tried and tested
Stand mixers
Kenwood Chef Sense, £449.95, John Lewis
I’m a sucker for a pretty appliance, so I fell in love with this pastel-hued mixer at first sight. It’s easy to wonder whether something with such good looks can live up to the job, but luckily this model can. It’s more powerful than others, with a 1100W motor, so it whizzes cold butter straight from the fridge in seconds. It comes with all the usual tools, with the option to buy over 20 more. Laurie davidson, homes editor
Kitchenaid Mini £449.95, John Lewis
As baking queen of the office, I was really excited to test the mini version of one of the most iconic food mixers and I wasn’t disappointed! I live in a flat, so this is an ideal size, sitting prettily in the corner of the kitchen. It comes with a whisk, dough hook and flat beater, and you can also use the attachments from the larger classic model. I tested it out on a batch of cookie dough and found it really easy to use. The three-litre bowl means you can mix up a lot in one go, too, so you can cook up big batches. amy hodge, Food editor
Smeg SMF01 Mixer £299.99, amazon
This super-stylish model comes in a range of colours and is very simple to use. It feels strong, well made and good quality, and, although it’s sturdy, it’s not too heavy to move around. The attachments feel first class and are quick to change. It can be used for everything from cakes and pastries, to whisking egg whites and making pasta. The stainless steel bowl is great as it locks in place easily and the controls are on the top so it’s simple to adjust the speed. I would definitely recommend this mixer. alison walter, art director
THIS MINI MIX ER IS THE PERFECT SIZE FOR A SMALLER KITCHEN