Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links.
If you bake often, you might be considering upgrading to a stand mixer. KitchenAid stand mixers, which have been in existence for over 100 years, are coveted by both professional bakers and serious home bakers. They can help you mix, whip, beat, knead, and fold a variety of recipes. These mixers also make quick work of tasks like whipping cream, beating egg whites to stiff peaks, and kneading bread dough–all possible by hand, but take way longer and tire you out. Stand mixers also offer greater capacity than a standard mixing bowl and handheld mixer, so you can make larger batches of doughs, batters, and frostings which is perfect for bake sales, parties, and holiday cookie trays.
KitchenAid stand mixers aren't just for baking, though. There are over ten attachments sold separately that turn your mixer into a juicer, pasta maker, food processor, and more. The attachments are powered by the mixer's motor making this one versatile workhorse.
With tilt-head, bowl-lift, and commercial designs plus tons of color options and bowl styles to choose from, there's a KitchenAid stand mixer to fit your kitchen and cooking style. Here are our favorite KitchenAid stand mixers.
Best Overall: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/150305412370911p_imageset-12c7521dbdeb4f8ebeafcd94203724c9.jpeg)
Powerful motor
Compatible with 15 attachments
Can hold a double batch of cookie batter
Expensive
Some say attachments don't reach bottom of mixing bowl
The Artisan series mixers are very popular with users, with good reason. They’re large enough for home cooking and baking, but not so large that you’ll need a helper to move the mixer into storage if you don’t keep it on your counter. Reviewers say the 5-quart stainless steel bowl is big enough to hold double batches of cookies and royal icing.
There’s nothing this model can’t do! It has a motor powerful enough to knead dough or whip cream with ease, and the front power hub is compatible with more than 15 different attachments. It’s available in over 20 different colors, so you’re guaranteed to find one that you love.
Best Budget: KitchenAid Classic Plus Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer KSM75SL
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kitchenaid-7452900e25fa40e49bc1c8a818c0f3cf.jpeg)
Cheaper than other KitchenAid stand mixers
Quieter than other models
Includes a soft-start feature
Some report that some paint chips off of the attachments over time
While KitchenAid stand mixers might never be considered inexpensive, this tilt-head model offers slightly less power at a more affordable price. Customers have noted that this machine is quieter than other models because of its 275-watt motor but reported that it can still handle tough dough. This model will also help keep your countertops clean with its soft start feature, which was designed to prevent flour from getting thrown out of the bowl as it mixes.
You may think of a stand mixer as a tool for bakers looking to craft doughs, cakes, breads, and pastries, but did you know that a KitchenAid stand mixer can also grind meat, shred chicken, slice, dice, and spiralize vegetables? Thanks to a wide range of accessories and attachments, and a powerful, high-speed motor, you can create everything from homemade pasta and stuffed sausage to fresh juice and ice cream.
Best Design: KitchenAid 100 Year Limited Edition Queen of Hearts 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/commerce_default_image_icon-d30e3fe926f54a6a9f8165be26203dbf.png)
Eye-catching color
Easy to use
Operates smoothly and quietly
Some say beater may become loose when mixing very large batches
If you’re looking for a mixer that makes a statement, this limited edition Queen of Hearts mixer in passion red might be the one you’re looking for. The trim band is covered with tiny red hearts, and the custom power hub cover celebrates KitchenAid's 100 year anniversary. Several reviewers say this mixer makes an attractive addition to their kitchen, and that it operates relatively quietly. However, a few have mentioned that the beater becomes a little loose when they work with very large batches.
The mixer comes with a 5-quart polished stainless steel mixing bowl with a handle. There are 14 different attachments sold separately so you can roll out pasta to the perfect thickness, make ice cream, or grind your own meat.
Runner-Up, Best Design: KitchenAid Artisan Series Tilt-Head Stand Mixer with 5-Quart Ceramic Hobnail Bowl
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/kitchenaid-e2331b65b9a2405d89e8fa6fb5f72af0.jpg)
Clean design
Unique ceramic hobnob bowl stands out
Quiet operation
Not available at all KitchenAid retailers
Ceramic bowl may be less durable than stainless
If you can't choose between all the color options available for our top pick, the Artisan 5-quart stand mixer, this might be the KitchenAid mixer for you. It has all the same power, features, and capacity as the Artisan 5-quart but in a special edition all-white design that'll bring a fresh, crisp, and calming vibe to your countertop. The vintage white hobnob ceramic mixing bowl offers a hint of retro nostalgia.
This mixer comes with the Flex Edge beater, flat beater, dough hook, and wire whip to help you tackle baking tasks, from beating egg whites for meringue to whipping cream and kneading bread dough.
Best for Kneading Bread: KitchenAid Pro 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer KP26M1XNP
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/commerce_default_image_icon-d30e3fe926f54a6a9f8165be26203dbf.png)
Powerful and heavy-duty motor
Includes a soft-start feature
No unmixed ingredients left at bottom of bowl
Very heavy
Attachments are not dishwasher safe
The Professional 600 Series mixer is the perfect piece of equipment for serious bakers. Users found the 575-watt motor strong enough to knead dough for long periods of time without damaging the machine, even when baking back-to-back bread loaves.
This model comes complete with a soft-start feature, which means the mixer starts at a slower speed so you’re less likely to spew flour all over the kitchen or splatter wet ingredients before it’s all neatly incorporated.
Best for Big Batches: KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/88665442341079p-4bc8067cab1349ffbbf187ca050ddbbc.jpeg)
Powerful motor
Large capacity
Attractive design
Very heavy
This mixer is the largest capacity bowl-lift mixer designed for home use. Featuring an attractive silver design, a 1.3 horsepower motor, and a bowl that holds up to 16 cups of flour, it's the perfect addition to any kitchen. Most reviewers who bake regularly praise this workhorse of a mixer. However, weighing in at nearly 33 pounds, it's heavy to move in and out of storage, so it’s best to find a permanent spot for it in your kitchen. You'll get a dough hook, a flat beater, and a whisk attachment to use with the mixer.
Best Professional: KitchenAid NSF Certified Commercial Series 8-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/KitchenAidKSM8990ER8-QuartStandMixerwithBowlLiftEmpireRed-590759733df78c5456a3ca6f.jpg)
Powerful motor
Includes soft-start feature
Quiet
Some say bowl is difficult to snap on and off
Choosing a mixer for a professional kitchen? Then this commercial-grade pick is the best KitchenAid mixer for you. This bowl-lift mixer is NSF-certified and features an 8-quart brushed stainless steel bowl. Its 1.3 horsepower motor is more than enough power for large or small batches, so the motor won’t get overheated. Several reviewers also report that it operates more quietly than previous KitchenAid models they've owned. You can choose to purchase it with or without a metal bowl-guard, which prevents extra ingredients from being added while the mixer is in motion.
The KitchenAid KSM150PSCU Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer (view at Amazon) takes our top spot because of its powerful motor and large capacity. Plus, it's compatible with more than 15 different attachments and is available in a ton of color choices. If you're looking for something larger to make big batches, go for the KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer (view at Williams Sonoma).
Why Trust The Spruce Eats?
Donna Currie is the author of the cookbook Make Ahead Bread. She also reviews kitchen gadgets and other products for The Spruce Eats—so she definitely knows more than a few things about stand mixers. In fact, she's personally tested three stand mixers for our site, including one KitchenAid mixer.
This roundup was updated by Sharon Lehman, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist who happily makes space for any gadget that make cooking faster and easier. She specializes in small kitchen appliance testing and reviews for The Spruce Eats.
What to Look for When Buying a KitchenAid Mixer
Style
There are two types of KitchenAid mixers: tilt-head and bowl-lift. The motor head of a tilt-head mixer pushes back to let you pour ingredients into the bowl and access the beater. A bowl-lift mixer has a lever that pulls the bowl up to the beater. There is also a tilt-head "mini" model that is lighter and more compact than a typical tilt-head mixer.
Size and Capacity
Tilt-head mixers typically have a medium build, meaning they fit pretty well under most cabinets and have a capacity of around 5 quarts. They're quite heavy, however, coming in at around 26 pounds. Still, they're not quite as heavy as bowl-lift mixers, which punch in at around 29 to 30 pounds; their bowls can hold up to 6 quarts. Due to their size, however, they're meant to be displayed on the counter and not placed under a cabinet. According to KitchenAid, the tilt-head model is made for families or people who plan to use mixers every day, while the bowl-lift model is designed for cooking for a crowd or handling heavy mixtures.
Attachments and Accessories
KitchenAid has more than 10 motor attachments that work with all of its stand mixers. These include a juicer, food processor, spiralizer, and pasta roller, among others. There are also helpful accessories available, such as pouring shields, pouring chutes, and covers.