If you’re a beginner, at some point you’ll find yourself asking: what are the best Kitchenaid stand mixers for beginners? The following guide will help you answer this question and find the right mixer for your needs.
Read on!
It’s well-known that Kitchenaid stand mixers are overpriced, so many people feel discouraged from making a purchase. You can save money by purchasing an Artisan or Classic model, or an entry-level version like the 4.5 quart tilt head powerkneader mixer in red. If buying online is what appeals to you most, stick to trusted retailers like Amazon as they have competitive prices and reliable delivery service (prime).
Using our guide below, you’ll get the best bang for your buck!
How to Choose the Right Mixer For You: What are you looking for?
Now that you have a general idea of what are the best Kitchenaid stand mixers and what it is, we will go over some of the questions and concerns you should keep in mind. We always start by asking: what accessories and attachments are you planning on buying? Consider industrial-grade pieces such as dough hooks, food processors, ice cream makers, etc. Although they might be pricey , they are high quality and very efficient at making simple tasks easier.
When shopping for Kitchenaid stand mixers, you should also think about whether or not you plan on making pancakes. All Kitchenaid stand mixers have the same specs and perform the same functions: beat, knead, whip, and beat again (at a slower speed) . Because of this, we recommend buying a Kitchenaid mixer with a larger bowl as opposed to adding attachments for specific tasks.
Keep in mind that if you leave out the attachments , many of these mixers can be made into a full-sized kitchen appliance like a mixer, breadmaker or coffee maker. This is achieved by adding an extra power cord and an extra bowl. If you’re planning on saving money and not buying any extra accessories, the list of best Kitchenaid stand mixers includes the following: 4.5-quart tilt head model in red.
The Kitchenaid 5 quart tilt head model in red is a stand mixer that gets the job done, but has many features that are unnecessary for beginners. It’s one of our favorite kitchen appliances as it’s quite versatile, very powerful (with a 900 watt motor), small enough to not take up much space, and affordable. You can find it at amazon .
The Artisan model is the smaller version of the classic 7 qt. and is perfect for beginners. It’s also what we recommend if you’re planning on buying a second stand mixer and a food processor, as they are quite compatible with each other while still being sold separately.
It has the same specs as the classic, but comes in a different color (in our opinion) and with a smaller bowl (which can actually be an advantage). You can find it at amazon .
If you’re just starting out, like to bake bread, or are planning on buying more attachments , go for the 7 qt tilt head classic model in red. It’s the best value for beginners and will get the job done. You can find it at amazon .
The following 3 models have good reviews, but we still recommend getting an Artisan or Classic model instead of them.
KitchenAid 5-quart classic stand mixer, in red. The classic is used by professionals and is geared towards making tough tasks easier and faster. It’s larger than the tilt head model (which isn’t easy to store), but if you want a powerful appliance for occasional use or baking, this would be it. You can find it at amazon .
KitchenAid 5-quart Professional 600 Series Plus Mixer, in silver. This is the same as the classic, but more expensive. It’s just a larger tilt head model that is quieter but much heavier. You can find it at amazon .
KitchenAid 5-quart Bowl Lift Stand Mixer, in red. This is an upgraded version of the tilt head model and will be quite useless if you buy it without any attachments. You can find it at amazon .
Kitchenaid 3.5-quart tilt head model in red. This is for those who don’t need a large bowl and have limited space, such as people living in studio apartments or dorms . You can find it at amazon .
KitchenAid 2-quart mini stand mixer in red. This is a basic model that is also very small and easy to store, but will have difficulty mixing certain ingredients (such as bread dough) as the bowl is too small and high. You can find it at amazon .
What to look for when Buying a Stand Mixer: Price
While pricing might vary depending on where you buy it, you can expect to spend at least $200 if you want something that will last and be worth your money. This doesn’t include accessories such as attachments and power cords. If you want something cheaper , then stick to Artisan or Classic models (in red), which run from $100-$200.
The best value for the money will be found in Kitchenaid 5 quart tilt head models.
The least expensive model that still gets the job done is the 4.5 or 3.2 quart tilt head model in red . These are great for beginners and will only cost you a little over $100 (don’t forget to add an extra bowl and attachment if you need them).
A Kitchenaid 7 qt classic stand mixer costs about $250 when you include a bowl and attachments, which is still considered the best value for your buck.
KitchenAid 5-quart tilt head power mixers with those extra features won’t be worth the price difference unless you want to upgrade your kitchen decor with a new shiny color (in red). The main differences between the professional versions and the classic versions are more wattage (900 vs. 700), more power (1.4 hp vs. 1.3), and a larger tilt head that is easier to store when not in use, but makes it heavier and harder to move around in small spaces.
Plastic or metal?
While plastic has its pros (such as being lighter than metal) , it also breaks easily, scratches easily, and isn’t heavy enough to mix dough by itself. Metal is sturdier, heavier, and lasts a long time (especially if you take good care of it), but can scratch counter tops and be too heavy for some people .
This is another one of the most common questions asked when buying a mixer and the answer depends on what you plan to use it for.
If you plan on making cakes from scratch and not just beating eggs , then go for the 7 qt. tilt head model in red . This will handle larger volumes and will be much more powerful than any smaller model. It also comes with a few additional attachments that are better for cakes (such as a whip or dough hook for whipping egg whites etc.). You can find it at amazon .
If you want to make bread, then go with the 3.2 qt model in red . This will handle smaller items and is much cheaper than professional models. You can find it at amazon .
While we do not recommend buying the Artisan or Classic models online , if you prefer them , they’ll run about $170 for either model when bought in store (when purchased separately). The difference between them is that the professional versions have a power cord and extra bowl that are not included in the classic models. You can find them at amazon .
Are you looking for a different Kitchenaid Stand Mixer ? We suggest getting the Classic 5 Quart Tilt Head Model instead. It’ll give you plenty of power for most tasks and be quieter, lighter, and easier to move around the kitchen whenever you need to.
Tools Made by KitchenAid
We’ve compiled a list of hand tools, bread machines and other appliances made by KitchenAid that are compatible with their stand mixers.
Read our review here .
You can find them at amazon . Note that some of them (such as the bread maker) have been discontinued.
If you own a KitchenAid mixer or any other product from KitchenAid , get $5 off your purchase using this link . This applies to all products bought at amazon (no exceptions).
Is a 4.5 quart mixer big enough?
A 4.5 quart tilt head kitchenaid is ideal for most people because it’s the perfect size for mixing bread dough , muffins, cookie dough, and other smaller batches. Their mini 3.2 quart tilt head model is even better as it’s much more lightweight (and cheaper).
The 7 qt tilt head model should only be bought if you plan on making bread from scratch or a lot of batter mixes (muffins and such). This will handle larger batches better and can mix more at once without clogging the mixer (which happens in the smaller models) .
You can find them at amazon .
The 7 qt tilt head model weighs about 41 pounds and is very heavy and cumbersome to store when not in use. It’s a great choice for those who plan on making large batches of bread dough, cake batter or other batters that are mixed in larger quantities.
What attachments do I need for my KitchenAid mixer?
Throughout the years, KitchenAid produced millions of different stand mixers and several models had specific attachments included with them which made their mixing jobs easier. Which ones you need depends on the type of recipe you want to make (and if you have extra accessories) .
Here are the most common attachments you might want to buy:
Quick Whip : this is a simple whisk with a crank on the end. It’s great for beating egg whites and making lighter mixtures (such as whipped cream) .
Dough Hook : this is your standard dough hook. It has small holes at the bottom of it to let more air in which makes mixing easier for creating bread doughs and pastas. This will also fit on the 4.5 quart tilt head model, but not on the 3.2 quart or 7 qt tilt head models .
Wire Whip : this is a standard wire whisk that can be used for lighter or faster mixing jobs (such as whipping cream). It does not fit on the mini 3.2 quart tilt head model .
Pasta Strap : this is an accessory that will make making pasta easier . It has 6 different holes in it to add the different types of flour you need for your dough.
Chopping/Mixing Blade: not every kitchenaid mixer was made with an included chopping blade, but if it’s there, then you’re one step closer to having a food processor at home. This blade also mixes harder items in with other foods and can be useful for making dips and juices.
Can I use a 5qt bowl fit 4.5 qt mixer?
The answer to this depends on what type of mixer you own.
If you own an older model tilt head model that does not have a bowl attachment and the main bowl is 1.75 qt (which is the smallest size), then yes, you can use one of those . The 3.2 qt tilt head model will have a 6 quart bowl (until it has been discontinued) .
If you own a newer model, then your lid will most likely be too large for the older model and will require an additional purchase. If your lid is still large enough to fit over the 4.5 quart tilt head , then go ahead and get one it fits on the 4.5 quart side .
Does KitchenAid 5 quart bowl fit a 4.5 quart?
This depends on the type of mixer you own.
If you own an older 4.5 qt model , then yes, it does . This will safely fit over your bowl and add extra space for mixing bigger batches of dough and batter. If you have a newer 4.5 qt model without any accessories, then your bowl is most likely too large to fit over to the tilt head and will require an additional purchase .
Is a 4 quart stand mixer big enough?
A 4 quart tilt head model is ideal for most people because it’s the perfect size for mixing bread dough , muffins, cookie dough, and other smaller batches. Their mini 3.2 quart tilt head model is even better as it’s much more lightweight (and cheaper).
A 4 qt tilt head should only be bought if you plan on making bread from scratch or a lot of batter mixes (muffins and such). This will handle larger batches better and can mix more at once without clogging the mixer (which happens in the smaller models) .
CONCLUSION:
When you take into account the pros and cons of all these products, it seems clear to us that the best KitchenAid stand mixer is either their classic 5 quart tilt head mixer or a 4.5 quart model. The Classic 5 Quart Tilt Head Model is very well balanced and will give you plenty of power for most tasks, without being too expensive. It’s also easier to use and store when not in use. The Classic models are good for almost all households. If you plan on making bread from scratch or a lot of batter mixes (muffins and such), then go with the 7 qt model . It’s lightweight and allows you to mix larger batches of dough and batter. For most other uses, go with the 4.5 qt model for its greater capacity. KitchenAid 4 Quart Stand Mixer on Amazon The best available offer at time of this review is the KitchenAid 4 Quart Stand Mixer which comes with many useful attachments: 500 Watt Motor.
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