(checked 2026-10-10)
A compact, well-liked KitchenAid that mixes batters and cream very well. It lacks the torque and bowl space for regular bread making or double batches.
Top complaints
- Struggles with bread dough
ATK says it lacked torque for sticky pizza dough. Serious Eats says it was louder when making bread and doesn't recommend it for extensive bread-making. A Walmart 1-star reviewer returned it because it didn't work for bread.
- Small bowl, rocks at speed
Wirecutter found the bowl too small for standard recipes, and the footprint only a few square inches smaller than the Artisan. ATK says it couldn't fit double batches. Food Network says the smaller base made it rock with brioche at the highest speed.
- Dough hook fit, coating and noises
Amazon's summary mentions a dough hook not attaching securely and metal coating coming off. Walmart low-star reviews describe clicking and whirring noises and failures after about a year.
What owners love
- Excellent on everyday tasks
Food Network says it excelled in all tests, including whipping and thick, sticky dough, and its flex-edge paddle cut down on scraping. Serious Eats says it easily mixed cake batter.
- Lighter and easier to store
At about 18 lb it is much easier to lift and move than other stand mixers (Serious Eats), and Amazon owners call it perfect for small kitchens.
- Handled bowl, simple controls
Serious Eats liked the large bowl handle and easily adjustable controls.
Source: Serious Eats (best stand mixers)
- You bake bread regularly
- You double recipes
- You want the smallest footprint for the money (it's only slightly smaller than the Artisan)
- Small kitchens and apartments
- Standard-size cakes and cookies
- Moving the mixer in and out of storage
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Serious Eats: Best small stand mixer: mighty for most baking, but louder and strained when making bread.
- Food Network: Best compact pick that excelled in every test; it's less sturdy and rocked a bit at top speed.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Dismissed: the bowl was too small for standard recipes and the footprint barely smaller than the Artisan.