Buy the best STAND MIXERS

They don’t just look the part, stand mixers also take the toil out of the toughest recipes, making baking quicker and easier

BEST FOR BAKING CAKES

KITCHENAID ARTISAN

POWER 300 watts

SPEED SETTINGS 6

CAPACITY 4.8-litre bowl

PRICE £399

We all recognise this classic – from The Great British Bake Off and Nigella’s home kitchen – so we put it to the test to see if it’s still the cream of the crop. The verdict? This mixer is stunning and sturdy, quiet and efficient, but we found the motor to be a little lacking. It can make up to two batches of bread at a time, so there’s a good balance between size and capacity; the bowl also screws on easily and has a useful handle. There’s an optional pouring shield to prevent splashes, and it comes with a wire whisk, flat beater and dough hook. The tilt-head design fits neatly under cabinets, and with many colour options (plus custom bowls and matching appliances), it looks great on the counter, too. This is one of the heaviest models, at a knee-bending 11kg with accessories. It made some delicious cake, and you can buy attachments to make pasta and ice cream, and stuff sausages if you wish.

REASONS TO BUY Great looks; this mid-price option is a classic for a reason.

REASON TO AVOID The motor is a little lacking compared with some others.

RATING

IDEA TO STEAL ‘Choose a model in a colour that matches your kitchen for a co-ordinated scheme’