There’s no denying that the humble stand mixer is the hardest working appliance in the kitchen. Not just reserved for whipping up cake batter, the best stand mixers take the hard work out of making all your favourite recipes, from glossy meringues to fluffy frosting, buttery pastries and perfectly kneaded bread.
Now, if you’ve ever dabbled in the art of making bread from scratch, you’ll know not every stand mixer is suited to make dough. In fact, using an incorrect appliance may cause damage to the motor. The most supreme stand mixers are equipped with high wattages, various speed settings and sturdy attachments that can knead with absolute ease (along with whizzing, mashing and creaming) to save you a lot of time and effort.
Many of the best models also come with an array of attachments you can purchase separately (think: pasta makers and meat mincers), proving just how versatile this single kitchen appliance really is.
Below, we’ve rounded up the best stand mixers specifically perfect for kneading every type of dough, from loaves of rustic sourdough to pizza bases, pastries and everything in between.
The best stand mixers for bread and baking in Australia 2024
01
KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer in white
$839.20 (usually $1049), Myer
The KitchenAid Artisan is the iconic stand mixer that needs no introduction. Not only does it look good enough to leave out on display for all to admire, but it also functions just as impressively. For starters, it comes with a pack of premium accessories that has all the attachments you need to create any recipe (think: a dough hook, flex edge beater, pastry beater and wire whip).
You also have the option to purchase additional attachments later down the track (yes, we have our eye on the pasta maker). What’s more, it has a large 4.8L bowl for bigger batches and a smaller 2.8L bowl for more petite recipes, and can operate at 10 different speeds so you can carefully knead, whip and beat away, without spoiling your ingredients.
Weight: 11kg
Power: 300W
Capacity/volume: 4.8L
Key features:
- Premium accessory pack included (featuring a dough hook, flex edge beater, pastry beater and wire whip)
- 4.8L and 2.8L bowls included
- 10 speeds to choose from
- Secure fit pouring shield reduces countertop messes
- Five-year warranty
- Available in a range of colourways, including limited edition designs
Also available at:
- $747 (usually $1049), David Jones
- $749.99 (usually $1049), House
- $879.95 (usually $1049), Kitchen Warehouse
- $899 (usually $1049), Kitchen Aid
02
Breville The Bakery Chef Hub stand mixer
$499, The Good Guys
All your heavy kitchen mixing is sorted with the Breville The Bakery Chef Hub. This machine is fitted with a powerful 1000W motor that’s backed by full metal gears, which means it has the ability to work the heaviest doughs, easily crush hard foods like nuts and instantly turn cream into the fluffiest whipped mousse. The dual-sided scraper beater supports the expansive coverage of whisks by wiping the bottom and sides of the mixer bowl clean, which also makes for easier cleaning.
“Love the way it can take heaps of flour, I can make three batches at once with no problem, very strong, I highly recommend it,” one five-star reviewer wrote.
A second person wrote: “I like the different settings, the beater scrapes down the sides and bottom of the bowl. Mixing is smooth and relatively quiet. I had my previous stand mixer for many years it served me well but I’m so glad I purchased this one recently, very happy with it so far.”
Weight: 9.34kg
Power: 1000W
Capacity/volume: 4.8L
Key features:
- Seven-speed electronic control dial with ‘push to pause’ and auto-soft start
- Count-up/count-down timer for extra control
- 100 per cent hardened metal gears
- Concealed attachments hub with magnetic hub cover
- Transparent splash guard with pouring channel
- Include accessories: double-sided scraper beater, wire whisk and a dough hook/kneader
- Two-year machine warranty, a five-year warranty for the motor
Also available at:
- $423.20 (usually $529), Myer
- $479, Breville
- $449, Bing Lee
- $468, Appliances Online
03
Sunbeam The Master One Planetary Mixmaster
$279.20 (usually $349), Myer
Mix, knead and whip all your favourite recipes with this powerful Sunbeam mixer that features an 850W motor, an extra-large five-litre capacity stainless steel mixing bowl and eight speeds — all for a relatively affordable price. One of its standout features has to be the superb planetary action, where the mixing attachments rotate while traveling around the inside of the bowl. This ensures all areas are reached, resulting in more thorough mixing and easier cleaning for you.
“I did lots of shopping around before buying this mixer,” one five-star reviewer noted. “It’s fantastic – easy to use and effective operation, all at a reasonable price point.”
Weight: 6.7kg
Power: 850W
Capacity/volume: 5L
Key features:
- Planetary action with 360 bowl coverage
- Extra large five-litre stainless steel mixing bowl for big batches of mixing
- Eight speeds to choose from
- Included accessories: scraper beater, die-cast beater, die-cast dough hook and stainless steel whisk
- 12-month replacement warranty
Also available at:
- $349, The Good Guys
- $299.95 (usually $379), Kitchen Warehouse
- $294, Appliances Online
- $349, Betta Home Living
04
Smeg ’50s style stand mixer in pastel blue
$729, The Good Guys
With its soft, curvy body and pretty pastel hue, this retro-looking stand mixer will live on your benchtop as a cult object. Aesthetics aside, it’s also fitted with top-of-the-range features that will have you confidently preparing all your favourite foods, from pizza bases to puddings. The planetary mixing action within the 4.8L stainless steel bowl is coupled with 10 variable speed settings and a smooth-start function for easy, splash-free operation with every use.
“I was looking to make my life easier as I bake sourdough for my family 4x per week,” one satisfied customer wrote. “This mixer was more than I expected. I already purchased the pasta attachment and we make our own sourdough pasta as well. Best purchase in a long time.”
Weight: 9.75kg
Power: 800W
Capacity/volume: 4.8L
Key features:
- Planetary action
- Retro finish
- 10 variable speeds with a smooth start
- Die-cast aluminium body
- Included accessories: wire whisk, dough hook and flat beater
- Five-year manufacturer warranty and three-month replacement warranty
Also available at:
- $541, Appliances Online
- $639, David Jones
05
Kenwood Chef Kitchen stand mixer
$499, Myer
If you’re on the hunt for a more compact and lightweight stand mixer that doesn’t skimp on power, the Kenwood Chef Kitchen should be your go-to pick. This versatile appliance features a sturdy 1000W motor and variable speed control to effortlessly knead dough, beat cake batter and whip cream to utmost precision.
The splashguard also minimises messes and the large 4.6L stainless steel bowl is dishwasher-safe so you can spend less time in the kitchen cleaning and more time lounging on the couch while you wait for your dough to rise in the oven. Plus, you also have the option to purchase 25 other attachments, which basically means no recipe is off-limits.
“Life changing,” one reviewer said. “Out with the old kitchen whiz and powering ahead with the new Kenwood. Easy to use, all the right attachments, easy to clean, easy to store.”
Another wrote: “It is light enough for me to use in the kitchen, then put away – but strong enough to knead rye bread dough… I have since bought the food processor attachment and ditched my old food processor in order to streamline my pantry storage. It fits perfectly and does an excellent job.”
Weight: 7.3kg
Power: 1000W
Capacity/volume: 4.6L
Key features:
- Electronic speed range allows you to slowly build speed
- Planetary mixing means the whole bowl is scraped and mixed
- Compact design and lightweight
- Up to 25 optional attachments available to purchase
- Included accessories: whisk, dough hook, slash guard and signature Kenwood beater
- Automatic temperature control with an LED indicator light
- Five-year warranty
Also available at:
- $399.95 (usually $499), Kitchen Warehouse
- $357 (usually $499), Appliances Online
- $379, The Good Guys
How do you choose the best stand mixer?
Not all stand mixers are made equal. To find the perfect one for you and your needs, there are a few key features you should consider:
- Size: Do you regularly find yourself batch-baking? If so, you’ll need a larger bowl capacity and a more powerful appliance with a higher wattage that will work through larger volumes of mixture. On the other hand, if you occasionally bake a loaf here and there, a smaller-sized mixer will suffice.
- Weight: If you’re short on counter space and need to transport the mixer in and out of storage, take note of a mixer’s weight. Some can be incredibly heavy and will require a lot of arm and back strength, while others are more compact and are designed to be comfortably stored away.
- Versatility: If you plan on using your appliance for all types of recipes, you’ll want one that comes with an assortment of attachments. From pasta rollers to sausage makers to whipping heads, a versatile stand mixer can really do it all.
- Value for money: Yes, the fanciest and most high-tech stand mixer may look cool and work wonders, but it’s probably not the most financially savvy investment to be making if you’re only going to be making a basic cake here and there. If this is you, you’re probably better off purchasing a more basic option (that’s still sturdy enough to get the job done) and putting those remaining pennies towards other kitchen appliances.
Which stand mixer is the best in Australia?
There are a plethora of stand mixers available on the market but only a select few come out on top. We rounded up all our top picks in this guide from the most credible brands.
If you’re still looking for more options, we recommend checking out leading and trusted Australian retailers, including David Jones, Myer, Appliances Online, The Good Guys and Bing Lee.
Looking to save money on more kitchen appliances? Check out our coupon codes for Bing Lee, The Good Guys and more.
