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KitchenAid's newest tilt-head adds a half speed, a bowl light and stainless attachments and runs quietly, but it has the same mixing power as the Artisan, and two testers saw it struggle with dense or wet dough.
Common KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5 Qt problems
- Struggles with dense or wet dough
Serious Eats says whole wheat dough climbed the C-shaped hook. ATK says it nearly walked off the counter during strenuous kneading and overheated and shut down twice on high-hydration pizza dough.
- Costs more for the same power
Wirecutter says it costs around $150 more than the Artisan with the same mixing power, and about $100 more than the 5.5 qt bowl-lift, which has more power and capacity.
Source: Wirecutter - Bowl can stick
ATK says the bowl can get stuck after heavy mixing.
Source: America's Test Kitchen
What owners like
- Quiet, with a half-speed start
Serious Eats says it was quieter than other KitchenAids, even at high speed, and the half-speed start keeps dry ingredients in the bowl. Wirecutter likes the added speed steps.
- Bowl light and better splash guard
The light removes shadows (Serious Eats), and Wirecutter prefers the new clip-on splash guard; Serious Eats notes its ingredient chute.
- Upgraded attachments
Uncoated stainless steel attachments (Wirecutter, ATK), a double flex-edge beater that excels with wet batters, and all attachments top-rack dishwasher-safe (Serious Eats).
- You mostly knead bread
- You want the best value KitchenAid (the Artisan is cheaper)
- You want to buy through Amazon
- Enthusiast cake and cookie bakers
- Gentle starts without flour clouds
- Low-vision bakers (bowl light)
Scores (tap for why)
What experts say
- Serious Eats: The newest KitchenAid pick: quiet and well-featured with a bowl light and half speed, but it struggled with whole wheat dough.
- Wirecutter (NYT): Worth considering for the bowl light and nicer attachments, but the regular Artisan is the better value with the same power.
- America's Test Kitchen: Recommended: liked the stainless tools and dual-edge paddle; it nearly walked off the counter and overheated twice on wet pizza dough.