The KitchenAid Artisan and Custom Metallic mixers share the same powerful motor and durable construction but differ significantly in their finish, style, and price. The Artisan is the classic, colorful workhorse known for its phenomenal value and wide availability, while the Custom Metallic is its luxurious counterpart, featuring premium, high-gloss finishes for a much higher price tag.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you decide which iconic KitchenAid stand mixer belongs on your countertop.
KitchenAid Artisan Series Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan is the brand's most popular stand mixer, and for good reason. It represents the perfect balance of performance, classic design, and value, making it the go-to choice for millions of home bakers. Its durable metal body, reliable motor, and astounding range of color options have solidified its status as a kitchen staple across the world.
- What it is: A best-selling 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer celebrated for its versatility and reliability.
- Key features: 325-watt motor, durable all-metal construction, 10-speed control, universal power hub for over 10 different attachments, and a 5-quart stainless steel bowl.
- Price: Around $400 - $500, depending on the retailer and specific color.
- Style: Timeless and classic. Known for its extensive color palette, with dozens of options from vibrant reds to subtle pastels, all in a standard powder-coated or enameled finish.
- Materials/Construction: Built with a die-cast metal housing that provides stability and durability for years of use.
- Pros: Excellent value for the performance, huge selection of colors to match any kitchen, widely available at major retailers, built to last for decades, compatible with all KitchenAid attachments.
- Cons: The standard finish is less of a statement piece compared to premium models and it’s heavy (around 26 lbs), making it difficult to move and store.
This mixer is ideal for any home cook who wants a reliable, high-performance appliance with the flexibility to choose a color that perfectly matches their personal style.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/artisan-series-5-quart-tilt-head-stand-mixer
KitchenAid Custom Metallic Series Stand Mixer
The Custom Metallic series takes the tried-and-true performance of the Artisan and wraps it in a stunning, high-end finish. This line is designed for those who view their kitchen appliances as key design elements. It offers the same power and functionality but with premium metallic and matte finishes that create a sophisticated, statement-making focal point in the kitchen.
- What it is: A premium 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer that features exclusive, luxurious metallic finishes.
- Key features: Shares the same core features as the Artisan, including a 325-watt motor, die-cast metal body, 10 speeds, and a universal power hub.
- Price: Ranges from $500 - $700 or more, commanding a significant premium for its finish.
- Style: Modern, luxurious, and upscale. Finishes include options like brushed nickel, matte black, and high-shine chrome, giving it a sleek, contemporary appearance.
- Materials/Construction: Identical all-metal construction to the Artisan, but with a special multi-step metallic finishing process for a more durable and beautiful exterior.
- Pros: Stunning finishes make it a beautiful centerpiece, more exclusive and unique than standard colors, high-gloss finish can be more resistant to fingerprints and stains.
- Cons: Substantially more expensive for identical performance, much more limited color selection, often sold at fewer specialty retailers.
The Custom Metallic mixer is for the design-conscious buyer who prioritizes aesthetics and is willing to invest in an appliance that doubles as a piece of decor.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/custom-metallic-series-mixer
Artisan vs. Custom Metallic Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
In terms of physical size and footprint, the Artisan and Custom Metallic models are identical. Both typically stand about 14 inches high, 8 inches wide, and 14 inches deep, with a 5-quart bowl capacity. They are designed to fit comfortably under standard kitchen cabinets.
Both models weigh in at around 26-27 pounds due to their all-metal construction. This weight is a benefit during operation, as it keeps the mixer stable and prevents it from "walking" across the counter, even when kneading heavy doughs. However, it's something to consider if you plan on storing the mixer in a cabinet rather than keeping it on display.
Materials & Construction
Under the hood, these two mixers are exactly the same. They share the same powerful and reliable motor, the same durable die-cast metal housing, and the same power hub for attachments. You can expect identical performance whether you're whipping egg whites or kneading bread dough.
The only difference is the exterior finish. The Artisan features a powder-coated or enameled glossy finish available in dozens of colors. The Custom Metallic series goes through a more complex, multi-layered finishing process to achieve its signature metallic sheen, whether it's brushed nickel, chrome, or frosted pearl. This premium finish is often more resistant to fingerprints and minor scratches but is also the reason for the significant price increase.
Price & Value
The KitchenAid Artisan series is typically priced between $400 and $500. For this price, you get an incredibly durable and capable machine that will last for decades, making it one of the best values in kitchen appliances. The investment pays for performance, reliability, and longevity.
The Custom Metallic series starts where the Artisan leaves off, typically costing between $500 and $700. It's important to be clear: the extra $100-$300 is not for better performance. You are paying exclusively for the premium aesthetic. While it offers the same longevity, its value is tied to its role as a decorative statement piece.
Style & Versatility
Style is where these two mixers truly diverge. The Artisan is a design chameleon. With its enormous range of colors - from "Empire Red" to "Aqua Sky" - it can be styled to look fun and retro, classic and traditional, or clean and modern. It’s incredibly versatile and can blend in or stand out depending on the color you choose.
The Custom Metallic is designed to do one thing: stand out. Its finishes are explicitly luxurious and modern. A copper or brushed nickel mixer isn't meant to blend in, it’s meant to be a focal point that signals a high-end, design-forward kitchen. Its palette is limited but curated for maximum visual impact.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both mixers offer outstanding performance, but they cater to very different priorities.
Choose the KitchenAid Artisan if:
- You want the best performance for your money.
- You love having a wide array of color choices to match your kitchen decor perfectly.
- You view your mixer primarily as a functional workhorse.
- You're on a practical budget but still want a long-lasting, high-quality appliance.
Choose the KitchenAid Custom Metallic if:
- Kitchen aesthetics are a top priority and you want a statement appliance.
- You have a larger budget and are willing to pay a premium for a unique finish.
- You have a modern, contemporary, or luxury kitchen design theme.
- The idea of a mixer as a piece of "countertop art" appeals to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the Artisan and Custom Metallic models?
The only meaningful difference is the exterior finish and the price. The Custom Metallic features a premium, high-gloss finish for a higher price, while the Artisan offers brilliant color options in a standard painted finish for less. Internally, they are identical in terms of motor, power, and construction.
Is the Custom Metallic mixer more powerful than the Artisan?
No. Both series typically feature the same 325-watt motor and 10-speed planetary mixing action. You will get the exact same powerful performance whether you buy an Artisan or a Custom Metallic model from a comparable lineup.
Why is the Custom Metallic series more expensive?
The price difference is attributable to the more complex and costly manufacturing process required to apply the multi-layered metallic and premium matte finishes. You are paying for the high-end aesthetic, not for upgraded performance or features.
Are the attachments interchangeable between the Artisan and Custom Metallic mixers?
Yes. Both mixers use the same universal power hub at the front of the mixer head. This means any official KitchenAid attachment, from the pasta roller to the meat grinder, will fit and work perfectly on either model.
Is the finish on the Custom Metallic more durable?
The premium finish is designed to be very durable and is often more resistant to fingerprints and stains than the standard Artisan finish. However, like any high-end appliance finish, it should be cleaned with care using non-abrasive cloths to maintain its shine.
Which series has more color options?
The Artisan series has more color options, with dozens of shades available at any given time. The Custom Metallic line is curated, focusing on a handful of exclusive, sophisticated metallic or matte tones.
Do the Artisan and Custom Metallic use the same size bowl?
Yes, both standard series mixers typically come with a 5-quart capacity bowl. This size is sufficient for most household baking tasks, such as making dough for two loaves of bread or mixing a batch of up to nine dozen cookies.
Which mixer is better for a beginner baker?
For most beginner bakers, the KitchenAid Artisan is the smarter choice. It offers the exact same legendary performance and reliability at a much more accessible price point, allowing you to invest the savings in additional mixing bowls or attachments.
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