We’ve put a number of different stand mixers from the KitchenAid range to the test and found that they’re great for everything from classic bakes to challenging patisserie. With every stand mixer, you can whisk, beat and knead as standard. Plus, there’s a whole host of additional attachments and accessories to ensure you make the most of your new bit of kit. In this guide, we’ll be running you through every KitchenAid stand mixer, plus attachments, accessories and some handy advice to keep your new mixer in tip-top shape.
Ranging in price from around £350 to nearly £1000 for a professional model, KitchenAid stand mixers are a real investment piece. We encourage you to do your research to find which KitchenAid model is best for you, as each model offers something very different. Our guide to the best stand mixers houses everything you need to know before you buy. You’ll need bakeware, too – check out our best springform cake tins, best loaf tins, best bundt tins and best tart tins for perfect bakes every time.
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A guide to KitchenAid
KitchenAid offers three different sizes of stand mixer: small, medium and large. Within the medium and large categories, there are a couple of different models. Although all models on the KitchenAid website are suitable for home baking, those in the large category are very large, so are, in our opinion, better suited to those churning out bake after bake on an almost daily basis. The small- and medium-sized models are more than enough for even the most industrious home baker.
KitchenAid Mini
Alone in the small category sits the KitchenAid mini. This model comes with a 3.3-litre mixing bowl, offering a maximum working capacity of eight egg whites, 1.8kg cake mix or 30 four-inch cookies. It comes with three attachments: a wire whisk, dough hook and beater, and is compatible with all other KitchenAid attachments.
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For the occasional baker or someone short on space, the KitchenAid mini is a good choice.
Read our full KitchenAid Mini review
KitchenAid Classic
Equipped with a 4.3-litre mixing bowl, the Classic is a step up from the Mini. Although only a small jump up in terms of wattage (275W, compared to the Mini’s 250W), this model has been designed to tackle larger quantities. For example, its maximum working capacity for cake mix is 2.5kg. While KitchenAid is known for its bright and varied colours, the Classic range stands out for being only available in black or white.
For a home cook looking for a quality mixer to do the basics, but isn’t fussed about the colour.
Read the full KitchenAid Classic review
KitchenAid Artisan
Perhaps KitchenAid’s most well-known product, the KitchenAid Artisan is the biggest model in the medium-sized range. These KitchenAids come with a couple of different model codes. Simply put, each model code dictates what comes with the stand mixer, but at their very core, the actual engineering of the machine is the same.
5KSM125: Available in red, black, silver or cream and comes with nylon-coated dough hook and flat beater, and a wire whisk.
5KSM175: Available in the largest range of colours (13). Comes with nylon-coated dough hook, flex-edge beater and flat beater, and a wire whisk. This model comes with an additional 3-litre bowl and splash guard.
5KSM185: Available in seven colours and comes with a stainless steel dough hook, flat beater and wire whisk, plus an additional 3-litre bowl and splash guard.
5KSM195: KitchenAid’s colour of the year: hibiscus. Comes with silver-coated wire dough hook, flex-edge beater and flat beater, and a wire whisk. Also included is an additional 3-litre bowl, splash guard and bowl scraper.
5KSM180: KitchenAid’s limited-edition “Blossom” model. The 4.7-litre bowl is copper in the same texture as the hammered steel bowls. Stainless steel dough hook, flat beater, pastry beater and wire whisk included.
Read the full KitchenAid Artisan review
KitchenAid Bowl Lift
From the large collection of stand mixers comes the KitchenAid Bowl Lift range. Rather than having the traditional tilt head of the stand mixers above, as the name suggests, the main bowl sits on two pins on extending arms and simply lifts off. The Bowl Lift range is considerably taller than the other models, so may not fit underneath low-hanging cupboards. The main bowls in this range hold between 4.8 and 6.9 litres.
Heavy Duty 5KMP5: 315W. Includes 4.8-litre stainless steel bowl, plus nylon-coated dough hook and flat beater, a wire whisk, plastic bowl cover and pouring shield. Available in black, white and red.
Artisan 5KSM60SPX: 325W. Comes with 5.6L stainless steel bowl, and a wire whisk, sliver-coated paddle and silver-coated spiral dough-hook. Available in black, white, red and pistachio.
Artisan 5KSM7580: 500W. Comes with 6.9-litre stainless steel bowl and wire whisk, a spiral dough hook and flat beater, plus a pouring shield. Available in five colours.
Heavy Duty 5KSM7591: 500W. Comes with a 6.9-litre stainless steel bowl, plus nylon-coated dough hook and flat beater, wire whisk and pouring shield. Available in red or silver.
Professional 5KSM7990: Includes a wire guard, 6.9-litre stainless steel bowl, dough hook, wire whisk and flat beater, plus a removable pouring chute that attaches to the wire guard. 325W.
KitchenAid stand mixers vs Kenwood stand mixers
They’re two of the biggest names in the world of stand mixers, with some die-hard baking fanatics even going so far as to get a tattoo of their favourite mixer.
KitchenAid is now owned by the Whirlpool Corporation, which owns a range of small and large domestic appliance brands. Kenwood’s parent company is the De’Longhi group, which is famous for its coffee machines, but the group also owns a few small domestic appliance and grooming brands.
Where KitchenAid’s stand mixers are similar in design aesthetically, Kenwood’s mixers look very different from collection to collection. Kenwood’s mixers are powered by a much higher wattage – often two or even three times the wattage than their KitchenAid counterparts – meaning they work through tough mixes with total ease. But, it’s worth remembering, the higher the wattage, the more energy the appliance uses when running. KitchenAid’s stand mixers are a great choice for everyday baking, and many of the models we tested made light work of tough doughs. With a varied colour range and collection of accessories, KitchenAid’s mixers are also designed to be kept on display.
Best KitchenAid stand mixers to buy 2023
KitchenAid Artisan
Pros:
- Comes in a variety of colours
- Compatible with KitchenAid accessories
- Good range of speed settings
- High-quality, consistent results
Cons:
- Wire whisk isn’t dishwasher-safe
- No high-tech features
Star rating: 4.5/5
Is the KitchenAid Artisan good value for money?
This model is great value for money. A mainstay on many of the best cooking shows, the KitchenAid Artisan is a stand mixer to keep on the kitchen counter. The basic model (5KSM125) comes with all the essential attachments, while the other Artisans come with a couple more that push the price up somewhat – consider whether the additions are worth the extra cost.
We found this model sturdy and powerful on test, working through a whole host of basic and challenging tests with absolute ease. The controls are intuitive and there are two simple levers: one to control the speed and one to lift or lock the head in place.
The Artisan is powered by 300W, which means dough comes together slower than expected, but this has no bearing on the overall result. This model produced just the results we were looking for in our cake and meringue tests.
Read our full KitchenAid Artisan review.
KitchenAid Classic
Pros:
- Sleek and muted design
- Compact
- High-quality attachments
Cons:
- No handle on main bowl
- Slowest setting still fast
Star rating: 4/5
Is the KitchenAid Classic good value for money?
Slightly smaller and 25W less powerful than the KitchenAid Artisan above, the Classic is a good option for cakes, meringues and light bakes, and not something to regularly make doughs with. Although it’s slow to bring mixes together, this caused no real problem in our meringue or cake tests, but the long and slow kneading process did result in some slightly tough buns.
It’s intuitive to use and practical to wash, but we were disappointed by the lack of small but simple features, like the bowl handle. We also found the slowest setting disconcertingly fast, meaning it sent plumes of flour and icing sugar into the air when we were only trying to slowly start the mix off.
For standard bakes, the Classic will get the job done.
KitchenAid Mini
Pros:
- Small and compact
- Lightweight
- Sturdy attachments
- Compatible with all KitchenAid attachments
Cons:
- Top speed is a little slow
- No handle on the main bowl
- Expensive for the size
Star rating: 4/5
Is the KitchenAid Mini good value for money?
One of the most compact stand mixers on the market, the KitchenAid Mini is essentially a scaled-down version of the stand mixers above. Equipped with a 3.3-litre bowl plus 10 speed settings and a half speed starter, this model is simple and intuitive to use.
Like the Classic above, we’d have liked to have had a handle on the main bowl, but we loved the soft-start half setting, which gently brought our mixes together.
We found the speed dial a little stiff to move up and down, but expect this to loosen up with use. The 250W motor lacked a little oomph when kneading bread dough, but produced glossy, stiff peaked meringues and smooth cake batter.
This is a space-saving option for the occasional baker.
KitchenAid Artisan Bowl-Lift
Pros:
- Beautiful design
- Large Capacity
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Difficult to insert and remove bowl
- Slow to react to speed changes
- Expensive
Star rating: 4.5/5
Is the KitchenAid Artisan Bowl-Lift good value for money?
If you’re regularly catering for a crowd a bowl-lift mixer will offer a wider range of versatility thank to its large capacity. This new model comes with a 5.6L bowl which is the middle size available — other models cater for 4.8L or 6.9L. With 11 speeds to choose from, this is a powerful machine that easily handled all textures of mixture on test from light cake batter to thick enriched dough.
The design does take some getting used to, especially if you’re used to the tilt-head models. We found inserting and removing the bowl from the pins took a certain knack as there’s a clip and the back of the bowl to hold it in place. Once on though the bowl was certainly secure.
For semi-professional bakers this is certainly the model to go for.
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KitchenAid attachments
KitchenAid has a whole host of attachments that fit onto the tilt head of the machine to transform your new stand mixer into a truly versatile piece of kit. These attachments fit into four categories, plus an extra for miscellaneous products.
Fresh pasta
- Pasta press (six shapes): Make spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli and small or large macaroni. Available from KitchenAid (£198)
- Pasta roller: Evenly roll pasta for lasagne, tagliatelle, linguine and more – no hand crank needed. Available from KitchenAid (£119)
- Pasta cutters and roller three-piece set: As well as the roller above, this set includes cutters for spaghetti and fettuccine. Available from KitchenAid (£199)
Fruits and vegetables
- Food processor: Dice, slice, shred and julienne with this attachment. Available from KitchenAid (£209)
- Vegetable slicer and shredder: Slice and shred a whole host of produce for salads, slaws and more. Great for cheese, too. Available from KitchenAid (£109)
- Vegetable shredder and grater: Additional shredding and grating inserts for the kit above. Available from KitchenAid (£85)
- Spiralizer: Peel, core, slice and spiralize fruits and veg. Available from KitchenAid (£125)
- Vegetable sheet cutter: Cut single sheets of fruits and vegetables for a range of dishes. Available from KitchenAid (£139)
- Food strainer: Create jams, baby food, purées, sauces and compotes. Available from KitchenAid (£109)
- Slow juicer: Turn fruits and veg into juice. Three pulp settings: low pulp, high pulp and saucing/jams. Available from KitchenAid (189)
- Orange juicer: A versatile citrus juicer for oranges, lemons, limes, grapefruits and more. Available from KitchenAid (£55)
Ice cream
- Ice cream maker: Pre-freeze bowl that allows you to make up to 1.9 litres of ice cream. Available from KitchenAid (£149)
- Shave ice maker: Shave ice into fine and course textures for a light dessert. Available from KitchenAid (£129)
Meat
- Meat grinder: Coarsely or finely grind meat for mince, or grind cheese, veg, nuts and more. Available from KitchenAid (£109)
- Sausage stuffer: Control exactly what goes into your sausages and create fun, exciting flavours. Available from KitchenAid (£35)
Misc
- Sifter and scale: Accurately measure dry ingredients and sift straight into the mixer bowl. Available from KitchenAid (£169)
- Grain mill: Create your own flour from any grain. Choose your coarseness, too, from super-fine to rougher flour. Available from Amazon (£182.99)
KitchenAid accessories
As well as producing high-quality stand mixers, KitchenAid is all about customisation. Not only can you choose a stand mixer in pretty much whatever colour takes your fancy, there are also a selection of additional bowls that come in a variety of patterns, designs and materials.
Choose from ceramic, glass or classic stainless steel. The majority of the additional mixing bowls on the KitchenAid website are only suitable for the KitchenAid Classic and Artisan, but there are a few bowls for the KitchenAid Mini and the larger stand mixer range.
See the full mixing bowl range at KitchenAid.
What can a KitchenAid stand mixer do?
Short of baking your food, a KitchenAid stand mixer can do it all. All stand mixers in KitchenAid’s collection come equipped, as standard, with the tools needed to complete both simple and complex baking tasks.
Use the wire whisk to make meringue, whether classic or Italian meringue, for a whole host of treats. It’s the sweet relief on a lemon meringue pie, can be delicately folded through an Eton mess, or made into this tropical passion fruit pavlova centrepiece.
The wire whisk is also your attachment of choice for the lightest angel food cake, genoise sponge and chiffon cake, like this Maltesers chocolate chiffon cake. It’s also great for whipping up cream quickly, too.
The flat beater and flex-edge beater perform the same task, but the flex-edge beater has an added silicone strip that hugs the bowl, scraping mixes back into the centre. This just reduces the need to stop the mixer and scrape down manually.
The beaters are of course ideal for cakes, be it fruity cakes, layer cakes, bundt cakes or birthday cakes. For super-smooth cheesecake, the beaters work well, too.
As the name suggests, the dough hook is best for all manner of doughs. Sweet or savoury, the dough hook mimics the rhythm of hand kneading for a smooth, springy dough. You’ll find a wealth of fantastic bread recipes on olive, including everything from easy sourdough to tomato, feta and rosemary bread. Sweet recipes include cardamom custard buns (skolebrød) (a recipe we use to test all stand mixers) and a chocolatey twist on a classic, in the form of chocolate hot cross buns.
Not just reserved for breads and enriched doughs, the dough hook is also great for homemade pasta. Take a look at olive’s homemade pasta recipes for inspiration.
How to clean your KitchenAid stand mixer
Both the body of the stand mixers and all the attachments are easy to clean.
Main body: When the stand mixer is off and unplugged, use simple dish soap, warm water and a soft cloth to wipe down the body. To keep the stainless steel accents shining, buff these with a microfibre cloth.
Bowl: For total ease, the main stainless steel bowl is dishwasher-safe. Additional ceramic and glass bowls (which can be bought separately) are also dishwasher-safe. Alternatively, the bowls can be easily hand-washed. Just be sure to buff the stainless steel to remove any streaks.
Attachments: The dough hook, flat beater and flex-edge beater are dishwasher-safe. The wire whisk is hand-wash only. We’d always recommend washing the attachments by hand to ensure their longevity. KitchenAid doesn’t provide any attachment storage, but we like to keep them stored in the bowl (line the bowl with a tea towel to keep both the bowl and attachments scratch-free).
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