Why Are KitchenAid Mixers So Expensive?

Let’s be honest, the sleek and stylish stand mixer range from KitchenAid is nothing short of spectacular. They are the Ferrari of the kitchen countertop, the stuff of dreams for budding bakers the world over. If you have recently fallen in love with these dreamy kitchen appliances, you certainly aren’t alone. Ever since they first hit the shelves in 1919, KitchenAid stand mixers have been at the top of every baking enthusiast’s Christmas wish list. 

For many of us though, we don’t start off with one of these machines from day one. Usually, our culinary journey starts from much more humble beginnings.

In fact, I am willing to bet most of us started out with nothing more than a few mixing bowls and baking pans. Perhaps a spatula and a whisk thrown in for good measure. Then, after countless hours of mixing by hand and struggling through one too many holiday bakes, we all come to the realization that it’s time to enlist the help of an electric mixer. 

Some might settle for a basic hand mixer, and others might snag a deal on a budget stand mixer, but what most of us really want is the mighty KitchenAid stand mixer. 

After a quick bit of research, you discover the eye-watering amount of money you need to stump up for these amazing machines and inevitably ask yourself the question that has been asked a thousand times…“Why are KitchenAid mixers so expensive?!”

It isn’t just their range of stand mixers that come with a heavy price tag though. Most of their other household appliances aren’t exactly what you would call “budget-friendly” either.

Unfortunately, as you will soon learn, there is some pretty good rationale as to why these stand mixers are so expensive. Allow me to share with you 7 reasons why I think these machines come with such a heavy price tag and alsotell you why I think KitchenAid mixers are worth the money nevertheless!

The Best KitchenAid Mixer Deals

Before we dive into breaking down the prices of KitchenAid appliances, I want to quickly share with you some of the best deals I have found for some of their most popular mixers. I spent countless weeks researching KitchenAid when I bought my own mixer, and these were some of the best deals I found!

Why is KitchenAid such a popular brand?

In 2020 the stand mixer market was valued at just under $1 billion dollars in the USA alone, with KitchenAid capturing a massive 28% market share. This makes the American-made stand mixers the undisputed queen of the baking appliance world, with a fan following that borders on the obsessed.

And it’s not exactly hard to see why so many amateur chefs and bakers adore these mixers.

KitchenAid appliances are renowned for their robust build quality, guaranteeing reliable performance for years, if not decades, to come. Not to mention the world-class engineering, elegant design and strong electric motors that make them highly efficient mixing machines.  

Of course, for those on a really tight budget, you’ll find dozens of cheaper brands (like Hamilton Beach) offering stand mixers, as well as other kitchen products, including much cheaper hand mixer alternatives. That’s said, very few of these brands offer the long-lasting build quality that is the hallmark of the KitchenAid brand, and you might even end up spending more on replacing your cheap and cheerful appliances every couple of months.

Why is the KitchenAid mixer so expensive? 

If I had to sum up why KitchenAid mixers are so expensive in a single sentence, it would be this: Quality comes at a price.  

Although it’s true that their stand mixers cost a minimum of $300, as you will soon learn, you actually get quite a lot for this price

Don’t believe me? Here are my 7 reasons why KitchenAid stand mixers are so expensive (and totally worth every dollar!).

Their Multifunctional Nature 

When you buy a KitchenAid stand mixer, you get a lot more than just your average mixer. One of the main reasons why KitchenAid mixers are so expensive is because they can perform a huge multitude of tasks. In fact, I’m willing to bet these nifty little machines can do more than any other appliance in your house.

A KitchenAid mixer really lives up to its name as the ultimate baking and cooking tool. These magical machines can mix, blend, juice, cut, shred, temper, grind, mill, sieve and so much more.  If you are only planning on using it for baking, then you are seriously missing out!

Once you get your hands on a stand mixer, you can buy over 40 additional KitchenAid attachments that will help you perform an amazing myriad of culinary tasks. These accessories allow you to spend less time on food prep and more time enjoying your food creations. 

Unfortunately, though, you will need to purchase these attachments separately… which doesn’t exactly help if you are trying to stick to a budget. 

That said, many KitchenAiders will slowly grow their accessory collection over the course of several years, and there is also plenty of cheaper 3rd party attachments you can buy instead.

If you opt for a cheaper stand mixer, you get the basic mixing attachments and very little else. It is this versatility that really puts the KitchenAid stand mixer in a league of its own.

Unrivalled Build Quality

What would you prefer: a cheap mixer that stops working in a couple of years (if you are lucky), or a slightly more pricey machine that will last a lifetime?

I know which one I would pick.

The superior build quality of KitchenAid is another factor that contributes to the big price tag. KitchenAid is a brand that is synonymous with quality, and their stand mixers are certainly no exception. 

For starters, every KitchenAid mixer, even the cheaper ones, use a solid zinc alloy base. These solid metal shells not only make the mixer ridiculously sturdy but also protect the machine’s electrical components. This weighty case also acts as a counterweight to stop your mixer from vibrating across your countertop when in use.

Even beneath the surface, no expense is spared. Professional series mixers use a metal gear system, which is brilliant for mixing larger loads and guarantees a longer life span. The insulation of the electricals is also far superior to that of a budget mixer, helping prevent your machine from over-mixing.

If you want to learn more about the technical aspects of a KitchenAid mixer, here’s a great video that shows just how well these machines are made!

Like everything, the quality of the materials will ultimately have a direct relation to the final price. If your stand mixer has a plastic body, then it will inevitably be cheaper (and less robust) than a solid metal one. 

It’s worth remembering that KitchenAid’s mixers also come with a minimum of a 2 to 5-year warranty, depending on the model you opt for. They remain in prime condition for years even after the warranty expires, which translates into a higher cost price. 

What’s more; the KitchenAid company is known for its brilliant customer service and legions of satisfied bakers and chefs. If you have a problem or find a fault with your machine, they will do their best to fix it!

Assembled in Ohio, America

It’s no secret that many large American companies (Apple, General Motors and Nike, for example) have shifted their manufacturing to countries with lower labor costs and tax rates. Not KitchenAid.

While their electronic components and various individual parts might come from elsewhere, the final assembly, painting, quality testing, and packaging are all done at their factory in Greenville, Ohio.

Here, they employ over 1400 American workers who ensure that your stand mixer lives up to its formidable reputation. With higher American labor costs, the finished product is bound to be costlier.

Many Americans are willing to pay extra for this very reason – it’s one of the few “Made in USA” kitchen appliances left.

Superior Motor Power

These mean machines are equipped with powerful motors ranging from 275 to 500 watts. This ensures that your batter is mixed to smooth perfection every time. The top-end models, which can produce up to a whopping 1.3bhp, are needed to handle the increased dough and batter capacity. The top-of-the-range models also use a highly efficient (and quiet) DC motor, a feature rarely found on brand mixers.

It’s not just the size of the motors that make KitchenAid stand mixers special though. It’s the clever way in which they mix your ingredients together that really makes them stand out.

KitchenAid uses something called ‘planetary motion‘ to manipulate the ingredients, guaranteeing a thoroughly mixed batter every time. Planetary motion simply means that the mixer runs in two orbital directions; the head spins clockwise and the attachment spins anti-clockwise. This allows for it to both whip and fold your mixture at the same time.

If you were to put this beside a budget stand mixer, many of which can only spin in a single direction, the quality of the mix would be blindingly obvious. If a mixer is only spinning in a single direction it will only be stirring your batter, similar to a spoon in your morning cup of coffee

Their Beautiful Design

I mean, have you seen these mixers?! The gorgeous design and stylish finish have bakers and non-bakers swooning. It does make a beautiful addition to your kitchen. 

The KitchenAid stand mixer has always offered a huge range of attachments and functions for baking and cooking, although they haven’t always been the picturesque appliance we know and love today. 

In fact, when they were first introduced, the company had a tough time selling their mixer to home bakers. Originally, they were large machines,  built by women living on farms and sold at hardware stores. The $200 price tag, around $2700 by today’s rates (yes, you read it right) didn’t help the company gain much traction either. 

All that changed in 1937 thanks to their product designer, Egment Arens. He is responsible for the fluid and elegant design that defines modern KitchenAid stand mixers and helped their machines become the iconic classics we now see.

When it comes to mixer colors, you’re really spoiled for choice. They offer their appliances in more colors than I bet you knew even existed and you have the option of customizing your mixer. The standard 5-quart Artisan comes in around 50 different colors alone (you know, so you can match your nail paint for those Instagram videos).

What more can a baker want? 

You’re Paying For the Brand

Let’s face it, KitchenAid isn’t exactly trying to offer a bottom-of-the-range, budget-friendly stand mixer. They position themselves as the high-end, luxury mixer of choice, and the price of their appliances needs to reflect this. In the business world, they call this premium pricing, or at least that is what I am told.

Also, KitchenAid has enjoyed the trust and love of its bakers around the world for over a century, and really, your paying the price for that. The company has built a strong connection with the baking community, and its brand is synonymous with high quality.

Endless Mixer Varieties 

Most brands offer the standard stand mixer in 1-2 sizes. If you’re lucky, you’ll find an updated version with a few extra features and attachments.

KitchenAid, on the other hand, has a stand mixer to serve every baking (and non-baking) need you can imagine. You have the much-loved Artisan Series with a 4.5-quart or 5-quart mixing bowl. Serious bakers have the big twins from the Professional Series with 6-quart or 7-quart bowls.

To make their stand mixers more affordable and to entice new bakers, KitchenAid introduced the Artisan Mini. This can hold up to 3.5-quarts of dough.

KitchenAid also offers two styles to keep up with customer expectations. The fast-selling tilt-head model and the bowl-lift design work with large-capacity mixers. 

Okay, so now you know why KitchenAid stand mixers are so expensive, but what about other stand mixers?

Why are stand mixers so expensive?

KitchenAid isn’t the only manufacturer of stand mixers that will set you back a pretty penny. Many specialized kitchen appliances, including stand mixers, are costly purchases. 

A hand mixer will hardly make a dent in your bank account, often you are able to pick one up for as little as $10-30. Stand mixers, on the other hand, start at $100 and only get pricier from there. 

Why is this huge margin for products that essentially do the same thing – mix batter or whip frosting?

I think this comes down to three main things; convenience, motor power and build quality.

The humble hand mixer comes with 2 basic attachments that get the job done; a whisk and a dough tool. There is fine if you’re making a one-off batch of cookies or a party cake. Also. the hand mixer is a good starting point for someone new to baking and who wants to avoid the physical work involved.

If you’re a serious baker, the hand mixer doesn’t quite make the cut. With limited functionality, inferior quality and build, and low dough capacity.

Then there is the question of time, accessories and output. Even the smallest stand mixer will finish whipping, mixing and creaming in less time.  

Ever tried kneading bread dough with a hand mixer? It takes forever. The motor gets hot very fast, forcing you to take frequent breaks or you run the risk of permanently damaging the machine.

The stand mixer dough attachment works faster and better than the hand mixer one. It’s a win-win in my opinion.

The stand mixer uses light motion while shuffling the ingredients around. The resulting dough, meringue, or buttercream will be smoother, stiffer or fluffier. 

Most stand mixers also come with the paddle attachment that helps make the creamiest cheesecake or angel cake. It ensures that the creaming and whipping process doesn’t deflate the batter.

Should you buy a KitchenAid Stand Mixer?

Definitely!

Okay, so these stand mixers will pinch your pocket, and you might have to have a little cry as you press the buy now button your mixer purchase, but I promise you that getting a KitchenAid is a brilliant decision. Their functionality, build quality, durability, and brand name make KitchenAid stand mixers a worthy investment. It will serve you well for years to come.

If you are really reluctant to stump up the cash for a new mixer, why not your hands on one during a sale? You certainly won’t regret it.