Best Concrete Mixers for DIY and Jobsite Work

The best concrete mixers for most buyers are a 3.5-cubic-foot portable drum mixer for home projects, a 5- to 6-cubic-foot electric mixer for repeated work, and a towable 9- to 12-cubic-foot mixer when a crew needs jobsite production.

The right choice depends less on the advertised maximum capacity than on how much usable concrete you can mix per batch, whether the motor can handle thick loads, and how easily you can move the machine to the work area. A mixer that is too small wastes time; one that is too large may be difficult to transport, clean, and power safely.

Our top picks

Top pickBILT HARD Electric Cement Mixer

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Also greatBILT HARD Poly Drum Plastic Electric Cement

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Also greatSILVEL Cement Mixer

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Also greatLDHTHOPI 5.3 Cu.Ft Portable Concrete Mixer

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Quick comparison: which mixer fits your work?

Manufacturers often list the full drum volume, but a drum should not be filled to its rim. Concrete needs room to tumble, and an overloaded drum can stall, produce uneven mixing, or strain the gearbox. Treat roughly 60–75% of listed capacity as a realistic working range.

Best concrete mixers by situation

Best for occasional DIY: a 3.5-cubic-foot electric drum mixer

A compact electric mixer is the sensible choice for fence-post footings, small pads, mailbox bases, repair work, and short walkways. Models in this class commonly use a 1/3- to 3/4-horsepower motor, a polyethylene or painted steel drum, two wheels, and a pivoting or tilting frame.

Polyethylene drums are lighter and resist rust. They are also easier to rinse, although a sharp shovel or hardened cement residue can damage them. Steel drums tolerate rougher handling and abrasion but add weight and require prompt cleaning to prevent corrosion.

For a first-time owner, prioritize a wide wheelbase, a positive drum lock, a guarded belt or gear drive, and controls that are easy to reach while loading. A low price is less useful if the mixer tips when the drum is tilted or cannot be rolled over gravel.

Best for recurring home projects: a 5- or 6-cubic-foot contractor mixer

A medium mixer is the better investment if you pour several projects each year or need enough output for a patio, sidewalk, retaining-wall footing, or series of deck supports. The extra capacity reduces the number of batches, while a stronger motor and heavier frame cope better with stiff mixes.

Electric models are usually quieter and simpler than gas mixers, but they need a suitable circuit. A long, undersized extension cord can cause voltage drop, overheating, and poor starting performance. For a mixer drawing substantial current, use the cord size and maximum length specified by the manufacturer, and connect through a properly rated grounded circuit.

Some contractor mixers, including products from Kushlan and Belle, are designed around portability rather than maximum output. Kushlan’s 350-series mixers are a familiar compact option, while Altrad Belle’s Minimix range is aimed at portable professional and DIY work. Exact capacity, motor, and frame specifications vary by model and market, so check the nameplate rather than assuming every model in a product family is identical.

Best for heavy-duty jobsite work: a towable gas mixer

For large pours or sites without dependable electrical service, a towable mixer with a 9- to 12-cubic-foot drum is the appropriate category. These machines provide much higher output and commonly use gasoline engines in the 5- to 13-horsepower range. They are substantially heavier, require a suitable vehicle and towing setup, and need engine maintenance.

Commercial options from Multiquip, including its towable concrete mixer lines, are built for repeated jobsite use. The important comparison is not simply horsepower. Examine drum steel thickness, frame construction, axle and tire ratings, discharge control, hitch configuration, and whether replacement belts, bearings, paddles, and engine parts are readily available.

A large mixer is not automatically faster on every job. If workers must move it through a gate, reposition it several times, or carry concrete a long distance in small loads, a medium mixer placed close to the pour can be more productive.

Drum capacity: calculate the batches before buying

Suppose a project requires 2.4 cubic yards of concrete. Since one cubic yard contains 27 cubic feet, the total requirement is:

2.4 × 27 = 64.8 cubic feet.

A 3.5-cubic-foot mixer producing a practical 2.3-cubic-foot batch would require about 29 batches. A 6-cubic-foot mixer producing 4.0 cubic feet per batch would require about 17 batches. A 9-cubic-foot towable mixer producing 6.5 cubic feet would require about 10 batches.

That calculation does not include loading, mixing, discharge, moving the mixer, or cleanup. For a small repair, those extra batches may not matter. For a pour that must remain workable as a continuous operation, they can determine whether the project runs smoothly or develops cold joints.

Also account for bag size. A typical 80-pound bag of premixed concrete yields roughly 0.6 cubic feet, though yield varies by product. A 2.3-cubic-foot working batch therefore takes about four bags, while a 4-cubic-foot batch takes about seven bags. Confirm the bag manufacturer’s yield and never exceed the mixer’s recommended load.

Motor power and power source

• 1/3 to 3/4 hp electric: adequate for small batches when the drum is not overloaded.
• 3/4 to 1.5 hp electric: better for frequent use, thicker mixes, and larger drums.
• 5 to 13 hp gasoline: suited to high-volume or remote work, but louder and more maintenance-intensive.
• Battery-powered portable mixers: convenient where cords are impractical, but runtime and recharge time make them better for light-duty batches than continuous production.

Concrete is much more demanding than mortar or soil amendments. A motor may turn an empty drum easily but struggle when the load is wet, dense, and unevenly distributed. Look for overload protection, a metal drive system, and a motor rating intended for concrete rather than relying on peak horsepower alone.

Portability is a productivity specification

Check the machine’s actual weight, wheel diameter, handle height, frame width, and balance point. Small wheels work on smooth slabs but bog down in soil, gravel, or grass. Pneumatic tires improve movement over rough ground but can require inflation and may puncture.

Measure gates, doorways, ramps, and the distance from vehicle to pour. A mixer that is 30 inches wide may pass through a gate that a 36-inch machine cannot. For a jobsite, determine whether the mixer can be loaded safely into a truck or trailer; lifting a 300-pound machine without proper equipment is not a minor inconvenience.

Ownership realities: what wears first

The first parts to inspect are usually the drive belt, drum bearings, pinion gear, paddles, wheels, and drum-lock mechanism. Concrete dust and wash water accelerate wear around bearings and belt guards. On gas models, add the air filter, spark plug, fuel system, and engine oil to the maintenance list.

Replacement-part availability matters more than a small difference in purchase price. Before buying, search the manufacturer’s parts diagram for the drum, belt, bearings, wheels, and drive components. A mixer with a replaceable belt and accessible bearings is generally easier to keep working than one that requires replacing an entire drive assembly.

Cleaning procedure that prevents expensive damage

1. Keep the drum rotating while adding water after the batch is discharged.
2. Add coarse gravel or several shovelfuls of aggregate to scrub stuck material from the drum.
3. Rinse the inside, paddles, chute, and exterior before concrete hardens.
4. Remove buildup around the drum rim and pivot points with a plastic or wooden tool.
5. Drain wash water according to local rules; do not allow cement slurry to enter storm drains.
6. Disconnect power before inspecting the belt, motor, or guards, then store the mixer under cover.

Do not strike a polyethylene drum with a steel hammer, spray water directly into a motor or engine, or leave hardened concrete in the drum overnight. Never reach into a rotating drum, even when the load appears stuck.

Decision matrix

Bottom line

Choose a compact 3.5-cubic-foot electric mixer for occasional DIY work, step up to a 5- or 6-cubic-foot contractor model when repeated batches justify the extra size, and use a towable 9- to 12-cubic-foot machine for sustained jobsite production. Compare usable capacity, not drum volume alone; match motor and power requirements to the mix; and treat cleaning and replacement parts as part of the purchase decision. Those criteria will identify the best concrete mixers for your actual work more reliably than capacity or horsepower printed on a product listing.