KitchenAid stand mixer
One thing I noticed during my testing is that the head on all three KitchenAid mixers doesn't lock in the raised position. This could catch you off guard, create a mess, or potentially pinch your fingers.
Cites safety (against)
The paddle hit the dough hook and sent it flying out of the bowl. It almost hit me in the face and it left white marks from the dough hook's coating inside the bowl.
and the Artisan Plus gives you the best overall experience.
If you decide to go with KitchenAid, the Classic is the best value.
Cites price
KitchenAid confirmed that all three mixers use the same internal gears, and if something breaks, replacement parts are widely available, and there are companies that specialize in repairing KitchenAid mixers.
Cites availability, repairability
That said, I do think KitchenAid is worth paying more for, especially if you plan to keep it for years.
Cites durability, price
When you plug in the KitchenAid Classic or Artisan with a speed lever set above zero, the mixer starts running immediately.
Cites safety (against)
When you plug in the KitchenAid Classic or Artisan with a speed lever set above zero, the mixer starts running immediately.
Cites safety (against)
When you upgrade from the Artisan to the Artisan Plus, you get a double flex edge beater, plus heavier stainless steel versions of the same beater, whisk, and dough hook. All four attachments are dishwasher safe.
Cites build quality, dishwasher safe
The Artisan Plus was noticeably better because the double flex edge beater continuously scraped the sides of the bowl. I only had to stop once after adding the dry ingredients and very little dough collected in the middle of the beater.
The Artisan Plus was much more stable, and the locking lever stayed in place throughout the test.
All three whipped the cream in about two minutes without any issues.
All three also handled the pizza dough well and produced excellent pizza, but the heads of the Classic and Artisan bounced a lot more during kneading, and their locking levers shifted away from the fully locked position, which caused them to bounce even more.
You also get a redesigned speed control and a bowl light.
Cites safety
Hamilton Beach and Cuisinart do the same thing, but the AUCMA and KitchenAid Artisan Plus won't start until you return the control to zero. That's a pretty big safety issue, especially if you store the whisk, beater, and dough hook inside the bowl like I do.
The bowl and all three attachments are dishwasher safe, unlike the whisks included with the KitchenAid Classic and Artisan, which need to be handwashed.
Cites dishwasher safe (against), ease of cleaning (against)
With cookies, the Classic and Artisan both mixed the dough well, but I still had to stop and scrape the bowl several times.
All three also handled the pizza dough well and produced excellent pizza, but the heads of the Classic and Artisan bounced a lot more during kneading, and their locking levers shifted away from the fully locked position, which caused them to bounce even more.
The bowl and all three attachments are dishwasher safe, unlike the whisks included with the KitchenAid Classic and Artisan, which need to be handwashed.
Cites dishwasher safe (against), ease of cleaning (against)
With cookies, the Classic and Artisan both mixed the dough well, but I still had to stop and scrape the bowl several times.
All three also handled the pizza dough well and produced excellent pizza, but the heads of the Classic and Artisan bounced a lot more during kneading, and their locking levers shifted away from the fully locked position, which caused them to bounce even more.
The Artisan is worth considering if you want the larger bowl, a handle, or a specific color.
Cites appearance, handle, size and capacity
With cookies, the Classic and Artisan both mixed the dough well, but I still had to stop and scrape the bowl several times.
With cookies, the Classic and Artisan both mixed the dough well, but I still had to stop and scrape the bowl several times.
When you upgrade from the Classic to the Artisan, you get a larger bowl with a handle and many more color options.
Cites handle, size and capacity
All three KitchenAid mixers are much heavier than the cheaper brands. They have diecast metal bodies and the same front power hubs for optional attachments.
Cites build quality, weight
When you upgrade from the Classic to the Artisan, you get a larger bowl with a handle and many more color options.
Cites appearance