Introduction
For serious bakers, having a stand mixer that can handle everything from heavy bread dough to light whipped cream can be a game-changer. However, with numerous options available on the market, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Enter the Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer. Known for its heavy-duty performance and versatility, it’s popular among both home bakers and small businesses alike. Whether you’re mixing large batches of dough or preparing a delicate meringue, this mixer promises to manage it all. But does it live up to the hype? Let’s find out.
Retails around $550 – 750, depending on model options
Whipping
5/5
Kneading
5/5
Beating
5/5
Ease of usE
4/5
price/valUE
4/5
Key Specs at a Glance
- Motor Power: 800 watts
- Speed Settings: 4 speed settings and pulse function
- Bowl Capacity: 6.5-quart plastic mixing bowl
- Body Material: Primarily high-impact plastic with some metal components
- Attachments Included: Dough hook, whisk, and flat beater (additional attachments sold separately)
- Weight and Dimensions: Weighs 14 pounds, dimensions of 15 x 12 x 11 inches
- Warranty: 3-year limited warranty
Bosch Universal Plus Build Quality
The Bosch Universal Plus stands apart from traditional American-style mixers through several innovative design features, particularly in its bottom-drive motor system and open-bowl design concept. Standard stand mixers, such as those from KitchenAid, typically feature a top-drive motor system where the motor is located above the bowl and drives the attachments via a gear system. The Bosch Universal Plus, on the other hand, uses a bottom-drive motor system, where the motor is situated beneath the mixing bowl. This setup offers several key benefits:
- Powerful Mixing: The bottom-drive system provides direct, more efficient power transfer to the attachments, resulting in better mixing outcomes, especially for heavier doughs. It is better equipped to handle dense, thick mixtures (like bread dough) without straining the motor.
- Improved Stability: Since the motor sits lower and the attachments are directly driven, the mixer is often more stable when kneading heavy dough or performing other demanding tasks. The motor’s positioning reduces the likelihood of the mixer vibrating or “walking” across the countertop, a common issue with top-drive systems.
- Open-Bowl Design: As there is no tilt head to get in the way, the open-bowl design allows users to easily add ingredients without removing the head or tilting the bowl (common in top-drive models). This makes it more convenient for larger or messier mixing jobs.
The Bosch Universal Plus also features a unique attachment system:
- Attachment Drive: Instead of the standard hub-and-attachment system found in other stand mixers (like KitchenAid), Bosch uses a direct-drive mechanism that links the motor directly to the attachments via the bottom drive. This system is designed to deliver improved performance, especially when mixing thick doughs or using heavier attachments, such as a meat grinder or pasta maker.
- Gear Switching: The Bosch mixer doesn’t require complex gear switching or adjustments to change between attachments. It simplifies the process by allowing users to swap out the mixing tools—flat beater, dough hook, or wire whisk—without fiddling with gears or settings. This makes it relatively easy to operate compared to other mixers that may have more complicated attachment mechanisms or gear shifting requirements.
The body is made from high-impact plastic with some metal parts, making the mixer lightweight (12 pounds) yet sturdy. The design is quite utilitarian, prioritizing functionality. While it may lack the sleek, polished appearance of more premium models, it is built to last and can handle heavy-duty use.
The 6.5-quart plastic mixing bowl is spacious enough for larger batches, but its plastic construction might not appeal to those who prefer the weight and durability of stainless steel. Nevertheless, it’s easy to handle and clean.
The mixer’s footprint is relatively compact compared to some other heavy-duty models, so it won’t occupy too much space on your countertop. The Bosch Universal Plus offers a limited selection of colors, primarily in neutral white and silver finishes, making it adaptable to various kitchen styles.
Power and Mixing Ability
With 800 watts of motor power, the Bosch Universal Plus stands out as a powerhouse among stand mixers. Whether you’re mixing light cake batters or heavy bread dough, the motor handles it effortlessly. The 4-speed settings offer flexibility to adjust for different mixing tasks, and the pulse function is useful for quick bursts of speed when needed.
One of the notable features of the Bosch Universal Plus is its capacity to handle heavy dough. We tested it with a dense bread dough, and it performed remarkably well. Unlike some mixers that slow down or overheat when managing thick doughs, the Bosch keeps a steady pace, mixing everything evenly.
The mixing action is unique because the dough hook rotates around the bowl, ensuring thorough mixing with minimal effort. It’s impressive how evenly the dough is kneaded, even in large quantities. It’s especially ideal for large batches, making it a reliable choice for families or small bakeries.
Dual wire whips rotate independently while spinning around the bowl, creating a powerful triple-whipping action that builds volume fast. This tool is perfect for delicate whipping tasks like meringues and whipped cream, even with just one egg white.
This innovative design whips ingredients faster and more efficiently than traditional single-whisk systems.
Ease of Use
In terms of the learning curve, the Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer is generally user-friendly, but there are a few points to consider that may differ from traditional stand mixers:
- Initial Setup: The machine’s design differs, so it might feel unfamiliar at first, especially if you’re used to top-drive mixers. The open-bowl design, for example, means you can’t tilt the bowl, so it takes a bit of adjustment when loading ingredients or removing the bowl.
- Attachment Switching: Although the system is straightforward, the attachment drive can require some getting used to, particularly if you’re used to the more traditional hub system of other mixers. Attaching and detaching components is generally simple, but you might need a few attempts to feel completely comfortable with how to fit and lock everything into place.
- Operating the Bottom-Drive System: Some users might find the idea of a bottom-drive motor system unfamiliar. However, it doesn’t have a steep learning curve—once you understand that the motor sits underneath and powers the attachments through a different mechanism, it becomes intuitive.
- Bowl Capacity: The Bosch Universal Plus features a 6.5-quart bowl, which is slightly larger than many other stand mixers available. Depending on your previous experience, this increased capacity might require a small adjustment in managing larger batches of ingredients. The size can also make the mixer appear more substantial initially if you are switching from a more compact model.
The Bosch Universal Plus features a simple four-speed control with a pulse function, providing an extra boost of power when needed. Users coming from 10-speed mixers may initially find the four-speed system limiting. However, the power jumps between speeds are more significant, providing adequate range for most tasks.
We used the mixer to make biscuits, whipped cream, and bread dough. For whipping cream, the mixer worked perfectly, reaching soft peaks quickly. When mixing biscuit dough, the flat beater attachment made sure everything was evenly combined. For the bread dough, the dough hook handled the kneading, resulting in smooth, well-mixed dough with little effort.
Despite weighing only 14 pounds, the mixer remains incredibly stable thanks to its four suction feet on the base, which grip the mixer securely to your counter for optimal stability. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill, cheap-o, clear-plastic suction cups. The suction cups on the Bosch Universal mixer are heavy-duty and thick, and work flawlessly.
The machine tends to be slightly louder than some competitors, especially at higher speeds, but it’s not overwhelming. The noise level is typical for a powerful mixer and isn’t a dealbreaker.
If you’re accustomed to top-drive mixers or more traditional systems, it may take a couple of attempts to appreciate the Bosch’s distinctive design fully, but overall, there isn’t a steep learning curve.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Bosch Universal Plus Cleanup
Cleaning the mixer is simple. Most components are dishwasher safe, including the plastic bowl, wire whips, splash ring, and lid. The main unit only needs a quick wipe with a damp cloth to keep it tidy. The open design facilitates easy hand washing when needed, and the simple attachment system simplifies cleaning.
Although the plastic bowl is simple to clean, it can become scratched over time if you use it with harder ingredients or are not careful during cleaning. Nevertheless, it remains much easier to maintain than some of the larger, heavier metal mixing bowls.
Maintenance Tips
To ensure your Bosch Universal Plus lasts for years, here are some maintenance tips:
- Regularly clean the machine: After each use, wipe down the unit and wash the attachments to avoid residue buildup.
- Lubricate the gears: Periodically lubricating the gears will help keep the mixing action smooth and prevent wear.
- Avoid overloading: While the motor is powerful, it’s important not to overstuff the bowl with too many ingredients at once, especially for heavy doughs.
- Store properly: Store the machine in a dry area and make sure all attachments are clean and dry before reassembling.
Pros & Cons
PROS
The 800-watt motor makes it one of the more powerful mixers in its category.
Revolutionary open bowl design provides unobstructed access for adding ingredients.
Handles heavy dough with ease, making it perfect for kneading thick bread or pizza dough.
The 6.5-quart bowl is perfect for large batches.
Compact storage footprint despite large bowl capacity.
Advanced suction cup system prevents walking or wobbling during operation.
CONS
A plastic mixing bowl, while durable, might not have the same premium feel as a stainless steel one.
Limited aesthetic appeal with utilitarian design and may not appeal to those looking for a more modern or stylish look.
There is a very small learning curve for users transitioning from traditional mixers.
Limited color options – primarily in neutral white and silver finishes.
Who It’s Best For?
The Bosch Universal Plus Stand Mixer is ideal for:
- Home bakers who regularly bake large batches or work with heavy dough.
- Small business owners (bakeries or catering) who need a reliable, powerful mixer for everyday use.
- Families or anyone baking in larger quantities due to its large bowl and powerful motor.
Who Should Avoid It:
- Casual bakers or those with limited kitchen space who don’t need the capacity or power the Bosch provides.
- Those looking for a more compact mixer or one with a sleeker, more modern design.
Comparison With Other Mixers
Compared to the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Mixer, the Bosch Universal Plus provides more power (800 watts versus 325 watts) and a larger mixing bowl (6.5 quarts versus 5 quarts), making it better suited for bigger batches. However, the KitchenAid has a more refined design and a wider range of available attachments.
Compared to the Cuisinart Precision Master SM-50, the Bosch stands out with its more powerful motor and larger capacity, but the Cuisinart offers a more compact design and slightly quieter operation.
The Bosch Universal Plus occupies an interesting position in the stand mixer market, offering professional-level performance at prices that compete favorably with high-end KitchenAid models.
Final Verdict
While the Bosch Universal Plus may not win any beauty contests, it absolutely dominates in the performance arena. It is an excellent choice for anyone who bakes regularly and requires a machine capable of handling heavy-duty tasks. Its 800-watt motor, large mixing bowl, and ability to knead dense dough make it a top option for serious bakers. Although it might not be the quietest or most stylish model available, its performance and durability more than compensate for that. If you’re looking for a powerful and versatile mixer that can easily handle large batches, the Bosch Universal Plus is definitely worth considering.
Our final rating is 4.5/5 stars. Points deducted only for aesthetic limitations and the slight learning curve required for traditional mixer users, but these are minor concerns for serious bakers seeking ultimate performance.
Video Review
Credit – Bosch
FAQs
