Cuisinart Stand Mixer Review: Is It Worth Buying?

Are you thinking of buying a stand mixer and considering Cuisinart?

Cuisinart is known for making stylish and high-performing kitchenware. In fact, Cuisinart’s founder introduced the first residential food processor to the United States market in the early 1970s.

But are Cuisinart stand mixers any good?

In this in-depth review, I break down the pros and cons of Cuisinart stand mixers.

You’ll learn: 

• How they perform
• Their downsides and common complaints
• How they compare to brands like KitchenAid and Hamilton Beach
• What others are saying
• And more

So, if you’re thinking about buying a Cuisinart stand mixer but need an unbiased review to help you decide, keep reading.

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Use the links below to navigate the review:

• Performance
• Models and Attachments
• Cleaning and Care
• Durability
• Price
• Downsides
• What Others Are Saying
• Cuisinart Mixer Alternatives
• Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Cuisinart Stand Mixer?

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Performance

Simply put, Cuisinart stand mixers are highly versatile and deliver solid and reliable performance.

Its 500-watt motor packs enough power to handle nearly any mixing job.

While you can mix batter, knead dough, and whisk liquids using the attachments that come with the mixer, Cuisinart has a variety of additional options for specialized tasks. 

For example, you can add on a spiralizer, meat grinder, pasta maker, or a frozen dessert maker attachment. These attachments cost extra but save you from buying separate appliances for each task.

Cuisinart stand mixers offer 12 speeds. In contrast, KitchenAid mixers only offer 10 speed settings, and Hamilton Beach mixers have 7.

More speed settings give you more precise control over the consistency of the ingredients you’re mixing.

As far as performance, Cuisinart can hold its own against a KitchenAid stand mixer. I tested Cuisinart vs. KitchenAid side-by-side and didn’t find any significant differences in performance.

Since KitchenAid is the “gold standard” of stand mixers, I was impressed that the less expensive Cuisinart stand mixer worked just as well.

In fact, I preferred how the Cuisinart stand mixer head locks in place, whether in an up or down position. KitchenAid tilt-head stand mixers don’t have this functionality; you must self-lock the mixer.

It’s good to know that if you forget to lock the head, Cuisinart’s automatic lever engages to prevent the head from tilting back in the down position. If unlocked, you could accidentally drop the mixer or injure your fingers.

The added safety comes with a downside: you need to use both hands to unlock and tilt the head back.

With mixers that don’t automatically lock, you can tilt the head back or down with one hand.

When you’re hands are covered in flour and other ingredients, the one-hand operation is a bonus.

Still, I value safety over convenience in this instance, so I see the locking feature as a plus for Cuisinart.

I have one complaint about the performance of Cuisinart stand mixers, and that’s how much space is between the attachments and the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl.

The beater and whisk attachments don’t scrape the bowl, which means you have to periodically stop the mixer and manually push the ingredients down.

You can see how butter sticks to the side of the bowl in this quick video.

If you read the reviews on Amazon, you’ll see that I’m not the only one experiencing this issue. Many others complain about the clearance between the beater and the bowl.

Maybe it’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s definitely more time-consuming to stop and start the process to make sure ingredients are well incorporated.

Models and Attachments

Cuisinart offers one stand mixer model, Precision Master, in two sizes. You can choose from the 3.5-quart or 5.5-quart versions.

The Cuisinart Precision Master is a tilt-head stand mixer, which means the head unlocks and tilts back, allowing you to access the bowl and change attachments.

Other larger stand mixers, like the KitchenAid Professional Series, are considered bowl-lift mixers. Unlike tilt-head mixers, bowl-lift models have a lever to move the bowl up and down while the head remains stationary.

The 3.5-quart stand mixer comes in three colors: ruby red, white linen, and silver lining.

The 5.5-quart mixer comes in 11 colors:

• Ruby red
• White linen
• Silver lining
• Onyx
• Periwinkle blue
• Arctic blue
• Dove gray
• Coconut cream
• Blushing coral
• Agave green
• Robin’s egg

All mixing bowls are durable, dishwasher-safe stainless steel. They feature a handle on one side for easy maneuvering and safety.

The Cuisinart mixer comes with the following attachments:

• Chef’s whisk
• Dough hook
• Flat mixing paddle
• Splash guard with pour spout

To add on functions to the Cuisinart stand mixer, you can purchase a variety of attachments, including:

• Spiralizer/slicer: Make eight types of cuts with four different cutting cones such as crinkle-cut, ribbons, and shreds out of vegetables and fruit.
• Meat grinder: Grind meat, nuts, and even vegetables. You can grind foods coarsely or fine with the specific grinding plates. It also comes with a small and large sausage nozzle.
• Pasta extruder: Make your own dough and use this to create different styles of pasta, including small or large macaroni, spaghetti, rigatoni, fusilli, and bucatini.
• Pasta roller and cutter: Make homemade pasta such as lasagne, fettuccine, or spaghetti. You can control the thickness and length.
• Frozen dessert maker: You can create frozen desserts in this 1.5-quart capacity attachment. Add on a fresh fruit or ice cream paddle to mix in ingredients for a customized dessert. Note: This only fits the Cuisinart 5.5-quart stand mixer.

Cleaning and Care

When it comes to cleaning a Cuisinart stand mixer, the process is straightforward.

No special cleanser or tools are needed. You can use warm, soapy water to wash all of the parts by hand.

The mixing bowl, mixing paddle, and dough hook are dishwasher-safe. The splash guard is dishwasher-safe (top rack only), and the whisk is not dishwasher-safe.

If you need to clean the stand mixer, be sure to unplug it first. Wipe it down with a damp cloth or use a little soap and water for tough stains but never submerge it in water.

To care for the unit, only operate it as suggested by Cuisinart (here’s the manual and quick reference guide). Below are important warnings to keep in mind:

Durability

Cuisinart is a respected name among kitchen appliances. Cooking greats like Julia Child and James Beard called out the benefits of the Cuisinart food processor long ago.

Though the brand launched in the United States in the early ‘70s, Cuisinart only started manufacturing stand mixers in 2007. The current model, Precision Master, debuted in 2017.

While there is no reason to believe that they won’t last for years to come, Cuisinart stand mixers are still relatively new to the marketplace with an unproven track record.

It’s worth noting that the body is made of die cast metal, making it solid and durable. Other, cheaper mixers are primarily plastic.

When you pick the mixer up, you can feel the heft. The 5.5-quart model weighs 17 pounds which helps keep it from moving during use and dampens the vibrations. It also features rubber feet to keep it steady on the kitchen counter.

Time will tell how long they will hold up, but I like that Cuisinart includes a three-year limited warranty. Even though Cuisinart makes no claims that its stand mixers will outlive the warranty (KitchenAid does), I have no reason to believe that they won’t.

Price

One of the greatest benefits of Cuisinart stand mixers is the low price.

Don’t get me wrong; these mixers aren’t cheap. But they’re much more affordable than high-end competitors like KitchenAid.

In fact, you could buy two Cuisinart mixers for the price of one KitchenAid mixer (varies by model).

Cuisinart mixers are similar in price or just a little more expensive than comparable Hamilton Beach models.

For exact pricing, check out the chart below. I’ve included a few of the top Cuisinart alternatives so you can see how their prices compare.

Downsides

So far, I’ve pointed out the benefits of Cuisinart stand mixers. But what about the downsides?

Let’s explore the reasons you may want to avoid buying a Cuisinart stand mixer.

Design Flaws

The most common complaint is that Cuisinart’s mixing attachments don’t reach the bottom or sides of the mixing bowl. Using the mixer requires frequent stopping, bowl removal, and manual scraping to get all ingredients incorporated. 

If you try to whip a small amount of cream or egg white, you’ll find the whisk doesn’t reach far enough down the bowl.

While this complaint is common among stand mixers, it seems to be a more significant issue with Cuisinart since a higher percentage of customers mention it in reviews.

And, based on my testing, it’s not a major problem with KitchenAid mixers.

Limited Track Record

Cuisinart started making stand mixers in 2007. The newest model (Precision Master) has only been around since 2017. That isn’t enough time to truly know how long they’ll last.r

Lack of Power

In tests, Cuisinart stand mixers don’t hold up to large batches of dough and thick mixtures as well as other mixers.

Also, many customers claim that its top speed isn’t as fast or powerful as middle speeds on other stand mixers.

Lack of Choices

Cuisinart doesn’t offer as many attachments as KitchenAid. So, you are limited in options.

Cuisinart offers one stainless steel mixing bowl. Other brands, like KitchenAid, offer glass and ceramic bowls, too.

Cuisinart offers one model in two sizes (3.5 and 5.5 quarts). So, if you’re an avid baker or frequently cook for large groups, you may find yourself making multiple batches. Other brands offer mixers that go up to 7 and even 8 quarts.

Made In China

Although the brand is headquartered in the US, all of the stand mixers are made in China. That keeps pricing down but raises concerns about quality control.

What Others Are Saying

So what do consumer insight voices think of Cuisinart stand mixers? Here is a snapshot of the general sentiments in the marketplace.

The New York Times tested multiple stand mixers and found Cuisinart’s Precision Master lightweight and easy to move around. Yet, it had a hard time mixing thick or ingredient-heavy dough. Whipped cream and eggs were grainy instead of fluffy. Overall, the reviewers were unimpressed in the shadow of KitchenAid’s Artisan stand mixer.

Food & Wine names the Cuisinart 5.5-quart stand mixer the Best for Precision. It was lauded for its reliability, sleek design, and versatility. It’s also highly rated among verified purchasers.

NBC News lists the Cuisinart 5.5-quart stand mixer as one of the Five Best Stand Mixers. It was called “powerful enough to do most of what you want in a mixer.” It’s noted as a great choice to make everything from cake batter to bread dough.

Good Housekeeping asked kitchen appliance experts to name the five best stand mixers. Cuisinart’s Precision Master was chosen as the Best Multi-Purpose Stand Mixer. Experts were impressed with its handling of diverse ingredients as well as the frozen dessert attachment.

The Spruce Eats researched and tested top stand mixers and named the Cuisinart 5.5-quart stand mixer the Best Overall Runner Up. It called the mixer affordable, powerful, and versatile enough for all levels from beginner to expert.

In terms of mixing power, Tech Gear Lab ranked the Cuisinart Precision Master eighth out of twelve. While it pointed out its competitive pricing, testers thought it fell short in performance compared to similarly priced stand mixers.

Reviewed also ranked Cuisinart’s 5.5-quart Precision Master the eighth-best stand mixer (out of twelve tested). It offered good performance, ease of use, quiet operation, and a variety of attachments but struggled with dense mixes and dough. 

Cuisinart Mixer Alternatives

If you feel that the Cuisinart stand mixer isn’t quite right for you, I suggest these viable alternatives:

KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer

While the KitchenAid Artisan stand mixer is the most expensive alternative, it is loaded with advanced features, boasts several unique attachments, and has the most design options and colors.

It employs 50+ touchpoints in each rotation to ensure all ingredients are incorporated.

Plus, it is often the best-of-the-best in stand mixers comparisons and reviews — The New York Times named it the best overall stand mixer.

Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer

The Hamilton Beach Electric stand mixer is the “budget buy” of the bunch.

It has a 4-quart bowl, 300-watt motor, and 7 speed settings. You’ll get a choice of colors, and it uses the same mixing action as KitchenAid, where the mixing arm moves around the bowl like a planet in orbit.

The mixing guide on top of the unit serves as a quick reference for choosing the right mixing speed. The compact mixer is easy to use, maneuver, and store. The best part — it costs significantly less than a Cuisinart mixer.

Nurxiovo 3-in-1 Stand Mixer

This Nurxiovo all-in-one stand mixer has a similar design to Cuisinart, comes in five colors, and features a stainless steel mixing bowl. The standout feature is its 850-watt copper motor designed to handle mixtures of all kinds.

While this mixer has half the speed settings of a Cuisinart (6 vs. 12), it’s much more affordable and comes with meat grinder and blender attachments.

Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Cuisinart Stand Mixer?

Now that you know the pros and cons of the Cuisinart stand mixer, what do you think?

Does Cuisinart belong in your kitchen?

Before you decide, here’s a quick recap:

• Cuisinart stand mixers come in two sizes: 3.5-quart and 5.5-quart.
• A chef’s whisk, dough hook, flat mixing paddle, and splash guard are included, but you can buy other attachments, like a meat grinder or pasta maker, separately.
• You have a choice of 11 colors, but the only option for the mixing bowl is stainless steel.
• The die cast construction and polished chrome accents give it a sleek and expensive look (similar to KitchenAid).
• Choose from 12 speed settings to get the exact consistency you want.
• It delivers excellent results as long as the batter or dough is not overly thick.
• The most notable downside is that there’s too much clearance between the beater/whisk and the bowl, which requires you to stop and manually scrape the bowl.
• Overall, reviews are positive, but some experts point out that it struggles with large, thick batches.

The Cuisinart stand mixer has a sleek look and fair price and works well for small batch baking and food preparation. I love how the head locks into place in both the up and down position, which makes Cuisinart mixers safer than most.

While a Cuisinart mixer is an excellent low-cost alternative to KitchenAid, it has flaws. It’s difficult to ignore the fact that batter sticks to the sides and bottom of the bowl, and you have to turn off the mixer to incorporate ingredients frequently.

Bottom Line — if you’re looking for a mixer that won’t break the bank and you don’t mind scraping sticky batter off the sides while you mix, Cuisinart is a solid option. It’s available in most department and kitchen supply stores, or you can check it out on Amazon.

For heavy use, large batches, thick dough, and hands-off mixing, consider another option.

If KitchenAid is too expensive, check this guide where I break down the top low-cost KitchenAid alternatives.