5 Best Stand Mixers for Bread Dough (and Our Buying Guide)

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Updated on October 7, 2022

If you want to make delicious homemade breads at home, then you definitely will want a good quality stand mixer for bread dough. Being able to mix and knead the dough in a mixer rather than having to mix it up by hand will save you plenty of time and energy. Like many people say, work smarter not harder.

If you aren’t sure which mixer is the right one for you, you are definitely in the right place. Here are 5 of the best stand mixers for bread dough so you can start making homemade bread in no time!

In a Hurry? Here Are Our Top 3 Picks

Best Overall
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Onyx Black
Runner Up
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle,...
Best Value
Dash Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel...
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Onyx Black
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle,...
Dash Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel...
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-
Best Overall
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Onyx Black
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Onyx Black
-
Runner Up
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle,...
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle,...
-
Best Value
Dash Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel...
Dash Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel...

Top 5 Best Stand Mixers for Bread Dough

If you want to make homemade bread at home, mixing and kneading your dough with a stand mixer will improve your bread making experience.

1. KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer with Pouring Shield KSM150PS, Onyx Black
  • Fabric Type: Zinc, Stainless Steel
  • Choose from all the color options to find the one that best matches your style...
  • The power hub turns your stand mixer into a culinary center with more than 15...

KitchenAid is one of the most well-known companies when it comes to kitchen appliances. One of the things they are known for is their stand mixers. If you want a reliable, easy to use, and long-lasting mixer, buying one from KitchenAid is your best bet.

There are several reasons that mixing with an electric hook will change the way you bake homemade bread! This mixer has a ton of great perks which is why it’s the top pick on our list. Let’s take a closer look at all of the great features this mixer has to offer.

The first thing that many people love about this mixer and KitchenAid products, in general, is that they come with everything you need to make tasty stuff. This mixer comes with the wire whip, flat beater, and dough hook. If you want to make homemade cookies, cakes, mousse, whipped cream, butter, or bread, this mixer would be a great choice for your home.

Something that is loved by many is the fact that KitchenAid’s mixers come with large mixing bowls. This model has a 5-qt stainless steel mixing bowl which is large enough for you to make 4 loaves of bread or 9 dozen cookies in a single batch.

This is great for large families as you’ll be able to make enough food to feed everyone. It even has a power hub on the front where you can add various attachments, including a pasta extruder.

Another great perk that comes from using the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer is the power behind this machine. While a lot of similar mixers on the market have a few speed settings, this one has 10 speed settings ranging from a slow stir to a super-fast whip. You can mix cake batter, bread dough, or whip egg whites into meringue with the slide of a lever.

While the way something looks doesn’t affect how well it works, another thing you’ll love about the KitchenAid Artisan Series is all of the colors that are available. No matter how you have your kitchen decorated, there is a mixer that will fit in and match your style.

This model comes in 11 different colors so whether you want a black, white, or brightly colored mixer, you can find the perfect one to go with your kitchen.

Pros:

  • 10-speed slide control gives you speeds from a slow stir to a fast whip
  • Comes with flat beater, dough hook, and a wire whip
  • 11 colors available

Cons:

  • Expensive

2. Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer

Sale
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle,...
  • SUPERIOR FUNCTION: Delivering power, precision and performance, our stand mixer...
  • MUST-HAVE FEATURES: Polished stainless steel bowl, tilt-back head and one power...
  • INCLUDED: Chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, and splash guard with...

If you are a baker and you want a versatile stand mixer with a large-capacity mixing bowl, various attachments, and that comes in several colors, this would be a great choice for you. This is a high-quality mixer that can mix all types of things, from bread or pizza dough to cookies to brownies.

No matter what tasty treats you want to make, the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer will change the way you bake. Bread dough can even be kneaded with the machine! As our runner-up pick, there are several perks that come with using this powerful machine.

This mixer from Cuisinart would be a great tool for those that love to bake. Whether you want to make fresh, fluffy bread or sweet desserts, this machine can do it all. It has a powerful 500-watt motor and a die-cast metal construction.

When you combine that with the large capacity and the included attachments, you can make anything.

Included with the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer:

  • 5-Quart Mixing Bowl
  • Splash Guard with Pour Spout
  • Chef’s Whisk
  • Flat Mixing Paddle
  • Dough Hook

In addition to what comes in the box with your mixer, that is plenty of ways to increase the versatility of it. Transform your appliance from a traditional stand mixer to a cooking powerhouse. You can use your mixer as a pasta maker, meat grinder, ice cream maker, and a meat grinder. When you combine all of the attachments for this mixer with the powerful 12-speed settings, you can fold, stir, grind, or whip with one great machine.

One of the best design elements that were utilized when designing this mixer is that it has a tilt-back head that leans back far enough to get a good look at your food and give it a stir, scrape the bowl, or remove the mixing attachment with ease.

Pros:

  • Has 12 speed settings from fold to whip
  • Can be used with meat grinder attachment, ice cream maker attachment, and more
  • Comes with a dough hook, flat paddle, and whisk

Cons:

  • Flat paddle is a bit short

3. Aucuma Stand Mixer

Aucma Stand Mixer,6.5-QT 660W 6-Speed Tilt-Head Food Mixer, Kitchen Electric Mixer with Dough Hook,...
  • 【POWERFUL MOTOR & VARIABLE SPEED CONTROL】 660W high performance pure copper...
  • 【6.5Qt LARGE CAPACITY BOWL WITH HANDLES】 6.5QT Stainless steel bowl can meet...
  • 【TILT-HEAD & OUTSIDE DESIGN】 The tilt-head design mixer allows access to...

Do you have a large family to cook for? Do you often bake treats for your kids’ bake sale? Then you should check out this large-capacity electric stand mixer. This mixer from Aucuma comes with a massive mixing bowl that has more than enough space to provide your friends and family with cakes, cookies, fresh bread, croissants, and muffins.

No matter what recipe you’re making, the Aucuma Stand Mixer is here to take care of all of your mixing needs. From desserts to bread, this machine can do it all. It comes with 3 attachments to help you get the job done.

In addition to the mixer and the 6.5-quart mixing bowl, you’ll also receive a whisk, dough hook, mixing beater, and a splash guard with access hatch. This machine can knead your dough for your favorite bread recipe, from basic white to cinnamon raisin.

From mixing cake or brownie batter to making buttercream, whipped cream or meringue, this mixer can handle any task. It has 6 speed settings that allow you to mix and whip with ease. It even has a blue LED power indicator light.

This attractive mixer fits into nearly anyone’s decor style. It comes in 4 different colors: Red, blue, champagne, and silver. While the looks of the mixer won’t impact how well it will work, owning an appliance that you can display proudly in your kitchen can really bring the room together.

In addition to looking great, this mixer is easy to use. The splash guard has an access hatch so you can add ingredients easily without having to worry that you’re going to cover your kitchen in batter or flour. If you need to stop the mixer and scrape the sides down or remove the beater, the tilt-head lifts and tilts back out of your way.

Pros:

  • Large capacity mixing bowl
  • Comes with dough hook, whisk, and mixing beater
  • Perfect for making pizza dough, break, mousse, and many more desserts

Cons:

  • Only has 6 speed settings

4. Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer

Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts, Dough Hook, Flat Beater Attachments, Splash Guard 7...
  • BAKE WITH EASE: Effortlessly mix thick batters and doughs for bread, cookies and...
  • VERSATILE — 7 SPEEDS, SLOW FIRST SPEED & MIXING GUIDE: A helpful guide on top...
  • COMPLETE BOWL COVERAGE — The planetary mixing action rotates the beaters...

If you want a stand mixer but don’t have a ton of space available on your counter, then you should definitely take a look at the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer. This mixer gives you the power and convenience of a stand mixer without taking up a lot of space on your countertop. Ideal for people with small kitchens, this modest mixing machine would be a great choice for those that need a more compact appliance.

This mixer is a fantastic choice for people that don’t need a massive mixing bowl, have a smaller budget, or don’t have a lot of space to work with. The mixing bowl for this mixer is 4-quarts, perfect for making any recipe you want to try.

Included with the mixer are a splash guard, dough hook, flat beater, and whisk so you can make anything from brownies to pizza dough to cookies to whipped cream. You can even mix up the dough to make homemade bagels or pretzels.

If you’re looking for a mixer that has several speed settings, this would be a great choice. There are 7 different speeds available, allowing you to make a wide variety of recipes. Whether you need to stir, whip, or knead, this machine has your back!

One of the best attachments that come with this mixer is the splash guard. Have you ever made a cake or cookies and turned on your mixer, only to make flour go all over your kitchen? Having a splash guard will prevent this issue from happening.

Pros:

  • Has a 4-quart mixing bowl
  • Comes with a whisk, paddle, dough hook, and splash guard
  • Mixer attachments are large enough to touch the sides and bottom of the bowl when mixing

Cons:

  • Only has 7 speed settings

5. Dash Stand Mixer

Dash Stand Mixer (Electric Mixer for Everyday Use): 6 Speed Stand Mixer with 3 qt Stainless Steel...
  • VERSATILE: Sweet or savory, the Dash Stand mixer is your perfect kitchen...
  • COMPACT: Weighing less than 5lbs, and standing only 10.4” tall, the Dash Stand...
  • 6 SPEED: This portable, compact mixer packs a punch with a 250watt motor and 6...

If you love to bake and are interested in owning a stand mixer but haven’t been able to bring yourself to write that check, you are in luck! The Dash Stand Mixer is our budget pick because it is super affordable, reliable, and will let you make a ton of delicious treats for yourself, your friends, and your family. It is compact and lightweight, perfect for small homes or a first apartment.

Are you moving into your first apartment and want to treat yourself to a stand mixer of your own? If you grew up baking with your mom or grandma and want to be able to recreate the recipes of your childhood, then you are going to love this machine. From cakes and cookies to homemade breads and other desserts, this mixer can do it all.

While this mixer isn’t the largest, that is part of its charm. Perfect for the beginner baker, the small, compact design fits perfectly into small kitchens. It has a 3-quart mixing bowl and comes with 2 dough hooks, 2 mixer beaters, a recipe book, and access to the Dash recipe database.

One of the best things about this mixer is that it can be used to whip, beat, mix, and aerate. This makes it a wonderful choice for all of your favorite recipes and for trying new ones. No matter what you want to make, the Dash Stand Mixer will help you make delicious foods right in your own kitchen.

Pros:

  • Compact size is great for apartments and small kitchens
  • Comes with 2 dough hooks and 2 large beaters
  • 3-quart bowl is the perfect size for a single batch recipe

Cons:

  • Only has 6 speed settings

Buying Guide

Before you dive in and purchase one of the best stand mixers for bread dough, there are some things you should take into account before you pick one.

Tilt vs. Lift

When it comes to how the bowl is put onto the mixer there are two different styles of mixers that are available. The tilt style is great because the head of the mixer tilts back and moves out of your way.

This style is great for bowl placement and also for being able to access what is in the bowl while you’re in the process of making a recipe. You can tilt the head back and scrape the sides of the bowl with ease. The only downside to this style is that you have to be sure that you have enough space above and behind your mixer.

A lift style attachment is great for people that are limited on space. This function allows you to put the bowl in place then you lift a lever to bring the bowl up to the stirring attachments.

Additional Accessories

While most mixers come with a few mixing tools such as a stirring paddle, a dough hook, and a whisk, there are many other attachments that you can use. There are various styles of whisks and stirring attachments that you can purchase online or through the manufacturer of your mixer.

Some of these additional accessories include:

  • A splash guard which prevents splashing while mixing and from the dreaded puff of flour or other powdered ingredients
  • A flexi beater. This is a tool that combines the common flat stirring paddle and a rubber spatula which really gets the sides of your bowl scraped nicely
  • A jug blender which allows you to blend soup, smoothies, and other foods with your mixer
  • Double beater is exactly what it sounds like. This accessory combines the double beater style that you get with a hand mixer and makes it even better because you can use it with your hands-free stand mixer

Attachment Port

Have you always wanted a meat grinder, ice cream machine, or pasta roller but either haven’t been able to afford them or you just don’t have the space for that many appliances? One of the coolest features that you can find in a stand mixer is an attachment port.

This outlet allows you to plug in various accessories so you can transform your traditional stand mixer into one of many awesome machines.

Some other items you can use with the attachment port:

  • Juicer
  • Spiralizer
  • Slicer/grater
  • Citrus press

Size

This is a big one. If you live in a small space or you just don’t have a ton of counter or storage space, you would do best going with a smaller mixer. You can find small stand mixers that have mixing bowls that are only a few quarts big that you can use to make a single batch of a recipe.

If you have a large kitchen, ample storage space, and a large family, you will probably want to go with a larger machine. You can find larger mixers with larger mixing bowl capacity. Whether you want a 3-quart or 6-quart mixer, our list has something for everyone.

Speed Settings

With a stand mixer, you want something that is going to be versatile enough for you to make all of the recipes you plan on making. If the speed settings aren’t adequate, then it wouldn’t be the right choice for you.

A mixer with 5 or 6 different speeds would work fine for mixing up cake batters, cookie dough, or muffin batter. If you’re planning on using your mixer to make bread dough, meringue, and to whip cream, a mixer with 10 or more speed settings would work out best for you.

Warranty

In an ideal world, nothing would go wrong with the appliances you buy and you’d be able to use them for the rest of your life. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Sometimes inevitable things happen that are out of your control.

This is where a warranty comes in handy. Some have a limited warranty. Others have warranties that last a year or longer.

When shopping around it’s important that you find out if the product has a warranty, what is covered, and how long the warranty is for. Some warranties only cover manufacturer defects and won’t cover user error, other will repair or replace your mixer no matter what happened to it.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about stand mixers.

How do I know if the dough is done kneading?

Kneading is an essential step when it comes to baking bread. Kneading strengthens the gluten and gives bread the structure it needs. When kneading your dough, you should take about 10-12 minutes by hand or 8-10 minutes with your mixer.

In addition to the proper timeframe, here are a couple of ways to tell if the dough is done:

  • Smooth: Your dough will start out tacky and lumpy. Once you are done kneading, you’ll have a smooth ball that is slightly sticky to the touch.
  • Form: When the dough is adequately kneaded, it will hold its form when you lift it rather than sagging.
  • Poke: Finally, give the doughball a poke. If there is a deep dimple left behind you still have some work to do. If it bounces back, it’s good to go.

What speed should I use to knead my dough with a mixer?

When using a mixer to knead your dough, you should use medium-low speed. When you start kneading, the dough will be sticky and formless. After about 4 minutes, the dough should still be pretty tacky but it won’t be sticking to the sides quite as much.

Once you pass the 8-minute mark, the dough will no longer be sticking to the sides and will be in a compact form.

Conclusion

When it comes to making bread at home, having a powerful stand mixer will make things so much easier. With a mixer, you just add your ingredients in the correct order and let the machine do the hard work. No matter what you want to make and how much of it you want to mix up, our list has a little bit of everything for anyone’s mixing needs.

If you are looking for a top of the line model, the KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer would be a great choice. This is our top pick because it is powerful, has a large mixing bowl, and the machine is super versatile.

If that one doesn’t seem like the right choice, the Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer would be a great choice. It’s affordable and performs just as well. If you want to go with a more compact appliance, our budget pick would be a great choice.

The Dash Stand Mixer would be a wonderful investment. It is affordable, small, and comes with everything you need to mix up bread and other delicious things.

Take the next step and try out one of the best stand mixers for bread dough for yourself!