The iconic KitchenAid stand mixer finish you choose - matte or glossy - directly impacts your kitchen's style and how much time you'll spend cleaning. Matte finishes offer a modern, non-reflective look that's excellent at hiding fingerprints, while glossy provides a classic, vibrant shine that makes a bold statement but shows smudges more easily.
Here’s everything you need to know to select the right KitchenAid finish for your home.
KitchenAid Matte Finishes
The matte finish is one of KitchenAid's more contemporary offerings, providing an understated and sophisticated look. Its non-reflective surface has a soft, almost velvety texture that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, creating a much more subdued and architectural feel than its glossy counterpart.
- What it is: A non-reflective, low-sheen powder-coated finish offered on KitchenAid stand mixers and other appliances.
- Key features: Hides fingerprints, smudges, and minor scratches, creates a soft, modern aesthetic, low-glare surface.
- Price: Generally priced the same as glossy finishes for the same appliance model.
- Style: Ideal for modern, minimalist, industrial, and contemporary kitchen designs. It pairs exceptionally well with natural materials like wood countertops, concrete floors, and stone backsplashes.
- Pros: Excellent at hiding fingerprints and smudges, sophisticated and on-trend appearance, reduces glare in brightly lit kitchens, easy to maintain a clean look day-to-day.
- Cons: The slightly textured surface can sometimes hold onto flour dust or grease more than a slick glossy model, color selection is more limited compared to the extensive glossy range.
This finish is for those who prioritize a modern, understated aesthetic and low-maintenance convenience in a busy kitchen.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/artisan-matte
KitchenAid Glossy Finishes
The glossy finish is the quintessential, classic KitchenAid look that has been a staple in homes for decades. Its shiny, reflective surface enhances the appliance's color, giving it a vibrant, polished appearance that stands out as a focal point on the countertop.
- What it is: A high-sheen, reflective powder-coated finish that has long been the standard for KitchenAid appliances.
- Key features: Bright and reflective surface, enhances color vibrancy, smooth and easy-to-wipe texture.
- Price: Standard pricing, on par with matte finishes for identical models.
- Style: Highly versatile, fitting perfectly into classic, farmhouse, retro, and even modern kitchens. It creates a pop of color and a 'jewel-like' presence.
- Pros: Incredibly wide range of available colors, the super-smooth surface is very easy to wipe clean, vibrant look makes it a beautiful statement piece, timeless and classic appeal.
- Cons: Immediately shows every fingerprint, smudge, and water spot, scratches can be more noticeable on a reflective surface, can create significant glare under direct kitchen lighting.
The glossy finish is perfect for anyone wanting a statement appliance with a classic shine and access to the widest possible range of colors.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/artisan-series-glossy
KitchenAid Matte vs. Glossy Comparison
Aesthetics & Style
The choice between matte and glossy boils down to the aesthetic you want to achieve. A matte finish provides an understated, modern elegance. It absorbs light, giving it a calm and grounding presence that integrates seamlessly with other materials like wood, stone, and metal. It’s the go-to for minimalist or industrial-inspired kitchens where you want the appliance's shape and design to be the focus, not its shine.
Conversely, a glossy finish is all about making a vibrant statement. It reflects light, making colors appear richer and more dynamic. This 'wet paint' look works beautifully in retro, classic, or eclectic kitchens where the appliance serves as a cheerful pop of color. If you want your mixer to be the star of the show, the classic glossy finish delivers that eye-catching effect.
Durability & Maintenance
While both finishes are durable and built to last, they behave differently when it comes to everyday maintenance. The matte finish is the clear winner for hiding routine smudges. Its low-sheen surface doesn't show fingerprints or minor oil splatter, meaning it looks cleaner for longer, which is a huge plus in busy kitchens or households with kids.
The glossy finish is the opposite, its highly reflective nature highlights every single touch. However, its completely smooth surface makes it arguably easier to wipe down. A quick spray and a soft cloth will remove any residue entirely, whereas the delicate texture on a matte finish may require a bit more effort to wipe away caked-on flour or grease.
Price & Availability
For most KitchenAid product lines, there is no price difference between matte and glossy finishes on the same model. The decision is purely based on preference, not budget. The main differentiator here is availability. Glossy is the brand's traditional finish, so it is available in a much larger spectrum of colors - from classic Empire Red and Onyx Black to dozens of limited-edition shades released over the years. The matte collection is newer and more curated, focusing on a smaller selection of sophisticated neutrals and muted tones.
Who Each One Works Best For
A matte finish is best for households that value a clean look with minimal effort. If you have children, do a lot of hands-on cooking, or simply can't stand seeing smudges on your appliances, matte is the practical and stylish choice. It’s also the ideal fit for homeowners with a distinctly modern, Scandinavian, or minimalist decor style.
A glossy finish is perfectly suited for the home chef who loves classic design and wants their appliance to be a decorative focal point. If you dream of adding a vibrant pop of color to your kitchen and appreciate a retro or traditional aesthetic, the polished look of a glossy model is unbeatable. It works for those who don't mind giving their mixer a quick wipe-down to maintain its brilliant shine.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both finishes offer an iconic design and incredible performance, but your final choice depends on your personal style and tolerance for cleaning.
Choose a Matte Finish if:
- Your kitchen has a modern, minimalist, or industrial aesthetic.
- You detest seeing fingerprints and smudges on your appliances.
- You want a sophisticated, understated appliance rather than a loud statement piece.
- You have a lot of direct overhead or natural sunlight that might create glare on a shiny surface.
Choose a Glossy Finish if:
- You're aiming for a classic, retro, or farmhouse kitchen look.
- You want your appliance to be a vibrant, eye-catching focal point.
- You want the broadest possible selection of colors to choose from.
- You enjoy the look of a perfectly polished shine and don't mind regular wipe-downs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between KitchenAid matte and glossy?
The primary difference is aesthetic and tactile. Matte has a non-reflective, modern finish that hides fingerprints, while glossy has a shiny, classic look that reflects light and enhances color but shows smudges easily.
Is matte or glossy easier to clean?
It's a trade-off. Glossy finishes are smoother and technically easier to wipe clean with a cloth. However, matte finishes don't show dirt or fingerprints as readily, so they require less frequent cleaning to look good.
Do matte finishes scratch more easily than glossy ones?
No, both finishes are made with a durable powder coating. Neither is particularly prone to scratching with normal use. However, a deep scratch might be more visible on a shiny glossy surface, while the texture of a matte finish can help camouflage minor wear and tear.
Are KitchenAid matte appliances more expensive?
Typically, no. For the same stand mixer model within the Artisan or Professional series, the matte and glossy color options are usually priced identically.
Which finish shows fingerprints more?
The glossy finish shows fingerprints, water spots, and smudges significantly more than the matte finish due to its reflective surface.
How do you clean a matte KitchenAid mixer?
Use a soft, damp cloth with a small amount of mild dish soap for any greasy spots. Wipe gently and dry with a separate soft cloth. Avoid using abrasive sponges or harsh chemical cleaners, as they could damage the finish.
Which finish is more popular?
The glossy finish has been the long-standing classic and remains extremely popular due to its vast color selection and timeless appeal. However, matte finishes have grown significantly in popularity with the rise of modern and minimalist kitchen design.
Does the finish affect the performance of the stand mixer?
Absolutely not. The finish is purely cosmetic. A matte and a glossy KitchenAid mixer of the same model will have the exact same motor, functionality, and performance capabilities.
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