Is KitchenAid worth it? Our honest review of the stand mixer brand

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KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer in the pistachio shade, on a white countertop next to a glass of milk and some biscuits

There are few kitchen appliances as instantly recognisable as a KitchenAid stand mixer. With their retro styling, glossy finishes and rainbow of colour options, these machines are as much a statement piece as they are a practical tool, appearing in everything from The Great British Bake Off to Monica Geller's kitchen in '90s sitcom Friends.

If you're shopping for a new mixer – either for the first time or as a replacement for another model – the brand's stellar reputation is also hard to ignore, but some of its products are also eye-wateringly expensive, not to mention large.

Now KitchenAid has discontinued its 3.3L Mini model, the smallest option is the 4.3L Classic stand mixer, which is pretty chunky if you have a small kitchen. Are they really worth the investment, particularly if you're only a casual baker?

Across the Good Food cookery and product-testing teams, we've spent many years putting a range of stand mixers through their paces – from compact models to large, heavy-duty machines and every attachment you can possibly think of.

We've used them to make cakes, meringues, bread dough, sausages, fresh pasta and even ice cream, assessing everything from build quality and ease of use to the all-important end result.

This means we've got a pretty good idea of how KitchenAid compares with other stand mixer brands, and honestly? We've been impressed time and again, but there's a few caveats you might want to bear in mind.

Jump to:

Are KitchenAid stand mixers worth it?
How to choose a KitchenAid stand mixer
Which KitchenAid stand mixer is best?
What are the best KitchenAid alternatives?

Are KitchenAid stand mixers worth it?

Performance

There's a reason that KitchenAid stand mixers appear on shows like The Great British Bake Off year after year, and that's because they produce consistent, reliable results every time regardless of what you throw at them.

From beating cake batter to kneading dough or whipping cream, every KitchenAid model we've reviewed has delivered solid results in test, and we've found the attachments sturdy and well made, too.

Versatility

Perhaps one of KitchenAid's biggest strengths is the versatility of its mixers. Not just for baking cakes, these machines are workhorses that can tackle bread, meringues, pastry, pasta dough and more.

Most models have 10 speed settings that offer plenty of control and its tilt-head models make adding ingredients and swapping attachments incredibly easy.

KitchenAid butter yellow stand mixer in a kitchen

It's not just the functionality of KitchenAid's mixers that's versatile, though – there's a remarkable amount of choice when it comes to aesthetics.

With 29 colours currently available across selected models, from bold reds and deep greens to soft pinks and calming blues, you can select a shade that perfectly complements the rest of your kitchen.

Build quality and power

KitchenAid mixers have a reputation for longevity, too. Each machine we've tested has felt reassuringly heavy and robust, keeping it stable on the worktop even on full power.

Spare parts and extra bowls are widely available but the brand doesn't offer repairs, so you'll have to reach out to a trusted appliance repairs service if your mixer suffers any technical faults.

If it's an ultra-powerful motor or high-tech features you want, KitchenAid does fall short versus other rival brands like Kenwood, which offer higher wattages and digital extras like built-in scales, timers and warming functions.

The Kenwood Titanium Chef Patissier XL, for example, has a 1400W motor, integrated weighing and warming functions and a sophisticated touchscreen display.

Price

There's no getting around the fact KitchenAid's mixers are expensive, but we do think the cost reflects their quality.

If you're after a simple, no-frills mixer that can handle the occasional bake, there are more affordable models that get the job done (you can find a full range in our best stand mixers guide), though they might not offer the same longevity, performance or range of attachments.

How to choose a KitchenAid stand mixer

One thing you'll notice when shopping for a KitchenAid mixer is there's a range of models to choose from, and finding the right one for you will depend on your baking habits, kitchen space and budget.

The good news is KitchenAid has most bases covered across its product range, with various sizes and price points available – from medium-sized 4.3L models to larger 6.6L machines that can handle big bakes.

KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer in blue salt shade, on a worktop surrounded by small pots of salt

KitchenAid mixers aren't known for being petite, so it's probably worth shopping for an alternative brand if you want something more compact – we've listed a few further below.

When searching for a KitchenAid stand mixer, consider the following:

Capacity: If you regularly bake in large batches, go for a model with a bigger bowl like the KitchenAid 6.6L Bowl-Lift mixer. For occasional or small-batch baking, something like the KitchenAid 4.3L Classic will more than suffice.
Bowl-lift vs tilt-head: KitchenAid mixers either come with a bowl-lift or tilt-head mechanism – the former is generally found on the more heavy-duty, larger models, while the tilt-head design is built into the more compact, medium-sized ones.
Budget: Prices for a KitchenAid stand mixer start from £419, with the most expensive costing around £899.
Attachments: All KitchenAid models come with basic tools like a beater, dough hook and whisk, but some models can also be paired with extra mixer attachments (available to buy separately), like pasta rollers, meat grinders and spiralizers.
Colour and finish: Perhaps the most fun bit of choosing a KitchenAid stand mixer is the colour, so think about which shade will best complement your kitchen – be it one of the classics, like candy apple red, or a limited-edition release.

Which KitchenAid stand mixer is best?

KitchenAid Bowl-Lift stand mixer

Available from Amazon (from £429.99), Harts of Stur (from £449), John Lewis & Partners (£449), Currys (£559), KitchenAid (from £749)

Available in two sizes: 5.6L and 6.6L

For hardcore bakers, KitchenAid's bowl-lift stand mixers are as near to professional-grade machines as you can get. They're typically more powerful and better for batch baking, with arms on either side that the bowl slots between, offering ample space for large mixtures.

The 5.6L model comes with a balloon whisk, dough hook and beater as standard. If you upgrade to the 6.6L machine, a double-sided flex-edge beater is included, too, and the attachments are made from stainless-steel. The 6.6L model also comes in a wider choice of colours.

We tested the 5.6L model and found that lifting the bowl in and out of the mixer took some practice, but it delivered smooth, well combined results with every task we threw at it – from whisking egg whites to beating cake batter.

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KitchenAid Tilt-Head stand mixer

Available from Amazon (from £348.95), Harts of Stur (£348.95), KitchenAid (from £399.20), John Lewis & Partners (£479), Currys (£599)

Available in three sizes: 4.3L, 4.7L and 4.8L

Perhaps the most iconic of the two designs, KitchenAid's tilt-head mixers are equipped with 10 speed settings on a sliding scale. Regardless of size, they're great all-rounders that don't take up as much space as the bowl-lift models, making light work of everyday baking tasks.

Each size comes with the same attachments as standard – a beater, dough hook and balloon whisk – and there are 15 optional attachments that can be bought separately.

The tilt-head machines also come in the largest range of colours, including Butter (KitchenAid's 2025 Colour of the Year). There are special-edition mixers, too, including the Evergreen Design Series mixer, which has a walnut wood bowl, the Artisan Monochrome mixer with a white studded ceramic bowl, and the Artisan 'By You' stand mixer, which you can have engraved.

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What are the best KitchenAid alternatives?

Bosch CreationLine MUM5XW10 kitchen machine

Available from Bosch (£239.99), Amazon (£349.99)

Star rating: 5/5

If the versatility of a KitchenAid mixer appeals but you're working with a smaller budget, this stand mixer/food processor hybrid from Bosch is an impressive multi-tasker that's good-looking and practical.

It also has a relatively unobtrusive footprint for a stand mixer, and its two-in-one design means it's a space-saver in the kitchen, too. Read our full Bosch CreationLine kitchen machine review.

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ProCook stand mixer

Available from ProCook (£249)

Star rating: 4.5/5

Sporting a convenient tilt-head design, this ProCook model is both efficient and stylish, though when on full power it can be a little noisy. It's relatively lightweight but holds firm to the countertop thanks to the strong suction feet.

A 6-litre bowl is provided, as is a balloon whisk, beater and dough hook, and there are fewer speed settings than you get with a KitchenAid mixer (just six, plus a pulse function).

We found it struggled with smaller mixtures, but delivered smooth, creamy results when beating a cake batter and a good gluten structure when making dough for cinnamon pecan sticky buns.

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ProCook (£249)

Breville HeatSoft stand mixer

Available from Amazon (£99.99)

Star rating: 4.5/5

This Breville stand mixer is perhaps more technically impressive than a KitchenAid mixer, as it has a HeatSoft function that softens or melts butter or chocolate – ideal for last-minute bakes – and a LED light underneath the tilt-head.

It comes with a 5.2L mixing bowl and a good selection of sturdy attachments, as well as smooth acceleration that's aided by the 1000W motor. Unlike KitchenAid mixers, though, you're not able to buy additional attachments like pasta machines or mincers. Read our full review of the Breville HeatSoft stand mixer.

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