What really sets this stand mixer apart are some of its design features. Bakers will appreciate its built-in timer and load-sensing technology. The timer can be used to log how long it takes for your mixture to reach the perfect consistency, it can also let you set the mixer to automatically shut off after that duration whenever you make the same recipe. As for the load-sensing feature, it detects when you are mixing heavy doughs and batters, then auto-adjusts and maintains its power.
Testers loved this machine, and had few complaints about it. The only real drawbacks is in comparison to the KitchenAid line: The Breville doesn’t have a port for attachments. So if you want an ice cream maker or a spiralizer you’ll need stand alone versions. But if you’re mostly using it for baking, that isn’t much of a consideration. Users may also need to get used to the control knob, which adjusts speeds so smoothly that it’s easy to under- or overshoot your desired setting.
Specs
Style: Tilt-head
Bowl capacity: 4-quart stainless steel bowl, 5-quart glass bowl
Speed settings: 12 speeds
Motor power: 550 watts
Dimensions: 11.4″ x 14.8″ x 14.3″
Weight: 21 pounds
Included: glass mixing bowl, stainless steel mixing bowl, double-sided scraper beater, standard flat beater, dough hook, wire whisk, pouring shield/splash guard, spatula
KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
If you make bread often or regularly bake in extra-large batches, then you’ll want a bowl-lift stand mixer with a large capacity—six or seven quarts. Chef and author of More Than Cake Natasha Pickowicz recommends the KitchenAid Pro Line 7-quart bowl-lift stand mixer, which is the brand’s largest model made for home kitchens. Unlike the bowl of KitchenAid’s tilt-head mixers, the Artisan and the Artisan Mini, the Pro Line has a bowl that is held along the sides and eliminates the “divot” at the bottom of the bowl. This means you’re less likely to end up with a clump of raw butter when you’re trying to cream it into a cup of sugar. Pickowicz also finds the bowl-lift design easier to use: “I like that the bowl floats and hooks into the spine of the mixer, rather than twisting into the bottom,” she says, “I have witnessed many kitchen accidents happen when someone is trying to untwist a stubborn mixer bowl out of its locked position.” The bowl’s base is also wider, which makes it easier to scrape a silicone spatula around the sides. Its beaters and whisks are larger, too, which makes them more efficient at mixing evenly and clearing the sides of the bowl, Pickowicz adds.
With an ultra-powerful 500-watt motor and 11 different speeds, this stand mixer is built to handle tougher mixtures, like sticky doughs. Its larger capacity allows it to mix up to 14 dozen cookies at once. This mixer has all the bells and whistles and it’s as hefty as it gets, making it a great option for serious bakers. Just note, though, the 7-quart capacity is most useful for prepping extra-large batches of whatever you’re making. It can fail to fully incorporate ingredients when you’re working with smaller batches. So, if you frequently bake for one or two people, you’ll likely prefer the more “standard-sized” stand mixer options mentioned above. It also has a more “pro” level price tag, so keep that in mind as well.
Specs
Style: Bowl-lift
Bowl capacity: 7-quart stainless steel bowl
Speed settings: 11 speeds
Motor power: 500 watts
Dimensions: 14.63″D x 11.31″W x 16.5″H
Weight: 32 pounds
Included: 7-Qt stainless steel bowl, Double flex edge beater, Coated flat beater, Coated dough hook, 11-wire whip, Pouring shield
Tilt-head vs. bowl-lift stand mixers
Bakers tend to have strong opinions on the topic of tilt-head versus bowl-lift stand mixers. And that’s okay—we all have different needs. Instead of thinking about which type is The Best, think about which type is best for you. The main difference between the two styles is how the bowls are attached and accessed. With tilt-head mixers, the top hinges back and the bowl twists onto the mixer’s base. Some users find this design more convenient and easy to use, since all you have to do is tilt the head back to add ingredients. These mixers are usually more compact, which makes them a better option for smaller spaces and storing in a cabinet. They also typically have less powerful motors, which means they tend to be more affordable.
On the other hand, bowl-lift mixers have a stationary head and use a lever to raise and lower the bowl for mixing or adding ingredients. They usually have a larger capacity, a wider base, and higher speeds. Basically, these are the heavy-duty options. They almost always have more powerful motors, and they’re built to provide extra stability for mixing large and heavy recipes. If you’ll be using your stand mixer for kneading bread, this is the type for you. Bowl-lift stand mixers tend to be more expensive, but in some cases the splurge is very much worth the money.
There’s also a select couple mixers—this from Ankarsrum and this from Bosch—that aren’t really either tilt-head or bowl-lift. But when product testers gave them a try they found the designs lacking (more on why they didn’t like those mixers here). So we’d recommend you stick with the two more common designs.
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