Cuisinart SM-50R 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer
A stand mixer (5.2L, 110 watts), a solid choice for everyday baking and the occasional bread dough.
KitchenAid Classic vs Artisan: What's the Difference?
The KitchenAid Classic and Artisan look almost identical, so it's worth knowing what actually differs before you buy.
Quick answer
The main differences are bowl size and power: the Artisan has a larger 4.8L bowl and a slightly more powerful motor, plus far more colour choices and a bowl handle, while the Classic has a 4.3L bowl, fewer colours and a lower price. Both use the same tilt-head design and the same attachments.
What's the same
Both are tilt-head stand mixers with the same standard attachment hub, so they take the same beaters, whisks, dough hooks and the full range of KitchenAid attachments like pasta rollers and grinders. Core mixing performance for everyday baking is very similar.
What differs
The Artisan's 4.8L bowl handles slightly bigger batches than the Classic's 4.3L, its motor is a touch more powerful, and it usually adds a comfortable bowl handle and many more colour options. The Classic keeps things simpler in fewer colours at a lower price. If you bake big batches or want a specific colour, the Artisan is the pick; for value and everyday use, the Classic does the same core job.
Our top picks
#1
#2 
Cuisinart SM-50BC SMD-50BC Precision Pro 5.5-Quart Digital Stand Mixer
A stand mixer (500 watts), a solid choice for everyday baking and the occasional bread dough.
#3 
Aucma Stand Mixer
A stand mixer (6.2L, 1400 watts, tilt-head), a solid choice for everyday baking and the occasional bread dough.
Frequently asked questions
Is the KitchenAid Artisan worth the extra over the Classic?
If you want the larger 4.8L bowl, a bowl handle, a bit more power or the wide colour range, yes. If you mainly do everyday baking and want to save money, the Classic performs very similarly.
Do the Classic and Artisan use the same attachments?
Yes - both share the same standard attachment hub and bowl fitting, so beaters, whisks, dough hooks and the wider KitchenAid attachment range fit both.
What's the bowl size difference?
The Artisan has a 4.8L bowl; the Classic has a 4.3L bowl. The Artisan therefore handles slightly larger batches, and usually adds a bowl handle.
Bottom line
Our top pick is the Cuisinart SM-50R 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer (our score 9.6/10) - A stand mixer (5.2L, 110 watts), a solid choice for everyday baking and the occasional bread dough..