# What is the difference between a planetary mixer and a spiral mixer?

Quick answer by Norpex (Food preparation). Updated 2026-09-25.
Canonical: https://norpex.ca/answers/planetary-vs-spiral-mixer

A planetary mixer turns its attachment while moving it around a stationary bowl and takes a hook, beater and whip, so it handles doughs, batters, icings and mashed foods. A spiral mixer turns the bowl and a spiral hook together and is built for dough, kneading large, heavy batches gently and evenly. Dough-heavy bakeries and pizzerias usually choose a spiral; general kitchens usually choose a planetary.

## Details

A spiral mixer kneads with less heat build-up and handles stiff, high-volume dough without straining, which is why pizza and bread producers prefer it. Many have a fixed bowl; some have a removable bowl for moving dough.

A planetary mixer is the more versatile machine, and many models can run attachments such as a meat grinder or vegetable slicer from a front hub. Its dough capacity is lower than its bowl size suggests.

Check the manufacturer's capacity chart for the dough you make. Stiff, low-hydration doughs reduce the safe batch size on either type.

## Read more

- [Commercial Mixer Buying Guide: Planetary vs Spiral, Sizes and Duty](https://norpex.ca/guides/commercial-mixer-buying-guide)
- [Dough Equipment Guide: Sheeters, Dividers, Presses and Proofers](https://norpex.ca/guides/dough-equipment-guide)

## Shop the catalogue

- [Planetary Mixer](https://norpex.ca/products/planetary-mixer)
- [Spiral Mixer](https://norpex.ca/products/spiral-mixer)