If you're shopping for a new stand mixer, the decision often comes down to KitchenAid vs. Cuisinart. KitchenAid is renowned for its iconic design, stylish color options, and dependable performance, while Cuisinart offers a more affordable yet powerful alternative. But which one is the best choice for you?
We've independently tested the best stand mixers on the market, including the KitchenAid Artisan and the Cuisinart Precision stand mixer. I'm a keen baker and trained cook myself, and along with our expert tester, Millie, we mixed cake batter, bread dough, and frosting in the kitchen to compare KitchenAid vs Cuisinart's performance, design, and overall value for money.
While they may seem similar at first glance, we found some important differences in price, capabilities, and usability that are worth knowing about. Below, we break down everything you need to know to make the right choice for your kitchen.
KitchenAid vs Cuisinart stand mixers
At a glance
Below, we'll take a closer look at how these two mixers compare in terms of design, performance, versatility, warranty, and overall value. For now, these are the headlines.
The iconic, American-made stand mixer. It's best for cake bakers who prioritize design, reliability, and small to medium batches.
The main rival to KitchenAid, this Cuisinart is brilliant for high-power tasks, like kneading bread. It's half the price of a KitchenAid, but a little noisier and struggles on smaller portions.
The stats
When you look at the spec differences between the KitchenAid Artisan and Cuisinart Precision, in many ways, the Cuisinart is the front-runner. It has a more powerful motor, more speeds, a larger capacity, and the same attachments.
But, that's exactly why we've gone to the trouble of testing both mixers in person. The stats are certainly useful, but they don't give you a full picture of who these mixers suit and how they perform in a real kitchen.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer | Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer |
Bowl Capacity | 5 quarts | 5.5 quarts |
Motor Power | 325 watts | 500 watts |
Speed Settings | 10 speeds | 12 speeds |
Construction | Die-cast zinc with enamel coating | Die-cast metal construction |
Dimensions | 13.9 H x 14.1 D x 8.7 W inches | 14.13 H x 14.13 D x 7.87 W inches |
Weight | 26 lbs | 18.4 lbs |
Attachments Included | Flat beater, dough hook, wire whisk, pouring shield | Chef's whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook, splash guard with pour spout |
Additional Attachments Available | 14 | 5 |
Color options | Multiple, including Periwinkle Blue, Ruby Red, Butter, White Linen, Robin's Egg, Agave Green, Frosted Blue, Dove Gray, Coconut Cream, Blushing Coral, Poppy Seed, Pinot Noir, Caskata | Smaller range, including Empire Red, Onyx Black, White, Silver Metallic, Almond Cream, and more |
Manufacturer | Made in USA | Made in China |
Warranty | 1-year limited warranty | 3-year limited warranty |
Design
KitchenAid mixers are famous for their retro aesthetic and stunning array of colors. The Artisan model, in particular, has a timeless appeal and comes in numerous shades to match any kitchen. It's also compact enough to fit comfortably on most countertops. We cannot even list every color you can buy the KitchenAid Artisan in, but the total number is more than 40 – from simple Butter Yellow to the elegant Evergreen design series with the wooden bowl, which we tested last Autumn.
On the other hand, the Cuisinart Precision has a more modern, utilitarian design. While it's sleek and sturdy, it doesn't have the same visual charm as a KitchenAid. It also comes in fewer colors, limiting personalization options. The Cuisinart used to only have six colors: Onyx, Red, Bright Blue, Blue Mint, Chrome, and White. Recently, Cuisinart added some gorgeous pastels including Blushing Coral, Agave Green, and Arctic Blue. However, there's still no comparison between this range and the available colors for the KitchenAid Artisan.
Winner: KitchenAid
Performance
In our tests, both mixers performed well, with some small differences between them. The KitchenAid Artisan has a 325-watt motor, which is powerful enough for most home baking tasks. It handled bread dough, cake batter, and cookie dough effortlessly, without overheating.
The Cuisinart Precision, however, has a more powerful 500-watt motor, making it better suited for denser doughs and large batches. However, we noticed that the flat beater struggled to reach the bottom of the bowl when mixing smaller quantities, which could be a drawback for casual bakers.
Below, you'll find the breakdown from our performance tests, where we tried each of the included attachments to mix cake batter, bread dough, and whipped cream. If you want to know more, you can read the full details of our testing experiences in our Cuisinart Precision stand mixer review and KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer review.
Test 1: Cake batter
KitchenAid and Cuisinart stand mixers mixing cake, head-to-head on test
The flat beater with the Cuisinart and the KitchenAid both work effectively at making cake, but we did find that the KitchenAid Artisan did a better job of creaming butter and sugar together without assistance.
When we tested the Cuisinart, we had to go in with a spatula multiple times to scrape butter and sugar away from the sides of the bowl. Since the Cuisinart has a more capacious 5.5 quart bowl, it is also wider, which means the flat beater doesn't touch all sides of the bowl when beating and whipping.
If you make a lot of cakes, the KitchenAid will suit you better.
Winner: KitchenAid
Test 2: Bread dough
KitchenAid and Cuisinart stand mixers making bread, head-to-head on test
We tested both the Artisan and Precision mixers with our favorite homemade bread recipe. While it was close, Cuisinart did a better job. The KitchenAid's smaller motor had an effect here; we had to work on the lower speeds in order to not damage the machine. The mixer moved around the counter when kneading, and we felt like we had to supervise to make sure it didn't move too much or even fall over.
By contrast, Cuisinart was sturdy and reliable. It worked the bread dough for 10 minutes on a high speed, without needing any supervision. The dough was stretchy and smooth after ten minutes, and the machine itself was barely warm to touch. The resulting loaf of bread was excellent.
Winner: Cuisinart
Test 3: Whipped cream
This was pretty much even stevens. We loved the slow start setting on the Cuisinart, which avoided splattering the cream across the counter as it started whirring. The whisk did a great job of beating heavy cream into light clouds.
The KitchenAid also did a very good job. Our whipped cream was fluffy and quick; we had no complaints on either side.
Winner: tie
Extra accessories & versatility
Both stand mixers come with essential attachments, including a flat beater, dough hook, and whisk. KitchenAid, however, has an extensive range of additional attachments available, which can turn your mixer into the best food processor, ice cream maker or pasta roller. This makes it one of the most versatile kitchen appliances on the market. We've even written a guide to the best KitchenAid attachments.
Now, while you can remove the front panel from the Cuisinart to attach some add-ons, there are far fewer add-ons available with this mixer than the KitchenAid. There are five in total that you can buy for the Cuisinart Precision, but over 14 available for the Kitchen Artisan.
Winner: KitchenAid
Longevity & reliability
KitchenAid stand mixers are known for their durability and longevity. They come with a one-year warranty, but many users report their mixers lasting for decades with proper care.
Cuisinart offers a three-year warranty, which is an obvious advantage. However, some customer reviews have reported issues with the motor over time, suggesting that while it's powerful, it may not have the same long-term reliability as a KitchenAid stand mixer.
Winner: tie – KitchenAid is proven to last for years, but Cuisinart’s longer warranty provides peace of mind.
Value for money
Cuisinart Precision stand mixer and attachments
The KitchenAid Artisan usually retails for $449.99, whereas the Cuisinart Precision costs $249.95. If budget is a big part of your evaluation, the Cuisinart is a better value pick. It's priced lower than the KitchenAid Artisan while offering a more powerful motor and larger bowl. If you're looking for performance at a lower price point, it’s an excellent alternative.
However, KitchenAid can justify its higher price with superior build quality, a vast range of accessories, and timeless design. If you're willing to invest in a long-lasting, visually appealing mixer that you can hand down to your children, it could be worth the extra cost.
Winner: Cuisinart
FAQs
Are KitchenAid and Cuisinart attachments interchangeable?
No, you can't use the attachments for KitchenAid and Cuisinart mixers interchangeably. Or at least, that's what the official guidance will tell you. Technically, the whisk, hook and flat beater from the Cuisinart Precision and the KitchenAid Artisan will fit into place on the opposing mixer, but there's no saying if they'll work as well on a different mixer, and it could even damage your machine if you use attachments that aren't designed to fit onto the specific head of your mixer.
Where is KitchenAid made?
KitchenAid is a US-based company, and while not all its products are made here, its stand mixers are made in the USA.
By contrast, Cuisinart is a French company who mostly manufacture in China.
Does KitchenAid go on sale?
It's not every day that you'll find a KitchenAid mixer on sale but you can usually find a good deal around Black Friday on retailers such as Amazon or Macy's. The Cuisinart Precision is already more affordable, and we have noticed that it will also go on sale more often throughout the year.
Our verdict: which stand mixer should you buy?
KitchenAid's Design Series Evergreen Mixer in my kitchen at home
Both mixers are really excellent, so the verdict depends on your specific needs.
Buy the KitchenAid Artisan if you prioritize style, reliability, and versatility. It's the best choice for everyday bakers who want a mixer that looks as good as it performs. There are endless personalization options (even custom bowls, like this painted ceramic beauty you can buy at Williams Sonoma) and accessories that add versatility and longevity for keen cooks.
Buy the Cuisinart Precision if you value affordability and high-power performance. The Cuisinart is cheaper than the KitchenAid Artisan by about 50%, and while we found that making cake was slightly trickier, it did perform better with bread. For the money, it's the better value choice.
If you want to know my personal opinion, I have a beautiful walnut wood KitchenAid Artisan in my kitchen (pictured above), which I use to bake cakes and cookies on the weekend. It may have been expensive, but I've never looked back.
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