Kitchenaid stand mixers come in a range of prices, from just over $200 to several thousand dollars. Generally speaking, the more you spend on your mixer, the nicer it will be. However, there is also a limit to how much it’s worth investing into an appliance that sits largely ignored in your kitchen.
The Kitchen Aid offers five different types of stand mixers: The Classic ($199-$349), The Artisan ($449-$649) , The Professional ($649- $799), the Classic Plus ($799-$999), and the Architect Series II ($899- up). All these stand mixers are expensive with only minor differences between them.
Each of the five models are:
Stand Mixer with Built-In Grinder (Artisan, Professional, and Architect Series!)
Stand Mixer with Power Boost (Professional and Artisan Series)
Stand Mixer with Stainless Steel Bowl (Professional Series)
Stand Mixer with Additional Attachments & Features (Premium Series, Professional Series, and Artisan Series)
The Kitchen Aid stand mixer comes in several different colors. While this isn’t a big issue for most people, it can be an important factor for some buyers. On the contrary, stand mixers aren’t widely available in all colors; though you can still find designer colors.
You can also choose between several attachments for your Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers; this too is an important consideration:
Additional Attachments & Features (Premium Series, Professional Series and Artisan Series)
The Premium series range ($399-$499) includes several accessories. This includes a felt guard, which helps to prevent splatters. It also has a stainless steel bowl; though it’s not dishwasher safe, it’s easier to clean than glass. The Professional series ($499-$599) comes with some more accessories as well; such as a mixing chute, whisk beater and Citrus Juicer. The Professional series also has a nylon whisk beater.
The Artisan series ($599-$899) doesn’t have any additional attachments; however, it does include a stainless steel bowl, which is dishwasher-safe. The Artisan range ($799-$999) comes with several accessories, including a mixing chute, whisk beater and Citrus Juicer. It also includes the American Gourmet Premium Cut Bowl; this is great for chopping ingredients into fine pieces. It also has a nylon whisk beater. Finally, the Architect series ($899- $1399) comes with additional attachments such as the Kitchen Aid Optimix Supreme Chopper or Imperia Chopper Slicer Attachment.
Price
The Kitchen Aid stand mixers are expensive. However, they are expensive for good reasons: They are robust, perform well and come with several attachments and features. In comparison, other stand mixers require several steps in order to achieve full mixing results.
In addition to the price, your Kitchen Aid is more expensive than other more established brands such as Bosch, KitchenAid and Braun. In short, it’s an investment. You should know that:
A reputable brand Kitchen Aid stand mixer will last you a lifetime (unless you are just throwing them away). You can buy a decent quality stand mixer in one of several colors at an affordable price. A good professional brand will cost you a few hundred dollars; and you can find one in the colors available at the local hardware store or discount department store. Budget-friendly designs are generally not sturdy enough to mix concrete and similar materials; plus they lack some of the attachments that make your appliance useful.
As you can see, it just isn’t worth spending the extra money if you are only going to be using the stand mixer once a year. At the same time, it’s not worth buying a cheap machine that isn’t built to last; or one that won’t give you exactly what your paying for. You should know that:
A good stand mixer can make your life easier in several ways: You won’t have to use as much energy when mixing thick foods such as dough; Using a stand mixer is far less time consuming than having to mix everything by hand. While it may cost you an arm and leg, it will be well worth your investment.
So, how much should you spend? The truth is: It depends. It all really depends on what you intend to use your stand mixer for. It also depends on the amount of money you have to splurge on a kitchen appliance.
How Much Should You Spend
On average, a good quality food processor will cost you between $50-$70. On the other hand, a food processor with multiple attachments could go for around $150; while some professional mixers can go as high as $700! That said, if you own a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer your spending won’t be limited by the cost of your particular model. You will be able to enjoy additional attachments and features, as well as additional accessories that can be purchased at your local store or online.
In summary: The cost of a Kitchen Aid stand mixer is highly dependent on what you are willing to spend. However, you can expect that the more you pay for your stand mixer the more extra features, attachments and accessories it will come with. In addition, the higher quality of the accessories will also determine their price; though there are several affordable options available on the market today.
If you want to know the average price of a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer, we can tell you that: The average price of a stand mixer is between $200-$300.
The Most Popular Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers
There are a number of KitchenAid stand mixers to choose from. Here you can compare the following five models in detail:
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer – The KitchenAid Artisan Series has proven to be a reliable and versatile stand mixer. We found that there are some excellent features such as: A powerful motor (6 liter) with variable speed control A stainless steel bowl which offers easy cleaning Quiet operation and plenty of power, although it isn’t damped; allowing the blender to make noise While this model is not inexpensive, it’s well worth the price for home cooks or professionals. It is worth noting that the KitchenAid Artisan Series beat other mixers in its category in terms of durability, quality and performance.
KitchenAid Professional Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer – This model can be used for anything from mixing your family’s favorite cookies to preparing enough batter for an entire army. It is a powerful machine that quickly powers through anything you throw its way. In addition, the 6-quart stainless steel bowl is big enough for larger batches and can hold up to 12 cups of flour. The 5 quart mixer comes with a flat beater, dough hook, whisk and pouring shield; as well as a splash guard lid. When it comes to performance, the KitchenAid Professional Series can handle any task; although it’s not quiet. Also, it’s a heavy machine, measuring at 13.4 lbs without accessories.
KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Stand Mixer – The KitchenAid Pro Line Series 7-Quart Stand Mixer is made for professional use and is powerful enough for all of your toughest mixing jobs. It has several attachments that allow you to add new functionality to your machine: A flat beater, thin beater, dough hook, wire whip, dough hook and pouring shield; all of which are plastic and easy to clean. Also included is a splash guard lid and pouring shield. The main problem we found with this mixer is the lack of speed control, which means you need to pay attention to what you are doing. It doesn’t have a damped motor, causing it to produce noise; though at the same time it’s still powerful and capable of mixing everything you require.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer – This model is designed for home cooks who want versatility and performance combined with easy cleanup. It can be used for recipes ranging from cookies, bread dough and pasta sauce to larger batches of bread and cakes. And while it doesn’t have a large bowl, the glass bowl makes cleaning easy. This mixer is powerful enough to do the job you ask of it, but it isn’t as quiet as other models. There are also several attachments that allow you to use your stand mixer in different ways; as well as multiple splash guard lids and pouring shields.
KitchenAid Mixer – This model features a powerful motor with variable speeds, a flat beater and glass bowl that doesn’t collect food bits. It comes with a wire whip, dough hook, pouring shield and a splash guard lid. When it comes to durability this model is top notch; with an all-metal construction coupled with a stainless steel bowl that can resist rusting and wear over time. As you may have guessed, this isn’t the quietest of machines; so you may want to keep that in mind.
How We Assessed Them
We purchased and tested a number of stand mixers and considered them against various parameters. Here we’ll take a look at the testing criteria and what we learned from our research.
Motor Power and Damping
The motor power is the amount of energy your mixer can produce. This can be determined in two ways: with a milliamp meter or by weighing the mixing bowl. On average, mixers range from 6 to 10 amps. The higher the number, the more energy your machine produces. Ultimately, this affects how quickly your machine will operate, how powerful it is and what kind of strength you will have to use to move heavy items through your work bowl. The higher the power, the faster it’ll mix things; but at a cost (in terms of noise).
At the same time, damped mixers (which are quieter) generally have less power than non-damped mixers. This is because the motor is limited by a damping system that reduces the vibrations of the motor, thus making it quieter. For this reason, if you’re looking for a powerful mixer with an acceptable amount of noise, you might want to choose one with a damped motor.
The other factor involved in determining how many amps your machine has is whether it comes with built-in or external speed controls. If your mixer doesn’t come with an external speed control, then its motor will be limited by the speed at which you use the machine. While this will ensure that you don’t override the motor, you won’t have much control over the amount of power it produces. While this might not be a major issue if you’re only making cookies, if you’re preparing meat and vegetables or even mixing large batches of bread, then it could be a problem.
Pouring Shield
A pouring shield is a piece of plastic which covers the blade during blending. This reduces splatters, which allows you to work more efficiently. We found that some mixers come with built-in shields and others do not; so we took them into account as well. You should also take into consideration whether or not your machine has a splash guard lid. If it doesn’t, then you’ll have to get a separate one. These lids will help shield your work bowl, so you can enjoy quieter mixing.
Attachments
Most stand mixers come with a flat beater, dough hook and whisk as standard attachments. Some have additional attachments like a wire whip or a mixer with a damped motor (which is quieter than standard mixers). Additional attachments are often available separately, allowing you to use your mixer in different ways. While many of the models we tested had these basic attachments, some came with added features like on/off switches or digital timers which weren’t found on other models.
How much should I spend on a stand mixer?
Stand mixers are an investment and one that should last you for years to come. That said, it’s important to find one that is the right price for your budget. We looked at prices ranging from $100 to over $500 and then compared cost against performance; ultimately finding the most cost effective machines.
That said, we also found that price was tied into quality, so you get what you pay for when it comes to stand mixers. While there are a couple of cheaper models out there, they aren’t as powerful or durable as some of the more expensive ones; which is why we only recommended high-quality models within most price ranges.
What is the best KitchenAid mixer for the price?
You’ll find that there are a variety of different KitchenAid mixers on the market, so choosing the best one is often a matter of personal preference. That said, we singled out the following models because they proved to be the most cost effective and reliable models.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $149.00)
This affordable mixer is one of the best in its class as it comes with everything you need; from 6 speeds, variable speed controls and additional attachments to make your life easier.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 7-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $199.00)
This stand mixer comes with all the same features as the Artisan Series 5-quart model, except for the larger work bowl. This larger bowl is perfect for mixing large batches of cookies or hard-to-mixed dough. It also comes with a handle which makes it easier to transport your stand mixer to and from your countertop.
KitchenAid Classic Plus Stand Mixer (MSRP: $199.00)
This KitchenAid Classic Plus model will be right at home in your kitchen as it’s been designed to look like a vintage kitchen appliance. As you may expect, it also comes with all of the same features as the Artisan models.
KitchenAid Pro Line Series 6-Qt. Stand Mixer (MSRP: $449.00)
If money is no object for you, then this KitchenAid mixer is a great indulgence. It comes with the same types of attachments as the other models and has a damped motor which allows it to be run at higher speeds without increasing noise levels. This model also comes with a pouring shield and splash guard for safer operation and easier cleanup.
Are KitchenAid appliances worth the extra money?
While KitchenAid stands mixers are a great choice, they’re also expensive. This makes it important to carefully consider the work you have to do before you buy. If you don’t need a lot of extra features and if you don’t mind having to pay more, then the KitchenAid line will definitely get the job done. If, on the other hand, you need something that can handle a variety of different tasks, then we would recommend looking into other brands like Cuisinart.
What is the best stand mixer for bakers?
When it comes to stand mixers specifically designed for baking uses, there are two types that we recommend: damped and non-damped models. Damped models provide an additional level of control over your machine. They’re able to run at higher speeds without adding unnecessary noise which lessens the vibrations and allows for cleaner, smoother mixing.
That said, if you’re using your mixer for basic tasks or you don’t mind the extra noise, then a non-damped model will probably be fine. The other consideration is whether or not you have deep bowl attachments like dough hooks and whisks available. If not, then it might be better to buy a stand mixer that includes those attachments; otherwise you won’t be able to use your machine fully.
How much does a KitchenAid mixer go for?
Although KitchenAid mixers are some of the best on the market, we didn’t find them to be completely reasonable. That said, we found that there are many different models to choose from within most price ranges. Here is a list of the cheapest and most expensive KitchenAid mixers to check out:
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer (MSRP: $149.00)
While this model doesn’t have all of the bells and whistles found on more expensive models, it’s designed with what you need in mind. It’s perfect for mixing small amounts of dough, cake batters and preparing light food items. It also comes with a pouring shield to help keep your bowl safe while you work.
KitchenAid Artisan 4-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $199.00)
This model is one of the more affordable on the market, but it still has everything you need. It comes with a damped motor to create distractions which prevent noises from being transmitted throughout the bowl and can be run at speeds up to 10,000 RPMs or higher depending on how hard you mix your ingredients.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 9-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $349.00)
This model is one of the most expensive on the list but it’s also one of the best. It comes with all of the same features as other KitchenAid mixers, except for a larger bowl for larger jobs. This is perfect for making large batches of large amount of food items like cakes and bread doughs.
KitchenAid Professional Series 11-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $619.00)
This model is among the most expensive on the list, but it is also one of the most powerful. It comes with all of the same features as other KitchenAid mixers, except for a larger bowl for large batches. This is perfect for making large amounts of food items like cakes and bread doughs.
KitchenAid Professional Series 9-Quart Stand Mixer (MSRP: $799.00)
This Model has everything you need to make cakes, bread doughs and more in one convenient package. It also comes with a pouring shield which allows you to keep your bowl safe while you work.
KitchenAid Professional Series 14-Cup Food Processor (MSRP: $499.00)
Some of the attachments that come with this model include a dough hook, clamp-on splash guard and an 11-cup work bowl to make mixing large amounts of food easy. It also comes with more power than other KitchenAid mixers; with a damped 400-watt motor which can be run at speeds up to 12,000 RPMs.
KitchenAid Professional Series 14-Cup Food Processor (MSRP: $1,399.00)
This model is the most expensive on the list but it’s one of the biggest. It comes with two 11-cup bowls and two 14-cup bowls to allow you to mix large amounts of ingredients easily. It also comes with more power than other KitchenAid mixers; with a damped 400-watt motor which can be run at speeds up to 12,000 RPMs.
How do I choose between the different types of stand mixers?
Choosing between KitchenAid stand mixer attachments can be a little tricky. That said, we’ve seen that most of them tend to come in similar types: dough hooks and whisks, pouring shields and splash guards, deep bowl attachements, food processors and pasta makers.
CONCLUSION:
KitchenAid stand mixers are some of the best on the market but they’re also among some of the more expensive models. That said, if you need a high-quality stand mixer that can handle even the most complex bakes, then we would recommend one of these products. If money is no object for you and you want something that can be used for a variety of different tasks, then we would recommend looking at other brands like Cuisinart. While KitchenAid mixers are some of the best on the market, we didn’t find them to be completely reasonable. That said, we found that there are many different models to choose from within most price ranges.
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