The Best Stand Mixers for Bread Dough
We may earn a commission from retailers or dealers when you buy or request a quote through our links. It never changes our picks. How we make money.
The best stand mixer for bread dough is the Ankarsrum Assistent Original. Its Swedish rotating-bowl design handles up to 11 lb of dough in a 7-liter bowl, it carries a 7-year limited warranty, and it costs about $750. If you want a familiar mixer that also does cookies, cakes and attachments, the KitchenAid 7-quart bowl-lift is rated for 8.75 lb of bread dough and costs about $650. For smaller batches and a built-in timer, Breville's Bakery Chef costs about $450, if you can still find it.
Bread is the hardest job you can give a stand mixer. Stiff, high-hydration or whole-grain doughs load the motor for long stretches, and that's where mixers that are fine for cookies start to strain. All three picks are built for regular bread baking. They differ in design, capacity and how much you'll use them for everything else.
We have not tested these mixers. Our picks come from manufacturer and retailer specs, warranties, list prices and what owners and dealers commonly report.
Our picks at a glance
| Pick | Appliance | Width | List price | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best stand mixer for bread dough | Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer | - | $750 | Check price |
| Best all-around bowl-lift mixer | KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer | - | $650 | Check price |
| Best for small-batch bread | Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer | - | $450 | Check price |
Our picks, in detail
Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer
Ankarsrum · Countertop appliance · Stand mixer
- $750 MSRP
- Electric
- Bowl (qt): 7.3
- Watts: 600
The Ankarsrum works differently from any other mixer here. Instead of a head that spins a hook, the bowl rotates and a dough roller and scraper knead against it. That design is why serious bakers prize it for heavy doughs. It handles up to 11 lb of dough in a 7-liter (7.3-quart) stainless bowl, with a 600-watt motor and self-adjusting speed control.
It suits people who bake several loaves a week, bake for a crowd, or work with dense whole-grain and enriched doughs. It comes with a dough hook, a dough knife, a spatula and a proofing lid. It's made in Sweden, lists for about $749.95, and Ankarsrum backs it with a 7-year limited warranty, the longest here.
The trade-off is that it's unusual. Recipes written for a KitchenAid won't translate step for step, and you'll need to relearn your technique. It's less of an all-rounder for cakes and meringues, and some colors are discontinued at some retailers. Skip it if you bake bread only occasionally.
KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
KitchenAid · Countertop appliance · Stand mixer
- $650 MSRP
- Electric
- Bowl (qt): 7
- Watts: 500
KitchenAid's 7-quart bowl-lift, formerly sold as the Pro 7-qt, is the best choice if bread is one of many things you bake. KitchenAid rates it for 8.75 lb of bread dough or 13 dozen cookies. It has a 500-watt motor, 11 speeds including a gentle half speed, and a spiral dough hook designed for kneading. The bowl-lift design keeps the head rigid under load, which helps with stiff doughs.
It suits families and all-purpose bakers, and the attachment hub opens up pasta, grinding and more. It lists for about $649.99, comes in nine colors, and KitchenAid's FAQ lists a 2-year limited warranty for this model. Confirm US terms at purchase.
The trade-off is that a bowl-lift is tall, so check the clearance under your upper cabinets before you plan to store it on the counter. It handles less dough than the Ankarsrum. Skip it if you bake large batches of heavy bread every week. Our Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid comparison goes into the head-to-head.
Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer
Breville · Countertop appliance · Stand mixer
- $450 MSRP
- Electric
- 2-yr full warranty
- Bowl (qt): 5
- Watts: 550
Breville's Bakery Chef is the pick for smaller households that bake a loaf or two at a time and want precise control. It has a 550-watt motor and 12 speeds, and its integrated timer stops the mixer automatically. That's handy when a recipe calls for exactly eight minutes of kneading. It comes with two bowls, a 5-quart borosilicate glass bowl and a 4-quart stainless bowl, plus a scraper beater, flat beater, dough hook and whisk.
It suits small kitchens and bakers who like to watch the dough develop through the glass bowl. It lists for about $449.95 on breville.com, with a 2-year repair warranty and 5 years on the motor.
The big caveat is availability. Two major retailers list it as no longer available, though Breville was still selling it when we checked. Buy it soon or plan for an alternative. Its 5-quart bowl also limits batch size. Skip it if you bake big batches of bread.
How to choose the best stand mixer for bread
For bread, focus on three things: how much dough the mixer can handle, how it kneads, and how well it holds up to long sessions under load.
| Spec | Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer | KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer | Breville the Bakery Chef Stand Mixer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ankarsrum | KitchenAid | Breville |
| Category | Countertop appliance (stand mixer) | Countertop appliance (stand mixer) | Countertop appliance (stand mixer) |
| Width | - | - | - |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric | Electric |
| Installation | Countertop | Countertop | Countertop |
| List price (MSRP) | $750 | $650 | $450 |
| Full warranty | - | - | 2-yr full |
| Made in | Sweden | - | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | No | No | No |
| Bowl (qt) | 7.3 | 7 | 5 |
| Watts | 600 | 500 | 550 |
| Speeds | 12 | 11 | 12 |
| Performance rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Design rating | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Features rating | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Value rating | 4/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
Dough capacity matters more than bowl size
A big bowl doesn't mean a mixer can knead a big batch of stiff dough. Look for a stated dough capacity. Ankarsrum lists 11 lb and KitchenAid lists 8.75 lb of bread dough. Breville doesn't publish a dough figure for the Bakery Chef, so plan on smaller batches. If you regularly bake three or more loaves at once, buy for capacity.
Rotating bowl vs bowl-lift vs tilt-head
The Ankarsrum's rotating bowl kneads with a roller against the side of the bowl, which is gentle on the motor and well suited to heavy dough. A bowl-lift like the KitchenAid holds the bowl rigidly on two arms, which keeps the dough hook steady under load. The Breville's selling point is control rather than brute force, thanks to its timer and auto-stop. For occasional bread, all three work. For frequent heavy doughs, the Ankarsrum and bowl-lift designs are the stronger choices.
Wattage, speeds and motor
Wattage is only a rough guide, since different motors deliver power differently. The figures here are 600 W (Ankarsrum), 550 W (Breville) and 500 W (KitchenAid). More useful is how slowly the mixer can run. Kneading happens at low speed, and KitchenAid's half speed and Ankarsrum's self-adjusting control both help.
Warranty and longevity
Kneading bread is hard on any mixer. Ankarsrum's 7-year limited warranty is the longest here. KitchenAid lists 2 years for this model, and Breville gives 2 years with 5 on the motor. Whatever you choose, avoid running it at high speed with heavy dough for long stretches.
Proofing and baking
A great mixer is only half of bread making. Several of our best smart countertop ovens have proof modes. The Anova Precision Oven adds steam, which helps crust. For full-size steam baking, see our best wall ovens and steam ovens. If pizza dough is your main use, pair your mixer with one of our best outdoor pizza ovens. Browse every model on the countertop appliances hub, or open the Ankarsrum page for full specs.
What happened to the Wolf Gourmet stand mixer?
Wolf Gourmet's stand mixer is marked "no longer available" on Wolf Gourmet's site, so we've left it off this list. If you were planning a matching Wolf countertop lineup, the KitchenAid 7-quart is the closest all-around substitute.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best stand mixer for bread dough?
The Ankarsrum Assistent Original is our top pick for bread. Its rotating-bowl design handles up to 11 lb of dough in a 7-liter bowl, it has a 600-watt motor, and it carries a 7-year limited warranty. It costs about $750. If you want a more familiar all-rounder, the KitchenAid 7-quart bowl-lift handles 8.75 lb of bread dough for about $650.
Is a KitchenAid good for bread dough?
Yes, especially the 7-quart bowl-lift. KitchenAid rates it for 8.75 lb of bread dough, and its spiral dough hook and rigid bowl-lift design are built for kneading. Smaller tilt-head KitchenAid models can handle occasional loaves but may strain with very stiff or large batches. If bread is your main use, compare it with the Ankarsrum.
Is the Ankarsrum worth it?
The Ankarsrum is worth it if you bake bread often, especially big batches or dense whole-grain doughs. It handles up to 11 lb of dough and has a 7-year limited warranty. It's less suited to cakes and meringues than a traditional mixer, and it takes time to learn. Occasional bakers will be happier with a KitchenAid.
How much dough can a stand mixer knead?
It depends on the model. Ankarsrum lists up to 11 lb of dough, and KitchenAid lists 8.75 lb of bread dough for its 7-quart bowl-lift. Breville doesn't publish a dough capacity for the Bakery Chef. Stiffer, lower-hydration doughs are harder on the motor, so stay below the maximum when you're making dense bread.
Bowl-lift or tilt-head for bread?
A bowl-lift is usually better for bread. It holds the bowl firmly on two arms, which keeps the dough hook steady when kneading heavy dough. A tilt-head is easier to load and clean, and it's fine for occasional loaves. A rotating-bowl design like the Ankarsrum is a third option that many serious bread bakers prefer.