air treatment products. It is a popular and well known brand in Europe. Manufacturing microwaves, coffee makers, food processors and stand mixers. The Delonghi DSM7 was the model used for this review:

Power: 1000 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 7 quarts
Accessories: comes with flat paddle, whisk and dough hook attachments. Other attachments may be available
Warranty: 10 years on the motor and 1 year on other parts
Cost: $399.00
Product Reviews: 3 stars out of 5 stars on e-pinions.com total 13 reviews. 4 stars out of 5 stars on amazon.com total 39 reviews.

Cuisinart Stand Mixer
Cuisinart is famous for introducing the food processor to the cooking world in 1973. it was a popular brand in part because of Julia Child and James Beard. Both are well known names in culinary circles. The cuisinart stand mixer features one the largest motors with 1000 watts of Power and a 7 quart mixer bowl. Its many attachments and power make it a serious contender for the All-In-One-Kitchen- Appliance class. The model used for this review is the Cuisinart SM-70 Stand Mixer:
Power: 1000 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 7 quarts
Accessories: comes with flat paddle, whisks and dough hooks. Additional attachments include a meat grinder, sausage maker, food processor and more.
Warranty: 3 year limited warranty
Cost: $399.00
Product Reviews: 3 1/2 stars out of 5 stars on e-pinions.com total 6 reviews . 4 stars out of 5 stars on amazon.com total 48 reviews.

Viking Stand Mixer
Viking began as a major appliance manufacturer supplying commercial ranges designed for residential use. It was only natural that they would look at kitchen stand mixers as a natural fit to the product line they offer consumers. Viking has two basic models that come with either an 800 or a 1000 watt motor. The model reviewed for this article was the Viking VSM 700 Professional Series:

Power: 1000 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 7 quarts
Accessories: comes with paddle, whisk and dough hooks. Additional attachments available include a blender, food processor/slicer, pasta maker, and sausage maker. The splash guard is also an optional attachment available for additional cost.
Warranty: 1 year
Cost: $604.95
Product Reviews: 3 stars out of 5 on e-pinions.com total of 5 reviews. 4 stars out of 5 on amazon.com total of 3 reviews.

Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer
Hamilton Beach is another household name brand in the U.S. that has been around since 1910. They introduced a food mixer and juice extractor in 1925. By 1934 they introduced a third generation stand mixer called the Model C. Today Hamilton Beach has a number of models and colors to choose from in their popular stand mixer line. The model reviewed here is the All Metal Stand Mixer Model 63220:
Power: 400 watts
Mixer Bowl Size: 4.5 quarts
Accessories: flat beater, whisk, and dough hook, and splatter shield
Warranty: 3 years
Cost: $219.99
Product Reviews: 4 stars out of 5 on e-pinions.com total of 8 reviews. 5 stars out of 5 on amazon.com total 14 reviews.

The Best Stand Mixer is....
So, the best stand mixer is....it depends. If you are looking for the lowest price then the Sunbeam Stand Mixer is the clear winner. If you are looking for a machine that can do the most in the kitchen then the Bosch Universal Kitchen Machine Plus is the winner in the "most things you can do with it" category. If brand loyalty and the most reviews with a high rating is what you give the most weight the winner is the Kitchenaid stand mixer. If the best stand mixer for you is the one with the most power then a couple of models stand out. The Delonghi, Viking and Cuisinart all feature 1000 watts of power. In the final analysis the best stand mixer is the one you buy and like the best.

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