The Sunbeam 2371 Mixmaster stand mixer at a lower price point under $100 offers many features. It boasts a 350-watt motor and 12 variable speeds, adjusted by a rotary dial. To avoid creating powdery clouds or splattering powder, all speeds feature soft start technology for easy mixing of ingredients.
The mixer has several clever design features to simplify your baking and cooking even further. The eccentric beater arm keeps manual scraping to a minimum and allows ingredients to be easily added even while in use. When you need to reach the bowl, the head tilts back and locks in place. Additional controls are located on top of the soft, ergonomic handle.
Features and Specification
- 350 Watts of Power
- Soft Start feature eases between 12 speeds
- Locking tilt head
- 4-quart stainless steel bowl and bowl selector switch
- Indicator lights display when the mixer is turned on and what speed is being used
- Chrome beaters are included
- Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 16 x 14.5 inches
- Warranty: One-year manufacturer’s warranty
Customer Reviews
The reviews of the Sunbeam 2591 are largely positive, but there are some contradictory reviews as well. On average, users gave this mixer 3.5 stars out of a possible 5 stars.
Positive reviews
While some jobs are better left to high-end stand mixers, this mixer can perform the basic functions without breaking the bank. Budget-conscious reviewers agree that this is an excellent mixer for the price, as long as it is not expected to perform like a high-end mixer. If you need a multi-purpose mixer for simple tasks or occasional use More often than not, many satisfied reviewers agree that this mixer will meet those needs.
One area of disagreement among reviewers is the power and capacity of the mixer. Some disgruntled reviewers experienced the motor overheating or shorting out while they were baking during the holiday season. While some users claim that it only bogs down when using heavy flour, others can’t even mix cookie dough successfully. Coming in at only 4 liters, the bowl is not equipped for double or triple batches and owners who have tried to use it in this capacity have been quickly disappointed.
Negative Reviews
Confusingly, mixers also have difficulty with small batches. One reviewer pointed out that the included whisk is too short to reach the bottom of the bowl and can’t mix extremely small batches or beat a single egg. However, this is a reported problem with some brands and models of mixers.
One of the more common complaints stems from the lack of speed control, while according to advertising from the company, this mixer has the Soft Start feature that eases between speeds. Many reviewers lament that the slowest speed isn’t slow to start and is too fast for most tasks. Other complaints stem from the fact that this model only comes with beater accessories. Model 2591 does not include a whisk or dough hook, and probably for good reasons.
It’s entirely possible that this machine is not intended to knead dough. If those attachments are a priority, Sunbeam offers other mixers at a similar price with more attachments. You may want to consider the 2349 model in Sunbeam’s Heritage series, which includes dough hook and whisk attachments.
Overall
Although the Sunbeam 2591 Mixmaster is not a heavy-duty stand mixer with a list price of $80, it fits the needs and budget of the average home user. If you only want to use your stand mixer a few times a year and don’t need additional accessories, we recommend this mixer. However, if you are a more serious baker or will rely more on your mixer, it would be wiser to invest in a more durable mixer.