Stand Mixers
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer
$399.99 $449.99
Best overall stand mixer — the icon, with a vast attachment ecosystem.
Stand Mixers
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS)
$299.99 $349.99
The Classic Series (model K45SS) is KitchenAid's entry point into the tilt-head lineup: a 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl, a 275-watt motor, and 10 speeds across 59 touchpoints around the bowl for thorough mixing. It comes with a flat beater, dough hook and wire whip, and the power hub accepts the same optional attachments (pasta rollers, meat grinders, and more) as pricier KitchenAid mixers. The bowl is smaller and the motor less powerful than the Artisan, so it suits everyday baking — cookies, cakes, the occasional loaf — more than large or frequent bread batches.
Best for: Everyday baking · First KitchenAid mixer · Attachment compatibility on a budget
How it scores
Ease of use5/5
Performance4/5
Durability4/5
Easy to clean4/5
Value for money5/5
Pros & cons
- Lower entry price than the Artisan
- Full KitchenAid attachment compatibility
- Reliable tilt-head design
- Dishwasher-safe bowl and attachments
- Smaller 4.5-quart bowl
- Less powerful motor than the Artisan or Pro lines
- Not built for large or frequent bread batches
In depth
The KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) is built for repeat use rather than occasional use: it runs at 275W, a 4.5 qt capacity, serving about 2-4, and ease of use lands at 5/5. Lower entry price than the artisan is what most reviewers single out. On cleanup, dishwasher-safe parts keep cleanup mostly hands-off.
Everyday baking, First KitchenAid mixer, Attachment compatibility on a budget get the most out of the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS). If smaller 4.5-quart bowl is a dealbreaker for you (or less powerful motor than the artisan or pro lines is), it's worth comparing against the related picks below before buying.
Compared to the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer, the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) runs about $100 less than it and edges it out on value for money (5/5 vs 4/5). If versatile matters more to you than lower entry price than the artisan, the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer is the one to check next.
Where it sits in Stand Mixers
At $299.99, the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) is 3rd cheapest of the 5 stand mixers we list — right at the $299.99 median for the category. Stepping down to the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer saves $70; stepping up to the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer costs $100 more.
| Product | Price | Rating | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer | $229.99 | 4.6★ | 5.5 qt |
| KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) (this page) | $299.99 | 4.8★ | 4.5 qt |
| KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt Stand Mixer | $399.99 | 4.8★ | 5 qt |
Prices are from our last catalog check and move around on Amazon; ranking is across the 5 stand mixers in the Kantan Prep catalog, not the whole market.
Full specifications
| Capacity | 4.5 qt |
|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel bowl, metal body |
| Wattage | 275 |
| Voltage | 120 |
| Dimensions (in) | 14.1 x 8.7 x 14 |
| Weight (lbs) | 22.3 |
| Color | White |
| Controls | manual dial |
| Functions | Mix, Knead, Whip |
| Included | Flat beater, Dough hook, Wire whip |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Noise | Medium |
| Power | Corded electric |
| Footprint | Medium |
Common questions
How much does the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) cost?
As of our last check it was priced around $299.99 (down from $349.99) on Amazon. That makes it the 3rd cheapest of the 5 stand mixers in our catalog, level with the $299.99 category median. Amazon prices change often, so confirm the current price before buying.
Who is the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) best for?
Best for: Everyday baking, First KitchenAid mixer, Attachment compatibility on a budget. If that profile doesn't fit, the Cuisinart SM-50 5.5-Qt Stand Mixer covers similar ground for $70 less.
Is the KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Qt Stand Mixer (K45SS) worth the price?
It sits at the $299.99 median for the 5 stand mixers we list. At a 5/5 value-for-money score in our comparison, it's one of the stronger picks in its price range — the main tradeoff to weigh is smaller 4.5-quart bowl.
📖 Want the full rundown? Read our Stand Mixers buying guide.
Related products
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.