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Choosing a mixer for your kitchen can be hard. There are lots of brands and models available. KitchenAid are usually top of the list.
To help you in your quest for a new mixer we have the put together the most comprehensive KitchenAid Mixers Comparisons available.
If you have decided to take the plunge and buy a new mixer then KitchenAid is probably the number one choice.
They have built an industry leading reputation as the go to brand for both home and small commercial food mixers.
Trying to compare KitchenAid mixers can be a little confusing given all of the different models in the range, we hope we can make your decision a little easier by giving you a full breakdown of each one.
Kitchenaid Mixers Comparisons
The differences in KitchenAid mixers will usually fall into one of the following three types of mixer:
- Tilt-Head
- Bowl-Lift
- Commercial series
The tilt-head and bowl-lift are suitable for home use whereas the commercial as the name implies are certified for commercial use.
Across the range there a number of different models each of which can be bought in various sizes and motor powers.
To make things a little more confusing KitchenAid also release the same models with more power(called "plus") or sometimes with nicer accessories called("design") models.
The biggest number of models are between the tilt-head and the bowl-lift models. This means for the average home user you get the largest number of mixers to choose from, which is great in a way but also where the most confusion arises.
The commercial series however, only has two models to choose from both are pretty similar and mostly differ in terms of size.
There is also a very large number of colors to choose from especially for the home mixers. So, if you are worried about not finding one to match your kitchen then don't worry there is definitely one to suit every kitchen.
Tilt-Head Mixers
The tilt-head range has the following models to choose from:
- Artisan Mini
- Classic
- Classic Plus
- Ultra Power
- Artisan
- Artisan Design
- Custom Metallic Series
The Classic is the exact same as for the Classic Plus apart from a slightly weaker motor.
The Artisan Design has a glass mixing bowl with handle and the regular Artisan has a stainless steel one.
The Custom Metallic Series is just the Artisan available in three different metallic finishes.
In order to make things a little simpler from the following KitchenAid stand mixer comparison chart we have omitted the Classic , Artisan Design and Custom Metallic models.
Tilt Head KitchenAid Stand Mixer Comparison Chart
Artisan Mini | Classic Plus | Ultra Power | Artisan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   | |
Power(Watt) | 250 | 275 | 300 | 325 |
Bowl(Quarts) | 3.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5 |
Shield | No | No | No | Yes |
Speeds | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Bread(Loaves) | 3 | 3-3/4 | 3-3/4 | 4-1/2 |
Cookies(Dozen) | 5 | 6-3/4 | 6-3/4 | 9 |
Warranty(Years) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Bowl Lift Mixers
The bowl-lift range has the following models:
- Professional 5 Plus
- Professional Heavy Duty
- Professional 600
- Professional 600 Design
- Professional 610 Series
- Professional 6000 HD
- Professional 6500 Design
- Pro Line
The Professional 5 Plus is the baby of the KitchenAid bowl-lift range.
The 600 series has three different models the 600, 600 Design and the 610.
The 6000 HD, 6500 Design and the Pro Line are a step up in power and durability, they also have DC(direct current motors) and should be considered the top of the range that is suitable for a home kitchen.
Just like the tilt-head models in the section above any of the bowl-lift models that are designated "Design" will have a glass bowl as opposed to a stainless steel one and will have a higher quality exterior finish.
KitchenAid Bowl Lift Mixer Comparison Chart
Professional 5 Plus | Professional Heavy Duty | Professional 600 | Professional 610 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
  |   |   |   | |
Power(Watt) | 450 | 475 | 575 | 590 |
Bowl(Quart) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Shield | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Speeds | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
Bread(Loaves) | 4-1/2 | 4-1/2 | 8-1/4 | 8-1/4 |
Cookies(Dozen) | 9 | 9 | 13 | 13 |
Warranty(Years) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Commercial Mixers
The KitchenAid commercial line is certified for commercial use and are probably too large for most homes unless of course you do an insane amount of baking!
What sets the Commercial line apart from those intended for home use and one of the main differences in KitchenAid mixers is the motor power and the capacity.
The electric motors in the Commercial mixers are DC(direct current) as apposed to the AC(alternating current) motors in the home mixer range.
DC motors are usually rated in horsepower(HP) rather than in Watts like an AC motor.
A DC motor offers much better performance than a smaller AC motor. It is able to maintain a constant speed much better especially when under high load.
They also have a much higher torque rating than AC motors. Better torque means the ability to mix much stiffer mixes.
All that extra torque places a lot more stress on the internal running gears contained in the mixers. This is why commercial mixers will almost always have direct drive and metal gears.
Plastic gears may be suitable for a small mixer at home that doesn't have much demand on it. But, for a commercial mixer plastic gears would break pretty quickly.
KitchenAid Commercial Stand Mixer Comparison
Commercial 7-Quart | Commercial 8-Quart | |
|---|---|---|
  |   | |
Power(HP) | 1.3 | 1.3 |
Bowl(Quart) | 7 | 7 |
Shield | No | No |
Speeds | 10 | 10 |
Soft Start | Yes | Yes |
Speed Sensor | Yes | Yes |
Warranty(Years) | 2 | 2 |
KitchenAid Mixer Reviews
Now that we have compared Kitchenaid mixers above it time to choose one.
Below you will find KitchenAid mixer reviews for the most popular models across the range and a lot more in-depth information on each one.
Each model has a particular user in mind. Most people should choose what mixer is right for them based on their needs.
Those needs are usually dictated by how often they plan on using their mixer and just how large a mix they intend to make on a regular basis.
Kitchenaid Classic
The Classic is the second smallest mixer in the Kitchenaid range after the Artisan Mini. It is a 10-speed tilt-head stand mixer with a 4.5 Quart stainless steel bowl.
With a 4.5 Quart bowl you should be able to mix roughly six dozen cookies and about three loaves of bread.
Included are a flat beater, wire whisk and a dough hook. The power hub on the front is capable of accepting 15 additional attachments which are sold separately.
The Kitchenaid Classic is suitable for a small kitchen and an occasional user that is looking to make small batches of dough. It is a great starter mixer that represents really good value for money.
Specifications
- 250 Watt motor
- 4.5 Quart bowl - stainless steel
- 10 different speed settings
- Dough hook, flat beater and whisk attachments
- 1 year warranty
Kitchenaid Artisan
The Artisan is easily Kitchenaid's most popular mixer. It is a step up in size and power from the smallest Classic model.
The Artisan is powered by a 325 Watt motor and has a 5 Quart stainless steel mixing bowl. It has ten speeds to choose from.
It is a tilt-head stand mixer that is suitable for the average home user who is looking to make bread or cookies on a regular basis.
The Kitchenaid Artisan can mix roughly five loaves of bread or enough dough to make about nine dozen cookies.
A great addition to any kitchen it is available in a large range of colors so you can find one to suit your particular kitchen decor.
There are two models available the standard Artisan and the Artisan Design. The only difference is that the Artisan Design model has a glass bowl and comes with burnished aluminum flat beater and dough hook, whereas on the normal model they are polished metal.
Specifications
- 350 Watt motor
- 5 Quart mixing bowl - stainless steel
- 10 different speeds
- Pouring shieled
- 1 year warranty
Kitchenaid Pro 600
The Kichenaid Pro 600 sometimes called the Professional is the smallest bowl-lift mixer in the Kithenaid range.
Powered by a 575 Watt motor it would be considered more than strong enough for the average home cook. The extra strength is gained via all metal internal gears and a direct drive system as opposed to a belt drive system that is found on smaller models.
With a 6 Quart mixing bowl you can expect to be able to make about twelve dozen cookies and about eight loaves of bread. But bear in mind that these would be maximum figures.
The bowl height is adjustable thanks to the bowl-lift design meaning you can adjust how deep the attachment will reach towards the bottom of the bowl. Which can be quite useful depending on what type of ingredients you are mixing.
Specifications
- 575 Watt motor
- 6 Quart mixing bowl
- Soft start, variable 10 speed
- Spiral dough hook, flat beater, wire whip pouring shield
- 1 year warranty
Kitchenaid Pro Line
The Kitchenaid Pro Line is a serious performer that should be able to meet the demands of eve the most serious home cooks or bakers.
It is powered by a 1.3 Hp motor and is capable of handling large mixes especially ones that require longer mixing or kneading times.
The motor is DC(direct current). DC motors are commonly used in commercial grand mixers as they have a lot more torque and will maintain there mixing speed even as the dough becomes tougher, as a opposed to AC motors found in weaker mixers.
It also has a direct drive internal system rather than a belt drive. Direct drive is required to handle all that extra power from the motor.
As with most high capacity mixers it is a bowl lift model. The bowl is a large 7 Quart and is finished in stainless steel with a large handle.
Specifications
- 7 Quart bowl
- 1.3 HP motor
- 10 different attachments available(sold separately)
- 10 speed settings
- Flat beater, Spiral dough hook and wire whip
Kitchenaid Commercial 8-Quart
The KitchenAid Commercial 8 Quart mixer is a certified commercial grade mixer and is the biggest and most powerful in the Kitchenaid range.
Although it is the largest in the Kitchenaid range it is at best suited to low volume commercial use or for a very busy home baker.
There are much larger and more powerful mixers available for commercial use and this Kitchenaid model should be considered an entry level model.
If has a powerful 1.3 HP motor that can handle large mixes and maintain it's speed setting perfectly even as the dough begins to thicken.
Designed to be highly durable under load it has an all metal internal gearing and direct drive system.
There are ten speeds available and each setting is tailored to a specific task.
Specifications
- 1.3 HP motor
- 8 Quart stainless steel bowl
- 10 speed settings
- NSF certified commercial grade mixer
- Spiral dough hook, flat beater and stainless steel wire whip
