I Tried KitchenAid's Artisan Plus Stand Mixer, and It Changed The Way I Bake for the Better – It's a Countertop Essential I Will Use for Decades to Come

When the new KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer first launched, I knew I had to get my hands on it, and having put it through its paces for the last few weeks, I can safely say it has not disappointed.

Having baked for the last 15 years, I understand how your tools can make or break your bake. A bad stand mixer can make the process more awkward than working by hand. Luckily, the Artisan Plus is not that, offering fantastic control and precision over everything from cakes to breads.

Here is how I got on reviewing the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer, and why I maintain, after my KitchenAid Artisan Plus first look, that it is arguably the best stand mixer money can buy.

Product Specifications: KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5 Quart Stand Mixer

Design and First Impressions

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The KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer follows the same design as its best-selling predecessor, the KitchenAid Classic Stand Mixer we reviewed a few years back. The signature tilt-head design has returned, but adding more colors to the mix, totalling 13 overall, with the new Sun Dried Tomato, Wild Blueberry, Iron Ore Bronze, and Oat colorways ensuring there is a style for every kitchen design.

The stand mixer looks great straight out of the box. It arrived well packaged in polystyrene to protect the main body of the unit (so not entirely recyclable), but all the components were tucked very neatly inside, so there was no risk of damage or scratches. The unit itself is rather heavy, both to lift and to move around on the counter. This is so that the unit does not rock or move even on the fastest mixing speeds; however, it might make it more difficult if you want to put it away in a cabinet after each use. That said, the design is so pretty, I suggest leaving it on the counter anyway. Small appliance slide mats, from Amazon, can make them easier to move if required.

From there, it is as simple as plugging in and starting to bake. I noted that there is an included cable tidy on the cord to help keep counters clear. It's a small detail, but appreciated in a small kitchen.

The Artisan Plus comes with four attachments as standard: A wire whisk, a dough hook, a standard paddle, and a double Flex Edge paddle, which came to be my favorite for mixing batters, but more on that later. Each accessory is crafted from solid stainless steel, with a good weight to them that makes them feel premium. The double Flex Edge has two silicone scrapers on either side, which scrape the edges of the bowl to ensure no batter is left unmixed. There is also a clear plastic splash guard that uses silicone 'feet' to clip onto the bowl. I love how sturdy this felt, and yes, the edge of the funnel is sturdy enough to crack eggs against.

A major upgrade from the previous classic design is the bowl handle. This was one of the few things we marked the original classic design down for missing. Also, stainless steel, the bowl is easy to handle and well-weighted, even with a heavy dough inside.

The stand-out new features on the Artisan Plus include the integrated bowl light, which activates whenever you put the head down and stays on when mixing. In my dark kitchen, it was a game-changer for being able to keep an eye on my mixes, casting a lovely yet practical soft glow over the contents of the bowl. It also added a cozier touch to the experience, which I appreciate.

Finally, the new speed settings, specifically the half-speed for folding, were fantastic. Anyone who bakes regularly knows how easy it is for a delicate batter to be ruined by the power of a stand mixer. However, the half-speed works slowly to avoid knocking air out of the mix. What's more, the speed dial can be used in two configurations. Turn the dial one way, and you can 'click' precisely between the marked speed settings. Turn the dial the other way, and you can glide seamlessly between each speed, effectively giving you full control and half-speeds between every markation. It is simply fantastic.

Performance

To thoroughly test the stand mixer, I tested four of my favorite recipes that would assess the appliance's ability to tackle everything from thick doughs to delicate cream:

The Cake Test

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Not to blow my own trumpet, but I make a very good Victoria sponge cake. It is basic, but an undeniable classic. Done correctly, the sponge should be as light as air, and it is a mix I usually always hand-mix for precision.

Starting with creaming the butter and sugar together, I opted for the double Flex Edge beater to see how efficient it was at keeping the edges of the bowl clean. Admittedly, underestimating the power of the machine, I turned it on too high at first and sent a ring of butter around the top of the bowl. I removed the paddle, scraped the bowl down manually using its edge, replaced it, and tried again more slowly.

This was more successful. The paddle beat the mix until fluffy, keeping the bowl clean as it worked. From there, adding the vanilla and alternating adding the eggs and flour was simple. The clear cover with a spout helped direct ingredients in, but it was not needed to prevent splashes.

The fold speed came into its own when alternating the eggs and flour. This is the point where you are most likely to end up with a dense cake. Adding each slowly and folding it in maintains air, so you do not end up with a tough dough. I left the folding half-speed running as I added each, and found my batter to be lovely and light by the end.

After baking, the cake was fluffy and well-risen, with that airy texture I usually look for. I do think I overmixed it slightly, this being my first time using the stand mixer, but I put that down to user error, not being used to a mixer doing all the work for me, rather than me manually stopping and starting. All in all, I was very impressed.

The Whipped Cream Test

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Whipped cream is a pain to make by hand. I did it once and never want to do it again.

I simply poured double cream into the base of the bowl, added the whisk attachment, and set it off on a high speed. I actually mixed it for too long, once again underappreciating the efficiency, but it was nothing that turning it down and adding some more fresh cream didn't fix. The resulting cream was lovely and thick, and perfect for spreading between the layers of my cake with fresh raspberry compote.

The lesson here is that the KitchenAid Artisan Plus is very efficient, taking only a minute or so to perfect whipped cream.

The Bread Test

Bread can be a make-or-break test for a stand mixer, but it is an essential test to pass if you want to avoid the labour of hand-kneading dough. I used a focaccia recipe to test the KitchenAid and found it to be a very straightforward experience.

As with most stand mixers, the speed is limited when using the dough hook, but I did not find that this limited my baking at all. The hook powered through the dough with ease, and the machine did not rock, nor did the head bounce up and down as some stand mixers are prone to. It remained sturdy throughout.

I will note that the top of the dough hook is large and flat, designed to stop the dough from climbing too far up and getting into the gears of the machine. This does mean you have to be smart when adding your ingredients so that they do not sit on top of this, however.

Making bread was also the only occasion when the splash guard failed me. I added a big spoonful of flour into the bowl while the hook was working too quickly, and it flew out of the gap at the back. It was a small mess, and I didn't do it again in any other tests, so I don't see this as a design flaw in any way.

The handled bowl made it easy to move the dough around as it was proofing, too.

The resulting focaccia dough passed the 'window pane' test with ease (evidencing good gluten development from proper kneading), rose perfectly, and created a delicious loaf that my friends demolished in one sitting.

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The Cookie Test

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My partner makes the best chocolate cookies (I'm not biased, I promise), so I roped him in to help with the cookie test. This dough usually makes our arms ache as we reach the final stages of mixing, so I was excited to finally have my favorite treat without the shoulder pain.

I used the standard paddle for this, once again mixing the melted butter and sugar, and then adding the eggs and flour. It breezed through with ease, with no clumping. Everything was mixed evenly, too, despite the lack of 'Flex Edges'. Once again, the machine showed no sign of struggle or rocking.

Adding in the chocolate, I put the half-fold speed setting to use again, and it dispersed the pieces very evenly without breaking them up too much. It was a softer, layered caramel chocolate, so this really impressed me.

We refrigerate our cookie dough for 24-72 hours before baking, and the stainless steel bowl was easy to remove, cover with foil, and slot onto our fridge shelf without having to alter the height of any of them.

After baking, the cookies were crisp at the edges and gooey in the middle. It is yet another win for the KitchenAid Artisan Plus.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer is a breeze. With all the main components made from stainless steel, they wipe clean with warm water, dish soap (I use a non-toxic soap such as Attitude Dish Soap from Walmart), and a soft sponge.

The only item that gave me some trouble was the double Flex Edge, as some food was stubborn and stuck in the small silicone crease. Soaking this in warm water helped remove it.

You can leave the parts to air dry; however, I found drying with a soft cotton dish towel to be the best way to avoid marks on the stainless steel bowl.

The main body of the unit can be wiped down with a barely damp cloth. This was easy, even with my matte-textured Oat colorway appliance. I then decided to leave it on my counter, as it looks so pretty, it would be a shame to store it in a cabinet.

How The KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer Compares

The online reception has been just as positive as my own. Verified users on the KitchenAid store have given the appliance five stars, with many commenting on the power and precision.

One noted, 'I made cupcakes with the KitchenAid Artisan Plus, and I totally get why people love it. It looks gorgeous, but it also works really well in real, everyday baking. The bowl is spacious, the mixing is smooth, and the whole process feels effortless. It's one of those products that just makes your kitchen routine better.'

The lowest star review is a three-star review by a customer who had difficulty with the whisk attachment reaching the base of the bowl. I personally did have this issue, and I do not see it mentioned in other reviews, so it may be down to alignment. If this is the case, it is something that can be fixed with a KitchenAid dime trick.

I reviewed the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer alongside the new SMEG Forte Stand Mixer, and the KitchenAid just edged in front in my assessments. Testing using the same recipes, both mixers delivered fantastic, near-identical results. That said, the SMEG does not have a half-speed, bowl light, or precision slider between the speed settings. The SMEG also struggled more with the bread dough, with more head rocking.

The KitchenAid is $50 more expensive at the time of writing, so whether those small details make or break the savings will come down to personal preference.

I personally prefer the style of the KitchenAid, but that is entirely my own taste and opinion.

Should You Buy The KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer?

All in all, I would absolutely recommend buying the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Stand Mixer if you ever bake at home and are in need of a new workhorse. Whether you are making cakes, breads, pizza doughs, or cookies, the mixer can handle any mix with ease and precision, making it one of the best investments for home cooks. If you already have an existing KitchenAid, you may not need to rush to upgrade, especially as the new model is $100 more expensive than the original Artisan Stand Mixer at the time of writing, but it is worth keeping on your radar should you need a replacement any time soon.

The five-quart bowl might not be big enough if you run a cake business from your kitchen and regularly make cakes above four tiers; however, for the home baker, serious or casual, it is a certified upgrade that I can barely fault. It looks great and performs spectacularly. I can't wish for much more.

While I did not try any myself, the Artisan Plus is compatible with a wide range of the KitchenAid accessories ecosystem, too, from meat grinders to food processors, making it a worthwhile investment if you love to cook anything from scratch.

I will, of course, continue to use the stand mixer in my home and update this review should I discover anything else of note.

What Else to Shop

One of the best things about KitchenAid is the vast ecosystem of accessories you can add to your appliance. These extend the functionality way beyond cakes and bread, turning your investment into a truly multi-functional workhorse. These are some of my favorite KitchenAid accessories.

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Looking to make your baking setup more professional? We asked professional organizers for their best tips for storing bakeware to keep kitchens tidy.

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