What size stand mixer do I need?

Mainstream reviewers suggest 4.5 quarts is enough for cookies, cakes, and single loaves of bread; 5–5.5 quarts adds headroom for double batches; and 7 quarts is aimed at heavy bread doughs, large families, or frequent entertaining. Specialist baking subreddits repeatedly flag that tilt-head models can struggle with stiff bagel or shokupan dough.