Whether you’re a serious home baker, or simply love the aesthetic, the KitchenAid stand mixer is totally iconic. With its retro design, impressive power and vibrant color pallette, it isn’t any wonder why KitchenAid stand mixers come tops as one of the best stand mixers around.

And if you’re a fan of the brand’s ever-expanding colorway, you’ll be excited to learn that KitchenAid has just launched a new color for its signature Artisan Tilt-Head Stand Mixer.

Wildflower is a frosty lilac tone that is “botanical-inspired”, and just in time for the winter season(and festivities ahead). In fact, Wildflower could well be my favorite KitchenAid color this year — here’s why.

Meet Wildflower

If, like me, you prefer a minimalist kitchen and soft neutral tones for appliances, the KitchenAid Wildflower is ideal. Although it’s a light purple color (reminiscent of sugared almonds), its satin sheen is neutral yet eye-catching.

What’s more, this can be paired with any color appliances, without appearing too garish. Plus, I like the fact that it can suit any kitchen countertop and decor style.

The new Wildflower comes after the expansion of KitchenAid's classic, Porcelain White Collection, and of course, we had the Butter color earlier this year, which was KitchenAid’s Color of the Year.

Although it received mixed reviews from fans, with some praising it for injecting warmth and "sunny" color, I wasn't convinced that the buttery yellow tone would work well in my neutral kitchen.

Needless to say, I think Wildflower is a great, calming color to add style to any space, and I look forward to seeing what KitchenAid has in store next.

The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-quart in Wildflower is available to buy for $359 on KitchenAid.comWhile UK customers can purchase for £499 on KitchenAid.

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I love baking. There’s nothing I find more relaxing than spending my Sunday afternoon whipping up a batch of cookies or a slab of brownies for everyone in the house to share. But when it comes to actually cooking meals? Not so much.

In all honesty, what puts me off is the preparation work that goes into everything. It’s all the chopping. It’s not so much that I find it boring, I’m just not very good at it. I also have no desire to get better at it, which makes me pretty lazy, right?

Luckily, here at Tom’s Guide, I get to test out some of the best blenders, air fryers, and everything in between. And because of this, I’ve been able to construct the perfect lazy-food-prep kitchen.

Beast Mighty 850 Plus

This is the fastest blender I have ever used. The Beast Mighty 850 Plus blender houses a powerful 850-watt motor, making it formidable against any ingredient. It completely speeds up the cooking process for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I use it for super quick smoothies before heading out the door in the morning, at lunch time to make a quick dip, and at dinner to make my favorite soup. Tomato soup is a staple in my dinner repertoire, and having a decent blender is half the battle.

It can blend up my soup unbelievably fast, and thanks to the hand storage caps that come with the blender, any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for the next day. It’s all about convenience, which helps to minimize the washing up of containers.

KitchenAid Top Down Chopper

The KitchenAid Top Down Chopper is the ultimate gadget for chopping-haters. Just a few presses of the button on top of the device will have you chopping whole onions and creating simple salad dips in seconds. It has quickly become a go-to device of mine, as I can quickly get all of my ingredients ready if I’m making a pasta sauce or getting some mix-ins ready.

While it can only do one thing — yes, chop — it does it well. During my testing, it diced an entire carrot in less than 10 seconds, making it ideal for making a quick soffritto.

And as a girl who loves a good chip and dip combo, this is ideal for a Friday night when I have friends over and need to make a super speedy guac or salsa. It’s also cordless, so if you need to take it with you on a quick getaway, you totally can!

KitchenAid Citrus Juicer

The KitchenAid Citrus Juicer has become far more of a daily staple than I anticipated. I use it most days to keep the orange juice in my fridge fully stocked, but it also makes cooking easier.

What could a juicer possibly be used for in cooking? Lemons.

They are tedious and have a tendency to sting my hands when I squeeze them. I used to avoid recipes that required freshly squeezed lemon juice, but that is no more. I no longer stand over the saucepan trying to squeeze the lemon while trying to catch the seeds in my other hand.

It is also a great gadget for prepping ingredients before cocktail night, and gets a lot of use around the holiday season when everyone wants a signature cocktail.

Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1

The Instant Pot Plus is one of my favorite gadgets. It is a pressure cooker that does it all. It can has eight preset functions to choose from so it can slow cook your favorite dish or cook rice with complete ease.

When testing the cooker, I was able to make my dinner with only 10 minutes off effort. Sure the cooker then went on to do its thing for another four hours, btu I was free. I could get on with house work or just sit and watch television.

While the Instant Pot Plus is the one I have, you can grab a smaller version on sale right now. The Instant Pot Duo 7-in-1 is currently on sale at Amazon for $44.

Philips Airfryer 3000

The Rapid Air Plus technology of the Philips Air Fryer 3000 Series mean every time I used it, whether it was for tater tots or chicken, I was ensured an even cook.

The air flow design means there is no need to flip the food halfway through cooking as the heat is directed all around the drawer. It makes food crispy without drying it out, and is big enough to fit a small chicken if you're making a roast dinner.

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It’s always seemed like a treat to have freshly squeezed orange juice. Something reserved for when on holiday or visiting the spa. But since using the KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer every day, I have been blown away at how easy and fuss-free fresh juice every day can be.

My family and I have enjoyed fresh orange juice every day since testing the juicer, and it sets us up with a great start to the day. Fresh juice is a great way to add in some extra vitamins and minerals to your daily routine, and give you an extra boost of energy in the morning without turning to the coffee pot right away.

You may think that you need one of the best juicers, which can set you back over $600, but the KitchenAid Citrus Juicer is only $99. You don’t have to pay loads to have fresh juice daily with minimal mess or stress. The juicer is part of the KitchenAid Go range, so it is battery-powered and cordless.

Gets every ounce of juice

The best thing about this juicer is that it gets every ounce of juice. It completely pulverises each segment of the orange to get every last bit of juice out of the orange. I sliced the oranges in half and then placed them on the reamer.

The reamer automatically spins when pressure is applied to it, so after juicing 25 oranges, my arms didn’t hurt at all. There’s no twisting round and round like with a manual citrus juicer. And once it was complete, only the pith and the rind of the orange remained. I just threw these straight in the compost bin.

But as you can imagine, there is a lot of pulp and pips that don’t make it to the final product, and these get caught by the stainless steel sieve. This is easily cleaned out though, by tipping it into the compost bin.

Getting your dose of Vitamin C

There are a lot of ways to get your daily dose of Vitamin C, but a cold glass of OJ in the morning is definitely my favourite way. It is a great antioxidant and protects the body by boosting immune function.

If I ever feel under the weather, orange juice is a sure-fire way to get me back fighting fit in no time. A study on U.S. adults published in the journal Nutrients found that orange juice is a top source of antioxidants in the American diet, and it helps that it’s totally delicious.

I always feel better when I am regularly drinking orange juice, and it gives me a boost of energy with its naturally occurring sugars, meaning I can skip the caffeine for the day.

Compact and cordless

If I were going on a camping trip and taking my car, the KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer is honestly something I would pack with me.

Since it is cordless, as long as the Kitchen Aid Go battery is fully charged, it can be used anywhere. This is great if, like me, you have a busy kitchen setup with a lot of appliances; not having to unplug something else to use the juicer is a dream.

If you're not sure whether a juicer is quite right for your needs, especially if you prefer smoothies, you could take a look at Kitchen's Pure Power Blender.

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I’m never buying a carton of orange juice from the store again. You heard me. I love having a cold glass of OJ in the morning with my breakfast, but after testing the KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer, I’m not drinking store-bought anymore.

This isn’t like some of the best juicers that make cold-press juices from a variety of fruits: this is for citrus fruit only. Need a glass of orange or grapefruit juice? Or some lemon juice to add to your pasta dish? This device has you covered.

It’s easy to use and super fast. I was able to make 800ml of juice in less than 15 minutes (that’s 25 oranges!). It’s also easy to clean since it’s dishwasher safe, and is compact and cordless, making it simple to move around and juice anywhere. It uses the KitchenAid Go battery, so if you already have a device from this range, you won’t need to purchase another battery. However, if you are a pulp hater, this juicer won’t be for you.

To find out more about how I got on, carry on reading this full KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Specs

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer is available for purchase without the battery at Amazon U.S. for $99 and from the KitchenAid website in the U.K. for $129.

If this is your first KitchenAid Go product and you don’t have the battery pack needed to operate the range, you bundle one with the blender at Amazon U.S. for $129. If you’d prefer to purchase the battery on its own, that’ll cost $59 at Amazon.

Our top budget juicer pick is the Hamilton Beach Big Mouth Juice Extractor, which costs $74. This has the same compact size as the KitchenAid Citrus Juicer but has the capabilities to work with more than just citrus, so if you want more variation in your morning juices, it’s worth looking towards a traditional cold-press juicer.

The Nama J3 cold press juicer can tackle more fruit and offers more settings for how much pulp is in the juice. However, it comes with a pretty hefty price tag of $450, so the KitchenAid Citrus Juicer is a winner if you don’t mind dealing with pulp.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Design

Much like the rest of the KitchenAid Go range, the Cordless Citrus Juicer fits into any kitchen setup. With its sleek and minimal matte black design, the juicer is understated enough to be left out on the countertop. But at 10.35 x 7.87 x 6.46 inches and weighing just 4lbs it’s compact and lightweight enough to be moved around or stored away for a clear work surface. This is much smaller than the Nutribullet Juicer ($109).

Since the Smeg Personal Blender is cordless, I didn’t need to unplug anything to free up sockets. I could simply pop in the battery pack and juice away.

At the top of the juicer is an auto-reversing reamer. This rotates when pressure is applied and juices the citrus fruit without you having to move your hand at all. There is a sieve plate below this to catch any stray pips or pulp that comes out of the fruit.

The juice collects in a detachable 16-ounce reservoir. This is transparent, so I was able to see how much juice I had made and knew when to decant it. The precision pour is so simple to use. By turning it anti-clockwise, the juice is released, but when closed, not a drop escapes. The pour spout is also high enough that I was able to fit a glass under it to pour the juice into.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Juicing performance

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer makes having fresh orange juice every single morning easier than ever. I was able to juice 25 oranges in less than 15 minutes, which gave me 28 ounces of orange juice. This was great as it made enough juice for everyone in my house. The juicer was able to get every ounce of juice out of the oranges and left nothing my the rind behind.

The orange juice does come out with pulp since, like I said, this isn’t a cold-press juicer that removes the pith and rind for you like the AMZCHEF Cold Press Juicer ($199). The stainless steel sieve catches most of the pulp from the orange though, and I needed to clear this out a couple of times.

Thanks to the shape of the reamer, it is big enough to deal with larger grapefruits, but the tip is also great for smaller citrus, like lemons and limes.

This was easy to do by removing the reamer and shaking out the sieve into the trash. And if you’re not a fan of pulp, you’ll simply want to strain the juice as it comes out of the spout. Luckily for me though, I prefer juice with pulp.

When emptying the reservoir, the juice flows towards the spout and empties completely. The base seems to be angled toward the spout, so I didn't need to tip it to get the dregs out. However, some pulp was still left at the bottom.

The juice is great straight out of the pour spout, but I also put some in the fridge overnight to get crisp and cold. This was much better and got rave reviews from everyone in the house.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Storage & maintenance

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer is ridiculously easy to clean because I was able to throw almost everything in the dishwasher. The reamer, sieve, and reservoir are all dishwasher safe. Just be sure to remove the knob from the pouring spout so it can be thoroughly cleaned.

The base can only be wiped down and not submerged in water. This is fine though, since none of the juice made comes into contact with the base.

As I mentioned earlier, the juicer was easy for me to move around the countertop and fit away easily in the cupboard when not in use, thanks to the compact size.

KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer review: Verdict

The KitchenAid Go Cordless Citrus Juicer has quickly become part of the daily routine in my house and for good reason: it lets us have fresh juice with incredible ease.

The only problems you may have are that it produces juice with pulp —a no-go for some people — and that it’s only compatible with citrus fruit. If you want pulp-free juice and the option to also juice things like carrots and ginger, you could reach for the Nama J3 juicer.

If you’re just juicing citrus, though, the KitchenAid is perfect. Not only does it juice fruit like oranges and grapefruits super fast, but the ease of cleaning means it doesn’t add any extra stress to my mornings.

Since it’s cordless, it’s easy to move around, and compact enough to be stored away in the cupboard when not in use. Since it uses the KitchenAid Go battery, if you already have another appliance, you can purchase it without the battery and save some money. It’s a real winner for me.

As someone who loves cooking a hearty meal after a long day of work, I was excited when I got the chance to test the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper.

The chopper made prepping dips an absolute breeze and I was able to make everything from a chopped salsa to a blended hummus. And it could have been one of the best food processors out there, but it's missing one key feature and I just can't get past it.

What the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper does well

With that complaint out of the way, the chopper actually does a very good job at chopping vegetables. And not to mention it is super fast. It took me a matter of seconds to finely dice a large carrot. It can also finely dice an onion with just three pulses.

The compact design of the chopper means it is very easy to store out of the way in cupboards. And it doesn't weigh much either at only 2.82 pounds, so it can also be stored on a higher shelf and is easy to reach for. And thanks to it being completely cordless it can be moved around and used anywhere in the kitchen without needing to hunt for a spare power outlet.

It is also extremely easy to clean as the bowl, shield and blade can all be thrown into the dishwasher. You can't get the motor wet though so will need to just give it a wipe down with a damp cloth.

Wait, where's the feed tube?

KitchenAid says that the Top Down Chopper can be used for chopping, mixing and pureeing, but I just want to know: where's the feed tube?

The feed tube is the chute usually found at the top of a food processor that lets you add extra ingredients while the blades are still spinning without any worry of getting your fingers jammed.

This is a feature found on other food processors and choppers in KitchenAid's collection, including the KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Food Chopper, so it's hard to see why exactly it's missing from this new model.

Without a feed tube, I'm not sure it can claim to mix and puree. Often when mixing ingredients together you need to do it slowly to find the right ratio or getting the consistency right, for example, when adding liquid to icing sugar to make frosting.

Or when you are making something with a pureed consistency, like hummus. Here you need to add in oil very slowly to get the right consistency and this varies depending on the weight or moisture content of the chickpeas that are being used.

You can get away with it though

Despite the lack of feeding tube, there is a way around the issue, but it gets quite repetitive and tedious.

The way that the chopper is constructed means that in order to slowly add in new ingredients you have to stop blending, remove the motor, and remove the shield.

One of the recommended uses for the chopper is making hummus, and it just so happens to be one of my favorite dips. I put a can of chickpeas in the bowl, which mostly filled it, added a little olive oil and set it to blend.

Anyone who has made hummus before knows that you need to keep slowly adding in oil until you get the right consistency, and without the spout this is pretty tricky. I ended up having to take apart the top half of the chopper three times before it was ready.

And as annoying as it was, the hummus still turned out great — it just could have been a whole lot easier.

You can find out more about how I got on with the chopper during testing in my full KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review. You might also be interested in learning about two Zyliss cordless food choppers my colleague put to the test.

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I’m no chef, but I enjoy cooking. That being said, if the prep time is more than 20 minutes and involves a lot of chopping, I’m going to cook something else. If you’re anything like me, that’s where the best food processors come in, which can save your precious time from chopping.

The KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper is a real time saver — it’s incredibly fast to use and cordless, meaning it doesn’t take up a power outlet, and it can easily be stored out of the way thanks to its compact design. The battery that you get with the chopper is also compatible with all of the other appliances in the KitchenAid Go range, so if you have any of those, this could be a worthwhile purchase.

However, if a uniform chop is something you care about, you’ll want to look elsewhere. And although the Top Down chopper is recommended for mixing and pureeing as well as chopping, the results weren’t the best. The lack of spout also becomes tedious when making things like hummus.

You can find out more about how I got on in this full KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review.

KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper is available for purchase with or without the KitchenAid Go Cordless System, which is a portable battery unit. In the U.S, the chopper is available at Amazon for $99 with the battery and $89 without the battery.

In the U.K., the chopper without the battery is available from KitchenAid’s website for $99. It’s currently not available to purchase with the battery from the U.K. store, but you can purchase the battery separately for £69, which makes it a lot more expensive. Once you purchase a battery it can be used with any of the appliances in the KitchenAid Go collection, such as the citrus juicer or the hand mixer. The chopper comes in a matte black colorway to match the rest of the KitchenAid Go range.

KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review: Design

The KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper has a very minimalist, matte black design. The system is made up of a black motor and rechargeable lithium ion battery that twists on top of a shield attached to a plastic bowl. Setting the chopper up was very easy as everything just slotted into place. There was no twisting or pushing and pulling, it was virtually plug and play.

The chopper is cordless and powered by a detachable battery unit that can be used with any appliance in the KitchenAid Go range. This means that for each appliance you buy, you are saving what would be the cost of the battery. Being cord-free means no messy wires getting in the way on the counter top, and no need to look for a spare power outlet in the kitchen. I’m a fan of this design and I find all the wires from appliances to be pretty overwhelming while I cook.

It’s very small for how powerful it is, measuring just 5.04 x 5.04 x 8.31 inches and weighing 2.82 pounds, which is pretty light as the bowl only holds 3.5 cups. But this made it easy to move around, and storing it out of the way in a cupboard is convenient too.

The 3.5 cup bowl is transparent hard plastic so you can see exactly what’s going on inside the chopper. This meant I was able to judge how many times I needed to pulse the mixture or how long I needed to keep a continuous blend going to achieve the result I wanted.

There is a lid for the bowl too, so the prepared ingredients can be stored for use at a later time. But what if you need to chop something else while the bowl is in the fridge? You can purchase extra bowls for the chopper at Amazon U.S. for $29 for a pack of two.

The stainless steel ‘S’-shaped blade easily slots into the bowl and gets covered by the plastic shield. You start the blade rotating by pressing the power button on the top which can only be described as gigantic. Seriously, you can’t miss it. It’s the easiest chopper to operate.

Considering the KitchenAid Chopper is intended for chopping as well as mixing and pureeing, there is one crucial design aspect missing. When making things like hummus or pesto (which are KitchenAid-recommended uses for this product), you need to incorporate a binding agent, like olive oil, slowly while still mixing. There is no pour spout on the chopper to do this, so you need to take off the motor, battery and the plastic shield to add anything.

Even if you’re just mixing dry ingredients you may want to add ingredients slowly to reach a certain ratio, but you can’t do it with this. While not a deal breaker, it gets fiddly and annoying.

KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review: Performance

The KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper only operates at one speed, but I was able to switch between pulse and continuous modes using the power button at the top of the motor. It’s relatively noisy at 83 dB, but it’s so fast that it didn’t bother me. I was genuinely surprised by how easy the chopper was to use. It’s very self explanatory with no settings to get muddled up with and only one chopping blade.

After testing the chopper to mix, chop and make purees, I would argue that as the name suggests, this is best suited to chopping. But since KitchenAid says it can be used for other things too, I wanted to give them all a try.

Salsa

I first decided to whip up a quick salsa, and threw in two handfuls of tomatoes, half an onion, garlic cloves and some basil. If I’m making this by hand I would be standing at my countertop for a good half hour trying to finely chop everything. But I pulsed the chopper three times and it was done.

There was no fuss, and once it was done I just tipped the contents into a bowl and served it up for everyone to enjoy with nachos. For something that took less than 10 seconds to make, it tasted really good.

Hummus

To make the hummus I rinsed a can of chickpeas and added them to the chopper bowl. After adding the can of chickpeas the bowl was pretty full, so I wouldn’t have wanted to add much more than this. I then added a tablespoon of olive oil to begin with and continuously blitzed it. This still looked chunky after 30 seconds. To add in the next tablespoon of olive oil I had to dismantle the motor and shield, and while I did this I also scraped the mixture from the sides with a spoon.

I had to do this three times before the hummus got to an acceptable consistency, although it still had some lumps. As I mentioned above the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper doesn’t have a spout to add in ingredients like a regular food processor, so this became tedious.

This hummus would be fine if you like a bit more texture, but I love a smooth hummus. This isn’t an issue with KitchenAid’s 3.5 Cup Food Chopper ($69), as it has a spout at the top for adding ingredients — it’s essentially the same product, just with a power cord.

Carrot

The most action my food processor at home gets is when I need to make a quick soffritto. So I wanted to test how well the KitchenAid Top Down Chopper could dice a root vegetable. I cut the carrot into three chunks so I could fit it in the chopper.

In less than 10 seconds I had a minced carrot. It’s so speedy, but the chop was not uniform. Would I have done a better job with a knife? No, probably not. But some of the chunks left were pretty big compared to the finely chopped parts. Had I blended for much longer I would’ve been left with mulch.

Avocado/Guac

Next I wanted to see if the chopper could make a good guacamole. Guac features in a few of the promotional images from KitchenAid, so it should be a given that it can achieve a smooth guacamole, right?

Alas, I was disappointed. I added a whole avocado and half an onion. It didn’t blend the avocado at all, but (shock horror) chopped it. I wasn’t able to get a smooth result no matter how many times I blended or pulsed the mixture.

Battery

According to KitchenAid, the Top Down Food Chopper’s battery offers 24 minutes of runtime. Before use, I charged up the battery for around 30 minutes until all four charging bars were lit up.

After making the four dishes above — which combined both continuous and pulsing actions — it still had two bars of charge in it, which is a real testament to how fast the chopping action is.

KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review: Cleaning

Cleaning the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper was a breeze. The bowl, shield, and blade are all dishwasher safe, so can be thrown in with the rest of the dishes.

The motor can’t be dishwashed or submerged in water, but if it gets a little messy it can be wiped down with a damp cloth. You can also use a mild dish soap if needed, but again, only a damp cloth to wipe.

KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review: Verdict

I enjoyed using the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Chopper because of how quickly I could chop and mix a variety of different ingredients with ease. I would recommend it to anyone who loves cooking meals from scratch but doesn’t always have time for cutting and chopping — this takes out all the fuss.

The compact design means it’s great for storing away when not in use, and since it’s cordless you don’t need to look for a spare power outlet to use it. The results from the chopper are super fast, and in most cases I only needed a few pulses to get the job done. It’s also a bonus that the battery you use for this chopper can be used for any of the other appliances in the KitchenAid Go range.

However, it’s not without its drawbacks. There is no spout for adding ingredients, meaning you have to dismantle the top half of the chopper each time you add something. With only one blade option, you are fixed with the result you get each time. It doesn’t puree all that well, and leaves some chunks even blending for long periods of time.

But it’s a chopper at its core, and the chopping function is actually fast and effective, saving me valuable time in the kitchen — even if it isn’t perfect every time.

The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle is a beautiful, sleek-yet-retro electric kettle, destined for a sparkling kitchen countertop. KitchenAid has manufactured one of the prettiest kettles I’ve ever seen, but at a cost.

The 1.7L Kettle is a whopping $179, which makes it one of the most expensive electric kettles I’ve ever seen. Yes, Fellow makes $200 kettles, but Fellow’s kettles have an esoteric purpose — the KitchenAid offering seemingly doesn’t.

The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle is an everyday, generic kitchen kettle, but is it enough to be one of the best electric kettles? To find out, read this KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review.

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Cheat sheet

• What is it? A variable temperature electric kettle with 1.7L/1.8QT capacity
• Who is it for? If you want a gorgeous and reliable electric kettle
• What does it cost? Eek: $179 / £179
• What do we like? It’s functional and attractive
• What don’t we like? The price is questionable, I’ll just put it that way

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Specs

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is really expensive for what it is. It’s $179 from Amazon U.S. and £179 from Amazon U.K..

This makes it around the same price as the iconic Fellow EKG range: the Fellow EKG Stagg and Fellow EKG Corvo are $199 each, respectively. However, these are both specialty kettles from a renowned specialty coffee brand. The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is more of a generic everyday kettle.

In comparison to other general-use kitchen kettles, the Ninja Precision Temperature kettle I use every day is just $89, and the Cosori Glass Kettle is just $27.

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Design & features

The KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle excels with its design. The sleek-and-modern-yet-cool-retro vibe is almost reminiscent of Smeg, but with KitchenAid’s individual charm.

I tested the sage green version, which would be my choice if I was buying it for myself. It also comes in black, white, and red. I’d like to see it in more color options to match the diverse colorways of other KitchenAid products, like the Artistan Stand Mixer and KitchenAid Blender.

The kettle has an angled spout and a pop-up lid, which is a little stubborn sometimes. Other users have reported the lid release button jams after a while, but I didn’t experience this. It just took a few tries to get it to release on a couple of occasions.

At the base of the kettle is a temperature control slider. Instead of having buttons on the base like the Fellow and Ninja precise temperature kettles, the KitchenAid is controlled by this slider on the kettle itself. I found the slider easy to use and responsive, and never got stuck. There’s a button on the side of the kettle, which is the on/off switch. Unlike Fellow’s EKG kettles, simply selecting a temperature does not set the kettle on to boil.

When the kettle finishes boiling, it emits a one-note tone. If you’ve ever been on an airplane and heard the seatbelt announcement tone, it’s the exact same. I felt like an air hostess every time my kettle finished boiling. It’s actually adorable.

In terms of features, there actually aren’t that many, especially considering this is a $179 kettle. There’s no hold temperature setting, unlike the Fellow and Ninja offerings. You can’t control temperature to the degree (like Fellow) or to 5° (like Ninja). It’s 122°F-212°F (in increments of 18°F, except 203°F). Yes, this is still a great feature, but for $179, I’d expect a little more.

However, the kettle’s actual performance is one of the best kettles I’ve ever tested (I’d hope so for $179…), which I’ll discuss in full now.

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Performance

As with all kettles I review, I put the KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle through a series of tests. Time taken to heat, volume while heating, and the ability to retain heat.

Pouring feel is really nice: the kettle doesn’t leak even when pouring out large volumes of water in one go. The spout is angled and small, yet is still capable of pouring quickly.

Boiling speed

Here’s the results from the heating speed tests. I filled the kettle to its max (so 1.7 liters/1.8 quarts) and used water straight from my tap. It should be noted that my testing was done using a 240V version, as I live in the U.K., in the U.S. with lower mains voltages, the times may differ.

My Ninja Precision Temperature kettle takes 4 minutes and 10 seconds to heat its full capacity (also 1.7L), so the KitchenAid pipped it to the post by 9 seconds. Comparatively, the Cosori Glass Kettle took 4 minutes and 4 seconds to heat 1.3 quarts, and the Hario Gooseneck kettle took a shocking 5 minutes and 53 seconds to boil just 800ml (0.8 quarts) of water.

The KitchenAid really impressed me with its boiling speed. This is a very fast kettle that made light work of boiling huge amounts of water quickly.

Operation volume

The KitchenAid 1.7L kettle isn’t just fast — it’s also really quiet. To measure the volume level, I used the DecibelX app, as always.

Here are the results of my tests.

The KitchenAid 1.7L is noticeably quiet while boiling. I wouldn’t have any reservations about making myself a cup of tea at 5 in the morning. The Cosori Glass Kettle was between 67-70dB while boiling, while the KitchenAid, Fellow, and Ninja were just 50dB while boiling.

Heat retainment

For this test, I boiled a full kettle of water and then measured the water’s heat after 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes, and 120 minutes. Here are my results.

While I expected these results (as there’s no hold temperature setting), I was still pretty disappointed to see such a drop off in the first 30 minutes. The kettle’s insulation did a decent job of retaining heat after that initial drop, but I would still reboil the kettle after thirty minutes if I was making another tea or coffee.

KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle review: Storage & maintenance

If you live in a hard water area, you’ll need to descale the KitchenAid 1.7L kettle semi-regularly. Upkeep will depend on your location. I live in one of the hardest water areas in the U.K., so I would descale about once every 6 weeks.

KitchenAid recommends using vinegar, citric acid, or lemon juice to clean mineral buildup (limescale) off the inside of the kettle.

The kettle itself, as I said in the ‘Design’ section above, is beautiful. There’d be no reason to store this inside a cupboard between uses: it’s destined for the countertop. It’s just gorgeous. At just 5.8 inches wide, too, it doesn’t take up too much space. The heating element base is noticeably smaller than my Ninja Precision Temperature.

Should you buy the KitchenAid 1.7L Kettle?

If you’re not concerned about cost, then yes, the KitchenAid 1.7L kettle is a fantastic premium kettle that boils quickly, quietly, and prettily. Is it a necessary purchase if you’ve already got a basic electric kettle? No, not at all.

If you value a fast, attractive kettle that’ll bring some pizzazz to your kitchen, I completely recommend the KitchenAid 1.7L. Personally, I wouldn’t buy it, as I love my $79 Ninja Precision Temperature. The Ninja option does everything the KitchenAid does for $100 less.

However, that doesn’t mean the KitchenAid is redundant. It fulfils its purpose as an electric kettle well, and looks a treat while doing so. It’s just really expensive.

If you've been on the internet for the past year, you've probably heard of 'Ultra Processed People' by Chris van Tulleken ($9-$18 on Amazon). Now I'm not going to claim I'm a dietician or a scientist (because I'm not — I'm just a humble journalist), so you can do your own research about the concept of ultra-processed food. This is just my personal experience, not a peer-reviewed study.

However, this book did get me thinking: should I really be eating so much stuff with ingredients I can't pronounce? I decided, no, not really, and embarked on a mission to shift my eating habits.

Thanks to my job as a reviews writer, I get my hands on a lot of kitchen tech. I've tested loads of the best Instant Pots, best air fryers, best stand mixers, and more.

I've been able to narrow down the selection of appliances to just three of the best. I genuinely use these three appliances to cook 99.9% of my meals, and here's why you should too.

My Instant Pot helps me meal prep

I have the Instant Pot Pro (2025), but if you're in the U.S., I'd recommend the Instant Pot Pro Plus. These machines work pretty much identically.

What makes the Instant Pot so good is its capacity. It boasts a massive 5-quart capacity, allowing me to prepare up to 10 servings of various healthy meals easily. I've made chili, bolognese sauce, veggie-loaded curries, and meal-prepped about 15 servings of rice in this beast.

When I prep the week's meals ahead of time, I'm not tempted to go to the grocery store and buy a ready meal or order takeout.

The best part of the Instant Pot is that it's a press-play-and-leave-it-alone sort of machine. All I have to do is fill it up with my ingredients, set the time, and I can do something else for that time. I don't have to sweat over the stove stirring sauce.

The Instant Pot means I've always got meals in the freezer, so I know I've got a healthy dinner even after a busy, stressful day. 10/10 would recommend.

My air fryer helps me indulge

I'm human, which means I crave food like fries and burgers on the regular. While there's nothing wrong with eating the food your body wants, I'm trying to stay away from fast food. This means that if I want fries, I have to do it myself.

Thanks to my air fryer, though, this is never easier. I have the Philips 2000 Series Air Fryer (complete with a window, so I can always check on my food), but my parents have the Ninja Foodi DualZone and can't stop telling me about how good it is, so I'd recommend that one too.

Because air fryers are mini, quicker ovens, I can make fries from scratch in about 20 minutes in my 2000 Series. I also make homemade cakes in my air fryer, and it means I don't have to turn the whole oven on for a single-serve dessert.

I love this one because of the window. Yes, I know it's lame, but I love watching my food cook. I'm boring — I know.

My KitchenAid stand mixer helps me cut out grocery store bread

The consensus online is that bread is one of the most highly processed foods available. As a result, I wanted to start making my own. About five months ago, after getting my hands on a sourdough starter, I embarked on my sourdough journey.

Sourdough is fermented, so it's generally better for the gut, and it also tastes delicious. I'm not going to share a picture of my sourdough because I am utterly pathetic at scoring my dough, but I'll tell you about how my KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer has helped me cut out shop-bought bread.

Using the dough hook attachment, I mix my flour, water, starter, and salt. Then, during the bulk fermentation stage (when the dough rises and becomes bubbly), I use the dough hook on speed 1 to mix the dough every 30 minutes for the first 2 hours.

I proof the dough in the KitchenAid bowl, too, so I don't need to transfer to another bowl and do more washing up. After the bulk fermentation, I transfer it to my Dutch oven for the final proof and shaping.

While I know I could mix the dough by hand, the stand mixer helps me develop the gluten and saves my arm muscles while it kneads. I adore my stand mixer, and can't believe I lived so long without one!

More from Tom's Guide

• KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer review: The only mixer you'll ever need
• Instant Pot Pro Plus review: I cooked dinner from my bed with this Wi-Fi-enabled pressure cooker
• Philips 2000 Series Air Fryer review: I’m only using this type of air fryer from now on

Until last month, I had never used a stand mixer before. So when I got my KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer, I couldn't wait to get started. It's hands down the best stand mixer, so I knew I was in for a treat.

After over a month of playing with my new toy, I come to you with an armory of recommendations for other beginners. Some seasoned KitchenAid users will, of course, know all of these already. While some of my KitchenAid stand mixer recommendations are more common sense than hacks, I've compiled my best discoveries here for other newbies. Hopefully my findings help you out.

Buying a KitchenAid stand mixer is a major commitment. KitchenAid sales are rare, and the stand mixers are really expensive. Maybe some of these discoveries are the final push you need!

Not just for baking

Although I've used my KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer for baking, I've discovered that it excels in other areas, too. It can be used to shred chicken or pork to make pulled chicken and pulled pork sandwiches.

All I have to do is put cooked chicken (or pork) into the mixing bowl with the paddle attachment and set it on power 1. After a few minutes, the meat is shredded perfectly for a huge range of uses.

It's also ideal for making huge batches of sandwich fillings. For example, I could throw in a few tins of tuna, some mayo, and diced veggies and save my arm muscles — the stand mixer will combine it all in minutes.

Goodbye aching biceps, hello meal-prepped sandwich fillings. I only have the basic attachments, but I can't wait to get some of the best KitchenAid stand mixer attachments to up my game even further.

Last but not least, over the past month I've discovered that the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is great for making veggie burger patties or veggie meatballs.

Instead of expending all my effort mashing beans and lentils by hand, I just chuck everything into the stand mixer and use the whisk attachment to combine into a burger mixture. Then I add my spices and shape, and I've got delicious homemade veggie patties without having to sweat over a mixing bowl.

Speed 1 is enough

I'm an avid sourdough baker. I'm the kind of person who worries about their starter if they're away for a week or more. Is it surviving without me? Is it getting too acidic? Will a couple of big feeds help it once I get back?

Even so, making sourdough is labor. Labor of love, of course, but serious labor nonetheless. The process takes two days and requires constant babying. You have to stretch and fold the dough every half an hour during the bulk fermentation stage, and honestly, sometimes I don't have time.

So when I saw someone online claim that they could skip the stretch and fold step by just mixing in the KitchenAid before proofing, I knew I had to test it out. In all honesty, this was the first thing I did when I unboxed my stand mixer.

This is what happened the first time: I prepared my dough as usual and attached the dough hook. Then I set it on speed 3 (a fatal error) and kneaded my dough for 5 minutes.

However, the dough didn't rise. After some research, I found out that overzealous kneading can actually inhibit yeast development.

The second time, I repeated these exact steps, but kept the stand mixer on speed 1. This resulted in a perfectly fluffy, aerated crumb. My scoring still needs some work, so I won't share a picture of the loaf here, but rest assured it tasted delicious.

The bottom line is: speed 1 is more than enough — be patient.

Be careful where you store it

As I mentioned earlier, some of my findings are more common sense than actual discoveries. This one definitely falls into the first category. If you've never felt a KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer, they're heavy. Like, oh-my-gosh-I'm-going-to-drop-it-right-now heavy.

With the metal bowl, it's about 30 pounds. This is definitely a good thing — the high-quality all-metal construction won't come light, after all — but please heed my warning.

Foolishly, I put the stand mixer on an upper shelf in my kitchen to keep it off my countertops. When I tried to get it down, I almost dropped it and it ripped off the top veneer of the shelf. I've fixed it with super glue, but I'm not looking forward to that being taken out of my rental deposit when I move.

The stand mixer's feet have also left little dents in the wood, so I'd recommend using a mat (like a mouse pad, tea towel, or even a place setting) underneath to prevent this.

Although I've only had my stand mixer for a month, I'm loving experimenting with it and trying to find new ways to get as much use out of it as possible.

Do you have a KitchenAid stand mixer too? Do you have any major hacks you've learned over the years — anything like the KitchenAid stand mixer dime test? Let me know in the comments. I'm all ears!

More from Tom's Guide

• Everyone says KitchenAid makes the best stand mixer — this is why they are right
• KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer review: The only mixer you'll ever need
• Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer review: Design meets function without a premium price tag

A blender that does it all is hard to come by. When it comes to the best blenders, the KitchenAid K400 may not take the top spot but I think it still does a great job blending everything from simple smoothies to notoriously difficult nut butter.

This blender is an improvement on the KitchenAid K130 model, with the addition of a glass jug for increased hygiene and a three-part blending system to make clicking the power button and watching the magic happen even easier.

I found the glass jug to be pretty heavy compared to a standard plastic jug, though, and the self-cleaning function doesn’t make the jug absolutely sparkling. But the blender can make a smooth peanut butter in 5 minutes and while it didn’t blend every tiny fruit seed in my smoothie, it still tasted amazing.

But there are far cheaper blenders that perform ten times better than KitchenAid K400. The Ninja Detect Power Pro with Blendsense is over $100 cheaper and blows the K400 out of the water.

You can find out more in my full KitchenAid K400 review.

KitchenAid K400 review: Specs

KitchenAid K400 review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid K400 is available from Amazon U.S. for $299 and from Amazon U.K. for £329. The blender comes in 15 different colors but I tested the Pistachio color. There are enough options to suit everyone’s taste and if you already have KitchenAid appliances at home, there will be a colour to match your collection.

There are optional accessories available to accompany the blender to get the most out of it. The citrus press to juice any fruit, small batch jar for 200ml blends, and personal jar which is 500ml.

The K400 is a lot cheaper than the best blender on the market, the Vitamix Ascent X2, which is £549, and that will give you the perfect blend (which is why we awarded it a full 5 stars). It’s more expensive than the Ninja Detect Power Pro with Blendsense which is priced at $179, and the K400 doesn’t perform as well.

KitchenAid K400 review: Design & controls

Like most KitchenAid appliances, the K400 is lovely to look at. The base of the blender is made from die-cast metal and is weighty enough to keep the blender stable on your work surface.

On the front of the base is a knob to switch between all the settings. These include pulse, 5 blend speeds and three preset settings. The presets include ice crush, icy drinks, and smoothie.

The knob on the blender is very wobbly and moves smoothly throughout the settings rather than clicking. There isn’t much resistance and I was worried I would pull it off unintentionally — it doesn’t feel very secure.

It also has a soft-start feature where the blender gradually increases speed so as not to make a mess. This is a useful feature already found on the KitchenAid stand mixers the brand is known for, but I’m not sure how necessary it is on the blender. I didn’t notice a difference to my normal Nutribullet blender’s start up which is full throttle immediately after twisting down.

The 1.4L blender jug is made of glass which is far more hygienic than regular plastic blender jugs — it won’t harbour any smells since it is not porous like plastic. It also has measuring markings on the side to reduce washing up.

However, the glass makes it very heavy. When it was filled with a smoothie and I was holding the jug upside down to scrape out the dregs, it was like a full bicep workout.

The jug has a hard plastic lid which has a removable cap so I was able to add ingredients while the blender was on. The cap also doubles up as a measuring cap so there is less washing up after cooking (more on that later).

KitchenAid says that the blender uses a three-part blending system. The first part is an asymmetric blade that blends at four angles, but this is no different from your average blender.

The second part of this system is a ribbed to the glass jug, which supposedly helps blending by folding the contents back on top of the blades. However, I didn’t find this worked effectively as the blades of the blender essentially made a hole in the mixture of my smoothie without ‘folding’ it back on top.

The third part of the system is the Intelli-Speed motor. This basically means that the motor is intelligent and can sense the contents of the blender to maintain optimal speed throughout blending. The blend speed remained consistent throughout.

The power cable for the blender is about a meter long so the machine needs to be set up pretty close to a power outlet.

The KitchenAid K400 is certainly an upgrade from the KitchenAid Pure Power Blender and the KitchenAid K130. Although both blenders look pretty much identical, the K130 only has 3 speed settings along with pulse. Its jug is also plastic so the K400 is definitely worth the upgrade if you are a KitchenAid stan.

KitchenAid K400 review: Blending performance

It’s no surprise to anyone that blenders are loud. I tested the sound level of the KitchenAid K400 while blending frozen fruit and got a reading of 92dB on the Decibel X app. That means the volume of the K400 is similar to what you’d hear from a motorcycle engine or a lawn mower.

Now, this is pretty loud for a blender, since the Magimix Blender Power 4 only gave a reading of 87dB under the same circumstances.

The classic — berry smoothie

I added 1 cup of frozen mixed berries and 1 cup of milk to the 1.4L jug. I used the ‘smoothie’ preset and let it run. I wasn’t happy the first time around so ran it through the preset setting twice to make sure it was fully blended.

While the K400 was able to mush the icy frozen berries with ease, the drink wasn’t smooth. The smoothie came out grittier than I would have liked.

It only blended some of the seeds from the fruit, not all of them like the Ninja Detect Power Pro with Blendsense. While this is fine if you don’t mind texture, for a perfectly smooth blend, I’d definitely recommend the Ninja.

I also had to give the glass jug a bit of a shake to coax the smoothie to fall back onto the blades (which supposedly should’ve been done for me by the three-part blending system) as the K400 was leaving a hollow gap in the centre where the blades are.

The appetizer — hummus

The K400 thrived when making hummus — it took me less than a minute! To the glass jug, I added a whole tin of chickpeas, a tablespoon of tahini, and a tablespoon of olive oil. While the mixture was blending, I took the removable lid cap off and poured ice water in to loosen the hummus.

This was super fast and the hummus came out incredibly smooth. This came out far smoother than when I use my regular Nutribullet Pro 900W blender — the perfect texture for dipping veggies or chips.

The challenge — peanut butter

Now for the real challenge — nut butter. It’s hard to find a blender that can make nut butter without fuss. The KitchenAid K400 did it in just five minutes, the same as the Magimix, but the Ninja Detect Power Pro could produce a thick peanut better in just 85 seconds!

I added 360g of peanuts to the blender jar and put it on setting number one on the dial. I had to tamp it down a lot in the first minute, but then I (finally) witnessed the magic of the three-part blending system.

The blender folded the peanuts inside so they blended together on their own. It came out very smooth, but the consistency wasn’t runny as with the Magimix Blender Power 4.

KitchenAid K400 review: Storage & maintenance

The glass jug of the KitchenAid K400 has measurements on the side and the removable lid cap can also be used for measuring, so that’s already reducing washing up right off the bat. But to make clean up even easier, the blender has a self-cleaning cycle.

This is done by filling the glass jar of the blender with water and a little dish soap, then running a cycle. It’s nice that self-cleaning is there as a quick option if you’re short on time but this mode isn’t perfect: I still had to get a sponge out and clean it by hand to make sure I got everything sparkling.

For a deeper clean, the jar and lid are dishwasher safe, so you don’t even need to wash by hand!

The blender also comes with a 5-year guarantee and 15-year reparability offer. This means if anything goes wrong within the 5 years guarantee period, KitchenAid will repair or replace the blender, and parts will be available for reparability for 10 years after that.

KitchenAid K400 review: Verdict

The KitchenAid K400 is a great blender but I do think you’re partly paying for the KitchenAid brand name, since there are other blenders like the Ninja Detect Power Pro that are cheaper and perform far better.

When you consider that the KitchenAid costs $299 and blends from nut to nut butter in five minutes but the Ninja is over $100 cheaper and can do it in just 85 seconds… I don’t think it’s much of a contest for which is worth your money.

Like most KitchenAid products, there are a lot of colour options to choose from that match the rest of their range, so if you love a cohesive kitchen this will be right up your street. One of my favourite things about this blender is the glass jar to eliminate any issues with lingering smells after cleaning.

The fact this blender can make nut butter in 5 minutes is no mean feat and is a testament to the three-part blending system. And while it may not be able to blend every tiny seed from fruit, it still makes a delicious tasting smoothie.

KitchenAid invented the stand mixer nearly 100 years ago, but it recently broke with tradition in a big way when it released its Evergreen stand mixer. The mixer immediately caused a stir online, with KitchenAid devotees declaring the $700 stand mixer's new walnut bowl impractical.

Traditional KitchenAid mixers come with stainless steel bowls which are pretty indestructible. You can put them in the dishwasher, the fridge, you can even leave your dough to proof right where you mixed it. And you can do none of that with the KitchenAid Evergreen's unique wooden bowl, which requires hand-washing and oiling to keep it in top condition, which some people claim is just too high-maintenance.

I got the chance to try the KitchenAid Evergreen stand mixer for myself, and although it won't be the best stand mixer for committed bakers who use their KitchenAid day in, day out, there's another (totally valid) audience who I think would absolutely love this mixer. Here's how the KitchenAid Evergreen won me over.

It's just so pretty

I've reviewed loads of stand mixers, and none of them came with a wooden bowl. This is a true first from KitchenAid. Each bowl is custom-made and totally unique to your mixer, and the attachments included are pure stainless steel as opposed to the attachments that come with the Artisan mixer, which are are either ceramic or, in the case of the wire beater, metal with a plastic base that can't go through the dishwasher. So is the Evergreen an expensive choice? Sure. But you do get a higher-quality product compared to KitchenAid's $450 Artisan mixer.

When trying the mixer out for myself, I really loved the wooden finish of the walnut bowl. I use my own KitchenAid pretty regularly, but I'd be lying if I said I bought it for utility alone. These appliances are statement features in any kitchen, and they're meant to be admired.

I was a big fan of its brass-plated hub cover that features a debossed leaf design and ridged edges. You can still use the hub just like your typical KitchenAid mixer, and the Evergreen can be paired with KitchenAid's attachment system.

I can understand why people have concerns over using a wooden bowl for convenience. After all, KitchenAid advises that you can't even put this bowl in the fridge if you're proofing dough overnight. It's a high-maintenance item that you'll need to care for with regular use.

What I can't stand is the people who think that using wood is unhygienic. I use wooden utensils, wooden chopping boards and wooden salad bowls all the time, and not only do I not run the risk of slicing some man-made materials into my finished meal, but there are also studies that show wood to be a preferable material over plastic due to its anti-microbial properties.

Although I had to return the Evergreen after taking it for a spin, I spent the whole time testing it imagining how beautiful it would look in my kitchen, and if I were to buy it for myself I'd probably pick up a dishwasher-safe stainless steel mixing bowl for $50 on Amazon for those days when I really can't be bothered to hand-wash my bowl.

So if you can part with the $700 and you really love the look of the KitchenAid Evergreen, don't let the haters stop you. This appliance may not be the most practical, but it more than makes up for it in charm.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to clean a stand mixer — keep your KitchenAid gleaming
• 5 KitchenAid attachments to get the most out of your mixer
• How to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer

I'm a KitchenAid superfan, but if my KitchenAid Classic has one fault, it's not cut out for kneading batches of bread. KitchenAid advises that users knead smaller volumes of bread at a time and keep the speed to a level 1 or 2, or you could risk damaging your Classic or Artisan mixer.

And while KitchenAid offers more capable machines such as the Professional series mixer, which has a generous 7-quart capacity, people on TikTok are switching to an entirely different stand mixer brand for all their bread-baking needs.

Made in Sweden, the Ankarsrum Assistent Original stand mixer is unlike any stand mixer you'll have seen before. Its huge mixing bowl claims to handle up to 11 lbs of dough at a time, which is far more than you'll fit in a bread machine, and it comes with a dough hook and a dough roller attachment to tackle everything from brioche to sourdough.

The Ankarsrum Assistent Original stand mixer retails for $749 at Amazon, so while it's far from cheap, it will cost about the same KitchenAid's top-of-the-line models. It's available in an attractive array of colors, too. For added peace of mind, this durable mixer is backed by a 7-year warranty.

How does it work?

The Ankarsrum works a bit differently to typical bowl-lift or tilt-head stand mixers. Its 600 watts of power comes from its base. Instead of moving a dough book around a stationary bowl, it uses an adjustable arm to hold an attachment in place while it spins the cooking bowl around, which feels intuitively like a sturdier and more dependable design.

The bowl has an immense capacity that's more than capable of cooking huge batches of bread at a time, so it would be ideal for cooking up a storm at a pizza party or preparing a showstopper for big events.

It also has a spatula attachment that sits to the side of the bowl and prevents dough and cake mix getting stuck to the side of the mixer during use, which is something we test for when reviewing the best stand mixers as it can prevent recipes from becoming fully incorporated.

A simple but genius feature is the bowl lid, which you can simply slot on top of your mixing bowl as you leave your dough to rise. When I leave dough to rise in my KitchenAid I cover it with a damp cloth, but this feels a lot more convenient and hygienic.

As Homes Editor here at Tom's Guide, I'm keen to take this innovative mixer for a spin and see how it compares to my trusty mixer, so stay tuned for a full review. If your New Year's Resolution involves baking though, this could be the must-have you need for your kitchen in 2025.

More from Tom's Guide

• How to clean your bread maker in 5 simple steps
• My favorite kitchen product of 2024 is a game changer and it costs under $10
• 11 products organized people keep in their kitchen

There’s something about the color, style, and robust reliability of a KitchenAid mixer that makes them some of the best stand mixers you can buy, putting this appliance high on the wish list of many home bakers. There are lots of KitchenAid mixers to choose from and the KitchenAid 7 Quart/ 6.6 Liter Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is one of the larger, more powerful models.

This mixer is built for batch baking, whether you need to send endless cupcakes to school bake sales or enjoy cooking up multi-layered cakes for family celebrations. I’ve tested and reviewed a lot of mixers over the years, but I think this might be the largest capacity mixer I’ve tried. So I set it up in my own kitchen and put it to work.

Overall I found it to be incredibly capable, with ample capacity for larger batches. Okay, so it can’t rival a standard KitchenAid Artisan Plus mixer on the looks front. But it’s still available in a selection of colors, so it’s far from boring or ugly.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid 7 Quart/ 6.6 Liter Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is one of the larger KitchenAid mixers you can buy, so it goes without saying that it’s also one of the more expensive. It retails at $599.99/ £899.

It’s an investment-level kitchen appliance that’s built for big batches. If you’re just making standard home recipes in regular amounts, you could save a lot of money by choosing one of the medium size KitchenAid mixers instead.

You can pick up the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer for around $499/ £469. It still offers an ample 5 quart/ 4.8 liter capacity that’ll be more than suitable for most home bakers.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer review: Design

My first impression of this mixer was that although it’s taller than your average stand mixer, it doesn’t take up as much counter space as I feared it might. In fact, I’d say it doesn’t take up much more than a standard mixer.

It is well built and sturdy, which does of course translate into it being heavy, but I expected that. As long as you don’t intend to keep lifting it in and out of a cupboard, then this won’t be much of an issue.

Aside from it having a larger capacity and more power, one of the most noticeable differences between this and a standard KitchenAid mixer is that instead of tilting the top of the mixer to move attachments into and out of the bowl, the design of this one is such that you move the bowl up and down via a lever.

The bowl has two side supports that slot onto pins at the sides of the mixer, then you have to press hard onto the back of the bowl to snap a third pin into a spring latch. There’s definitely a knack to it, but once I’d done it a couple of times, it all became second nature.

When in position, you move the bowl up or down via the bowl lift lever at the back and it’s this action that replaces the standard tilting head that you’ll be more familiar with if you’ve used any brand of tilting head mixer.

Removing the bowl is easier than getting it into place, you just lift it upwards by the handle and it comes straight off. The speed control lever is at the side and is similar to that on virtually all KitchenAid mixers. It starts with a half speed option and then slides from 1 through 10.

In my review sample, the accessories included a flat metal beater for mixing and folding in ingredients. There’s a double flex edge beater for mixing cakes, frostings and the like. A standard dough hook is for kneading bread dough, while the whisk will whip up cream and egg whites.

A clear plastic splash guard, also known as a pouring shield is included for times when you might be mixing things that are likely to splash and cause a mess. It clicks onto the top of the stainless steel bowl, but when I tried to attach it, I found it tough to click into place. I imagine the rubber catches that attach it to the bowl will loosen over time though.

Like other KitchenAid mixers, a round attachment hub on the front of the mixer allows you to use one of the many optional attachments with this mixer. These include things like a meat grinder, spiralizer, and pasta press.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer review: Performance

Flex edge beater

To make a cake batter you can use the flat beater or the flex edge beater. The flex edge scrapes the mixture from the side of the bowl as it mixes, so I used it in the hope I wouldn’t have to stop the mixer too often to scrape it down myself.

First, I creamed together my room-temperature butter with the sugar, and I only stopped it once to scrape the sides down. Then I slowly added my eggs, followed by the flour. I did have to scrape the sides a couple of times, but on the whole it mixed the batter perfectly. My cake baked very well and was super light and fluffy.

KitchenAid claims this mixer has enough capacity to make ten dozen cupcakes in one mix. I made a six-egg cake mixture which is about enough for three dozen cupcakes. And by the standards of most home baking recipes, this is a large mix, but it was child's play for this mixer. And while there was still plenty of space in the bowl, I think mixing up enough cake batter for ten dozen cupcakes in one go, might not be very practical.

Whisk

To put this whisk attachment through its paces I whipped up a whopping 3.8 pints/ 1.8 liters of heavy cream. I added the splash guard to be sure my kitchen didn’t get splattered with droplets of cream. But in the end there was very little splashing.

It only took four minutes to create a light and fluffy whipped texture, which for this volume of cream is pretty impressive. During the four minutes I gradually increased the speed, and as the cream began to thicken I ramped it up to full speed. At this point I kept a very close eye on it and stopped it immediately when it had thickened enough.

By the time the cream had thickened, its volume had increased a lot and it was only an inch below the top of the whisk, so I think this is almost the full capacity for cream. And given that there’s only two of us living in my home, it won’t surprise you that I don’t actually need this much cream. So, I decided to keep going and turn it into homemade butter.

To go from cream to butter you simply keep whisking. I left it on full speed, only stopping it a couple of times to scrape the sides down. It only took a few more minutes for the fat to separate from the buttermilk and clump together on the whisk.

When the fat clumped together it took me a bit by surprise and thank goodness I had the splash guard on, because all of a sudden the buttermilk started splashing. It still made a mess though, because the splash guard doesn’t completely surround the bowl, which was a bit frustrating.

Despite the splashing and the clumping on the whisk, the mixer remained firm on the counter and didn’t show any signs of being under strain.

If you want to make butter, look up a recipe as there’s a process of washing the excess buttermilk out of the butter that’s important in creating a great finished product. Once I’d done that though I had 2lbs/ 900g butter and 24 fl.oz/ 700ml buttermilk.

Flat beater

I put two thirds of the butter back in the mixer with a generous spoon of salt flakes and the cooked garlic from a whole roasted bulb. Then I used the flat beater to mix it all up into a delicious garlic butter.

The beater worked well, mixing and whipping the heavy butter and I now have a plentiful supply of homemade garlic butter in my freezer.

Dough hook

I made a 2 lb batch of pizza dough using the dough hook. Once the flour, yeast and water had come together I let the mixer knead the dough on a low speed for around seven minutes. There wasn’t a hint of instability when kneading the dough. The mixer confidently took care of the task, saving me from getting an arm ache.

The bowl had plenty of space for a bigger batch, in fact my 2 lb ball of dough looked like a very small amount in this large capacity mixer. It kneaded well nonetheless.

In terms of noise, it’s not a loud mixer. When I was whisking the cream I measured the noise level at speed 6 which was around 75dB.

Cleaning

All the accessories and the stainless steel bowl are safe to go in the dishwasher, which really does make cleaning super easy. Compared to the KitchenAid Artisan, which doesn't allow its attachments to go through the dishwasher, I found that the Bowl-Lift was a lot more convenient to use.

I alternated washing by hand and throwing it all in the dishwasher, depending on how dirty everything was, or how lazy I was feeling. Both methods work well and the body of the mixer is easy to keep clean with a quick wipe after every use. Be aware though, if your dishwasher is short on space, the bowl might struggle to fit inside.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer review: Comparison

As I already mentioned earlier in this review, if you don’t need such a large capacity you could save some money and go for the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer instead. It’s available for around $499/ £469. The capacity is ample for the majority of home baking recipes and the performance is excellent too. And it’s arguably a prettier appliance to have on your counter.

Alternatively, if you prefer the idea of the bowl-lift design, instead of the tilting head. The bowl lift model also comes in a 5.5 quart/ 5.6 liter version. The mixer itself is the same overall size with virtually the same technical specifications, but it has a smaller bowl and a slightly different set of accessories. And importantly, it’s around $150/ £150 cheaper. You might also be interested in comparing the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer with the Cuisinart Precision Master stand mixer.

KitchenAid 7-Quart Stand Mixer review: Verdict

The KitchenAid 7 Quart/ 6.6 Liter Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is the KitchenAid to buy if you regularly like to batch bake or cater to a crowd. It’s a big step up from a standard KitchenAid mixer but it still manages to retain some of that desirable KitchenAid colorful style, albeit with more of an industrial edge.

It’s capable and robust with a lengthy warranty and I certainly can’t fault its performance. It doesn't shy away from being best-suited to those who take baking very seriously, so I wouldn't mark it down for its size and bulk, but for the majority of home bakers, a standard KitchenAid Artisan Mixer will suffice.

I’ve used a fair few coffee machines in my time. Manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic, french press, moka pot, pods — I’ve tried them all. So what makes a machine one of the best espresso machines? I look for ease of use, affordability, and, most of all: taste.

So when I got a chance to test the $1,999 (not a typo) KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine, I couldn’t wait to get stuck in. After a pretty straightforward setup, I was whipping up lattes, cortados, flat whites, cappuccinos, and macchiatos in mere seconds. I could’ve made everyone in the office a drink each in under five minutes. Sounds too good to be true, right?

I’m not going to lie to you — I wouldn’t recommend the KF8 for coffee aficionados. The automatic machine means the user is completely removed from the coffee making experience. Some people thrive on measuring their beans, tamping, and steaming their own milk. If that sounds like you, you’d be better off with the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine I reviewed recently.

But is this fully automatic machine worth it for busy people who just want a caffeine boost with minimal fuss? Find out in this KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Coffee Machine review.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? People who want coffee, and want it now
• What does it do well? Makes coffee after coffee at supersonic speeds
• What are its weaknesses? Its drinks taste simply… fine
• How much does it cost? If you’re squeamish, look away now: $1,999 / £1,899
• What should you use it for? Making coffees with very little effort

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine: Specs

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine is objectively a lot of money: $1,999 at Amazon U.S. and £1,899 at Amazon U.K.. In comparison, the Philips 3200 Series Fully Automatic Coffee Machine is $999 at Amazon. When we tested the Philips 3200, we liked its ease of use and range of options, but thought the espresso was a little weak. It’s $1,000 cheaper than the KitchenAid KF8, though, so a far sight more achievable for most people.

If you’re a fan of the process of making coffee, you might want to consider some semi-automatic machines: these grind beans for you, but you pull the espresso and steam the milk. My favorite is the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Coffee Machine with Burr Grinder ($699).

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Design

The KF8 is a big machine. I think this would be better suited to an office space than a residential kitchen — unless, that is, you’re blessed with a big kitchen. It’s 18 inches long, which is about as deep as my kitchen counters. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s worth noting if your house, like mine, is on the smaller side.

In terms of looks, the KF8 is very conventional — its aesthetics align with most other automatic machines I’ve used. The machine comes in three colors: black, stainless steel, white, and juniper green. I would personally choose the juniper green version, but I tested the stainless steel one. The stainless steel is prone to scuffing. During photography, our photographer brushed one of the panels and it left marks. It’s prone to fingerprint marks, too, so you’ll need to polish regularly if you want it to stay spick-and-span — worth noting if that’s something that would put you off.

The KF8’s 5-inch touchscreen requires minimal pressure and responds immediately. You use this touchscreen for everything: creating profiles to save your favorite drinks, choosing drinks, and being told when you need to change the water or empty the grounds drawer.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Grinder

As this is a fully automatic coffee machine, the grinder is hidden inside the machine’s 18-inch bulk. The KF8 boasts a conical burr grinder with seven grind settings, meaning you should be able to find whatever grind size suits your taste. Burr grinders usually produce a better coffee than blade grinders as burrs crush beans instead of slice, producing a more consistent grind that extracts more evenly.

On the right hand side there’s a knob where you can adjust grind size, but I found this incredibly stiff. I had to put my sweater sleeve over my hand to get enough grip to actually adjust the grind size. Even after using it for a couple of days, the knob was still difficult to turn.

I played around with grind size to find the best flavor profile. Espresso grind is supposed to be quite fine and stick to your fingers, but I wanted to experiment to make sure I was getting the most out of this machine. I made my colleagues coffee with the grind set to coarse and their reviews weren’t positive, so eventually, I settled on the second notch away from the finest grind. This setting offered the most consistently delicious espresso; finer and it tasted burnt, coarser and it was too weak.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Espresso

The KF8 pulls espresso shots through single-walled portafilters, meaning the espresso isn’t aerated as it’s extracted. This results in a more balanced yet complex flavor profile.

As you can see, the espresso shot is clearly layered with the dark heart, caramel body, and fluffy crema. This espresso is extracted well, just how you’d expect on a $2,000 machine. If you’re a black coffee fanatic, there’s no reason why this espresso shouldn’t impress you.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Milk

I wasn’t that impressed with the KF8’s milk frothing capabilities. As someone with experience working in coffee shops as a trained barista, I like to think I know what milk texture should be like for certain drinks. A cappuccino should be thicker, stiffer milk (almost like meringue), and a latte should have about ½ an inch of foam on the top. A flat white should have the texture of melted ice cream. But the KF8 served me a cappuccino and a latte with very similar milk textures. The flat white, too, was pretty deflated; no aeration there. In fact, the only drink I made that had a decent milk texture was a latte macchiato. It’s worth noting that this isn’t a KF8 issue — it’s a fully automatic machine issue. To get barista-quality milk, you need a steam wand, which automatic machines simply do not have.

As you can see, the flat white is, well, flat, even though it’s supposed to be textured and velvety. The latte is a little better, but the cappuccino is much wetter than ideal. Most of my colleagues (including espresso aficionados) were pleased with the flavor of the coffee, but commented that it wouldn’t impress most serious coffee drinkers. Simply put, it’s decent ‘machine coffee’.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Storage & maintenance

As I mentioned earlier, the KF8 is a bulky machine, which would be best suited to a larger kitchen or even office space. It’s 18 inches deep and 14 inches tall, which means it would barely fit in my kitchen. It’s not immediately obvious what most of the bulk is: the 74-fluid-ounce water tank is slender, and around 2 inches deep. The bean hopper is at the back of the machine, and the milk frother sits on the side. So all that bulk must be the grinder and the boiler, but it’s much heftier than KitchenAid Semi Automatic, which is only 11 inches deep.

I noticed that the water tank drains quickly, just like the Terra Kafe TK-02 ($1,599). This is due to the machine rinsing itself and purging the milk frother after every drink — on top of using water to actually make the drinks. You’re going to be refilling the water tank a couple of times a day (if you drink a lot of coffee!) but when you factor in that the machines are using this water to make drinks and clean themselves, it’s understandable.

In terms of cleaning, the KF8 prompts you to rinse after every use. You don’t have to, but the option is there. I rinsed the milk nozzle after every use — you put the tip into the drip tray and it purges water to clean out the inside. This does mean that you need to put a container under the nozzle for purged water, otherwise the drip tray will fill up every time.

There are loads of cleaning options in the ‘settings’ tab of the machine. Things like ‘deep milk cleaning’ and ‘deep brew cleaning’. You need to purchase cleaning tablets separately, though. You also need to descale — the regularity depends on your area’s water hardness. As with all other cleaning tasks, the KF8 will prompt you to complete these, so it’s not down to you to remember when you last cleaned the machine.

KitchenAid KF8 Automatic Coffee Machine review: Verdict

The KF8 is a great machine if you aren’t a fan of making coffee. However, if you enjoy the process of pulling shots and steaming milk, you’d be better off with the KitchenAid Semi Automatic ($699).

The KF8 is, without a doubt, the easiest way to make coffee. All you have to do is click a button and the machine makes delicious lattes, cappuccinos, and more in seconds. With the built-in burr grinder’s automatic dosage, tamping, and extraction, you really don’t need to do anything to get a steaming cup of coffee. The detachable milk frother automatically steams your milk, although I found this to be the machine’s weakest link.

If you want a machine that pulls its weight, the KF8 is a hard-working, talented option. Just be warned — it’s not quite at barista-level yet.

I’ve done my fair share of barista-ing. I’ve spent a collective three-and-a-half years of my life working at the biggest coffee chain in the world, as well as independent artisan coffee shops. So I love testing the best espresso machines. Is the KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine one of them?

The short answer: oh my gosh, one hundred percent yes. But what makes it so good, I hear you ask? Well, the machine produces creamy, fully extracted espresso shots for a start. Then there’s the milk: I’ve never been able to get cafe-quality microfoam with at-home machines before, no matter how much I channel my past barista life. But when using the KitchenAid Semi Automatic steam wand, I was able to get beautifully velvety milk and pour latte art every time. The machine produces creamy espresso shots with acidity, bitterness, and sweetness, perfectly extracted with a complete flavor profile.

Are there any downsides to this machine? Well, it’s $700, but that’s not excessive compared to other semi-automatic and bean-to-cup machines. Meanwhile, the machine’s ‘smart’ grind dosage technology is supposed to take the guesswork out of shot doses, but certainly had me guessing.

For this machine’s quality, the $700 is definitely worth it. Find out the full story in this KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder with Burr Grinder review.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder: Cheat sheet

• Who is it for? People who want a serious coffee machine that can make cafe-quality drinks
• What does it do well? The steam wand is flawless and you can make multiple drinks one after the other
• What are its weaknesses? The grinder’s dosages are a bit off
• How much does it cost? $699 / £699
• What should you use it for? Making barista-quality drinks at home stress-free

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder: Specs

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Price & availability

The KitchenAid Semi Automatic machine is $699 from Amazon U.S. and £699 from KitchenAid U.K.. This is pretty pricey for the average person, but it’s not too bad for a semi automatic machine. The lauded Breville Barista Express is $749, the Smeg Espresso Coffee Machine with Grinder is an eye-watering $1,100, and the new De’Longhi La Specialista Maestro is $1,199.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Design

I love how this machine looks. It’s available in three colorways: black, steel, and cream. I tested the black version and my oh my, does it look wonderful in the office kitchen. It brings a sort of sleek, modern glamor to the place. Not that we don’t bring enough of that ourselves.

The controls are straightforward and well-labeled, which was my major complaint with the Smeg Espresso Machines I was testing at the same time. Customizing your heating setting and shot size takes mere seconds, whereas with the Smeg machine I was consulting the manual, scratching my chin, and accidentally turning on a long shot when I wanted to increase the espresso temperature. There’s none of that on the KitchenAid Semi Automatic. The entire machine is sturdy, well-made, and well-designed.

The steam wand is maneuverable, meaning you can adjust the angle to suit your milk preference. It’s easy to clean, too, but more on that in the ‘Storage and maintenance’ section. The tamping accessories and portafilter baskets (both single-wall and dual-wall) are well-made and weighty, unlike the plastic Smeg accessories I criticized.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Grinder

The grinder is a Burr style (if you couldn’t tell from the machine’s name), which means it has a moving wheel that crushes the beans, as opposed to a blade, which slices the beans. Burr grinders are generally understood to produce a higher quality grind: the burr makes a more consistent size of coffee and it doesn’t heat up, meaning the coffee’s flavor isn’t impacted. It’s a pretty quiet burr grinder: it maxed out at 70.2dB in testing.

KitchenAid claims the grinder has ‘smart dosing technology’, but mine must have been taking a break when I was trying to get it to work. I set the dial to ‘double shot’, but the grinder overfilled my portafilter so much that coffee grounds tumbled overboard and fell onto the drip tray. Yes, I was using the double shot portafilter. Then, I set it to ‘single shot’ and it was too little to fill the portafilter. Luckily, you’re not restricted to one of two settings: it’s a dial, so you can choose exactly how much you want to be meted out, so to speak. I put my setting at the second notch up from ‘single shot’, and found that to be ideal for the double shot portafilter.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Espresso

Pulling shots is pretty straightforward. After grinding to your liking, you tamp the coffee with the included weighty tamper. Even better is the new group handle: it’s flat, meaning you can tamp the coffee flat on your table. I’ve never seen this before on a coffee machine — it could be a game changer.

Take a look at how beautiful this espresso shot is. This was extracted through a single-walled double shot portafilter at the highest temperature setting.

You can clearly see the three stages of the shot: the dark heart, the caramel toffee-colored body, and the thick, fluffy crema on the surface. This picture was snapped immediately after the shot finished pouring, hence the drop mark on the surface. While brewing shots, it averages 54.6dB.

Unlike the Smeg Espresso Machine ($529), you can pull shot after shot without having to purge the steam wand or wait for it to reach the correct temperature. I made three drinks in a row with minimal waiting time, which is a really important capability to have if you’ve got a family of coffee fans.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Milk

If you couldn’t already tell, I’m head-over-heels in love with the KitchenAid’s steam wand. I’ve never been able to create velvety microfoam like this on an at-home espresso machine before. When I was testing the Smeg Espresso Machine, I didn’t get on with the steam wand: it was too weak to create velvety milk, instead could only generate big frothy bubbles. Which is not great if you want latte art.

Speaking of latte art, this is what I managed to accomplish using the KitchenAid Semi Automatic steam wand. It’s a far cry from my Starbucks/Costa/independent cafe days, but it’s pretty good for being three years out of practise, if I do say so myself. The small bubbles you can see aren’t due to the espresso machine’s poor steam wand — I took this picture about five minutes after pouring the drink, so it had settled a bit. Office lighting is hard.

This milk texture is perfect microfoam — exactly what you’d get in a good cafe. I must bow down to this espresso machine, as this is the only at-home machine I’ve used capable of achieving this delicate texture. I doubt this success is due to my barista background, because other machines are incapable of steaming microfoam. I think with enough practice, anyone, regardless of barista background or not, will be able to get milk like this.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Storage & maintenance

The drip tray is removable and easy to clean. When it’s full, a little ‘full’ red sign pops up through the grates — how cute is that? Behind the drip tray you can store extra portafilters and little brushes to make sure your machine is always immaculate. Emptying the grinder is pretty easy: just grind leftover beans into a group handle and stop grinding when it starts to sound different.

The machine is pretty big, at 13 inches tall and 15 inches wide, but an entire espresso machine never claimed to be compact, so I doubt you’re considering purchasing one if you don’t have the space.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: How does it compare?

I was testing Smeg machines at the same time as this KitchenAid machine, and the difference is astounding. The Smeg Espresso Machine (so no grinder) is $529 and isn’t even half as good as this machine. The Smeg Espresso Machine with Grinder is $1,100 making it $400 pricier than the KitchenAid version, and, again paled in comparison. Our best coffee machine for beginners is the Breville Barista Express, which made coffees beautifully, just like the KitchenAid. We didn’t like that there was no low water warning, which is something I’d like to see on the KitchenAid, too.

KitchenAid Semi Automatic Espresso Machine with Burr Grinder review: Verdict

If you can get past the tiny qualm of inaccurate espresso dosage, which I could easily, there’s no reason why this shouldn’t be your next espresso machine. The style is appealing, it’ll look great in your kitchen, and the tamping accessories feel heavy and high quality. In terms of coffee making — obviously the most important aspect — I can’t fault this machine at all. I adored the melted-ice-cream-like milk texture, delicious espresso shots, and ease of use. For a semi-professional machine, this is remarkably easy to get used to.

A stand mixer is a kitchen powerhouse, capable of whipping up everything from fluffy meringues to hearty bread dough. But with great power comes great responsibility — namely, keeping your trusty appliance clean. 

Whether you've carefully chosen from the best standing mixers on the market, deliberated over KitchenAid VS Smeg, or followed our guide on how to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer, your investment deserves proper care. 

Regular cleaning not only ensures your mixer looks great on your countertop, but also maintains its performance and extends its lifespan. In this guide, we'll walk you through the steps to keep your stand mixer sparkling clean, no matter how messy your latest culinary adventure may have been! 

You might also be interested in how to re-grease your KitchenAid if it sounds a little off-kilter.

To keep your stand mixer in top condition and ensure it lasts for years, proper cleaning and maintenance are essential. Looking to upgrade? Check out How to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer. If you're ready to put your mixer to good use, don't miss How to bake the perfect loaf of bread — 11 top tricks to try at home, or 5 KitchenAid attachments to get the most out of your mixer to truly maximize its potential.

With Amazon Prime Big Deal Days just moments away, now is the time to check out the products you’re keen to snap up at a bargain, especially higher-price kitchen appliances that require more thought and investment. To help you get started, we’ve compiled a guide on choosing the best KitchenAid stand mixer so you’ll know exactly what to look for when the sales start.

KitchenAid is a highly-esteemed brand that designs robust appliances that are fit to last, so if you’re looking for one of the best stand mixers, you won’t be short-changed. From the Classic to the latest KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen stand mixer, there’s a wealth of models to choose from, so whether you are a hobbyist baker or a pro, there’s a KitchenAid stand mixer that’s perfect for you.

Whatever you pick, a KitchenAid stand mixer will look stunning on your countertop. Choose the Classic, Artisan Mini, Artisan Tilt-head, Artisan Bowl-lift, Pro Line, Professional Series, or why not consider the latest Evergreen model from the 2024 Design Series — it’s got a walnut bowl! There’s also a whole host of sizes and combinations to choose from.

However, when searching for the perfect KitchenAid, it can be tricky to tell them apart and then work out what will serve you best with your baking. Thankfully, we have the experience and hands-on knowledge to help you decide.

It’s easy to spot a KitchenAid mixer by its iconic styling, but not all models are the same, so if you are unfamiliar with the brand, it’s worth having a quick breakdown of what each offers.
 

What's the difference between the KitchenAid Classic and KitchenAid Artisan?

The Classic has been around longer than the Artisan stand mixer, although this doesn’t automatically mean you should opt for the newer model. Although the Classic has a smaller bowl capacity, less power, comes without a pouring shield, and retails for a smaller price, it still delivers an excellent performance. It could be a good option if you want to invest in a reliable machine but don’t need the capacity to batch-bake cupcakes or mix large quantities of dough that require a hefty motor.
 

However, if you’re attracted to KitchenAid because of the vast array of colors, you won’t get this with the Classic, which comes in black or white.

On looks, there’s very little to separate the two, apart from the color mentioned above. Still, you will find that the Classic’s mixing bowl doesn’t have a handle, which can be handy (pardon the pun) when placing and removing the bowl, as I use it to help twist and lock it into place.

KitchenAid Classic and KitchenAid Artisan: Specs

Tilt-head or Bowl-lift? 

The Artisan is available in two model styles — the tilt-head and bowl-lift — although we’ve only compared the Classic with the Artisan tilt-head version above.

There’s no huge aesthetic difference between the Classic and Artisan tilt-head stand mixers, but you’ll notice a significant contrast between the tilt-head and bowl-lift models. The bowl-lift looks much more industrial as if it means serious business. But don’t let that scare you. The main difference is how the bowl attaches to the mixer. While the top of the tilt-head tips back using a lever on the side so that you can twist the bowl onto the base, the head section of the bowl-lift remains fixed. Instead, it uses a lever to raise and lower the bowl to mix and add ingredients.

The tilt-head will fit comfortably under most kitchen cabinets, where I place mine, and measures 14 inches tall. However, the bowl-lift requires more headroom and stands at 16 ½ inches tall, so it’s likely that you’ll need to place it on a countertop without a cabinet above.

How does the bowl-lift work?
The bowl is almost hugged by two arms extending from the appliance, which secures it in place. The bowl can then be raised and lowered using a lever, and once in the lower position, the accessories can be added. 

The appliance is designed for larger and heavier mixes than the tilt-head, and with this in mind, the design has a broader base to keep it more stable on the countertop. 

Once again, colors on the bowl-lift version are more limited, but unlike the Classic, with two options, you still have 10 to choose from, which is still a good selection. 

Apart from being an option when buying an Artisan stand mixer, the bowl-lift design is also used within KitchenAid’s Pro Line and Professional Series designs, more on these soon. 

Should you buy a bowl-lift?
Unless you’re a serious baker and regularly bake bread and large quantities of cakes, you won’t need anything as large or powerful as the bowl-lift. However, the bowl-lift is the best option if you’re an experienced baker and need a sturdy machine to handle heavy dough and large batches of mixture.

KitchenAid’s Pro Line and Professional Series: Bake like a chef

While the Artisan is only available with a maximum bowl capacity of 5-quart, with the Pro Line and Professional Series you can choose between a 5-7-quart bowl. For a 6-quart bowl choose either the Pro 600, with its classic stainless bowl, or the Professional 6500 Design, which has an attractive glass bowl and lid, and up to 15 color options.

However, if you require even more power and capacity, KitchenAid’s largest domestic stand mixer is the Pro Line Series 7-quart bowl — you’ll be able to mix up to 14 dozen cookies in one batch.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini: Perfect for small bakes

If space is at a premium in your kitchen, or you only bake for one or two and don’t need a 5-quart bowl capacity, KitchenAid offers a mini version of the Artisan. It comes with a 3.5-quart bowl, is available in 11 colors, and, according to KitchenAid, is just as powerful as the Classic. Despite its small dimensions, it still has a central hub to attach all the standard KitchenAid attachments.

And although it is a mini version, you’ll still be able to mix up five dozen cookies in a single batch — plenty to keep me going for a day or two! We think it’s small and mighty.
 

KitchenAid's Design Series: For those serious about looks

If the latest design is your thing, you’ll be knocked back by KitchenAid’s newest entry. The Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, $699, takes a bold take on the classic shape. The tilt-head mixer has a matte mossy-green body, brass debossed leaf fixtures, and an all-new walnut mixing bowl. 

It’s the first KitchenAid stand mixer to feature a wooden bowl, which will undoubtedly need more maintenance than the standard stainless steel or glass bowls, but wow, it looks terrific! As the bowl will need more care, we wouldn’t recommend it for professional bakers, but if you love design, are prepared to care for the wooden bowl correctly, and are a hobbyist baker, it could be for you.
 

KitchenAid attachments: More than baking 

Aside from the obvious baking functionality that KitchenAid stand mixers offer, the brand is well-known for its multi-purpose attachment hub that features on every appliance. Based at the front of the machines, the central hub houses anything from a pasta roller and cutter set to a food grinder and a food processor. And there are plenty of other options to improve your prowess in the kitchen. 

More from Tom's Guide

• Discover KitchenAid's Artisan stand mixer is my best kitchen purchase ever — here's why 
• And 5 KitchenAid gadgets to get the most out of your mixer
• Plus, I tried the KitchenAid Burr coffee grinder 

As a baking fanatic and Tom's Guide's resident home cooking expert, I love using my KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer to whip up a cake and bake tasty homemade loaves of bread. But even though I think they're worth it, there's no denying that investing in one of the best stand mixers can be pricey, which is why this $80 KitchenAid saving is an early Prime Day deal worth shouting out. 

Right now, this KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer is reduced by $80 to $379 — a 17% saving on the list price of $459. The one catch? This deal is only available in a handful of colors including Blue Velvet and Dried Rose. It’s a great saving to make on a product that is built to last and will keep you busy making delicious treats in the kitchen for years. 

As a homes writer, I've tried and tested stand mixers over the years, and nothing beats the performance, looks and reliability of a KitchenAid. I’ve owned one for over 10 years, and it’s still going strong.

Is the KitchenAid Artisan worth it?

KitchenAid is a well-known and respected brand within the kitchen appliance industry that designs products that are robust, stylish, and colorful. Rather than keeping your KitchenAid stand mixer in a cupboard, it should be displayed loud and proud on your kitchen countertop. 

While choosing your favorite color is a big decision, there's a lot more to enjoy underneath the surface. With a 5-quart stainless steel bowl, there’s plenty of capacity to batch bake several rounds of cookies or a couple of loaves of bread in one go. 

Its tilt-head design allows clear access to the bowl, and is easily raised using a side lever. It has 10 speeds, with 5 main speeds and those in-between for fine-tuning — ensuring your mixing never misses a beat. 

And with three beaters — a dough hook, flat beater, and wire whip — you’ve got anything covered, from mixing and kneading dough to beating and creaming cakes to whipping up heavy cream and light meringues. It also comes with a handy pouring shield to stop your countertop from becoming covered with flour and powdered sugar while giving you space to add further ingredients.

If you enjoy baking and are looking for a reliable appliance with great aesthetics, this KitchenAid stand mixer ticks all the boxes. 

I’ve always been a baking fan. At a young age, you’d find me in the kitchen with my mom, mixing up cakes and rolling out pastry. Even today, whenever I’ve got a spare moment, I’ll roll up my sleeves and measure the ingredients for a cake or loaf of bread. The only thing is that whatever I make never stays around for long!

My mom always relied on a stand mixer that she owned for years and never needed to replace. And just like my mom, I have my own favorite brand that’s just as sturdy and reliable. I’ve been using a Kitchenaid Artisan stand mixer for over 10 years, and it still takes pride of place on my kitchen countertop. But, unlike my mom’s reliable appliance, my KitchenAid ups the stakes in the beauty contest.

But one of the best stand mixers shouldn’t be judged by looks alone, so here I put the KitchenAid 5-quart stand mixer to the test to see how it performs. I used all three attachments to mix and knead dough, mix and beat ingredients for a cake, and whisk heavy cream. The appliance was intuitive to use and didn't disappoint in any respect.

If you're not sure how to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer, check out my break down of the other models available to discover what's right for you. You might also be interested in finding out how I got on when I reviewed Cuisinart's Precision Master stand mixer, which is more affordable than this model, and how GE Profile's Smart Mixer performed.

You might also be interested in discovering how I got on with KitchenAid's Artisan Plus stand mixer, KitchenAid's pastry beater, and KitchenAid's 3-5 Cup Food Chopper.

KitchenAid's Artisan Stand Mixer: Price and availability

The KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart tilt-head stand mixer is available at Amazon, but the price will vary depending on your preferred color choice. If you opt for Almond Cream, like me, expect to pay $499 at Amazon.

Although if I was choosing again I’d buy the stand mixer in Dried Rose, which is reduced to $379 at Amazon. Whichever option you decide on, it will still be cheaper than Smeg’s Retro Stand Mixer that retails at Amazon for $599.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: Design

The KitchenAid stand mixer has enjoyed an iconic status since it was first introduced over 100 years ago, and continues to be a sought-after kitchen gadget. While the stand mixer is available in different models, including the latest KitchenAid Design Series Evergreen Stand Mixer, the Artisan tilt-head version retains the classic styling.

And whatever the color of your kitchen, you’re bound to find a stand mixer to match. From muted neutrals to brights and anything else in between. The only problem you’ll have is choosing a favorite. If you like the KitchenAid design you may also like the styling of Smeg's retro stand mixer, although it's not available in as many color options.

Size-wise, the KitchenAid stand mixer sits comfortably under a wall cupboard in my kitchen — I pull it out when I want to use it, as otherwise, there isn’t the headroom to lift the upper section. The lever controls — the motor head release and speed settings sit on either side of the appliance and are easy to operate, although you might find the head section feels top-heavy when raised. In comparison, Smeg's retro stand mixer sits taller, and the controls are on the top, making them a little harder to reach if you are vertically challenged.

The downside is that the stand mixer is on the heavy side, and if you’d prefer to keep it out of view and stored in a cupboard, you won’t want to drop it on your toes. If weight is an issue, you might prefer the lightweight Hamilton Beach 7-speed stand mixer, which is also a budget buy. However, with something that looks this good, I think you’ll want to shout about it and have it out on display.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: Functionality

The KitchenAid Artisan tilt-head stand mixer comes with various-sized bowls. The average home baker will be happy with either a 4, 4.5 or 5-quart capacity bowl, but if you make small bakes KitchenAid also offers a 3.5 smaller version, the KitchenAid Classic, available for $379 at Amazon. As a guide the 5-quart bowl will hold 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch — perfect if you like to batch bake.

It comes with three attachments, including a dough hook, whisk and flat beater, which I’ve always found work perfectly for kneading dough, whisking egg whites and heavy cream, and for mixing pastry and cake batters. The attachments feel more heavy-weight than those that accompany Smeg’s retro stand mixer, although Smeg adds an extra accessory into its offer.

The pouring shield is also a plus, as it prevents flour and light ingredients from covering your countertop, while providing space for other ingredients to be added during the mixing process.

There are also 10 speed settings to choose from, designed for different mixing needs (more on this later). The core speeds are 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10, while the in between speeds allow for fine-tuning. KitchenAid gives guidance on how the speeds work, but I found them very intuitive and easy to use.

In addition, the central hub at the front of the stand mixer allows for attachments to be added, so you can get creative and make your own pasta or spiralize your vegetables.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: Performance

I made a variety of baked goods to experiment with the three attachments. I started with making an easy white bread dough using the dough hook, followed by a classic vanilla cake using the flat beater, and some whipped heavy cream with the whisk.

Making bread

To mix the ingredients and then knead the dough for 10 minutes, I set the stand mixer to speed 2, suitable for slow mixing, as recommended in the manual. I also recorded the noise level on a sound monitor, which registered an average of 77 dB. At the end of the 10 minutes, I was left with a lovely smooth dough, ready to prove.

Although mixing and kneading dough is a tough job, the stand mixer stayed on my countertop, and thanks to the secure lock and click system, the bowl stayed firmly clamped in place.

Making sponge cake

You can’t own a stand mixer without making a cake, so I got mixing. However, before getting started I made sure the butter was soft. I set the speed to 6 and creamed the butter and sugar together. I was able to do this without using the pouring shield, as there were no lightweight ingredients to disperse over my countertop.

Then, I placed the pouring shield on top of the bowl and gradually added the eggs while reducing the speed to 2. Despite using the pouring shield protector, there was no splash-up, and the eggs were incorporated into the mixture, with the help of a small quantity of flour, without me having to scrape around the side of the bowl. I then increased the speed to 7 before reducing it again to 4 to incorporate the final flour.

Apart from a small amount of flour at the top of the mixing bowl, everything was thoroughly mixed without any intervention. I also recorded the noise level which averaged 76 db.

Top tip

If you do have trouble with the beater scraping the bottom of the bowl of leaving ingredients unmixed, you may need to adjust the height of the beater. You can do this by following the KitchenAid "dime" hack — all you need is a coin and a screwdriver.

Whisking heavy cream

You really don’t want to take your eyes off the game when using the whisking attachment — it’s super fast. I placed 10 fl oz of cream in the mixing bowl, and set the speed to 8, which is recommended for whisking. At the same time, I was busy monitoring the noise level, which registered an average of 77 dB, but when I turned back, the cream was already very well whipped after 1 minute 23 seconds. My advice is, if you’re looking for a light whip, keep your eyes peeled.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: Ease of Use

There’s nothing overly complicated about using the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer. It’s a simple case of 'unpack and go'. The bowl is simple to attach using a lock-and-twist system. The tilt-head can be easily raised by releasing the slide lever, and the attachments are twisted in place. The only issue would be using the correct speed for your bake, which can be checked by reading through the manual.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: Cleaning

I always wash my stand mixer bowl and attachments by hand as they can take up valuable space in a dishwasher. However, if you prefer, the bowl can go on the top or lower rack of a dishwasher, and the pouring shield and coated and stainless steel tools can go on the top rack. The wire whip and uncoated tools should be hand-washed only. Plus, after use, I always wipe down the body of the stand mixer with a soft damp cloth and clean the beater shaft.

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer: The Verdict

Whether you’re a regular baker or just starting out on your baking journey, you’ll enjoy using the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer. It’s intuitive to use, mixes ingredients without much intervention and can withstand kneading dough without the appliance moving around and becoming unstable. If you haven’t yet invested in one of the best bread machines, and you're looking for a stand mixer to make your dough, you won’t be disappointed with the strength of the appliance’s motor.

Apart from looking beautiful in your kitchen, you’re guaranteed an appliance that gives consistent results and one that’s built to last. Although it might seem like a hefty investment, especially if you only bake the occasional cake, you won’t be replacing it after a year or two, and it can withstand almost anything you throw at it. The only reason you’ll want to swap it is if you want a change of color!

Discover how KitchenAid stands up against Smeg and which stand mixer comes out on top. You might also be interested in learning how to re-grease your KitchenAid if it starts to sound a little off-kilter after several years of us.

More from Tom's Guide

• Kitchenaid just launched it's Espresso Collection and it's impressive
• 5 KitchenAid attachments to get the most out of your mixer
• Plus, 11 things you probably didn't know you could do with a blender

If you're searching for the best coffee grinder, KitchenAid might not be the first brand you consider. Coffee-specific brands like Baratza, Eureka and Fellow are popular among enthusiasts for providing consistent grounds that can be used to make a variety of coffee drinks, but the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is one of the best options I've tested. 

One of the coolest features in this coffee grinder is its LED display, which is very user-friendly and perfect for beginners. I put the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder to the test in the Tom's Guide test kitchen, putting it through its paces at a range of grind sizes and volumes. I can safely say that at a price of $179, it's one of the best value electric burr coffee grinders I've ever used. Here's how it went. 

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder: Specs

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder: Price & availability

You can buy the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder direct from KitchenAid for $179, but it's also available at Williams Sonoma and Amazon. In the UK, you can buy from Amazon and KitchenAid. 

You can buy it in Grey, Red, Matte Black or Onyx Black, all of which are colors you can buy in the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine, which is designed to sit next to the KitchenAid Grinder. 

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder review: Design

The KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is designed to be very user-friendly, with a top handle that you can twist so it aligns with one of 70 adjustments, which are divided between four section guides depending on the coffee you're making. On the left hand side is the largest ground size, ideal for French press coffee. Next is a percolator mode, then a drip coffee setting, and finally a grind size for espresso. 

It's very hard for a coffee grinder to do all of these well. You need the finest of grounds for a really quality espresso, which will often require a dedicated grinder. It's not perfect, which I'll get onto later, but the KitchenAid does a good job of being a catchall coffee grinder that did make a decent espresso, but also achieved a consistent grind size for French press coffee. 

When you switch between settings, the LED display panel will adjust accordingly. There's a display that shows your grind size, as well as a setting for your grind time, and depending on your setting you can either use a right hand dial to toggle between one or two shots-worth of espresso, or up to 12 cups of the other pre-set modes.

There's a tight seal between the dispenser and the lid of the grounds container, supported by a spring-loaded base that means there won't be any spillage while grinding. And when you're done, you can close the lid of the container to keep it airtight and prevent the grounds from losing their freshness. 

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder review: Performance

When I test coffee grinders, I make sure to test them at a range of grind sizes to identify any strengths and weaknesses. I also test for noise level, because coffee grinders can produce a lot of sound, but the noise can either be quite satisfying, or pretty nasty. Not only does the KitchenAid sit on the quiet end of the scale, measuring just 80dB compared to the Cuisinart grinder's 86dB, but it also produces a very pleasant low, humming noise as opposed to the higher, more whiny sound quality I'd associate with a cheaper grinder. 

Another nice feature is that I experienced next-to-no static on any of my tests, which means there was a lower level of friction compared to the OXO and Bodum grinders I tested on the same day. 

There was also minimal popcorning, but I did find that there was a moderate level of bean retention compared to the likes of the Fellow Ode and the Breville Dose Control Pro. This means you'll need to be careful if you're dosing very specific amounts of beans, but because the grinder will stop after specific times or cup measurements, this shouldn't create too many issues. 

I started with grinding beans for espresso, and because I expected this grinder to be better suited to drip and percolator coffee, I went for the very finest grind setting. 

I was initially very impressed at the consistency of the grounds, because when you grind so finely you can often end up with a muddy consistency that essentially turns your beans to dust. For the most part, the KitchenAid didn't do this, but when I was pouring my grounds from my container onto a plate to inspect it further, I did notice a fair amount of clumping. If I had used the included portafilter holder and dispensed directly into there this would've been less obvious, but could've impacted the flow of my espresso by preventing my water from evenly permeating my coffee puck. 

I then switched the middle setting, for drip coffee. This was the best of the bunch — when I put it through my Kruve coffee sifter, the result was an impressively consistent layer of medium-sized grounds. My coffee was mellow in flavor, with some of the brighter notes that I'd expect to get from a more expensive flat burr grinder. 

In a machine such as this, where there's such a wide range of grind settings, you might expect to see some inconsistency when selecting a French press setting. However, despite the fact that there were a few randomly large, splintered pieces at the top when I sifted it, this was a lot less of an issue than I expected considering how well the machine handled espresso grounds. 

How does the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder compare?

I've tested at least a dozen coffee grinders over the years, and the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is one of the best. I've got the Fellow Gen 2 Ode grinder, $345 at home, which I enjoy for its sturdy and streamlined design and unfaltering consistency. But considering that the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder is half the price of the Ode, it's a seriously good value alternative that actually offers more interactivity for beginners or those who want to get technical with their coffee grinding. 

If you're looking for an attractive grinder, another option could be the Smeg coffee grinder, $300. I also tested this option alongside the KitchenAid, and while I'd opt for the KitchenAid for its impressive results, the Smeg also created a pleasant enough noise and is easy to use thanks to the start/stop button and front-facing dial that can be used to change grind size.

KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder review: Verdict

The KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder offers exceptional value for money with a user-friendly design and impressively consistent results across its 70 grind sizes. I found some clumping at the very finest setting, and a couple of larger shards when grinding for French press, but that's to be expected when a grinder attempts to create grounds for such a wide range of brews. 

Where this coffee grinder really stands out is in its drip coffee settings, which really allowed the brighter notes in my beans to stand out, while not proving too acidic. Adjusting is easy, and you can also toggle your grind time depending on how much coffee you want to make. The spring-loaded base and airtight grounds container also make this a suitable machine for bulk grinding. It's larger than most, and there are cheaper options out there, but for the price, you won't find many more capable coffee grinders that the KitchenAid Burr Coffee Grinder. 

Ninja can reliably be expected to produce innovative, user-friendly air fryers, and the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 is no exception. As a Homes Editor I've tested a range of the best air fryers released by Ninja over the years, from the entry-level AF101 to the generously-sized DualZone, but if you asked me what the best small air fryer was, I would've recommended an option from Instant or Dash. That is until I tried the Ninja Air Fryer Pro.

Although it's small in stature, this air fryer doesn't feel like a compromise. It's finished to an incredibly high standard, with intuitive controls and a sleek design that will slot into any kitchen setup. Be warned though, it's an expensive option, and if you want a 5QT fryer that performs the same amount of functions, there are definitely cheaper options on the market.

I put the Ninja Air Fryer Pro to the test in my two-person home for two weeks to see how well it would slot into my daily routine. Here's how it went.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Price and availability

You can buy the Ninja Air Fryer Pro AF141 for $119 at Amazon and direct at Ninja. It also comes in a larger size, the 6.5QT Ninja Air Fryer Pro XL AF181. This model comes with an additional Max Crisp mode, and a Bake setting.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro: Design

My first impression of this air fryer was that it's surprisingly nifty. The five-quart capacity is nothing to scoff at, and it's impressive that Ninja was able to fit a decent-sized basket in such a neat design. The air fryer is particularly short at just over 10 inches high.

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro is fitted with a pretty sizeable basket, and you can insert or remove a lining insert to create airflow and allow your air fryer to crisp the underside of your food evenly. When removed though, you get a lot more room in your basket, and you'll also be able to create dishes with sauce or glazes without losing your cooking liquid during the cooking process.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Ease of use

Setup is simple. My air fryer came mostly wrapped in cardboard, which makes me feel less guilty when it comes to disposing of packaging, and once I'd peeled the plastic coating from the exterior of the air fryer and washed the basket and insert, I was ready to start testing.

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro's lifted control panel does away with touch-screens and instead features buttons to select your mode, increase temperature and time, and start or stop cooking. If you enjoy simplicity in your kitchen appliances and the idea of one of those 18-in-1 multicookers overwhelms you, this air fryer will be a welcome addition to your kitchen.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro review: Performance

The first thing I cooked in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro was some harissa-roasted vegetables. I enjoy roasting veggies in batches, which allows me to bulk-cook lunches to take into the office, and it's also a great way to test the roast setting on an air fryer. I sliced up two peppers, a zucchini, some cherry tomatoes and half an aubergine, and although there wasn't much room left in the air fryer, this did all fit in quite nicely.

Despite how full the basket was, I was able to get a nice even charring on my vegetables after giving them a shake midway through cooking. I did have to remember to do this myself, because the air fryer didn't have an in-built alarm to remind me. Although I initially put them on to roast for 40 minutes at 340°F, I was happy with the cooking after just 28 minutes, which is faster than most air fryers I've tested.

My next test was to cook some frozen food in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro. I opted for sweet potato fries, and as per their packaging instructions, I put them on to cook for 12 minutes at 390°F. As you can see, they came out a bit burnt, and were probably cooked perfectly at the 10 minute mark. Air fryers tend to cook food quicker than an oven, but smaller air fryers in particular heat up faster, thus speeding up the cooking time even more. Despite the charring, I was happy with how well these crisps fried up, although it was notable that the ones closer to the perimeter of the air fryer basket cooked a bit faster than those in the center.

I also cooked some marinated chicken fillets in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1. This is another element of my weekly meal preparation, but I was also intrigued to see how many strips could fit into the compact basket. The answer? Five fillets, and I could probably have fit a sixth in. Despite its small dimensions, there's no space wasted in the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1, and although it doesn't compete with larger fryers such as the Ninja Foodi DualZone I'm confident that it could handle family meals if you only have a small kitchen at your disposal.

Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 review: Verdict

The Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is simple and effective. It doesn't feature any flashy gimmicks, but what it does, it does well. However, if you want to add smart cooking to your repertoire, you could invest in Ninja's ProChef wireless thermometer. I've been so impressed during testing this air fryer that I've been tempted to replace my old faithful, the Instant Vortex.

However, this is an expensive air fryer, and you could find a cheaper alternative from the likes of Cosori for under $100. If you're on a budget, this might be a better bet, but if you can get past the price tag I think the Ninja Air Fryer Pro 4-in-1 is an investment you'll be glad you made. Easy to use and easy to clean, it's one of the most capable air fryers I've tested, and I'm a fan of the modern but compact look, which won't become an eyesore in your kitchen.

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ makes superb smoothies, thick and creamy oat milk, and well-crushed ice. 

When testing, we were struck by how reasonably priced this option is for such a capable blender. It is noisy though, and while there's nothing offensive about the design, you can feel that it's not been made with the highest quality materials. 

Despite it being louder and harder to clean than other models, its overall price and performance makes it one of the best blenders you can regularly buy for under $100. If you want to know why, read our Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ details.

Ninja Professional Plus review: Price and availability

 The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ can be purchased directly from Ninja or from online retailers like BestBuy and Bed Bath & Beyond. It retails for $119 but regularly goes on sale for around $100, and if you're willing to pay a bit extra you can also buy the Professional Plus Kitchen System BN801 which comes with a food processor attachment and a single-serve blender cup. 

Ninja Professional Plus review: Design

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ is an attractive, powerful blender that comes with more accessories than alternatives such as the Breville Super Q. In addition to the included recipe book, you can spend a little extra for the BN801 iteration which features a 64 oz precision processor bowl with chopping and dough blades and lid; a 72 oz crushing pitcher with stacked blade assembly and lid; and two 24 oz single-serve cups with pro extractor blades and spout lids.

The suction cup feet well-stabilize this blender, and the locking lid mechanism offers confidence that nothing will fly out while blending. The blender’s pour spout creates a very pleasing and precise pour into the glass (much smoother than jars and cups without a pour spout) that, with a little attention, won't even drip. A thoughtfully-designed small flap also helps to keep contents fresh-tasting between servings. 

The thick, rubberized pitcher grip running from top to bottom on the pitcher’s handle improves ergonomics. While the turn-to-lock mechanism attaching the jar to the base offers confidence the blender is secure and ready for its next batch. 

There’s no dedicated cleaning cycle, but running the Ninja at its highest setting with a dollop of liquid soap and warm water is usually sufficient to remove the remaining contents. That said, the stacked blade assembly of the Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ requires a bit more attention while cleaning, as it tends to slide out. 

Ninja Professional Plus review: Ease of use

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ has a noticeably more involved cleaning process because of its inherent design and the number of parts. Though there’s no dedicated clean cycle, the smoothie, and splattered protein powder could be removed by running the blender on the highest setting with soap and water and doing a quick rinse. Hummus, however, was another story. 

Cleaning hummus out of the jar still required handwashing after running the 1-minute rinse cycle — since the blades had sprayed ingredients everywhere inside the jug and onto the cap. Also, the cap's multitude of moving parts and opening means there are many nooks and crannies where the hummus liquid is sprayed while blending. The rinse cycle did not remove all the residue.

It’s also necessary to carefully handle the triple-blade arrangement. Though the blades are designed to be removed so they can be rinsed, they can also easily fall out by accident. 

However, the jar's clear handle component can be removed for cleaning — all you have to do is press a small tab button and unscrew the bottom.

Ninja Professional Plus review: Performance

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ produced better smoothies than virtually all of the blenders we tested (the only two that surpassed it were the Vitamix A3500 and the Breville 3x Bluicer) but it was an extremely loud procedure. Pressing the Ninja’s pre-programmed smoothie button unleashes a sharp and sudden calamity, initially in a span of intermittent stop-go action for 55 seconds, before unleashing all 1,400 watts of power into one last 10-second burst. Fortunately, the end result is milkshake-like smoothies that are thick, frothy, and free of chunks or clumps of protein powder.

We also found that the blender could easily mill grains down to a fine powder, turning simple rolled oats and water into smooth oat milk. Initially, the sip of oat milk tastes smooth and milk-like, then regresses a bit into a slightly watery second half. Testing produced a good oat flavor but none of the pleasant sweetness the Breville produced. The pour spout made for very precise pouring and the oat milk would have gotten an impressive 7/10 (most oat milk tests hovered around 4-5), were it not for the high-pitch noise that accompanied the blending.

While the overall noise clocks in at a reasonable 94.9 dB, we found that the blender produces a painfully loud and sharp noise during the one-minute ice-crushing mode. It hurt the ears of one of our testers and made them twitch in surprise, as it produced a much sharper and louder noise than what was registered while sound testing. 

Aside from the piercing noise of the ice-crushing mode, the three-tier blade is pretty effective when crushing ice, which produces an even amount of crushed ice in about 20-30 seconds. The final texture was reminiscent of Hawaiian shaved ice rather than extra fine Taiwanese snow ice, but there were no chunks found in the mix. The crushed ice mixture came out of the jar as one large piece that then broke up once in the glass. 

Ninja Professional Plus review: Verdict

The Ninja Professional Plus Blender with Auto IQ produces superb smoothies, good oat milk, and great crushed ice. It surpassed our overall top pick in the smoothie department and tied it with ice-crushing. Despite its stealthy name, the Ninja can be painfully loud, especially when crushing ice. If you like to keep your kitchen quiet, this is not the blender for you. However, if you’re looking for great performance, price, and loads of attachments to boot, this could be an ideal choice. 

If you're researching the best grills to buy in time for summer, you'll have likely seen the Weber Spirit II E-310 in several online guides. One of the most enduringly popular gas grills on the market, this smart yet user-friendly three-burner option is ideal for those who want a great grill and don't want to spend much more than $500. 

To make it that little bit more portable, it has a folding side table that can be lifted when cooking a selection of dishes and lowered again when preparing to store the grill. It also has a lower storage area which came in helpful when I was storing various trays. The two large wheels make this grill incredibly storage-friendly, ideal for taking in and out of a covered area of your yard or a shed. 

You can buy a version of this grill that works with propane or natural gas, but I tested it with a propane tank in my yard, cooking up vegetables, hot dogs, and even grilling a whole chicken. Here's how it went. 

Weber Spirit II E-310 review: Price and availability

The Weber Spirit II E-310 can be bought for $569.00 at Amazon and Best Buy and is available in Liquid Propane and Natural Gas. You can also buy a two-burner alternative, called the Weber Spirit II E-210, for $449. The Weber Spirit II E-310 can also be bought in the UK for £649 direct at Weber. 

Weber Spirit II E-310 review: Design

Assembling this gas grill took two people just over an hour, and there were 49 assembly steps. These were very thorough and easy to follow, even for testers who aren't the best at following instructions! 

Once built, it was easy to lift and move this grill thanks to the two large wheels on the right side of the grill. The foldable side shelf closes easily but it also proved relatively sturdy when we used it to rest plates and dishes. We also enjoyed that this grill comes with three hooks on the side, meaning you can hang your grill brush or other tools while not in use. 

Weber Spirit II E-310 review: Ease of use

Lighting this grill is easy thanks to the ignition button. It's very similar to using the gas range where you press down your burner to release gas and then ignite the burner. Although you need to buy it separately, the Spirit II E-310 is compatible with Weber's iGrill 3. This can be mounted on your grill and acts as a meat thermometer that monitors up to four cuts of meat, notifying you on a smartphone when your food is ready.

We pre-heated this grill before our first test, allowing any residue from the manufacturing process to burn off. The three burners can be operated independently, so while there is enough cooking area to cater to a crowd, you can cook for two or three people by turning on just one burner. The removable inner ring also allows you to add accessories such as woks or poultry roasters. 

Pre-heating the grill to 500°F took just under ten minutes, and we made use of the in-built thermometer to monitor while we prepared our dishes. The hinged lid was easy to lift and lower, but because it's made of quite thin metal it did get hot to touch quite quickly. 

Weber Spirit II E-310 review: Performance

We first cooked hot dogs and burgers on the Weber Spirit II E-310. These achieved classic grill lines and we achieved some good blistering on the skin of the hot dogs, giving them that classic crunch you'd expect from a grilled hot dog. Once we had flipped the burgers and turned the hot dogs we closed the lid of the grill and observed how long it took for the grill to hit its original temperature once more. This only took several minutes which is a sign that the grill plates retain heat well. However, the grid on this grill is quite wide, so if you're cooking something smaller like shrimp or kebabs, you may lose some food between the cracks. 

Another thing we noticed in testing is that the grill is hotter towards the center, which is pretty commonplace for a multi-burner grill as heat is lost around the back and side. We fixed this by moving food around to get an even cook across our hot dogs, but when we grilled a whole chicken we made sure to place it in the center of the grill to make sure it was cooked evenly throughout.

When flipping our chicken we lost some of the skin, but this is pretty commonplace when cooking marinade chicken on a grill. Even though some of the skin stuck to the cooking surface, we were generally impressed by how little sticking we experienced when moving food around this grill, which made it easy to clean when we were done cooking.

The chicken was cooked really well and although the remaining skin was nice and crispy, the meat was not tough and remained juicy once it hit our desired temperature, but it did lack the smokiness of a charcoal grill. 

Weber Spirit II E-310 review: Verdict

Easy to assemble and use, we didn't have much to complain about with the Weber Spirit II E-310. You get what you pay for with this grill, and if you were to spend a little more on one of Weber's more premium models you would find more bells and whistles such as a realtime temperature display and side burner. 

However, in terms of cooking quality, we were really happy with the food we made on this grill and the taste and texture of our chicken was the top-rated performance among all the grills we tested. We also enjoyed how stable this grill felt despite its portability, meaning you can tuck it away when not in use and move it around your yard without needing any help.

When you hear the name KitchenAid, you instantly think of the brand’s iconic stand mixers, with their bold colorways and sturdy design. But KitchenAid is known for far more than its classic kitchen appliance and sells everything from large refrigerators and ranges to smaller countertop appliances, like toasters and some of the best coffee makers.

KitchenAid’s latest Espresso Collection is designed for coffee lovers seeking a sleek at-home coffee station where you can select your favorite beverage at the push of a button. The new range consists of three fully automatic espresso machines and one semi-automatic machine, with prices starting from $699.

So whether you want to make an espresso like a barista or create a barista style coffee bar in your kitchen, one of KitchenAid’s new espresso machines could help you do just that.

Be a barista with KitchenAid’s new semi-automatic machine 

KitchenAid’s semi-automatic machine, the KES6551, offers a more hands-on approach for the user. You’ll need to dose and tamp the grounds into a portafilter, before the machine pulls a shot. And, if you take milk, it is steamed and frothed manually using the steam wand on the side of the appliance before adding it into your cup. 

For ease of use, the machine also features an integrated burr grinder so that you can grind and go. You can also opt for either smart dosing or manual dosing. Smart dosing technology allows you to produce the ideal volume of consistency for one or two espresso shots. At the same time, the manual function will enable you to choose the exact amount of grounds needed. If you fancy being a barista, the KitchenAid KES6551 is now available to purchase ($699, KitchenAid).

KitchenAid’s fully automatic machines does the hard work for you 

The three fully automatic espresso machines eliminate most of the manual steps needed when operating the above machine, but do not remove them, giving you personalized options. Enjoy an Espresso, American, Latte or Cappuccino – there are plenty of recipes to choose from — the KF6 offers 15, the KF7 20 and the KF8 40+. 

The machines also allow you to select and personalize your favourite drinks, which can be chosen on the easy-to-use touch screen. And unlike the semi-automatic model, the milk is heated and frothed automatically, with no need to worry about how much milk to add. They also feature a removable bean hopper, making swapping or refilling your beans easy. As an extra function, the KF8 model features a plant-based milk mode to enjoy almond, oat or soy in your drink. There’s also a pre-ground coffee bypass chute — skip what’s in your grinder and get a change to something new. 

All four espresso machines are easy to clean and include a “Clean Me” notification — a reminder to maintain the machine so it performs at its best. And with KitchenAid, you can be reassured that these metal-clad appliances are built to last.

Sssshhh! If you prefer your coffee on the quiet side, the Espresso Collection has been certified by Quiet Mark as some of the quietest machines, meaning you won’t disturb your whole household when making a cup of Joe. 

KitchenAid’s Espresso Collection include the KF6 ($999.99, KitchenAid), KF7 ($1699.99, KitchenAid), and the top-of-the-range KF8 ($1999.99, KitchenAid), all available on KitchenAid.com. 

More from Tom's Guide

• KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine Review
• KitchenAid's new Blossom stand mixer color is a showstopper
• Breville's Smart Scoop Ice Cream Maker review 

The KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever is a husky beast of a toaster with a pleasing rounded retro style. You'll need plenty of countertop space if you want to make it part of your kitchen setup, but there's rewards aplenty if you do. The KitchenAid currently comes in at under $70 at Amazon and features four large toasting slots that can accommodate thick breads, English muffins, and bagels up to 1 1/8 inches wide. 

A set of dual controls effectively gives you two toasters in one. During my testing, I was able to set different controls over two sets of bread and even toast regular slices and bagels at the same time with separate settings.

That said, it's not without a couple of drawbacks. Any 4-slice toaster will take up more space and, at 7.2 pounds, it's one of the heavier toasters I've used as well as the most energy-hungry. Those in smaller apartments may want to opt for a smaller and more affordable 2-slice toaster instead. Meanwhile, if you're regularly defrosting bread with a toaster you may find the lack of a frozen setting off-putting.  

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster: Price and availability

The KitchenAid is available from Amazon at $69 at the time of writing, with an original listing price of $79. That puts it on the more affordable side when compared with other 4-slice toasters, such as the Breville Bit More 4-slice Toaster currently on sale for $99 at Amazon. Anyone on a budget can obviously save money by downgrading to a 2-slice toaster such as the  

The toaster comes in four colors: Brushed Stainless Steel, Contour Silver, Empire Red, and Onyx Black.

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever: Design

The KitchenAid’s flexible stainless steel unit lets you toast two different sets of bread at their own independent temperatures, or even toast a mix of breads and bagels at the same time. You’ll need ample counter space to accommodate it because it's obviously larger than a 2-slice toaster, measuring 11.62 inches wide by 11.4 inches deep by 7.48 inches high. It’s also the heaviest toaster I've tested recently at 7.2 pounds. I used the Empire Red model which combines pleasing deep red panels on either side of the toaster, flanking a brushed metal front and back. 

The five, knob-based shade controls lock into place with a soft click, so there are no extra shade settings in between the major ones. A Bagel setting and a Cancel button are the only other controls, as the KitchenAid lacks a Frozen setting. That means that either the setting you choose will also defrost and cook the bread on the first go, or you’ll have to give the bread a higher setting or a second toast round. 

External temperatures are relatively high — ranging from 68 to 112 degrees and 95 to 118 degrees as measured from the front and side of the toaster on both sides respectively. Vents placed in the middle of both side panels dissipate the heat to some degree. However, the toaster, while surprisingly warm on the outside in comparison to some other models I've used, was perfectly OK to handle. What’s more, it could double as a hand warmer on chilly mornings!

It also pulled the most energy at 0.091 kWh at the medium setting with all slots toasting for 3:19 minutes.  

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever: Performance

For the most part the toast we tested at low, medium, and high settings conformed to the shades we expected. The low setting had some slight color, but basically the unit dehydrated the bread and made it slightly crisp. The medium setting had a rich brown color, while the dark setting was almost black but not charred. 

On most of our toast tests, shade was inconsistent on lower settings, and noticeably darker on one side. Sometimes the grill marks showed, and toast color was not entirely even on each slice with a mix of light and brown. Shade at the medium setting is pretty dark with some lighter patches on each slice in different places.

The toaster did better in terms of evenness and consistency on the bagel tests. For bagels we looked for the appropriate level of browning based on the setting for the front side, while on the other side we sought less color but a soft, warm consistency, and the KitchenAid delivered on all counts. 

With no specific Defrost setting — the only toaster we saw that lacked this setting — we set the desired shade for our frozen waffle test as usual and were not surprised to find that the lower setting produced a lighter than desired shade. 

However, the toaster rallied to a more appropriate shade on the darker setting. Consistency suffered at the lighter settings too, as the flip side of the waffle was noticeably lighter than the front side.  

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever: Ease of use and cleaning

Operating this toaster is similar to most, as it gives you a manual lever that you can push down to set the bread to toasting. At the same time, the Cancel button up front glows a bright blue, so that you can clearly see which set of slots the toast is in and can cancel the job if you wish. The High-Lift Lever is the same one used to lower the toast into the unit and raise it up above the slots to remove it without burning your fingers. When finished, the unit emits a rather loud alert sound which cannot be adjusted,  and may awaken family members if you live in a smaller house.

Since this is two toasters in one thick body, there are two cleaning trays in the back. At the bottom of the toaster you will see two black panels that read “Push”, and doing that will eject each toaster tray individually. This allows you to clean each separately by pulling them out, emptying them, rinsing them off with water, and placing them back into their slots. 

I wasn't impressed with the High-Lift lever for viewing smaller breads, as it didn't raise the toast high enough to really see much. In case you need any guidance on how the toaster is supposed to work, a detailed, illustrated manual comes with the toaster outlining all the features and functions as well as abundant safety warnings.

The KitchenAid, with its relatively long 39-inch cord and attached cord wrap, is topped with a three prong grounded plug for extra safety. One nice feature is a cord wrap at the bottom that lets you store the cord underneath the unit while still keeping it level on the counter.

KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever: Verdict

The KitchenAid 4-Slice Toaster with Manual High-Lift Lever makes a stylish statement, but you’ll need plenty of space on your kitchen counter or table to accommodate it. We liked that this four-slice toaster lets you toast two sets of breads separately with independent controls — essentially giving you two toasters in one. 

I was less impressed with basic toast performance, especially at lower levels, where toast came out patchy or uneven. I'm mystified as to why there is no defrost setting, but common sense dictates that breads may take longer to defrost and thus calls for a higher setting. Even toasters that have a defrost settings sometimes specify that settings should be higher if you intend to toast straight from the freezer. 

And lastly, while I appreciate the attention to safety, it would also have been nice to have the option to  silence the rather loud alarm the toaster emits once toast is complete. 

There's no doubt this is a versatile and capable toaster and will serve you well. But a few niggling flaws stop it short of being a must-buy.

More from Tom's Guide

• Best toaster ovens
• Best air fryers
• Best juicers

I love using my trusted KitchenAid stand mixer. It’s the one kitchen appliance I can always rely on to whip, beat and knead whenever I turn my hand to baking. But apart from being my dependable baking friend, my KitchenAid has a few other tricks up its sleeve.

This sturdy kitchen appliance is not solely for those who enjoy making cakes and bread. It has the added benefit of tackling many other culinary tasks. With the add-on of over 20 attachments, it can shred, grind, mince and dice, taking the chore out of food prep. The best stand mixers aren't limited to just KitchenAid — but there's a few from this brand that are particularly worth picking up if you use yours regularly. 

KitchenAid attachments can open up your culinary experience at home to new possibilities. Serve delicious noodles, a fresh-ground burger or perfect pasta, and finish with homemade ice cream for a sweet treat. And, rather than relying on separate appliances, opting for attachments means you'll undoubtedly save on cupboard space. 

KitchenAid stand mixers are an investment, and the same is true for the attachments. Some will set you back over $200. So, we’ve looked at what we consider the best five attachments worth buying to help you up your game in the kitchen.

1. Ice cream maker

• The KitchenAid ice cream maker is available for $89 @ Amazon

The ice cream maker attachment has a double-layer mixing bowl, dasher and drive assembly. The drive assembly is the part that attaches to the stand mixer motor head and connects the dasher, or what I prefer to call the ice cream paddle. 

The 2-quart bowl attaches to the base of the stand mixer, just like the standard mixing bowl. However, it needs freezing before use, as once the bowl is completely frozen, the liquid within the double walls of the bowl starts to freeze the ice cream liquid during the mixing process.  

The handles on the bowl have been redesigned to give a better grip. The bowl is now easier to connect to the base unit and twist into place. With such a powerful motor it’s important that the bowl is secured, and the handles aid the locking and unlocking process. 

The dasher rotates to thoroughly blend, scrape and mix the ingredients before they are frozen. This stage should take 30 minutes before the bowl can be placed in the freezer for 24 hours. 

The appliance is easy to clean, although we recommend allowing the bowl to reach room temperature before washing. And the drive assembly and dasher can be washed in the top rack of the dishwasher. 

Although the ice cream maker attachment fits into most KitchenAid mixers, including the full-sized tilt-head and bowl-lift models, there are some exceptions, including the mini versions, so check before you buy.

We think the KitchenAid ice cream maker comes in at a good price and gives you the option of making homemade ice cream without the clutter of another appliance. 

2. Meat grinder 

• The KitchenAid metal meat grinder is $99 direct from KitchenAid

If you love a fresh burger, you’re going to be impressed with the KitchenAid meat grinder. Apart from being fun to use, the machine's heavyweight motor makes grinding meat a cinch. Forget fast food takeouts, you'll be dining in on gourmet burgers and sausages.

The benefit of grinding the meat yourself is that you know what is in the end product — you can pick the cut of meat you like and the meat-to-fat ratio that fits with your healthy lifestyle. 

And if you’ve already invested in a KitchenAid, you’re bound to have a certain level of confidence in the kitchen and will probably be perfectly happy to make your own burgers and sausages.  

Grinding meat takes some effort: meat is tough. But the strength of the KitchenAid motor and sturdiness of the attachment means it’s an easy task. And, again, like the other attachments, it means you won’t have your cupboards cluttered with yet another separate appliance. The attachment merely needs connecting to the power hub of the stand mixer, with a dish above to hold the meat ready to go through the grinder. 

It also comes with three grinding plates giving you the choice of fine, medium or coarse mince, two sausage stuffer tubes and a food pusher to get the meat moving. And apart from meat, there’s no reason why you can’t also add a few herbs and spices to the mix. 

On the plus side, it works with all KitchenAid stand mixers, but on the downside all the metal elements need to be washed by hand, although the sausage stuffer parts are plastic and are dishwasher-safe. 

3. Vegetable spiralizer 

• The KitchenAid 5-Blade Fruit and Vegetable Spiralizer is $69 @ Amazon

A vegetable spiralizer is a healthy tool to add more fresh fruit and vegetables into your diet. Forget calorie-laden pasta, a spiralizer will allow you to swap the carbs for faux noodles.

Slaving over a chopping board with a sharp knife to chop, slice and peel your veg, will become a thing of the past, and you’ll also end up with a much more professional finish. And from personal experience, using a spiralizer is a much safer option than a mandolin, which I’ve now abandoned following an accident that led to a trip to the hospital. 

For the best results, KitchenAid recommends using the right size blade to get the most out of your spiralizer, and it offers 5-blade, 7-blade and thin blade sets. This will allow you to achieve the best results for your zucchini noodles, stir fries, coleslaws and salads.  

Apart from slicing vegetables into thin strips for spaghetti-like strands, you can create ribbon, peel potatoes and core apples. I find tough vegetables, such as cabbage, particularly tricky to cut finely, while watery cucumber turns into a slosh. The spiralizer manages these challenges with ease, and finely chops cabbage for slaw and forms ribbons of cucumber. 

The spiralizer doesn’t do the complete job for you. To get started you'll need to wash and prep the fruit or veg, removing the ends, and cutting out any eyes. Then, insert the attachment into the hub and secure it in place, before attaching the fruit and vegetable skewer onto the mount.

Place a bowl below the attachment, then position the fruit or veg onto the skewer. If using the peeler, insert it onto the blade slider first at the bottom until it clicks into place, then add the required blade into the holder at the top. Pull the release lever and push the blade carrier towards the stand mixer and align the blade core with the centre of your food, press the blade core into the centre of the food and then you’re set. Begin at a low speed, before increasing it to between 4-6.

Setting up the peel, core and slice attachment may seem a little complicated, but after a few goes, it will become second nature. Although if you need some help getting started, KitchenAid has a useful video that shows you what to do.

To make life as easy as possible, all the main attachments are dishwasher-safe if placed on the top rack only. 

With a little practice you’ll soon be enjoying a whole wealth of extra fruit and vegetables in your diet. 

4. Food processor and dicing kit 

• The KitchenAid food processor attachment is $189 @ Amazon

Very much like the fruit and vegetable spiralizer above, the food processor and dicing kit attachment can slice, shred and Julienne your produce, plus it also tackles hard cheese. Although we wouldn't recommend buying both attachments, one or the other could be a real bonus in the kitchen. 

And just like the other attachments, it’s secured into position on the hub port of the stand mixer. It comes with four cutting discs, two of which are reversible, used for cutting and slicing different thicknesses. Another blade offers a dicing option, which when combined with a dual blade can cut items into small cubes — perfect for salsas, casserole or soup dishes. The final blade slices and has a lever that positions the blade to cut at six different positions — giving a wide choice of thicknesses.

Ingredients can be dropped down the wide feed chute and gently pushed with the provider pusher. The ingredients can then be collected in a bowl below the food processor. It provides consistent results that would be difficult to achieve manually. 

Although it brings a great deal of versatility to your KitchenAid’s, the food processor and dicing kit attachment is pricier than the spiralizer, costing $183 at Amazon. So your decision will be based on whether you think it’s worth paying over two and a half times the amount for these extra features.

5. Gourmet pasta press

• The KitchenAid Gourmet Pasta Press attachment is $219 @ Amazon

Have you ever tried to make pasta? If you’ve used a manual pasta machine with a handle, you may have found it difficult to achieve a silky-smooth finish. KitchenAid’s gourmet pasta attachment will take away all the hard work out of rolling the dough. 

Complete with six pasta plates, you’ll have the option to make spaghetti, bucantini, rigatoni, fusilli and small or large macaroni — just add sauce. The benefit of using the KitchenAid attachment is that you already have the standing bowl to make the dough. 

The main issue we’ve found with this attachment is the issue of cleaning it, with some reviewers saying the cleaning took the fun out of using the machine. However, the machine does come with a picking tool to remove dried dough and KitchenAid has a video that illustrates the best way to clean the attachment.

If you like what a KitchenAid has to offer you might also be interested in reading the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is my best kitchen purchase ever — here's why.

The gourmet version of the pasta machine is one of the most expensive KitchenAid attachments ($219, Amazon), although there is the option to buy a 2-piece pasta cutting set ($114, Amazon) or a pasta roller ($89, Amazon) if you're keen to enjoy homemade pasta without the high price tag.

More from Tom's Guide

• KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine Review
• KitchenAid's new Blossom stand mixer color is a showstopper
• The KitchenAid ‘dime’ test will completely optimize your mixer — here’s how it works

The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is attractive at first glance. This compact espresso machine comes in a pretty array of colors, much like the brand’s famous stand mixer, so it won’t look out of place in a modern kitchen full of quality appliances.

It produces espresso via a portafilter handle that you’ll need to fill and tamp down yourself, with the machine offering basic one and two shot functions. This model also features a steam wand, so frothing milk is entirely possible. Plus, there’s the option to dispense hot water as well if you’re an avid tea drinker. But, is KitchenAid’s latest espresso machine one of the best espresso machines? We put it to the test to find every strength and weakness, so read on for our KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review.     

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine is currently priced at £449, although it can be found for less, and it’s widely available from stockists such as Amazon, B&Q, Argos and KitchenAid. The same machine is also available in the U.S., where it is known as the KitchenAid Semi-Automatic Espresso Machine, priced at $349 and available from stockists including Amazon, Best Buy and KitchenAid. It’s currently not available to purchase in Australia. 

Colors available in the U.K. include almond cream, stainless steel, candy apply and cast iron black. While in the U.S., colors include matte charcoal gray, matte black and milkshake. 

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review: Design

With a name like KitchenAid behind this espresso machine, you expect a solid build quality. And it indeed delivers, but there is some room for improvement. It’s fairly compact, particularly when the portafilter is not attached, measuring 11 x 13 x 6 inches. It’s pretty heavy despite this at 5.25 kg or 11.6 lbs — although that’s still light enough to move around easily when necessary. I was a little disappointed with the external plastic casing on the test  model, particularly as I own an older KitchenAid Nespresso model that comes with a nice metal finish — this has now been discontinued. So the exterior doesn’t feel as premium as it could.

Still, the accessories supplied have a high-quality feel. Both the tamper and portafilter are heavily weighted, and the milk pitcher is a nice touch should you want the option to froth milk. There are enough settings to cover the basics as well — one and two shot options can be toggled at the press of a button, and there’s also the option to dispense steam or hot water. It’s worth flagging that you can program this espresso machine as well; you can set the espresso volume yourself and adjust the hot water volume, temperature (3 settings to choose from) and hardness. There’s a useful clean cycle button on offer too, which is designed to help with the descaling process.

The water tank can be found on the back of the machine. It is detachable and comes with a handle so you can lift it out of place to refill it. Bear in mind, this could be tricky to access if you’re got low overhead kitchen cabinets. The tank comes with a small lid that lifts out, although this is a bit loose and could perhaps be better fitted. There’s a max mark on the tank, which holds about 1.5 liters, but to my surprise, there was no minimum mark. This could be frustrating if you only wanted to brew one espresso.

The portafilter fits into the machine nicely, but as you lock it, it is all too easy to push the whole machine out of place. This sliding could be prevented if it were heavier or better gripped to the surface of the counter. It is a nice touch that the portafilter’s baskets come in a range to suit one or two shots, as well as freshly ground or pre-ground coffee. You need to change these between each brew as appropriate.

The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine also comes with a couple of indicators to flag when it needs attention. There's a floating indicator in the removable drip tray to flag when it’s full and an indicator to show that the machine needs descaling (the clean cycle light begins blinking). However, there’s no indicator to show when the tank is running low on water, which is a shame. So, you can just keep running it until it hits empty and starts making an annoying noise. There’s an auto-off function as well, which will switch off the machine after about 15 minutes of inactivity.

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review: Performance

When I first switched on the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine, it did not want to drain the water from the tank. I had to fiddle with the opening and repeatedly press the espresso function before it suddenly started to work — there haven’t been any issues with this since.

In terms of preparing the grounds for the machine, the process was very straightward, although it was all too easy to make a mess when filling and tamping enough for a double shot. It seems like the measurements were slightly too large to fit the portafilter in this case. In fact, because the portafilter was so overloaded, I even noticed that coffee grounds had transferred to the underside of the machine during the brewing process, which made a bit of a mess.

The KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine needs 37 seconds from powering on until it’s ready to brew and it uses up 0.009 kWh in this time. We used dedicated glass espresso cups during this test. However, due to the vibration produced during the brewing process, we did find that these had a tendency to shake out of place before the coffee flowed. We had to hold them still to catch the espresso — this is a major drawback because you can’t necessarily walk away from the machine as it brews, plus you need to keep your hand near hot, flowing espresso, which isn’t exactly safe. You would have to invest in bigger, heavier cups to rectify this.

Once brewing, one shot needed 31 seconds on average to pour, while two shots required 43 seconds, so not too long to wait. The immediate temperature of the single shot was 125°F, while the double was 136°F. This is a little cooler than we would like to see, but you can comfortably drink it right away. The machine produced 73dB of noise during brewing, so it wasn’t too noisy. In terms of flavor and consistency, the espresso was smooth and, although not as potent as bean to cup, it was still enjoyable, with a bitter finish combined with a creamy texture. The crema was full of flavor and the aroma was both strong and appetizing. In fact, the crema was so thick that it reformed after being cut with a spoon.

The machine didn’t get too hot to the touch as it brewed, reaching 89.5°F on top after pouring espresso, and 97°F after steaming milk. It required 0.013 kWh to brew one shot from switching on, and 0.016 to brew a double. The auto-off function, which kicked in after 16 minutes 27 seconds, means the espresso machine won’t use more energy than necessary.

I had a go at frothing milk with the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine as well. I frothed 200ml of semi-skimmed milk in the supplied milk pitcher, which needed 2 minutes 20 seconds on average. The temperature reached just over 180°F in this time, while the noise produced clocked 104dB, which sounds noisy, however this is fairly normal for steaming milk.

The steam wand is positioned at an awkward angle when you’re using a full pitcher of milk. It’s difficult to remove the pitcher when the milk is at a high level after frothing — to the point where you almost spill it. It’s actually quite a messy process on the whole, as the wand needs to heat the flowing water to the point that it steams before you can start, which takes about 20 seconds — so water fills the drip tray and leaks onto the kitchen counter before it’s ready to steam. However, the results were great — the milk was thick, with a velvety consistency and contained lots of bubbles.

I had a go at dispensing hot water as well. The steam wand dispenses a fine jet of hot water and takes its time, so it may not be suitable for tea lovers unless you're happy to wait. There are two volume options, 118ml and 177ml; the larger option needed 56 seconds to dispense. You will need to keep pressing the button if you're making a large cuppa because of this.

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review: Ease of use and cleaning

The controls on the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine couldn’t be more intuitive. There are literally four buttons for operation — one to choose the setting, one for shot size, one for the clean cycle and one for start/stop. The only settings that are rather more complicated are the programming functions, such as changing the espresso volume or the water hardness or temperature, but you only need to do this once. 

The water tank and its lid are easy to fit and remove — plus, it’s quick and painless to fill the tank from the sink. The drip tray simply slides out and back in as well. The steam wand rotates easily and the portafilter fits and locks without issue. It’s not easy to remove a full pitcher from the steam wand though, and emptying the drip tray can be fiddly and messy once it's full.

This espresso machine could also be easier to clean. Parts need to be hand washed and are not dishwasher safe, which is a shame, but there is a straightforward descaling program that’s useful. The exterior is straightforward to wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.

In terms of the manual, a one-page guide is provided to give you quantity suggestions for different beverages and the other side contains tips for using the machine. The manual itself is large and in many languages, but it is comprehensive with diagrams and tips to help. Step-by-step guidance is given as well as cleaning and troubleshooting advice.

KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine review: Verdict

On the whole, the KitchenAid Artisan Espresso Machine looks great and provides a decent performance, but the design is a little hit and miss. While it couldn’t get much more simple to operate, the fact that the espresso cups vibrate out of place is a big drawback. Plus, frothing milk with this machine is messy and takes time, so we wouldn’t recommend it if you drink cappuccinos daily.

Having said that, it’s a beautiful machine considering its price point and the design is pretty user-friendly otherwise. If you want an espresso machine which lets you take part in the brewing process and produces a delicious espresso, while adding some character to your countertop, this is the one to get. But, keep in mind you can get the winning Breville / Sage Bambino Plus machine for a similar price, which offers much more customization. 

If you're interested in KitchenAid appliances you might also like to read the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is my best kitchen purchase ever — here's why and 5 KitchenAid attachments to get the most out of your mixer and where to buy them.

Once you've switched to using a food processor, you'll never go back. Remember when you used to chop onions by hand? Remember when you grated cheese and carrots using a box grater? Those were dark times, but with the best food processor, you can leave that all behind.

Keeping one of these nifty multitaskers on your kitchen counter will unlock a new level of efficiency that will have you feeling like a chef in a professional kitchen. Food prep is quick and efficient, washing up is painless, and dinner is, crucially, on the table a lot faster.

Our top pick has been in this guide for a few years, but the Cuisinart 14 Cup has genuine icon status in the cooking world. You'll see it on celeb and chef countertops alike, despite a huge range of more modern and attractive options.

On a budget? The Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup will get the job done, and we loved its scraper attachment which will clear down the side of the bowl without manual intervention.

The best food processors you can buy today

Best food processor overall

The Cuisinart 14 Cup is the best food processor we tested. While many high-capacity machines are deafening, hands-on testing revealed the Cuisinart reached just 65.2 dB. This makes it significantly more pleasant for long tasks, like pureeing hummus, than its closest high-end rival, the Magimix 14 Cup, which registered a much louder 79.2 dBA.

In our tests, the 720-watt motor proved to be a workhorse. It sliced a whole russet potato in only two seconds and shredded a block of cheddar cheese in 10 seconds with zero excess food caught in the lid; a common issue we ran into when testing other models. It also outperformed other models during the difficult cookie dough test, creaming butter and sugar together more thoroughly than competitors and producing exceptionally light, soft results.

While it offers top-tier performance, its design is simple compared to more recent releases such as the Breville Paradice 9. The design focuses on simplicity and ease of use, featuring two large paddle controls for "On" and "Off/Pulse" that remain easy to toggle with slippery hands. While it lacks the multiple speed settings found on newer models or the built-in scrapers of the Hamilton Beach 10 Cup, its raw power and 14-cup capacity make it more efficient for large families and heavy prep.

Read our full Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom Food Processor review.

Best value food processor

For home cooks who want reliable performance without the premium price tag, the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup is an outstanding value option. While high-end icons like the Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom focus on heavy-duty power and quiet operation, this model provides practical innovations on a budget, including its built-in scraper to clear the bowl’s sides during use.

Our tests showed that the limited wattage on offer with the Hamilton Beach doesn't hold it back as much as you might expect. Its 450 watts chopped an onion in just three seconds and grated our block of cheddar cheese in five seconds, making it one of the fastest machines tested. It even handled sticky cookie dough with zero motor strain, though the machine’s lightweight 6.9-pound frame rocked slightly during the process.

You can't compete with more premium models like the Breville Paradice 9 at this price, but we did love the Hamilton Beach's manual bowl scraper, which saves prep time by reducing the need to stop and remove the lid. However, testing revealed a minor flaw: the scraper stops about an inch from the bottom, meaning you’ll still need a spatula for the very base of the bowl. Our tests also found that the Hamilton Beach is exceptionally loud, registering 93.9 dB. Nevertheless, for under $60, its speed and versatility make it a compelling bargain.

Read our full Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup Food Processor review.

Most versatile food processor

The Breville Paradice 9 (known as the Sage Paradice 9 in the U.K.) is the top pick for versatility, offering premium features typically found in much larger, more expensive machines. Its standout innovation is a space-saving storage system that houses all attachments, including a dicing kit, adjustable slicer, and dough blade, directly inside the main bowl.

We were impressed by the Paradice 9’s ability to handle tough tasks. It successfully blitzed rock-hard dried sourdough into fine breadcrumbs and chopped an entire head of cauliflower into consistent "rice" without turning it into mush. The 4.5-inch feed chute handled large quantities of cabbage for slaw in under a minute, and the dicing attachment — a rarity at this size — made quick work of potatoes and fruit, though it required more effort to clean than simpler blades.

The Paradice 9 is significantly more expensive than budget-friendly models like the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup, but it also provides much higher build quality and a far more expansive tool kit. This is the best choice for those who want a single machine to replace multiple kitchen gadgets like mandolines. Looking for something larger? Take a look at the Breville Paradice 16, its more expensive and larger counterpart.

Read our full Breville Paradice 9 review.

Best compact food processor

For small kitchens or anyone tired of hunting for a spare power outlet, the KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper is the ultimate space-saving solution. While full-sized models like the Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom are countertop fixtures, this 3.5-cup chopper is light, portable, and easily tucked into a drawer.

In our testing, this tiny machine proved remarkably speedy. It prepared a fresh salsa in under 10 seconds with just three pulses. Root vegetables were equally easy; it minced a carrot in seconds, though testing noted that the final chop wasn't perfectly uniform, leaving some larger chunks among the finer bits. While it excels at fast chopping, it struggled with smooth purees. Making hummus required dismantling the motor multiple times to add oil and scrape the sides, and even then, the result remained slightly chunky.

The "Top Down" design is minimalist and incredibly easy to operate via one giant power button on top. Its standout feature is the detachable battery, part of the KitchenAid Go range, which is compatible with other cordless tools like their hand mixer. However, it lacks the ingredient spout found on the corded version of the same product, making liquid-heavy recipes like pesto more tedious. At roughly $99 with a battery, it’s more expensive per cup than the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup. But for high-speed food prep without the mess of wires, its convenience is hard to beat.

Read the full KitchenAid Cordless Top Down Food Chopper review.

Most durable food processor

Magimix produced the first domestic food processor in 1971, and it brings that same innovation and quality to the Magimix Food Processor 14 Cup model, the sturdiest food processor we tested. Made in France and designed with professional-grade durability, it is backed by an industry-leading 30-year motor warranty, signaling its place as the most durable machine in the guide.

In hands-on testing, the 950-watt motor demonstrated immense power, handling a full batch of cookie dough with ease to produce a light and airy result. Speed tests showed it can slice a whole russet potato or carrot in just four seconds, and grated our block of cheese in 15 seconds with perfectly clean, consistent results.

A standout feature is the three-bowl system (6, 12, and 14 cups), which allows you to process different parts of a recipe without stopping to wash a single bowl. This innovation offers significantly more flexibility than the Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom, which only provides one bowl. However, at 17 pounds with a separate storage box for attachments, it may be too bulky for smaller kitchens. While its price is a premium over budget options like the Hamilton Beach 10 Cup, its versatility, quiet operation, and built-to-last construction justify the cost for serious cooks.

Read our full Magimix Food Processor 14 Cup review.

Best food processor for slicing

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor is the top choice for precision prep, earning its title as the "best for slicing" due to its externally adjustable ExactSlice system. This allows users to shift from thick to thin slices by simply sliding a lever, a level of customization not found even in our top pick.

This machine proved to be a time-saver for large-scale slicing. It processed a whole russet potato in just seven seconds with perfectly consistent results. While it excelled at firm vegetables, it did require some pre-cutting for carrots due to an auto-off safety feature that necessitates the chute depressor be fully inserted. It also handled onion chopping in a mere three seconds. However, its performance on sticky tasks like cookie dough and hummus was less impressive; because of the bowl’s large 13-cup capacity, ingredients often migrated to the edges, requiring frequent manual scraping to achieve a uniform blend.

KitchenAid has reimagined the traditional food processor design with a "Snap and Go" bowl and a hinged, locking lid. This eliminates the need to twist the bowl onto the base — a common frustration with models like the Magimix 14 Cup. At 9.7 pounds, it is significantly lighter than the 17-pound Magimix, making it easier to lift in and out of storage. However, its 17.44-inch height is a drawback, as it likely won't fit under standard overhanging kitchen cabinets. For smaller kitchens, the KitchenAid 3.5 Cup Chopper remains a better compact bet, but for those who prioritize effortless, customized slicing, the 13-cup model is unmatched.

Read our full KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review.

Also tested

We've tested lots of food processors over the years, but not all of them can be the very best.

However, after making hundreds of cups of hummus, coleslaw, and salsa, there are some processors that could be right for your kitchen.

We've tried a huge 40-pound processor and a tiny food chopper that could be a better fit than the products above, which are exceptional but might not be the right fit.

Here are some recently-tested processors that are still worth considering.

How we tested the best food processors

We put a range of food processors through a variety of demanding tests to evaluate their overall performance, design and quality. To start, we sliced whole potatoes and carrots to assess the performance on hard everyday vegetables, and then we grated a ⅓-pound block of cheese, to see how consistently each grated and how much waste was left behind. We also chopped onions and pureed hummus, to assess the power, and then we mixed a batch of cookie dough in each food processor, which was one of the hardest tests because of its thick, sticky texture.

During each test, we looked for consistency, both in terms of chopping and slicing, and we wanted a thorough blend on the hummus and cookie dough tests. We monitored how easily each machine handled the ingredients, as well as the speed with which they completed the tests. We also made note of any difficulties that we faced.

Next, we filled up each food processor with water and ran it to test for leakage. None of the models we tested had any leaks, which is good news. We also assessed the noise of each while in operation with a sound reader. Finally, we evaluated any additional elements, like how easily the machines can be cleaned and the effectiveness of any accessories that contribute to their performance or versatility.

We also tested some food processors that don't feature in our guide because their performance wasn't on par with the rest of the models we tested. This includes the Oster Total Prep 10 Cup Food Processor and the Black + Decker 8 Cup Food Processor, both of which scored 3 stars in testing.

Food processor results

What to look for when buying a food processor

What's the difference between a good food processor and a great one? A quality processor should be able to take on whole fruits and vegetables with ease, without much time expenditure in between items. It should be safe to use and easy to store. Before you pull the trigger on a purchase, here are some features to keep top of mind.

Budget: This is always a good place to start, but remember, it's a wide range. Expect to spend anywhere from $20 to $50 on the low end for simple chopping machines and $200 to $400 — and up — for professional-grade devices. You get what you pay for, and that's not always a bad thing.

Size and type: Food processors come in a variety of styles but can generally be categorized as mini, compact or full size. Miniprocessors (i.e., "choppers") are adequate for dicing up one or two small items at a time and are easy to clean, but their usefulness is limited. The larger the food processor, the more versatile its capabilities. Premium processors come with larger storage containers, too, making them better for family-size meals.

Power: Again, it's a wide range. From 200 watts on the low end to 1,200 watts for premium models, larger machines draw the most juice. If you're shopping for a full-size machine, 500 watts or more should be enough to power through most food-processing jobs without a fuss. Weaker motors don't do a good job at uniform chopping/mixing, and they run the risk of burning out when overloaded.

Controls: While pricier machines may include LCD displays; countdown timers; and dedicated buttons for slicing/shredding, pureeing/mixing and pulsing, budget models offer less customization. If your food-processing needs are modest, though, one or two speeds is all you need.

Blade performance: Sharp blades are important, because they affect how evenly food is chopped, and some of them are reversible, increasing their functionality. Quality blades and grating disks should be super-sharp right out of the box and remain sharp for years to come.

Attachments: This is where you really need to pay attention. Different brands and models come with myriad attachments and accessories, but you're unlikely to use all of them all the time. Pick a food processor with a set of accessories that fits your lifestyle. That being said, here are a few useful add-ons we like:

Warranty: The more you spend, the longer the warranty should be. Expect one year for less expensive models and upward of three years for premium machines.

The brand KitchenAid is practically synonymous with the best stand mixer, but does it deserve its notoriety? Well, I've tested leading mixers from brands like Cuisinart, Smeg, Ooni, and yes, KitchenAid, to find out. And spoiler alert: in my tests, I found that the best stand mixer for most people is, indeed, a KitchenAid Artisan.

I've even got a KitchenAid Artisan in my own kitchen. It's been in my family for decades, which should tell you how hard-wearing these appliances can be when you treat them well.

That's not to say that the KitchenAid is the best stand mixer for everyone, though. If you're on a budget, the often-compared Cuisinart Precision is a worthy contender, offering a lot of the same functions at about half the price. And if you're a keen bread baker, or budding pizzaiolo, the Ooni Spiral ousted the Ankarsrum mixer when it was released last year as the best stand mixer for kneading bread, which is a uniquely challenging task for less powerful mixers.

For all the results of my hands-on testing (and yes, plenty of photos of cake), keep on reading.

Best overall

The KitchenAid Artisan 5-quart stand mixer is a real workhorse, so it’s no wonder that it tops almost everyone’s list of best stand mixers. It’s fast, efficient at mixing and quiet in operation. What’s more, this is the mixer I have at home, and I use it every week without fail.

This KitchenAid Artisan features a tilt-head design, which is easy to release by moving the side lever. I find it makes changing attachments, which twist and click into place, super easy, and it gives me space to remove mixture off the side of the bowl, which is particularly useful when making cake batter.

Size-wise, 5 quarts is all that most domestic bakers will need. I’ve used it for over 10 years and have a family of four, and it’s seen me through plenty of birthdays and festivities when I tend to bake bigger batches. It also has 10-speed options, which give you lots of flexibility when mixing. I start on a low level and ramp it up once the mixture starts to blend, although for kneading dough, I keep it on a steady, slow speed.

Appliance in action

Kneading bread dough
The KitchenAid Artisan produced a soft bread dough after 10 minutes of kneading at speed 2 — the recommended speed for the task. The noise level measured 77 dB. All of the mixture was incorporated well without any intervention, and I had a chance to rest my arms.

Mixing cake batter
Starting with softened butter, I creamed sugar and butter together before incorporating the eggs. At this stage, I placed the pouring shield over the top of the bowl to prevent splashes. This was easy to attach and gave adequate space to add the remaining eggs before incorporating the flour. Most of the ingredients were incorporated apart from a small amount of flour at the top of the mixing bowl, which is what I’d expect.

Whisking heavy cream
The whisk proved super fast, and I found the heavy cream I was whisking reached a thick point much sooner than I had expected. While I was busy monitoring the noise level, which was 77 dB, the cream had reached a thick set within 1 minute 23 seconds. There's nothing slow about this appliance.

Read our full KitchenAid Artisan review

Best budget

If you’re looking for a stand mixer but don’t want to invest in a KitchenAid, or similar premium brand, this Cuisinart Precision Master Stand Mixer makes a good choice. When testing, I was impressed with the ease of using the speed dial on the side of the machine and lever at the back to lift the tilt head. This made removing the bowl and adding the attachments a breeze. And with 12 speeds, you can’t fault its flexibility.

Like the KitchenAid Artisan, the Precision comes with a handy splash guard. However, I found it significantly trickier to use than the KitchenAid due to the two-part design. It's also trickier to remove when you need to stir ingredients mid-use.

Larger than the KitchenAid Artisan, it has a large 5.5-quart mixing bowl and the 500-watt oomph to mix batter for five dozen cookies. However, its bread kneading was a little lacking due to the flimisier construction of the mixer. If you’re a heavy-duty bread baker, you might want to upgrade to the Ooni Halo Pro. For its capacity, however, it is a very affordable and handsome choice.

Appliance in action

Kneading bread dough
I made a 1.5 lb loaf and found that the flour and butter blended well, and within a short time, before I added some water. Once ready to knead, I set the stand mixer at the lower end of the recommended speed, on level 5, and ran the appliance for 10 minutes. When I increased the speed to 8, the machine began to shake.

Mixing cake batter
I started by mixing the butter and sugar, but had to intervene as the mixture stuck to the bottom of the bowl. I'd already attached the pouring shield, and this was tricky to detach. I then added the eggs, and could see the benefit of a flex-edge beater that would touch the edges of the bowl, incorporating more of the ingredients. However, this inconvenience didn't hinder the end result — a light sponge cake.

Whisking heavy cream
I whisked heavy cream, starting on speed 1, before increasing it to speed 8. I measured the noise level and it peaked at 75 dB, slightly less than when monitoring the KitchenAid Artisan. After 2 minutes it had reached the consistency I required, although it had taken over 30 seconds longer than the KitchenAid.

Read our full Cuisinart Precision Master stand mixer review

Best for bread

Ooni is best known for making some of the best pizza ovens, but here Ooni has concentrated on an appliance that actually makes the dough.

It’s certainly a solid appliance, weighing in at 32 pounds, although its looks aren’t quite what we’ve come to expect from the likes of KitchenAid, as it carries an industrial aesthetic. It’s a stand mixer that means business. And that’s quite fitting, because although the Ooni is hefty, we discovered it’s up to the task of shifting 11 pounds of dough.

The Ooni Halo Pro Spiral Mixer has a tilt-head design, the same as the two other stand mixers in my top recommendations. And it comes with premium-feeling attachments made of stainless steel, including a dough hook and breaker bar, a flexible beater, and a geared whisk. All of the attachments are easy to insert into place, and you can also cover the bowl with a splash guard that fits into the tilt head, although it’s a bit tricky to attach.

At almost $800, it’s not going to be every baker’s choice. So, unless you’re making volumes of bread and hosting pizza party after pizza party, you won’t need such a heavy-duty appliance. However, if you are still looking for a premium stand mixer but don’t quite need the dough-making capacity, you would be just as well served opting for the KitchenAid Artisan.

Appliance in action

Kneading bread dough
Millie started by making a standard white bread dough in the Halo and noticed how much steadier the stand mixer remained compared to the KitchenAid Artisan. Plus, after 10 minutes of mixing at 20% speed, she was impressed with the gluten development she was able to achieve with this appliance.

She found the spiral mixing technology, usually only found in professional kitchens, to be similar to the Ankarsrum mixer. But in professional kitchens, the breaker bar (a straight metal rod that extends into the mixing bowl, positioned close to the rotating dough hook) cannot be removed, unlike this version.

Unsurprisingly, the Ooni excelled when making pizza dough. Millie followed a recipe for New York-style pizza dough and made eight pizzas using 1kg/2lbs of flour. Once again, she was impressed with the gluten development. Not only that, but she was also intrigued to see how steamy the bowl shield appeared — a sure sign of how much yeast activity the mixer had stimulated. What’s more, her pizza party guests said the pizza dough had a good chew, great flavor, and the crusts puffed up perfectly.

Mixing cake batter
Millie was concerned that the batter for her small loaf cake would spread around the bowl, making the beater less effective. However, the flex edge beater removed the stuck-on ingredients and integrated everything into the mix. She was also impressed with the mixer’s speed, particularly when it was cranked up to 100%. However, she found the bake slightly dense, and thinks it would be better to use the Ooni for layered cakes with more batter for a fluffier result.

Whisking egg whites
Rather than testing out the usual whipped cream and beating egg whites for meringue, Millie went a step further and made butter from scratch. It would be an endurance task for most stand mixers, but she found the Halo didn’t even break into a sweat.

Read our full Ooni Halo Pro Spiral stand mixer review

Best looking

The new Smeg Forte delivers steady, consistent results for everything from cakes to bread dough, making it a trustworthy pick for a wide range of baking tasks. Not only is it a powerful pick, it also looks great in any kitchen thanks to its retro-style design.

With a flex-edge beater, dough hook, whisk, and splash guard included, the Smeg covers all the essential bases and reduces bowl scraping and mess. I was particularly excited about the flex-edge beater, which scrapes the bowl as it mixes. It's an attachment I feel should be included with every KitchenAid mixer, so this small but meaningful upgrade means less scraping and more consistent results for everyday tasks.

Comparable with the KitchenAid Artisan, the Smeg Forte's 5-quart bowl is large enough for double batches or bigger loaves, but still fits comfortably on most counters, striking a smart balance for home bakers.

It's expensive, and despite its increased power, I'd still pick my KitchenAid over the Forte for my day-to-day use, but the main trade-off is its heft: at over 20 pounds, it’s not something you’ll want to move on and off the counter often. Still, based on its capacity, reliability, and ease of use, the Smeg Forte is a dependable, all-purpose choice for home bakers.

Appliance in action

Kneading bread dough
A noisier option than most, the Smeg Forte hit 84dB during my kneading tests. The bread dough test tends to be where weaker or less sturdy mixers fall down, but the Smeg Forte stated put and didn't move around. It also sounded perfectly comfortable during operation, where others such as the Cuisinart, sounded more strained.

Mixing cake batter
Using the flat-edge beater to mix my cake batter, I was struck by how low-maintenance this mixer is to use. There's no need to go in and scrape unincorporated sugar or butter into my mix, and the mixer did a fantastic job of smoothly combining my ingredients at power level 2.

Whisking heavy cream
Despite its higher wattage, the Smeg Forte took longer than my KitchenAid Artisan to hit stiff peaks on my cream whisking test. After two and a half minutes, I had delicious and smooth cream ready to be sandwiched between my cake layers, but this took over a minute longer than the KitchenAid Artisan during my standard testing.

Read our full Smeg Forte stand mixer review

Also tested

What to look for

When looking for a stand mixer I recommend you consider the following before making a buying decision.

Capacity and weight: A larger mixer will be heavier and more difficult to move around, and may take up more countertop space. So, if space is limited or you want to store your stand mixer in a cupboard, opt for a lightweight model and one with a smaller capacity.

How much can it mix?: Bigger isn't necessarily better. If you only need a smaller capacity, there's no reason to buy a larger model — you’re just paying out for something you don’t need.

Tilt-head or bowl-lift? The majority of stand mixers are based on a tilt-head design where the head of the mixer is raised. Bowl-lift models look more heavy-duty and the bowl lifts and lowers using a lever mechanism.

The attachments: Most stand mixers will come with three attachments, including a flat beater, for beating and creaming; a wire whip for whipping egg whites and heavy cream; and a dough hook for mixing and kneading dough. Sometimes you’ll also get a flex-edge beater that has a silicon flexible edge that skims the side of the bowl when mixing. Another useful accessory is a pouring shield, which covers the bowl while it's in use.

Meet our testing team

How we test

We use many indicators when reviewing the best stand mixers to see whether an appliance can deliver on performance. It can be a challenge because, in the process, we eat our way through a lot of bread and cake! However, although we put the stand mixers through a range of mixing tests, we also consider other factors.

Size and weight

When testing each stand mixer, we look at its size and weight, considering whether it will fit under a wall-mounted kitchen cupboard and how easy it is to move around. For instance, if you want to store your stand mixer in a cupboard, will lifting and moving it onto your countertop be tricky? The capacity of the bowl is another aspect — how many cookies or loaves of bread can you make in one batch?

Design

We also consider the overall appearance of the stand mixer, as we realize that looks are important if your appliance is going to be a permanent fixture on your countertop. Plus, we consider the number of color options available, as some stand mixers are available in every color under the sun.

Ease of use

We also assess how intuitive an appliance is to use — can it be unpacked and used without reading the instructions, or do you need more insight before the first go? The positioning of the controls is also important, along with how easy they are to use. And although not many of us like to think about cleaning, this is another important element that we review. Are there any hard-to-reach parts, and which accessories are dishwasher safe?

The appliance in action

During testing, we rate things like power and how well each stand mixer performs at various tasks and speeds. This includes whisking, mixing batter, and kneading bread using the different attachments. During this process, we also looked at how user-friendly and practical the appliance was to use and monitored the noise level.

The dough hook

First, we attach the dough hook and blend the ingredients for a loaf of bread. We check how well the ingredients come together before setting the mixer to knead the dough for 10 minutes. During this time, we measure the noise level in decibels and monitor how much of the stand mixer is moving on the countertop. Once the 10 minutes are up, we check the consistency of the dough to see how smooth it appears and whether any ingredient remnants are left around the edge of the bowl.

The flat beater

We then progress to making a vanilla sponge using the flat beater. While the butter and sugar are creamed together, we note how well the ingredients are incorporated, how much remains on the edge of the bowl, and whether any intervention is needed. The remaining ingredients are added, and we monitor how well the cake batter comes together within a few minutes. If the stand mixer has a pouring shield, we also monitor how easy and effective it is to use. The proof is also in the pudding, and we consider the texture and taste of the final bake.

The whisk

Our final flourish is using the whisk, which we use to whip heavy cream. We time how long it takes for the mixture to hold its shape and form a consistently that could be used for piping. We also note which speed setting was used and whether the heavy cream splashed when being mixed.

How to choose

There are lots of aspects to consider before buying a stand mixer, especially if it's your first time and you don't have previous experience knowing what to look for. So, before buying a stand mixer in your favorite color — because I know there's lots of tempting colorways to choose from — take the time to consider what you want out of the appliance. Here, you'll find lots of advice to help you decide, whether you're a novice or not.

Capacity and weight
Before buying a stand mixer, consider where it’s going to be stored. If you're using it every day, it’s best kept on your countertop rather than in a cupboard. And, if you are going to be moving it about, check its weight, as some can be heavier than others. You could end up being the baker with the biggest biceps! It’s also worth checking the clearance height if you have a tilt-head stand mixer (more on these below), whereas a bowl-lift design won't need any additional headroom.

How much can it mix?
There's really no need to buy the biggest capacity stand mixer unless you're going to use it. I use the KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer, and it's plenty big enough for my needs. I can batch bake cupcakes, knead a good-sized loaf and whip up a flurry of cream, without feeling I need a larger appliance. However, if your baking prowess goes beyond a domestic level, you might do well buying the KitchenAid Artisan 7-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer. Although with extra capacity comes a higher price tag.

Tilt-head or bowl lift?
Stand mixers are split into tilt-head and bowl-lift designs. With a tilt-head stand mixer you tilt the head back so you can look into the bowl and add ingredients. This also allows you to remove the bowl and change the attachments when necessary. Out of the two, I'd say it is the easier stand mixer to use. On a bowl-lift model, you raise or lower the bowl using a crank — it can take a little while to get used to the technique, but soon becomes second nature. Tilt-lift models tend to be less expensive, so are a good choice if you are starting your baking journey, or needing it to store it away when not in use. However, bowl-lift mixers offer more power and larger capacities.

Breaking down the attachments

Stand mixers now come with a host of attachments and accessories for different purposes, so many that it can be a little intimidating to a new baker. Here’s a breakdown of what the main tools do so you know which to use:

Flat beater: This attachment should come with every stand mixer. It’s used for everyday beating and mixing — great for creaming butter and sugar together for cakes as well as batters and frosting. Out of all the attachments I have, I use this the most. Some flat beaters also come with a rubber or silicone edge so they can better scrape the ingredients from the edges of the bowl. They are often called flex-edge beaters, and are worth their weight in gold. If your stand mixer doesn't come with a flex-edge beater, but there's an option to buy one, I'd definitely go for it.

Wire whip: Used for whisking, this attachment whips air into ingredients. It’s commonly used to make whipped cream or meringue and creates light and fluffy textures. Sometimes it's called a balloon whisk.

Dough hook: As the name suggests, this attachment helps mix and knead doughs, so it’s what you need to use if you plan to bake fresh bread or pizza. Dough hooks can appear in a ‘C’ shape or can also look like a spiral.

Splash guard or pouring shield: Other useful tools include a splash guard or pouring shield. These sit on top of the bowl while the mixer is running and prevent ingredients from splashing out. During our testing, some were more tricky to use than others, so it's worth checking advice and reviews before you make a purchase. I like the pouring shield on the KitchenAid Artisan as it comes in one piece and is easy to remove and replace. It's much easier than using a teacloth, which I remember my mom using to prevent flour and powdered sugar taking over the kitchen.

Extra bowls: Some brands also sell glass bowls in addition to stainless steel. With a glass bowl, you can better see the ingredients being mixed, but they are naturally more fragile.

When it comes to the best stand mixers, one of the first names to jump to the front of our brains is KitchenAid. After all, this brand’s iconic design has been around for over 100 years, and in that time it has built up a solid reputation for its performance and has expanded its range to include all manner of capacities and functionality. However, one thing that this brand is renowned for — and the thing which attracts most of us to these machines, is the range of ever-expanding colors.

While the staple Empire Red color will always represent KitchenAid, more colors and options are introduced every year to promote more personality and individuality. And that’s in addition to what’s already on offer. In fact, the Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is available in a total of 26 options, with colors ranging from Scorched Orange all the way to Majestic Yellow. 

And while you might think what more can be offered, the latest colorway to grace the range really is something which will stop you in your tracks.

Blossom is the latest color for KitchenAid stand mixers 

The latest color has just been unveiled, and it’s called Blossom. The body of KitchenAid's Design Series Blossom Stand Mixer features a light pastel thyme green color, with a matching trim which is toned just a shade lighter for a slight contrast. It comes with a hammered, copper bowl with a stainless interior, which gives it a vintage appeal. The bowl features riveted ‘pot-style’ handles near the rim, rather than on the side as it is for the traditional mixers — this would make it more ideal for lugging heavy doughs.  

In line with its name, Blossom is inspired by the herbs and edible flowers which bakers use around the kitchen. In fact, on closer inspection, you will find small botanical prints on the trim as well as a unique petalled rim around the hub cover — these are nice touches which indeed give this stand mixer its own character. 

The copper bowl will eventually develop a patina with everyday use, which is in its nature. But, if this isn’t to your taste, it can be hand-washed and buffed with a microfiber cloth to keep it looking pristine. Bear in mind that copper is one of the things you should never put in the dishwasher, so it will take more effort to upkeep compared to the traditional KitchenAid stand mixer stainless steel bowl. 

The intense contrast between the matted body and the glossy bowl on the Design Series Blossom Stand Mixer will be sure to catch attention on any kitchen countertop. Plus, its vintage aesthetic combined with soft tones can only be admired — it shouts quality and has an autumnal feel to its design with its green and bronze hues.

The KitchenAid Design Series Blossom Stand Mixer features a 5 quart/4.8L capacity with a tilt-head design and has 10 speeds on offer. Accessories include a flat beater, pastry beater, dough hook and wire whisk.

It’s currently available at KitchenAid.com for $699.99 and at Williams Sonoma stores. It’s also available to purchase in the UK from KitchenAid.co.uk for £599.   

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor is impressively easy to use. With features like a twist-free bowl and accessory storage caddy, this large-capacity machine saves you time, as well as storage space. While it is a higher-cost machine, it is versatile and capable of easily handling larger food preparation tasks, so it will be an excellent addition to many kitchens. 

Its large capacity doesn’t make it ideal for smaller jobs, as you will see in our KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review. However, it’s overall design and performance easily ranks it amongst our best food processors. 

KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor is available from Bed Bath & Beyond and Crate & Barrel for $199. It’s backed by a one-year limited warranty and is available in silver, white, onyx black, red and matte black. Take a look at our KitchenAid promo codes for ways to lower the cost.  

KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review: Design

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor is a larger machine that takes up significant counter space. Measuring 8.7 x 8.75 x 17.44 inches, its tall design wont fit underneath most overhanging cupboards, so you should consider its placement before you buy. It weighs 9.7 pounds, so it’s easy to move if you want to store it when not in use. In comparison to other models, like the Magimix Food Processor 14 Cup, which weighs 17 pounds, this 9.7-pound weight is light and makes the machine easier to pick up and move. 

This food processor comes with a multi-purpose blade, adjustable slicing disc, reversible shredding disc, and dough blade. Those accessories all fit neatly and compactly into the included storage caddy, and that caddy sits within the bowl for a space-saving storage solution.

One key design element is the hinged removable locking lid. Rather than having to twist the lid on and off of the bowl, as you do with a traditional food processor, the lid simply locks on and flips open when unlocked, for added convenience. This design keeps the lid and bowl together as one part, but you can remove the lid for cleaning. It’s paired with the Snap and Go bowl that you simply place down onto the base; there’s no twisting required. 

This machine features three large buttons that are easy to use. They have a nice, secure feel to them, and even if your hands are greasy or wet, they’re large enough to still be easy to operate. The buttons feature pulse, low, high, and off controls, so you’re able to change the machine’s intensity without dealing with complicated settings. 

The food processor has a sleek overall appearance. It features a modern style with some unique design elements, like the lid, and if you do leave it on display, it will look right at home in a modern kitchen.This model is also available in four color options, so it’s easy to color coordinate with your existing kitchen appliances. 

KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review: Performance

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor features a 500-watt motor, so it never felt short on power during our tests. It reached 82.3 dBA, making it a quieter model and pleasant to use. The quietest model we tested, the Cuisinart 14 Cup Custom Food Processor, reached just 65.2 dBA, while the loudest model, the Hamilton Beach Bowl Scraper 10 Cup, reached 93.9 dBA. 

The food processor’s performance varied from test to test. It easily chopped an onion in three seconds. The chop was consistent, and the resulting pieces were small. 

When it came to slicing, we had to pre-cut the carrot and the russet potato. The food processor has an auto-off feature that prevents the machine from operating unless the chute depressor is inserted. We had to cut a carrot to allow for that feature, and had to pre-cut the potato to get it to fit into the chute. The chute does have a three-chamber design that’s convenient, but this auto-off feature means you may have to pre-cut ingredients.

Slicing the carrot resulted in some inconsistencies. Some pieces were trapped on top of the disc, while some were cut sideways after bouncing on the disc, so slicing thickness and size varied. 

The russet potato was much better, slicing in seven seconds and resulting in consistent pieces. The machine sliced quickly and didn’t seem to struggle with the potato or carrot.

When grating cheese, we got a consistent grate but ran into an issue. While the ⅓-pound block of cheese easily fitted into the chute, some of the cheese built-up in the lid and chute during the grating process. 

We let the food processor run for 20 seconds to clear the backlog and complete the test, which was significantly longer than what other machines required. The grated cheese was consistent, but we had to work to remove the excess cheese from the lid and chute when we cleaned up.

The machine’s large capacity proved to be a problem when pureeing hummus. The bowl is so large that the hummus repeatedly spread out thinly within the bowl, making it difficult for the blade to thoroughly puree the mixture. As a result, we never got a truly smooth consistency.

The same issue occurred with the cookie dough. The machine repeatedly pushed the ingredients to the edges of the bowl, which made for inconsistent blending. 

The machine ultimately did blend the bowl, but we had to spend lots of time scraping the bowl edges. Larger batches of dough might yield better results.

KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review: Ease of use and cleaning

This food processor was very easy to use. The fact that the lid locks onto the bowl without any need to screw it on or off saves valuable time, especially when preparing recipes like cookie dough where you need to repeatedly open and close the lid. The ability to drop the bowl down onto the base and not worry about rotating it to lock it also saves time and makes the machine user-friendly. 

The adjustable slicing disc further contributed to the machine’s ease of use. Adjusting the disc is as simple as turning the plastic setting on the underside, which you can do in seconds. It’s simple and user-friendly. 

The attachments are easy to use, as well. The blades fit over and lock onto the shaft with ease, and the slicing and grating discs fit easily onto the removable spindle. The included storage caddy keeps all of the accessories well-organized and compact, and that easily fits within the bowl, so the accessories stay clean. 

Cleaning the machine was easy. You can detach the lid from the bowl and clean it as a separate part. The accessories are also easy to handle and clean, and the base is easy to wipe down. The parts and attachments are dishwasher safe, and a cord wrap helps to keep the base neat and tidy.

KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor review: Verdict

The KitchenAid 13 Cup Food Processor has some innovative features that make it easy to use. The lid lock feature is particularly helpful if you often need to open the lid to add ingredients. The adjustable slicing blade also lets you customize the machine’s slicing performance for precise results. 

While we did experience some performance issues in our tests, most of those related to the large capacity of the bowl. Although we wouldn’t recommend this food processor for smaller recipes like hummus, it’s a good option for larger food preparation jobs. 

This is a larger, taller machine than most, so it’s best for large kitchens with plenty of storage, especially keeping in mind that it won’t fit under most cupboards. At the same time, the ability to store the accessories inside the bowl when not in use saves space and is a helpful feature. This machine’s capacity is very similar to the 14-cup capacity of our top pick, the Magimix Food Processor 14 Cup, but the Magimix includes multiple bowl sizes, making it more suitable for smaller food preparation tasks than the KitchenAid is. The KitchenAid model is easy to use and significantly lighter than the Magimix’s 17-pound weight, so it remains a solid choice for anyone looking for a larger capacity machine that’s easy to pick up and store. 

If you’re looking for a food processor for plenty of large capacity tasks, this might be the model for you. If you’re looking for a smaller, more compact machine, consider the Cuisinart Elemental 8 Cup Food Processor, which features a quiet operation, a design that’s easy and intuitive to use, and which handled both large and small tasks well, like mixing cookie dough and pureeing hummus. 

KitchenAid is renowned for its striking color range across some of the best stand mixers. The iconic Artisan stand mixer is available in all sorts of tones, from the famous Empire Red to the more quirky Matcha and Majestic Yellow — with 27 options in total at the moment. Whatever theme your kitchen has, there’s essentially a KitchenAid color to match. And while these appliances can more than handle their own when it comes to baking, each color is a work of art to display in its own right.  

While you might think 27 color options is pretty expansive, KitchenAid is actually adding one more tone to the range — and it’s a real jaw-dropper. If you’ve been on the fence about buying one of these stand mixers, this announcement may tip you over the edge, and it’s available to buy now. 

Not sure if a stand mixer is right for you? Check out our guide on hand mixer vs stand mixer if you're stuck between the two. 

Beetroot is KitchenAid’s new Color of the Year 2022 

Beetroot is the latest colorway to grace these iconic appliances. This vibrant tone is designed to catch your eye rather than blend in, and it certainly does that. This magenta take reminds us to break routine and have a new outlook on life. It will certainly inject some personality into your kitchen, and encourage creativity in the home. 

While intense, the beetroot color almost has a sleek and seductive accent to it. It would best suit kitchens with yellow, orange or green tones. But, the beauty of this colorway is its individuality, so don’t be afraid to go out on a limb and let it "pop" on your counter.   

If you’ve fallen in love with this Beetroot colorway, it’s now available on the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ($499.99, KitchenAid) as well as the K400 Blender ($299.99, KitchenAid). Take a look at our KitchenAid promo codes to see if you can get a lower price. 

Plus, to celebrate this announcement, KitchenAid is partnering with Stan’s Donuts to bake a limited beetroot-colored donut, which you will find at Stan’s locations across Chicago as well as nationally on Goldbelly. 

If Beetroot isn’t to your taste, be sure to check out the other colorways KitchenAid has to offer. These appliances not only look good, they deliver in performance too, with some of the best blenders and best food processors as part of the range.   

The KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle is the exception to style over substance. It has a beautiful design — it features a built in temperature gauge, a painted aluminium finish which comes in a variety of colors, and it feels like premium quality too. Just as important, it performed well when put to the test, with the exterior staying relatively cool when boiling water and producing minimal noise in the process. 

Being a premium design, it is quite heavy to lift however, even when empty, and be prepared for it to take up some countertop space. If you can look past that, there’s little which can put you off what’s one of the best kettles, as you will find out in our KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review. 

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KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l is available from Amazon for $199 and KitchenAid for $199.99. It is available in red, white and black. It is also available in the UK from Amazon from £139 and KitchenAid for £149. The color range in the UK includes red, cream, green, pistachio, blue, black, apple and silver.

KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review: Design

The KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l has a traditional pyramid-shaped design with a built-in temperature gauge. The kettle’s exterior consists of painted aluminium and the handle is cushioned on the underside for added comfort. There’s a single button on the handle which triggers the flip-top lid and a useful rubber pad on the lid itself, should you want to close it while it’s still hot. 

The base is quite hefty because of the variable temperature options. Here, you will find a dial which can be moved across a secondary gauge to select the temperature, as well as the start/stop button. It’s quite a large design overall, measuring 8.6 x 10.4 x 8.3 inches and weighs a hefty 2.8 pounds when empty.

The water gauge can be found under the handle, with a minimum capacity of 250ml and a maximum of 1.5l. A small, removable limescale filter can be accessed from within the lid. The temperature options range from 50-100°C or 122-212°F — the gauge on the base illuminates as you set it, and then fills with light as the temperature increases. This kettle also makes an audible noise when it starts and finishes boiling. However, there’s no keep warm setting, which we felt was a shame for such a premium design. The cord length is generous, at 32.3 inches, making this a great option if your outlets are few and far between.

KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review: Performance

The KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l needed two minutes and 14 seconds to boil a liter of water. This was about average compared to the other kettles we tested. Where it really shone was the external casing temperature after boiling, which only reached 45.4°C or 114°F — the coolest of all the kettles we tested, which means you’re less likely to scald yourself accidentally. It produced minimal noise in the process too, reaching just 73.3dB at its loudest point. The only area it really fell down on this test was electricity consumption, as it needed 0.1165 kWh to boil one liter — this placed it third for the most energy used. 

It didn’t leak or spit when boiling to full capacity, and remained stable, taking three minutes and 12 seconds to boil the full 1.5 liters. The external temperature was a little hotter at full capacity, reaching 50.8°C/123°F on the body, but this was still much cooler than the other kettles we tested, and the handle remained at room temperature throughout. Despite lacking a keep warm setting, this kettle scored well for general insulation, with boiled water still measuring 72.8°C or 163°F after an hour. It’s very easy and accurate to pour the water through the spout, though it can dribble back onto itself a little if you recede slowly.

The flip-top lid feels as though it doesn’t open as far as it could, and we needed to push it back a little to reach the filter inside.

KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review: Ease of use and manual

We found that the removable limescale filter in the KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l wasn’t as easy to remove and refit as some others. This was mainly due to the lid getting in the way, as mentioned earlier, though this is a small problem. The lid release button is easy to access on the top of the handle and it’s very responsive. It’s easy and safe to close the lid too, thanks to the small rubber pad on top.

The spout is a good shape — we were able to fill the kettle through the spout on full flow from the tap with no splash back. The lid also doesn’t get in the way of the tap when filling it up the traditional way. The water gauge is easy to read as you fill it, with clearly marked increments. It’s easy to keep this kettle clean too, because the painted aluminum casing and brushed stainless steel lid and handle don’t show fingerprints. However, the gauge on the base has the potential to trap dirt. 

In terms of the manual content, this kettle scored highly. It contains adequate safety advice, clear diagrams, as well as guidance on what temperatures to use for different types of tea. There are dedicated sections to cleaning and descaling as well. Contact details are provided although there’s no troubleshooting.

KitchenAid Variable Temperature Kettle 1.5l review: Verdict

Ultimately, this is the kettle to get if you’ve got a traditional kitchen and want something which is in keeping as well as effective. True, it’s not as fast to boil as our winning kettle, the Bosch Sky Kettle, but it has a cooler exterior and will make less noise in the mornings. At more than three times the cost of our best value kettle, the Breville Curve Kettle, you will be paying a premium price, but you will get a premium product in return. It’s a little heavy and bulky, but it’s a beautiful design which is bound to draw the eye. It delivered in almost every respect, and would suit those who care about appearance as much as the performance.  

If you don’t have much room to spare, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer saves space by serving as a toaster, air fryer, and countertop oven in one. If you’re also one of those people who’s fanatical about evenly browned toast, it delivers the goods. While this KitchenAid’s not small, it’s not as large as other air fryer toaster ovens on the market, yet it's big enough to roast two chickens or bake a large lasagna.

It’s the quietest air fryer we had on test, although it’s also one of the hottest to the touch. If you read our KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review, you will see where it struggled and where it excelled.

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KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review: Price and availability

The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer is available at Amazon for $219.99, Best Buy for $199 and at Target for $199.99. It’s available in matt black.

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review: Design

With its matte black housing and towel bar handle, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer looks like it was made to function, not dress up your countertop.

The controls, which consist of a small digital display and dial, are located below the door, which allows for a large capacity in a small footprint. With the oven you get a 13 x 9-inch baking pan to bake cookies or roast a couple of chickens. It’s not as big as other air fryer ovens, but it will still take up some space as it measures 17 x 18 x 11.5 inches. As it weighs just over 30 pounds, you will want to keep this appliance on display, rather than move it around. 

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review: Cooking performance

Looking at its performance on test, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer scored adequately for frying Brussels sprouts, frozen French fries and breaded chicken. However, It stood out for the scratch French fries it produced. It achieved near perfect marks for these as the results were evenly browed, crisped, tender and moist. The only area it fell down in was chicken wings, which while tender and moist, just weren’t well browned or crisped. In our bake tests, it did not perform exceptionally well. Cookies and cake didn’t brown perfectly evenly and the crust on a frozen pizza wasn’t very crispy.  

When you choose a setting, the KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer automatically goes into a preheat mode. You do have the option of deactivating it if you're in a hurry or want to add more time at the end of a cooking period.

When you want to air fry in this oven, you spread your food out in the provided shallow basket; KitchenAid suggests you cook only one layer of food at a time, which is about 1 pound. This appliance did a good job at crisping Brussels sprouts, breaded chicken cutlets, and frozen French fries. It faltered at air frying chicken wings which came out only lightly browned and crisped.

However, of all the air fryers we tested, the KitchenAid was the best at making French fries from Idaho potatoes that we had cut ourselves. In fact, no one would have believed they hadn’t been cooked in a vat of oil. These were cooked in 25 minutes, which is substantial, but for the best results, worth the wait.

Using the convection roast setting, we also roasted a whole chicken. Although it came out moist and tender, it cooked unevenly — browning on top but barely at all on the sides and bottom. If you like the crisp skin on roasted chicken, you’d be disappointed.

We cooked four 4-ounce hamburgers in the KitchenAid on both the Broil and Convection Broil settings. After a preheat that was longer than 5 minutes, they cooked in 12 and 15 minutes respectively. They browned evenly and came out juicy, but as from all air fryers, they looked like broiled, not grilled or pan-fried burgers; there were no dark brown bits on the exterior.

When we baked a 9-inch yellow cake it came out with a moist and tender crumb, but we were disappointed in the top coloring. It was unevenly browned and very dark in places. Cookies spread out quite a bit, but were nicely browned and moist in texture. A 12-inch frozen pizza didn’t cook evenly and the bottom crust was soggy in the middle. 

On the medium toast setting, the KitchenAid made toast that was evenly golden brown. While it took longer than a pop-up toaster, it was faster than the other air fryer toaster ovens we tested, toasting to medium in about 4 minutes. You can toast 9 slices of toast at once but they won’t come out as evenly browned as two slices.

It took 45 minutes for four cups of cold macaroni and cheese to heat to a serving temperature on the Reheat setting, but the oven was able to keep the food nice and hot for a full hour without drying it out on the Keep Warm setting. Sliced strawberries dried to a leathery consistency when heated on the Dehydrate mode. 

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review: Ease of use and cleaning

There are two small dials on the control panel; one to select the cooking function and the other to select the cooking time which is displayed on a small LCD screen. In addition there are three small buttons to turn the convection fan on, start the program and cancel cooking. Operation is very straightforward with this in mind. This model comes with an oven rack, air fryer basket, enamel baking pan, broiling rack and a crumb tray. During cooking, an internal light switches on in the oven, making it easy to check on your food without opening the door.   

As it cooks, the unit becomes excessively hot in places with the left-top side reaching as high at 175°F and the door 278°F. The handle and dials do stay cool enough to touch, but the door’s hot enough that you couldn’t leave small children unsupervised around it. The KitchenAid has a dBA reading of 54.4 when it’s operating, which is the quietest we saw on test.

None of the parts are coated with a nonstick finish and while the manufacturer says the accessories are dishwasher safe, it recommends hand washing — so cleaning can be fiddly. The enamel surface on the baking pan makes it fairly easy to clean, but the air fryer basket can take a bit of work to return to a pristine condition. As the walls of the oven cavity have a nonstick finish, they can be wiped clean of splatters.

With this product, you get a user manual that thoroughly explains how to use it, but it contains minimal cooking charts and no recipes.

KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer review: Verdict

The KitchenAid Digital Countertop Oven With Air Fryer is a great air fryer that can do a lot more. As the controls sit below the oven, the cavity is large enough to hold a 13” by 9” baking dish, yet doesn’t take up excessive countertop space. 

While its roasting and baking performance was disappointing, it did a beautiful job of toasting bread evenly and toasted more quickly than other toaster ovens. It was a good all-round performer for air-frying as well, with the exception of chicken wings. We think it would be a great choice for people who want to air fry scratch fries and toast bread regularly. However, the door grows excessively hot in use, so it’s not one to have around small, unsupervised children.

Compared to the Cuisinart Air Fryer Toaster Oven, a similar model which we’ve also tested, the KitchenAid scored more highly for frying French fries, both frozen and fresh. However, the Cuisinart produced better chicken and achieved a higher mark for ease of use as well, mainly due to KitchenAid lacking detail in the manual.