KitchenAid vs Kenwood buyers' guide: which stand mixer brand best suits your needs?

We’ve tested a range of KitchenAid and Kenwood mixers using key triple-tested Good Food recipes. We’ve considered performance, how easy each model is to use, appearance, additional useful features and, of course, the quality of the bakes, to help decide which is the best stand mixer brand for you.

Jump to section:

• KitchenAid vs Kenwood stand mixers: main differences at a glance
• KitchenAid vs Kenwood stand mixer compared
• KitchenAid vs Kenwood: stand mixer attachments compared
• Other stand mixer brands to consider
• How our experts test stand mixers

KitchenAid vs Kenwood stand mixers: main differences at a glance

KitchenAid

In 1919, Ohio-born engineer Herbert Johnson invented the H5 kitchen machine. It was essentially an egg-beater, but it was an instant hit with chefs and home cooks alike, and the KitchenAid brand was born. Although the machines have gone through a few redesigns over the years, the modern KitchenAid machine looks very similar to the original H5.

Today, these mixers are well known for being available in an expansive range of colours, but back in 1955, they were only available in five: pink, yellow, green, chrome and copper. It wasn’t until 1994 that the palette expanded. In 2012, the 6.9 litre Artisan mixer was added to the range, and today, there are a number of different stand mixers available in small, medium and large sizes.

All KitchenAid stand mixers come with a dough hook, balloon whisk and beater.

• KitchenAid 3.3 litre stand mixer review
• KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM125 review
• KitchenAid 6.9 litre Artisan stand mixer review

Kenwood

In 1948, Woking inventor Kenneth Wood invented the A200 food mixer. Not only could it beat, mix and whisk, but it even had a buffer so you could polish your cutlery, too.

Just two years later, the Kenwood Chef launched. This model featured the 'planetary action' that now features on almost all modern stand mixers. Originally, the Kenwood Chef’s design wasn’t too dissimilar to the KitchenAid model we know today, but in 1962, with the A701A, the Chef took on its iconic boxy design. In 1976, colour was introduced into the range with the A901 and Kenwood have continued to innovate ever since, making useful additions such as automatic bowl warming and inbuilt scales.

All Kenwood stand mixers come with a dough hook, balloon whisk and beater. The Titanium Chef Patissier XL also comes with a creamer.

• Kenwood kMix review
• Kenwood Chef XL Titanium review
• Kenwood Titanium Chef Patissier XL review

KitchenAid vs Kenwood stand mixers compared

We tested stand mixers against the following criteria:

• Packaging
• Overall quality of materials
• Results of functions
• Value for money
• Stand mixer versatility
• Ease of use and cleaning

How each model performed in these key areas is detailed in their respective individual reviews. But there are a couple of other factors to take into consideration before you make your final decision, including:

• Size: Many people like to keep their stand mixer out of the kitchen counter, both for convenience and because they make a great-looking statement piece. If this is the plan for your new mixer, consider how much space you’ve got to spare and check out the dimensions. While you may be able to keep your mixer neatly tucked under a cupboard, you’ll need to work out whether you’ll have enough space to use it when the head is tilted back as this can add a good 10-15cm to the height. KitchenAid offer three sizes of stand mixer; the KitchenAid 3.3L is the smallest model, the KitchenAid Artistan 5KSM125, 175 and 185 are the medium-sized models, and the KitchenAid Artisan Bowl-Lift range is the largest. From Kenwood, the Kenwood kMix range is the smallest stand mixer on offer, while the Chef range is larger and features both Chef and Chef XL sizes.
• Weight: If you haven't got space to keep your stand mixer out on the kitchen counter, you’ll need to make sure that your chosen one isn’t too heavy for you to transport. Most stand mixers weigh between 7kg and 10kg. But, a light stand mixer is not always a good thing. Heavier stand mixers remain more stable on the kitchen counter, which is essential if you’re kneading heavy bread doughs or mixing large quantities on high speed.
• Price: Stand mixers are multifunctional kitchen appliances built to last, and their price reflects that. Both KitchenAid and Kenwood offer a range of stand mixers at varying price points. Of the stand mixers we’ve tested, KitchenAid’s models range from £349-£899 and Kenwood’s from £265-£750.
• Aesthetics: Both brands have put a lot of effort into creating machines that are not only functional, but look great, too. KitchenAid are famous for the wide range of colours their stand mixers are available in. On top of that, each year they release a model in their Colour of the Year. Kenwood’s kMix range is available in a variety of metallic shades, pastels or primary colours. The Chef range is a little more muted, only showcasing grey, white and cream.

KitchenAid stand mixer models

KitchenAid stand mixers are high-quality, look fantastic and endlessly customisable. Not only are they available in a range of colours, you can also purchase extra bowls made from glass or ceramic, or in colourful patterns.
There are a wide range of accessories available covering everything from pasta and ice cream to vegetable and meat prep. Plus, there’s no need to search for an attachment that fits your specific machine as they all work on every KitchenAid stand mixer.

Despite all machines having a lower wattage than the Kenwood models we’ve tested, we’ve watched all three mixers power through thick doughs, cake batter and high-speed whisking with ease. Available in small, medium and large, there really is a KitchenAid for everyone.

KitchenAid 3.3-litre stand mixer

For the occasional baker who’s short on space

Star rating: 4/5

If space is an issue but you’d still like to be able to bake, keep this small stand mixer on hand for when inspiration strikes.

Read our full KitchenAid 3.3 litre stand mixer review

KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM125, 175, 185

For the baking lover

Star rating: 4.5/5

This model is a great all-rounder that doesn’t take up tonnes of space. It made light work of everyday baking tasks. It’s also available in the largest range of colours of all of the stand mixers we’ve tested.

Read our full KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM125 review

KitchenAid 6.9-litre Artisan stand mixer

For the hardcore baker

Star rating: 4.5/5

Most similar in design to the kind of mixer you’d find in a professional kitchen, this mixer is ideal if you like to bake in large quantities or create showstopping bakes. It tackled doughs with ease and was noticeably quiet too.

Read our full KitchenAid 6.9 litre Artisan stand mixer review.

Kenwood stand mixer models

Offering double, even triple, the wattage of KitchenAid’s stand mixers, Kenwood models are powerful pieces of kit. Although they’re pretty attractive, functionality and performance come first, as these stand mixers are real workhorses.

Kenwood are advancing at a greater pace than KitchenAid, so if you’re into high-tech appliances (and can afford it), opt for one of Kenwood’s pricier models. A good number of the Chef models come with great additions like built-in scales, timers, bowl warming, digital displays and lights, none of which can be found on any KitchenAid mixer.

We suspect this is because they simply wouldn’t fit KitchenAid’s pared back aesthetic, but we’ve found them to be practical additions that are well worth the investment.

Kenwood kMix stand mixer

For the everyday home baker

Star rating: 4.5/5

If you’re after a decent sized attractive machine that can tackle everyday baking tasks with ease, the kMix is a great choice. It’s also available in a good range of colours and finishes.

Read our full Kenwood kMix review

Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL

For the cook who often bakes in batches

Star rating: 5/5

This powerful stand mixer comes with two generously sized bowls for batch baking and the powerful motor makes light work of cake mixes, bread doughs and meringue.

Read our full Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker XL review

Kenwood Titanium Chef Patissier XL

For the tech lover

Star rating: 5/5

Our top-rated stand mixer is a powerful, reliable machine where functionality meets design. It’s also the most technologically advanced machine showcasing features like built in scales and bowl warming.

Read our full Kenwood Titanium Chef Patissier XL review

We also spoke to Lulu Grimes, managing editor at Good Food, who has owned both a KitchenAid and Kenwood stand mixer, and felt that both models worked perfectly well. But she summed the brands up like this: “The KitchenAid is prettier but the Kenwood is a workhorse.”

KitchenAid vs Kenwood: stand mixer attachments compared

KitchenAid stand mixer attachments

• Pasta attachments: lasagne, fettuccini, spaghetti
• Pasta press: spaghetti, bucatini, rigatoni, fusilli, large macaroni, small macaroni
• Pasta dryer
• Meat grinder
• Sausage stuffer
• Food processor
• Vegetable slicer and shredders, spiraliser, vegetable sheet cutter
• Juicer
• Orange juicer
• Food strainer
• Ice cream maker - read our full KitchenAid ice cream maker accessory review
• Sifter and scale
• Grain mill

KitchenAid also offer the option to personalise your stand mixer with a name or a message, as well as extra bowls and mixer parts, like beaters and whisks.

Kenwood stand mixer attachments

Kenwood have two stand mixer ranges: the Kenwood Chef and the kMix. While the brand offers a range of attachments, not all are suitable for both stand mixer ranges:

• Pasta attachments: lasagne, fettuccini, spaghetti, trenette, tagliolini, ravioli (both)
• Pasta shaper: spaghetti, pappardelle, silatelli, linguine, conchigliette, orecchiette (both)
• Biscuit maker, pasta shaper (both)
• Food grinder (both)
• Food mincer (both)
• Food processor (Chef only)
• Compact chopper/grinder (Chef only)
• Blender (Chef only)
• Vegetable grater/slicer (both)
• Vegetable dicer (Chef only)
• Spiraliser (both)
• Fruit press (both)
• Citrus juicer (Chef only)
• Frozen dessert maker (Chef only)

Like KitchenAid, Kenwood also offers additional mixer parts and bowls, though their selection is slightly more limited.

Other stand mixer brands to consider

KitchenAid and Kenwood aren’t the only brands that produce high-quality stand mixers. There are a number of reasons why you might choose to go with a different one. With the cheapest model across KitchenAid and Kenwood coming in at £350, you may be after something less expensive. Aesthetics might play an important part in your decision making and you might not be taken by the design of either of the brands’ mixers. Or, perhaps you like to be brand-loyal. We’ve tested a number of different mixers from other brands: read our best stand mixers list to find out more.

Bosch CreationLine MUM5XW10 kitchen machine

Best stand mixer and food processor hybrid

Star rating: 5/5

A stand mixer/food processor hybrid is hard to find, but if you’re short on space and are likely to get good use out of both of these functions, this model is worth considering. This model doesn’t come in the range of colours offered by KitchenAid. While it has inbuilt scales, like some of the high-end Kenwood models, these only operate in 5g increments: not ideal for precise baking. This model has real oomph thanks to the 1,000 watt motor and we liked the storage bag, too.

Read our full Bosch CreationLine MUM5XW10 kitchen machine review

Cuisinart Precision stand mixer

Best large-capacity stand mixer for affordability

Star rating: 4/5

If you’re taken by the simplicity of design of KitchenAid mixers, this Cuisinart model is a pretty good dupe. Best of all, it’s available for a fraction of the price. It’s most similar to the mid-range KitchenAid Artisan but comes with a 5.2L bowl (that’s 0.4L more than KitchenAid). It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of Kenwood’s offerings, but matched both brands when it came to performance, tackling each key baking task with efficiency.

Read our full Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer review

Haden 5-Litre stand mixer

Best lightweight stand mixer for easy storing

Star rating: 3.5/5

If you’ve set your budget at around £100, this model could be a good choice. It’s a classic looking mixer with a lightweight design, so even if you aren’t able to keep it on the kitchen counter, moving it around shouldn’t be too much trouble. It’s not as sturdy as KitchenAid or Kenwood mixers as we noticed the machine wobbled when we used each function – this was particularly evident on our dough mixing test.

Read our full Haden 5-litre Stand Mixer review

Morphy Richards MixStar compact stand mixer

Best compact stand mixer

Star rating: 4.5/5

A traditional-looking stand mixer can be a hefty unit. If space is at a premium this Morphy Richards model could be the answer you’ve been looking for. All of the attachments can be stored inside the bowl and it did a relatively good job on all of our tests. We noticed that the dough hook didn’t quite gather all of the ingredients together, however. If you’re after a versatile mixer that can roll pasta or juice fruit, like KitchenAid and Kenwood, then you’ll need to look elsewhere as you can’t buy extra attachments.

Read our full Morphy Richards MixStar Compact Stand Mixer review

VonShef 1000W black stand mixer

Best affordable stand mixer

Star rating: 3/5

If you’re an occasional baker and you’re just after a stand mixer that can do the laborious stuff, this mixer tackled cake batters and whisking egg whites with relative ease. It’s not as fast as the KitchenAid or Kenwood models we tested, and we noticed some movement when taking on heavy mixes. But, if you’re on a budget or just starting out in the kitchen, it’s a good small option.

Read our full VonShef 1000W black stand mixer review

Russell Hobbs Go Create stand mixer

Best mid-range stand mixer

Star rating: 3.5/5

This mixer is proof you don’t have to spend a lot to get good results. It tackled cake mixes, bread and meringue with ease, though we did notice some slight wobbling when running at full power. Where KitchenAid and Kenwood machines look and feel high-quality, the same can’t be said for this Russell Hobbs model. While this had no bearing on the performance, many see their stand mixer as a statement piece, so this less-than-stylish model might not be for you if this is a deciding factor.

Read our full Russell Hobbs Go Create Stand Mixer review

How our experts test stand mixers

We’ve tested 15 stand mixers, from blowout behemoths to budget-friendly compact models. Each model was tested using the same recipes. We whisked egg whites for Liberty Mendez’s chocolate & peanut butter pavlova, kneaded an enriched dough following our Chelsea buns recipe, and creamed, mixed and folded ingredients to make our citrusy lemon & orange cake. All attachments and functions were tested as well as the final cooked products. We scored the machines against the following criteria:

• Packaging: We wanted to see securely packaged stand mixers without tonnes of plastic. Models that arrived with recyclable or biodegradable packaging scored better.
• Overall quality of materials: Stand mixers that are sturdy and built to stand the tests of time were ones that scored highly. We also looked for robust and well made attachments and bowls.
• Results of functions: We looked for machines that efficiently and evenly mixed ingredients. Our meringue needed to be glossy and evenly whisked, our dough well-risen with a light and airy crumb when baked, and our cake also needed to be light with evenly distributed zest.
• Value for money: Stand mixers can vary widely in price, costing anything from under £100 up to nearly £900. We wanted to see performance, quality and functionality that reflected the price.
• Stand mixer versatility: Stand mixers are powerful units and should be used to tackle fundamental cooking and baking tasks. We looked for stand mixers with three key attachments: a whisk, a beater and a kneading hook. Extra points were awarded to models that offered more features, such as built in weighing scales, timers or even extra attachments.
• Ease of use and cleaning: We favoured mixers with simple and straightforward controls. When it comes to clean up, we look for dishwasher-safe attachments to make life easier.

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