If You’ve Been Wanting a KitchenAid, This Is the One to Buy (I Wish I Got Mine Way Sooner!)

Even though I’ve been a professional recipe developer and avid home cook for nearly a decade, I’d never actually owned a stand mixer. It always felt like a lofty investment, both in terms of space in my tiny apartment kitchens and in terms of money. I felt like I was getting by just fine without one, making recipes work with a little extra elbow grease and my grandma’s circa 1990s hand mixer, which finally gave out last winter.

That is, until I cross-tested a recipe for chocolate babka by hand last year. I’ve never felt such hand cramping in my life! And yeah, sure, the recipe turned out fine, but at what cost? That was the moment I (and everyone on my team) said, “It’s time.” 

And truly, from the moment it entered my home, things have changed for the better — and not just because I made an inaugural batch of cookies that day. My only regret is not taking the plunge sooner.

First and foremost, it gets the job done. This machine kneads bread like a champ, whips cream and fluffy meringues with ease, and makes cookie dough so much easier. If you’re working with a hand mixer or nothing at all in your kitchen, this is a serious upgrade. Plus, my parents had the same exact model for decades, so I know it’s built to last.

The 5 Quart Tilt-Head model I have is the perfect size for single batches of cookies, cakes, and loaves of bread. Since I’m not often making more than that, there’s really no need for a bigger size. The tilt-head is convenient for easy pouring and locks easily with a switch on the side for sturdy stirring.

The bowl and stirring attachments (you get three by default) are dishwasher safe, which is a huge plus for me. I will avoid using appliances sometimes simply because I just don’t want to clean them. The fact that I can toss everything in the dishwasher means I’m reaching for my stand mixer every time. 

KitchenAid also has an entire range of attachments that use the motor through the front knob. A few of those are definitely making it to my wedding registry this spring (I’m looking at you, pasta roller!)

Plus, there are so many colors to choose from. I know that’s not a technical spec, but I knew I’d be leaving the machine out on the counter a lot of the time. It was important to me that I could pick a color that would feel at home in my apartment — in my case, that’s the creamy, matte Blue Velvet shade. Other editors on the team have KitchenAid’s tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers in classic colors like Empire Red, White, Grey, and Onyx Black, as well as punchier shades like Pistachio, Mineral Water Blue and Ice. 

The thing is, all appliances take up valuable space in our kitchens. You always have to gauge if something is going to be worth your space and money. I believe they are only worth it if they can either make impossible tasks possible and annoying tasks easier. The KitchenAid does both of those — and with style — so yes, it’s definitely worth it in my book. 

Because we’re talking about appliances being worth your money, I also have to acknowledge that the stand mixer is an investment. Given that my parents have used their machine for decades, it’s clear that the investment pays for itself over time. 

If there’s a deal on KitchenAid stand mixers, it’d be smart to act on it. Right now, the stand mixer is currently on sale during Black Friday for $329.99, down from the usual $449.99. This makes the stand mixer an even better value and makes your investment even more worth it.

Buy: KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, $329.99 (normally $449)