The KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer meets
the Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer
The stand mixer that Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, and CNN Underscored all chose as their top pick for good reason. We tested it head-to-head against the Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer ($100) across 6 key dimensions.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
“The stand mixer that Wirecutter, Tom's Guide, and CNN Underscored all chose as their top pick for good reason”
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer
“Consumer Reports found it outperforms mixers three times its price, with the loftiest egg whites of any model tested”
Head-to-Head Breakdown
Strengths & Weaknesses
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
- Wirecutter's top pick for the balance of performance, size, versatility, durability, and price it delivers
- Over 15 optional power hub attachments (pasta roller, ice cream maker, food grinder) turn it into a kitchen multitool
- Available in 40+ colors, making it the most customizable mixer on the market for matching any kitchen
- 325-watt motor can strain with large batches of stiff bread dough, per multiple reviewers
- 5-quart bowl feels limiting for double-batch holiday baking or feeding large families
- At 26 lbs, it's heavy enough to need a permanent counter spot but not heavy enough to stay put with stiff doughs
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer
- Consumer Reports found it outperforms many pricier models, producing the loftiest egg whites in the fastest time
- 400-watt motor actually exceeds the KitchenAid Artisan's 325 watts despite costing a third of the price
- At 16 lbs, it's light enough to store in a cabinet rather than needing a permanent counter spot
- Head bobs noticeably when kneading heavy bread doughs, per Consumer Reports testing
- Build quality feels less substantial than KitchenAid's die-cast zinc construction
- No power hub for optional attachments, limiting it to the three included mixing tools
The Verdict
Our Bottom Line
The KitchenAid Artisan has been Wirecutter's top pick for years, and the 2026 update didn't change that. Tom's Guide independently chose it as their #1. CNN Underscored picked it. Consumer Reports ranked it in their top 10. When four major testing publications land on the same mixer, that's not coincidence. That's consensus.
KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan has been Wirecutter's top pick for years, and the 2026 update didn't change that. Tom's Guide independently chose it as their #1. CNN Underscored picked it. Consumer Reports ranked it in their top 10. When four major testing publications land on the same mixer, that's not coincidence. That's consensus.
- Home bakers who make a variety of recipes from delicate meringues to pizza dough
- Anyone who wants to expand into pasta making, meat grinding, or ice cream with power hub attachments
- Kitchen design enthusiasts who want a mixer in one of 40+ colors to match their decor
- Buyers who value a decades-long repair network and easy parts replacement
- Families who bake weekly and need a reliable workhorse that handles 5-quart batches
Hamilton Beach Eclectrics All-Metal Stand Mixer
The Hamilton Beach Eclectrics shocked Consumer Reports testers. Of all stand mixers tested, including models three times its price, the Hamilton Beach created the loftiest egg whites in the fastest time. That's not a subjective opinion from one reviewer. That's a measurable lab result.
- Occasional bakers who make cakes, cookies, and frostings a few times per month
- Apartment dwellers who need a mixer light enough to store in a cabinet
- Budget-conscious buyers who want proven lab-tested performance under $100
- First-time stand mixer buyers who want to test whether they'll use one regularly before investing more
- Anyone who primarily whips egg whites, cream, or frostings where this mixer actually outperforms the Artisan