The KitchenAid Artisan Blender and the KitchenAid Diamond Blender are both popular choices, but they are built for different users. The Artisan is a style-focused, versatile blender ideal for everyday tasks like smoothies and sauces, while the Diamond is a more powerful, heavy-duty machine designed to crush ice and tackle tougher ingredients with ease.
Here's a complete comparison to help you choose the right KitchenAid blender for your kitchen.
KitchenAid Artisan Blender
The KitchenAid Artisan blender is known for its classic, retro-inspired design and is perfect for home chefs who value both aesthetics and reliable performance. With a polished metal base and a variety of color options, it makes a statement on any countertop while handling daily blending needs like smoothies, dips, and soups effectively.
- What it is: A mid-range blender designed for everyday use with an emphasis on style and versatility.
- Key features: 1.5 horsepower motor, multiple speed settings, a pulse function, and pre-programmed options for common tasks.
- Price: Typically ranges from $150 to $200.
- Style: Features a classic, vintage-inspired design with a polished metal base. Available in a wide array of colors to match other KitchenAid appliances.
- Materials/Construction: Comes with either a 56-ounce glass or BPA-free plastic pitcher, a sturdy metal base, and stainless steel blades.
- Pros: A beautiful design that adds a pop of color to the kitchen. Solid performance for most common recipes. More affordable than professional-grade models. Easy to use and clean.
- Cons: The motor is less powerful than the Diamond model, so it may struggle with very tough ingredients like frozen fruit chunks. The 56-ounce pitcher is slightly smaller.
The Artisan blender is the perfect fit for a casual home cook who wants a reliable, attractive appliance for everyday blending and values kitchen aesthetics just as much as performance.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/blenders/artisan-blender.html
KitchenAid Diamond Blender
The KitchenAid Diamond blender is engineered for users who need more power and durability for demanding blending jobs. Its robust motor easily handles tough ingredients, making it ideal for frequent smoothie makers, large families, and anyone who enjoys making frozen drinks or crushing ice.
- What it is: A high-performance blender designed for heavy-duty use and handling tough ingredients.
- Key features: A powerful 1.5 to 1.75 horsepower motor, multiple speed settings, and pre-programmed functions for smoothies, ice crush, and purees.
- Price: Generally priced between $200 and $250.
- Style: A sleek, modern design with a unique textured diamond-patterned pitcher and a wide, minimalist base for stability.
- Materials/Construction: Features a large 60-ounce, heavy-duty BPA-free pitcher, hardened stainless steel blades, and a wide motor housing for stability during high-speed blending.
- Pros: Extremely powerful motor pulverizes ice and frozen ingredients effortlessly. The larger 60-ounce pitcher is great for big batches. Pre-programmed settings offer convenience. Very durable construction.
- Cons: More expensive than the Artisan model. It has a larger, bulkier footprint on the counter. Fewer color options are available compared to the Artisan line.
The Diamond Blender is for the serious home cook or blending enthusiast who needs a dependable, high-powered appliance for frequent heavy-duty tasks.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/blenders/diamond-blender.html
KitchenAid Artisan vs. Diamond Blender Comparison
Power & Performance
The most significant difference lies in their power. The KitchenAid Diamond Blender has a more powerful motor (up to 1.75 HP) specifically designed to create a vortex that efficiently pulls ingredients toward the blades. This makes it superior for crushing ice for frozen cocktails, making silky-smooth nut butters, and blending tough, fibrous greens without leaving any chunks behind.
The KitchenAid Artisan Blender, with its 1.5 HP motor, is more than capable for daily smoothies, sauces, and soups. However, when faced with large amounts of frozen fruit or ice, it may require more liquid and time to achieve a completely smooth result compared to the Diamond.
Pitcher Size & Design
The Artisan comes with a 56-ounce pitcher, which is available in either glass or BPA-free plastic. The glass option is great for those who prefer to avoid plastic, but it is heavier. The Diamond Blender exclusively uses a larger, 60-ounce heavy-duty BPA-free plastic pitcher with a distinctive diamond pattern. This slightly larger capacity is better for families or making multiple servings at once.
Materials & Construction
Both models are built to last with stainless steel blades and durable motor bases. The Artisan features a handsome die-cast metal base that provides stability and a premium feel. The Diamond blender features an equally sturdy but wider base engineered to keep the machine steady during high-power tasks like crushing ice, preventing any walking on the countertop.
Price & Value
The Artisan is the more budget-friendly option, typically coming in about $50-$75 cheaper than the Diamond. For the casual user, the Artisan provides fantastic value, combining signature KitchenAid quality and style with solid everyday performance. For those who blend daily or work with tough ingredients, the extra cost for the Diamond is a worthwhile investment in power, capacity, and long-term durability.
Style & Aesthetics
This is where the Artisan really shines. It is famous for its retro look and is available in a vast selection of colors, making it easy to match your kitchen decor or other KitchenAid appliances. It's designed to be a centerpiece. The Diamond Blender has a more modern and functional aesthetic. It's a sleek, powerful-looking machine that fits well in contemporary kitchens, but it offers far fewer color options.
Which One Should You Choose?
While both are excellent products, they are built for different kitchen routines and priorities.
Choose the KitchenAid Artisan Blender if:
- You prioritize timeless retro style and want a specific color to match your kitchen.
- Your blending tasks mainly consist of daily protein shakes, smoothies, sauces, and soups.
- You have a smaller household or typically make single or double servings.
- You want a high-quality blender but have a budget under $200.
Choose the KitchenAid Diamond Blender if:
- You need maximum power for crushing ice, making frozen drinks, or blending hard items like nuts and seeds.
- You frequently make large batches for a family or for weekly meal prep.
- Performance and durability are your top priorities over aesthetics or color selection.
- You are a heavy user and are willing to invest more for a blender that can handle frequent, demanding tasks.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the KitchenAid Artisan and Diamond blenders?
The main difference is power and purpose. The Diamond blender has a stronger motor and is designed for heavy-duty tasks like crushing ice, while the Artisan is a versatile, style-focused blender ideal for everyday use like smoothies and sauces.
Which KitchenAid blender is better for crushing ice?
The Diamond Blender is significantly better for crushing ice. Its more powerful motor, specialized blades, and specific "Ice Crush" pre-programmed setting turn ice into snow quickly and efficiently.
Are the blender pitchers dishwasher-safe?
Yes, the pitchers, lids, and blade assemblies for both the Artisan and Diamond models are typically dishwasher-safe, making cleanup straightforward and convenient.
Which model offers more color choices?
The Artisan Blender is the clear winner here, offering a wide spectrum of colors to match the iconic KitchenAid stand mixers and other appliances. The Diamond has a more limited, neutral color palette.
Can I make hot soups in these blenders?
While you can use both blenders to puree ingredients for hot soups, neither model has a heating element to cook the soup. You will need to cook the ingredients first before blending them.
Which blender is quieter?
All high-powered blenders make a considerable amount of noise. However, the Diamond's wider, heavier base can help reduce vibrations and movement on the countertop, which may result in it being slightly less disruptive than other models during intense blending tasks.
Does the Artisan come with a glass or plastic pitcher?
The Artisan is often available with either a 56-ounce glass pitcher or a 56-ounce BPA-free plastic pitcher. The glass is heavier and resistant to stains and odors, while the plastic is lighter and less prone to breaking if dropped.
How long is the warranty on KitchenAid blenders?
KitchenAid typically offers warranties ranging from 1 to 5 years on their blenders. The Diamond often comes with a longer warranty period, reflecting its more robust, professional-grade construction.
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