KitchenAid Stand Mixers Compared! – Classic Vs. Artisan Vs. Professional
A home cook’s must-have appliance is a stand mixer, and the big name in these appliances is, of course, the KitchenAid Stand Mixer. But which is better: the classic KitchenAid or the artisan model? Or can you do better by going for one of the professional models?
There are three main types of KitchenAid stand mixers: professional, classic and artisan. They will be discussed in depth below with all their features included so you can make an informed purchase to suit your needs as a cook (or baker!) The pros and cons are also discussed along with thoughts on which type to choose.
Professional Models
These are the best choices for those who have a lot of cooking to do, and want power and speed at their beck and call. They have a very wide range of features including variable speed (14 speeds), a dough hook and variable speed control. They also have a powerful motor that can make life easy when mixing bread doughs or whipped cream.
The pros of this model are its strength, vibrant design and ease of use. It’s definitely the quickest mixer out there thanks to its variable speeds (see below) but it is bulky and takes up more space on your cooking bench than the other two units (classic or artisan).
Pros: Variable speeds, variable speed control, powerful motor.
Cons: Bulky.
Classic Models (Silver Series)
These models are for those who want a classic look and feel without the power and speed that these professional models have to offer. They offer all of the standard features of the professional versions such as a removable beaters plug, variable speed controls and a power cord storage compartment. The only difference is that they don’t have variable speed control.
Pros: Great if you want a mixer with classic looks but no powerful motors or variable speeds. Good for those who are intimidated by some of the features on a pro unit like variable speeds or dough hooks.
Cons: Less powerful than the professional versions and do not offer variable speed features.
Artisan Models (Copper Series)
The artisan mixers have a design that was inspired by the KitchenAid stand mixers that were first introduced in the 1920’s (hence their name). They are less bulky and more stylish, making them a good choice for those who want a classic look without buying an older model. They also have 3 attachments compared to only one on other models (a dough hook, balloon whisk and flat beater). The benefits of this unit are mainly aesthetic but they are very powerful just like other commercial units.
Pros: Aesthetically pleasing, classic look, 3 attachments instead of 1.
Cons: Expensive, not as efficient as the professional or classic models.
Mixer Comparison Table
Classic Artisan Professional Motor 15 horsepower 14 horsepower 14 horsepower 3-Speed Mixing Yes No Yes Variable Speed Controls No Yes Yes Cushioned Pivot Whisk Wires Yes No Yes Weight 8.4 pounds 11 pounds 17.5 pounds Accessories 1 3 3 Detachable Cord Yes No Yes Dough Hook and Whisk Included Yes No Yes BPA Free Yes No No
KitchenAid Classic vs. Artisan vs. Professional
Before we look at which is the best KitchenAid Stand Mixer, it might help to first see the differences between the classic, artisan and professional models. Although they are all made by KitchenAid, there are notable differences between them and you can use this section to compare them against each other in an effort to decide which one is right for you. Keep in mind that there are other KitchenAid models out there that are not included here, and you might want to look for a different model if you’re really set on purchasing a KitchenAid mixer.
Making It Easy To Compare Features
Here’s the list of features that we feel help any kitchen appliance make a strong impression: speed, power and durability. These three factors will be looked at individually below to see what each model has to offer.
Motor Power Output: More powerful motors are better because they can constantly work at high speeds and have higher power output than smaller motors (15 horsepower vs 14). The professional units have a greater power output (3 horsepower vs 2) so if you really want to get a powerful motor (or you’re planning on buying a professional unit), the pros are the way to go.
Speed: What’s the difference between variable speeds and variable control? In a nutshell, variable control puts more power into your arm by giving you more control over how much mixing is going on. The controls might be different between models that are different so do make sure you look up each model’s specs before making your decision. Although 14 speeds is more than enough for most cooking jobs, adding variable speed control gives you even more speed options available to use (see above). If you’re buying a classic model and can’t find variable speed control, then the pros are probably your best bet.
Durability: All of these units are designed to last (they’re mostly made from stainless steel) so look for those features to see how long the appliance will stay in good condition. Again, the pros have more durable gearboxes than other models so if you’re planning on using your mixer for frequent use, particularly during baking times, a professional unit is definitely worth looking at. This also goes for the motors which are much more powerful as well; they’ll keep running but will not overheat and burn out because of continuous use.
Powerful Mixers
Although KitchenAid mixes are some of the best on the market, they do have one Achilles heel which is their power. The high speed that they come with means that you can use your mixer more than once and truly make something but it also means that they’re painfully slow at mixing doughs. They just don’t have the power to keep up with these tasks and cakes take forever to mix in them until you add additional ingredients. Although this might not be a huge issue for most people, if you’re making a specialty cake or something similar, you may want to buy a mixer that is more powerful than the KitchenAid models offer (we’ve already mentioned above the differences between the standard and professional units).
Mixing Is A Non-Issue
When it comes to mixing, all of the mixers in this article are on a similar level. Even though the pros have a greater power output, they don’t offer variable speed controls so they aren’t any better at mixing than other models. What they do offer is a mechanical advantage that makes it easier to handle mixtures and doughs (see above). If you’re looking for something that works well but is easy to use, simply look at the attachments and see which one has more attachments. Although most of these mixers come with standard beaters, motors and dough hooks, others include unique features such as pasta roller and grain grinder attachments.
NutriBullet vs. KitchenAid
It’s important to note that although the Nutribullet is designed to make great soups, smoothies and juices (as well as the occasional nut butter), the company has been criticized for using inferior parts in its blenders so it’s not one of our top recommendations. In fact, we have a different blender recommendation below but if you’re looking for a versatile machine that works on a variety of foods and doesn’t break too often, the Nutribullet is probably your best bet.
In terms of KitchenAid stand mixers, it’s a good appliance but it does have some flaws that keep us from recommending it as much. For example, its smaller motor is not powerful enough for special doughs and in general, the power that it provides just isn’t enough. We much prefer the Professional model to the standard model because of its larger mixers and powerful motors that allow you to work longer without having to add additional ingredients while mixing.
Can I Get One With Grain Grinders
Not all of these mixers come with grinder attachments but if you’re looking for one in particular, some models do come with carbide-tipped provisions so you can use them to grind grains and seeds.
Is KitchenAid discontinuing the Artisan series?
KitchenAid has discontinued a few of their professional appliances and the KitchenAid Artisan Series (specifically, the Professional Series) has been discontinued. This is unfortunate as it was one of the best deals in the appliance department. As of March 2019, only these specific models are available:
The other KitchenAid Professional Series models are available so this is just a coincidence, not something that you should be worried about. If you’re in the market for a professional brand, we do suggest you take a look at our KitchenAid reviews.
What is the difference between Pro and Artisan?
KitchenAid’s Professional Series and Artisan Series models are actually significantly different in design and function. Both come with heavy duty motors and gearboxes. The main difference is that KitchenAid’s Professional Series has more enhanced options available, including grinding blades to use with the dough hook, larger mixing chambers that allow for longer mixing times, and much higher rated motors in standard units vs. professional units (professional models have 3 horsepower motors vs. 2 horsepower standard models).
What is the difference between the KitchenAid models?
The main difference between the models are their muscle power (which normally translates to price) and their mixing abilities. In terms of power, KitchenAid has three different levels: Standard, Professional and Architect (the Professional and Professional Plus are very similar with the same motors but different attachments so we list them as one). The standard models have a fairly good amount of backbone in their mixing chambers but they do tend to get hot when mixing heavy doughs or tougher ingredients. This is not necessarily a fault in the product but more so a deficiency in its design.
How long do KitchenAid mixers last?
KitchenAid mixers generally tend to last (assuming they’re not abused) anywhere from 5-7 years. That said, this number is not completely accurate as it’s the experience of a small number of owners; the real life testing data is much different. As for mixing power, the mixing performance that these mixers provide is unparalleled and if you’re in the market for a professional appliance, you’ll get your money’s worth as long as you take proper care of your unit.
Do KitchenAid attachments fit all models?
The attachments that come with KitchenAid models will fit on most of their models. They’re designed to have universal spouts and you’ll find them on several different places. This is not the case with other mixers; some mixers such as the Cuisinart and the Ninja offer attachments that are specifically made for their mixers. This means that if you buy a different mixer, you won’t be able to use any of your favorite attachments again. That’s not the case with KitchenAid; you can use all of your favorite attachments on any unit as soon as you buy it.
CONCLUSION:
As residential appliances go, a stand mixer is probably one of the best investments you’ll make. These machines can handle nearly anything that you throw at them and they can handle everything from baking to grinding. They’re light, easy to use and have enough power to get pretty much every job done, regardless of whether it’s a cake or a stiff Italian dough. While some are better than others, any of these models will work great in most kitchens; the only difference is the cost (and perhaps their attachments). If you’re looking for something that has lots of power but isn’t too cheap (because it will break easily), then we suggest buying the KitchenAid Professional Series Artisan Mixer with Pouring Shield Attachment.
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