If you're an occasional or beginner baker, the KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a great model to begin with.

Best for:Cookies, brownies, whipped cream, cake, and occasional bread loafs.

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Read our full KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer review. Overall, this is a great option for beginner bakers. We'll continue to use this model regularly and report on its long-term durability. It's worked its way through pierogi dough and filling, multiple babkas, and many batches of holiday cookies, and still functions as well (and looks as good) as it did when I first received it.

Since initial testing, we've continued to use this model at least once a week.

This model also offers customization, allowing you to choose from almost 50 color options, engrave your stand mixer, or switch out the standard bowl for a patterned ceramic or glass mixing bowl. That said, I don't think I would make multiple batches of bagels in a row to avoid overheating the mixer's lower-powered motor.

While it shook a bit when I made bagel dough, it was never overly noisy and I didn't feel like I had to babysit it for fear of it walking off the counter. The bowl also has a sturdy handle for easy lifting, and provided plenty of room for pouring in ingredients - particularly helpful when adding more than five cups of mix-ins for Compost Cookies. This wasn't the case with the Artisan mixer the large bowl felt open enough that I could scrape the sides without adjusting the head. You often have to stop the mixer and tilt the head back whenever you want to scrape down the mixing bowl. Tilt-head stand mixers have a smaller base than bowl-lift stand mixers so the bowls tend to be narrower and can feel cramped. During testing, it quickly became my favorite mixer to use. The Artisan Series 5 Quart model strikes a great balance of power, size, and design. Compatible attachments:All KitchenAid attachments.Best for:Batters, cookies, most everyday baked goods, occasional stiff bread dough or sticky pizza dough.Not enough power for regularly making a lot of stiff or wet doughs

Our top picks for KitchenAid stand mixersīest overall: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer - See at Amazonīest budget: KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - See at Amazonīest for small spaces: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer - See at Amazon If space is a concern or you're baking for one, the KitchenAid Artist Mini is an unobtrusive machine that works through single batch doughs just as well as larger machines. The best KitchenAid for home bakers is the Artisan Series 5-Quart it comes in 45 colors and is powerful enough for baking marathons without being too bulky. I've used the best KitchenAid stand mixers in professional kitchens for more than a decade, and for this guide, I tested top models by making bagel dough, kitchen-sink cookies, and more. During the holiday baking rush or the frantic prep before a dinner party, a KitchenAid will save you time and energy. They make efficient work of whipping egg whites, churning out big batches of cookies, and kneading tough, heavy bread doughs. For over a century, the best KitchenAids have been the crown jewel of kitchens around the world.

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