KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer: Small but Mighty in the Kitchen

KitchenAid Artisan Mini Stand Mixer: A Kitchen Game-Changer

I'll confess that I had been thinking about buying a KitchenAid - Artisan® Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer for many years before my husband surprised me with the Artisan Mini version. I'd heard great things about KitchenAid mixers from friends, and I had written about them. Still, I hesitated. My arguments against getting one were the predictable ones. It's too expensive. Our kitchen is too small. I'm managing perfectly okay with my old handheld mixer.

Let me tell you, though trying to bake a half-decent cake with only a handheld mixer is very much not okay. Creaming butter? Forget it. Whipping up egg whites until they're stiff? Your arm will be stiff with exhaustion before you get the eggs to the desired consistency. I like baking, so all that physical labor with inconsistent results was becoming a problem.

Now that I've had our mini Artisan mixer, I can unequivocally say that it's great, and I shouldn't have waited this long to have one. It's a true game-changer in the kitchen.

Key Features
All KitchenAid mixers have a tilt-head design that allows you to keep adding ingredients as you are mixing without needing to move the mixing bowl. Once you've clicked your bowl in place, you can lock and unlock the tilt-head with the mixing attachment, which saves time and prevents the mixture from making a mess in your kitchen.

My Artisan Mini​ stand mixer came with three standard attachments: a whisk, a paddle, and a dough hook. These three basic attachments are enough to satisfy most cooks' basic needs. Should you want to explore the mixer's full capabilities, you can buy additional attachments, which range from grinders to spiralizers and even one for making pasta. We've recently bought the meat grinder and strainer attachments so that we can make our own pasta sauces. I haven't got around to trying them out yet, as all the different parts that need to be assembled together are somewhat intimidating.

KitchenAid mixers come in a variety of colors. The one I was gifted is the stainless steel version, which I suspect will be somewhat more durable as a finish compared to the enameled finishes, which are prettier.

Pros
Robust, high-quality construction that will handle the wear and tear of regular use.
Easy to put together and operate. I was using mine five minutes after taking it out of its box.
Tilt-head construction allows for easy ingredient adding and prevents a mess.
Professional-level results: you'll know the difference instantly, especially if you've ever tried to bake a meringue!
Ten different speeds that accommodate a variety of ingredient mixing requirements.
Plenty of opportunities to explore further options with additional attachments.

Cons
Heavy: this mixer has a substantial weight to it. It's a good thing in terms of ensuring stability during use, but if you don't leave yours out on your countertop all the time, it's a bit of a chore putting it away and taking it out again.
Works best for bigger batches: as I'm only making enough for two, I've found that the mixing results aren't as good when using a smaller amount of the ingredients. This can be remedied by periodically scooping the mixture from the bottom and sides to encourage even mixing, but that's a bit annoying.
Additional attachments are expensive: The mixer itself is nearly $400, and the attachments are stiffly priced. The grinder and strainer parts, for example, will easily set you back another $60+.

Value for Money
KitchenAid mixers aren't cheap, and the attachments for it can be disappointingly expensive too. Still, given how much use I've been getting from my mixer, the overall great results, and the likelihood of the mixer lasting a long time, I think it's great value for money. It just feels hefty and valuable: I don't think I'll need another mixer for a very long time.

Who Should Buy This Product?​
Anyone who does a decent amount of baking, whether sweet or savory. The labor-saving capabilities of this mixer are amazing, and you will get better, tastier results. If your baking is limited to a batch of Christmas cookies once in a blue moon, you probably don't need this.

Alternative Items to Consider
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speeds, 5.5-Quart– A 5.5-quart stand mixer with a tilt-head design, similar in function to KitchenAid.

The Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer comes with a 4-quart bowl, dough hook, flat beater, whisk, splash guard, and 7 speeds, offering versatility and convenience for mixing, kneading, and whipping.

Is It Worth It?
In a word, yes. There's a reason behind KitchenAid's reputation as the brand for stand mixers. Now that I own one, I know that it's not just hype. These mixers, even mini-sized ones, are sturdy, reliable, and easy to use. I wouldn't want any other mixer now and plan to expand my collection of attachments to make full use of this item.

This is not a paid sponsorship—these are my personal opinions based on experience.