4 Best KitchenAid Stand Mixers, Tested by Food Network Kitchen
We tested all the KitchenAid mixer lines to find the very best stand mixers.
Our Top KitchenAid Stand Mixer Picks
- Best Overall: KitchenAid Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- Best for Small Kitchens: KitchenAid Artisan Mini Plus Stand Mixer
- Best on a Budget: KitchenAid Classic Series Stand Mixer
- Best for Bread: KitchenAid Professional Series Stand Mixer
Chances are you either own or have seriously thought about buying a KitchenAid stand mixer. And while KitchenAid has been around for more than century, a lot has changed in 100 years. For one thing, when KitchenAid launched the stand mixer in 1955, it only came in five colors. Now, KitchenAid offers a variety of different mixers in 80 colors, including limited editions like Color of the Year. You can now go beyond baking with more than a dozen mixer attachments. And if that's not enough, KitchenAid offers a line of ceramic mixing bowls, which fit perfectly into any 4.5- or 5-quart mixer.
With so many customization opportunities available, it can be tough to figure out which mixer best suits your lifestyle. Size, price, attachments, colors — it's a lot to consider! That's why we broke down all the lines, to our top four machines, so you can find the best stand mixer for you.
How to Choose the Right KitchenAid Stand Mixer
Capacity: Before selecting a stand mixer, first assess how often you’ll use it and for what types of projects. KitchenAid mixers come in different shapes and sizes, and the different models can hold different amounts of ingredients. If you plan to use it to make bread or larger batches, a Pro line model might be for you. In general, though, a 5-quart stand mixer is a great size for home use.
Weight: A stand mixer isn’t the most portable kitchen gadget, so be sure to keep weight in mind before selecting one. If you plan to store your stand mixer somewhere else in your house, like a pantry, basement, or closet, remember that you’ll have to lift and carry it over to your counter. KitchenAid mixers tend to be on the weightier side, which helps ensure they don't "walk" on your counter during mixing.
Price: Since these are some of the most multifunctional gadgets available, they also come with a hefty price tag. Before investing in one, take note of how often you’ll use it and for what. If you plan to use your mixer occasionally, opt for a Classic model. If you plan to use your mixer regularly for complex projects, the Artisan or Pro line is the way to go.
Attachments: One of the best things about the KitchenAid stand mixer is that it can add versatility to your weekly meals with attachments like a meat grinder, pasta maker, ice cream maker, and more. At minimum, you should select a mixer that comes with a dough hook, paddle, and wire whisk included.
Material: Material is an important factor to consider, because it’s directly related to durability and price. KitchenAid mixers are made from coated metal which is resistant to cracking, scratching, and staining. Metal is also easy to wipe clean, so it’s a long-lasting material that looks sleek and attractive.
Should You Go Refurbished?
Everything old is new again! Don't shy away from KitchenAid's Certified Refurbished models. These models can end up in the KitchenAid warehouse just because they have minor scratches or dents, acted as a demo unit, or have a defective part that has since been repaired. If you buy from KitchenAid directly, your Certified Refurbished product will have a 6-month warranty. This will give you a chance to test out the model to make sure it's up to snuff before you decide to stick with it for life (or, you know, hopefully at least the next decade). If you're looking for a way to save on a KitchenAid, this is a good option. Also, if you're looking for replacements for your current KitchenAid mixer, it might be worth trying to fix the one you already have. A Food Network staffer walks you through the innerworkings of her KitchenAid and how she fixed it here.
Laura Denby
How We Tested
We tested different KitchenAid models across the Classic, Artisan, Mini and Professional series. We evaluated each model by how well it creamed butter and sugar, mixed chocolate chip cookie dough, kneaded brioche, and whipped cream and egg whites. We also evaluated the thoroughness and clarity of the owner's manual, the ease of assembly of the beaters and mixing bowl, how each control worked, and how easy it was to clean by hand and the appropriate parts in the dishwasher.
Of all the stand mixers we've tested, we believe the KitchenAid Artisan Series is the best for most people. For one thing, the Artisan line has the widest range of colors and finishes, including limited edition colors like the Color of the Year and the 100th anniversary color. Everyday tasks like creaming butter and sugar, whipping up cookie dough and mixing cake batter are a breeze, but the machine struggled with heavier bread doughs during our test. Like other KitchenAid models, this series has 10 speeds and comes with three standard attachments. Unique to the Artisan line are a 5-quart mixing bowl in either stainless steel or glass (your choice), and a pouring spout. These models also have a tilt-head design.
The Kitchenaid Mini is designed for smaller kitchens and lower baking volumes — the mixing bowl clocks in at 3.5 quarts. But don't let its size fool you. The KitchenAid Mini series is built with the same motor power as the Artisan, while taking up 20% less space on the countertop, according to the brand website. We found that bore out in testing, as the Mini performed all tasks just as well as the Artisan. The Mini models all come with the standard three attachments and have 10 speeds. The models come in a variety of colors and mixing bowl styles. Anyone with small kitchen or occassional baking needs would do well to consider this line.
The Classic is the least expensive line of the three full-size models, and with that comes the least powerful motor. If you’re happy whipping cream and making cakes this machine works well. We wouldn’t recommend it for beating stiff cookie batter or kneading heavy dough. Mixers in this line have 10 speeds, come with a 4.5-quart mixing bowl and three standard attachments (whisk, beater and dough hook). These models have a tilt-head design, meaning you tilt the head back to insert or remove the mixing bowl and attachments.
If you like to make dense breads and lots of cookies at one time, this is the line for you. The Pro Line's Soft Start feature, which automatically starts the mixer at a lower speed to help avoid ingredient splash-out and "flour puff," is a real asset when making larger batches of batter. Instead of a tilt-head, this line comes with a bowl-lift, which can sometimes present a challenge when removing any of the three standard attachments. Like the Artisan and Classic, the Pro Line mixer has 10 speeds. The biggest draw, we think, is that the Pro Line offers the option of a bigger mixing bowl (either 6- or 7-quart). However, it lacks a pour spout and the redesigned bowl wider and more shallow making it hard to mix smaller batches of dough. What it lacks, though, it makes up for in power. The 1.3 horsepower motor, which is the most powerful of all the models, gets the job of kneading dough done without strain.
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