Which KitchenAid Stand Mixer Is Right for You?

Models from this classic brand are among the top performers in our tests. So which one should you buy?

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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.

KitchenAid Commercial Series KSM8990ER

CR's take: Typically priced at around $800, the KitchenAid Commercial Series KSM8990ER is the most expensive stand mixer in our tests. It also has the largest mixing bowl, a full 8 quarts, so you can make really big batches of whatever it is you need to mix. In our tests, it earned top scores for whipping cream and mixing cookie dough, and was very good at kneading. This model is 17 inches tall and a bit hefty at 28 pounds. It has a bowl lift, and the stainless steel bowl has a handle to give you a better grip.

KitchenAid Professional 600 KP26M1X[DP]

CR's take: The KitchenAid Professional 600 KP26M1X[DP] will set you back only half as much as the commercial series model above. It also has a bowl lift and a stainless steel bowl with a handle, though this one is slightly smaller at 6 quarts. Like the other best performers featured here, it earns top marks for all three of our performance tests: whipping, mixing, and kneading. This model is the same height (17 inches) as its commercial brand-mate above but is slightly lighter, weighing in at 26 pounds.

KitchenAid Artisan Series KSM195PSBK

CR's take: KitchenAid's Artisan Series is a bump up from its classic line. The 10-speed KitchenAid Artisan Series KSM195PSBK comes with the usual attachments, plus three more: a pastry beater, an extra 3-quart bowl for smaller jobs, and a handy bowl shield to prevent splatters. The standard-issue stainless bowl is 5 quarts. In our tests, this mixer aced our tasks for whipping cream and mixing cookie dough, and was almost as good at kneading bread dough. It works quietly, and our testers found it very easy to change the beaters and clean. It weighs 21 pounds and has a tilt head, so you’ll need some clearance between your counter and cabinets. Bonus: You get your choice of 10 colors.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini KSM3316XWH

CR's take: The (comparatively) lightweight KitchenAid Artisan Mini KSM3316XWH is the perfect choice if you love to bake but don't have the counter space to devote to a full-sized mixer. At 17 pounds and 13 inches tall, you can easily stash it in a cabinet and then bring it out for baking sessions. The 4-quart bowl is also the smallest of the KitchenAid mixers we tested, meaning you’ll have to mix your bread dough one loaf at a time. But this little wonder aced our cookie dough mixing test and wasn't so shabby at whipping cream or kneading dough (although most of the larger models did better). This model has a tilt head and comes with a stainless steel bowl.

KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PSER

CR's take: Another standout from KitchenAid, the KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PSER churned through our tests, impressing us with top marks for whipping heavy cream, mixing cookie dough, and doing a yeoman's job of kneading bread dough. It's quiet and gets a top score in our convenience test, meaning you won't have to struggle to remove the bowl or beaters or adjust the speed. The head tilts back, so remember to account for clearance on your counter. This mixer weighs 21 pounds and comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl with a handle for easy removal. A choice of 11 colors makes it easy to match any kitchen décor.

Mary H.J. Farrell

Mary H.J. Farrell is a senior editor at Consumer Reports whose real passion is for cooking and all that entails. She has expanded CR's cookware category to include not only more pots and pans but also other essentials like stand mixer attachments, sheet pans, and vacuum sealers. Mary also covers vacuums but finds cooking way more fun than cleaning. Since the mid-1990s, Mary has held senior positions at People.com, MSNBC, and Ladies’ Home Journal. One of her earliest jobs was at Good Housekeeping.