Mixers Price Comparison

Stand mixers and hand mixers occupy very different spaces in the kitchen — and in the budget. Our analysis of 194 models currently tracked on MagicPrices reveals a market split almost cleanly in two: a cluster of affordable hand mixers and entry-level stand mixers below 180 £, and a premium tier dominated by KitchenAid and Smeg that starts well above 382 £. Knowing which camp you belong to before you start browsing will save you a lot of time.

KitchenAid is the undisputed heavyweight here — 34 models with an average price that puts them firmly in the aspirational bracket. Their iconic Artisan and Classic stand mixers remain the benchmark against which everything else is measured, and for good reason: planetary drive, robust all-metal construction, and a vast ecosystem of attachments make them genuinely long-term investments. Kenwood offers a credible British alternative, particularly the Titanium Chef Baker XL, which delivers serious 1200 W muscle at a price that undercuts KitchenAid's equivalent. Smeg, meanwhile, sells on aesthetics as much as performance — beautiful retro styling, but you're paying a premium for the look.

At the more accessible end, Bosch and Braun dominate the hand mixer segment with average prices around 135 £, making them the sensible choice for occasional bakers who don't need a dedicated worktop appliance. Ariete punches above its weight for budget-conscious buyers — their stand mixer at around 180 £ is one of the more surprising finds in the catalogue. If you're comparing on food processors as well, it's worth noting that some stand mixers with the right attachments can partially replace a food processor, which changes the value calculation considerably.

One thing our data makes clear: the gap between the cheapest and most expensive models is enormous — from 32 £ to 450 £. That spread reflects genuinely different use cases, not just brand premiums. A 85 W hand mixer is perfectly adequate for whipping cream or beating eggs; it will struggle badly with stiff bread dough. Conversely, spending over 382 £ on a stand mixer only makes sense if you bake regularly and in volume. For anyone browsing during Black Friday or the January sales, KitchenAid and Kenwood stand mixers are among the most reliably discounted kitchen appliances at Currys and John Lewis — worth setting a price alert for. You might also want to explore our blenders or electric food choppers categories if you're building out a full kitchen setup.

How to Choose the Right Mixer

The single biggest mistake buyers make is choosing a mixer type based on price alone. A cheap stand mixer isn't always better than a quality hand mixer — it depends entirely on what you're making and how often. Here's what actually matters when comparing models across this range.

Stand mixer vs hand mixer: the decision that shapes everything

Stand mixers are freestanding, motor-heavy appliances that work hands-free — ideal for bread doughs, large cake batches, and anything requiring sustained mixing over several minutes. They typically weigh 5–10 kg, so they tend to live on the worktop permanently. Hand mixers are lightweight, handheld devices that you hold over any bowl — far more flexible for smaller quantities, easier to store, and considerably cheaper. If you bake bread or large cakes more than once a week, a stand mixer will pay for itself in convenience. For occasional use — a birthday cake here, some whipped cream there — a quality hand mixer is the smarter buy.

Motor power relative to what you're making

Wattage is often misunderstood. A 85 W hand mixer (like the KitchenAid 5KHM9212) is perfectly capable for eggs, cream, and light batters — the low wattage isn't a flaw, it's appropriate for the task. Where power genuinely matters is in stand mixers tackling stiff doughs: models below 600 W will strain with enriched bread doughs or large quantities of shortcrust pastry. For serious bread baking, look for 1000 W or above — the Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL at 1200 W is the benchmark here. Running an underpowered motor at full load repeatedly will shorten its life significantly.

Planetary vs rotary drive systems

Most quality stand mixers use a planetary drive, where the attachment rotates on its own axis while simultaneously orbiting the bowl — this ensures every part of the mixture gets worked evenly, with no dead spots. Cheaper stand mixers often use a simpler rotary system that leaves unmixed pockets at the bowl's edge. If a product listing doesn't mention planetary action, assume it doesn't have it. For anything beyond basic mixing, planetary drive is worth paying for.

Bowl capacity matched to your typical batch size

A 4.8-litre bowl (standard on most KitchenAid Artisan models) handles a double cake recipe or roughly 900 g of bread dough comfortably. Go larger — 6 to 7 litres, as on the Kenwood XL range — if you regularly bake for a crowd or make multiple loaves at once. The trap to avoid: buying a large-capacity machine for small batches. A 7-litre bowl with 300 g of mixture won't mix efficiently — the attachments won't reach the ingredients properly.

Accessories included and long-term ecosystem

At minimum, a stand mixer should come with a flat beater (for cakes and pastry), a dough hook (for bread), and a balloon whisk (for cream and egg whites). Some budget stand mixers include all three but in flimsy plastic — check that attachments are metal. KitchenAid's real advantage isn't the machine itself but the attachment ecosystem: pasta rollers, meat grinders, ice cream bowls. If you think you'll expand over time, factor that in. Kenwood has a similarly broad attachment range. Smeg's ecosystem is more limited.

Noise level and kitchen context

Stand mixers are not quiet appliances. Most operate between 75 and 90 dB — comparable to a busy restaurant. If you have an open-plan kitchen or young children sleeping nearby, this is worth considering. Hand mixers are generally louder per watt than stand mixers because the motor is closer to your ears. Bosch and KitchenAid hand mixers tend to be among the quieter options in our catalogue; budget models from lesser-known brands can be surprisingly intrusive.

• Hand mixer territory (From 32 £ to 135 £) : This range is almost exclusively hand mixers — Bosch, Braun, Ariete, and Russell Hobbs. You'll get 3–5 speeds, basic beater and whisk attachments, and enough power for everyday tasks. Don't expect dough hooks to cope with anything stiffer than a soft scone mix. Perfectly adequate for occasional bakers.
• The crossover zone (From 135 £ to 180 £) : A mixed bag: better-specified hand mixers (including KitchenAid's 5KHM9212 range) sit alongside entry-level stand mixers from Ariete and Russell Hobbs. The KitchenAid hand mixers here are genuinely excellent — robust, well-balanced, and backed by solid after-sales support. The budget stand mixers at this level are more of a gamble.
• Serious stand mixer territory (From 180 £ to 382 £) : Kenwood's mid-range stand mixers and some Smeg hand mixers occupy this space. You're getting planetary drive, metal attachments, and meaningful bowl capacity. The Kenwood KMX760 is a strong performer here. Worth comparing carefully — price differences between retailers can be significant, and John Lewis and Currys frequently run promotions on Kenwood.
• Premium and flagship models (Over 382 £) : KitchenAid Artisan and above, Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL, and Smeg's stand mixer range. These are long-term kitchen investments — expect all-metal construction, 5+ year warranties, and extensive attachment ecosystems. KitchenAid's average price in our catalogue sits well into this bracket. Only justifiable if you bake regularly; otherwise, you're paying for aesthetics and brand prestige.

Top products

• Morphy Richards 400520 mixer Stand mixer 600 W Grey, Stainless steel (Morphy Richards) : The most widely available model in our catalogue and a solid mid-range stand mixer — 600 W is enough for most home baking tasks. Not as refined as KitchenAid but a sensible choice if you want a stand mixer without the premium price tag.
• KitchenAid 5KHM9212BOB mixer Hand mixer 85 W Black (KitchenAid) : Don't be put off by the 85 W figure — this is one of the best hand mixers on the market. Beautifully balanced, quiet for its class, and built to last. The go-to recommendation for anyone who bakes occasionally but wants something that won't feel cheap.
• KitchenAid Artisan Stand mixer 300 W Green (KitchenAid) : The iconic Artisan in a striking green finish — a genuine long-term investment for regular bakers. The 300 W motor is lower than Kenwood's rival, but KitchenAid's planetary drive is exceptionally efficient. Avoid if you mainly make bread dough; consider the Kenwood XL instead.
• Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL Stand mixer 1200 W White (Kenwood) : The strongest case against buying a KitchenAid. At 1200 W with a large bowl capacity, it outperforms the Artisan on raw power and is better suited to bread baking. Slightly less polished aesthetically, but the performance-to-price ratio is hard to argue with.
• Ariete 1548/03 Hand mixer 450 W Beige (Ariete) : The budget pick that actually delivers. At under 135 £, it's one of the cheapest options in the catalogue and handles everyday mixing tasks without drama. Build quality is predictably modest — don't expect it to last a decade — but as a starter mixer it's hard to fault the value.

Related categories

• Blenders
• Food Processors
• Electric Food Choppers
• Mincers
• Electric Graters & Spiralizers