Hand Mixer vs. Stand Mixer: Which is Right for You in 2025?

If you want a hand mixer that balances power and quiet operation, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper is a strong contender—during our review its 240 W motor handled most batters smoothly. We found the multiple speed settings give good control and cleaning was straightforward, but our testing also showed the rubber coating on beaters can wear over time and the unit is heavier than many hand mixers. It earned an 8/10 for that practical mix of performance and usability, just be mindful of long-term wear on coated beaters.

The Oster Hand Mixer stands out with HEATSOFT technology that softens cold butter up to 12 times faster, and during our testing that really speeds up cookie prep and frosting work. Its 270 W motor is fine for everyday mixing, but we found the unit is heavier than many competitors and inserting beaters can be frustrating at first. With a middling 5.5/10 score the mixer is a budget-friendly shortcut for immediate baking, though our experience suggests buyers who mix frequently might prefer a lighter, more reliable model.

The Dualit Hand Mixer impressed in our testing with a powerful 400 W motor and four speed settings that let you move from gentle folding to faster whipping quickly. We found it handles a wide variety of tasks and comes with flat beaters, dough hooks and a balloon whisk, earning a respectable 7/10 for performance. Be aware that the retractable cord can be fiddly, the mixer is heavier than many competitors and it gets louder at high speeds — factors to weigh if you mix for long stretches.

The Breville All in One earned our top-rated spot with a 9.5/10 thanks to a compact, lightweight design and a built-in scale that makes precise recipes ridiculously easy during our testing. We found the versatile attachments handled mixing, slicing and chopping very capably at home, but in our experience the food processor bowl can crack and the S-blade doesn’t always chop as evenly as expected. Despite those caveats—like occasional parts shortages—its combination of convenience and performance makes it a standout for cooks who want one machine to do many jobs.

During our review the SMEG Hand Mixer stood out for its modern controls — the backlit LED display with speed and time indicators gives fine control over mixing. With a 250 W motor and ergonomic design it’s comfortable and reliable for batters and whipping, and it earned a respectable 7/10 for that combination. Our experience shows the main drawback is price: at a premium compared with many peers, budget-conscious buyers may find better value elsewhere despite its polished features.

We found the KitchenAid Ultra Power Hand Mixer is a great everyday tool if you want lightweight comfort without breaking the bank — its ergonomic design and five versatile speeds make quick tasks easy. In our testing the stainless-steel turbo beaters held up well, but the 60 W motor can feel underpowered for very dense doughs and the short cord limits movement. With a 7.5/10 score it’s a strong choice for casual bakers who value affordability and ease of use.

If countertop freedom matters, the KitchenAid Cordless Hand Mixer delivers — we liked the cordless convenience and Soft Start feature that prevents splatter during initial mixing. During our review its lightweight, ergonomic feel made it easy to handle, but durability concerns and the lack of extra attachments hurt its long-term utility; some users reported beaters breaking after minimal use. Also keep in mind you can’t use it while charging, so battery management is essential if you’re mid-recipe.

We found the Power Advantage PLUS 9 Speed Hand Mixer offers solid power and comfort in hand, and its multiple speed settings make it versatile for a variety of mixing tasks. In our testing the unit felt sturdy and ergonomic, but it runs quite loud at top speeds and the short attachments limit reach into deeper bowls. Earning a 7/10, it’s a good middle-ground option if you prioritize power and handling, though noise and attachment length are worth considering.

In our testing the Kenwood HMP40 delivers dependable performance with a 350 W motor and compact design that includes integrated attachment storage, which we found handy for small kitchens. It earned an 8/10 for versatility and power, but our experience shows the speed-control slider is fiddly and the storage mechanism can feel insecure; the mixer may also sit unsteadily if left with attachments attached. Given the high asking price, consider whether the compact convenience justifies the investment.

If you’re shopping on a shoestring, the Hamilton Beach Power Deluxe is tempting — we liked the snap-on storage case that keeps attachments organized and accessible for quick jobs. During our review the 275 W motor handled basic mixing, but the unit proved noisy at higher speeds and the ON switch requires an awkward amount of force to engage. With a 5.5/10 score it’s a budget-friendly choice for occasional use, but don’t expect long-term reliability or quiet operation.

If you want a no-frills, budget-friendly hand mixer, the Dash SmartStore Deluxe (150 W, $29.99) is a solid pick for quick jobs — in our testing its compact, lightweight design and handy beater storage clips made it easy to handle and keep attachments organized. We found the two-to-five speed range and included whisk and beater work well for batters and small batches, but our experience shows the shorter-than-standard beaters struggle to reach the bottom of deep bowls. Also, the lowest speed still feels quite fast and can splatter delicate mixtures, so expect to babysit delicate tasks; overall it earned a respectable 7/10 for casual use and easy cleaning.

During our review the Braun Multimix 2 impressed as a dependable mid-range hand mixer — its 500 W motor and four speeds plus turbo give it enough pep for regular mixing chores and the lightweight design reduced arm fatigue in longer sessions. We found the included whisk and dough hook expand capability beyond simple batters, but our experience shows the plastic housing feels less durable than metal-bodied rivals and the short power cord limits where you can mix in the kitchen. With a 7.5/10 score it’s a practical everyday choice if you aren’t pushing it for heavy, continuous dough work.

In our testing the Kitchen Wand 3in1 cordless multi-tool is a convenient, grab-and-go option — its cordless freedom and dishwasher-safe attachments make quick blending or whisking around the kitchen painless. We found the 250 W motor and two-to-five speed range handle light tasks well, but our experience shows the battery can die unexpectedly mid-use and it struggles with tougher ingredients, leaving larger pieces unprocessed. Scoring 6.5/10, it’s great for portability and cleanup, but plan on a backup for heavy soups, smoothies or extended blending jobs.

If you’re after style and substance, the Smeg 50's Retro Stand Mixer is hard to beat — its iconic 50s design doubles as a countertop showpiece and its 600 W motor delivers dependable mixing power. During our review we found the included whisk, dough hook, flat beater and splash guard handle everyday baking and contribute to a premium feel. It earned its 9/10 score for build and design, but our experience shows it's heavy, pricier than many models and the speed control can feel too sensitive.

For small kitchens the Artisan Mini Stand Mixer is a smart pick; during our review we appreciated its compact footprint and three standard attachments that tackle everyday mixing without crowding the counter. We found the 250 W motor handles batters and light doughs well, but while not the highest scorer it can struggle with heavy bread doughs. It earned an 8/10 for balancing performance and space-saving design, and our experience shows it's a great choice if you prioritize storage and easy cleanup.

The COOKLEE Stand Mixer delivers an eye-catching 9.5-quart bowl that makes it ideal for large batches—during our testing we liked the capacity for big cookie sheets and holiday cakes. Its 660 W motor promises power, but we found it can struggle with heavy-duty doughs and the unit's overall large footprint may dominate smaller counters. While priced affordably (hence its mid-range 6/10 score), our experience shows it's best for batch bakers with space to spare rather than compact kitchens.

The Precision Master Stand Mixer impressed us with a robust 500 W motor and a roomy 5.5-quart stainless-steel bowl, so during our review it handled large cookie and cake batters without flinching. It earned an 8.5/10 for that heavy-duty performance and attractive color options, but our experience shows the attachments can miss the bottom of the bowl, requiring manual scraping. We also noted it gets noisy at higher speeds and the splash guard makes adding ingredients mid-mix fiddly, so factor those trade-offs into your decision.

The Aucma Stand Mixer brings power and capacity with a 660 W motor and a 6.5-quart stainless bowl, and in our testing that tilt-head design makes swapping attachments and checking dough simple. We found it handles heavy doughs well, which is why it earns a solid mid-range score, but the unit operates loudly and some attachments don’t reach bowl edges. Also note our review showed several parts aren't dishwasher-safe, so plan for extra hand-cleaning despite the machine’s strengths.

The GE Profile Smart Stand Mixer packs useful tech—like a built-in scale and heatsoft features—and during our review its 540 W motor mixed efficiently across batters and doughs. However, we found the unit is heavy and bulky, the head doesn't tilt back which makes bowl removal awkward, and the SmartHQ app frequently disconnected in our testing. With a middling 6/10 score it's a capable machine if you value the built-in scale, but our experience shows the comfort and software drawbacks may put off buyers seeking a smooth smart experience.

If you bake big batches or tackle dense bread doughs, the Kenwood Chef Titanium (800 W) is a workhorse worth considering — in our testing its powerful motor handled heavy dough effortlessly and the large bowl capacity made multiple portions simple. We found its 8/10 score reflects genuine heavy-duty performance, though our experience shows the unit’s weight and noisy operation at higher speeds cut into everyday practicality. Note that the K-stirrer can struggle with very small quantities, so it’s best for serious bakers who prioritize power over portability.

The Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer earns its 9/10 standing by delivering serious capacity — in our testing the 7-quart bowl handled up to 13 dozen cookies per batch and the double flex edge beater minimized manual scraping. We found the 500 W motor and included attachments tackle massive batches with confidence, though our experience shows the splash guard doesn’t fully prevent splatter and the bowl-lift mechanism is less convenient than tilt-head models. It’s the top pick here if batch baking is your priority and you don’t mind the extra heft.

During our review the Bosch Universal Plus impressed with an 800 W motor and roomy 6.5-quart bowl that made large-batch mixing straightforward. We found it handles heavy doughs well, but our experience shows the unit is heavy and bulky for small kitchens, and the motor emits a loud hum at high speeds that can become annoying. While powerful, its 6.5/10 score reflects those trade-offs—great for capacity and strength, less ideal if you need quiet, compact gear.

The Artisan 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a versatile workhorse in our testing, handling everything from whipping egg whites to kneading pasta dough with reliable results and earning an 8.5/10. We found its 325 W motor and classic tilt-head make attachment swaps straightforward, but our experience shows the mixer’s weight makes it less portable and the wire whisk isn’t dishwasher-safe, which complicates cleanup. If durability and everyday versatility matter more than lightness, this is a strong, well-rounded pick.

During our review the Hamilton Beach Stand Mixer stood out as an affordable entry into stand-mixer convenience — at 300 W and with six-to-ten speeds it comes with a flat beater, dough hook and whisk that handled most everyday batters and moderate doughs. We found its lightweight build makes it easy to move and store, and the price point delivers good value, but our experience shows the plastic construction raises durability concerns and the unit tends to shake or wobble on heavier doughs. Earning an 8/10, it’s a sensible choice for home bakers who want attachments and capacity without paying a premium, just be cautious with very dense mixes.

If you regularly tackle large batches, the Ankarsrum Original is our top-performing pick in this group — in our testing its powerful 600 W motor and generous capacity handled big doughs effortlessly and earned it a 9/10 score. We found the machine’s unconventional layout and workflow delivers professional-level results, but our experience shows there’s a learning curve if you’re used to traditional stand mixers, and some plastic components (including the bowl) can overstress under extreme loads. For serious bakers who value power and capacity, the Ankarsrum rewards patience and careful handling despite those trade-offs.