Chef's Review: Choosing the Best KitchenAid Mixer for You

Trying to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer for your home? KitchenAid offers a wide range of mixers with different specs best suited for different needs. With so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. If you're wondering which KitchenAid stand mixer is best for you, we've got you covered. 

Everything Kitchens has been one of KitchenAid's top independent retailers for over a decade. Our professional chef conducts rigorous testing of KitchenAid products on-site to give our customers first-hand tips & expertise. We collect customer feedback and market data so that we can provide you, our customers, with expert recommendations. We scope out the nitty gritty technical details and do the research so that you can spend less time clicking and more time cooking. 

Purchasing a KitchenAid mixer is a big investment, so we've created this handy guide to help you decide which mixer will be your perfect kitchen companion. In this article, we break down the differences between KitchenAid's wide range of stand mixers and look at the finer details to help you make a sound decision on which KitchenAid stand mixer will best meet your needs. Read on to dive into the mix and find your perfect match.

"The Entry Level"

KitchenAid Classic Series

Classic

The KitchenAid Classic series stand mixers are a perfect entry-level mixer. These models are an especially great option for smaller families, 1-2 person households, and those that only bake occasionally. Their smaller design allows you to cleanly store this mixer in a cabinet or right on the countertop. But don't be fooled by its compact size - it comes equipped with a 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl which can mix up to 6 dozen cookies in a single batch. With over 12 attachments available including a vegetable spiralizer, food grinder, slow juicer, and more, these stand mixers can transform into a versatile multi-functional machine that'll do much more than mix. While these mixers only come in a few colors, they're a great budget-friendly option that'll get the job done. However, if you're a professional chef or serious home baker, we recommend the KitchenAid 5-Quart Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer or the Professional 6 series for their larger capacities and higher power, which allow you to mix more in a single batch and can handle a wider variety of recipes. 

"The Icon"

KitchenAid Artisan Series

Artisan

Featuring a wide selection of color options and finishes ranging from matte to glossy, the Artisan series is KitchenAid's most iconic and popular line of stand mixers. The tilt-head design is easy to use, while the large 5-quart bowl capacity can mix up to 9 dozen cookies per batch. The powerful 325-watt motor and 10 speed options make this mixer a versatile option that's able to tackle both light & heavy ingredients - from bread dough to cake batter. Along with the 5-quart mixer bowl, it comes equipped with a wire whip, coated flat beater, coated dough hook, and pouring shield that keeps ingredients from splattering while mixing. At 18" tall when the tilt-head is lifted (14.5" tall with the tilt-head locked in place), this mixer can fit & operate under most standard-sized cabinets. We recommend this option for those who enjoy baking frequently, those who plan on using more power-intensive attachments such as the food grinder or slow juicer, and those who want their stand mixer to make a bold, colorful statement on their countertop. 

Artisan Design

The Artisan Design series features the same specs as the Artisan series but comes in lustrous finishes that create a candied paint effect similar to retro automobiles. It comes with a wire whip, burnished beater, burnished dough hook, and a 5-quart glass bowl with handy measurement markings, so you can measure ingredients right in the bowl without having to dirty up any measuring cups. This makes it ideal for ingredients that need to be heated in the microwave, such as chocolate chips or butter. We recommend this option for frequent bakers who need a powerful mixer, those who would prefer a microwave-safe bowl, and those who like a uniquely vintage aesthetic.

Artisan Mini

As the name suggests, the Artisan Mini is a scaled-down version of the Artisan. It’s still a powerful machine that can output an impressive 5 dozen cookies per batch and work through heavy or sticky ingredients. Though it has fewer color options, it includes the same accessories but with a 3.5-quart stainless steel bowl. We recommend this option for frequent home bakers with space-conscious needs, such as those who live in apartments or tiny homes.

*The KitchenAid Artisan stand mixers offer the largest array of colors to choose from. One thing we tell our customers when deciding on a color is that we all perceive colors differently, and colors can appear different from one screen to another depending on your computer settings. Also, the type of lighting in your home can cause colors to look very different than they do when taken in a professionally lit studio.

"The Workhorse"

KitchenAid Professional Series Mixers

Professional 600

The Professional 600 series stand mixer is a true powerhouse among stand mixers. With this kind of power, a bowl-lift design is necessary – a tilt-head mixer would eventually shake while mixing and eventually break the motor. With a powerful 575-watt motor and full metal construction with steel gears, it can output an impressive 13 dozen cookies per batch, 8.5 standard loaves of bread, and handle recipes calling for up to 14 cups of flour. The included 6-quart stainless steel bowl is extra wide and has a contoured handle. It also includes an "S" shaped dough hook that's designed for kneading thick doughs, coated flat beater, stainless steel wire whip, and pouring shield. With many color options ranging from classic white to bold Empire Red, you don’t have to compromise on appearance for power. We recommend this option for frequent large-batch bakers such as those with larger households, small bakery owners, and those who enjoy baking lots of treats to share with friends, family, and co-workers.

Professional 6500

The Professional 6500 series bowl-lift stand mixer is equipped with a high-performance 1-horsepower DC motor that makes it more powerful yet quieter than the Professional 600. It comes with a 6-quart glass bowl with handle, a PowerKnead spiral dough hook, flat beater, flex edge beater, and stainless steel wire whip. In addition, it includes a sensor that helps control mixer speeds and will even detect overload, shutting off the mixer to protect the motor from damage. The 6500 Professional mixer also has the "soft start" feature that lowers ingredient splatter, which is helpful since the glass bowl mixers do not come with a pouring shield. We recommend this option for those with the same priorities as the Professional 600 but who are willing to pay a higher price point for more power and a much quieter motor. 

These mixers stand an impressive 16.5" tall. Most modern kitchens have the clearance for these mixers to fit snugly under cabinets that are the standard 18" above the counter, but it may be too tall for some. We advise to measure the space between the counter and cabinet before you buy if you plan on storing your KitchenAid Professional 6 series Mixer on your kitchen counter. Storage is something to consider if you are not able to keep it on your counter all the time. The Professional 600 mixers weight 31-32 lbs which can make it difficult if you are storing it in a pantry or cabinet and having to move it to your counter frequently. Remember to lift with your knees.

"The Next Level"

KitchenAid ProLine & Commercial Stand Mixers

These next two KitchenAid mixers are in a class all their own. What they have in common is a powerful 1.3-horsepower DC motor. If you are looking for mixers that come with longer manufacturer warranties, larger capacities, and a powerful yet quiet 1.3 hp DC motors, then one of these mixers may fit the bill. 

ProLine

The ProLine series makes no compromises when it comes to power and capacity, churning out up to 14 dozen cookies per batch. This bowl-lift mixer comes with a 7-quart stainless steel bowl with handle, wire whip, burnished wide beater, burnished dough hook, and pouring shield. While the ProLine only comes in 4 basic colors, they do have the double coating that gives them the additional luster that is usually reserved for the Design series mixers. We recommend this option for small cafe or bakery owners or frequent, large-capacity bakers who want maximum power, quiet operation, and the added security of a 5-year warranty (compared to the standard 1-year warranty of the other residential KitchenAid stand mixers).

Commercial

The Commercial series bowl-lift stand mixer is the top of the line for bulk-sized batches of baked goods. This powerhouse appliance is backed by a 2-year warranty and has a whisper-silent 1.3-horsepower motor. It comes equipped with an 8-quart stainless steel bowl with handle, stainless steel wire whip, stainless steel flat beater, and stainless steel dough hook. A 48” long power cord makes it easy to maneuver around in a busy commercial kitchen. This is the only KitchenAid stand mixer officially NSF & UL listed for commercial use. We recommend it for small business owners and chefs or bakers working in commercial kitchens.

Want to know how KitchenAid mixers stand up against other brands? Check out our Stand Mixer Shopping Guide: KitchenAid VS Bosch, Ankarsrum, Kenwood, Smeg, Cuisinart Mixer Comparison & Review

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Updated September 17, 2019 - Everything Kitchens LLC