If you're looking to invest in a KitchenAid stand mixer, now's the time. The signature kitchen appliance (and our favorite stand mixer on the market) is on sale at Walmart now for just $220 — and we think it's a total steal. Don't believe us? Read on.

My mom has always been one a stand mixer skeptic. Growing up, I always wondered why there was a stand mixer in our basement that went unused. It was a bridal shower gift some 25 years ago, and she didn't think it was any more useful than a simple hand mixer. Now that I'm an adult, I can honestly say, "Sorry Mom, but here's where you're wrong."

My first experience with a KitchenAid stand mixer was as a teenager, babysitting on a school night. I was left with instructions to make chocolate chip cookies with the kids. If you've never baked with two children before, having a hands-free appliance is a necessity. I was impressed by how securely the bowl stayed in place and how easy it was to slowly add dry ingredients without having to handle an electronic simultaniously. Plus, it didn't feel like my arm was going to fall off when everything was finally mixed.

Beyond basic cookies, a KitchenAid stand mixer does so much. There are dozens of attachments that transform this gadget into everything from a meat grinder to a grain mill. And since it's more powerful than a hand mixer, you can use this mixer for more intensive baking projects, including kneading homemade bread with a dough hook. Once you get the hang of it, don't be surprised to find yourself baking a brioche on a weekly basis.

This do-it-all appliance can also help make frustrating and time-consuming tasks simple. We were shocked to see how well it worked to shred chicken, which makes recipes like tacos, enchiladas or, really any recipe calling for shredded meat easier than ever.

Right now, Food Network's favorite stand mixer is on sale at Walmart for $219.99. This is a closeout deal, but three classic colors are still in stock: Matte White, Imperial Black and Espresso.

Our test kitchen found that this model was the best overall stand mixer during testing. It's perfect for everyday tasks (like creaming butter and sugar, mixing cake batter and more), and the tilt-head design makes it easy to add ingredients without making a mess. Like most KitchenAid stand mixers, this one has 10 speeds and comes with three standard attachments (a flat beater, wire whip and dough hook).