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Published Sep 21, 2023 4:00 PM
KitchenAid’s mixers are a few of the most well-known home equipment, and the model is synonymous with sturdiness and efficiency. Some options are fixed with KitchenAid mixers, whether or not it’s the Artisan, Classic, or Pro line. For instance, most will both have a refined metal or brushed stainless-steel bowl, in addition to 10 mixing speeds. Many—however not all—will even be suitable with KitchenAid’s different attachments. But past that, there are quite a few variations between the assorted fashions, and being conscious of those variations will help you select the best KitchenAid mixer to your wants.
How we selected the best KitchenAid mixer
As a contract journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed house and tech merchandise for publications together with Forbes, CNN Underscored, NBC News Select, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, USA Today’s Reviewed, TechRadar, Better Homes & Gardens, and Bob Vila. For this text, I sat again and loved a pleasant cup of espresso as I researched quite a few KitchenAid mixers and enlisted the assistance of a number of experts.
The best KitchenAid Mixers: Reviews & Recommendations
Whether buying your first—or your subsequent—KitchenAid mixer, you’re undoubtedly on the lookout for a strong mixer that matches effectively in your kitchen house. But there are additionally different elements that you simply’ll need to contemplate. “When choosing a mixer, particularly from a reputable brand like KitchenAid, you’ll want to consider a number of features—capacity, motor power, attachment compatibility, and design,” says Emily Laurae, pastry chef and recipe developer. Based on in depth analysis and the elements defined on the finish of this roundup by Laurae and our group of experts, these are the best KitchenAid mixers.
Best total: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer
Why it made the minimize: This KitchenAid mixer is just not too large, not too small, and has the options that most individuals would need.
Specs
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capacity: 5 quarts
- Weight: 22.8 kilos
- Power: 325 watts
- Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, wire whip
Pros
- Handle on bowl
- Dozens of shade decisions
- Pouring defend
Cons
- Doesn’t have Soft Start function
We suppose the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is the best stand mixer for most individuals. The 5-quart bowl is just not too large, but not too small, and might, for instance, combine nine-dozen cookies in only one batch. The polished stainless-steel bowl additionally has a deal with, which makes it simpler to management and maneuver. In addition, the tilt-head design of the mixer permits it to routinely raise the machine’s head to swap out equipment simply. Then, it may be tilted again in place and locked. And this mannequin additionally has a one-piece pouring defend that retains components from splattering and making a multitude.
The 325-watt stand mixer offers sufficient energy to meet most individuals’s wants simply. With 10 speeds, a flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip, it’s additionally versatile sufficient for each occasional and avid bakers.
The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer additionally is available in over 20 shade decisions, starting from Passion Red to Blue Velvet to Matcha to Scorched Orange. However, it doesn’t have KitchenAid’s Soft Start function, which begins at a decrease pace to assist keep away from splashing and splattering the bowl’s contents.
Best hand mixer: KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer
Why it made the minimize: Weighing solely 2 kilos, this 9-speed hand mixer is fast and simple to use and requires no heavy lifting.
Specs
- Type: Hand
- Capacity: N/A
- Weight: 2 kilos
- Power: 100 watts
- Attachments: Whisk, dough hooks, mixing rod
Pros
- Lightweight
- 9 speeds
- Soft begin
Cons
- Not best for giant batches
KitchenAid’s smallest stand mixer weighs about 14 kilos. And, generally, it’s simply extra handy to combine with a hand mixer, particularly when you’re attempting mixing and mixing smaller batches. The KitchenAid 9-Speed Hand Mixer is right for mixing a smoothie immediately in your jar, and it could actually additionally whip, knead, and blend right into a bowl. With 100 watts of energy and 9 speeds—together with a sluggish begin function—it could actually deal with the whole lot from cookie dough and bread batter to mashed potatoes.
It’s corded, however relying in your workspace and hand choice, you’ll be able to set the wire to lock on both the left or proper aspect of the mixer to preserve it out of the way in which. Also, the mixer has a mushy grip deal with to present extra ergonomic help and make it straightforward to use. The light-weight mixer, which weighs solely 2 kilos, additionally comes with a professional whisk, dough hooks, mixing rod, and a storage bag. You can select from 5 shade decisions with this mannequin.
Best for inexperienced persons: KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
Why it made the minimize: It’s a professional-style mixer that’s fairly straightforward for novices to use as effectively.
Specs
- Type: Bowl-lift
- Capacity: 6 quarts
- Weight: 29 kilos
- Power: 575 watts
- Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, wire whip
Pros
- Pouring defend
- Handle on bowl
- Soft Start function
Cons
The KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer could appear a curious alternative for inexperienced persons—however hear us out. Novices have a tendency to make errors when first beginning to use home equipment. However, you don’t need to destroy an costly KitchenAid stand mixer throughout your trial-and-error interval. With a 575-watt motor, there’s sufficient energy for you to make errors as you be taught the tips of the commerce. If you occur to embrace too many components or run it too lengthy, you received’t have to fear about overheating the mixer or in any other case damaging it.
The bowl-lift mixer has arms that elevate and decrease the bowl utilizing a lever. When making bigger batches and/or together with heavier components, this offers sturdiness and stability. The stand mixer additionally has 10 pace settings to deal with the whole lot from including flour and milk, to mixing batter, beating, or creaming, and whipping eggs or cream. The beneficiant 6-quart bowl, manufactured from polished stainless-steel, additionally has a deal with that makes it straightforward to deal with the mixer. In addition, it features a pouring defend to preserve the components from splashing. The stand is suitable with over 15 attachments and is available in over 10 shade decisions.
Best for giant batches: KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
Why it made the minimize: This is the biggest and strongest mixer among the many model’s choices and might simply deal with sizable portions.
Specs
- Type: Bowl-lift
- Capacity: 7 quarts
- Weight: 29.2 kilos
- Power: 970 watts
- Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, wire whip
Pros
- N11-wire hook
- Pouring defend
- Bowl has deal with
Cons
While most KitchenAid stand mixers have a 6-wire hook, the KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer has an 11-wire hook, which is designed to combine probably the most quantity of air – thereby reducing the period of time wanted to combine components. In addition, the 970-watt motor can deal with loads of dough and knead it with out overheating. This makes it a good selection for bread, massive batches of cookies (up to 14 dozen), and different heavy and large-quantity goodies as effectively.
The bowl-lift function ensures the stand mixer is secure sufficient to be sturdy and preserve from transferring round when creating massive batches. Also, the polished stainless-steel bowl has a deal with, which makes it straightforward to maneuver. In addition, the Soft-Start function permits the mixer to begin at a decrease pace to keep away from splashing and splattering the contents throughout you and your countertop. Keep in thoughts that at 29.2 kilos, the stand mixer is kind of heavy, so this isn’t one thing you’d need to transfer round regularly.
Best for small batches: KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Why it made the minimize: Relatively dainty and petite, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer is compact however nonetheless loaded with options.
Specs
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capacity: 3.5 quart
- Weight: 14.3 kilos
- Power: 250 watts
- Attachments: Flex edge beater, dough hook, wire whip
Pros
- Lightweight
- Bowl has deal with
- Soft Start function
Cons
For small portions, and likewise these on the lookout for a smaller mannequin, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is greater than geared up to get the job finished. It has a 250-watt motor, and the lean perform permits you to tilt it again whereas simply swapping out equipment after which tilt it again ahead and lock in place. The 3.5-quart capability, mixed with 10 speeds, makes this good for small batches. It can combine up to 5 dozen cookies in only one batch, and comes with a flex edge beater, dough hook, and wire whip. In addition, the slower pace of the Soft Start function retains the bowl’s contents from splashing all over.
Speaking of the bowl, it’s polished, stainless-steel—and has a deal with, which additionally makes it straightforward to maneuver. Weighing solely 14.3 kilos, it’s on the lighter, smaller aspect, so it doesn’t take up a lot house in your countertop and is simple to retailer in a cupboard or pantry if in case you have a small kitchen. In addition, the stand mixer is suitable with over 10 attachments and is available in over 10 shade decisions.
Best price range: KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Mixer
Why it made the minimize: The most economically-priced mannequin is a good worth for the cash.
Specs
- Type: Tilt-head
- Capacity: 4.5 quart
- Weight: 22 kilos
- Power: 275 watts
- Attachments: Flat beater, dough hook, wire whip
Pros
- Soft Start function
- Compatible with all attachments
- Durable
Cons
- No deal with
- No pouring defend
The KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Mixer is probably the most economically priced of the KitchenAid Stand Mixers. It has 275 watts of energy, which is lower than the everyday 325 watts discovered within the majority of KitchenAid mixers. However, it’s nonetheless fairly highly effective—greater than sufficient for stirring, mixing, and different capabilities. The stand mixer has a 6-wire whip, flat beater, and dough hook. In addition, the traditional mixer has 10 speeds, and can be utilized with over 15 attachments.
The 4.5 quart brushed stainless-steel bowl is designed to be sturdy—and it’s dishwasher protected—however understand that it doesn’t have a deal with or a pouring defend. Since it’s a tilt-head stand mixer, it isn’t as heavy and doesn’t take up as a lot countertop or cupboard house as a bowl-lift stand mixer, which makes it supreme if space for storing is an issue. However, this mannequin is just out there in KitchenAid’s two “classic” colours: Onyx Black and White.
There are many options to contemplate when searching for a KitchenAid mixer. Below are the elements we thought-about most vital when deciding on which fashions to function. Cost was an extra consideration, as KitchenAid mixers can get costly.
Bowl sort
KitchenAid stand mixers include both a tilting head or a bowl-lift design (and the hand held mixers don’t include bowls). “With a tilt-head model, the head of the machine can lift up, making it so you don’t have to remove the bowl to add ingredients or scrape down the bowl,” explains Jürgen David, director of pastry analysis and growth on the Institute of Culinary Education.
“Bowl-lift mixers have a lever that raises and lowers the bowl to give you access to it,” says David, who prefers bowl-lift mixers. “That’s what most professional kitchens have and what I have the most experience using.”
Alina Eisenhauer, proprietor at Chef Alina, tells us that she prefers the bowl-lift mixers and finds them extra sturdy.
KitchenAid’s tilt-head stand mixers can vary in weight from 14 to 26 kilos, whereas bowl-lift mixers have a tendency to weigh 28 or 29 kilos.
Bowl dimension
KitchenAid’s stand mixers vary in dimension from 3.5 quarts to 7 quarts. “Determine the mixer’s size relative to your typical batch sizes, as smaller mixers suit occasional bakers, while larger ones accommodate frequent or larger quantities,” explains Nicole Pomije, founding father of The Cookie Cups.
And, David says, a 5-quart bowl needs to be ample for many house cooks. “If you pick a machine that’s too large, the attachment won’t reach the ingredients well and won’t mix as effectively for smaller batches,” he says.
Attachments
KitchenAid mixers have a tendency to include three attachments. However, if you’d like to use extra attachments like pasta makers or meals grinders, Eisenhauer recommends checking to ensure that the stand mixer you’re contemplating is suitable.
Pomije agrees, including, “Evaluate the available attachments that come with the mixer or can be separately purchased,” she says. “Attachments can greatly expand the mixer’s versatility, offering options like pasta makers, food grinders, and vegetable spiralizers.”
Speed settings
Both Pomije and Eisenhauer say a very good mixer ought to have variable settings. All of the KitchenAid stand mixers have 10 mixing speeds, and the hand held mixer has 9. “These variable pace settings can accommodate totally different recipes, so that you’ll need a vary from low for stirring, to excessive for whipping. “
Price
“Establish a budget that aligns with your needs and expectations,” advises Pomije. We’ve included KitchenAid fashions at numerous value factors.
Brand repute
“KitchenAid is known for its quality mixers, great customer support, and has been the choice of most professionals for years,” says Eisenhauer. “There are other reputable brands as well, so read reviews and consider brand reputation when making your choice.”
FAQs
Q: What are the three essential mixer attachments?
The three essential mixer attachments are the flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip.
“The flat beater attachment is ideal for mixing normal to heavy batters, such as cake and cookie dough,” says Pomije.
“The dough hook is perfect for kneading bread dough and other heavy mixtures, making it a valuable tool for homemade bread enthusiasts,” she explains.
And the wire hook? Pomije says it’s designed for whipping duties like making meringues, whipped cream, or mild and ethereal batters.
In addition, KitchenAid sells quite a lot of different attachments as effectively.
Q: Will KitchenAid attachments match all fashions?
No. “While many KitchenAid attachments are designed to be compatible across different models, sadly, they don’t fit every single model,” says Laurae. “You’ll want to make sure that you check the specific compatibility of attachments with your mixer model before making your purchase.”
Q: Is it higher to combine by hand or mixer?
According to Laurae, the reply will rely on what you’re baking. “Mixing by hand will allow you full control, which can prevent overmixing and allow you to achieve a specific consistency,” she says. “Mixing with an electric stand mixer can save you quite a bit of time, tends to be incredibly efficient, and allows you to lean on the strength of the mixer for more intensive tasks like whipping egg whites or kneading your homemade doughs.”
Final ideas on the best KitchenAid Mixers
KitchenAid makes quite a lot of mixers, designed to meet each want. Depending in your baking frequency, price range, choice for tilt-head or bowl-lift, and your need to color-coordinate the equipment along with your kitchen décor, there’s probably a mixer that meets your wants. Hopefully, our suggestions have helped introduce you to the precise alternative for you.
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