ConsFirst / Stand mixers / Compare
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer vs KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift 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 Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on mixing performance, ease of use, durability. KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer wins on heavy dough.
The biggest complaint about the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is strains or walks with stiff dough; for the KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer it's tall, heavy and hard to move. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer | KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in stand mixers | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Tilt-head | Bowl-lift |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 5% | 6% |
| Overall score | 4.0 | 3.8 |
| Mixing performance | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Heavy dough | 3.0 | 4.0 |
| Ease of use | 4.5 | 3.5 |
| Quietness | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Durability | 4.0 | 3.5 |
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 Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- Strains or walks with stiff dough
Serious Eats says the tilt-head Artisan struggles with stiffer bread and pizza dough and tends to walk if you bake lots of bread. Food Network saw it jump on the counter with heavier breads at higher speeds.
- Durability and reliability split owners
Amazon's review summary says customers disagree on durability and reliability (durability: 227 positive vs 198 negative mentions). Low-star Walmart reviews describe a paddle coating peeling, overheating with a burning smell, a screeching motor, and a latch that sticks.
- Fast first speed, no half speed
Wirecutter says it has one of the fastest first speeds it has tested, so dry ingredients can puff out as a flour cloud. Serious Eats also finds the tapered, footed bowl harder to scrape.
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)
Who should pick which
Pick the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer if
Cakes, cookies and whipped cream
First stand mixer for most home bakers
Using KitchenAid attachments
Skip it if: You knead stiff bread or pizza dough often; You want a gentle half speed for folding; You want more than a 1-year warranty
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
We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.