ConsFirst / Stand mixers / Compare
KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer vs Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we report. Learn more
The short answer
KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer ranks higher (#2 vs #4 of 8) and scores better on mixing performance, ease of use. Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer wins on heavy dough, durability.
The biggest complaint about the KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is tall, heavy and hard to move; for the Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer it's steep learning curve. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer | Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in stand mixers | #2 | #4 |
| Price tier | $$ | $$$ |
| Type | Bowl-lift | Other |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 6% | — |
| Overall score | 3.8 | 3.9 |
| Mixing performance | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Heavy dough | 4.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Quietness | 4.0 | — |
| Durability | 3.5 | 4.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $200 · $$ $200–450 · $$$ over $450. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer
- Tall, heavy and hard to move
Wirecutter says it is a few inches taller and wider than the Artisan and about 6 lb heavier (about 32 lb), so it is a pain to lug between cabinet and counter.
Source: Wirecutter - Awkward to add ingredients and scrape
Wirecutter notes you may need more scraping and attention to the bottom of the bowl than with the Artisan. Low-star Walmart reviewers complain that the head doesn't flip up, so adding ingredients gets messy.
Source: Wirecutter, Walmart reviews (lowest rated) - Some early failures
Walmart 1-star reviews describe units that stopped working mid-use, overheated on the first day, died after two months, or ran only at full speed.
Source: Walmart reviews (lowest rated)
Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer
- Steep learning curve
Serious Eats says you must add wet ingredients first and adjust the arm position, which takes getting used to. ATK lists a steep learning curve and many parts.
- Weaker setup for cakes and frosting
Wirecutter says it falls short on other baking tasks: batters use a smaller, flimsy plastic bowl that flexes, the center column gets in the way, and bain-marie frostings need a separate bowl.
Source: Wirecutter - Expensive, with pinch risk
Serious Eats calls it quite expensive (about $800). Wirecutter warns it's easy to squish a hand between attachment and bowl, and ATK says the open bowl with a high-torque motor requires care.
Who should pick which
Pick the KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer if
Regular bread and dense doughs
Bigger batches of cookies
Gentle folding with the half speed
Skip it if: You store the mixer in a cabinet; You want lots of color options; You add ingredients mid-mix a lot
Pick the Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer if
Frequent bread bakers
Very large dough batches
Long-term ownership (long warranty)
Skip it if: You're a beginner or bake with kids; You mostly make cakes and frosting; You want a familiar KitchenAid-style workflow
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.