ConsFirst / Stand mixers / Compare

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer vs KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head 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 #3 of 10) and scores better on heavy dough, durability. KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer wins on quietness.

The biggest complaint about the KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is strains or walks with stiff dough; for the KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer it's struggles with dense or wet dough. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.

#1 of 10 · $$$KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Good for: Cakes, cookies and whipped cream

Its catch: strains or walks with stiff dough

Check price on Amazon
#3 of 10 · $$$KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Good for: Enthusiast cake and cookie bakers

Its catch: struggles with dense or wet dough

Check price on Amazon

Paid links. We don't list prices — they change daily. Neither one feels right?

Side by side

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand MixerKitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
Rank in stand mixers#1#3
Price tier$$$$$$
TypeTilt-headTilt-head
Amazon 1–2★ share5%—
Overall score4.03.9
Mixing performance4.54.5
Heavy dough3.02.5
Ease of use4.54.5
Quietness4.04.5
Durability4.03.5

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.

    Source: Serious Eats (best stand mixers), Serious Eats (best KitchenAid mixers), Food Network
  • 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.

    Source: Amazon.com product page (Customers say), Walmart reviews (lowest rated)
  • 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.

    Source: Wirecutter, Serious Eats (best KitchenAid mixers)

KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

  • 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.

    Source: Serious Eats (best stand mixers), America's Test Kitchen
  • 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

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

Check price on AmazonAll complaints →

Pick the KitchenAid Artisan Plus 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer if

  • Enthusiast cake and cookie bakers

  • Gentle starts without flour clouds

  • Low-vision bakers (bowl light)

Skip it if: You mostly knead bread; You want the best value KitchenAid (the Artisan is cheaper); You want to buy through Amazon

Check price on AmazonAll complaints →

We don't list prices — they change daily. Paid links.

Neither one feels right?

If both catches are deal-breakers, start here.

Budget option · #10 in stand mixersHamilton Beach 4 Quart 7-Speed Electric Stand Mixer

The cheapest way into a stand mixer, and ATK says it performs well for the price, but it walks across the counter with dough and owners frequently report broken beaters, whisks and tilt buttons.

Its catch: parts breakA third option · #2KitchenAid 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

Wirecutter's pick for more power and room, with a true half speed for gentle mixing. It is tall and heavy, and the bowl-lift design makes adding ingredients and scraping more awkward.

Its catch: tall, heavy and hard to moveAll 10 comparedSee every stand mixer, ranked

Each one's biggest complaint at a glance, with the full ranking.

Browse stand mixers →

More head-to-heads