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KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer

Curated from 254 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 10, 2025

KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer

Brand: KitchenAid

Price: $279

Snoop Score:

6.5

Sentiment

7.3

Popularity

7.0

Technical

5.0

Buy on Amazon for $279 See All Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer is a compact and powerful kitchen appliance designed for mixing, kneading, and whipping a variety of ingredients. With its durable metal construction and versatile tilt-head design, this mixer is ideal for small batches of dough, cakes, and cookies, making it a favorite among home bakers. Consumer sentiment surrounding the KitchenAid Artisan Mini highlights its impressive durability and effective mixing capabilities. Many users rave about its "beautiful design and craftsmanship," and its ability to handle smaller tasks with ease, with one user stating, "the mixer is stored in the cupboard, then lifted for use and returned." However, some feedback points out that the mixer may struggle with heavier doughs or larger batches, suggesting a need for careful use at higher speeds to avoid overheating. Overall, the KitchenAid Artisan Mini is highly recommended for casual bakers and those with limited kitchen space. Its compact size, durability, and positive user experiences make it a worthwhile addition to any kitchen, especially for those looking to tackle everyday baking tasks with ease.

Not for you? Check out our other rated

Any tips,recipes or advice would be lovely.
Positive Feedback

Don't put that whisk or any other attachments with aluminum hubs in the dishwasher!!!
Negative Feedback

6.5

KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer

Buy on Amazon for $279

Baking Cookies & Cakes

10 / 10

Bread & Dough Preparation

6 / 10

Whipping & Emulsifying

10 / 10

Accessory-Based Cooking

7 / 10

See how this compares to all Reviews

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

Durable metal construction

“Any tips,recipes or advice would be lovely.”➕

“I’ve owned that mixer at least 45 years and have put all attachments in the dishwasher and this thing works as good as the day I got it.”➕

Effective at mixing dough on speed 2

“Lots of recipes call for higher speeds but that's not how these mixers were designed to work.”➕

“I have been using mine for around 23 years and I make bread a couple of times a week.”➕

“I do hear the motor straining a little at the higher speeds.”➕

Compact size for easier storage

“Definitely read the manual. Good information in there!!”➕

“This is it.”➕

“I used the mini for bread for years, I love it.”➕

Durable and long-lasting product

“It'll last for years at this point”➕

“I love looking at it on my countertop every day and thinking of my dad.”➕

“It will probably outlive me”➕

“never had a problem.”➕

Impressive craftsmanship

“That's impressive craftsmanship.”➕

Durable and long-lasting

“Our kitchen aid like this just turned 9 i think still holding strong hopefully for a little longer too.”➕

“If you use it properly, it should last a long time.”➕

Durability over long-term use

“It has the entire time I've had it and I have no idea where it's coming from, but if you're handier than me you can probably fix it.”➕

“Someone is gonna be so lucky to have this.”➕

Sturdy construction for heavy mixing tasks

“Anything too lightweight is going to try to dance around the countertop when you try to mix anything heavier, or try to knead bread.”➕

“They are worth it if it's going to be one of your main tools in the kitchen.”➕

Good for cakes and cookies

“I mostly do cakes and cookies, so my Kitchenaid works fine.”➕

“Kitchen aid for cakes and cookies, Bosch for bread”➕

“I'm just a hobby baker but I love mine. On sale its not that bad, still expensive but so worth it”➕

Beautiful design and craftsmanship

“They really are beautiful, aren't they? Much better than an AH ex, lol.”➕

“I was gonna ask if you could pound nails with your triceps.”➕

Tilt-head design is versatile for general use

“I just think the bowl-lift mechanism is a PITA when you need to change attachments, because you have to put the bowl on first and if I have a full mixing bowl then I always end up making a huge mess.”➕

“The extra power of the bowl lift is great but maybe there are trade-offs. Do you make breads w/ the tilt-head and is it perfectly fine?”➕

Effective for small batches and cookies

“Having said that, when I'm making hamburger buns, I do everything in my kitchenaid because the volume of dough is low enough that even if it climbs it stays below the hook collar, and it does an excellent job!”➕

Effective for normal batches of dough

“I make cakes, frostings, and some times bread.”➕

“Making larger batches (like 2 loaves of challah - about 8-9c or 1kg flour) was pushing the limits.”➕

Easier to use with more attachments

“I found mine was easier to use and had more attachments available versus other brands of stand mixer.”➕

Durable and long-lasting performance

“my mom has one from, like, 25 years ago and it still works great.”➕

“My boyfriend's mom has one thats 13 years old and still worked until about 5 months ago.”➕

Handles tasks better than hand mixers

“They handle the jobs I can't do by hand.”➕

Great for casual home baking

“I make cinnamon rolls once a month and a 2 lb loaf per week on my tilt head mixer.”➕

Built better than cheaper stand mixers

“I swear it's built better than my car.”➕

“The mixer is DEFINITELY built better than my car.”➕

Durability over time

“They're no joke.”➕

Effective at incorporating ingredients

“I've had cheap stand mixers in the past and I've never been satisfied with them, then my mother got me a Kenwood chef sense and it's been the best thing ever.”➕

Durable over long-term use

“Never a problem.”➕

“It's never missed a beat, or had to be repaired in any way.”➕

“It still works.”➕

“A++ would buy again!”➕

All metal gears improve durability

“I read that the gearboxes were updated to be all metal so is this a problem still?”➕

“The nylon gear is meant to be a fail safe.”➕

Easy to repair

“It sounds like the worm gear failed in which case it's a very easy thing to fix.”➕

More color choices available

“More color choices. All the fancy bowls. The bread bowl.”➕

Popular gift due to color selection

“Most people don't really need a really heavy duty mixer if they're just doing the occasional cake or brownies or whatever.”➕

Effective for cookies and cakes

“It can handle cookies, cakes, pasta, that sort of stuff just fine, though.”➕

Good for small batches of dough

“The DC motor should be good enough for small batches of dough, provided it isn't too difficult.”➕

Efficient and quieter due to DC motor

“Others are correct that the Mini has a DC motor, so it’s going to have comparable power to other tilt-heads while actually being a bit quieter and more efficient.”➕

Great for small kitchens and storage

“I love my mini.”➕

“Boy... that little mixer does the trick.”➕

High user satisfaction and reliability

“I think I will eventually upgrade to the pro va cause the artisan gets so much use in our house”➕

Compact size ideal for small kitchens

“It’s a small mixer perfect for small households and limited space.”➕

“The mixer is stored in the cupboard, then lifted for use and returned.”➕

Effective for small batch mixing

“Sorry I was comparing the minis ability to mix a small amount to that of the 6qt which I used.”➕

Great for daily use

“Once you realize what it can do you’ll use it for everything.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Attachments not dishwasher safe

“Don't put that whisk or any other attachments with aluminum hubs in the dishwasher!!!”➕

“Don't put the attachments in the dishwasher, hand wash only.”➕

“why is this? I have always used the dough hook for breads, and just let er rip. max power.”➕

“It overheats easily and really jiggles around whenever it's running and recently I was kneading some dough and speed 4 and the motor completely burnt out.”➕

Potential to stall at higher speeds

“Mine will stall if I mix dough on speed two.”➕

Grease replacement can be a hassle

“The actual steps of regreasing are not hard. Take apart cover case, clean out old grease, replace with new grease, and reassemble.”➕

“Yes. The grease is fine if it isn’t leaking.”➕

Limited warranty duration

“Most of their mixers have a 1 year warranty.”➕

“Nice I redid an old Hobart era mixer a few years ago.”➕

Motor failure concerns

“I didn't even think about replacing the board, wish I had found this a few months ago.”➕

“You also know how easy it is to fry one of these? People will try to fill the bowl with a stiff bread dough and expect it to work.”➕

Not suitable for heavy bread dough

“Definitely if you buy second hand. Not so much if you buy new.”➕

“I burnt my three year old 4.5 qt stand mixer out making bread.”➕

“The newer one is far flimsier. It shakes with a moderately stiff dough.”➕

“Neither mixers are “bread mixers” so to speak.”➕

High price point, especially when new

“Should I just take the leap and buy it (or buy secondhand) or is there a more affordable brand that works just as well.”➕

“it’s so expensive here.”➕

Potential motor failure at higher speeds

“Kitchen-Aid specifically says in their manuals to knead dough at speed 2 and that anything higher creates a potential for failure.”➕

Struggles with larger batches

“Depends on how much you bake. I used to have a tilt head but I couldn't double cookie recipes in it - it would struggle with that volume.”➕

Messy when adding ingredients

“I much prefer the bowl lift. The head tilt one I found was much smaller in comparison and made more of a mess.”➕

Not a necessity for small batch cooking

“A stand mixer is almost never required for small batch home cooking.”➕

Concerns about durability and longevity

“I was thinking of buying one assuming that they last decades when taken care of.”➕

“It's a shame they didn't design this machine better..maybe adding a cotter pin to fix the issue..I will not buy another.”➕

“If you have a kitchenaid for 10 - 15 years you pay about $0.14 cents a day... I think anyone could start a change jar to pay it off.”➕

Struggles with thick doughs

“Mine can't even get through a batch of cookies once all the flour has been added.”➕

Potential wobble in tilt-head design

“I didn't really like the head-tilt because there was some wobble in the joint when it was working hard.”➕

Motor overheating at times

“the motor gets hot and smokes a bit.”➕

Potential for motor overheating

“sometimes when my mixer get overly hot I will put a package of frozen peas on her.”➕

“the real problem with these breaking is overheating the motor, from overwork and not enough cooling.”➕

Issues with mixing heavy dough

“That'll destroy a KA mixer in no time.”➕

“Now, if you just plan on replacing your entire appliance as soon as you decide to mix 10lbs of dough at once, then your big shiney heavy duty mixer of Glob is for you, but if you have a nearby appliance repair shop and are willing to drop $50~ every 5 years then you should get the older style.”➕

Concerns about quality and durability

“They're essentially junk.”➕

“The switch to all metal gears is probably going to lead to more expensive repairs.”➕

Comparison suggesting bowl-lift model is superior

“It’s SUBSTANTIALLY better IMHO. It soft starts, has a better stir speed and overall just seems to work better.”➕

Tilt-head design may require more overhead space

“The tilt will need extra space above the cabinet to be usable.”➕

High price point for some users

“I love the KA dishwasher. The third rack is game changer.”➕

Not powerful enough for heavy bread dough

“If you're looking at it strictly from a utilitarian perspective, I'd get the Classic.”➕

Not suitable for larger dough batches

“That one I can't answer. I have only known a couple people which own the Artisan Mini.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
Aucma Stand Mixer 6.5QT Electric Kitchen Mixer	$169	8.0	Details	Buy
CHeflee Stand Mixer 600W 6+P with 6.5QT Bowl	$169	7.7	Details	Buy
HOWORK Electric Stand Mixer	$139	7.4	Details	Buy
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5 Quart Stand Mixer	$249	7.2	Details	Buy
COOKLEE 6-IN-1 Stand Mixer	$219	7.2	Details	Buy
Kitchen in the Box Stand Mixer	$139	7.1	Details	Buy
ZZR SEVEN Stand Mixer with 5.5 QT Bowl	$57	7.0	Details	Buy
Aifeel Stand Mixer, 8.5QT & 6QT Stainless Steel Bowls	$179	7.0	Details	Buy
KitchenAid® 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer	$499	6.8	Details	Buy
KUCCU Stand Food Mixer	$159	6.8	Details	Buy
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5 Quart Tilt Head Stand Mixer	$349	6.6	Details	Buy
KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5 Quart Stand Mixer	$279	6.5	Details	Buy
Facelle Stand Mixer	$99	6.4	Details	Buy
Kitchen in the Box Stand Mixer	$119	6.2	Details	Buy
KitchenAid KSM150PSBK Artisan 5 Quart Stand Mixer	$349	5.9	Details	Buy
Peicual Stand Mixer, 6QT 10+P Speed Electric Mixer	$84	5.8	Details	Buy
Zuccie 4.8QT Kitchen Electric Stand Mixer	$74	5.8	Details	Buy
DASH Stand Mixer - Electric Mixer for Everyday Use	$39	5.7	Details	Buy
Cuisinart Stand Mixer SM-50BK	$179	5.6	Details	Buy
Hamilton Beach Electric Stand Mixer, 4 Quarts	$108	5.3	Details	Buy
Kitchen in the box Stand Mixer	$79	5.1	Details	Buy

Core Power Plays

The specs and strengths that make it shine.

Discussion about different models and their features

“It’s a good mixer, but it’s worth noting that it’s a 5 quart bowl lift, and it’s not a particularly high wattage.”➕

“Some Tilt-head mixers are more powerful than some bowl-lift models.”➕

Admiration for the design and aesthetic of the mixers

“God I love the look of those with their little arms.”➕

Discussion about finding KitchenAid mixers at thrift stores

“I can’t believe I found a KitchenAid stand mixer at Goodwill. $50, and it was even in the color I wanted!”➕

“Who donates a KitchenAid mixer? Good find!”➕

“Our old kitchen aid started skipping gears and sometimes had a grinding noise. It still worked but not smoothly. Honestly at that point even though we could rebuild it we wanted a different color. So someone out there got an easy fix mixer at a steal and we got a red one”➕

“Usually it's when an elderly relative passes away and you're not into cooking or don't know what a KitchenAid is or something like that and so then they get donated. Obviously they didn't know the how much it was worth. I bet grandma or great aunt or whoever had the KitchenAid would be so pleased to know that it got passed to you, someone who could really appreciate it:)”➕

User experiences with older KitchenAid mixers

“I got a red one for like $70 years ago from a Texas thrift.”➕

Discussion about the history of KitchenAid mixers

“I have a kitchenaid stand mixer that my parents gave me. We've had it for as long as I can remember (into the mid nineties, at least), and as far as i know we've never brought it in to be repaired.”➕

“This is not some effort to cut costs or be lazy, it is in fact a brilliant, yet simple feature designed to save your mixers’ motor.”➕

Curiosity about product specifications

“Quick question. As the replacement is recent, do you know of any way of identifying the difference between the old and the new types?”➕

“How long ago did they change to the metal gears? I have one that's about 4 years old, and I'm curious as to whether it has the metal or plastic gears.”➕

Discussion about motor types in KitchenAid models

“I thought the artisan models were all AC, and the DC models were the professional series which are 8 quarters and up?”➕

Hidden Hero Hacks

Unexpected tricks and side‑door uses you’ll love.

Discussion about attachments and their use

“I really wanna buy the ice cream attachment 😍”➕

“I have ice cream attachment which I love. I also have the shredder attachment which makes grating a block of cheese so fast.”➕

“Get the mixer.”➕

Discussion about using stand mixers for sourdough

“most/all techniques I’ve ever looked at involve stretch & folds rather than constant mixing or kneading.”➕

Discussion about alternatives for heavy dough

“I plan on making bread with it.”➕

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Advice on care and maintenance

“Chemical reaction between the dishwasher and caustic soap will destroy the protective coating.”➕

“Thanks!! I ended up watching some videos on it and it seems like Bar Keepers Friend is a better choice, as the abrasive pads can leave scratches behind.”➕

Curiosity about the availability of mixers in thrift shops

“Geez how many of these are at thrift shops and why (since they are so awesome)”➕

Discussion about cleaning and maintenance

“It makes the before photo look much worse than it is.”➕

“I’ve had mine for 20 years and it looks like the one on the left.”➕

“Did you take it apart???”➕

Curiosity about replacement parts

“Where’d you get the replacement silver band around it?”➕

“They’re not stickers, but they can be removed and replaced.”➕

Discussion about repair and maintenance

“Yes, now Google helps us fix such things because I can find this thread 50 years from now when my KitchenAid mixer dies. :)”➕

“This. This is my spirit animal. Oh. My. God.”➕

Discussion around the availability of DC motors in KitchenAid mixers

“Most posts seem to be about a year old here.”➕

“The only available brand new Kitchenaid being sold in the USA that has DC motor is the commercial 8qt bowl-lift NSF certified mixer.”➕

“I did this research before buying mine and (if I remember correctly) only the mini classic (3qt?) and 7qt Pro had the DC motors.”➕

“The DC motors are often fetishized and are highly sought after, but what kind of juice turns the motor is pretty much irrelevant when it comes to whether the mixer is capable of doing the work.”➕

Curiosity about different models

“Tilt head or bowl lift?”➕

“Hi! Do you mind sharing what Kitchenaid model you have? Is it the Artisan, the Classic...?”➕

Discussion about preferences between tilt-head and bowl-lift mixers

“I bought the bowl lift and ended up selling it and getting an Artisan tilt head for the reasons mentioned above and because the bowl was too big for smaller things like whipping just a couple of egg whites.”➕

Comparison to other brands and their pricing

“My grandmother has a Hamilton beach one and she loves it, I believe she bought it for 1/4 the price of a kitchen aid.”➕

Discussion about model preferences

“Looking to buy a (KitchenAid) stand-mixer. Would you recommend head tilt or bowl lift? Why? Thanks in advance!”➕

“Hey! It's my area of expertise. It depends on what you cook and how often you cook it. Are you planning on kneading any significant amount of bread or bread dough? That would be my biggest question. The kneading function of a KA mixer will break a tilt head faster than anything else. If you're comfortable using it sparingly or only on small quantities of bread dough and not at all on anything low hydration like bagels or ramen, then a tilt-head would be fine. You might be asking yourself "Well, then what's so good about a tilt head if the bowl lift can do everything the tilt head can do and then some?" the answer is size and weight. The bowl lift is inherently heavier and larger because of the mechanism required to lift and hold the bowl. If you are limited on space, a tilt head is also likely better.”➕

“Oh my gosh, great post! Now I’m happier with my bowl lift! I make a lot of bread”➕

Research on different KitchenAid sizes

“I found this mostly unnecessary as I could easily add things without the pour shield.”➕

Discussion about the differences between models

“the KitchenAid - 5.5 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer is $200 off. Any reason to.. Is their any reason to wait out on the sale for the artisan? They are both usually the same price & I don't really ever make bread , if that makes a difference.”➕

Discussion about different mixer models

“I will never need capacity to make 13 dozen cookies so feel the ~5qt product is a sweet spot between the mini and 7qt.”➕

“And I think the real answer to your question about popularity comes down to the color selection available in the Artisan Series tilt-head mixers.”➕

“I recently got a Bosch dishwasher and love that thing. I agree about the third rack.”➕

Discussion on affordability versus size

“Are they large enough for normal home baking, e.g. single batch cupcakes, non-tiered cakes, etc?”➕

Discussion about choosing between models

“I figured since I mostly plan on baking bread, the artisan would be a better investment.”➕

“Would you be open to giving me some advice?”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

User experiences with long-term use

“Wait wait wait can you explain a green pad?? My bf put one of my cake pans AND a jelly roll sheet into the dishwasher and I want so badly to restore them!!”➕

“They just started using the exposed burnished aluminum parts recently. The powder coated aluminum is dishwasher safe.”➕

“Yup. I actually wanna sell mine and get the lift bowl so I can do more bread.”➕

Discussion about the lifespan of KitchenAid mixers

“They are one of the few things you can buy these days that are meant to be user serviceable.”➕

User experiences with different mixers

“I never thought about using mine to churn icecream, and I think you might've just changed my life for the better!”➕

Discussion about KitchenAid customer service

“They are a good company when it comes to products not lasting as long as they should.”➕

Historical context of KitchenAid mixers

“FYI the lift is not an industrial or commercial product.”➕