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
- Difference 1: Bowl Size
- Difference 2: Color Options
- Difference 3: Height
- Difference 4: Weight
- Difference 5: Bowl Materials
- Difference 6: Attachments
- Difference 7: Accessing the Bowl
- Difference 8: Motor Power
- Difference 9: Speeds
- Difference 10: Warranty
- Difference 11: Where It Is Made
- Difference 12: Price
- Bottom Line: Should You Buy a Cuisinart or a KitchenAid Stand Mixer?
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 Size | 3.5-quart or 5.5-quart | 3.5-, 4.5-, 5-, 6-, 7-, and 8-quart |
Colors | 3.5-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 |
Height | 3.5-quart mixers: 15” 5.5-quart: 16″ | Tilt-head mixers: 14” Bowl-lift mixers: 17” |
Weight | 3.5-quart: 12.5 lb 5.5-quart: 17 lb | Tilt-Head: 25 lb Bowl-Lift: 25 lb Artisan Mini Series: 18 lb |
Bowl Materials | Stainless steel | Stainless steel, glass, ceramic |
Attachments | 5 options | 10 options |
Wattage | 3.5-quart: 350-watt 5.5-quart: 500-watt | Classic tilt-head: 275-watt Artisan tilt-head: 325-watt Professional bowl-lift: 575-watt |
Speeds | 12 speeds | 10 speeds |
Where It Is Made | China | Greenville, Ohio (United States) |
Warranty | 3-year limited warranty | 1-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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
All KitchenAid mixers come with 10 available speeds.
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:
Mixer | Price | View Details |
---|---|---|
Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer | Amazon | |
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Stand Mixer | Amazon | |
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer | Amazon | |
KitchenAid Professional 600 6-Quart Stand Mixer | Amazon | |
KitchenAid Commercial 8-Quart Stand Mixer | Amazon |
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.
- KitchenAid stand mixers on Amazon and KitchenAid.com
- Cuisinart stand mixers on Amazon
Related Topics
- 6 High-Quality Alternatives to the KitchenAid Mixer
- Are Cuisinart Stand Mixers Any Good? An In-Depth Review
- KitchenAid Mixer Comparison: Which Is the Best?
- KitchenAid Tilt-Head vs. Bowl-Lift: Which Stand Mixer Is Right for You?
- KitchenAid Artisan vs. Professional Stand Mixers: What’s the Difference?
- The Ultimate KitchenAid Mixer Review: Is It Worth the High Price?
- KitchenAid Deluxe vs. Classic Mixers: 9 Key Differences
- KitchenAid Classic vs. Artisan: What’s the Difference?
- KitchenAid Artisan vs. Artisan Mini: 10 Major Differences
- KitchenAid Classic vs. Artisan Mini: Which Mixer Is Right for You?
- Cuisinart vs. Farberware Cookware: 9 Key Differences
- KitchenAid Deluxe vs. Artisan Mixers: What’s the Difference?
- Cleanblend vs. Vitamix: Which Blenders Are Better?
- Are Cuisinart Knives Any Good? An In-Depth Review
- 5 Cheaper Alternatives to Vitamix Blenders
- Are Vitamix Blenders Worth the High Price? (In-Depth Review)