The iconic KitchenAid stand mixer is a baker’s best friend and is recognized as a symbol of excellence in any kitchen. But with an abundance of options and models to choose from, buying the right one may not always be easy. If you’re tired of using the old hand mixer or want to switch over to an electric mixer permanently, then you’ve come to the right place!
Here, we share the ultimate guide to the best KitchenAid mixers currently available in the market, while helping you decide on the right model for your needs.
Table of Contents
What is a KitchenAid Mixer?
Often referred to as the best stand mixer, the KitchenAid stand mixer is a countertop appliance that helps you mix, whip, knead, and more effortlessly without the need for manual effort. Beloved for its classic design, durability, and versatility, the KitchenAid stand mixer comes in a wide range of models, attachments, and colors, allowing you to handle everything from kneading bread dough to whipping cream. It also comes in various capacities, so you’ll find one for your tastes, whether you’re a serious chef or a casual baker.
If you want a real workhorse in your kitchen, you can choose from their bowl-lift models, mini stand mixers, tilt-head models, or you can even customize one to suit your needs.
Why You Need KitchenAid for Your Kitchen
Apart from their reputation for performance and quality, KitchenAid mixers are known for their tough motors that can handle the toughest mixing tasks, which makes them the best choice for making pasta and cakes. But they offer more than power — KitchenAid products are made to last, and when combined with their wide range of attachments and versatility, they make a worthy investment for every home cook.
What are the Available Models?
Picking the best KitchenAid stand mixer for your needs will depend on your preferences and baking habits. Below is a breakdown of the available models to help you find the perfect match.
Classic Series
This can be a great first mixer for your baking, since its 4.5-quart bowl is just the right size for smaller batches and is capable of handling a wide variety of recipes. This budget-friendly option will typically cost around $330 to $349, but it also comes with a few limitations. For example, it doesn’t come with features you’ll find in other models, such as a bowl handle, and it also comes with limited color options.
Artisan Series
There’s a good reason why the Artisan Series is KitchenAid’s most popular model. It offers a 5-quart bowl, a more robust motor, and comes in a wide range of colors, making it a stylish and versatile option for your kitchen. As such, it’s a suitable option for many home bakers, but it doesn’t come with the same firepower as the Professional series if you’re planning to make heavy doughs or large batches.
Professional Series
Those who work with big batches of bread or large quantities of ingredients will love this heavy-duty option, with bowl sizes ranging from 6 to 7 quarts. Moreover, it comes with a bowl-lift design that some people prefer to the tilt-head options. Just remember that it comes with a powerful motor that could be too delicate for making meringue.
Artisan Mini
When you’re short on counter space, this option is great for small kitchens since it sports a 3.5-quart bowl and weighs only 18 pounds. This compact model is an affordable and practical option for casual bakers. Because it leaves such a small footprint, the Artisan Mini is the perfect choice for working in small spaces.
How to Choose the Right KitchenAid Mixer
Getting the right KitchenAid mixer for your kitchen can be a challenge if you’re not familiar with what to look for. Below, we share which factors to consider when picking out your new mixer.
Capacity and Motor Power
One of the most important things to remember when choosing a mixer is to understand its capacity and power. Since KitchenAid mixers come in different sizes with varying motors, it’s essential to choose a bowl size that will accommodate your recipes. It’s also worth noting that KitchenAid mixers come in many different colors and styles, including their mini-stand mixers, tilt-head, and bowl-lift models.
Speed Settings
When choosing a good stand mixer, it should be able to do more than spin — be sure to get a mixer that comes with various speed settings that will help you combine your ingredients thoroughly. This is because even mixing is the key to getting consistent results; a mixer with a sturdy bowl and attachments that reach the bottom of the bowl will also contribute to a great baking experience.
Tilt-Head vs. Bowl-Lift
There are two main styles of mixers available from KitchenAid: bowl-lift and tilt-head, but the main difference is in the way they function. Bowl-lift mixers are often more stable and powerful, making them a good choice for larger batches and heavier dough. Tilt-head mixers are typically easier to operate while adding ingredients, since the head tilts back to give access to the bowl.
Accessories and Attachments
Because KitchenAid mixers are so versatile, they offer a huge advantage to many home cooks and come with a wide variety of attachments, including a meat grinder, a pasta maker, and more. From grinding meat to kneading dough, there are endless possibilities for what you can create in your kitchen, helping you expand your horizons.
Care and Maintenance
While KitchenAid mixers are built to last, giving them proper care will ensure that they stay in their best form for many years to come. First, make sure not to overload your mixer to avoid straining the motor, and wipe down your mixer after each use. Always hand-wash the attachments and bowl, and never submerge the mixer’s base in water.
Getting the Most from Your KitchenAid
Once you get your new KitchenAid stand mixer, you’ll find that it’s capable of doing more than mixing cookie dough and whipping cream. While this appliance is known for its baking prowess, it can make much more than cakes; this versatile mixer can be equipped with a vegetable slicer to help you slice cheese and vegetables, making quick work of coleslaw preparation. Getting other attachments for your KitchenAid mixer can help you do more and streamline everyday cooking while eliminating the need for smaller appliances.
Best KitchenAid Mixers
When you want to get your hands on the best KitchenAid mixer available, here are our top picks worthy of your consideration.
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Stand Mixer
Highlights:
- Made with 59 touchpoints around the mixer’s bowl to deliver great and consistent mixing
- Comes with a flat beater that helps create up to 8 dozen cookies in just one batch
- With a 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl that’s built to last and is highly durable, along with a tilt-head design so you can easily access the bowl
- Built to have 10 speeds to help you tackle any recipe or task, so you can whip cream or thoroughly mix any ingredient
- Provides over 10 attachments so you can make more with your mixer, including a dough hook, to help you make bread and more
If you’re new to the world of baking, then the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Stand Mixer is a great way to get started; this appliance comes with 10 speeds to help you thoroughly mix your favorite ingredients. This classic model offers versatility thanks to its optional attachments, while the stainless steel bowl has enough space to help you make 6 pounds of mashed potatoes, 3 loaves of bread, or as many as 6 dozen cookies. With a motor that’s powerful enough to tackle any recipe or task, you won’t regret adding this appliance to your kitchen essentials — plus, the bowl is dishwasher safe, so you can clean it quickly and easily.
KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
Highlights:
- Has 11 distinct speeds to give you control and power: from the delicate ½ speed to the powerful speed 10 for all your needs
- This 7-quart stand mixer can easily make 13 dozen cookies in each batch, mash more than 7.5 pounds of potatoes, or knead 8.5 pounds of bread
- Comes with a double-flex edge beater that’s designed with two flexible edges and a twist to effectively scrape the bowl for better mixing
- With a ½ speed setting that’s perfect for folding and gently adding delicate ingredients such as egg whites without overbeating
- Accessories included: with a pouring shield, double flex edge beater, coated flat beater, coated hook, and 11-wire whip
With the KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, you can take shredding and kneading to the next level with twice the power compared to tilt-head mixers. It comes with plenty of speed settings – you can choose from delicate tasks to more powerful speeds, so you can work on everything from breads to cakes. You’ll also love how much capacity it offers — with its 7-quart capacity, you can cook for crowds and quickly feed guests, no matter what the occasion.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Stand Mixer
Highlights:
- With 10 speeds to help with anything you need to cook, from whipping cream at speed 8 to mixing various ingredients for efficient ingredient incorporation
- You can turn this stand mixer into a culinary center thanks to its 15+ optional attachments, allowing you to make the most out of this appliance
- Comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl to handle dough for 9 dozen cookies, or up to 4 loaves of bread in just one batch
- Includes the coated dough hook, 6-wire whip, coated flat beater, and a pouring shield. Both the dough hook and flat beater are dishwasher safe
- Available in many different color options, so you can choose one that best matches your kitchen’s decor and your personal taste
If you’re looking for an artisan mixer, then you can’t go wrong with the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Stand Mixer, which has the durability to last for many years. Like the classic series, it comes with 59 touchpoints all over the bowl to guarantee a thorough mixing experience — unlike the classic series, the bowl comes with a comfortable handle and can create as many as 9 dozen cookies. This model also features 10 speeds, so you can pick whichever is the best option for your baking needs, plus it comes with 20 different color options to choose from.
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer
Highlights:
- Created with 67 touchpoints around the bowl to deliver effective and consistent mixing results, along with a durable, stainless steel construction
- With a 3.5-quart capacity to help make smaller batches of cookies, dough, and more, while also being dishwasher safe
- Its tilt-head design allows you to easily add ingredients since you’ll have easier access to the bowl whenever you need; just lock the head in before mixing
- Smaller and lighter but just as powerful, since it carries the same power as the Classic model, but takes up less counter space and is easier to move around
- Compatible with over 10 mixing attachments, so you can create everything from burgers, salads, noodles, pasta, and more
With more touchpoints than the Classic and Artisan series, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer can deliver more precise and consistent mixing for all your baking needs. Despite its smaller size and capacity, it can create up to 5 dozen cookies in just one batch, and using the flat beater, each piece of dough can weigh 28g — you’ll also get better access to the bowl when you need to add ingredients thanks to its tilt-head design. Because it’s so small, you can place it anywhere in your kitchen, and it comes with great attachments like the coated dough hook, flex edge beater, and 6-wire whip.
KitchenAid Mixers FAQs
Below are just a few of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to KitchenAid mixers that may help you decide on whether you want to add one to your kitchen.
What Do Professional Chefs Think of KitchenAid Mixers?
Many chefs recommend the KitchenAid 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer due to its versatility, power, and various attachments. However, the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is also a great choice that chefs suggest for home bakers who want a more affordable option.
Is it Still a Good Investment if I Don’t Bake Often?
If you’re an occasional baker, then you might feel like buying a KitchenAid might not be worth it. Even so, you can still benefit from its versatility, especially if you consider how you might use it. From making pasta to grinding meat, this versatile appliance can be a good option to add to your kitchen essentials.
What’s the Difference Between a Bowl-Lift and a Tilt-Head KitchenAid Mixer?
Generally speaking, bowl-lift mixers are often more stable and powerful, making them the better choice for heavier doughs, but they are a less convenient option for adding ingredients. On the other hand, a tilt-head mixer allows for easier access to the bowl and is easier to use. Be sure to think about the kind of recipe you usually make and your baking style to find the suitable option.
How Do I Find the Right Mixer Size for My Needs?
Think about how much you usually bake and the kinds of recipes you use; if you often bake for the whole family or find yourself working with a lot of dough, you may need a larger bowl. If not, you might benefit from the smaller bowl size offered by the KitchenAid Mini Series.
Conclusion
Once you find your favorite stand mixer, consider how you’ll use it to ensure that it’s the right choice for your needs. Consider if you will need extra power for larger batches or if getting extra attachments will be worth the investment. But no matter what option you choose, you can rest easy knowing that KitchenAid mixers are worth every penny.
Sources
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