KitchenAid's Artisan stand mixer is a beast in the kitchen and will mix, beat, whip and knead all your baking delights for years. Although heavyweight, it's a neat-looking appliance with a classic design that comes in a vast array of colors to suit any decor. Plus, it's intuitive to use and will quickly become the kitchen companion you can't do without.
For
- Durable and solid appliance
- Consistent results
- Easy to use
- Good bowl capacity
- Stable in use
Against
- Heavy to move
- Not all attachments are dishwasher safe
Smeg's 50's-inspired retro stand mixer is on the expensive side, but it offers the reliability and functionality that any regular baker would want. Plus, with four beaters and 10 speed settings, it gives you plenty of choice when whipping, mixing, beating or kneading. And with an appliance that looks this good, there's even more reason to invest.
For
- It's relatively quiet
- Wide color choice
- Good bowl capacity
- Attractive
Against
- Heavy to lift
- The pouring shield can be difficult to attach
- It's pricey
As the experienced baker on the Homes team at Tom’s Guide, I never turn down the opportunity to test and review one of the best stand mixers. One of the joys of reviewing stand mixers is that my home always smells of the sweet scent of baking.
KitchenAid and Smeg are two of the most prestigious kitchen appliance brands on the market, which is why I was delighted to review KitchenAid’s Artisan stand mixer and Smeg’s retro-style stand mixer. Both models come with a high ticket price, and are not for the occasional baker, unless you have the spare money to spend and are looking for some eye candy to decorate your kitchen countertop.
KitchenAid Artisan vs Smeg: Specs compared
| Header Cell - Column 0 | KitchenAid Artisan | Smeg Retro |
|---|---|---|
| Price (on manufacturer's website) | $449 | $675 |
| Dimensions | 14.09 x 8.7 x 13.9 inches | 14.8 x 15.8 x 8.7 inches |
| Weight | 24.9 lbs | 19.4 lbs |
| Speeds | 10 | 10 |
| Beaters | 3 | 4 |
| Port for optional attachments | Yes | Yes |
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Price and availability
Both the KitchenAid and Smeg stand mixers are available on Amazon. The KitchenAid Artisan tilt-head stand mixer with a 5-quart bowl has a list price of $449, although several color options are discounted by up to 17%, so it’s worth taking a look to see what takes your fancy. At the time of writing you can pick up the Aqua Sky version for $379 at Amazon.
Smeg’s 50’s style retro stand mixer is also available on Amazon, with prices varying between $539 and $515, depending on which colorway you choose. However, based on the standard price, you'll be forking out $90 more for a Smeg.
Winner: KitchenAid
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Design
Both the KitchenAid and Smeg stand mixers both look fantastic. First introduced over 100 years ago, the KitchenAid is still a sought-after appliance with iconic status. But looks alone don’t keep consumers buying — it’s also built to last and has gained a solid reputation for reliability, which is why the bakers keep coming back for more.
Smeg’s stand mixer has a smart 50s-inspired design that is also popular with consumers and won’t look out of place on a countertop, even if you prefer a minimal look. Both come in a wide choice of colors, although if you’re particularly picky, KitchenAid provides a wider selection, including brights and pastels.
Sizing them up, the Smeg stand mixer is larger and takes up more headspace, so if you do want to tuck it away in a cupboard (really!), check your dimensions first. Both will also require a bit of arm strength for lifting and moving, so I recommend keeping them on your countertop rather than stored away.
Winner: KitchenAid
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Functionality
Both stand mixers come with a 5-quart mixing bowl, which provides plenty of capacity for batch-baking cookies and dough. However, Smeg trumps KitchenAid with an extra attachment. While they both come with a dough hook, flat beater and wire whisk, Smeg also packs in a flex-edge beater. I particularly liked the substantial feel of this attachment and how the silicone edges were able to mix with the outer edges of the bowl. Its styling also reminds me of an inverted Alessi Salif Citrus Juicer, although I’m sure this is purely coincidental.
Although not included with the KitchenAid, you can purchase a Flex-Edge beater separately, for $49 from KitchenAid. It’s similar in style to the standard flat beater, with the addition of a silicone paddle on one side. Without trying it out, I'd have to say Smeg's version is best.
Both come with a handy pouring shield and house a hub at the front of the appliances for additional attachments. This added functionality allows you to grind meat, spiralize vegetables, and make pasta and ice cream. So, if you want more out of your stand mixer, check before you buy to see which attachments are available for your preferred appliance.
The stand mixers are equally matched when it comes to power settings, with each offering 10 levels. So, whether you want a slow blend, a fast whip, or something in between, each provides a good choice for the precision you need. It's the same case when weighing up the difference between the KitchenAid Artisan vs the Cuisinart Precision Master stand mixers.
Winner: Smeg
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Performance
Both stand mixers performed exceptionally well, especially when kneading dough, which is the toughest of tasks. Both incorporated the ingredients and then kneaded the dough without the stand mixer moving on the countertop, to form a soft and silky dough ready to prove.
I would say the Smeg was a little slower at whisking heavy cream, but this is no criticism because it still performed well, and it helped ensure that a distracted user didn’t end up with butter, which nearly happened with the KitchenAid as it was super-speedy!
Smeg’s extra flex-edge beater was particularly good when making pastry, as it swept around the edges of the bowl more successfully than the flat beater that I used with the KitchenAid.
Winner: Smeg
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Ease of use
Both stand mixers are intuitive to use without looking at any instructions. Both bowls were easy to lock into place, along with the attachments, and the speed dials were easy to control.
However, I did have a few minor issues with the Smeg stand mixer. The pouring shield was slightly more awkward to put into place and needed more of a wiggle than the KitchenAid’s shield. I also found there was more of a knack for replacing the head of the Smeg once it had been lifted, and it needed to be lifted again slightly before replacing it. Another issue was the speed controls. The KitchenAid controls are positioned on the side of the appliance, which I found easier to use, and I could see which speed I was choosing, whereas I had to stand on my toes to view the Smeg controls, which are on top of the appliance.
If you are interested in purchasing a KitchenAid stand mixer there are lots of other models to choose from. In this article I break down how to choose the best KitchenAid stand mixer for your needs.
Winner: KitchenAid
KitchenAid vs Smeg: Verdict
Both the KitchenAid and Smeg stand mixers are a pleasure to use, and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them both. They are exceptionally robust and reliable appliances and score high in the design stakes, too. And where I preferred the extra functionality that the Smeg offered in terms of the Flex-Edge beater, the KitchenAid pipped the Smeg to the post for ease of use. It is a difficult call when comparing two standout appliances, but overall, and factoring in the cost, KitchenAid is the overall winner.
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