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A sturdy mixing bowl is an absolute necessity, whether you’re a pro in the kitchen or occasionally like to make a boxed brownie mix. While it may sound like an easy task, finding the best mixing bowl can be more complex than you might think. From choosing between stainless steel and plastic to opting for a non-slip base or easy-to-grip handles, the best mixing bowls come in all different shapes and sizes.
Meggan, the chef and writer behind Culinary Hill, has some very strong opinions on what makes a good mixing bowl. In addition to her favorite FineDine mixing bowls, I worked with her to comb through reviews, read through buying guides, and look at major shopping platforms for recommendations to find the best mixing bowls you can buy.
Table of Contents
Our Top Picks
- What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: FineDine 6-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set – $29.99 at Amazon
- Best Budget: Mainstays 10-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set – $16.44 at Walmart
- Best Glass: Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set – $21.08 at Amazon
- Best Plastic: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set – $27.99 at Amazon
- Best Mixing Bowl Set: Cuisinart 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set – $30.15 at Walmart
- Best Non-Slip: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless-Steel Mixing Bowl Set – $59.95 at Amazon
Reviews of The Best Mixing Bowls
1. What’s in Meggan’s Kitchen: FineDine 6-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
As a 5-year owner of these stainless steel bowls, Meggan loves that they’re sturdy, won’t rust, and feel like bowls you might find in a professional kitchen. “I love them because they are lightweight and easy to handle, they come in a variety of sizes and nest within each other, they won’t break if you drop them, and they are a breeze to clean up (hand wash easily or dishwasher safe),” she says.
With 6 bowls in the set, you’ll really get a bang for your buck with daily use. She swears by them for everything! “When I make salads, I use the smallest one to mix my dressing and a medium-sized one to toss the salad,” Meggan says.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 0.75 quarts, 1.5 quarts, 3 quarts, 4 quarts, 5 quarts, and 8 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 6
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: No
The Pros:
- Lightweight
- Wide variety of sizes
- Durable and long-lasting
- Easy to clean
- Inexpensive
The Cons:
- Not microwavable
- Thin
- Big jump in size between 5- and 8-quart bowls
What Others are Saying:
The FineDine 6-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set has over 35,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating. They’re tested and recommended as the best metal by The Spruce Eats, named the best value by Clean Eating, and considered the best-selling by The Pioneer Woman.
Buy the FineDine 6-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set:
2. Best Budget: Mainstays 10-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set
This mixing bowl set from the Walmart brand Mainstays has a whopping 10 bowls, ranging in size from 1 ounce to 3.5 quarts. With the price around $20, you’ll be spending less than $2 per bowl. And because they’re made of glass, they won’t stain and they’re safe in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer. The best part is you’ll only be giving up as much cupboard space as the largest bowl since all ten sizes can nest within each other for easy storage.
The Specs:
- Material: Glass
- Capacity: 1 ounce, 2 ounces, 4 ounces, 6 ounces, 10 ounces, 16 ounces, 1 quart, 1.5 quarts, 2.5 quarts, and 3.5 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 10
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Don’t take up much space
- Won’t discolor or smell, like some plastic bowls
- Dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe
The Cons:
- Largest size is only 3.5 quarts
- Some people don’t need 10 bowls
What Others are Saying:
The Pioneer Woman named the Mainstays 10-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set the best budget.
Buy the Mainstays 10-Piece Glass Mixing Bowl Set:
3. Best Glass: Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set
If you’re in the market for glass bowls that will last, Pyrex does it right. You’ll get fewer bowls than other sets, but this 3-piece set of bowls is thick and strong, so they’re able to withstand hearty mixing as well as the dishwasher and microwave. They also look more put together than your run-of-the-mill plastic bowl, making them just as good for whipping up food as serving it. Think of them as your potluck staple!
The Specs:
- Material: Glass
- Capacity: 1 quart, 1.5 quarts, and 2.5 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 3
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: Yes
The Pros:
- Thick and durable
- Inexpensive
- Safe for freezer, dishwasher, and microwave
The Cons:
- Wide, sloping sides make some mixing difficult
- Glass has a blue tint
- Only go up to 2.5 quarts
What Others are Saying:
The Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set has over 28,500 Amazon reviews and a 4.8-star rating. The bowls are also named the best glass by The Pioneer Woman.
Buy the Pyrex Smart Essentials 3-Piece Prepware Mixing Bowl Set:
4. Best Plastic: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set
While stainless steel and glass certainly have their benefits, a solid set of plastic bowls, like this one from OXO, is well-suited for families with young kids. These OXO bowls have a handy dandy rubber base and grippy handle that will keep them in place even under the most intense mixing. Plus, they have a spout for easy pouring if you happen to be working with liquids and sauces. And you don’t have to worry about breaking or scratching if they get dropped on the ground, thanks to the plastic material.
The Specs:
- Material: Plastic
- Capacity: 1.5 quarts, 3 quarts, and 5 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 3
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: No
The Pros:
- Won’t slide around
- Handles make them easy to hold
- Easy to store
- Spout for pouring
The Cons:
- Not microwave or heat safe
- Pricey for plastic
- Some colors may stain
What Others are Saying:
The OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set has over 6,000 Amazon reviews and a 4.9-star rating. The set is tested and recommended by Good Housekeeping and The Spruce Eats, named the best plastic by The Pioneer Woman, and considered the best for baking by Forbes Vetted.
Buy the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Plastic Mixing Bowl Set:
5. Best Mixing Bowl Set: Cuisinart 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
If you need a set of bowls that can be used for mixing and storing leftovers, this Cuisinart set includes bowls with lids that will make your life so much easier. Made of stainless steel, these bowls are surprisingly sleek and conveniently durable. Whether proofing bread or chilling whipped cream, these bowls are great for prepping and storing food before it’s ready to eat.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.5 quarts, 3 quarts, and 5 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 3
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: No
The Pros:
- Freezer and dishwasher safe
- Easy to store
- Durable
- Sleek design
The Cons:
- May get scratched
- Lids are not dishwasher safe
- Lids can be difficult to put on
What Others are Saying:
The Cuisinart 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set has more than 5,400 Amazon reviews and a 4.7-star rating. The bowls were tested and recommended by Wirecutter, Epicurious, and The Spruce Eats, and named the best stainless steel by The Pioneer Woman.
Buy the Cuisinart 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set:
6. Best Non-Slip: OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set
Whether you’re mixing by hand or the frequent owner of an electric mixer, there’s nothing worse than your bowl sliding around and spilling over. Once again, OXO comes to the rescue with this stainless steel set that boasts a non-slip rubber base that’ll keep your bowl in place whether mixing or storing. This anti-slip feature also protects the bowls from scratches and makes stacking a little less noisy.
The Specs:
- Material: Stainless steel
- Capacity: 1.5 quarts, 3 quarts, and 5 quarts
- Number of Bowls: 3
- Dishwasher Safe: Yes
- Microwave Safe: No
The Pros:
- Won’t slip or slide
- Plastic exterior insulates
- Less noisy
- Deep sides keep everything in the bowl
- Nice design
The Cons:
- Expensive
- Heavy
- Exterior may get scratched
What Others are Saying:
The OXO Good Grips Set has a 4.9-star rating from more than 2,600 reviews on Amazon. These OXO bowls were tested and recommended by The Spruce Eats, named the best over by Forbes Vetted, considered the best for small kitchens by U.S. News & World Report, and the best for beginners by The Pioneer Woman.
Buy the OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mixing Bowl Set:
Other Mixing Bowls to Consider
All-Clad Stainless-Steel 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set
With 4.7 stars on Amazon and recommendations from Serious Eats and U.S. News & World Report, these beautiful All-Clad bowls will be the highlight of your kitchen. These three stainless steel bowls have unique handles and are dishwasher safe. However, at $100, they’re over double the price of the sleek Cuisinart set above and don’t offer much more. The All-Clad Stainless-Steel 3-Piece Mixing Bowl Set is available at Amazon for $99.95.
Mason Cash 3-Piece In The Forest Mixing Bowl Set
If you’re on the hunt for a gift-worthy, heirloom-quality bowl, then just look at this gorgeous set from Mason Cash. Even though these Mason Cash bowls are stunning and come in a variety of styles and colors, they’re not the most practical option for everyday use, especially considering the price tag. The Mason Cash In The Forest Mixing Bowl Set is available at Williams Sonoma for $110.
KitchenAid 5-Piece Classic Mixing Bowl Set
For those who want more than the typical 3-piece bowl set from a reliable brand, this set of 5 plastic bowls from KitchenAid is a good option. Just take a look at the 4.8-star rating from more than 2,000 reviews on Amazon, plus mentions by Good Housekeeping, U.S. News & World Report, and Epicurious. But OXO’s plastic non-slip bowls won because of their durability and more reasonable price. The KitchenAid Classic Mixing Bowls is available at Amazon for $38.95.
Vollrath 4-Quart Economy Mixing Bowl
If you’re a beginner chef who only has the space for one mixing bowl that does it all, this 4-quart stainless steel bowl is an inexpensive start to your collection. With endorsements from Forbes Vetted and Serious Eats, the Vollrath Economy Mixing Bowl is simple yet high-quality. However, its thin rim and lightweight frame make it hard to keep in place while mixing. The Vollrath 4-Quart Economy Mixing Bowl is available at Amazon for $11.58.
Why You Can Trust Us
My name is Grace, and I’m a freelance writer who loves all things food and cooking. I’ve reviewed cookware, kitchen appliances, coffee machines, and more to help consumers find the best product for them. I’ve also owned the Pyrex ones discussed above for 3 years! For this article, I teamed up with Meggan of Culinary Hill, leaning on her expertise as a writer, chef, and recipe developer.
Our search for the best mixing bowls on the market started in our own kitchens. We researched recommendations from trusted publishers and bloggers, best-selling bowls on major retailer sites, and customer reviews. From there, we narrowed down our list to only the best, providing a range of materials, sizes, prices, and special features.
Everything to Know Before Buying a Mixing Bowl
What to Consider Before Buying a Mixing Bowl
Mixing bowls are a simple yet crucial tool to have in any kitchen. Here are some factors to think about in terms of material, size, and safety before adding to your cart.
Material: Mixing bowls are made with a variety of materials — including metal, plastic, glass, and ceramic — all of which have different advantages and disadvantages. “Personally, I love stainless steel because it’s lightweight, won’t rust, and is easy to clean,” Meggan says.
Size: Whether small, large, or in-between, these bowls come in all sizes to meet your needs. For example, a small bowl is great for whisking eggs and other ingredients together to make an omelet, while a large one is probably better suited for baking projects.
Safety: Before buying, check if your bowls are safe to put in the microwave, dishwasher, and freezer.
Are Mixing Bowls Microwave-Safe?
Some mixing bowls are microwave-safe, but it depends on the material. Ceramic, glass, and sometimes plastic ones are allowed to go in the microwave, but stainless steel typically are not. Just be sure to refer to the instructions from your bowl’s manufacturer to be safe.
Can You Mix Sourdough in a Metal Bowl?
Most metal mixing bowls are made with stainless steel, which sourdough can and should be mixed in. However, if your bowl is made with another kind of metal like aluminum, the acidity of the dough may react with the metal, killing the yeast.
Can You Use an Electric Mixer in a Ceramic Bowl?
While stainless steel tends to be the default option when using a handheld electric mixer because of its durability, you can use a ceramic mixing bowl as well. KitchenAid even sells ceramic ones for its stand mixers. However, you may want to invest in an attachment with rubber, like this KitchenAid beater accessory, to protect your bowl.
Are Copper Mixing Bowls Safe?
While copper offers quick heating and cooling and a stylish flair, it can also be toxic. However, when lined with another food-safe material, like stainless steel, you can enjoy all of the benefits of copper without worrying about safety. These Williams Sonoma Copper Mixing Bowls are a great example of incorporating copper into a design safely.
The Best Mixing Recipes
Pretty much any recipe you use will require a mixing bowl. From savory to sweet, here are some recipes that require bowls of all sizes.
- Easy Chocolate Mousse
- Pita Bread
- Turkey Meatballs
- Spice Cake
- 3-Ingredient Homemade Biscuits
- No Bake Energy Bites
- Puppychow
- Rugelach
Prices were accurate at time of publication.
