After testing more than ten stand mixers, a professional baker has identified the KitchenAid Artisan Plus Tilt-Head Stand Mixer as the top choice for home baking. The mixer, retailing at £699, introduces significant upgrades over previous models, including an integrated bowl light and a Precision Speed Control system.
Key Upgrades Enhance Baking Precision
The Artisan Plus features a built-in LED bowl light that illuminates the mixture from within, allowing bakers to monitor texture and consistency without stopping the machine. According to Sophie Harris, a senior audience writer who conducted the tests, this is a game-changing improvement. “When the mixer is in use, the bowl is illuminated from within, allowing you to clearly see the texture and consistency of your mixture as it changes,” she wrote. She found this especially helpful for whipping cream to avoid overwhipping and for making meringue.
Another major upgrade is the Precision Speed Control system, which offers smoother transitions between 11 speed settings. The system includes a half-fold speed designed for delicate ingredients like whipped egg whites, helping to maintain structure. Harris noted that this feature reduced flour clouds, splattering, and overmixing during her tests.
Durable Design and Included Accessories
The mixer comes with a dough hook, whisk, flat beater, and a silicone-edged flex beater, all dishwasher-safe. The beaters reach the edges and bottom of the bowl more effectively than older models, reducing the need to scrape down sides. Harris baked several cakes, including a celebration cake, whipped cream for Eton mess, and kneaded dough successfully.
The Artisan Plus carries a five-year warranty, a 15-year repairability guarantee, and long-term spare parts availability. However, it is heavy and requires permanent counter space, which may be a drawback for smaller kitchens.
Price and Alternatives
At £699, the Artisan Plus sits in the premium price bracket. For comparison, the Kenwood Go stand mixer retails around £250, and Smeg’s classic cream stand mixer is £449.95. Budget options from Lidl, Aldi, and Dunelm (starting at £60) also receive positive reviews. One reviewer noted that the Dunelm mixer is “excellent value for money and very easy to use.”
Despite the cost, Harris concluded that for professional bakers seeking durability and longevity, the KitchenAid Artisan Plus is the top stand mixer on the market.
