Credit:
Reviewed / Lindsay D. Mattison
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Credit:
Reviewed / Lindsay D. Mattison
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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Among stainless steel mixing bowl sets, this one from Cuisinart checks all the boxes. They're sturdy, versatile, and long-lasting. Read More
If you're after glass mixing bowls, this set by Pyrex is a great buy. They're sturdy with a good sized lip and come with lids. Read More
With Fox Run's bowls, you can mix and match sizes to make a set that's right for you. They're extremely lightweight and don't take up much space. Read More
Super lightweight, this set of six mixing bowls could be a good buy if you don't mind that they scratch a bit easily. Read More
This large set gives you bowls for mixing, serving, and holding pre-measured ingredients while you're cooking. For glass, they're lightweight, too. Read More
If you want to gain a real appreciation for mixing bowls, try cooking and baking in a rental vacation home. Not too long ago, I found myself preparing dinner for a crowd in one such kitchen. My mixing bowl slipped and slid around on the counter as I whisked up a vinaigrette, sloshing the salad dressing all over the counter in the process. As I yearned for my home kitchen setup, I realized that a good set of mixing bowls–like our favorite Cuisinart Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls (available at Amazon for $32.99) –are often taken for granted.
To find our top pick, we narrowed down our criteria to look for mixing bowl sets that nested for easy storage. Then, we looked at sizing—smaller bowls are perfect for whisking up dressings and scrambling eggs, but you also need medium and large bowls (for preparing cakes, mixing batters, and holding marinating ingredients). Finally, we threw out ceramic and plastic options (the former are heavy and chip easily, and the latter can warp from heat and tend to absorb odors) and narrowed down our selection to microwave-safe glass bowls and lightweight stainless-steel bowls.
After we had the products in hand, we set about whisking, mixing, and melting until we found a few sets that fit all our specifications.
Here are the best mixing bowls we tested ranked, in order:
Hi, I’m Lindsay Mattison, a trained professional chef. You know that I’ve cooked a dinner in your home if all of your bowls are dirty! I find myself using mixing bowls for all kinds of uses, from storing chopped ingredients for mise en place to mixing together sauces and marinades. I've learned the hard way that my job as a chef is more difficult without a good set of mixing bowls, so I'm determined to find the best of the best to make your life easier.
We chose eight bowls–five stainless-steel sets and three glass models. In addition to mixing, stirring, and combining ingredients, we looked for an all-purpose bowl that could be used as a double boiler. It earned bonus points if it was nice enough to use as a serving dish or could be used as storage. Our tests were designed to assess size and shape, stability, and whether it was comfortable and easy to use.
Mixing bowls come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so we looked at sets that had at least three bowls. We whisked vinaigrette in the small 1- to 1.5-quart bowl, prepared pancake batter in the medium 2.5- or 3-quart bowl, and tossed salad in the large 4- or 5-quart bowl. We wanted gentle, sloping sides that were deep enough to prevent splashes but shallow enough to make it easy to mix and fold in ingredients.
Next up, we needed each bowl to have stability without compromising weight. Bowls that are super heavy (like ceramic bowls) may stay put, but they’re uncomfortable to hold and clean. We whisked up marinades three different ways–as we held the side of the bowl, placed it on a towel, and let it sit directly on the countertop–to see if the bowl moved around or tipped over during the mixing process.
Finally, the bowl had to be comfortable and easy to use. It should be lightweight enough to clean and scrape out batter without hurting your wrists. It's also nice if it has a rim to help you hold the bowl, both as you whisk and as you pour.
Super lightweight
Small footprint when nesting
Can mix-and-match sizes
Lacks sturdiness with hands-off whisking
Super lightweight
Includes extra wide 8-quart bowl
Scratches easily
Shape can lead to some splashing
Lightweight for glass
Good for mixing and serving
Smallest bowls for mise en place
Shape can lead to some splashing
Rimless
Can mix-and-match sizes
Wide and lightweight
Similar to restaurant-grade mixing bowls
Scratch easily
Not adequately sturdy for home use
Includes measuring cup
Too heavy
No lip
Don't fit standard pots for double boilers
Lindsay is a professional chef, recipe developer, writer, and developmental editor. After years of working in restaurant kitchens, she turned to writing to share her passion for local, organic, and seasonal ingredients with home cooks and food enthusiasts.
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