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Some of my favorite childhood memories involve one of the best KitchenAid stand mixers. When I moved into my first apartment, it was a right of passage to receive a KitchenAid mixer of my own: an older version of the KitchenAid Classic Plus 4.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer handed down from my dad that lasted me for years. (If your family is loyal to another kitchen appliance brand, check out our picks for the best stand mixer to make your own baking memories.)

Over the years, I encountered the KitchenAid Classic Plus again and again: in homes of my family members, as a cook in professional kitchens, and most recently as a product tester writing our guide to the best KitchenAid stand mixers. Through years and years of experience, I can confidently say it's one of the best gadgets you can buy for the money.

Design and specs

Wattage conveys the power of the motor: the gist is that lower-wattage models have less powerful motors than higher-wattage models. KitchenAid stand mixers range from 250 to 970 watts, and the Classic Plus is on the lower end of that spectrum with a 275-watt motor. This is perfectly adequate for common tasks like making cookies, brownies, whipped cream, cake, and the occasional bread loaf. 

However, if you're someone who bakes every week or regularly makes really tough, stiff doughs, you'll want to choose a model with 400 watts or above.

Basic mixing

For our guide to the best KitchenAid stand mixers, I tested a new version of the KitchenAid Classic Plus and used it to mix cookie dough, whip egg whites, and knead hefty bagel dough. The mixer comes with three attachments for accomplishing each of these tasks: a paddle mixer, a whisk, and a dough hook. 

The stand mixer is super easy to operate and use. There are just two levers: one to lock the mixer head in place for safer operation, and one to adjust the speed. The lowest speed gently mixes in delicate ingredients (like chocolate chips for cookie dough) and the highest speed tackles tough tasks like kneading bread dough. For most uses, you won't need to go past speed 7 or so. 

Weight and capacity

Performance-wise, it excelled at mixing cookie dough and whipping egg whites, but struggled a bit through the bagel dough. While the dough ultimately came together fine, I wouldn't trust it with double batches and I'd probably limit these tough tasks to just a couple times a year for the longevity of the mixer.

At 25 pounds, it's a hefty mixer. And while it's lighter than most other KitchenAid models, it's still a task to move it around. The mixer itself is made of enamel-coated metal, which is super durable and heavy. You can wipe the body down easily after use with a damp cloth. The mixing bowl is fairly light made of smooth metal that is very easy to clean. I usually just throw it in the dishwasher. 

Cons to consider

Determine whether the wattage suits your needs. This isn't something you want to find out by experimenting; burning out the motor is a repairable issue, but one that will cost you (sometimes almost as much as a new stand mixer). I really would caution anyone who thinks they'll be using their stand mixer weekly or for lots of bread to choose a more powerful model from our guide to the best KitchenAids or the best stand mixers. 

Another thing that peeves me about stand mixer advertising is that the actual usable capacity is much smaller than the state capacity. The KitchenAid Classic Plus claims a 4.5-quart capacity, but the functional capacity is actually closer to 3 quarts. It'll accommodate single batches of most recipes, but don't expect to be doubling up on recipes in this mixer.

What are your alternatives?














Molly Allen/Insider



Best overall: KitchenAid 5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer – See at AmazonThe KitchenAid 5-Quart Stand Mixer is a sturdy, durable stand mixer that takes up a relatively small amount of counter space while offering ultimate versatility.Best value: Cuisinart 5.5-Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer – See at AmazonFor an impressive stand mixer at a lower price point, the Cuisinart Tilt Head has a powerful motor for mixing and kneading tough doughs, but is surprisingly light and compact.Best for beginners: Breville The Bakery Chef Stand Mixer – See at BrevilleThe Breville Bakery Chef stand mixer was designed with ease of use and versatility in mind. It performs well thanks to a powerful motor, built-in timer, and a bowl light. The bottom line

For the occasional or beginner baker, this is a great model to get started with. It's made with the same metal parts as more expensive KitchenAid stand mixers, has a strong motor, and a relatively roomy work bowl. If a stand mixer seems out of reach for you, one of our best hand mixers might be a better choice. It'll take up less real estate on your counter and is great if you aren't ready to invest in a KitchenAid.

Lauren Savoie

Deputy Editor, Reviews & Chair of the Editorial Standards Board




Lauren Savoie is deputy editor of Insider Reviews and chair of Business Insider's editorial standards board. Lauren leads the home, kitchen, pets, and travel teams, and is deeply involved in all editorial decision making, with a particular focus in strategic content planning, career growth of reporters and editors, and strong journalistic standards for the Reviews team. In 2022, Lauren attended The Poynter Institute's Leadership Academy for Women in Media, a prestigious program that recognizes leaders in the journalism industry.Lauren joined the Business Insider team in 2020, first as kitchen editor and soon after as senior home & kitchen editor, where she pioneered original testing methodologies for buying guides and built a diverse team of freelancers and reporters with deep expertise in product testing. You can see some of her work in our guides to the best flower delivery services, the best pillows, and the best sous vide machines. Before her time at Business Insider, Lauren was the senior reviews editor at America's Test Kitchen, where she wrote and edited more than 300 in-depth, unbiased buying guides and reviewed more than 1,000 kitchen products. Her work has appeared in Cook's Illustrated and Cook's Country magazines, in dozens of cookbooks, on two Emmy-nominated TV shows, and on CNN.com, Fodor's, Yahoo, LifeHacker, the Splendid Table, and more.Lauren is currently Kansas-based, but continues to live like a lifelong Bostonian: drinking Dunkin' iced coffee in the winter, spending summers "down" the Cape, and sharing her home with a cat named Chowder. Say hello at lsavoie.com or on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. Learn more about how our team of experts tests and reviews products at Insider.

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