How to Choose a Stand Mixer: Bowl Size, Wattage and Attachments
Quick answer: for most home bakers a 4 to 5 litre bowl and a 1000 to 1300W motor with planetary mixing is the sweet spot. Go up to 6 litres or more only if you bake big batches of bread dough or cake for a large family.
A stand mixer saves real time when you whisk, cream and knead regularly, but the numbers on the box can be confusing. This guide explains which specifications matter and which you can ignore.
1. Bowl size: match it to your batches
| Bowl size | Good for |
|---|---|
| Around 3 to 4 litres | Couples, small cakes, cookies, occasional baking |
| 4.5 to 5 litres | Most families: a two-tier sponge, a loaf of bread, a batch of cupcakes |
| 6 litres and over | Large bread doughs, double batches, bake sales |
A very large bowl is not always better: small amounts, such as two egg whites, can be hard to whisk in a big bowl because the whisk does not reach them properly.
2. Wattage: useful, but not the whole story
Higher wattage helps with heavy bread dough, but motor design and gearing matter as much. A well-built 1000W mixer can knead better than a poorly built higher-wattage one. As a guide, look for 1000W or more if you plan to knead bread every week.
3. Planetary mixing
Planetary action means the beater spins on its own axis while also travelling around the bowl, so it reaches the edges and you scrape the bowl less. It is worth having on any mixer you plan to use often.
4. Tilt-head and splash guard
Most home mixers have a tilt-head, which lifts up so you can add the bowl and attachments. Check the height with the head raised if the mixer will live under a wall cupboard. A splash guard with a pouring chute lets you add flour or sugar without stopping the machine.
5. Attachments in the box
Nearly every stand mixer includes a flat beater (cakes and biscuits), a balloon whisk (meringues and cream) and a dough hook (bread and pizza). Some ranges also offer pasta rollers, mincers or spiralisers as extras; see our stand mixer attachments.
Stand mixers to compare
- Progress Go Bake Stand Mixer, 1300W, 4L Bowl, 8 Speeds, Teal (from £68.99): 4 litre bowl and 1300W, a bright choice for everyday baking.
- HOMCOM 4.5L Stand Mixer, 1300W, 6 Speeds with Pulse (from £66.69): a simple, sturdy 4.5 litre tilt-head mixer at a fair price.
- Emperial 5L Stand Mixer, 1200W with Planetary Mixing (from £74.74): 5 litre bowl with planetary mixing.
- Salter British Bakes Stand Mixer, 5L Bowl, 1300W, 10 Speeds (from £103.49): 5 litre bowl, 10 speeds plus pulse, in pastel colours.
- Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer, 1300W, 10 Speeds, 6L or 8L Bowl (from £103.49): 6 litre bowl (8 litre option) for big family batches.
- Vezzio 1500W Stand Mixer with Two Stainless Steel Bowls, 10 Speeds (from £120.99): comes with two bowls, so one mix can wait while you start the next.
Not sure you need a full stand mixer? Judge JEA99 2-in-1 Hand Mixer with Stand and Rotating Bowl, 300W (from £51.74) works as a hand mixer or clips onto its stand over a rotating bowl.
FAQs
Q: Can a stand mixer knead bread dough?
A: Yes, with the dough hook. Keep to the speed and maximum flour weight in the manual, and knead on a low speed to protect the motor.
Q: Is a stand mixer better than a hand mixer?
A: A stand mixer works hands-off and copes with heavier mixes such as bread dough. A hand mixer is cheaper, smaller and fine for whipping cream or light cake batter.
Q: Are stand mixer bowls dishwasher safe?
A: Most stainless steel bowls are. Check each product page, as some beaters with coatings should be washed by hand.
See all stand mixers and hand mixers.
Prices shown were correct when this guide was updated on 10 November 2026 and may change. Check the product page for the latest price.
