KitchenAid Artisan 5-Quart Tilt-Head review
The best-known stand mixer in America, judged on what KitchenAid publishes and what owners consistently report.
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The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head (KSM150PS) is the mixer many people picture when they think of a stand mixer. This review is based on KitchenAid’s published specifications and aggregated owner reviews; we did not test it ourselves.
Our verdict
For cakes, cookies, frosting, whipped cream and occasional bread, the Artisan is a well-proven, versatile choice, and its power hub accepts KitchenAid’s wide range of attachments. Its 325W motor and 5-qt bowl are the limits: frequent large batches of stiff bread dough are better suited to a bowl-lift KitchenAid or a bread-focused mixer like the Bosch Universal Plus or Ankarsrum.
KitchenAid Artisan 5-Qt key specs
| Spec | KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS |
|---|---|
| Motor | 325W |
| Bowl | 5 qt polished stainless steel, with handle |
| Speeds | 10 |
| Mixing action | Planetary, 59 touch points per rotation |
| Head design | Tilt-head |
| Included | Flat beater, dough hook, 6-wire whip, pouring shield |
| Dimensions | 13.9 H × 8.7 W × 14.1 D in |
| Weight | 22.8 lb (spec sheet) |
Pros and cons
Pros
- Versatile 10-speed range
- 59-point planetary action for thorough mixing
- Accepts KitchenAid’s power-hub attachments
- Many color options
- Pouring shield included
Cons
- 325W is modest for heavy dough
- Heavy at about 22.8 lb
- Bowl must be locked in place on a tilt-head base
- Less capacity than bowl-lift models
Who it suits (and who it doesn't)
Good fit
- Baking cakes, cookies, frosting and meringue
- Occasional loaves of bread or pizza dough
- Using attachments like a pasta roller or meat grinder
- Kitchens with upper cabinets, since the tilt-head is about 14 in tall
Look elsewhere if
- Weekly big batches of stiff bread dough
- Bakers who need more than 5 qt
- Anyone who has to lift the mixer in and out of a cupboard often (about 23 lb)
What to know before you buy
- Bread dough: KitchenAid doesn’t publish a dough-weight rating for the Artisan. KitchenAid’s instructions call for Speed 2 when kneading yeast dough with the dough hook.
- Beater clearance: the beater-to-bowl gap is adjustable; KitchenAid’s instructions explain how, which helps if ingredients collect at the bottom of the bowl.
- Attachments: the front power hub takes KitchenAid attachments such as pasta rollers and meat grinders, sold separately.
Artisan vs KitchenAid bowl-lift models
| Spec | Artisan KSM150PS | 5.5-Qt Bowl-Lift KSM55 | 7-Qt Bowl-Lift KSM70 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design | Tilt-head | Bowl-lift | Bowl-lift |
| Bowl | 5 qt | 5.5 qt | 7 qt |
| Speeds | 10 | 11 (including ½) | 11 (including ½) |
| Dough rating | Not stated as a weight | Over 7 lb | See KitchenAid |
If bread is your main use, see best stand mixer for sourdough.
Frequently asked questions
Is the KitchenAid Artisan powerful enough for bread?
For an occasional loaf or pizza dough, yes. KitchenAid doesn’t publish a dough-weight rating for the Artisan, and its 325W motor is modest for repeated stiff batches.
How much does the KitchenAid Artisan weigh?
KitchenAid’s spec sheet lists a net weight of 22.8 lb.
Will it fit under my kitchen cabinets?
It’s 13.9 in tall with the head down, but the head tilts up, so leave extra clearance or slide it forward to use it.
Did you test the KitchenAid Artisan?
No. This review uses manufacturer specifications and aggregated owner reviews. See how we research.
Sources
Specifications were checked against the manufacturer pages, manuals and spec sheets below in October 2026. Makers revise specs and sell regional variants, so confirm the exact model number before you buy. We do not list prices because they change daily; use the retailer link to see the current price.
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