A cake mixer is any electric mixer that beats batter, whips cream and creams butter and sugar until light. For cakes, you mainly need steady speeds, good bowl coverage and a whisk or beater that gets to the bottom of the bowl. Stand mixers free your hands, while hand mixers are light and easy to store.
The six mixers below include both types, from compact stand models to simple hand mixers. We have not used these products ourselves, so confirm the bowl size, speed settings and included attachments on the current listing before you buy. Pick the style that suits your kitchen space and baking habits. A stand mixer saves effort on a heavy batter, while a hand mixer is enough for most boxed mixes, frosting and whipped cream.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links, and they do not change the product information we give.
What to Look For
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Type | Stand mixers are hands-free; hand mixers are easy to store |
| Speeds | A slow start prevents flour spray |
| Attachments | A whisk, flat beater and dough hook cover most recipes |
| Bowl coverage | Good reach stops pockets of unmixed batter |
| Cleanup | Removable parts and a smooth body save time |
Specs at a Glance
| Mixer | Type | Size class | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid Classic Plus | Tilt-head stand mixer | Mid-size bowl | Flat beater, whip and hook |
| KitchenAid Artisan Mini | Tilt-head stand mixer | Compact bowl | Smaller footprint |
| Smeg Stand Mixer | Tilt-head stand mixer | Mid-size bowl | Retro styling |
| Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer | Hand mixer | Handheld | Beaters and whisk |
| Cuisinart Power Advantage Hand Mixer | Hand mixer | Handheld | Storage case on some versions |
| Breville Handy Mix Scraper | Hand mixer | Handheld | Scraper-style beaters |
The 6 Best Cake Mixers
1. KitchenAid Classic Plus Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
A mid-size stand mixer with a flat beater, a wire whip and a dough hook. It handles standard cake batters, buttercream and cookie dough.
Suits: regular bakers. Strengths: hands-free mixing. Weaknesses: takes counter room. Skip it if you bake only now and then.
View KitchenAid Classic Plus Stand Mixer on Amazon
2. KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer
A smaller version of the tilt-head design, built for small kitchens and smaller batches such as a single cake.
Suits: small spaces. Strengths: a compact footprint. Weaknesses: a smaller bowl. Skip it if you bake for big groups.
View KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer on Amazon
3. Smeg Stand Mixer
A retro-styled tilt-head stand mixer from an Italian appliance maker. It comes with the standard mixing attachments and sells on its looks as much as its function.
Suits: style-minded kitchens. Strengths: a distinct design. Weaknesses: check the bowl size on the listing. Skip it if looks matter little.
View Smeg Stand Mixer on Amazon
4. Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer
A basic hand mixer with several speeds, beaters and a whisk in many versions. It is light and simple for cake batter and whipped cream.
Suits: occasional baking. Strengths: easy storage. Weaknesses: you hold it while it works. Skip it if you want hands-free.
View Hamilton Beach Electric Hand Mixer on Amazon
5. Cuisinart Power Advantage Hand Mixer
A hand mixer with a stronger motor than most basic models, aimed at thicker batters. Some versions include a storage case.
Suits: thicker batters. Strengths: power in a handheld. Weaknesses: versions vary in extras. Skip it if you only whip cream.
View Cuisinart Power Advantage Hand Mixer on Amazon
6. Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer
A hand mixer with scraper-style beaters that clear the sides of the bowl as they turn, which helps with even mixing.
Suits: careful bakers. Strengths: a scraping action. Weaknesses: a unique beater style to get used to. Skip it if you want standard beaters.
View Breville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer on Amazon
Care and Setup
- Bring butter and eggs to room temperature before mixing.
- Start on low speed, then raise it as the batter comes together.
- Scrape the bowl a couple of times during mixing.
- Wash removable parts after use, as the maker advises.
- Chill the bowl and whisk before whipping cream.
- Add dry ingredients in stages so the mixer does not push flour out.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Overmixing, which can make a cake dense.
- Starting on high speed and spraying flour.
- Using a hand mixer for very stiff dough.
- Buying without checking which attachments come in the box.
- Beating egg whites in a bowl that has a trace of grease.
- Leaving butter too cold, so the batter looks curdled.
Cake Mixer FAQ
Stand mixer or hand mixer for cake?
Both work. A stand mixer frees your hands, and a hand mixer takes less room.
Which attachment is for cake batter?
The flat beater is used for most cake batters. The whip is for egg whites and cream.
Is a bigger bowl better?
Only if you bake large batches. A smaller bowl is fine for one or two cakes.
Can a hand mixer cream butter and sugar?
Yes, though it takes a little longer than a stand mixer, and softened butter helps.
The Short Version
For a classic stand mixer, the KitchenAid Classic Plus. For small kitchens, the Artisan Mini. For style, the Smeg. For simple hand mixing, the Hamilton Beach. For power, the Cuisinart. For even mixing, the Breville Handy Mix Scraper. Choose the style that fits your counter and how often you bake.