In this video, I break down the only 8 stand mixers you should be considering right now, based on what actually matters: price, performance, and real-world use cases. My list is in no particular order, but I walk you through what each mixer does best—whether you’re whipping meringue, beating chunky cookie dough, or kneading bread dough—so you can match the right machine to the way you bake. I also call out the little usability details people ignore until they own the mixer, like speed controls, bowl access, noise, weight, and whether it’s a countertop “permanent resident.” You’ll see why the GE Profile Smart Mixer stands out with modern features like a built-in scale, timer, and AutoSense app monitoring that can shut the mixer off when your meringue is perfectly whipped. I cover the classic KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart (still a beast in testing, even with that not-so-pleasant speed lever), the budget-friendly Hamilton Beach 7-speed that whipped the loftiest egg whites fast, and the KitchenAid Pro 600 that was hands-down the best at kneading bread dough. I also get into premium picks like the Wolf Gourmet (serious power, serious price), space-saving options like the Artisan Mini, the stylish-and-capable Smeg SMF02, and the Cuisinart Precision Master SM-50 that I’d steer more toward cake bakers.