Stand Mixers
Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer
$229.99 $279.99
Best alternative — bigger bowl and a strong motor for noticeably less.
Stand Mixers
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
$399.99 $449.99
The KitchenAid Artisan is the icon for good reason: tilt-head design, 5-quart bowl, and a vast ecosystem of attachments (pasta rollers, grinders, and more) make it the most versatile mixer most homes will ever need. Built to last and available in endless colors.
Best for: Bakers · Attachment fans · Buy-it-for-life
How it scores
Ease of use5/5
Performance5/5
Durability5/5
Easy to clean4/5
Value for money4/5
Pros & cons
- Versatile
- Huge attachment ecosystem
- Durable
- Great resale value
- Premium price
- Struggles with very large stiff dough
In depth
In regular rotation (325W, a 5 qt capacity, serving about 9 dozen cookies), the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer earns 5/5 for performance and 5/5 for durability in our scoring. Versatile is the detail that shows up most in day-to-day use. Dishwasher-safe parts keep cleanup mostly hands-off, which feeds into its 4/5 cleanup score.
This one is a strong fit for Bakers, Attachment fans, Buy-it-for-life. Where it falls short: premium price, and struggles with very large stiff dough — worth weighing against its 4/5 value-for-money score before you commit.
Compared to the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer, the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer runs about $170 more than it and trades some value-for-money score for it (4/5 vs 5/5). If big bowl matters more to you than versatile, the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer is the one to check next.
Where it sits in Stand Mixers
At $399.99, the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer is the most expensive of the 3 stand mixers we list — 74% above the $229.99 median for the category. The closest cheaper option we list is the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer, $170 less. It also carries the highest customer rating of the 3 and the most reviews of the 3.
| Product | Price | Rating | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer | $79.99 | 4.4★ | 4 qt |
| Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer | $229.99 | 4.6★ | 5.5 qt |
| KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer (this page) | $399.99 | 4.8★ | 5 qt |
Prices are from our last catalog check and move around on Amazon; ranking is across the 3 stand mixers in the Kantan Prep catalog, not the whole market.
Full specifications
| Capacity | 5 qt |
|---|---|
| Serves | 9 dozen cookies |
| Material | Die-cast metal |
| Wattage | 325 |
| Voltage | 120 |
| Dimensions (in) | 14.0 x 8.7 x 14.0 |
| Weight (lbs) | 22 |
| Color | Cream |
| Controls | dial |
| Presets | 10 |
| Functions | Mix, Knead, Whip, Attachment hub |
| Included | Flat beater, Dough hook, Wire whip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| BPA-free | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Noise | Medium |
| Power | Corded electric |
| Footprint | Large |
Common questions
How much does the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer cost?
As of our last check it was priced around $399.99 (down from $449.99) on Amazon. That makes it the most expensive of the 3 stand mixers in our catalog, 74% above the $229.99 category median. Amazon prices change often, so confirm the current price before buying.
Who is the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer best for?
Best for: Bakers, Attachment fans, Buy-it-for-life. If that profile doesn't fit, the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer covers similar ground for $170 less.
Is the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer worth the price?
It sits 74% above the $229.99 median for the 3 stand mixers we list, with the highest customer rating of the group. At a 4/5 value-for-money score in our comparison, it's one of the stronger picks in its price range — the main tradeoff to weigh is premium price.
📖 Want the full rundown? Read our Stand Mixers buying guide.
Related products
Stand Mixers
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer
$79.99
Best budget mixer — covers the basics for around $80.