We may earn a fee if you buy via links in this post (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Cuisinart vs. KitchenAid: Which Stand Mixers Are Better?

Are you ready to invest in a stand mixer but can’t decide between Cuisinart and KitchenAid?

Both make high-quality kitchen appliances, but there are significant differences between their stand mixers that you should know before buying.

In this comparison of Cuisinart vs. KitchenAid, you’ll learn how their stand mixers differ in terms of sizes, speeds, power, attachments, price, and much more.

By the end, you’ll be able to confidently decide which stand mixer is best for your kitchen.


Use the links below to navigate this comparison:


Cuisinart vs. KitchenAid Stand Mixers: Comparison Chart

Before I get into the details, below is a quick side-by-side comparison of Cuisinart and KitchenAid stand mixers. 

Cuisinart KitchenAid
Bowl Size3.5-quart or 5.5-quart         3.5-, 4.5-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-quart
Colors3.5-quart: 3 colors

5.5-quart: 11 colors
Classic Series: 2 colors

Artisan Series: 47 colors

Artisan Mini Series: 10 colors

Bowl-lift Mixers: 17 colors

Professional bowl-lift: 4 colors
Height3.5-quart mixers: 15”

5.5-quart: 16″
Tilt-head mixers: 14”

Bowl-lift mixers: 17”
Weight3.5-quart: 12.5 lb

5.5-quart: 17 lb
Tilt-Head: 25 lb

Bowl-Lift: 25 lb

Artisan Mini Series: 18 lb
Bowl MaterialsStainless steelStainless steel, glass, ceramic
Attachments5 options10 options
Wattage3.5-quart: 350-watt

5.5-quart: 500-watt
Classic tilt-head: 275-watt

Artisan tilt-head: 325-watt

Professional bowl-lift: 575-watt
Speeds12 speeds10 speeds
Where It Is MadeChinaGreenville, Ohio (United States)
Warranty3-year limited warranty1-year limited warranty
Price$$$ (view on Amazon)$$$$ to $$$$$ (view on Amazon)

Difference 1: Bowl Size

As you decide between Cuisinart and KitchenAid stand mixers, an important consideration is bowl size.

Do you plan on making large batches of food for guests or family? Or would you prefer something that takes up less space on your counter?

Cuisinart only offers two bowl sizes: 3.5-quart and 5.5-quart.

KitchenAid has a wider variety of bowl sizes available, including 3.5-, 4.5-, 5-, 6-, and 7-quart options. Also, the commercial size stand mixer comes with an 8-quart bowl.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart stand mixer bowl size
Cuisinart 5.5-quart bowl (left), KitchenAid 4.5-quart bowl (right)

Both brands can accommodate the needs of the average home chef, but if you’re looking for something that can perform on a professional or commercial level, KitchenAid holds the advantage.

Difference 2: Color Options

While aesthetics might not impact cooking performance, it’s important to choose a color that fits your style and design preferences. After all, picking your stand mixer’s color is half the fun!

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

The 5.5-quart mixer features 11 available colors: ruby red, white linen, silver lining, onyx, periwinkle blue, artic blue, dove gray, coconut cream, blushing coral, agave green, and robin’s egg blue. This range is perfectly suitable for most buyers and includes a match for most kitchen designs.

Color options vary a bit more within the KitchenAid lineup. KitchenAid only has three colors for the Classic series: onyx (black), white, and silver.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart stand mixers_colors
KitchenAid silver mixer (left), Cuisinart ruby red mixer (right)

However, the Artisan Series tilt-head mixer boasts an impressive array of 47 colors. If you’re looking for something unique, you have plenty of options, from guava glaze to scorched orange. No matter how you’ve fashioned your kitchen, you’re guaranteed to find the perfect color match in the Artisan Series.

The KitchenAid Artisan Mini Series gives you 10 colors to choose from, and the bowl-lift mixers are available in 17 colors.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini side view
KitchenAid Artisan Mini (Candy Apple Red)

If you’re looking at the KitchenAid Pro Series, the colors are slightly limited. It comes in red, white, black, and silver.

Overall, if color selection is an important factor for you, KitchenAid offers a much broader variety of hues across its various mixers. There’s bound to be one that matches your personality and preferences.

Difference 3: Height

If you have limited storage or counter space, you need to know the stand mixer dimensions before you buy.

The Cuisinart 3.5-quart bowl mixer is just over 15 inches tall. The 5.5-quart mixer is a little under 16 inches.

For KitchenAid, the tilt-head mixers (Classic, Artisan, and Artisan Mini Series) are only 14 inches in height, whereas KitchenAid bowl-lift mixers are closer to 17 inches.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini tilt-head stand mixer
KitchenAid Artisan Mini (Candy Apple Red)

Most cabinets are hung 18 inches above the counter, so all options from Cuisinart and KitchenAid should fit easily beneath. But, before you buy, it’s worth measuring. If that space is less than 18 inches, you may want to avoid a KitchenAid bowl-lift mixer.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart stand mixers_height

Difference 4: Weight

There’s no denying that stand mixers are heavy pieces of equipment.

And, while its weight helps keep it steady during use, you don’t want to buy a mixer that’s too cumbersome to lift and transport.

The Cuisinart 3.5-quart stand mixer is only 12.5 pounds — the lightest of all of the options. The KitchenAid Artisan Mini mixer, also a 3.5-quart mixer, weighs 18 pounds. 

Cuisinart’s 5.5-quart mixer is 17 pounds, and KitchenAid’s tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers (all sizes) weigh 25 pounds.

Overall, Cuisinart stand mixers are lighter compared to similar-sized KitchenAid options, making Cuisinart more maneuverable. 

Difference 5: Bowl Materials

The material your mixer’s bowl is made from can impact both aesthetics and functionality.

Cuisinart offers one kind of bowl material: stainless steel. It’s a reliable and dishwasher-safe material.

Cuisinart steel mixer bowl
Cuisinart steel mixer bowl

If you are looking for a variety of bowl materials, KitchenAid has you covered. Depending on the mixer, you can choose either a metal, glass, or ceramic bowl.

Some of the bowls feature unique designs, including quilted stainless steel and a floral-print ceramic bowl.

The major difference between the bowl design is that all Cuisinart bowls feature handles.

Handles take up more space but make the bowl easier to maneuver.

All KitchenAid mixer bowls have a handle, except the ones that come with Classic Series mixers.

Difference 6: Attachments

If you’re planning to use your new stand-mixer for baking, you might only require a whisk and dough hook.

But if you are looking to make a variety of recipes, additional attachments are a must-have.

Cuisinart stand mixers always come with a chef’s whisk, flat mixing paddle, dough hook, and pouring shield.

If you’re looking for more options, Cuisinart offers five additional attachments, including:

  • Spiralizer/slicer
  • Meat grinder
  • Pasta extruder
  • Pasta roller
  • Frozen dessert maker

All of these are useful additions for the creative chef who desires more than the standard attachments.

KitchenAid stand mixers come with the standard whisk, paddle, and dough hook.

Most also come with a pouring shield; the Classic and Artisan Mini Series are the only KitchenAid mixers that do not.

KitchenAid’s paddle and dough hook are coated in nylon material to prevent sticking; Cuisinart’s attachments are not.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart stand mixers_attachments
KitchenAid attachments (left), Cuisinart attachments (right)

Besides what is included with the mixer, KitchenAid offers an impressive array of additional attachments for purchase, including: 

  • Grain mill
  • Metal food grinder
  • Fruit and vegetable strainer
  • Spiralizer
  • Sifter
  • Pasta press
  • And many more

You can view all the attachment options on Amazon.

It’s worth noting that other brands make attachments compatible with KitchenAid mixers, and those are often much less expensive. To find them, search “KitchenAid mixer compatible attachments” on Amazon.

Difference 7: Accessing the Bowl

Cuisinart only offers tilt-head style stand mixers, while KitchenAid has both tilt-head and bowl-lift options.

What are the differences, and how will they impact your decision?

Tilt-head mixers allow you to move (or tilt) the mixer’s head back to access the bowl. Bowl-lift mixers have a lever that enables you to move the bowl up and down while the head stays in place.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart tilt head mixers
KitchenAid tilt-head mixer (left), Cuisinart tilt-head mixer (right)

Some people find it easier to switch attachments with tilt-head mixers, while others appreciate the additional space between the head and bowl on bowl-lift mixers, which makes it easier to add ingredients.

Generally speaking, the mixer’s access method won’t impact functionality in a noticeable way for the average home chef. 

If you would like more details on the difference between KitchenAid tilt-head and bowl-lift mixers, check out my in-depth comparison.

There’s one key difference between the functionality of Cuisinart and KitchenAid tilt-head mixers worth noting.

Cuisinart mixers have a lever in the back that automatically locks and prevents the head from tilting when it’s in the down position.

KitchenAid mixers have a lever on the side that you need to manually lock in the down position.

KitchenAid versus Cuisinart tilt head lever
KitchenAid tilt-head lever (left), Cuisinart tilt-head lever (right)

That doesn’t seem like a big deal, but it’s a valuable safety feature built into Cuisinart mixers.

If you forget to lock the head on a KitchenAid mixer, it will tilt back when you go to pick it up. It’s easy to get your fingers pinched if you’re not expecting the head to move.

Difference 8: Motor Power

Cuisinart 3.5-quart mixers feature a 350-watt motor, and 5.5-quart mixers have a 500-watt motor.

KitchenAid’s Classic tilt-head comes with a 275-watt motor, while the Artisan series has a 325-watt motor.

The most powerful motors across both brands are found in  KitchenAid Professional bowl-lift mixers. Those come equipped with an impressive 575-watt motor.

When it comes to wattage, Cuisinart offers a higher power motor compared to similar-sized KitchenAid mixers. It’s worth noting that mixers with lower-powered motors have to work harder, which impacts their lifespan.

Consider how often you plan on using your stand mixer and what you’ll likely be using it for most often. If you’re making hefty batches of dough or bread, a higher power motor might be the better choice. But if your mixer is mainly for cakes and lighter mixes, a lower wattage mixer works fine.

Difference 9: Speeds

Speed is another difference between the brands.

Speed settings allow you to be more precise; the more settings, the more control. 

All Cuisinart stand-mixers feature 12 speed settings.

Cuisinart stand mixer speed settings
Cuisinart stand mixer speed settings

All KitchenAid mixers come with 10 available speeds.

KitchenAid Mixer Speed Settings
KitchenAid Mixer Speed Settings
KitchenAid Artisan Mini speed settings with soft start
KitchenAid Artisan Mini speed settings with soft start

Ten speed settings are more than enough, so the extra two additional speeds Cuisinart offers shouldn’t factor in your decision.

Difference 10: Warranty

Even the best stand mixers can stop working or have a defect. 

All Cuisinart stand mixers include a 3-year limited warranty.

Most KitchenAid mixers come with a 1-year limited warranty. However, the KitchenAid Pro Line Series features a 5-year warranty.

KitchenAid and Cuisinart’s warranties only cover defects in materials and craftsmanship. In other words, if the mixer randomly stops working within the warranty period, you’re covered. The warranty doesn’t cover damage resulting from misuse or an accident.

Difference 11: Where It Is Made

KitchenAid makes its stand mixers in Greenville, Ohio. The brand has strict manufacturing standards, which you can see in this quick behind-the-scenes video of the production process.

Cuisinart’s website doesn’t clearly state where its stand mixers are made. However, I spoke with a Cuisinart product specialist, and they confirmed that they’re made in China.

Difference 12: Price

One of the most significant differences between Cuisinart and KitchenAid stand mixers is the price. Simply put, KitchenAid mixers are more expensive than Cuisinart mixers.

In fact, KitchenAid mixers can be up to twice as costly as Cuisinart. The reason is due to the quality construction, where they’re made (United States), and the reputation the brand has built over the decades.

Check out this review where I explore the question “Are KitchenAid Mixers Worth It?” in-depth.

The actual cost of the stand mixer varies by model, additional attachments, and where you buy it.

To see the current prices of each of the most popular Cuisinart and KitchenAid mixers, refer to the chart below:

Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on:

Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Cuisinart or a KitchenAid Stand Mixer?

Cuisinart and KitchenAid are both well-established brands offering versatile, high-performing stand mixers.

But which brand is right for you?

To recap, the key differences are:

  • Cuisinart has two bowl sizes, while KitchenAid offers six options.   
  • KitchenAid offers more color options.
  • Cuisinart mixer height ranges from 15 to 16 inches. KitchenAid comes in a variety of sizes, ranging from 14 to 17 inches tall.
  • Cuisinart stand mixers weigh less than KitchenAid, making them easier to move and store.     
  • KitchenAid offers stainless steel, glass, and ceramic bowls. Cuisinart only offers stainless steel bowls.        
  • Both brands feature the same standard attachments for their mixers. But KitchenAid offers many more attachments to purchase separately.   
  • Cuisinart only offers tilt-head stand mixers. KitchenAid offers both tilt-head and bowl-lift stand mixers.        
  • When you compare similar-sized mixers, Cuisinart has superior motor power. However, KitchenAid’s Professional Series features the most powerful motor at 575 watts.
  • Cuisinart offers a 3-year limited warranty, and KitchenAid offers a 1-year limited warranty (KitchenAid Pro Line mixers come with a 5-year warranty).
  • KitchenAid mixers are significantly more expensive than Cuisinart.

In the end, KitchenAid mixers are an iconic kitchen staple. They’re one of the most sought-after kitchen appliances, and for good reason — they’re durable, versatile, made in America, and feature a timeless design.

The brand offers a wide variety of sizes, styles, colors, and attachments. If you can afford it, go with KitchenAid.

That said, Cuisinart is a reliable and affordable alternative. Its mixers get the job done and look strikingly similar to KitchenAid. In fact, I reviewed several stand mixers and named Cuisinart the best overall alternative to KitchenAid.

What matters most is that your stand mixer can handle your specific cooking needs and fits within your budget.

Now that you know all the differences between Cuisinart and KitchenAid, you have all the information necessary to decide which mixer is right for you.

To read more reviews and to learn about current prices, features, and more, check out KitchenAid and Cuisinart stand mixers on Amazon at the links below. 

Andrew Palermo Founder of Prudent Reviews

Andrew Palermo - About the Author

Andrew is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Prudent Reviews. He began his career in marketing, managing campaigns for dozens of Fortune 500 brands. In 2018, Andrew founded Prudent Reviews and has since reviewed 600+ products. When he’s not testing the latest cookware, kitchen knives, and appliances, he’s spending time with his family, cooking, and doing house projects. Connect with Andrew via emailLinkedIn, or the Prudent Reviews YouTube channel.

Our Favorite Products in One Convenient Place

Want to see all the products we recommend in one convenient place? Visit the Prudent Reviews Amazon shop to browse a handpicked selection of our favorite cookware, kitchen knives, appliances, and more.

As an Amazon Associate Prudent Reviews earns from qualifying purchases.

Leave a Comment

Prudent Reviews Footer Logo

Send Us Mail:
60 North Street, Unit 882
Medfield, MA 02052

Send Us an Email:
info@PrudentReviews.com


As an Amazon Associate, Prudent Reviews earns fees when you click on links within our articles and make qualifying purchases.