KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PS

Kneading

Three hundred watts is what makes shoppers hesitate next to machines that claim a thousand. The difference lies in the drivetrain: the motor drives the mixer directly, with no belt, so the full torque reaches the dough hook. That's what earned it its reputation with heavy doughs like bread and brioche, where motors that look more powerful on paper struggle. The twelve kilos people often complain about are exactly what keep it from walking across the counter as the dough stiffens.

Cleaning and footprint

The stainless steel bowl, whisk, dough hook and flat beater all go in the dishwasher, which takes care of everyday cleanup. The body just needs a wipe with a damp cloth. Footprint is the real issue: 34 cm tall with the head down, more with it tilted back, and a weight that rules out putting it away in a cupboard after use. This mixer lives on the counter, full time. If you don't have that space, look at the Kenwood kMix in the comparison.

Who it's for, and who it isn't

It's made for you if you knead: bread, brioche, pizza dough, every week. That's where direct drive and sheer weight pay off, and where the optional attachments (pasta roller, meat grinder) make sense, especially since the front hub hasn't changed since the first models and takes secondhand attachments. Skip it if you mostly whip egg whites or cream: a €150 mixer does the same job at a third of the weight.