If you regularly make bread, brioche and cakes, start by choosing a stand mixer with a dough hook, beater and whisk to suit the recipes you make. Then compare the maximum dough capacity stated for the exact model, rather than looking at wattage alone. A food processor is also worth considering if grating, slicing or blending matters as much to you as kneading, provided you check that it has a dough tool and that it’s compatible.
If you regularly make bread, pizza or brioche, compare the maximum dough capacity of the exact model with the amounts you usually make. Also check that it comes with a dough hook and that the bowl is easy to handle.
If you switch between yeasted doughs, cakes and whipped mixtures, check what’s included in the box: the dough hook, beater and whisk are designed for different tasks.
A food processor may be worth considering if you also want to grate, slice, blend or chop. To make bread with your chosen set-up, check which dough tool is included or compatible.
Start with your recipes and the quantity you make in each batch, then look at the tools and practical considerations for the exact model.
Consider this: if kneading, mixing and whisking make up most of your use.
Bear in mind: tasks such as grating or chopping may not be among its functions.
Consider this: if kneading is still your priority, but you’ll also use the extra functions included in your chosen set-up.
Bear in mind: several bowls or attachments take up space and mean more parts to clean.
Consider this: if chopping and blending matter as much to you as making dough.
Check: that a dough tool is included and that the dough capacity suits your batches.
| What to consider | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Dough quantity | Compare the usual weight of your dough with the maximum capacity stated for the exact model. Consider the bowl’s capacity and how easy it is to handle separately. | I sometimes make large batches of bread or brioche. I want to know how much dough the mixer can handle, not just how many litres the bowl holds. |
| Kneading and tools | Check which dough hook, beater and whisk are included. To compare models for bread-making, look for tests that assess kneading and the results: UFC-Que Choisir’s testing protocol, for example, includes a bread dough test at maximum capacity. | I switch between yeasted doughs, cakes and mixtures that need whisking, so the attachments in the box need to cover all these uses. |
| Other functions | Make a list of the chopping or blending tasks you’ll actually do. For a food processor, confirm that the dough tool is compatible and check which attachments are included and which are sold separately. | If I grate or slice as often as I knead, a food processor may suit more of my needs. |
| Everyday use | Check the dimensions, weight, attachment storage and cleaning instructions for each part. Don’t assume an attachment is dishwasher-safe. | I may need to move and clean the mixer after every use, so the space I have and the number of parts matter when I’m choosing. |
These figures don’t tell you the maximum dough capacity or how well the mixer will handle your bread recipe.
Note the weight of your batches and compare it with the limit for the exact model. If possible, look for kneading tests using a similar quantity of dough.
Bowl volume and dough capacity are two different things: a large bowl doesn’t tell you how much dough the mixer can knead.
Use the stated dough limit to assess whether it can handle your batches. Also consider the bowl capacity when thinking about handling and storage.
What’s in the box varies by product reference. Magimix, for example, lists a dough tool for the CS 5200 XL separately as an accessory.
Check what’s included with the set-up you’re buying and make sure any attachments you plan to use are compatible.
A large bowl and several attachments can be tricky to store and mean more parts to wash after frequent use.
Measure the space you have and check the weight, how easy the bowl is to handle and the cleaning instructions for your chosen model.
These ranges and models give you an idea of the different set-ups available. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed.
The range includes stand mixers with large bowls, with attachments varying by model.
Some Bosch stand mixers combine a large bowl with extra functions, depending on the model.
The Artisan 5KSM175 tilt-head model is an example of a set-up for switching between kneading, mixing and whisking.
The CS 5200XL is a food processor to consider if you also want to chop and blend.
These five stand mixers are options to consider if you want to switch between making bread and sweet treats. To choose between them, compare the stated bowl capacity and tools with your recipes, then check the dough capacity and the exact version of the model you’re interested in.
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If you’re switching between bread-making and baking, check that the included tools and dough capacity suit your recipes. Confirm the KMX750WH reference shown in the product name before buying, as a different variant reference appears in the associated information.
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If you regularly make heavy doughs, bear in mind that the product description states a continuous-use limit of 5 to 10 minutes. Also compare the stated dough capacity with the size of your usual batches.
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The product name lists a dough hook, whisk, beater and eight speeds, and describes 1 000 W as peak power. For bread batches, check the manual for the maximum dough capacity by weight: you can’t work it out from the bowl volume.
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The product name lists a dough hook, whisk, beater and SUS304 stainless steel bowl. If you often knead bread dough, check the maximum dough capacity by weight for your recipes rather than relying on the bowl’s 6 L capacity.
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The product name lists a dough hook, whisk and beater for making a range of recipes. If you make dough at home regularly, check the weight limit for this specific model; the bowl’s 5 L capacity doesn’t tell you how much dough it can handle.
Compare the maximum dough capacity stated for the exact model with the size of your batches, then check that it comes with a dough hook and that the bowl is easy to handle. Wattage and the number of speed settings aren’t enough to tell you how well it will knead.
If you switch between yeasted doughs, cakes and mixtures that need whisking, check that all three tools are included with the specific model you choose. An attachment available for a range isn’t necessarily included with every set-up.
It may suit you if grating, slicing, chopping or blending are just as important to you as kneading. However, check that a dough tool is included or compatible, and that the dough capacity is suitable for the batches you make.