Believe it or not I'm still using my mother's old Hamiliton Beach "B" 1948 mixer on a stand. I got another one just like it for $5 at our local thrift store in case this one dies on me. The beater are what are hard to find as they are connected together instead of separated beaters. Also found 3 of them at another thrift store for $.50 each so I got lucky. Anyway, she's smaller than the fancy Kitchen-Aid models and fits in my corner on the counter just perfectly. Plan to make a new cover for her that says "Kitchen-Aide......Wanna-a-Be" as I'm probably never have a Kitchen-Aid.
Also just picked up a small hand mixer at my thrift store just to have on hand. As to what brand to get these days, sorry I can't help you on that. I like Crusinart brand these days.