More money will likely get you more features and attachments, and for a tool that takes up a decent amount of counter space, we think it’s wise to get a multitasker. New stand mixer owners might not think twice about the power hub, but it’s actually one of the things that make this mixer—as well as other KitchenAid stand mixer models—so desirable. While it’s a good idea to lock the head down while the mixer is in use to keep the head from bouncing, we found that it was only necessary when we were working with dense doughs.
The stand mixer also features 10 speed settings for a variety of recipes and techniques, from gentle cake mixing to high-speed merengue whipping. Adding ingredients to the mix is easy, thanks to the clever tilt-head design. KitchenAid offers a large collection of colors to choose from, proving that there’s a mixer for every maker. For those looking for a classic KitchenAid look that fits into any kitchen, take a look at countertop mixers in shades of white. Learn how to customize your KitchenAid® Stand Mixer using our customization tool. The KitchenAid Quilted Fitted Tilt-Head Stand Mixer Cover is a heavy-duty cover made of 100% cotton twill, designed to protect your KitchenAid mixer from scratches, damage, or dust when not in use.
Hand mixers are lighter and more portable than stand mixers, but stand mixers are more powerful and efficient and have a wider range of attachments and speeds. Tilt-head mixers are usually more compact, but bowl-lift mixers are a bit sturdier and more powerful—good for tough jobs like kneading dense bread dough. Tilt-head mixers also make it easier to swap out the beaters, but on the flip side, it’s a little easier to add ingredients to a bowl-lift mixer (when the bowl is lowered). In both the cookie and bread tests, the Artisan mixed dough without rocking or straining the motor. Though all of the mixers ultimately made beautiful and tasty loaves of bread, the two KitchenAid stand mixers we tested were the only ones that didn’t wobble while kneading. Speaking of dough, the mixer did an excellent job kneading bread dough, and it didn’t complain one bit.
You can read more about which attachments we found are worth getting and which aren’t. And while it had plenty of room for everything we threw at it, the Artisan could also handle tiny quantities, easily whipping first a single egg white and then a ½ cup of cream. Its otherwise stellar sibling, the KitchenAid Pro 600, couldn’t handle such a small batch of ingredients in its larger bowl. The Cuisinart Precision Master’s whisk struggled to fully reach such a small amount of cream, whisking it into a grainy, liquidy mess instead of a fluffy whipped topping. Finally, to see if the mixers could handle small-batch recipes, we used them to whip only one egg white, and then just ½ cup of cream.
It’s a tilt-head model, so the top of the mixer that holds attachments will lift up to allow you to add ingredients or scrape the bowl while you’re mixing. You’ll also get a locking toggle on the other side of the mixer, that way the head stays in place as it’s going. If you’re after a tilt-head stand mixer with all the bells & whistles and a wide range of colours to choose from, the KSM195 is perfect for you. We chose to make seven-minute frosting (which is the same as meringue) to test each mixer’s whipping prowess. Besides noting whether the mixers strained during such a long, high speed task, we also measured the volume of the frosting to see how well each machine aerated the mixture. The stated yield of this recipe is 8 cups, but getting more than that indicates better whipping abilities.
Almost every KitchenAid mixer comes with a stainless-steel bowl; only certain Artisan models come with a glass bowl. Bowls are available for sale individually if you’d rather substitute one material for another or if you plan on doing a lot of multitasking—having an extra bowl on hand is an avid baker’s secret weapon. Clear glass bowls with measurement markings on the side are available for tilt-head and select bowl-lift models, while frosted glass, hammered glass, and ceramic are only available for tilt-head. We’ve maintained for a long time that our favorite stand mixer is the KitchenAid 6-Quart Professional 600 Series Stand Mixer.
And every step of the way we also took note of how easy each mixer was to use, clean, and store. The mixer also includes a pouring shield, which makes it easy to add ingredients to the mixer while it’s running. It’s also useful as a splatter guard to keep flour or loose liquids from flying out of the mixer. Just about everyone who has owned a stand mixer long enough has experienced the joy of accidentally moving to a high speed with flour in the bowl, sending a cloud of flour everywhere.
This attachment comes with a basket to catch pulp and seeds and a spout to pour juice directly into a glass or pitcher. With over two dozen colors to choose from, there’s an option for every aesthetic. Every detail is designed for making—if something isn’t right, we’re here to help.
One of the only issues we ran into while testing the KitchenAid stand mixer was with the speed lever. You’ll have better access to the bowl when adding ingredients or attaching your preferred accessory. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New kitchenaid artisan York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).
The KitchenAid Mini series is built with the same motor power as the Artisan, while taking up 20% less space on the countertop, according to the brand website. We found kitchenaid chopper that bore out in testing, as the Mini performed all tasks just as well as the Artisan. The Mini models all come with the standard three attachments and have 10 speeds.