The KitchenAid Classic Plus and the Artisan Series mixers both represent the quality KitchenAid is known for, but they cater to different bakers. The Artisan is a step up, featuring a larger 5-quart bowl, a more powerful 325-watt motor for handling dense doughs, and an extensive palette of color options. In contrast, the Classic Plus is a more budget-friendly entry point with a 4.5-quart bowl and a 275-watt motor, making it ideal for standard baking tasks.
Here's everything you need to know to decide which iconic stand mixer is right for your kitchen.
KitchenAid Classic Plus Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Classic Plus is the go-to entry-level stand mixer for home bakers who want reliable performance without a premium price tag. Its straightforward, durable design features the signature tilt-head for easy access to the bowl and attachments. This model is a workhorse for everyday baking tasks, from whipping cream to mixing cake batter and light cookie dough.
- What it is: An entry-level tilt-head stand mixer designed for casual home baking.
- Key features: 275-watt motor, 4.5-quart brushed stainless steel bowl, 10-speed control, and includes a coated flat beater, wire whip, and dough hook.
- Price: Around $300 - $350
- Dimensions: 14.3" H x 8.7" W x 8.7" D, fits well in smaller kitchens.
- Style: Utilitarian and simple, available in a limited range of basic colors like white and silver.
- Materials/Construction: Durable die-cast metal body ensures stability and longevity.
- Pros: More affordable price point. Compact size is great for kitchens with limited counter space. Reliable performance for most standard baking recipes. Simple and easy to use for beginners.
- Cons: The 275-watt motor can struggle with very dense or large batches of dough. Smaller 4.5-quart bowl capacity (up to 6 dozen cookies). Very limited color selection.
The Classic Plus is perfect for beginner bakers, students, or households that primarily tackle cakes, cookies, and lighter doughs and value reliability over non-essential features.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/p.5-quart-stand-mixer.ksm150ps.html
KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan is the brand’s flagship tilt-head model, beloved by serious home bakers for its blend of powerful performance and iconic style. It features a more robust motor and a larger bowl to handle more ambitious recipes, from double batches of cookies to loaves of artisan bread. Its incredible range of color options has also made it a statement piece and a centerpiece in kitchens around the world.
- What it is: A premium tilt-head stand mixer for avid bakers who need more power, capacity, and style.
- Key features: 325-watt motor, 5-quart polished stainless steel bowl with a handle, pouring shield, 10-speed control, and compatible with over 15 optional attachments.
- Price: Ranges from $450 - $550
- Dimensions: 14.3" H x 8.8" W x 14" D, requiring more counter space due to its wider base.
- Style: Vintage-inspired, iconic silhouette available in dozens of colors and finishes to match any kitchen decor.
- Materials/Construction: Sturdy die-cast metal construction with a more powerful motor built for heavier tasks.
- Pros: Powerful 325-watt motor easily handles dense bread and pizza doughs. Larger 5-quart capacity is great for bigger batches (up to 9 dozen cookies). Huge selection of colors and finishes. Comes with a pouring shield to minimize mess.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Classic Plus. Larger footprint takes up more valuable counter space. Heavier and more difficult to move.
This mixer is ideal for hobbyist bakers who frequently tackle heavy doughs, bake in large quantities, and see their mixer as a functional part of their kitchen's design.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/p.artisan-5-quart-stand-mixer.kSM150PS.html
KitchenAid Classic Plus vs. Artisan Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most noticeable physical difference is the bowl size. The Classic Plus comes with a 4.5-quart bowl, while the Artisan features a larger 5-quart bowl. That extra half-quart on the Artisan is meaningful, allowing you to mix approximately 9 dozen cookies compared to the 6 dozen capacity of the Classic Plus.
The Artisan also has a wider footprint (14" deep vs. the Classic's 8.7") to accommodate its larger bowl and motor, taking up more counter estate. For cooks in smaller apartments or with limited prep space, the more compact Classic Plus is often a better fit.
Materials & Construction
Both models boast a durable die-cast metal body that provides the stability KitchenAid is famous for, ensuring they don't walk across the counter during use. The key difference lies under the hood. The Artisan’s 325-watt motor provides significantly more torque than the Classic Plus's 275-watt motor. While 275 watts is perfectly sufficient for cakes, meringues, and occasional cookie dough, the 325 watts in the Artisan allow it to knead dense bread dough or mix stiff gingerbread recipes without straining.
Price & Value
The Classic Plus is positioned as KitchenAid's value-oriented model, typically priced a hundred dollars or more below the Artisan. For bakers who make cookies for the holidays and birthday cakes for the family, it provides tremendous value and will last for years. The Artisan is an investment in your baking hobby. The higher price gives you greater power, more capacity, the convenient pouring shield, and a bowl with a handle, all of which contribute to a more seamless baking experience for enthusiasts.
Style & Versatility
This is where the Artisan truly stands apart. While the Classic Plus is primarily available in basic white or black, the Artisan comes in a vast rainbow of colors and finishes, from "Aqua Sky" to "Kyoto Glow." It’s designed to be a visual centerpiece. Both mixers are compatible with KitchenAid's legendary lineup of over 15 powered attachments - like pasta makers and meat grinders - but the Artisan’s more powerful motor handles these demanding tasks more effectively.
Who Each One Works Best For
The Classic Plus is tailored for the beginner, the occasional baker, or those with small kitchens and modest budgets. It capably handles the vast majority of common baking recipes without issue and serves as a fantastic introduction to the world of stand mixers.
The Artisan is for the passionate home baker. If you're churning out sourdough every weekend, making double batches of cookies for coworkers, or want your mixer in a specific shade of red to match your kitchen hardware, the Artisan is the clear choice. Its additional power and capacity provide the headroom to grow your baking skills without limitations.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both KitchenAid stand mixers are excellent appliances, but they serve different users with different priorities.
Choose the KitchenAid Classic Plus if:
- You bake occasionally for holidays, birthdays, or weekend treats.
- You have a limited budget and want the best value.
- Your kitchen has limited counter space.
- You primarily make cakes, light cookies, whipped cream, or frostings.
Choose the KitchenAid Artisan if:
- Baking is a serious hobby, and you do it multiple times a month.
- You regularly work with heavy doughs for bread, bagels, or pizza.
- You need the capacity to make larger batches for a big family or events.
- A specific color to match your kitchen's aesthetic is important to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the KitchenAid Classic Plus and Artisan?
The three main differences are power, capacity, and style. The Artisan has a more powerful 325-watt motor (vs. 275W), a larger 5-quart bowl (vs. 4.5-quart), and is available in dozens of colors, while the Classic Plus has limited color options.
Can the Classic Plus handle bread dough?
It can handle smaller batches of softer bread dough, but it may strain or overheat with dense, heavy doughs like whole wheat or large sourdough loaves. For frequent bread makers, the Artisan is the better choice.
Is the KitchenAid Artisan worth the extra money?
If you're an avid baker who will take advantage of the extra power and capacity, or if kitchen design is a top priority, then yes. For casual bakers, the Classic Plus offers better value as it handles most common tasks perfectly fine.
Do the attachments for the power hub work on both models?
Yes, all KitchenAid power hub attachments (like the grinder, pasta-makers, etc.) that are designed for tilt-head stand mixers will work on both the Classic Plus and the Artisan models.
How many cookies can each mixer make in one batch?
The Classic Plus's 4.5-quart bowl can mix dough for approximately 6 dozen cookies. The Artisan's 5-quart bowl can handle dough for up to 9 dozen cookies in a single batch.
Which model is easier to clean?
Both are equally easy to clean. Their stainless steel bowls are dishwasher-safe, and the tilt-head design provides easy access for wiping down the mixer body. The wire whip should be hand-washed, but coated beaters are typically dishwasher safe.
How much power do I really need in a stand mixer?
For most liquid batters, frostings, and general-purpose mixing, 275 watts is sufficient. If you plan to frequently knead heavy dough, the added torque of a 325-watt motor will result in better performance and less strain on the machine's motor over time.
Are there other KitchenAid models to consider?
Yes. If you need even more power and capacity, KitchenAid's Bowl-Lift models, like the Professional Series, offer larger bowls (6-quarts and up) and more powerful motors, making them suitable for commercial use or very large-scale home baking.
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