Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid: which should you buy?
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The short answer
Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid is bread versus everything else. The Ankarsrum Assistent Original is the better bread mixer: it handles 11 lb of dough with a rotating bowl and roller, and carries a 7-year limited warranty. The KitchenAid 7-quart bowl-lift is the better all-round mixer, with familiar beaters and whips, an attachment hub, nine colors and a list price about $100 lower.
Choose Ankarsrum if you bake bread weekly. Choose KitchenAid if you bake a bit of everything.
Key differences at a glance
- Similar list prices ($750 vs $650): dealer packages and rebates will decide the real cost.
- Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer rates higher for performance (5/5 vs 4/5).
- Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer rates higher for design (5/5 vs 4/5).
- KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer rates higher for features (4/5 vs 3/5).
Ratings head to head
5 vs 4
5 vs 4
3 vs 4
4 vs 4
Specs side by side
| Spec | Ankarsrum Assistent Original Stand Mixer | KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer |
|---|---|---|
| Brand | Ankarsrum | KitchenAid |
| Category | Countertop appliance (stand mixer) | Countertop appliance (stand mixer) |
| Width | - | - |
| Fuel | Electric | Electric |
| Installation | Countertop | Countertop |
| List price (MSRP) | $750 | $650 |
| Full warranty | - | - |
| Made in | Sweden | - |
| Wi-Fi / app | No | No |
| Bowl (qt) | 7.3 | 7 |
| Watts | 600 | 500 |
| Speeds | 12 | 11 |
| Performance rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Design rating | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Features rating | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Value rating | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Where to buy | Check price | Check price |
Prices are manufacturer or retailer list prices when we last checked; luxury brands set minimum advertised prices, so savings usually come from dealer packages and rebates. Ratings are editorial estimates: see how we rate.
How Ankarsrum and KitchenAid mixers differ
The Ankarsrum Assistent Original turns the usual design upside down. The bowl rotates while a dough roller and scraper work the dough, driven by a 600-watt motor with self-adjusting speed control and 12 speeds. Its 7-liter (7.3 qt) stainless bowl takes up to 11 lb of dough or 1.5 liters of liquid, and it ships with a dough hook, dough knife, spatula and proofing lid.
The KitchenAid 7 Quart Bowl-Lift is the classic tilt-free stand mixer scaled up. A 500-watt motor drives 11 speeds, including a 1/2 speed, and KitchenAid rates it for 8.75 lb of bread dough or 13 dozen cookies. It includes a double flex edge beater, spiral dough hook and 11-wire whip, and the refreshed KSM70SNDX adds a pastry beater. The attachment hub takes KitchenAid's add-ons.
Who should pick Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid
Pick Ankarsrum if you make large batches of bread, bagels or enriched doughs and want a mixer designed around kneading. Skip it if you mostly whip cream and cream butter; the open-bowl design takes some learning, and it lists fewer features in our data.
Pick KitchenAid if you want one mixer for cakes, cookies, meringues and the occasional loaf, or you want pasta and grinder attachments. Skip it if you regularly push past 8.75 lb of dough. The Breville Bakery Chef is a smaller alternative with two bowls, though some retailers list it as no longer available.
Looks matter on an open counter, too. KitchenAid lists nine finishes, from Black Matte to Pistachio. Ankarsrum lists six, including Red Metallic, Ocean Blue Metallic and Black Chrome, and its Swedish design is a talking point in its own right.
Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid as brands
Ankarsrum is a Swedish maker, and the Assistent Original is made in Sweden. KitchenAid is owned by Whirlpool and is known for iconic stand mixers in a broad color range. More at Ankarsrum and KitchenAid.
Ankarsrum vs KitchenAid price and warranty
The Ankarsrum lists around $749.95; the KitchenAid around $649.99. Ankarsrum's 7-year limited warranty is the longest here. KitchenAid's FAQ lists 2 years limited for the 7-quart bowl-lift, but that comes from a global document, so confirm US terms. Both are sold online, so compare authorized sellers. For more, see our best stand mixers for bread and the countertop appliances hub, or compare blenders in Vitamix vs Blendtec.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ankarsrum better than KitchenAid for bread?
On paper, yes. The Ankarsrum handles up to 11 lb of dough in a 7-liter bowl with a rotating-bowl, roller-and-scraper design built for kneading. KitchenAid's 7-quart bowl-lift is rated for 8.75 lb of bread dough. Our editorial ratings, estimated from specs rather than tests, score Ankarsrum 5 and KitchenAid 4 for performance.
Is the Ankarsrum hard to use?
It takes some adjustment. The bowl spins instead of the beater, and you position the roller and scraper by hand, which feels different from a KitchenAid. Owners commonly report a short learning curve, then easy kneading. If you mostly make cakes and cookies, the KitchenAid's familiar beaters may suit you better.
Which mixer has the better warranty?
Ankarsrum. Abt lists a 7-year limited warranty on the Assistent Original's base and parts. KitchenAid's FAQ lists 2 years limited for the 7-quart bowl-lift, but that figure comes from a global document, so confirm US terms before you rely on it. Register either mixer after purchase.