There is a wide range of mixers, but only a few are suitable for kneading bread dough. Most do a great job when kneading other types of dough and mixing batter but are not suitable for kneading bread dough. Therefore, if you knead bread dough regularly, it is best to invest in a mixer specified for kneading dough. We are here to help you find the best mixer for bread dough.
Bread dough presents particular challenges. First, it is tough and heavier than other types of dough, such as cookie dough and pizza dough. Also, aside from mixing the ingredients, you need to knead heavy doughs for longer to help with gluten development. Therefore, you may need to knead for 15-30 minutes at high speed.
These heavy doughs require a heavy-duty stand mixer. It should have a high-quality build, a powerful motor, and a wide and sturdy base.
In most cases, a hand mixer is unsuitable for kneading bread dough. Its motor is not powerful enough to handle the tough dough. You can use it occasionally to knead small batches of dough if you use it for two to three minutes at a time at moderate speed. Otherwise, you will overwhelm the motor resulting in its failure.
We review our top picks for the best mixer for bread dough and provide a detailed buyer’s guide to help you decide on the best kitchen appliance.
6 Best Mixers for Bread Dough
1. Best Overall and Top Pick: Kitchen Aid 7-Quart Pro-Line Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 7-Quart
- Power: 325 watts
- Speeds: 10
- Hook design: S-hook
- Color Options: 7
- Lifting Mechanism: Bowl Lift
- Weight: 28lb
Why It Stands Out
- High Quality. The Kitchen Aid 7-Quart Pro-Line Stand Mixer has an all-metal construction, including the gears and interior components, for sturdiness and durability. Its metallic finish is sleek and stylish to suit your kitchen décor. The manufacturer backs its quality with a 5-year warranty.
- Powerful. It is powered by a 13hp, 325-watt motor that operates quietly. The power is sufficient for most home bread-making needs, including larger and heavier dough. It can knead for prolonged periods without overheating.
- Large Capacity. It comes with a 7-quart stainless steel mixing bowl. You can knead up to 8lb of bread dough at a time. Notably, it has a professional bowl-lift design to enable you to smoothly raise and lock the mixing bowl in the right position.
- 10 Speeds. It offers 10 different speeds you can easily change up using an ergonomic slide control. It is fitted with a speed sensor that maintains the set speed. It also has an auto-shut feature that locks the motor for safety in case the mixing action is obstructed.
- Versatile. Aside from the dough hook, it comes with two other attachments—a beater and a wire whip. Its power hub is compatible with over 15 attachments for a wide range of food processing tasks. You can use it to shred cheese or make fusilli pasta from scratch, among other functions.
Pros
- Suitable for dense and heavy dough
- 10 different speeds
- Auto-shut feature
- Operates quietly
- Quite durable
Cons
- Not suitable for making smaller batches
- Heavy and takes up significant counter space
2. 2nd Runner Up: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 5-Quart
- Power: 325 watts
- Speeds: 10
- Hook design: C-hook
- Color Options: 24
- Lifting Mechanism: Tilt-head
- Weight: 26lb
Why It Stands Out
- More Affordable Option of the Pro-Line. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer closely resembles the Kitchen Aid 7-Quart Pro-Line Stand Mixer. It has a similar high-quality build. However, it is lighter but equally powerful. It is best suited for kneading smaller batches of bread dough. It can process enough dough for up to 4 loaves of bread in a single batch.
- Unique Mixing Mechanism. The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer employs a unique 59-point planetary action. The dough hook makes 59 touchpoints on the ingredients per rotation. As such, it kneads faster and more efficiently. It also has 10-speed options that you can easily change with a slide control.
- Versatile. It can be used for a variety of food processing tasks. Like the Kitchen Aid 7-Quart Pro-Line Stand Mixer, it has a power hub that can be used with over 12 attachments. It comes with a 6-wire whip, flat beater, and 1-piece pouring shield. The flat beater and dough hook are nylon-coated, making them dishwasher safe.
- Over 20 Colors to Choose From to suit your preference and kitchen décor.
Pros
- Affordably-priced
- Dishwasher-safe beater, dough hook, and bowl
- Suitable for making smaller batches
- Unique mixing mechanism
Cons
- Comes with a C-hook, which is less efficient than an S-hook
3. Best Premium: Ankarsrum Original 7 Liter Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 7-Quart
- Power: 600 watts
- Speeds: 7
- Dough hook design: C-hook
- Color Options: 7
- Lifting Mechanism: Tilt-head
- Weight: 28.2lb
Why It Stands Out
- Specially Designed for Dough Kneading. Unlike other stand mixers designed with kneading as additional functionality, the Ankarsrum Original 7 Liter Stand Mixer is primarily designed for kneading dough. It is a heavy-duty stand mixer designed for use with heavy dough.
- Premium Quality. If you are willing to pay more for premium quality, go for the Ankarsrum Original Stand Mixer. The base is made of stainless and carbon steel for enhanced durability and sturdiness. It has two bowls—a 3.5-liter BPA-free Tritan plastic mixing bowl and a 7-liter stainless steel mixing bowl. A 7-year warranty backs the kitchen appliance.
- Unique Design. It is uniquely engineered with the motor at the bottom. It has a moveable steel arm that holds the roller, which simultaneously rolls and kneads the dough. It kneads in a rhythmic motion such that as the scraper folds the dough, the roller provides a powerful massaging motion. It is designed such that the bowl rotates instead of the arm. Its speed is adjustable using the speed knob within a range of 45 to 130 RPM. It also has an electronic speed sensor, which adjusts the motor torque and, consequently, the rotating speed of the bowl according to the load.
- Powerful. This mixer is powered by a 600watts motor that operates quietly. It can process up to 12lbs of dough per batch. It also has a 12-minute timer.
- Versatile. Although the Ankarsrum Original 7 Liter Stand Mixer is, first and foremost, a mixer for kneading bread dough, it is multipurpose. It comes with a wide range of attachments for your other food preparation needs, including a set of multi-wire balloon whisk, single wire whips, dough scraper, dough hook, and dough knife. It also accommodates a variety of attachments, such as pasta discs, grain mills, graters, citrus presses, meat grinders, vegetable slicers, and cookie presses, among others.
Pros
- Premium quality
- Multipurpose
- Comes with 2 mixing bowls and a variety of other attachments
- 7-year warranty
- Unique operating mechanism
Cons
- Pricey
4. Most Unique: Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 6.5-Quart
- Power: 800 watts
- Speeds: 4
- Hook design: C-hook
- Color Options: 1
- Lifting Mechanism: Open bowl
- Weight: 12.30lb
Why It Stands Out
- Unique Design. The Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer has a unique design. It is engineered with a powerful belt-driven transmission that provides enough torque for various tasks.
- Open Bowl Design. Unlike other stand mixers with either a tilt-head or bowl-lift design, the Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer has an open bowl design to easily add ingredients, even as the kneading hook is running.
- High Quality. It comes with a BPA-free plastic bowl that is lightweight and has an easy-to-grip handle. The motor and transmission are backed by a 3-year warranty, while the attachments and other parts are covered for 1-year.
- Powerful. This Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer is powered by a German-made 800watt motor that operates the drive to perform various tasks. It can make up to 14 loaves per batch. The mixer is compatible with a wide range of attachments too. It comes with 2 wire whips, a dough hook and extender, and a splatter guard and lid.
Pros
- Relatively affordably
- Unique design
- Open bowl design with a splatter guard
- Powerful motor
Cons
- Fewer speed options
5. Best Value for Money: Techwood Electric Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 6-Quart
- Power: 400 watts
- Speeds: 6
- Hook design: S-hook
- Color Options: 4
- Lifting Mechanism: Tilt-head
- Weight: 12.80lb
Why It Stands Out
- Great Value for Money. The Techwood Electric Stand Mixer offers remarkably great value at a super affordable price. It has a high-quality build and comes with all the essential parts, including a 6-quart stainless steel bowl. It has three attachments: a dough hook, a whisk, and a mixing beater. It also comes with a splash guard to ensure you do not make a mess with the ingredients. It has a tilt-head design to enable you to attach the bowl to the base and add ingredients easily. Its quality is backed by a 30-day hassle-free return policy, an 18-month guarantee, and USA products liability insurance.
- Powerful and Efficient. It is powered by a high-performance 400W motor that drives the metallic dough hook to knead even heavy dough efficiently. It employs a unique planetary trajectory and 360 degrees round cut point to ensure kneading is done finely and evenly.
- Lightweight Yet Sturdy. The standing mixer is light and takes up minimal counter space, making it suitable for use in smaller spaces and for making small to medium bread dough batches. It is fitted with anti-slip silicone suction cups that hold the base steadily and securely on the countertop as the mixer operates.
- 6 Speed Control. It has 6 different speed options you can easily set with the speed knob.
Pros
- Super affordable
- Great value for money
- Has anti-slip suction cups at the bottom
- Suitable for smaller batches
Cons
- Limited warranty period
6. Best Budget Option: Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
Features
- Bowl size: 4-Quart
- Power: 300 watts
- Speeds: 7
- Hook design: C-hook
- Color Options: 1
- Lifting Mechanism: Tilt-head
- Weight: 10.2lb
Why It Stands Out
- Affordable. The manufacturer claims that the Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer offers the same quality and efficiency as higher-priced KitchenAid stand mixers, such as the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer and the Kitchen Aid 7-Quart Pro-Line Stand Mixer.
- Good Quality. It comes with a stainless steel 4-quart bowl with a removable splatter designed to withstand regular use. The bowl is dishwasher-safe and easy to clean. Its design also features a tilt-head design to enable you to attach the bowl and add ingredients easily. It comes with a dough hook, plastic beater, and wire whip.
- Efficient. The Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer is powered by a 300watt motor that enables it to knead even tick doughs. Like other top stand mixers, it employs planetary mixing action that provides complete bowl coverage to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
Pros
- Affordable and efficient
- Best suited for small batches
- Has a folding setting
Cons
- Strains with doughs heavier than 1.5lb
Bread Dough Mixer Buying Guide
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mixer for Bread Dough
When determining the right specification for your mixer for bread dough, keep in mind the following factors:
- How often will you be using it?
- Batch sizes
- How long will you need to knead the dough?
- Your kitchen aesthetics
- Availability of storage space
- Budget
Features to Look for in the Best Mixer for Bread Dough
Power
A mixer’s power is indicated by its motor rating. The higher it is, the more powerful the mixer. For small batches, go for a mixer with a power rating of 500-600 watts. You require a more powerful motor for bigger batches and more frequent kneading. Go for 800-1000 watts to ensure the mixer kneads without struggle.
If you notice that your mixer overheats, stalls, struggles to spin, or produces clicking noises when kneading, the power may not be sufficient for the task. Therefore, upgrade to a more powerful mixer.
Capacity
The capacity of a mixer is indicated by its bowl size. Generally, you need a large bowl, even when kneading small batches, to allow enough space for mixing the ingredients. Otherwise, you might have to make several smaller batches for a full-size recipe.
Besides, most bread recipes require leaving the dough in the bow for several hours or days to ferment and rise. Therefore, a larger bowl allows enough room for the dough to rise.
We recommend a 5 or 6-quart bowl for smaller batches and 12-quarts for larger batches. Do not fill the bowl to the brim when processing. Instead, fill it halfway or three-quarters to allow mixing and kneading.
Hook Design
Most mixers come with a C or S hook, while a few manufacturers provide both. The S-hook is preferable for kneading dough. With a C-hook, the dough tends to go up and get stuck on the C-hook. On the other hand, the S-hook kneads more consistently and provides even dough development.
Bowl-Lift vs Tilt-Head Mixer
Stand mixers either have a tilt-head or bowl-lift design for attaching and accessing the bowl to add ingredients. The tilt-head design is such that the top part hinges backward to give you room to twist the bowl on the base, remove it, or add ingredients.
On the other hand, with a bowl-lift design, the head is immobile. Instead, the mixer is fitted with a lever where you secure the bowl. The lever raises or lowers the bowl accordingly.
The tilt-head design is mostly used on stand mixers with 3.5-5 quarts capacity, while the bowl-lift is mostly used on 5-7 quarts mixers for heavy and large capacity applications. Generally, bowl-lift mixers are heavier and take up more counter space than tilt-head mixers.
Settings
The best mixers for bread dough enable you to vary speed. It should have at least 3 speed options — low, medium, and high. However, a wider range of speed options offers you more control. Most bread dough mixers have 6-12 speed settings. The more speed options available, the more versatile the mixer and the smoother the transitions.
Also, some mixing kitchen appliances have a “stir” or “slow-start” setting that prevents you from shocking the ingredients and spilling them. You may also be interested in timers, alerts, and automatic shut-off settings.
Ease of Use
Typically, mixers have an intuitive, easy-to-use design. However, read your buyer’s manual for step-by-step instructions for using the mixer for different tasks and safety precautions.
The mixer should also have an easy-to-use control panel. Some have a lever, others a dial, yet others have a knob or electric buttons. Nevertheless, they should be easy to understand and operate. The more you use the kitchen appliance, the better you understand it and operating it becomes second nature.
Quality
The quality of a mixer depends on the materials used to make it. A mixer with more metallic parts is more sturdy and durable than one made of plastic. Also, ensure the inner components are made of durable materials to ensure that they do not break or bend when kneading.
Always go for a bread dough mixer with a warranty and satisfaction guarantee. Pay attention to the duration and extent of coverage of the warranty. A longer and more comprehensive warranty indicates that the manufacturer is confident in the quality of their product.
Also, check customer reviews on the quality of the mixer and whether the manufacturer provides honors warranty claims.
Sturdiness
Sturdiness is a vital yet often overlooked feature of a mixer for bread dough. Aside from the materials used, it is also determined by the base’s width and the appliance’s overall weight. The mixer should be at least 20lb. Suction cups are also great as they provide a firm grip on the countertop when kneading.
Price
Stand mixers range from $300 to $1,000 or more. Although it is not always an indicator of quality, appliances with a premium-quality build are typically more expensive. However, you can find budget-friendly mixers with decent quality. The key is determining a budget and doing thorough market research to find the best-quality mixers within your price range.
Overall Design
There is variety in mixer design to suit your kitchen décor and space availability. Most stand mixers sit on the countertop for easy access and storage. Therefore, when choosing, consider if the base of the mixer can fit your counter space.
Also, go for accents and finishes that suit your kitchen. For instance, if you are keen on a retro design, KitchenAid mixers are available in various colors. On the other hand, Hamilton Beach mixers have shiny black and brushed stainless steel finishes to go with a contemporary kitchen design.
Conclusion
Stand mixers make it super easy to knead your bread dough. Simply mix your ingredients, attach the dough hook to the mixer, switch on the mixer, and let the machine do the hard work in just a few minutes.
However, all stand mixers are not built the same. Some are better suited for kneading bread dough than others. Since bread dough is heavy, you need a heavy-duty, stable mixer with a powerful motor.
If you are willing to spend more for a high-end, high-performing bread mixer, go for the Ankarsrum Original 7 Liter Stand Mixer. It is arguably the best stand mixer on the market, designed with a special focus on kneading bread.
Although it is pricier than other mixers in this article, it has a premium-quality build, is powerful, and operates efficiently. However, as discussed above, there are affordable options within low and medium price ranges.
