We Tested the Best Mixing Bowls—Here Are Our Favorites in Every Category

How We Tested

After researching highly rated mixing bowls in a variety of materials and sizes as well as several different price points, we sent the sets to our expert at-home tester. Each set was subject to the whipped cream test, in which whipped cream was mixed with a hand mixer for a minute to see whether any splashed out of the bowl. Our tester also assessed the bowls' stability on the counter while mixing. The bowls were further used for everyday kitchen tasks, including mixing, prepping, and serving, and our tester assessed how easy they were to maneuver and clean. Each set was rated on its design, performance, storage, cleaning, and overall value.

What to Look for in Mixing Bowls

Volume

The larger the set, the wider the range of bowl sizes you have at your disposal. Small sets typically start with about a 1-quart bowl and increase in capacity incrementally to a 5-quart bowl. Larger sets include smaller bowls and larger bowls, as well as increments in between. 

The smallest capacity bowls are perfect for quickly melting butter in the microwave and prepping ingredients for your recipes. Medium-sized bowls will do the majority of your mixing work, and larger bowls are convenient for ingredients that need to be tossed together or when extra space is needed to avoid spilling.

Generally speaking, you should get the set with the most bowl sizes that you can afford. The more you use your bowls, the more you’ll find you need them—especially if your bowls double as storage containers for leftovers or serving bowls for the table. Stopping in the middle of a project to wash bowls because you don’t have enough on hand is inconvenient and takes some of the pleasure away from making your favorite meal. 

Bowl Shape

There are plenty of opinions when it comes to the best shape for a mixing bowl, and all of them depend on what you’re mixing. It may take a little experimentation to find what you like the most, but here are some pointers to get started.

Shorter and wide: This is the style preferred by many savory-focused cooks because the shallower depth of the bowl makes it easier to reach in and mix or whip whatever you’re working on. The standard ratio for a bowl of this shape is: Height is roughly half the size of the diameter of the bowl. So if you have a 10-inch wide bowl, the sides should be about 5-inch tall (within an inch or so). The shape of this style bowl also lends itself to easily tossing salads, salting french fries, and adding sauce to wings. 

Taller sides: Bowls almost as tall as they are wide also have a place in the kitchen. Most pastry cooks reach for these bowls to mix cookie doughs and cake batters without fear of spilling whatever might splash up. Convenient for use with longer hand tools, immersion blenders, and hand mixers, taller-sided bowls mimic the deeper bowls on stand mixers that accommodate a substantial amount of mixing work.

Flat bottom: The purpose of flat-bottomed bowls is to provide stability in the mixing process. If you’re mixing something that requires both hands or blending a liquid that you’d rather not risk toppling over, a flat-bottomed bowl is a little more dependable than a rounded-bottom bowl.

Round bottom: For those looking for the flexibility to smoothly flick or rotate a bowl while mixing, the rounded bottom bowl is the way to go. The continuous curve of the bowl also makes whisking and scraping the bowl a seamless movement. A nicely rounded bowl can also be used as a mold for recipes that are set or baked and flipped out for a domed presentation. 

Appliance Compatibility

Dishwasher safe: The convenience of being able to rinse your mixing bowls and then wash them in the dishwasher is a luxury that can’t be overlooked, especially when it comes to removing oily dressings that coat the bowl or sanitizing bowls that have held raw meats. Most bowls these days—even the most economically priced ones—are dishwasher safe and will be labeled accordingly. 

Microwave safe: Perhaps the most important consideration for some cooks is whether or not the bowls are microwave safe. College students and cooks with limited cooking space may rely on the microwave to take on some, if not all, of the heating work. Bowls should be clearly labeled as microwave-safe. Most plastic, glass, and ceramic bowls fit into this category but always double-check before purchasing. 

The appliance experts at Whirlpool advise users not to put any metal containers or tools in a microwave, including stainless steel, iron, and copper. While some might claim that aluminum foil is safe to put in the microwave, both Whirlpool and Samsung point out that aluminum may prompt electromagnetic current “arcing” that can spark and start a fire in your microwave oven. So for effective and safe microwaving, it’s best to use a bowl made of a different and trusted microwave-safe material.

Stovetop: Cooks in professional kitchens have been known to heat butter or sauce in a stainless steel bowl directly on the open flame of a stovetop if they’re in a hurry. While this cooking method happens far less often at home, having a bowl that can be used over a double boiler or flashed over an open flame can be very useful. 

Stainless steel bowls will be able to handle the heat of the stovetop without an issue. Some glass and ceramic bowls can also be used on top of a double boiler, but they do not conduct heat as quickly or efficiently as metal, and may continue to cook your ingredients after removing them from the heat because they retain heat for longer. 

Oven: Generally speaking, if a bowl can be used on the stovetop, it can probably be used in the oven. As always, check the manufacturer’s recommendation before baking with your mixing bowl, and make sure that it is placed on a stable surface (such as a sheet tray) for even baking. 

Types of Mixing Bowls

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is the most versatile mixing bowl material because it can be used for nearly every cooking method except microwaving. The standard in professional kitchens, stainless steel bowls come in the widest variety of shapes and sizes. They are also non-reactive and non-porous, so they can be used with any ingredients you want to mix without fear of the bowls reacting with your food or holding on to any aggressive scents or colors. Typically lightweight even at large sizes, stainless steel bowls are easy to handle regardless of your strength. 

While aluminum bowls are available, they are far less dependable than stainless steel and not that much less expensive to make the swap worth it. Reactive with acidic ingredients, the softer metal may impart a grey color and metallic taste to foods requiring heavy mixing. 

Some people think stainless steel mixing bowls are unattractive and shouldn’t be used for serving—although that’s entirely a personal preference. If your style is ultra-clean and contemporary, or if you like to mix styles, stainless steel bowls can easily serve you in the kitchen and at the table.

Plastic

Even if you decide to get a full set of stainless steel bowls, it’s worth it to have a few plastic bowls on hand for microwaving odds and ends. While plastic bowls generally aren’t suited for heating on the stovetop, many of them function perfectly fine in the microwave and are just as light (if not lighter) than their stainless steel counterparts. 

Available in a wide range of colors and shapes, plastic bowls can also function as serving bowls and storage bowls. Plastic is non-reactive but may pick up aggressive scents and colors over time or scratch when used with utensils with sharp edges. 

Glass

Glass bowls are usually made of tempered or fortified glass (like borosilicate glass) to allow for both hot and cold cooking applications. Often made for use in the microwave as well as the oven, glass bowls are nearly as flexible as metal bowls. They also tend to make great serving bowls for those who like the visibility of the bowl. 

The downside is that glass bowls tend to be heavier than metal and plastic ones, and because of their weight, glass bowls are typically only made in smaller-sized options. Glass bowls are occasionally known to chip, and when dropped, they can shatter or crack. 

Other Mixing Bowls

Copper: When you think of classic French kitchens you probably imagine shining copper on every surface, maybe like the kitchen in “Ratatouille.” Copper pots and bowls are by far some of the most expensive pieces of cooking equipment you can buy but aren’t appropriate for everyday use. Copper is a soft metal and is reactive to acidic ingredients, which will alter the color of your food and the bowl, as well as the flavor of anything you mix in it. 

The most notable use for a copper bowl is whipping egg whites, which it does better than any other bowl on the market. For those who are curious and want to indulge a little, start with one medium-sized copper bowl in your collection and leave the rest of your prep work to the heavy-duty bowls. 

Ceramic/earthenware: Ceramic bowls are usually attractive, either handpainted or fired with beautiful glazes, and can come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, they can also be very heavy for regular use and may or may not be appropriate for use in the microwave, oven, or dishwasher. Reach for this kind of bowl when preparing to entertain (even if you’re just entertaining yourself).

Wood: While wooden bowls look fantastic for bread or salad service at the dinner table, that’s about the extent of their usefulness. Not as heavy as glass or ceramic bowls but often porous with seams and cracks, wooden bowls shouldn’t be used with any kind of liquid. They also can’t be used for hot applications, including in the microwave or the dishwasher (which strips the wood of any finishes while water clogs or completely dries it out). 

Brands

Oxo Good Grips

OXO hit the market a few decades ago and took the kitchen storage and hand tools market by storm. Beloved by home cooks and professionals alike, its tools are ergonomically designed and can withstand rigorous use. Priced on the medium-high end compared with other tools, OXO equipment is an investment that will last you many years to come. 

Finedine

An emerging household name, Finedine offers a large collection of kitchen gadgets, food storage options, and drink service sets. Finedine’s kitchen basics collection is reasonably priced and provides quality tools suitable for any home kitchen. 

Pyrex

Pyrex has been a staple dish in American households for generations. A Pyrex casserole dish is often the first piece of dishware in a new kitchen, and the brand can be found in almost every grocery store and home goods store in the country. Economically priced bowls and dishes are meant to last for decades—as long as you can get them back from your last potluck. 

Nordic Ware

Minnesota-made Nordic Ware products are known for their heavy-duty reliability—without costing quite as much as their higher-end competitors. Still a favorite for molded cake pans, Nordic Ware also produces cooking and baking equipment for home and professional use. Expect attractive and functional tools from Nordic Ware at an average price. 

Cuisinart

Many people know Cuisinart as a small appliances brand, but it also provides a sturdy selection of cooking and baking tools to accompany all of your kitchen gear. The iconic brushed stainless steel look of Cuisinart appliances is replicated with their hand tools and smallware, creating a consistent look across all of its kitchenware. 

Maintenance

One of the most notable benefits of a set of mixing bowls (other than how much it helps while cooking) is how easy it is to store. Bowls usually nest inside each other and only take up as much space as the largest bowl. 

Before storing, make sure your bowls have been thoroughly cleaned and dried. All mixing bowls can be washed by hand, but many are also dishwasher-safe. Wooden bowls may need to be oiled occasionally to avoid drying out. 

Accessories

Many mixing bowls on the market come with matching lids for easy storage. Most of the lids are made of plastic or rubber regardless of what the bowl is made of, although ceramic bowls are occasionally accompanied by decorative ceramic lids. 

Some mixing bowls also include inserts for grating, zesting, or slicing that fit snugly on top of the bowl like a lid, making it easy to prep foods that need shredding directly into the bowl that they’ll ultimately end up in.  

Why Trust The Spruce Eats?

Donna Currie is a freelance food writer specializing in testing kitchen tools and recipes for The Spruce Eats. Her lifelong interest in cooking and baking led her to pursue recipe development through her personal blog, as well as her cookbook, "Make Ahead Bread." Whether it’s kitchen essentials or one-off kitchen gadgets, Donna is always looking for the best products for her cooking projects. She personally tested every mixing bowl set featured on this roundup.

This roundup was updated by Jenny Kellerhals, a professional pastry chef and food writer based in New York City. With over a decade of experience in professional pastry kitchens and bakeries, Jenny has a wide range of experience with professional and home tools—and a lot of opinions about all of them.