If you love the idea of effortless baking and beautifully smooth cake batters, a stand mixer can quickly become the star of your kitchen. The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER Stand Mixer with 4.8 litre bowl in Empire Red sits firmly in that “future heirloom” category – a solid machine that looks as good as it performs. This guide walks through what owning a mixer like this is really like, how to choose the right Artisan model for your worktop, and how the key alternatives compare so you can pick the best fit for your home.
Why a stand mixer is a game-changer for home baking
Once you move from a hand mixer to a stand mixer, baking starts to feel a lot more relaxed. Instead of juggling a bowl and beating for ten minutes, you simply set the speed, let the machine do the hard work and tidy up or prep the next stage in peace.
The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER is a great example of this style of mixer. With its 4.8 litre bowl, it’s built for typical family baking – think birthday cakes, batches of biscuits, pizza dough and the occasional showstopper dessert. If you’d like a closer look at how it performs, you can read our full review of the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER stand mixer for detailed testing and user impressions.
Understanding bowl size and capacity
Bowl size is one of the most important things to get right when buying a stand mixer. Too small and you’ll end up doing multiple batches; too big and it can feel like overkill for everyday cakes.
The 4.8 litre capacity on the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER hits a sweet spot for most households. It’s large enough to:
- Mix standard sponge cakes and traybakes comfortably
- Handle dough for a couple of loaves or several pizzas
- Whip cream or egg whites without them getting lost at the bottom
If you mostly bake small batches – a dozen cupcakes here and there – this size still works well, but you might find a cheaper Artisan model like the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM125BAC Stand Mixer in Almond Cream more appealing, as it offers a similar core capacity and design with a simpler accessory set.
Attachments and what they actually do day to day
Stand mixers earn their place on the worktop by doing many jobs with a quick swap of attachments. While the exact bundle varies by model, you can expect three core tools as standard on most Artisan mixers:
- Flat beater / paddle – ideal for cake batters, cookie dough, mashed potatoes and frostings.
- Wire whisk – best for whisking egg whites, meringues, whipped cream and very light sponges.
- Dough hook – designed for kneading bread, pizza and enriched doughs.
The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER typically arrives with this core trio, plus extra pieces depending on the retailer’s bundle. If you want to know exactly which accessories are included and how they perform, it’s worth checking our in-depth KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER review, which goes into detail on each one.
From a practical standpoint, most home bakers will spend the majority of their time with the flat beater attached. Reserve the whisk for airy mixtures and the dough hook for anything you’d otherwise knead by hand.
Colour, style and how it fits into your kitchen
Because stand mixers are fairly heavy, many people leave them out on the worktop permanently. That makes looks almost as important as power. The Empire Red finish on the 5KSM175PSBER brings a bold, classic pop of colour that works particularly well in modern or retro-style kitchens.
If you prefer something more understated but still want the same Artisan feel, the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBOB Stand Mixer in Onyx Black is a close match. It offers that same 4.8 litre capacity and familiar silhouette but in a sleeker, more minimalist colour. For softer décor schemes, the cream-toned Artisan 5KSM125BAC is another attractive alternative that blends easily into neutral kitchens.
How the Artisan models compare in real use
On paper, many of the Artisan mixers look similar: they share the iconic shape, bowl capacity and planetary mixing action. The differences tend to come down to:
- Included accessories (for example, extra bowls, shields or whisks)
- Finishes and colour choices
- Subtle styling tweaks in the trim or controls
The 5KSM175PSBER is designed as a well-equipped, premium-feeling option in the range, which helps explain its strong rating of 4.9 based on well over a thousand reviews. If you want a similarly specced mixer but in a darker colourway, the 5KSM175PSBOB in Onyx Black is the obvious counterpart.
The 5KSM125BAC in Almond Cream usually positions itself slightly lower in price, with a more straightforward accessory set but the same core mixing experience. If you’re trying to balance budget with that classic stand mixer look, it’s a very sensible candidate to shortlist.
Everyday tasks your stand mixer will make easier
It’s easy to focus on special occasion bakes when shopping for a stand mixer, but where it really shines is in those everyday jobs that suddenly feel effortless. Some typical tasks that the Artisan models handle particularly well include:
- Weekly loaves and pizza nights – let the dough hook do the kneading while you prep toppings.
- Birthday and celebration cakes – consistent creams and sponges, even for layered bakes.
- Batch baking for the freezer – double or triple recipes without the arm ache.
- Whipped cream and meringues – set the whisk attachment going and focus on other elements.
If you’ve been relying on a hand mixer until now, the jump in convenience is noticeable from the first bake. You’ll also find that well-mixed doughs and batters tend to give more reliable results, especially for bread and brioche.
Speed settings and how to use them wisely
Stand mixers come with a range of speeds for a reason, and using them properly makes a big difference to both your results and the mixer’s longevity. As a general rule:
- Start on a low speed whenever you add dry ingredients, to avoid flour clouds and splashes.
- Use low to medium speeds for kneading dough, so the motor works steadily rather than straining.
- Move up to medium or higher speeds only for whisking light mixtures like meringues and cream.
The Artisan range is designed to feel controllable and stable on the worktop. Even so, avoid running at top speed for very long stretches, and keep a hand near the speed lever if you’re working with particularly thick mixtures.
Care, cleaning and keeping your mixer looking new
Good maintenance is mostly about a few quick habits. For any stand mixer:
- Unplug before cleaning and wipe the main body with a soft damp cloth.
- Clean up splashes as you go, especially around the head and base.
- Wash the bowl and attachments in warm soapy water or the dishwasher if they are listed as dishwasher-safe.
- Dry metal parts thoroughly before storing to avoid dulling or water marks.
The 5KSM175PSBER’s coloured finish is designed to be hard-wearing, but abrasive pads and harsh cleaners can still mark it. If you’re spending this much on a mixer, it’s worth taking a few seconds after each baking session to keep it looking pristine.
Kitchen space, weight and where to put your mixer
One thing that often surprises first-time buyers is the weight of a stand mixer. That heft is actually a good sign – it helps keep the machine stable when mixing heavy doughs. The trade-off is that it isn’t something you’ll want to haul in and out of a cupboard every weekend.
Before you buy, measure:
- Your worktop depth and available width
- The clearance under your wall cupboards with the mixer head raised
- A sensible “permanent home” where the mixer can live plugged in
Artisan mixers, including the Empire Red 5KSM175PSBER and its Onyx Black sibling the 5KSM175PSBOB, are designed to be left out on show, so treat them as a semi-permanent appliance rather than something you tuck away after every use.
Noise, power and what to expect when mixing
No stand mixer is truly quiet, especially when dealing with dense dough, but the noise from a solid, well-built machine tends to be a deeper, less irritating sound. In everyday use you should be able to hold a normal conversation in the kitchen while the mixer runs.
If you’re mostly whipping cream and mixing cake batters, you’ll probably spend more time at the calmer end of the speed range. For heavy, regular bread baking, it’s worth reading a thorough hands-on like our full KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER review to see how it copes with tougher tasks over longer periods.
Which Artisan stand mixer is right for you?
If you’ve settled on an Artisan stand mixer but aren’t sure which version to pick, it helps to narrow your priorities:
- You want a bold statement colour and a well-equipped bundle – the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER in Empire Red is tailored to that brief, with its 4.8 litre bowl and strong track record with customers.
- You prefer a sleek, dark finish with a similar spec – the 5KSM175PSBOB in Onyx Black offers an almost like-for-like experience in a more understated colour.
- You want Artisan quality but are mindful of budget – the 5KSM125BAC in Almond Cream is typically a more affordable entry point while keeping that familiar 4.8 litre capacity.
All three are capable, long-term mixers, so your final decision is likely to hinge on how much you value colour, accessories and overall price.
Tips for getting the most from your new stand mixer
Once your mixer is on the worktop, a few small habits will help you make full use of it instead of saving it only for special occasions.
- Keep it plugged in and ready – if it’s always to hand, you’ll reach for it more often, even for small jobs.
- Use the right attachment – flat beater for cakes and biscuits, dough hook for anything you would knead, whisk for airy mixtures.
- Don’t rush the speeds – let the mixer start slowly, especially when adding dry ingredients, and only increase when everything is partially combined.
- Scrape the bowl occasionally – pause every so often to scrape down the sides for a more even mix.
The more you treat it as an everyday helper rather than a “special occasion” gadget, the quicker it will earn its place in your kitchen routine.
Final thoughts
A stand mixer is one of those investments that can completely change how you feel about baking. The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBER in Empire Red brings both performance and personality to the worktop, with its 4.8 litre bowl making it a strong all-rounder for most UK kitchens.
Whether you lean towards the bold red of the 5KSM175PSBER, the sleek black of the 5KSM175PSBOB or the softer cream tones of the 5KSM125BAC, you’ll be getting a mixer designed to last and to be used often. For a deeper dive into performance, accessories and real-world testing, follow the links throughout this guide to explore the full reviews and choose the model that best matches your baking ambitions.