An Italian marble countertop or high-end smart oven may create a talking point in your kitchen, but to really make a statement, nothing beats a colorful die-cast metal KitchenAid stand mixer. With its original planetary mixing motion and curvy body, this iconic small appliance has been turning heads since it was first launched in 1937. And the KitchenAid continues to produce excellent results for baking and prepping meals. No wonder it's usually a family heirloom gifted to newlyweds and new homeowners—they have a history of quality and longevity.
The Artisan is a knockout design that I enjoyed using. I found that the mixer’s lever lifted the tilt head smoothly so I could change attachments. With speed settings on one side and the lever on the other, I did find myself having to lean around the model to lift it when needed. The KitchenAid’s attachments fix on easily, but you will need to learn the knack of lifting and turning to the left to take them off the beater pin. Inside the box, you get four attachments in total, including a dough hook for proofing bread and a wire whip that’s great for meringue peaks and cream. There’s also a pastry beater that is good at breaking down stiff butter, and a flex edge beater that manages to get right up to the sides of the bowl so no cake mixture is left behind. A spatula and a splash guard that fixes in place on the top of the two bowls—5 quarts (4.8 liters) and 3 quarts (2.8 liters)—complete the spec.
The beauty of this timeless design is that it feels built to last. I also like that you can add to its functionality with extra attachments such as a metal food grinder for mincing meat, an ice shaver, a pasta roller, and a spice and citrus grinder. Plus, unlike some designs I’ve tried in the past that can wobble like a train carriage at high speed, the KitchenAid Artisan sits firmly and safely on the countertop. —Emily Peck