Choosing the right stand mixer can be a game-changer for any home baker, and KitchenAid is often the first brand that comes to mind. Known for their iconic design and robust performance, KitchenAid stand mixers come in a variety of models, each with its own set of features and benefits. If you’re trying to decide which KitchenAid stand mixer is the perfect addition to your kitchen, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rigorously tested and compared some of the most popular KitchenAid stand mixers to help you make an informed decision.
Our Top KitchenAid Stand Mixer Picks
To make your decision easier, here’s a quick overview of our top recommendations based on different needs and budgets:
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The Best KitchenAid Stand Mixer Overall: KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer – For serious bakers who need power, capacity, and versatility.
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A Great KitchenAid Option for Most Home Bakers: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer – A classic choice that balances performance and ease of use for everyday baking.
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The Best Small KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer – Ideal for smaller kitchens and smaller batch baking without sacrificing KitchenAid quality.
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The Most Budget-Friendly KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer – Offers KitchenAid performance at a more accessible price point for casual bakers.
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A Stylish and Unique KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer – For those who prioritize aesthetics and want a statement piece in their kitchen, despite some practical limitations.
KitchenAid Stand Mixer Showdown: Bowl-Lift vs. Tilt-Head
Before diving into specific models, it’s important to understand the two main types of KitchenAid stand mixers: bowl-lift and tilt-head. This fundamental difference impacts how you use the mixer and which type might be better suited for your baking needs.
Bowl-Lift Stand Mixers: These mixers feature a sturdy design where the bowl is secured to two arms that lift up to meet the beater. Bowl-lift models are generally more powerful and stable, especially when handling large batches or stiff doughs. They are often preferred by professional bakers or those who frequently bake bread and heavier mixtures.
Tilt-Head Stand Mixers: In tilt-head mixers, the head of the mixer tilts back, allowing easy access to the bowl and attachments. Tilt-head models are more compact and often lighter, making them a popular choice for home bakers with limited counter space. They are versatile enough for most baking tasks, from cakes and cookies to lighter bread doughs.
The choice between bowl-lift and tilt-head often comes down to baking frequency, batch size, and available kitchen space. For heavy-duty baking and large quantities, bowl-lift mixers typically excel. For everyday baking and convenience, tilt-head mixers are often perfectly sufficient and more user-friendly.
The Best KitchenAid Stand Mixers: Detailed Reviews
Let’s take a closer look at each of our top picks, exploring their strengths and weaknesses in detail:
The Best KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer
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Alt text: KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer in a kitchen setting, showcasing its robust design.
What We Loved: The KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer stands out as the top performer in our tests. Replacing the discontinued Professional 600 series, this model retains the power and stability that made its predecessor a favorite while incorporating several improvements. Its bowl-lift design and powerful 500-watt motor make it incredibly sturdy, capable of handling even the toughest doughs without budging. We were impressed by how quietly it operates despite its power.
The inclusion of three beaters – a silicone-lined beater for scraping, a flat beater, and a wire whisk – adds to its versatility. The silicone edge beater is particularly useful, minimizing the need to stop and scrape the bowl. Thoughtful design features like a cord wrap and a secure, removable hub cap further enhance user experience, addressing common complaints about older models.
Considerations: As expected with a high-performance mixer, the 7-quart model comes with a higher price tag. It’s an investment that is most worthwhile for avid bakers who frequently tackle large or challenging recipes. Some users might find seating the bowl on the lift arms slightly cumbersome initially. Additionally, the bowl’s base design can sometimes trap unmixed ingredients, requiring occasional scraping to ensure even mixing.
Key Specs:
- Wattage: 500
- Speeds: 10, plus half speed
- Included Attachments: 3 beaters, whisk, dough hook, pouring shield, bowl scraper
- Weight: 31 pounds
- Warranty: 2 years
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Alt text: Detail of a person removing the whisk attachment from the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, highlighting its ease of use.
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Alt text: Cream being whipped to stiff peaks in the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, demonstrating its mixing power.
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Alt text: Close-up of the speed dial on the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, showing its multiple speed settings.
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Alt text: Hands removing the mixing bowl from the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, illustrating the bowl-lift mechanism.
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Alt text: Lemon zest being grated directly into the mixing bowl of the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, showcasing its convenient bowl size.
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Alt text: Close-up of the lever for adjusting the bowl height on the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, highlighting its adjustable features.
Who it’s Best For: The KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift is the ultimate workhorse for serious bakers, bread makers, and anyone who frequently bakes large batches. Its power and capacity make it ideal for demanding recipes and frequent use.
A KitchenAid Stand Mixer Many Bakers Will Be Happy With: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
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Alt text: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in Onyx Black, a popular and versatile model.
What We Loved: The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a true classic and a favorite for home bakers. Its tilt-head design is user-friendly, offering easy access to the bowl and attachments. While its 325-watt motor is less powerful than the 7-quart model, it’s more than capable for most home baking tasks, including cakes, cookies, and even single loaves of bread.
The Artisan is renowned for its wide range of color options, allowing you to choose a mixer that perfectly matches your kitchen décor. It’s also compatible with a vast array of KitchenAid attachments, expanding its functionality beyond just mixing. For casual bakers, the Artisan offers a great balance of performance, convenience, and style.
Considerations: The Artisan’s 5-quart bowl is better suited for medium-sized batches. While it can handle bread dough, it might struggle with very large or stiff doughs. The footed bowl design, while common in tilt-head mixers, isn’t our favorite as it can make scraping sides slightly less efficient and prevents using the bowl directly over a heat source. Tilt-head mixers, in general, can sometimes exhibit head wobbling during heavy mixing tasks and may loosen over time with frequent use.
Key Specs:
- Wattage: 325
- Speeds: 10
- Included Attachments: Paddle, dough hook, whisk, pour shield
- Weight: 26 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year
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Alt text: Removing the stainless steel bowl from the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, demonstrating the tilt-head feature.
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Alt text: Close-up of the dough hook attachment on the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, ready for bread making.
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Alt text: Speed dial and controls on the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showcasing its user-friendly interface.
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Alt text: Tester swapping attachments on the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, highlighting its versatility with different tools.
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Alt text: Ingredients being added to the mixing bowl of the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showing its practical design for baking.
Who it’s Best For: The Artisan 5-Quart is an excellent choice for casual to intermediate home bakers who want a reliable, versatile, and stylish stand mixer for everyday baking needs.
A Small KitchenAid Stand Mixer for Cramped Kitchens: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
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Alt text: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in red, showcasing its compact size and vibrant color.
What We Loved: For those with limited counter space or who typically bake smaller batches, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a fantastic option. It offers the same KitchenAid quality and tilt-head convenience in a significantly smaller footprint. Despite its smaller size and 250-watt motor, it still handles standard baking tasks admirably.
The Artisan Mini is perfect for single-person households or those who bake occasionally and don’t need large quantities. It’s also the lightest KitchenAid stand mixer, making it easy to move and store. Like its larger siblings, it’s compatible with various KitchenAid attachments, increasing its versatility.
Considerations: The 3.5-quart capacity is definitely a limitation for larger recipes or bread making. The 250-watt motor is less powerful, which might be noticeable when mixing very stiff doughs. Like other tilt-head models, it can exhibit some wobble during tougher mixing tasks. However, for its intended purpose – smaller batch baking in smaller kitchens – the Artisan Mini excels.
Key Specs:
- Wattage: 250
- Speeds: 10
- Included Attachments: Paddle, dough hook, whisk
- Weight: 18 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year
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Alt text: Attaching the wire whisk to the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showing its easy attachment system.
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Alt text: Whipping cream in the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, demonstrating its ability to handle lighter mixtures.
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Alt text: Cake batter being mixed in the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showcasing its effectiveness for standard baking tasks.
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Alt text: Adding lemon zest to the mixing bowl of the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, highlighting its suitability for smaller recipes.
Who it’s Best For: The Artisan Mini is perfect for bakers with limited kitchen space, those who bake smaller batches, or individuals who want a lighter, more manageable KitchenAid mixer.
The Least Expensive KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
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Alt text: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer in white, a budget-friendly option for KitchenAid quality.
What We Loved: The KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is the most affordable full-sized KitchenAid stand mixer. Despite its lower price, it still offers reliable performance for basic baking tasks. Surprisingly, it has a slightly more powerful 275-watt motor than the Artisan Mini and a larger 4.5-quart bowl.
For budget-conscious bakers who still desire the KitchenAid brand, the Classic Series is a solid entry point. It performs adequately for cookies, cakes, and other common recipes.
Considerations: To achieve the lower price point, the Classic Series has fewer color options (typically only black and white) and a simpler design. The bowl lacks a handle, which some users might find less convenient. While suitable for occasional baking, it’s not recommended for heavy-duty use or frequent bread making. Like other tilt-head models, it has a footed bowl and the potential for head wobble under strain.
Key Specs:
- Wattage: 275
- Speeds: 10
- Included Attachments: Paddle, dough hook, whisk
- Weight: 25 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year
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Alt text: The KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer displayed on a kitchen countertop, showing its everyday kitchen presence.
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Alt text: Whipping cream in the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, demonstrating its capability for basic mixing tasks.
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Alt text: Mixing batter in the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showcasing its functionality for standard recipes.
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Alt text: Close-up of the speed control dial on the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, highlighting its simple controls.
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Alt text: Attaching a beater to the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, showing its standard attachment mechanism.
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Alt text: Flour being poured into the bowl of the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, demonstrating its capacity for ingredient mixing.
Who it’s Best For: The Classic Series is a good entry-level KitchenAid for casual home bakers who want the brand name and basic functionality without a hefty investment.
A New, Viral KitchenAid Stand Mixer: KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer
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Alt text: KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer with its unique wooden bowl, highlighting its aesthetic appeal.
What We Loved: The KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer is all about aesthetics. Featuring a beautiful walnut bowl, it’s designed to be a statement piece in your kitchen. Performance-wise, it functions similarly to the Artisan Series, with a 325-watt motor and tilt-head design.
If you prioritize visual appeal and want a stand mixer that doubles as a countertop decoration, the Evergreen series is worth considering. It certainly stands out from the standard KitchenAid lineup.
Considerations: The most significant drawback of the Evergreen model is its price, which is considerably higher than even the powerful 7-quart bowl-lift mixer. The walnut bowl, while stunning, requires special care – hand-washing, immediate drying, and regular oiling. It’s also not as versatile as stainless steel bowls, as it cannot be used over direct heat or in a double boiler. Dropping or damaging the wooden bowl is a significant concern.
Key Specs:
- Wattage: 325
- Speeds: 10
- Included Attachments: Paddle, dough hook, whisk
- Weight: 26 pounds
- Warranty: 1-year
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Alt text: Flour being poured into the wooden bowl of the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, showcasing its unique bowl material.
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Alt text: Placing the wooden bowl onto the base of the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, highlighting the mixer’s distinctive design.
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Alt text: Mixing batter in the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, demonstrating its functionality despite the unique bowl.
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Alt text: Close-up of batter being mixed in the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, showing its mixing action.
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Alt text: Attaching the dough hook to the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, demonstrating its bread-making capabilities.
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Alt text: Whipped cream being made in the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, showcasing its ability to handle lighter mixtures.
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Alt text: Close-up of whipped cream in the wooden bowl of the KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, emphasizing the contrast and texture.
Who it’s Best For: The Evergreen mixer is for style-conscious bakers who want a visually striking appliance and are willing to invest in aesthetics over pure practicality and versatility.
FAQs About KitchenAid Stand Mixers
Can you use any KitchenAid attachment with any KitchenAid stand mixer?
Yes, generally, KitchenAid attachments are designed to be universally compatible across all KitchenAid stand mixer models, fitting into the power hub. The main exception is the ice cream maker attachment, which has some model exclusions, particularly with older or smaller models. Always check the specific attachment compatibility with your mixer model before purchasing.
What do I do with a loose tilt-head stand mixer?
If your tilt-head KitchenAid stand mixer head is loose or wobbling, KitchenAid provides troubleshooting steps and solutions on their website. These include adjustments you can make at home, or they may recommend scheduling a service repair to address the issue, ensuring the longevity and proper function of your mixer.
What’s the best KitchenAid stand mixer?
Based on our testing, the KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is our top pick for its overall performance, power, and versatility. For most home bakers, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is an excellent and highly recommended alternative.
What’s the best way to care for a KitchenAid stand mixer?
Regular use is actually beneficial for KitchenAid stand mixers. Infrequent use can sometimes lead to issues like oil leakage. For cleaning, the whisk attachment should be hand-washed, but the paddle, dough hook, and stainless steel bowls are typically dishwasher safe, making cleanup relatively easy. Always refer to your mixer’s manual for specific care instructions.
Are tilt-head or bowl-lift stand mixers better?
Neither tilt-head nor bowl-lift mixers are universally “better”; it depends on your baking needs. Bowl-lift mixers are generally more powerful, stable, and better suited for heavy doughs and large batches. Tilt-head mixers are more compact, lighter, and convenient for everyday baking tasks. For most serious bakers and bread enthusiasts, bowl-lift models like the KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer are often preferred, while tilt-head models like the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer are excellent for general home baking.
Why We’re the Experts
Our recommendations are based on rigorous, hands-on testing of KitchenAid stand mixers. We put these mixers through their paces, evaluating their performance in various baking tasks, from whipping cream to kneading bread dough. Our goal is to provide you with reliable, unbiased information to help you choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer for your specific needs and baking style. We also have extensive experience testing other kitchen appliances, as demonstrated in our review of hand mixers.
