The Ankarsrum and KitchenAid stand mixers both serve as kitchen workhorses, but they differ fundamentally in design, performance, and price. The Swedish-made Ankarsrum features a unique open-bowl design where the bowl rotates around stationary attachments, providing immense power for heavy doughs, while the iconic KitchenAid uses a planetary mixing action where the attachment rotates around a fixed bowl. It is known for its versatility and vast color selection.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right stand mixer for your baking and cooking style.
Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer
The Ankarsrum is a high-performance, durability-focused mixer built for serious home bakers and culinary enthusiasts. Its unique design features a powerful motor in the base that rotates the 7-liter (7.4-quart) stainless steel bowl, while a dough roller and scraper attachment gently yet effectively knead and mix ingredients. This method mimics hand-kneading, making it exceptional at developing gluten in bread doughs without overheating.
- What it is: A heavy-duty stand mixer from Sweden with a unique rotating bowl mechanism, famous for its dough-handling capabilities and longevity.
- Key features: Powerful 600-watt DC motor, open-top 7.4-quart stainless steel bowl, adjustable speed control, timer function, and two bowl options (steel and plastic) with different attachments.
- Price: Starts at approximately $700.
- Style: Minimalist, functional Scandinavian design with a relatively compact footprint. Available in a curated selection of colors.
- Materials/Construction: Features a robust metal housing and high-quality stainless steel components designed to last for decades.
- Pros: Unmatched power for heavy bread doughs. Large capacity handles big batches with ease. Open bowl design makes it easy to add ingredients. Built to last a lifetime and comes with a long warranty. Versatile with its wide range of available attachments.
- Cons: High price point puts it in a premium category. Has a steeper learning curve compared to traditional mixers. Less effective at mixing very small quantities. Attachments can be expensive.
The Ankarsrum is for the dedicated baker who frequently works with large batches of stiff dough and values industrial-grade power and longevity over a budget-friendly price.
Shop this product: ankarsrum.com/us/assistent-original/
KitchenAid Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid mixer is an American icon, recognized globally for its classic design, wide array of colors, and incredible versatility. Available in both tilt-head (like the popular Artisan series) and bowl-lift models, it uses a time-tested planetary mixing action for consistent results across a variety of tasks from whipping cream to kneading light doughs. It’s the go-to choice for countless home cooks thanks to its ease of use and massive ecosystem of attachments.
- What it is: A best-selling, all-purpose stand mixer known for its user-friendly interface, iconic style, and a huge selection of optional attachments.
- Key features: Available in tilt-head and bowl-lift designs with various bowl capacities (typically 3 to 7 quarts), 10-speed motor, and attachment hub for grinders, pasta makers, and more.
- Price: Ranges from $300 for basic models to over $700 for pro-level versions.
- Style: Retro-inspired, often serving as a colorful centerpiece in the kitchen. Available in dozens of colors and special-edition finishes.
- Materials/Construction: Durable all-metal construction provides stability. Quality is generally excellent, though less "industrial" than the Ankarsrum.
- Pros: Intuitive and easy to use right out of the box. Wide range of models and prices for different budgets. Enormous selection of colors to match any kitchen decor. The attachment ecosystem is vast and widely available.
- Cons: Can struggle or overheat with very dense, large batches of bread dough. Tilt-head models can sometimes shake under heavy loads. Takes up more vertical space, especially tilt-head models when open.
A KitchenAid mixer is ideal for the all-around home baker who needs a versatile appliance for cakes, cookies, and occasional bread, and who values style and ease of use.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers.html
Ankarsrum vs. KitchenAid Stand Mixer Comparison
Performance & Capacity
Performance is the biggest differentiator. The Ankarsrum excels with heavy loads. Its 600-watt direct-drive motor and rotating bowl design can easily handle up to 11 pounds of dough, kneading it gentler and more effectively than nearly any other home mixer. It’s the undisputed champion for serious bread bakers.
The KitchenAid is a superb all-purpose machine. It's excellent for creaming butter and sugar, whipping egg whites, and mixing cake batter. It can handle bread dough, especially in the more powerful bowl-lift models, but can strain or "walk" on the counter with very large, stiff, or low-hydration doughs. Capacities vary by model, with the popular Artisan having a 5-quart bowl suitable for most home recipes.
Dimensions & Scale
Despite its larger capacity, the Ankarsrum generally has a more compact countertop footprint since its powerful motor is sideways in the base. It is wider but shorter, making it easier to tuck under standard cabinets.
KitchenAid mixers are taller. The bowl-lift models are particularly tall and may not fit under all kitchen cabinets, while tilt-head models need significant vertical clearance to open. Though its base is smaller, its overall presence feels larger than the Ankarsrum.
Materials & Construction
Both mixers are built to last with heavy die-cast metal bodies that provide stability and durability. However, the Ankarsrum is engineered closer to a commercial-grade appliance. Its components feel more robust, and it's famous for being passed down through generations, backed by a lengthy 7-year warranty on the motor.
KitchenAid mixers are also very well-made and known for their longevity, but they are built for the consumer market. They feel solid and reliable, though not quite as indestructible as the Ankarsrum. Warranties are typically shorter, around 1-2 years depending on the model.
Price & Value
KitchenAid offers a much broader range of price points, with smaller entry-level models starting around $300. This makes it accessible to a wider audience. The value lies in its do-it-all versatility and iconic design for a reasonable upfront cost.
Ankarsrum is a significant investment, starting around $700. Its value is not in a low entry price but in its extreme durability, specialized performance with dough, and buy-it-for-life construction. For those who would otherwise burn out multiple mid-range mixers, the Ankarsrum offers excellent long-term value.
Style & Versatility
When it comes to style, KitchenAid is in a league of its own. With dozens of colors from "Aqua Sky" to "Matte Dried Rose," it's a decorative kitchen statement piece. Its attachment ecosystem is also massive and widely accessible.
The Ankarsrum has a more subdued, functional Scandinavian aesthetic. While it comes in attractive colors, the range is smaller, and the focus is on performance over appearance. Its attachment lineup is equally versatile - offering everything from a meat grinder to a grain mill - though they may be less readily available than KitchenAid's.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these stand mixers are excellent appliances, but they are built for different types of cooks.
Choose the Ankarsrum if:
- You are a serious bread baker and frequently make large batches of heavy dough.
- You prioritize long-term durability and see a mixer as a lifetime investment.
- You need a massive 7.4-quart capacity for big recipes.
- You appreciate powerful, commercial-grade engineering in a home appliance.
Choose the KitchenAid if:
- You are an all-around baker who makes cookies, cakes, and buttercream as often as bread.
- Style is a major priority and you want a mixer that serves as a kitchen centerpiece.
- You want an intuitive, easy-to-use machine with a short learning curve.
- You want a wide variety of model options to fit your specific budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between how Ankarsrum and KitchenAid mix?
A KitchenAid uses a planetary mixing action: the beater spins on its axis while also rotating around the bowl. An Ankarsrum mixer works the opposite way: the bowl itself rotates while the attachments (like a roller or dough hook) stay largely in one place, stretching and folding the ingredients.
Which mixer is better for bread dough?
Hands down, the Ankarsrum is better for bread dough. Its unique roller and scraper system is gentler on the dough, preventing it from overheating while developing gluten incredibly effectively. Its powerful motor handles enormous and very stiff doughs without any strain.
Can a KitchenAid handle bread dough?
Yes, a KitchenAid can make excellent bread, especially the more powerful Pro-line bowl-lift models. It is more than adequate for most home bakers who make bread occasionally. However, it can struggle with very large batches (over 2 loaves) or very low-hydration doughs, which can cause the motor to strain.
Is an Ankarsrum mixer worth the money?
If you bake bread multiple times a week or frequently make double or triple batches of recipes, an Ankarsrum is absolutely worth the investment. Its durability means you are unlikely to ever need to replace it, which provides excellent long-term value.
Which one is easier to use for a beginner?
KitchenAid is far more intuitive for beginners. Its operation is straightforward and resembles most other stand mixers on the market. The Ankarsrum has a learning curve, and it takes a few uses to get comfortable with orienting the attachments and understanding how ingredients incorporate.
Which one has more attachments?
Both brands offer an extensive range of attachments, including meat grinders, pasta makers, grain mills, and ice cream bowls. KitchenAid’s attachments are generally more well-known, widely available in retail stores, and often less expensive.
How much counter space do they take up?
The Ankarsrum has a wider but shorter profile, often making it easier to store under cabinets. The KitchenAid, particularly the bowl-lift models, is taller and requires more vertical clearance.
Which stand mixer will last longer?
While a well-cared-for KitchenAid can last for many years, the Ankarsrum is engineered for an even longer lifespan. Its robust build, powerful motor, and commercial-grade parts often allow it to function perfectly for decades, which is reflected in its much longer warranty period.
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