The KitchenAid Accolade 400 and the Artisan are two top-tier stand mixers from KitchenAid, but they are built for entirely different kinds of bakers. The Accolade 400 is a premium powerhouse with a stronger motor, a larger 6-quart bowl, and a higher price tag, designed for serious home chefs who frequently tackle large, heavy batches. The Artisan is the brand's iconic and versatile mixer, featuring a 5-quart bowl, sufficient power for everyday baking, and a vast array of color options that make it a stylish countertop staple.
Here’s everything you need to know to decide which of these legendary stand mixers belongs in your kitchen.
KitchenAid Accolade 400
The KitchenAid Accolade 400 is a high-capacity, heavy-duty stand mixer engineered for those who demand professional-level performance at home. Its powerful motor and generous bowl size make it the go-to choice for avid bread bakers, large families, and small-scale catering. The design is sleek and modern, prioritizing function and durability over decorative flair.
- What it is: A premium, high-capacity stand mixer with a powerful motor for heavy-duty tasks.
- Key features: Powerful 1.3 HP motor, 6-quart stainless steel bowl, 10-speed settings, all-metal gears, quiet operation, and tilt-head design for easy access. Features planetary mixing action for thorough ingredient incorporation.
- Price: Starts around $700.
- Style: Sleek and modern with a professional aesthetic, typically available in a brushed stainless steel finish.
- Materials/Construction: Industrial-grade all-metal construction with a sturdy base designed to handle heavy loads and minimize vibration.
- Pros: Exceptionally powerful motor plows through dense doughs without straining. The large 6-quart capacity is ideal for double batches. Operates quietly and smoothly even under heavy load. Built to an industrial standard of durability.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Artisan. Its larger footprint requires more counter space. Limited color options.
This mixer is ideal for dedicated bakers who need maximum power and capacity for frequent, large, or demanding recipes.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/accolade-400-ksm150
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan is one of the most iconic and beloved kitchen appliances in the world, renowned for its timeless design, reliable performance, and stunning array of color options. It strikes the perfect balance between functionality and style, making it a fixture in home kitchens everywhere. It’s powerful enough for most home baking tasks and versatile enough for countless culinary projects.
- What it is: A versatile and stylish all-purpose stand mixer for everyday home use.
- Key features: 325-watt motor, 5-quart stainless steel bowl, 10 speed settings, and a tilt-head design. Compatible with the full range of KitchenAid power hub attachments.
- Price: Starts around $400.
- Style: Classic, rounded profile available in dozens of colors and finishes to match any kitchen decor.
- Materials/Construction: Features a durable, reliable all-metal build that ensures years of steady performance.
- Pros: Excellent value for a high-quality, long-lasting mixer. Huge variety of color options allows for customization. Compact footprint fits well in most kitchens. Perfect for the vast majority of home baking recipes.
- Cons: Motor can struggle with very stiff or dense doughs. The 5-quart bowl may feel small for those who bake in large volumes. Can be louder and vibrate more under heavy loads compared to the Accolade.
The Artisan is the perfect mixer for home bakers who value style, versatility, and reliable performance for everyday cooking and baking adventures.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/artisan-stand-mixer
Accolade 400 vs. Artisan Comparison
Capacity & Power
This is the most significant difference between the two models. The Accolade 400 boasts a professional-grade 1.3 HP motor and a 6-quart bowl, meaning it can mix dough for up to 8 loaves of bread or 13 dozen cookies in a single batch. It handles dense, heavy doughs for recipes like whole wheat bread or bagels with ease.
The Artisan has a reliable 325-watt motor and a 5-quart bowl, perfect for making dough for 4.5 loaves of bread or 9 dozen cookies. It's more than sufficient for the average baker’s weekly tasks, but it may strain or overheat if regularly pushed with very stiff dough or double batches.
Dimensions & Footprint
The added power and capacity of the Accolade 400 come with a larger and heavier frame. It needs a dedicated spot on the countertop and is not easily moved or stored in a cabinet. Before buying, you should absolutely measure your counter-to-cabinet clearance.
The Artisan, by contrast, is more compact and lighter. While still a substantial appliance, it fits more comfortably in smaller kitchens and can be stored in a pantry or large cupboard if counter space is a premium.
Style & Aesthetics
Your choice here comes down to personal preference. The Accolade 400 offers a sleek, modern, almost-industrial aesthetic with its brushed stainless steel finish. It's designed to look like a professional appliance and communicates performance and function.
The Artisan is a design icon. Its signature rounded shape and incredible spectrum of colors - from pastels to bold statement shades - make it as much a piece of kitchen decor as a functional tool. If you want your mixer to be a stylish centerpiece, the Artisan is the clear winner.
Price & Value
With an approximate $300 price difference, your decision heavily depends on your needs. The Accolade 400 is a significant investment, but for those who bake frequently or in large quantities, its power, durability, and capacity provide excellent long-term value and prevent the strain that might wear out a lesser mixer.
The Artisan offers tremendous value for the majority of home cooks. It provides access to the legendary KitchenAid quality, versatility, and ecosystem of attachments at a much more accessible price point. Unless you are a serious bread baker or bake for a crowd constantly, the Artisan delivers all the performance you'll likely ever need.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both stand mixers are exceptional machines, but they serve different priorities and baking styles.
Choose the KitchenAid Accolade 400 if:
- You regularly make large quantities of food for a big family, parties, or bake sales.
- You are a serious bread baker and frequently work with heavy, dense doughs.
- Power, durability, and sheer performance are your top priorities.
- You have ample counter space and a budget for a premium appliance.
Choose the KitchenAid Artisan if:
- You are a passionate home baker who primarily makes single batches of cakes, cookies, and occasional bread.
- You want your mixer to match your kitchen decor and express your personal style.
- Counter space is limited, or you need the flexibility to store the mixer away.
- You want the best combination of performance, style, and value for everyday baking needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Accolade 400 and Artisan?
The main differences are power, capacity, and price. The Accolade 400 has a much more powerful 1.3 HP motor and a larger 6-quart bowl, making it ideal for heavy-duty tasks. The Artisan has a 325-watt motor and a 5-quart bowl, which is perfect for most day-to-day home baking.
Is the Accolade 400 worth the extra cost?
It's worth it if your baking demands justify it. If you often find yourself making multiple batches of a recipe back-to-back, or if your current mixer struggles with bread dough, the power of the Accolade 400 is a worthy upgrade. For most users, the Artisan is more than sufficient.
Can the Artisan handle bread dough?
Yes, the Artisan can comfortably handle standard bread dough recipes for a single loaf. It may struggle with very stiff doughs (like bagel dough) or large quantities, which can cause the motor to heat up or strain over time.
Do the same attachments work for both mixers?
Yes. Both the Accolade 400 and the Artisan feature the same universal power hub on the front of the motor head. This means that all official KitchenAid attachments, from the pasta roller to the meat grinder, are compatible with both models.
Which mixer is quieter?
Due to its more robust and powerful motor, the Accolade 400 is generally designed to operate more smoothly and quietly, especially when mixing heavy loads. The Artisan's motor may sound louder and more strained when tackling tougher tasks.
Is the bigger bowl on the Accolade 400 a big advantage?
The 6-quart bowl is only a significant advantage if you consistently bake in large quantities. The Artisan's 5-quart bowl is plenty big for most family-sized recipes, easily handling batter for a large cake or nine dozen cookies.
How many colors does the Artisan come in compared to the Accolade 400?
The Artisan is famous for its extensive color palette, often featuring dozens of shades and special edition finishes. The Accolade 400 focuses on performance, so it is typically only offered in a limited range of finishes, most commonly brushed stainless steel.
Both have a tilt-head design. Is there any difference?
The basic mechanism of the tilt-head feature is the same on both models. It allows you to easily lift the motor head to add ingredients, scrape the bowl, or swap out attachments like the whisk or dough hook.
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