Best Stand Mixer For Plant-Based Baking: Updated 2022

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Cookies, cakes, bread, biscuits, morning buns, and the fickle soufflé. As vegans, it’s harder to find these items in bakeries and grocery stores since they’re usually filled with dairy, eggs, butter, and lard (yuck).

That’s why so many plant-based practitioners find themselves baking a whole lot. Does that sound like you? If you’re an avid plant-based baker, it’s a good idea to equip yourself with the best stand mixer.

Stand mixers make all recipes easier and help you become more efficient with your baking time. You’ll spend less time mixing and more time baking!

In this review post, I’m going to save you even more time by going over the top rated stand mixers on the market today, and let you know which I think is the best.

Who needs a stand mixer?

Before you go out and purchase a stand mixer, it’s a good idea to figure out who really needs one. If you never bake or cook in general, you probably don’t need a stand mixer…duh!

But, even if you bake only once in a while, a stand mixer is an awesome tool to have. Stand mixers can cut down on mixing time, mix better than you ever could by hand, and save you from the burning feeling in your arms you get after mixing thick dough for more than 20 seconds.

Hand mixers are another option, but these don’t allow you to do anything else while you’re mixing. Many baking recipes require various complicated steps that depend on precision and timing to turn out just right (looking at you, eclairs).

Stand mixers allow you to simply press some buttons and leave your mixture to, well, mix. Then you’re free to prepare the next part of the recipe, check on something in the oven, whip up some frosting, etc.

This will help your bake go smoothly and prevent you from what I refer to as a “baking tornado” that usually results in flour getting in your hair and something being knocked over as you rush around to get everything done on time.

Are there different types of stand mixers?

While each machine will have different features and uses, there are two main categories of stand mixers: tilt heads and bowl lifts.

A mixer head that tilts up and away so you can put the bowl into position before tilting it back is called a tilt head stand mixer. A mixer with a mechanism that lowers the bowl away from the mixer and then raises it into position is called a bowl lift stand mixer. Self-explanatory enough, right?

But, is one better than the other? Depends…

How to pick the stand mixer that’s right for you

There are other things to take into consideration besides the two types of stand mixers (bowl lift vs tilt head). Some things to consider include:

Best stand mixer reviews

Now that you have all of the scoop on stand mixers, let’s get into the reviews. Here are 10 of the best stand mixer options you have available, broken down so you can see the advantages and disadvantages of each.

KitchenAid KP26M1XWH 6 Qt. Professional 600 Series Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

First up is this KitchenAid model (KP26M1XWH). You’re going to see a few KitchenAid products on this list. They’re durable, reliable, and known to make high-quality kitchen appliances.

This 600 Series model is no exception. As you can tell from the name, this is a bowl lift model.

It has a 6 quart capacity, which is one of the larger sizes available. The bowl also has a handle attached, which is super convenient.

However, being a powerful bowl lift mixer does introduce the problem that this is a bulky, big machine. It’s not going to be convenient if you have little counter/storage space. It’s also really heavy, which makes it difficult to move, but that should be seen as a good thing…no one wants their unattended mixer to go walkabout while it’s doing its thing!

The word “professional” in the name of this stand mixer isn’t an exaggeration. With a powerful 575 watt motor, 10 speed settings, and over 12 different attachments, you’ll feel like a pro chef with any recipe you try.

The powerful motor is perfect for everything from light delicate mixtures to the thickest dough you can imagine. Another bonus is that it comes in 30 (yes, thirty!!) different colors to match any kitchen.

Fans of this stand mixer love the “soft start” feature. This handy setting starts mixing a bit slower before ramping up the speed, which minimizes the potential for your mixture splattering.

The most common complaint is that it’s a bit hard to get used to the lever that lifts and lowers the bowl. Others comment that it’s hard to switch the attachments, but they eventually get used to it.

All in all, though, this is a glorious piece of kitchen kit.

Litchi 650W 5.5 Qt. Stand Mixer

I started off with a bowl lift, so it’s only fair that I give you a tilt head mixer next, right? This Litchi model is slightly smaller than the KitchenAid we just went over, with a 5.5 quart capacity.

The smaller size will be a plus for many people though as, even though it doesn’t have as big of a capacity, it’s still of decent size whilst being a bit more compact for those with less space to fit in yet another kitchen appliance.

This mixer has 6 different speeds with a powerful 650 watt motor, and is one of the best bread mixers available. Owners love the “pulse” function that’s perfect for making and kneading bread dough to the perfect consistency.

This model also comes with four different attachments: a whisk, a dough hook, a flex beater, and a mixing blade. There are also separate attachments you can purchase, like a grinder and a blender.

The bowl comes built with a handle similar to the KitchenAid model we just went over, and it also comes with a detachable “splash guard.” This prevents your mixture from splattering your batter up the walls, ensuring you don’t have any extra cleaning to do.

There are some issues, though. Many owners say that the machine itself isn’t very stable: it shakes, vibrates, and some even say that it starts to have a burning smell sometimes. The stability issues along with the powerful motor also make this model quite loud.

KitchenAid KSM7586PCA 7-Quart Pro Line Stand Mixer

If you were impressed by the 600 series KitchenAid we went over earlier, get ready to get blown away by this Pro Line option. If you’re only baking once in a while or are exclusively making small batches, you probably don’t need to go for this guy.

Why? This really is what the professionals use. The huge 7 quart capacity is the biggest residential kitchen mixer you can buy: you can make 14 dozen (168!) cookies in one batch with this monster.

It’s not really fair to categorize this as solely a stand mixer either. It’s built to accommodate over 15 different attachments that can turn this appliance into anything from a pasta maker to a bread kneader to a vegan cheese shredder in a few easy steps.

It has the same 10 speed settings as the 600 series along with the same convenient bowl handles. Customers also praise the noise levels: pretty quiet compared to other mixers on the market.

Another bonus of this professional level mixer is the five year warranty, something that really shows how confident KitchenAid are with the machine’s quality.

As you can imagine, the large capacity and the power of this mixer means it’s a heavy machine, but again, that’s a good thing…providing you don’t need to move it too often!

CHEFTRONIC Tilt Head Stand Mixer 350W

All of the options we’ve gone over so far are big, powerful mixers that many experienced, or at least active, plant-based bakers will love.

But what about those of us who don’t bake very often, or who don’t have space for such large machines? This CHEFTRONIC Tilt Head mixer might be perfect for you.

Being a tilt head model makes this machine more compact, which could be good or bad: it’s great if you want an appliance with a smaller footprint, but the reduced capacity 4.2 quart bowl might not be big enough for some bakers. It’s really going to come down to what your needs are.

Many owners love the small size, which they also say makes it easy to use, clean, and move around. While the motor (350 watts) isn’t as powerful as some of the other options I’ve gone over, it’s able to do the job it’s made to do and make cakes, cookies, pastries, and even some lighter breads with ease.

We also love that this machine comes with a splash guard as well as with built-in silicone cups. The CHEFTRONIC also has built-in silicone cups to help stabilize the bowl and the machine when it’s being used.

Despite their addition, however, many owners report that the machine still shakes a lot when using at speeds higher than 2 (and this is a 6 speed machine!). It’s also quite loud, even when using low speeds.

Finally, the lower power of this machine means that it can’t handle thick doughs or batters very well, but that’s not surprising. 

Despite all that, if you’re looking for an entry-level, budget option, the CHEFTRONIC is certainly worth shortlisting.

Cuisinart SM-50 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer

Here’s another great tilt head option for you to consider.

Unlike many other tilting head models, you don’t need to sacrifice size or power to get that feature with the Cuisinart SM-50. It has a powerful motor (500 watts), a larger capacity size (5.5 quarts), and over 10 different speed settings (12 to be exact) to choose from.

It comes with three different attachments, including a chef’s whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook, and it has a splash guard as well. Like a few of the other models we’ve gone over, the Cuisinart SM-50 comes with a bowl that has a handle, which makes this machine easy and convenient to use.

Another big thumbs up…all parts of this machine are dishwasher safe, which makes clean up a breeze. There are six color options, all of which are sleek and feature stainless steel parts.

It also has a number of attachments that can turn it into a pasta maker, an ice cream maker, and more. However, the number of attachments doesn’t come close to the number of options you get with a KitchenAid, for example. So if those are important to you, this one might be the best choice.

Despite being made by one of the best kitchen appliance brands in the business, some users have questioned the longevity of this particular model. However, this is difficult to quantify without knowing exactly how each machine has been used and handled during its lifetime.

Some customers also say that the whisk and the flat mixing paddle can push some of the ingredients too far to the side of the bowl, which results in uneven mixing and forces some to mix a bit by hand, which defeats the object somewhat.

Hamilton Beach 63232 Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer

A good way to describe this mixer is as a beefed-up version of the CHEFTRONIC I went over earlier. Like the CHEFTRONIC, the Hamilton Beach 63232 is a small, compact, tilt head stand mixer.

However, this model is more powerful, with a 400 watt motor, and has a slightly larger capacity at 4.5 quarts. It also has double the speed options compared to the CHEFTRONIC, which puts it at the same sort of precision level of top name options without the huge size of those machines.

This metal mixer comes in three colors and has more of a retro look to it. While this won’t suit everyone’s aesthetic, it’s an attractive machine that does the job. Like many of the others in this list, it also comes with a splatter shield that prevents large messes, although many reviews complain that it’s hard to take this shield on and off easily.

Despite the compact size, owners do say that this machine is still pretty heavy and bulky. People also have some issues with the bowl: it’s a smaller capacity, but people report that the bowl itself is quite deep, which makes it hard to properly mix the ingredients at the very bottom.

Breville BEM825BAL Stand Mixer

This Breville tilt head stand mixer is a well-built, sturdy machine.

It boasts 100% metal gears, which work to make it one of the most powerful and hard-wearing machines you can purchase. Its 550 watt motor is comparable to the Kitchenaid 600 series in terms of both power and durability.

A bonus for this Breville mixer is it’s a lot less bulky and heavy when compared with KitchenAid and other stand mixers available at the same power-level. It’s also quieter than other models, has easy to use controls, and has a sleek steel aesthetic.

Another plus point for the Breville model is that it comes with both metal and glass bowls, which is the only mixer to do so on this list. Owners love the option of using a glass bowl in order to see their mixture better during the mixing process.

However, the capacity is a bit smaller than those of other powerful machines at only 5 quarts. Most people who want a more powerful stand mixer also want a larger capacity size; this option might not be best for serious bakers.

Another common complaint is that the available attachments aren’t very effective, and they’re hard to switch out. People have trouble with the dough hook, the mixing blade, and the pour shield.

So, while the Breville has plenty going for it, when compared to the high-end KitchenAid stand mixers, it does fall a little short.

Kenwood KMC011 5 Quart Chef Titanium Kitchen Machine

This is a small, tilt head machine, which you now know from what I went over earlier usually means that it’s a bit less powerful.

But that’s not the case with the Kenwood KMC011: this little guy has a whopping 750 watts of power, which means you can mix the thickest doughs and the toughest batters all with a tiny, compact, space-friendly machine.

It also has electronic variable speed control. As you put new ingredients into the mixer, it will slow down to allow all the ingredients to become incorporated instead of instantly spewing them out of the bowl and all over your apron.

It comes with three attachments, including a specially designed beater attachment that owners say mixes better than “classic” beaters. All of the tools and bowls that come with this machine are dishwasher safe, which makes cleaning easy and fast.

It also comes with a 5 year warranty, but many customers say they never even need the warranty: the motor is both powerful and durable with built-in ventilation that prolongs the life of the machine.

The smaller capacity is an issue for some people, but many say that this machine works faster and smoother than others, which means making two separate batches isn’t as cumbersome as it normally is.

This is a great option for anyone with limited counter-space who still wants a mixer with a bit of “oomph”.

KitchenAid KSM150PSER Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Let’s give you one more KitchenAid stand mixer review, shall we?

Unlike the other two options I’ve gone over, this KitchenAid KSM Artisan mixer is a tilt head, not a bowl lift. Like most other tilt head mixers, that means that it has a smaller capacity of 5 quarts and it’s also significantly less powerful than the other mixers we’ve reviewed here, with just 325 watts of power.

But, just like other KitchenAid mixers, it has the classic 10 speed settings, over 50 colors to choose from, and is known for its durability and reliability. It’s also compatible with more that 15 different KitchenAid attachments, too, which adds to its versatility.

The lower speed and smaller size does make it a bit less bulky and not as heavy as other KitchenAid options, which is great for those whose countertop real estate is at a premium. Owners love the simplicity and the smaller size; many people call it a “cute” and “adorable” little mixer.

There are a few customers who report that it isn’t very stable when mixing, which is a known issue for many tilt head mixers that are lighter by design. There have also been issues reported with cleaning the attachments and bowls. Many people have problems getting things completely clean, and even have issues with the polish/coatings that are on the tools and attachments.

That said, if you’re looking for a focal point in your kitchen and don’t have the budget for one of the higher-end models listed here, this is a fab mid-range mixer.

Ankarsrum Original AKM 6220 Stand Mixer

If you’re looking for a machine that specializes in dough and can handle any type of bread you throw its way, then you should put this Ankarsrum AKM 6220 at the top of your list.

This is a 600 watt, 3.5 quart capacity bread mixer that’s strong, durable, and basically made to mix, knead, and pulse bread dough.

Not all owners love the look of this machine. It has 4 color choices, but it definitely looks like it belongs in a restaurant kitchen, which obviously won’t suit everyone.

However, you can’t deny the power and sturdiness of this mixer. It has variable speed modes along with a built-in timer. You can tell it’s made for bread mixing and making when you see the attachments that come with it: dough roller, dough knife, dough scraper, yeast lid, and a double beater.

It can make other baked goods, of course, but this mixer is mostly used, and uniquely designed to, mix bread dough. It’s a serious bread-mixing machine, which is great for bread makers, but not as much a priority for casual or “once in a while” bakers. This stand mixer definitely falls in the “pro” category.

So, what’s the best stand mixer for vegan bakers?

After reviewing these 10 stand mixers, I would pick the KitchenAid 600 Series as my number 1 choice.

This machine is not too big for the beginner or intermediate baker, but it’s also not too small for the serious, everyday baker: it’s just right, size-wise, which should bring longevity regardless of your skill level or baking frequency.

It’s also versatile. Buying this one machine is as good as buying 10 separate ones with all of the available attachments at your disposal and a mind-blowing array of color choices.

But not only is it versatile in terms of style and function, but it truly is an excellent stand mixer. It’s powerful enough to get through thick dough whilst maintaining the precision to whip up a light frosting.

All in all, the 600 series is the one that will please the most people, and that’s good enough to get a gold star from me! ⭐️

Disagree? Which one do you think is the best stand mixer? Let me know with a comment below!

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1. STAC | Noise Levels dBA / Decibels | https://www.stac-uk.com/downloads/Noise%20Levels.pdf