Best Stand Mixers in Canada
Gone are the days where every baking session is a workout for your arms – you can sit back and relax while a stand mixer kneads your cookie dough or whips up some egg whites into merengue for you. Feel like all the stand mixer options for home bakers are overwhelming you? Not to worry – we made a guide of the best available stand mixers, and their standout features so that you don’t have to scour and sift through the internet for relevant reviews.
Our Top Picks
How to choose a stand mixer
Here are a few things to consider when you’re comparing stand mixers to one another:
Capacity – If you’re someone who bakes a lot or in large quantities, something like a 3 qt mixer might not cut it for you. On the other hand, if you only bake occasionally or in small amounts, you can save a little bit by purchasing smaller capacity stand mixers.
Warranty – Stand mixers can be somewhat of a pricy investment, so be sure to check the terms and conditions of the warranties that come with the food mixers you’re considering.
Dimensions – Nothing is worse than falling in love with a countertop mixer only to find out it doesn’t fit in the space you have dedicated for it.
Tilt-head vs bowl-lift – Tilt head mixers allow you to tilt back your mixer’s head in order to add ingredients. Bowl-lift mixers have a lever to move the bowl of your mixer up or down. Generally, bowl-lift mixers are more powerful, but tilt-head mixers are more convenient to put into storage. Additionally, bowl-lift mixers tend to have larger capacities, but tilt-head mixers also tend to be slightly more budget friendly.
Best stand mixer overall
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Qt. Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 22.1D x 35.8W x 35.3H Centimetres
This particular KitchenAid stand mixer is a great all-arounder to have the kitchen, whether you want to use it as a cake mixer, meat grinder, pasta roller, food processor or something else entirely. However, do note that this unit comes with flat beater, dough hook, wire whip and pouring shield – if you want to make use of its other functions (e.g., a pasta roller or meat grinder), you’ll need to purchase additional attachments. Whatever you decide to make, you’ll have easy access to both the beaters and bowl thanks to its tilt-head design.
Moving on, this KitchenAid mixer features a 325-watt motor, meaning it’ll be able to power through denser doughs with relative ease. A 5-quart capacity (4.7 L) also means you’ll be able to make decently sized batches of muffins, cookies, or other foods to last you through the week.
Hate all cleaning associated with cooking? You’ll be happy to know that the bowl on this unit is both oven and freezer safe, meaning less transferring between bowls and less washing up to do. Plus, it’s dishwasher safe, so you can set it in the dishwasher along with your regular plates and cutlery and forget about it.
If you’re tired of just having black, white, or stainless-steel appliances in your kitchen, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to see that this mixer comes in over 20 different colours. If you prefer more traditional colours, not to worry – black, white, and grey options are also available.
As for the warranty, KitchenAid offers a 1-year limited warranty on this unit, as well as service options for when your warranty is no longer valid.
Reviewers have plenty of positive feedback for this unit – overall, consumers find this unit to be sturdy, quiet, and easy to clean. However, do note that this unit is 25 pounds – if you don’t have a dedicated counter space for this mixer, it can be somewhat of a hassle to move back and forth. Additionally, with some thicker mixes, this mixer may tend to shake a little, but given its weight, you shouldn’t have to worry about this mixer tipping over.
Pros
- Bowl is oven, freezer, and dishwasher safe.
- Relative powerful motor.
- Easy to clean.
- Quiet.
- Comes in several different colours.
Cons
- Can be a minor hassle to move around.
- Pricey.
Best Stand Mixer for Bread Dough
Wolf Gourmet 7 Quart Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 50.8D x 49.53W x 33.27H cm
In comparison to other doughs and mixes, bread dough is generally denser and tougher to mix. As such, if you or household often make bread, this Wolf Gourmet mixer is definitely worth considering as it’s equipped with a 500-watt motor that’ll be able to get through whatever heavy mixtures you throw at it. Plus, since this is a bowl-lift type of mixer, it has added stability. Do note that it may be a touch more difficult to switch this mixer’s attachments since it isn’t a tilt-head mixer. The attachments that this unit comes with are standard for most mixers – it includes a flat beater, whisk, dough hook and splash/pouring shield.
In comparison to Cuisinart and KitchenAid mixers, this baking mixer does fall short when it comes to versatility – as of this guide’s posting date, only a food grinder attachment is available as an add-on.
Another feature to appreciate about this mixer is its 7-quart capacity – you’ll be able to make larger batches in one go. Fun fact – did you know many breads freeze well? If your household loves bread, you’ll be able to make several loaves in advance – simply thaw a loaf on your counter for a few hours for when you’re not able to make one fresh.
Finally, another feature that makes this mixer stand out is that it has a variable infinite speed dial to help you get the perfect speed for mixing rather than settling for a pre-set speed.
As far as warranties go, the 5-year limited warranty that this model comes with is one of the longer ones we’ve seen. However, that’s counter balanced by the fact that this mixer is one of the more expensive units in this guide.
Several reviewers sought out this mixer for replacing other mixers that weren’t up for the job of frequently mixing heavier doughs. Overall, reviewers are more than pleased with this Wolf Gourmet mixer, noting that this mixer doesn’t strain or heat up during the mixing of thicker doughs. However, one thing reviewers did note is that this mixer is definitely not convenient for frequent storage and removal – it weighs in at approximately 35 pounds and is quite tall as well.
Pros
- Has a powerful motor that does well with denser mixtures.
- Large capacity.
- Longer than average warranty.
Cons
- Limited colour options.
- Heavy and large.
- Expensive.
Alternate Option for Best Stand Mixer for Bread
Kenwood Chef Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 39.88 x 22.61 x 29.72 cm
For a more affordable and less bulky stand mixer that would still do well with bread dough, take this Kenwood stand mixer into consideration. Overall, it’s more compact and weighs 27 pounds, compared to the Wolf Gourmet’s stand mixer weight of 35 pounds.
It also features a 750-watt motor, meaning it’s one of the most powerful mixers on this list. However, it does have a 5-quart capacity, meaning that the amount of bread dough you’ll be able to make at one time will be moderately less.
In terms of attachments, the Kenwood Chef stand mixer comes with a stainless-steel dough hook, k-beater, and whisk. It also has the option of purchasing additional attachments for various different types of pasta making, biscuit making, juicing, making frozen desserts and more.
Much like the Wolf Gourmet stand mixer, this unit also has a 5-year warranty to give you peace of mind in case any issues occur with your mixing machine.
Overall, reviewers find that this mixer works quietly and is quite stable even when working with heavier mixes. Additionally, many also find that this unit is quite easy to store and set up as needed. On the flip side, however, some consumers have noticed that moving the head of this mixer to be quite tedious.
Pros
- Relatively more affordable than other units with high powered motors.
- Compatible with several attachments.
Cons
- Head is difficult to move.
Best Affordable Stand Mixer
Hamilton Beach 4 Quart Electric Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 10.4D x 15.6W x 16.3H Centimetres
Purchasing a stand mixer doesn’t have to be a huge toll on your budget – this mixer from Hamilton Beach is under $150 and comes with all the standard attachments any other pricier mixer has, including a flat beater, whisk, kneading hook and splatter shield. Plus, it features a decently powered 300-watt motor, enough to get you through your day-to-day baking and mixing needs.
Compared to other stand mixers, this unit is quite light, weighing in at about 12.5 pounds. It also features a handle on top for ease of putting away and setting up this unit on your countertops. Since this unit is lighter weight, however, it may experience shaking when mixing thicker or heavier mixtures. This unit, however, does suction to your counter to help with any shaking it may experience.
Speaking of mixing, another thing to note is that this Hamilton Beach stand mixer uses planetary mixing action (also used by Kitchen Aid mixers). In other words, it ensures all the mixture is picked up from around the side, bottom and centre of the bowl while mixing, meaning less having to stop your stand mixer to scrape down the sides.
Moving on, the tilt-head design of this mixer means that accessing your mixing bowl and/or changing attachments is as simple of lifting the head of your mixer.
Overall, reviewers find that this mixer is a great, more affordable alternative to other stand mixers on the market, with the general consensus being that it handles whipping and mixing many batters well. However, there is some disagreement for how well this mixer does with thicker mixtures such as bread dough – some reviewers found that it did quite well while others found that the mixer shook and the gears grinded quite loudly. One possible factor that may explain these differences is the amount of mixture placed in the mixer – mixing smaller amounts of bread dough or other thicker mixtures at a time could resolve the issue.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Light weight.
- Easy to move around.
Cons
- Less sturdy build.
- Prone to shaking when dealing with heavier mixtures.
Best Cheap Stand Mixer
Dash 3 Quart Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 29.21D x 20.32W x 26.67H cm
Whether you’re a college student on a tight budget or someone who doesn’t do enough baking to justify a higher end mixer, be assured that there are options available to you on your search for the best budget stand mixer. For example, take a look at this Dash stand mixer – most colours are just over $100 or even less. This unit comes with 2 dough hook and 2 beater attachments and a 3-quart mixing bowl – perfect for making pizza dough for a personal pizza or a small batch of cookies. Additionally, its 250-watt motor should work just fine for most basic baking applications such as beating eggs or mixing up cake batter.
Plus, if you’re short on space and can’t keep this mixer on your countertop all the time, not to worry – it weighs just 3.3 pounds and is relatively compact, so storing it away is easy. As an added bonus, all non-electric parts of this mixer are dishwasher safe, meaning no having to stand at the sink scrubbing away after a baking session.
Lastly, this unit comes with a 1-year warranty, which is what many other (pricier) stand mixers also with.
Overall, reviewers find that this unit is a great stand mixer for beginners to use – it’s easy to set up and move about and works decently for mixing small batches of baked goods. However, as a number of reviewers pointed out, this stand mixer can only mix for 3 minutes at a time before needing a break – otherwise, you risk burning out the motor. So, for heavier mixtures, you may need to have a few mixing sessions before your dough is thoroughly mixed.
Pros
- Affordable.
- Compact.
- Light weight.
Cons
- Only mixes for 3 minutes at a time.
Best Stand Mixer for Cake
KitchenAid Ultra Power Plus Series 4.5 Quart Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 36.32D x 22.1W x 35.31H cm
Whether you’re a single layer or triple layer cake baker, this KitchenAid mixer is one to consider for whisking up your dream cake. Cake batter tends to be less dense and heavy than bread dough. If you’re generally going to only be making cakes or other items with a similar or lesser density, you can look into purchasing a stand mixer with less motor power (such as the KitchenAid Ultra Power Plus Series stand mixers) – generally, lesser motor power means a lower cost as well.
As with most other stand mixers in this list, this unit comes with all the basic attachments you’ll need for baking including a coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and 6-wire whip. However, do note that the wire whip isn’t dishwasher safe, so you’ll have to handwash it in the sink. Another attachment that would come in handy with this mixer would be the flex edge beater. It helps more efficiently scrape your cake ingredients down the sides of the bowl and it also works has a handy little tool to scrape your bowl clean from frostings and batters. Alternatively, a rubber spatula also works great if you don’t mind keeping an eye on your mixer while it’s running.
With a 4.5-quart capacity, you can make approximately 12 cups of cake batter, or enough batter for a single 12 inch wide, 2-inch-tall cake or a few layers of a 2-inch tall, 8-inch-wide round cake. You can use this guide from Make It Sweet to estimate how many cups of batter you’ll need for your round, square or sheet cakes.
As with most other KitchenAid stand mixers, this one comes with a 1-year limited warranty, with options for servicing after the warranty expires.
Overall, reviewers are pleased with how well this unit mixes – one reviewer noted that since using this stand mixer, they’ve never had to deal with grainy batters and mixes. Additionally, while this mixer does have a motor with slightly lower power than other units, many reviewers also report this unit doing well with mixing dough and other thick mixtures. However, some reviewers noted have a little difficulty adding ingredients while the mixer’s attachment and bowl were both in place.
Pros
- Less costly than other Kitchen Aid stand mixers.
- Wide variety of colours.
Cons
- Can be difficult to add ingredients with attachments and bowl still in place.
Best Stand Mixer for Buttercream
Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 35.99D x 19.99W x 35.89H cm
Mixing buttercream or other frostings by hand can be a hassle, take up a load of time and still not come out right due to a lot of factors. With a stand mixer, you can easily cut down on time needed for making buttercream and you won’t have to worry about your butter warming up too much its mixed. In particular, this Cuisinart mixer has a 500-watt motor, so it’s sure to cream butter and sugar together without a sweat. Plus, its mixing bowl has a handle so you can more easily move your frosting over to your baking workspace. The included Cuisinart stand mixer attachments for this unit are the same as you would find for any standard mixer – a whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook and splash guard.
With its 5.5-quart capacity, this mixer can make several cups of frosting at once – did you know you can freeze any excess buttercream that you may have? It’s as simple as placing your leftover buttercream in a freezer safe container and making sure that the container is airtight. For extra security, you can place a layer of clingwrap over your buttercream. When you want to thaw out your buttercream, place your container the fridge overnight the day before you need to use it to ensure that the texture stays smooth.
If you frequently add ice cream or frozen yogurt to your desserts, it’s worth noting that this stand mixer is compatible with an ice cream maker attachment for such purposes. However, this attachment does come separately from this unit.
Unlike other stand mixers in this guide, it comes with a 3-year limited warranty (versus just a 1-year limited warranty) to give you extra peace of mind.
Overall, reviewers appreciate that this unit isn’t as bulky or difficult to store as some other popular stand mixer units. It weighs in at about 17 pounds, one of the lighter units in this guide. Additionally, even though it has die-cast metal construction, it’s a more affordable price point compared to other similar stand mixers. However, some reviewers note that you occasionally need to stop this mixer to scrape ingredients off the bottom of the bowl. However, running this mixer on high speeds for shorter periods of time may help reduce or solve this problem.
Pros
- Less bulky than other mixers.
- Longer warranty.
- Several colours available.
- Strong motor.
Cons
- Can struggle with mixing the bottom of the mixing bowl.
Honorable Mention
Smeg 50’s Retro Stand Mixer
Dimensions: 40.64D x 22.86W x 38.1H cm
When aesthetics are just as important as functionality, this Smeg stand mixer is perfect for anyone with a retro styled kitchen.
Featuring a heavy duty 600-watt motor, it’ll be able to get through even the heaviest mixtures. Additionally, this unit has a 5-quart capacity – you could mix together about 12 egg whites, about 500 grams of pasta dough or even a litre of whipped cream with this mixer in one go. Plus, like many other mixers, it features a safety lock while the mixer head is tilted up so no pinched fingers or damage occurs to your electric mixer.
However, this mixer is significantly more expensive than other comparable stand mixers (ranging from $800-$900), which is why it didn’t quite make the main list in this guide.
Our Methodology
Overall, the purpose of this guide is to provide readers with information regarding the best available stand mixers available in the Canadian market. We spent over 10 hours researching and compiling information from trusted review sites such as The Spruce Eats, in addition to verified customer reviews from online marketplaces such as Amazon.
Frequently asked questions about stand mixers
How to knead dough with a stand mixer?
If you’re not up for working out your arms, stand mixers can make the process of kneading dough a lot easier. Simply attach your mixer’s dough hook attachment and turn your mixer onto low speed. You’ll know your dough is done after your dough clings to the hook and when the sides of the mixing bowl are clean. Additionally, your dough should be shiny and elastic.
How long to knead dough in stand mixer?
This can take anywhere from 5-10 minutes depending on the type of stand mixer you’re using as well as the type of dough you’re kneading.
How to make roti dough in Cuisinart stand mixer?
With a stand mixer, you can save time and effort on making dough. Here’s a recipe taken from PipingPotCurry:
- 2 cups of whole wheat flour
- 1 cup water
- 1 tsp oil
- Add flour to your mixing bowl, as well as a pinch of salt if you prefer.
- Attach the dough hook attachment to your mixer and turn your mixer onto the lowest speed.
- Add slightly less than a cup of water to the bowl while the mixer is still running. Stop the mixer and scrape dry flour from the sides of the bowl as needed. You should see the dough start to come together in 2-3 minutes.
- As needed, stop the mixer, and check the consistency of the dough. You can add 1 – 2 tbsps. of water as needed to form a soft dough. If the dough is too sticky, add some additional flour.
- Once the dough has formed completely, add the oil while the mixer is still running.
- Stop the mixer and cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap – set aside for 15 minutes.
- Your dough is ready to use for making rotis – alternatively, you can store it in an airtight container in the fridge.
How to make bread dough in stand mixer?
Here’s a generalized set of instructions taken from KitchenAid that should work for several different types of bread dough:
- Warm your mixing bowl by pouring in some hot water and dumping it out. This helps maintain the temperature that yeast needs to activate.
- Add your dry ingredients (including yeast) into the bowl, attach the dough hook attachment to your mixer and mix on the second lowest speed setting for 30 seconds.
- Slowly add warm water to your dry ingredients, while still mixing on the second lowest speed setting.
- Check the amount of time required for kneading in your recipe – generally, your dough is ready when it pulls away from the bowl and forms a ball.
- Remove your mixing bowl from the mixer and dust the top of the dough with flour. Make sure to turn and coat your dough evenly. Next, transfer your dough to a container and cover it. Then, place it somewhere dry and warm. Generally, dough needs to sit for at least an hour.
How to cream butter and sugar with stand mixer?
- First, soften your butter to room temperature. Then, place it into your stand mixer’s bowl.
- Attach your mixer’s paddle attachment and turn on your mixer to the lowest or second lowest setting. After about 20 seconds, increase the speed and continue mixing until your butter is slightly creamy. Then, reduce speed, add your sugar and increase the speed again until your mixture is pale and fluffy.
What can you make with a stand mixer?
When it comes to stand mixers, the first thing that comes to people’s minds are baked goods like breads, cookies, or doughnuts. However, with the right attachments, you can also make sausages or ground meats. If you’re struggling to come up with dinner ideas, several stand mixer recipes are available online – additionally, some stand mixers even come with recipe booklets.
How to grease a KitchenAid stand mixer?
Before you start any DIY actions, check to see if your stand mixer’s warranty has expired – if not, you may be able to send your stand mixer to a repair facility to have it greased. Otherwise, there are a number of guides available that show you how to grease your stand mixer. Be aware that trying to grease your stand mixer on your own has the possibility to damage it. If you’re still inclined to do so, this guide from UniProducts LLC has simple instructions to follow.
What is a paddle attachment for a stand mixer?
Also known as a flat beater, this attachment is for whisking or mixing ingredients together without incorporating too much air into your mixture.
How much does a stand mixer cost?
Stand mixers can cost anything from just under one hundred dollars to over several hundred models depending on the capacity, brand name and whether or not you want extra attachments.
Where to buy Kitchenaid stand mixer?
Several different places stock stand mixers, such as Canadian Tire, Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Best Buy and Amazon.
What to make with a stand mixer?
If you’re short on ideas, KitchenAid has several online recipes to try out with stand mixers, such as raspberry brown butter tarts, chocolate chiffon cake and scotch shortbread. Cuisinart also has a number of recipes available, including ones for cheesecakes, frostings, and quick breads.
What is the best kitchenaid stand mixer for home use?
That depends on a few factors, such as the capacity required as well as if you’ll want to put away your stand mixer with each use or keep it on a countertop. Check out our guide above to learn more about the best available countertop mixers available and to see which one suits your needs the best.
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