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KitchenAid

KitchenAid 9-Speed Digital Hand Mixer with Turbo Beater II: the downsides first

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#4 of 8
$$$CordedScore 3.5/5
5%
of Amazon ratings are 1–2 stars
(checked 2026-10-11)About 8,800 ratings; the listing may pool colors.

A light, quiet KitchenAid with nine speeds and extra attachments, often on sale. Testers found its controls confusing and its handling less precise than the 7-Speed.

Top complaints

  • Confusing controls

    ATK says its switch plus multiple buttons were hard to master, and testers accidentally turned it off mid-mix almost every time.

    Source: America's Test Kitchen
  • Harder to control; flings ingredients

    Wirecutter says it worked no better than the 7-Speed, was harder to control and flung ingredients out of the bowl more than the Cuisinart.

    Source: Wirecutter
  • Middling on chunky dough; power doubts

    Serious Eats says it was mid-pack for speed and bucked on large chocolate chunks. Amazon's summary says some owners are disappointed by the power and split on value.

    Source: Serious Eats, Amazon.com product page (Customers say)

What owners love

Good for
  • Wanting dough hooks and a whisk from KitchenAid
  • Quiet mixing
  • Buying on sale

Scores (tap for why)

  • Power with stiff dough3.5
    Why 3.5?Creamed efficiently (ATK) and matched the 7-Speed (Wirecutter), but bucked on chocolate chunks (Serious Eats); Amazon power feedback is mixed.
    Source: America's Test Kitchen, Wirecutter, Serious Eats, Amazon.com product page
  • Speed range & slow start3.0
    Why 3.0?Nine speeds with a wide range (ATK), but confusing controls (ATK) and ingredient flinging (Wirecutter).
    Source: America's Test Kitchen, Wirecutter
  • Weight & comfort4.0
    Why 4.0?About 2 lb and light in the hand (Serious Eats, ATK); very quiet.
    Source: Serious Eats, America's Test Kitchen
  • Beaters & storage4.0
    Why 4.0?Beaters, dough hooks, whisk and blending rod, stored in a cloth bag rather than a case (Serious Eats).
    Source: Serious Eats
  • Durability3.0
    Why 3.0?1-year warranty (Serious Eats); no specific durability problems were reported in the sources read.
    Source: Serious Eats

What experts say

  • Serious Eats: A longtime favorite that is often on sale: great on whipped cream, decent on cookie dough.
  • America's Test Kitchen: Recommended with reservations: wide speed range and light, but confusing controls.
  • Wirecutter: Not a pick: works about as well as the 7-Speed but is harder to control and costs more.
Check price on AmazonWe don't list prices — they change daily. Paid link.

If that catch is a deal-breaker

Highly ranked hand mixers whose biggest complaint is something else.

#1 in hand mixersBreville Handy Mix Scraper Hand Mixer

The most powerful and best-equipped hand mixer in three expert tests, with a bowl light, timer and storage case. Its silicone-coated beaters have a longevity problem, which is why Wirecutter dropped it as a pick.

Its catch: silicone beater coating cracks#2 in hand mixersKitchenAid 7-Speed Hand Mixer

Wirecutter's top pick: the only mixer in its test to handle chunky cookie dough without strain, and quieter than the rest, with a soft start. It comes without dough hooks or a case, and some owners find it underpowered.

Its catch: no dough hooks or storage case#3 in hand mixersCuisinart Power Advantage Plus 9-Speed Hand Mixer

A long-time favorite with every attachment, a storage case and a 3-year warranty, rated a best buy by ATK. It is loud, and testers disagree on whether its lowest speed is gentle enough.

Its catch: loud

Head-to-head

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