3 min read- KitchenAid’s new Artisan Plus stand mixer features the biggest technological innovations since 1955.
- The mixer offers 11 different speeds for maximum control, including a new half speed that’s perfect for delicate tasks.
- Another notable feature is the built-in light that illuminates the bowl while you mix.
A KitchenAid stand mixer is designed to last a lifetime. The appliance is often passed down from generation to generation, and it’s an essential tool for nearly everybody who loves to bake. Even if we don’t need to replace our machines, the brand keeps releasing new colors and finishes that make us want to buy another.
And now, KitchenAid is rolling out a new version of its signature stand mixer—with some of the biggest technological innovations in over 70 years. The Artisan Plus Stand Mixer is officially out now, and it takes the beloved appliance to new heights.
We got our hands on the new release to break down all of the machine’s new features. Here’s what you can expect:
Speed Control
A KitchenAid stand mixer operates at multiple speeds, but depending on your model, you only have a few options. (With my older machine, for instance, the speed increases in intervals of two.) The Artisan Plus offers the most control for those who want to fine-tune their mixing, with 11 (!) different speeds. It ranges from one to 10, as well as a new half-speed setting that’s designed for delicate tasks like folding in egg whites.
Soft Start
Just like luxurious drawers that softly close, the new Artisan Plus features a brand-new soft-start feature. It solves one of the biggest gripes bakers have about the classic stand mixer: The cloud of flour that dusts your kitchen counter whenever you turn it on. The mixing mechanism gradually speeds up to your chosen setting, which minimizes any unwanted spills and splatters. And, for extra insurance, the machine also comes with the plastic bowl guard.
Bowl Light
With the original stand mixer, the only effective way to check the status of your recipe is to stop the appliance, lift the head, and peer inside the bowl. KitchenAid is attempting to make this process more efficient by adding a built-in LED bowl light.
The light automatically turns on when the appliance is plugged in, and the tilt head is in the down position. Once you lift it up, the light turns off. If you only needed one reason to buy the Artisan Plus, this is it.
New Accessories
The original accessories for a KitchenAid stand mixer are made with die-cast aluminum and a polyester-based powder coating. And for bakers like me with well-loved stand mixers, the coating on those paddles and dough hooks is often chipped. The brand offers a sturdier stainless-steel set for anyone looking to upgrade—for a cool $130, that is.
But for the Artisan Plus, those higher-quality accessories already come in your box. They’re much more durable than the coated version and are completely dishwasher-safe. (The original designs can only be washed on the top rack, and even then, they’re still susceptible to chips and flakes.)
KitchenAid’s new stand mixer also comes with a double flex edge beater, which was previously only compatible with bowl-lift models. The flexible silicone material on both sides constantly scrapes down the edges of the bowl as it runs. Translation: You don’t have to stop the machine and go in with a spatula as often.
The Verdict
KitchenAid added seemingly small features to its stand mixer that make a major impact. Unlike glittery orange colorways and chic wooden bowls, these upgrades will materially improve the user experience.
However, color lovers are still in luck. KitchenAid is selling the Artisan Plus in 11 of the brand’s most beloved colors. There are also four brand-new hues—Sundried Tomato, Wild Blueberry, Iron Ore Bronze, and Oat—that are exclusive to the model.
But there’s a catch: It’s $600. A high-quality stand mixer will always be an investment, and this model in particular comes at a premium. The Artisan Plus costs $100 more than the standard Artisan mixer and $50 more than the 2026 Color of the Year model. But if you’re an avid baker and already in the market for a new KitchenAid appliance, I’d say it’s worth the premium price.