It’s no wonder that KitchenAid stand mixers stand the test of time. The iconic mixers are sturdy and reliable, and hold a place of pride on many a countertop. Of the almost 40 stand mixers in Consumer Reports’ tests, seven are made by KitchenAid—and four of those rank in the top 10. All of the KitchenAid models receive impressive scores in our performance tests.
“A KitchenAid stand mixer is a real workhorse, and made to last a long time,” says Larry Ciufo, the engineer who oversees our stand mixer tests. That’s a lot of bread dough, cookie batter, whipped cream, and other kitchen confections and concoctions.
Because they all perform similarly, what distinguishes one from another? Primarily price and size. Some come in more colors and have slightly different features. A few are a bit noisier than others, but not so much that it will drive you out of the kitchen when you’re on a baking roll.
But let’s start with what they have in common. All of the KitchenAid stand mixers in our tests have 10 speeds, ranging from low and slow to high speeds that whip up cream and egg whites in nothing flat. They come with the same three attachments: a whisk, dough hook, and flat beater. But there are many more accessories that you can buy separately to make sausage and pasta, spiralized veggies, and more. And all of the add-on attachments fit every KitchenAid stand mixer, even if it was made 100 years ago. (The mixers debuted in 1919.)
And with the exception of the Artisan Mini, all of the KitchenAid stand mixers in our tests have bowls large enough—5 quarts and larger—to hold enough dough for at least two loaves of bread, which typically take about 6 cups of flour depending on the recipe.
One way the models differ is in how the beaters meet the bowl. Most stand mixers have a head that tilts back so that you can attach the beaters and engage or disengage the bowl. If you’re cramped for vertical space, this can be a factor because you’ll need more headroom to operate the mixer. Mixers with a bowl lift have stationary heads and a lever that lifts the bowl up and lowers it down, making it easier to use under an upper cabinet. (We indicate which models have which mechanism.) The models also vary in height, ranging from 13 to 17 inches tall. Typically, there are 18 inches of clearance between the bottom of cabinets and the top of the counter. Of course, if you have an island, clearance won’t be a factor.
The models also differ in wattage. While higher wattage means more horsepower, Ciufo says wattage doesn’t much affect performance in our tests. Other factors come into play, such as the quality of the motor. That can be seen in our ratings, where many top performers actually have lower wattage than some of those lower in the rankings. After all, it’s not like you’re mixing concrete.
And finally, these highly rated mixers vary in price, from about $290 to nearly $800. If you’re going to invest in a mixer, you want to make sure it’s the right one.
If you have your heart set on a KitchenAid, read on for some ideas about which might be the right one for you (or the lucky cook you’re shopping for). And if you’re not so particular about the brand, you’ll find many others featured in our full stand mixer ratings and recommendations.
Durable and reliable build
The motor is quiet
Attachments are easy to use
Expensive
Speed lever not pleasant to use
Credit: KitchenAid
This iconic appliance has been popular for almost a century.
This eye-catching appliance comes in dozens of bright (or not-so-bright, if that's your thing) colors, and a 5-quart bowl that's great for big and small batches alike. The brand claims that this appliance can mix ingredients for up to 72 cookies or four loaves of bread at once.
The stand mixer also features 10 speed settings for a variety of recipes and techniques, from gentle cake mixing to high-speed merengue whipping. Adding ingredients to the mix is easy, thanks to the clever tilt-head design.
What makes this machine so versatile is the vast number of compatible attachments. It already comes with a standard flat beater, dough hook, and 6-wire whisk attachment (which are all dishwasher safe!). But owners can choose to buy additional add-ons as well.
Meat grinders, pasta makers, and spiralizers are just a few of the accessories that widen the capabilities of this machine, making each dollar spent stretch even further. (You can even use it to make shave ice now!)
The stand mixer also comes with a handy pouring shield that protects your kitchen from splatter-prone recipes.
Credit: Reviewed / Kyle Looney
There's a lot to love about this workhorse machine.
The KitchenAid Stand Mixer aced every challenge we threw at it while testing.
Egg whites were whipped with impressive volume in just two minutes, sugar and butter creamed together easily (without having to worry about scraping the sides of the bowl), and nothing slowed the machine down—even when mixing cookie dough filled with chunky chocolate chips. The powerful motor excelled at a variety of tasks without faltering.
When it came to making bread dough, the stand mixer handled thick dough with ease, kneading it until it was smooth, satiny, and held together in a ball (with very little effort on our part).
Throughout our testing, the mixer never rocked or moved from its position on the countertop. It also didn't produce any overwhelming or bothersome noise, like some of its competitors.
Credit: KitchenAid
There are several add-on attachments you can buy to expand the functionality of your stand mixer.
This machine is not just for baking. Thanks to the widening number of accessories available, the stand mixer can also make pasta, slice and spiralize veggies, grind homemade flour, and more.
That makes the often-intimidating price tag on this much easier to swallow, given that it can shred parmesan and juice citrus just as well as it can mix cake batter.
Credit: KitchenAid / Reviewed
With over two dozen colors to choose from, there's an option for every aesthetic.
One of the most popular appeals of this stand mixer is the wide array of colors that it comes in.
Whether you want to make your kitchen pop with Empire Red, make a statement with Kyoto Glow, or stay classic with Milkshake or Medallion Silver varieties, there's a color for everyone.
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Credit: KitchenAid
The lever on this appliance brought up some minor issues during testing.
One of the only issues we ran into while testing the KitchenAid stand mixer was with the speed lever.
Although the lever is both durable and effective, it’s not as pleasant to use as the dials found on most other brands. It has sharp edges that are uncomfortable to grip. Because it offers some resistance, it’s easy to push too hard and turn the mixer on faster than intended. It might take a bit of familiarity to get a better understanding of how to adjust it.
The primary setback stopping many people from buying this stand mixer right now is probably the price tag. It retails at about $450, which could seem daunting at first.
But, given its extreme versatility, incomparable functionality, and long-lasting capability, we think that price is worth the investment.
This isn't an appliance that you'll have to replace once every few years; once you purchase your own KitchenAid stand mixer, you're in it for the long haul. Our Kitchen editor Danielle DeSiato still uses her grandmother's, which has been passed down for two generations and still performs well. You can feel confident that your dollars will be stretched (and shared) for years to come.
Credit: KitchenAid
This iconic appliance deserves a spot in your kitchen!
Whether you're a seasoned bread baker or casual cookie maker, this tried-and-true appliance deserves a space on your countertop.
It has shown us—time and time again—that it's a workhorse in the kitchen with its fast and efficient results for all kinds of cooking and baking tasks. Beyond impressively whipping egg whites and kneading homemade bread dough, this machine can come in handy for everyday kitchen tasks (thanks to its countless accessories). It can ultimately save you precious time—and may even help you feel more confident in the kitchen.
If you're a longtime KitchenAid devotee looking to amp up your mixing game, the GE Profile Smart Stand Mixer with its built-in scale and app connectivity, is worth consideration.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
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Monica Petrucci
Editor, Kitchen & Cooking
@monicatpetrucciMonica is Reviewed's Kitchen & Cooking editor and an avid home cook; she's been testing a wide range of kitchen products at Reviewed for two years. Previously the Digital Editor at Culture Cheese Magazine (and a former barista), she's also had her work published in The Boston Globe, Modern Luxury, Boston Magazine, and more.
See all of Monica Petrucci's reviewsOur team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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