The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBAC is a premium stand mixer aimed squarely at keen home bakers who want reliability, style and plenty of capacity. Finished in Almond Cream, it has the classic KitchenAid look and a solid metal build that’s made to live on the worktop.
With a 4.8-litre stainless steel bowl plus an extra 3-litre bowl, 10 speed settings and a direct-drive motor, it’s designed to handle everything from small batches of whipped cream to heavy bread dough. It’s not a budget buy, but the generous five-year warranty and long-established KitchenAid reputation put it firmly in the higher-end bracket.
Backed by an impressive 4.9 out of 5 rating from over 1,100 reviews, it’s clearly a favourite with owners, suggesting strong day-to-day performance and long-term satisfaction.
This mixer is ideal for enthusiastic home bakers who bake most weeks and want a machine that can keep up. The 4.8-litre main bowl comfortably handles family-sized cakes, batches of cookies and dough for several loaves or pizzas, while the 3-litre mini bowl is handy when you just need to whip a few egg whites or whip cream.
It suits households with a bit of worktop space going spare. At 36 cm high and 37 cm deep, it’s not tiny, but it’s designed to be left out and ready to use rather than tucked away between bakes. If you’re proud of your kitchen, the timeless Almond Cream finish helps it double as a design piece.
In terms of budget, this is very much a premium option in the stand mixer category. It will appeal most to people who see baking as a serious hobby or a regular part of family life, rather than an occasional treat.
If you’re buying your first mixer and are sure you’ll use it often, it’s an excellent long-term investment. If you only bake once in a while, a cheaper, simpler model may make more sense.
The combination of a 4.8-litre main bowl and a 3-litre mini bowl makes this mixer extremely versatile. You can tackle large mixes when you’re batch baking, then switch to the smaller bowl for quick jobs without feeling you’re lost in a big, half-empty bowl.
The planetary mixing action is a real strength. The head moves the attachment around the bowl in such a way that it sweeps the sides and base thoroughly, reducing the need to stop and scrape down and helping to achieve even, consistent results.
Ten speed settings give precise control, from very gentle stirring to vigorous whipping. That makes it easier to avoid overworking dough or curdling cake batters, especially when you’re following more delicate recipes.
Build quality is another highlight. The stainless steel bowls, ergonomic handle and solid tilt-head mechanism all feel robust, and the five-year manufacturer warranty adds confidence that it’s built to last.
Finally, the included accessories – wire whisk, flat beater, dough hook, flex edge beater, pouring shield and second bowl – mean you’re well equipped out of the box without needing to buy extras straight away.
The main drawback is price. This is at the premium end of stand mixers, so if you only bake a few times a year, you may struggle to justify the outlay compared with simpler models.
There’s no pulse function, which some users like for quick bursts of power or very controlled mixing. You can work around this by flicking the speed control, but it’s not quite as convenient as a dedicated pulse setting.
While the 300–330W motor is efficient thanks to the direct drive, some rival mixers quote higher wattages on paper. In practice, power delivery is good, but spec-sheet shoppers might be expecting a larger number at this price point.
Lastly, it’s a substantial appliance and not the easiest to move in and out of cupboards. It’s really designed to live on the worktop, which could be a downside in smaller kitchens.
Day to day, the Artisan 5KSM175PSBAC is designed to be straightforward and satisfying to use. The tilt-head mechanism makes it easy to add ingredients, swap attachments and scrape the bowl if needed. Just flip the head up, make your adjustments, then lock it back down before mixing.
The ergonomic handle on the main stainless steel bowl is a small but welcome detail, especially when you’re carrying a full bowl of batter to the oven or pouring out dough. The included pouring shield helps keep flour clouds and splashes under control when you’re adding ingredients mid-mix.
Controls are deliberately simple: a side lever for the 10 speed settings and a straightforward on/off approach rather than complicated programmes. That makes it easy to get used to, even if it’s your first stand mixer. Once you know the speeds your favourite recipes like, it quickly becomes second nature.
Cleaning is helped by the dishwasher-safe components. The bowls and most attachments can go straight in the dishwasher, which means you’re less likely to dread the washing up after a big baking session. The main body simply needs a wipe down.
Noise levels aren’t specified, but like most solid stand mixers, you can expect some racket on the higher speeds, particularly when kneading heavy dough. It’s not likely to be the quietest gadget in the kitchen, but the direct drive design generally keeps vibration under control.
At the heart of this mixer is a direct-drive motor rated around 300–330W. Instead of relying on lots of raw wattage, the direct drive system delivers power efficiently to the mixing head, which is why it can handle up to 2 kg of dough or 2.7 kg of cake mix without struggling.
The capacity figures are strong for home use. The ability to whip up to 12 egg whites in one go will appeal to anyone who loves meringues or pavlovas, while the dough capacity is ample for multiple loaves or a big pizza night. The smaller 3-litre bowl makes the machine just as practical for everyday jobs like mashed potatoes, frosting or a quick sponge.
Planetary mixing action is a key feature. By moving the attachment around the bowl in a multi-directional pattern, it helps pick up ingredients from the sides and bottom, reducing unmixed pockets of flour and giving more professional, even results. It’s particularly handy for stickier doughs and thicker batters.
The accessory bundle is generous. You get a classic wire whisk for whipping, a flat beater for cakes and cookie doughs, a dough hook for bread, plus a flex edge beater that scrapes the bowl as it mixes, which can save time on certain recipes. The pouring shield helps with tidy ingredient additions, and the second bowl adds flexibility.
Dishwasher-safe components and a robust stainless steel construction round out the feature set. Combined with the five-year warranty and KitchenAid’s long-standing presence in the stand mixer market, it’s a well-rounded, feature-rich package for home bakers who want a machine they can grow with.
With a price that clearly places it in the premium bracket for stand mixers, the KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBAC is not the cheapest way to start baking. You’re paying for build quality, brand heritage, a long warranty and a strong accessory bundle, rather than headline-grabbing motor wattage or gimmicks.
Viewed as a long-term investment, the value proposition is much stronger. The solid metal body, stainless steel bowls, dishwasher-safe accessories and direct-drive motor are all geared towards regular, long-term use. The extra 3-litre bowl and flex edge beater save you from buying add-ons straight away, which softens the cost a little.
The user rating of 4.9 out of 5 from over 1,100 reviews is a major endorsement. When that many owners are happy, it suggests that the mixer delivers on its promise and justifies its premium pricing for most people who buy it.
If you’re an occasional baker on a tight budget, you can definitely spend less. But if you want a mixer that feels like a permanent fixture in your kitchen and will see you through years of bread, cakes and desserts, the price is easier to justify.
The KitchenAid Artisan 5KSM175PSBAC is a thoroughly capable, beautifully built stand mixer that’s clearly aimed at serious home bakers. Its generous 4.8-litre bowl, handy 3-litre mini bowl, direct-drive motor and planetary mixing action combine to deliver consistently good results for everything from light sponges to dense doughs.
It’s expensive and fairly bulky, and the lack of a pulse function may niggle a few users. But the excellent user reviews, five-year warranty and robust accessory set make a strong case for choosing it over cheaper alternatives.
If you bake regularly and want a mixer that looks as good as it performs, this KitchenAid Artisan is an excellent choice. If you only bake once in a blue moon or need something compact and low-cost, a simpler stand mixer or hand mixer will likely suit you better.
