Both planetary mixers and vertical cutter/mixers blend dough and batter, or slice, shred or cut food.

Cutter/mixers are usually made from stainless steel with a bottom-mounted motor that drives a mixing shaft and a tilting bowl with a pouring lip for easy dispensing of product.  Covers are often made of high-impact, see-through plastic.  For safety, an interlock prevents most units from operating when their covers are open or bowls are tilted.  Some planetary mixers are made from heavy-duty cast iron; more-expensive models have stainless steel exterior.

Cutter/mixers come with a sealed, solid-state motor, timer, blade attachments and strainer basket.  Planetary mixers include stainless steel mixing bowls and cast-iron bowl adapters that accommodate several sizes, as well as a bowl guard for safe operation.  An attachment hub accommodates mixing tools.

Vertical cutter/mixers can make various types of dough and batter, and can also be used to make coleslaw, crush ice, chop hamburger, blend mashed potatoes, or make mayonnaise and sauces.  Planetary mixers can whip, blend, or mix various types of dough and batter and, with additional cutting or grinding attachments, make the same products as a vertical cutter/mixer.

Planetary mixers are most often found in bake shops and pastry kitchens, although they are useful for eliminating hand-mixing of other items.  Vertical cutter/mixers can perform the functions of a food blender on a larger scale, as well as do some rough cutting of salads and vegetables.