The KitchenAid Ultra Power is a dependable entry-level stand mixer with a 4.5-quart bowl and 275-watt motor, making it a great budget-friendly choice. The iconic KitchenAid Artisan is the premium upgrade, featuring a more powerful 325-watt motor, a larger 5-quart bowl, and a vast array of color options for a higher price.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right KitchenAid stand mixer for your kitchen.
KitchenAid Ultra Power Stand Mixer
The Ultra Power is KitchenAid's workhorse starter model, offering the brand's signature durability and performance at an accessible price. It's built for home bakers who need a reliable machine for cakes, cookies, and occasional bread-making without the cost of a premium mixer.
- What it is: An entry-level, 4.5-quart tilt-head stand mixer designed for everyday baking tasks.
- Key features: 275-watt motor, 10-speed control, 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl, and a tilt-head design for easy access to the bowl and beater.
- Price: Around $200–$250.
- Style: Classic and functional with a limited range of traditional color options.
- Materials/Construction: Durable die-cast metal body ensures stability and longevity. Comes with a flat beater, wire whip, and dough hook.
- Pros: Excellent value for the price. Reliable KitchenAid build quality. Perfect for beginner to intermediate bakers. Easily handles most standard recipes for cakes, cookies, and frosting.
- Cons: The 275-watt motor can struggle with very stiff, dense doughs. Smaller 4.5-quart bowl capacity may not be sufficient for large-batch baking. Fewer color choices.
The Ultra Power is the ideal mixer for the budget-conscious home cook or new baker who prizes reliable performance for everyday recipes.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-stand-mixers/ultra-power-series.html
KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan is one of the most popular and recognizable stand mixers in the world, celebrated for its perfect balance of power, capacity, and design. It serves as both a high-performance appliance and a stylish kitchen centerpiece, favored by serious bakers for its versatility and strength.
- What it is: A premium, 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer known for its robust motor and extensive color palette.
- Key features: Powerful 325-watt motor, large 5-quart stainless steel bowl with handle, 10-speed settings, and a vast library of compatible attachments.
- Price: $400–$500.
- Style: Iconic, stylish, and highly customizable. Available in dozens of colors and finishes, allowing it to be a focal point in any kitchen design.
- Materials/Construction: Premium die-cast metal construction. The 5-quart bowl often comes in stainless steel, but glass and ceramic options are also available. Includes a pouring shield in addition to the standard beater, whip, and dough hook.
- Pros: More powerful motor handles heavy doughs like bread and brioche with ease. Larger bowl size is great for double batches and holiday baking. Huge range of color and finish options. The go-to model for performance and style.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive than the Ultra Power. Heavier and has a slightly larger footprint on the counter.
The Artisan is built for passionate home bakers and culinary enthusiasts who need a powerful, versatile machine and appreciate its iconic design.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-stand-mixers/artisan-stand-mixers.html
KitchenAid Ultra Power vs. Artisan Comparison
Dimensions & Scale
The most noticeable physical difference is the bowl size. The Ultra Power comes with a 4.5-quart bowl, which is ample for standard recipes - think a batch of cookies or a single loaf of bread. The Artisan steps up to a 5-quart bowl, a seemingly small upgrade that makes a big difference. That half-quart allows you to comfortably mix larger batches, like double recipes of cookie dough or batter for multiple cakes at once.
While both mixers have a similar countertop footprint and fit under standard cabinets, the Artisan's larger bowl gives it a slightly more substantial presence. The Artisan's bowl also includes a convenient handle, a feature the Ultra Power's standard bowl lacks, making it easier to hold and pour from.
Materials & Construction
Both models are built to last with durable die-cast metal bodies, giving them the heft and stability KitchenAid is known for. The core difference lies in the motor. The Ultra Power houses a 275-watt motor that is perfectly capable for most everyday tasks. However, it can occasionally strain under the load of a particularly tough, low-hydration bread dough.
The Artisan model is equipped with a more robust 325-watt motor. This increase in power means it kneads dense bread dough and mixes stiff batters more efficiently and with less effort. If you plan to bake bread frequently or work with heavy mixtures, the Artisan's motor provides more reliable long-term performance.
Price & Value
The KitchenAid Ultra Power is the clear winner for budget-conscious buyers, typically priced between $200 and $250. It’s frequently on sale during holidays, offering incredible value for a high-quality stand mixer that will last for years. It delivers core KitchenAid performance without the premium price tag.
At $400-$500, the Artisan represents a significant investment. However, its value comes from its increased power, larger capacity, and superior versatility. For serious bakers, the ability to handle larger and tougher recipes makes it a worthwhile upgrade that pays for itself in performance and convenience.
Style & Versatility
Style is where the Artisan truly stands apart. It's available in dozens of colors and finishes, from "Aqua Sky" to "Matte Dried Rose," turning a functional appliance into a deliberate design statement. If matching your mixer to your kitchen decor is a priority, the Artisan is the only choice.
The Ultra Power is more utilitarian in its appearance, available in a handful of classic colors like black, white, and red. Both mixers are compatible with KitchenAid's extensive range of attachments (like the pasta maker and meat grinder), but the Artisan’s more powerful motor makes it better suited to run these power-hungry accessories.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both mixers are excellent choices, but they cater to different types of home cooks.
Choose the Ultra Power if:
- You're a casual baker who makes cookies, cakes, and frosting on occasion.
- You are buying your first stand mixer and want a reliable, high-quality starting point.
- Your budget is a primary concern.
- You primarily make standard-sized batches of dough and batter.
Choose the Artisan if:
- You are a serious or frequent baker who regularly tackles bread, large recipes, or dense doughs.
- You see your mixer as a long-term kitchen investment for a serious hobby.
- Aesthetics are important, and you want a specific color to match your kitchen style.
- You plan to use power-intensive attachments frequently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the KitchenAid Ultra Power and Artisan?
The three main differences are power, capacity, and aesthetics. The Artisan has a more powerful 325-watt motor (vs. 275 watts), a larger 5-quart bowl (vs. 4.5 quarts), and comes in a much wider variety of colors than the Ultra Power.
Is the KitchenAid Artisan worth the extra money?
For frequent bakers, yes. The stronger motor handles heavy tasks like kneading bread dough more easily and can extend the life of the machine under heavy use. The larger bowl and vast color selection are also significant upgrades that many serious home cooks find justifies the price.
Which mixer is better for bread dough?
The Artisan is better for bread dough. Its 325-watt motor provides the necessary power to knead stiff, dense doughs without straining the machine. While the Ultra Power can handle occasional bread making, the Artisan is better equipped for frequent use.
Can I use Artisan attachments on an Ultra Power mixer?
Yes, for the most part. Both mixers have the same power hub, meaning attachments like the pasta roller, meat grinder, and spiralizer are interchangeable. However, some power-intensive attachments will perform better with the Artisan's stronger motor.
How many cookies can each mixer make in one batch?
The 4.5-quart Ultra Power can typically handle dough for up to 7 dozen cookies in a single batch. The 5-quart Artisan can handle dough for up to 9 dozen cookies, making it better for holiday baking or larger households.
Do both models have a tilt-head design?
Yes, both the Ultra Power and the Artisan are tilt-head models. This design allows the head of the mixer to tilt back, providing easy access to the bowl for adding ingredients or scraping the sides.
What does the wattage difference (275W vs 325W) really mean?
The higher wattage in the Artisan translates to more torque, or mixing power. This means it can turn the beater through dense, heavy mixtures with less stress on the motor. It will mix more efficiently and is less likely to bog down or overheat when working with things like thick bread dough or chilled cookie batter.
Which model is easier to find on sale?
The KitchenAid Ultra Power is more commonly discounted at major big-box retailers like Target and Walmart, especially around major shopping holidays like Black Friday. While the Artisan does go on sale, its deals are often less frequent or not as steep.
At Interior Insider, we're dedicated to curating the best in home decor, interior design, and home essentials to help you discover brands we think you'll love. Every brand we feature is independently selected by our editorial team based on quality, design, and craftsmanship. When you make a purchase through our links, Interior Insider may earn a commission - which helps support our small team and allows us to continue bringing you inspiration and expert advice for creating your perfect space.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our curated design guides to find your next favorite piece.
