Bake Off 2024: which appliances are in the tent and are there cheaper versions?

The Great British Bake Off is back for its 15th series, with another fresh batch of aspiring bakers, but the burning question is - which gadgets are back in the tent this year and are they the best a budding star baker can get?

This year's set looks pretty similar to the past few years, with the retro theme we've come to expect, and the whimsical pastel colour scheme adorning the famous Bake Off tent.

The matching kitchen appliances certainly look good on screen, but if they're to earn a place in your kitchen, they need to work well, too.

Read on to discover which kitchen gadgets we spotted in the tent this year, plus some cheaper alternatives to consider.

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KitchenAid stand mixer

One of the most familiar sights in the Bake Off tent – the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer – gets plenty of use. Its pretty pastel colour scheme and standout retro design means, for us, it's no surprise this classic gadget is in the mix for 2024.

If pastel colours aren't your style, you can also find KitchenAid models in a striking red, purple and even, for 2024, a deep forest matte green with a walnut wood bowl. These gadgets don't come cheap, though, setting you back upwards of £500 when they're not on offer.

They certainly add a touch of baking kudos to your kitchen worktops, but how well do KitchenAid stand mixers really whisk, whip and knead – and are they worth spending that much cash on?

If you want to make bread but prefer to be a little less hands-on, check out the Best bread makers for home-made bread.

Read our Best stand mixer reviews to find out if this KitchenAid is the best. 

Cheaper alternative: Kenwood kMix

The Kenwood kMix is a popular alternative and has even featured in previous seasons of The Great British Bake Off.

You can find it in a range of stylish colours, including black, chrome and rose gold, although there isn't quite as much choice as the KitchenAid range. You can sometimes pick one up for less than £250 when on offer though, making it a more affordable option.

Alternatively, you could opt for Lakeland's Digital Stand Mixer which is around £250.

If you fancy the Kenwood, read our most recent Kenwood kMix review for the full picture.

Retro fridge-freezer

The Bake Off set wouldn't be complete without a retro-style fridge-freezer. This year's choice seems to still be the 1950s vintage-style model in pastel blue: the Zanussi ZTAE31EM1.

Zanussi has told us that this model has now been discontinued. The small freezer at the top and shiny silver handles is a design that's pretty common among modern retro models. This means the freezer is at eye level rather than lower down, so there's no need for the bakers to scramble around on their hands and knees to load and unload their precious cakes. 

If you had your heart set on copying the Bake Off tent, don't despair, in previous seasons, the tent has featured retro models from Smeg and Servis.

If you want to find out whether Zanussi's fridge-freezers have substance to match their style, head to our Zanussi fridge freezer reviews to find out before you buy.

Cheaper alternative: Hisense RB390N4RYDUK

We've tested plenty of Smeg retro fridge freezers, but they're not a budget option.

You can get a similar retro look with the Hisense RB390N4RYDUK retro fridge freezer for around £749.

See our fridge-freezer buying guide for advice on choosing the right option for you.

Swan Nordic microwave

A microwave might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of baking essentials, but they're handy for jobs such as softening butter when you're against the clock.

We've spotted these blue 'Nordic style' Swan microwaves are back on Bake Off, but is it the best microwave for the job or is it all stylish looks and not much else?

Read our Swan SM22036GRYN microwave review (grey version) to find out.

Cheaper alternative: Russell Hobbs RHMM713G

At around £100, the Swan Nordic microwave isn't overly expensive, but if you're after a slightly cheaper microwave with cool, muted tones, try the similar-looking Russell Hobbs RHMM713G, available in white, grey, green, blue and black.

If your budget doesn't stretch that far, we have tested some cheap microwaves, from brands including Currys and Argos, costing from around £65. They tend to be quite small and have limited settings, plus they don't look as stylish, but they're fine for simple heating and defrosting jobs.

We've also discovered some big-brand Best Buy solo microwaves starting from just £45.

Check our expert microwave reviews before you buy, to make the most of your money.

Dualit hand mixer

Our eagle-eyed researchers have spotted the return of the Dualit hand mixers dotted around this year's tent.

At around £70, they are pricey because their bodies are made of sturdy metal rather than cheaper plastic. Although we've not tested them for a long time, we know this makes them heavier than cheaper mixers, which could make for tired arms if you're tackling a big bowl of batter or whisking egg whites. On the plus side, they tend to come with useful extra accessories such as balloon whisks.

Cheaper alternative: VonShef hand mixer

If you're dead set on a retro-looking hand mixer, but a Dualit, Smeg or KitchenAid is out of your budget, we've spotted this similar-looking VonShef retro hand mixer. Again, it's not one we've tested so bear that in mind if it's something you are seeking to purchase.

Alternatively, you could save money and precious countertop space by buying a single device capable of most baking tasks. Food processors tend to be more versatile than stand mixers and hand mixers, although the bowls are often smaller and the mixing can be less thorough.

See our guides to the best hand blenders and the best food processors.

Magimix food processor

The Magimix food processor appears to be back in the tent. It's been the brand of choice in previous years, too. Magimix food processors come with a variety of mixing bowls, which is useful when you're following elaborate recipes with multiple steps.

They also come with a wide range of attachments – for everything from chopping and grating to whisking, mixing and blending.

Their timeless design certainly matches the retro vibe of the tent, but premium brand Magimix's products come at a premium price, too. Depending on which model you go for, you could be looking at spending anything from just over £200 right up to £400.

Is this the perfect food prep pal for your kitchen? Read our full test review of the Magimix 4200XL Food processor to find out.

 Cheaper alternative: Salter EK3171 Compact Mini Food Processor

You don't need to spend hundreds of pounds on a food processor – we've tested some decent options for around £60-£70, but they may not suitable for the full range of tasks you'd expect from a full-sized food processor. 

If you're on a budget, check out the keenly-priced Salter EK3171 Compact Prep Pro.

Read our Salter EK3171 Compact Prep Pro review to find out if this mini processor is up to the job. Or check out our food processor reviews to see how rival brands such as Cuisinart, KitchenAid and Sage compare.

Neff Slide&Hide oven

Neff ovens are another regular fixture in the Bake Off tent, thanks to their signature 'slide and hide' door, which conveniently slots away so you can get a closer look at the showstopper bakes.

If you opt for a Neff oven, you can expect some high-end features that are sure to impress keen bakers, including steam cooking and pyrolytic self-cleaning. They also have CircoTherm technology, which Neff claims ensures air circulates evenly around the oven, helping you to create multiple masterpieces at the same time.

They don't come cheap, though, so you can expect to spend anywhere from £400 up to a whopping £1,600 for high-end models. Take a look at our Neff oven reviews to see how well they performed in our rigorous tests and whether they're worth splashing out on.

See our Neff N50 B2ACH7HH0B review for our full verdict.

Unfortunately, you won't find that famous door on any other brand of oven but if you're a baking enthusiast, you'll stand yourself in good stead with an oven that does the basics well – sticking to the temperature you set and spreading heat evenly to help you achieve perfect bakes.

This isn't a given, though, as we've discovered ovens that veer more than 40°C from the temperature you set – a one-way ticket to blackened biscuits.

Head to our Best built-in ovens 2024 guide to see how to buy the best for you. And take a look at our built-in oven reviews to discover the best models for your budget.

Taylor Pro Dual Platform digital kitchen scales

While some bakers are fans of the chuck-it-in-and-see approach, when it comes to bread-making and many other recipes, accuracy is key, and this year, we've spotted these scales on the bakers' benches. 

We've not tested this exact set, but we have tested the Taylor Pro Digital Dual Kitchen scale with a bowl included.

For a cheaper alternative, try the Accuweight Digital Kitchen Scales.

Choosing the best kitchen gadgets

The gadgets in the Bake Off tent are easy on the eye, but that's not always backed up by best-in-class performance.

Some might be worth splashing the cash on, but there are always cheaper options to consider if you don't have a big budget to play with. Spending more doesn't guarantee a better product, so it's worth logging in or joining Which? to check our reviews before parting with your hard-earned cash. 

For more top tips and everything you need to know, grab a cuppa and a slice of cake and read our Best kitchen appliances: how to find the right items for your home guide.

Still not sure which kitchen gadgets you need? Glow up your kitchen with our guide to 5 cool kitchen gadgets.