It’s that time of year when we all get in the kitchen and say, “How did I make this last year?” Whether you’re whipping grandma’s famous meringue, mashing 10 pounds of potatoes, or baking dinner rolls, a KitchenAid Stand Mixer can be your best friend in the kitchen. They can be expensive, but with a little care, they can last a lifetime – and there’s a size for every kitchen. Costco only offers one KitchenAid stand mixer right now -- but the price is hard to beat. Amazon carries a wider variety at competitive prices.

Costco vs. Amazon

Where you buy your mixer probably depends on which model you want. Costco tends to have the best deal on a single product -- just like in this case for the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer. The current Costco price is the best you'll find anywhere. But if you're not looking to take up so much counter space, check out some of the smaller versions Amazon has to offer.

Best KitchenAid mixers

KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer

Price at time of publishing: on sale at Costco for $299; otherwise $549.

Best for: Anyone who does a lot of baking, has the counter space (this mixer is about 15 inches wide), and can afford the high price. At six quarts and 575 watts, this can handle the workload of any baker. This model is big and powerful enough to knead any type of dough without wobbling all over your counter. It's essentially a professional piece of equipment you can have on your counter.

Shortcomings: It’s huge and expensive! This machine can handle any job, but it’ll take up quite a bit of counter space in the process. And at almost 30 lbs., it’s a handful to move around the kitchen.

KitchenAid Artisan Series 5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Price at time of publishing: $450

Best for: The average home cook. This mixer is a great blend of price and power. This model isn’t as powerful or as big as the Professional series, but it can still handle just about any job a home cook can throw at it with ease. If you bake and make the occasional loaf of bread, this is for you. Take care of it and never buy another mixer again.

Shortcomings: Some jobs will cause the head to tilt and the machine to move around your counter a bit. The head tilt will cause it to loosen over time and need your attention.

KitchenAid Artisan Mini 3.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer

Price at time of publishing: $379

Best for: The occasional at-home cook and baker. But if you have a premium on kitchen space, this is the smallest KitchenAid model. It can still pack a wallop, but the compact size is what really sets this machine apart. This is a surprisingly powerful mixer for the money.

Shortcomings: Less power and less size means less durability and longevity. This model can get most jobs done, but be careful not to strain the motor too much and don’t expect to get as much life out of this model.

FAQ’s:

Why KitchenAid?

KitchenAid is the premier name for stand mixers because they have proven to make the best product year after year. With some care and proper use, your KitchenAid stand mixer can last 15+ years!

What about attachments?

One of the best parts of a KitchenAid stand mixer is all of the additional attachments that turn your mixer into myriad kitchen appliances. Transform your mixer into a pasta roller, meat grinder, cheese grater, and more! The only attachment that isn’t universal is the ice cream maker. The ice cream maker attachment is compatible with “all Tilt-Head Stand Mixers, except models KSM3316 and KSM3317” and bowl-lift models “except models K5SS, KSM5, KSM50, KSM500 and KSM450,” according to KitchenAid.

How do I take care of my mixer?

Use it! There is a small but powerful motor in each mixer. Just like any other motor, the longer it sits stagnant the faster it can deteriorate. By keeping your machine clean and not letting it collect dust, you’re doing the best routine maintenance you can.