Hand mixer vs. stand mixer: Which type belongs in your kitchen?

Once upon a time, I was a professional baker in New York City. While I don't miss setting my alarm for 4 a.m. (woof!), that chapter spent working in a professional kitchen taught me many things, one of the most notable being: There are a lot of useless kitchen products out there. When your job is to make food as efficiently as possible, you learn which gadgets are imperative and which ones aren't worth the cabinet space. That being said, an electric mixer is something my kitchen will never be without. In the battle of hand mixer vs. stand mixer, there are only winners; it just depends on which one best fits your needs.

A handheld mixer tends to cost a lot less (and take up less space) than a heavy-duty stand mixer . As someone who still bakes all the time for fun, I have both — but does that mean you should too? I'm going to break it all down so you can determine what makes the most sense for your kitchen. Alright, batter up!

Hand mixer vs. stand mixer: Quick comparison

Hand mixer pros and cons

A hand mixer is a small, handheld electric appliance with a motor in the base/handle and detachable beaters. It makes sense for casual bakers who don't have a ton of storage space.

Pros:Sometimes you get a craving for fresh-from-the-oven chocolate chip cookies, but don't want to make a big to-do of the prep. It's instances like this that make me reach for my trusty hand mixer, a basic Hamilton Beach model I've had for about a decade. You can use it with any bowl you have in the kitchen to mix cake batter, cream butter and sugar for cookies, whip cream and beyond. It's easy to grab whenever you need it and stores compactly in a cabinet or drawer.

I sometimes appreciate the control a hand mixer gives me, and I don't have to worry about accidentally overmixing my ingredients (something I've done by setting and, quite literally, forgetting about my stand mixer). For cleanup, just detach the beaters and pop them into the dishwasher.

Cons:Now, there are, admittedly, certain tasks that hand mixers are not cut out for. Sure, you could use one for whipping egg whites and sugar together to make meringue ... but you'd be standing there all day (or, at least, a not-so-enjoyable amount of time). And as far as kneading bread dough is concerned, some hand mixers do come with dough hook attachments — though at that point, I'd say just knead with your bare hands!

Stand mixer pros and cons

Made famous by KitchenAid , these freestanding mixers are best for frequent bakers, bread bakers and those with more storage space.

Pros:Want to go beyond simple cakes, cookies, muffins and brownies? You'll want a stand mixer. These gadgets are incredible time savers; if you're embarking on an involved baking project with many steps, being able to delegate the mixing to a machine while you take care of other prep and cleaning tasks is a game-changer.

Stand mixers are undeniably more versatile as well — most come with whisk, beater and dough hook attachments for whipping up practically any pastry under the sun, but you can also purchase additional attachments (for some models) and turn them into pasta makers, food processors, meat grinders ... the limit does not exist.

Cons:If your kitchen storage space is limited and you don't bake often, a stand mixer is an investment that might not give you the return you're looking for. They are generally much heavier than hand mixers and can be a pain to lug around the kitchen.

Hand mixer vs. stand mixer: Cost

Stand mixers vary in price from as low as $70 to more than $600, depending on brand, build and features. While it's a wide range, they're still significantly more expensive than electric hand mixers. Expect to spend $20 to $150 for a handheld model.

Hand mixer vs. stand mixer: Storage

Hand mixers are smaller in both height and footprint — usually they measure no more than 12 inches in length and much less in width. They easily fit inside a kitchen cabinet or drawer. Stand mixers have a larger footprint and either need to be stored on a countertop or in a kitchen cabinet. If you plan to keep a stand mixer inside a cabinet and will need to lift it onto a counter, keep in mind that these appliances usually weigh 10 pounds or more. Some companies make stand mixer lifts that attach to shelves inside your cabinets and raise the mixer to counter height, but they can cost upwards of $100.

Hand mixer vs. stand mixer: The bottom line

By now, it's probably obvious that I think highly of both stand mixers and hand mixers — the one I'd recommend for your kitchen comes down to the type of baker you are, how much space you have, and your budget. 

If you're a casual baker who likes to dabble with simpler recipes like cakes, cookies and bars from time to time, shelling out for a stand mixer isn't necessary, especially if storage space is precious. You'll be able to accomplish all of the basics with a hand mixer; you just won't have as much freedom to multitask.

Home bakers looking to take on more advanced recipes can get away with a hand mixer for a while, but eventually, having a stand mixer will become inevitable if you want to spare your arms from whisking, stirring and kneading into oblivion. Time management is one of the most important components of complex baking projects, so relying on your stand mixer while you attend to other tasks will help you stay on track.

Looking for some baking inspiration? A hand mixer is all you need to make a boxed cake mix . A homemade vintage heart cake is more involved, but a stand mixer will make whipping up the batter and buttercream a breeze. Of course, if you're still weighing your mixer options, an ice cream cake can be assembled without either one in the meantime.

FAQs

Are stand mixers more powerful than hand mixers?

Both bowl-lift and tilt-head stand mixers are more powerful than most hand mixers, with bowl-lift stand mixers being the sturdiest. These models tend to have motors that start at 500 watts, whereas tilt-head models tend to feature motors with 300 to 500 watts.

Can you make bread dough with a hand mixer?

Yes, some hand mixers come with dough hook attachments, but in my experience, they're not much more convenient than mixing and kneading by hand. (I also find that the latter offers more control.) If you frequently bake bread with tough or dense dough, a sturdy bowl-lift stand mixer may be a better choice than a tilt-head model.

Why trust us?

While I've been making desserts from scratch for most of my adult life, I started working in professional kitchens about a decade ago. As a full-time baker, I prepared dozens of breads, muffins, cakes and scones daily, using every type of electric mixer you could imagine. For the past five years, I've been a Yahoo home and kitchen shopping writer, testing products of all kinds, and while I adore my stand mixer, I reach for my humble hand mixer even more often.