When it comes to stand mixers it really comes down to two major brands, Smeg and KitchenAid. If you are looking at either of these you might be wondering which is the better one or most suitable for you.
KitchenAid stand mixers are better than Smeg as more models, sizes, and accessory packages are available. This makes KitchenAid stand mixers more versatile for home bakers and more affordable since KitchenAid stand mixers can be up to four times cheaper when compared to Smeg.
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Best Seller
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Retro Choice
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4.6
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4.4
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$539.95
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In a hurry? We’ve highlighted our top two choices from KitchenAid and Smeg.
In this article, we are going to be looking at the differences between the Smeg and KitchenAid stand mixers, what makes each of them great and which we think is better.
Who Are KitchenAid?
KitchenAid is an American home appliance brand under the Whirlpool Corporation. The corporation acquired the KitchenAid brand from Hobart Manufacturing Company in 1985, and since then has spent millions of dollars improving and marketing its product line.
They have many kitchenware products today including stand mixers, blenders, refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, grills, kettles, food processors, and ranges.
Their products vary in size and function as some are best for either home use or commercial use. They also offer several accessories and tools for their products in case you need a replacement.
KitchenAid’s products are one of the most recognizable in the market today. Their distinctive beautiful and durable design usually comes with a lot of accessories to give you a little bit of versatility when you’re mixing.
Who Are Smeg?
Smeg is an Italian manufacturer of kitchenware and domestic appliances. Vittorio Bertazzoni started the company in 1948, in the town of Guastalla, Reggio Emilia. Till today, it remains under the private ownership of the Bertazzoni family.
Their products include major appliances such as cookers, refrigerators, ovens, dishwashers, wine coolers, and washing machines. Smeg’s small appliance line includes kettles, blenders, milk frothers, and toasters.
The brand’s products are known for having a 1950s retro-look with designs conceived from collaborations with a lot of world-famous architects. Their products often combine modern features with classic mid-century styles to achieve a unique look.
What Are The Differences Between KitchenAid And Smeg Stand Mixers?
Across their several models of stand mixers, the main difference between the Smeg brand and KitchenAid is that the latter often offers more variety.
Also, KitchenAid stand mixers are generally more expensive than Smeg’s as their prices range from $700-$1200 while Smeg prices usually start around $450.
Classic Smeg stand mixers usually have the following characteristics:
- Stainless-steel bowls with an ergonomic handle
- Adjustable start speeds
- Planetary mixing action
Some additional accessories you may also find in the box of Smeg mixers include a flat beater, plastic bowl cover, wire whisk, spatula, and dough.
On the other hand, KitchenAid models usually have the following features:
- Hassle-free warranty
- Adjustable speeds
- Plastic “motor failure” gear to prevent burnout of the motor
- A power hub
Examining A Model Of Smeg
50’s Style SMEG Stand Mixer
This stand mixer continues with their line of 50’s style home appliances you can use to set the theme of your kitchen.
Design
The head of this mixer is designed like classic cars with smoothly rounded edges made with sturdy steel and die-cast aluminum as well as chrome accents.
The bottom of the mixer is made with zinc-alloy of stainless steel with a matte finish – leaving the tilt head position of the mixer with die-cast aluminum.
A removable hub cover lies in front of the mixer that shows an attachment hub for a meat grinder, pasta cutters, and other attachments.
A tilt-head raising or lowering release button is at the rear of the mixer. Anytime you press this button, the mixer’s head rises, and it lowers when you press it again.
Power
The 50’s style SMEG stand mixer is powered by a 600-watt motor delivering more power than a lot of competitors in the market. With this power, this mixer can easily knead sticky and tough bread doughs.
Speed Control
It has a speed control at the top of the tilt head so you can easily get to it regardless of how you have the mixer positioned. There are labels on the mixer indicating which speed to use with each accessory so the user doesn’t make errors that could shorten the span of the mixer.
Another great feature of this mixer is the “Smooth Start” which starts it up at a reduced speed regardless of the speed you set on the control knob. This speed will then gradually increase until it gets to the pre-set speed.
The Smooth Start feature helps to prevent damage to the attachments and internal components while ensuring the ingredients aren’t thrown out of the bowl.
Accessories
This mixer comes with a custom Smeg stainless steel five-quart bowl that is large enough for preparing all pounds of dough and 2 batches of cookies. It is of great quality and has a side handle that allows you to carry it around. Attaching the base is not a problem as it twists and locks into position on the base of the mixer.
Other accessories included in the mixer are a wire whisk, pouring shield, dough hook, and flat beater. The whisk is made of aluminum and steel wires while the flat beater and the dough hook are made of aluminum.
All of the accessories are top of the line and offer excellent quality. They are also durable enough to last for years. The pouring shield has a C-clip design for easy installation and removal.
Weight and Price
This mixer weighs 26 pounds and its pricing starts at $480.
Examining A Model Of KitchenAid
KitchenAid Artisan 5 Qt Mixer
This mixer is perfect for multitaskers and offers a lot of color choices in true KitchenAid fashion.
Design
The Artisan 5 Qt Mixer follows the same design patterns as other classic Kitchenaid mixers. With a variety of color options including silver metallic, apple green, and blue willow. It’s easy to find a color that matches your kitchen and its appliances.
You’ll find an attachment hub on the front of the mixer and below the silver logo cap. This hub allows you to add a variety of attachments and power them up with the motor. Some of these attachments include vegetable spiralizers or pasta rollers and cutters. They offer a lot of variety and make multitasking easier.
Power
A 325W motor powers this device, and it spots all the metal gears including a nylon gear to keep the motor protected. If the beater stops turning for any reason, the gear will strip before the motor burns out and causes permanent damage.
Speed Control
The speed control switches are on the side along with a locking switch. You will have no problem with these as they are easy to understand. Simply take the speed control switch forward to increase the speed and backward to reduce it.
The locking switch helps as an anchor to tilt the head down so it stays in place while you mix. When the locking switch is unlocked, you can conveniently move the head of the mixer backward to put the stainless steel bowl. This will allow you to put your mixing attachment.
Accessories
All of the basic tools you need for mixing are included in the box such as wire whip, flat beater, and dough hook.
- Wire Whip: This has a sturdy feel to it and is big enough so you can make several batches of whipped cream or meringue. The downside is that it isn’t coated so you have to hand-wash every time because it will start to corrode if you wash it in a dishwasher.
- Flat beater: This is coated with a hybrid of epoxy or polyester which makes the beater non-stick and safe for dishwashers. The coating on the body makes it easy to rinse the tool in the sink after use as it is resistant to stick. This means you don’t have to put your beater blade in a dishwasher.
The downside to this accessory is that the coating may drip if it drops. However, KitchenAid also offers a stainless steel beating blade without any coating. - Dough Hook: This is also coated like the beater blade to make it dishwasher safe. Its shape and design also let you knead doughs easily in the mixer bowl.
- Mixing bowl: The mixing bowl is made of stainless steel so you can bank on its high durability. This mixing bowl is big enough to contain two batches of cookie dough which should be around 8 dozen cookies roughly equivalent to 7 pounds of potatoes. You can also wash the bowl in dishwater without any complications.
- Pouring Shield: There is a pouring shield on top of the mixing bowl that creates an opening so you can easily add ingredients while you mix.
Weight and Price
This mixer weighs 24 pounds and its pricing starts at $399.
Differences Between KitchenAid And Smeg
Size and Construction
Smeg stand mixers usually sport a more classic design and the manufacturers put a lot of money and effort into it by hiring top designers. They also often use sturdy materials such as steel and die-cast aluminum so their products are more durable.
On the other hand, KitchenAid stand mixers have a typical design that has become a staple of their brand, and they usually offer a lot of color options.
Power
At the same price point, Smeg often offers more power in their stand mixers than KitchenAid. If you want the more powerful KitchenAid mixers, you have to spend more money on their professional line of mixers.
Speed Control
Smeg mixers have a smooth start feature that lets the machine gradually build up in speed to prevent your ingredients from spilling or not mixing well. Smeg also enhances their user experience by giving guides on the speed levels appropriate for each accessory.
This feature isn’t present in KitchenAid mixers and so it often has more clunks and stops during use. However, KitchenAid mixers have a locking switch so you can tilt the head in place while you mix.
Accessories
Smeg offers the basic accessories that any baker would need in a kitchen but KitchenAid takes it a lot further. KitchenAid Artisan mixers have an attachment hub in front of the mixer. You can use it to load a variety of attachments and make your mixer do more.
With this feature, your mixer can become an ice cream maker or a grain mill. You can use more than 15 different attachments with your mixer – each with a unique function.
Advantages of SMEG Stand Mixers
- Intricate attention to detail in all of their products
- Emphasis on the design and aesthetic of their mixers
- Focus on providing an excellent user experience
- Offer powerful motors at a great price
- Smooth operation system
Disadvantages of SMEG Stand Mixers
- Limited choice for attachments
- Might experience difficulty with mixer head with chunkier cookie doughs
Advantages of KitchenAid Stand Mixers
- Made with heavy-duty metals that can stand the test of time
- Offers a variety of models with several color options
- Excellent performance in all aspects of kneading, mixing, and whipping
- A lot of attachments and accessories to make your mixer perform other functions
Disadvantages of KitchenAid Stand Mixers
- Heavy clunks and stops when you’re transitioning speeds
- Doesn’t offer a lot of affordable options for strong power
- The tilt-head can sometimes be an obstruction when you’re adding ingredients while mixing
Which Stand Mixer Is The Best?
No stand mixer is an outright best as they both offer different features and experiences. Your choice will ultimately depend on your intended use, budget, and personal preference. Let’s do a recap of what we know about both Smeg and KitchenAid to see what each has to offer.
Smeg
Smeg is great for those who value a unique retro 50’s design and style. It will become the centerpiece in almost every kitchen you put it. Their prices are quite affordable and they offer powerful motors even at a relatively low price point.
Although, the limited attachments and accessories mean there’s only so much you can do with Smeg mixers. If you’re fine with a mixer that can perform its basic function excellently and looks good while doing so, Smeg will fit just right in your kitchen.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid offers a lot of varieties at different price points so you get the features you’re looking for. If you’re a professional chef and will need a powerful mixer and a large array of accessories, you’ll have to go for their top of the line professional mixers.
You must be ready to drop some big bucks on it though as they do not come cheap. However, their less expensive options are still great alternatives that will perform well for a casual baker, only that they don’t pack as much power.
Hi all! I’m Cora Benson, and I’ve been blogging about food, recipes and things that happen in my kitchen since 2019.