Cuisinart Precision Master SM-50 vs KitchenAid Artisan
Get the KitchenAid Artisan. Unless you want to spend a lot less — then the SM-50 does most of the same jobs, with a bigger bowl.
Cuisinart Precision Master SM-50
A big 5.5-quart bowl for far less than a KitchenAid.
KitchenAid Artisan
The stand mixer most bakers should get: solid, simple and it lasts.
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The Artisan is solid, takes pasta, mincer and grater attachments and lasts for years. The SM-50 does most of what it does for a lot less, with a bigger bowl and a 3-year warranty, but it has fewer attachments and doesn't feel as solid.
- —You want a stand mixer without spending KitchenAid money.
- —You want the bigger bowl.
- —You bake cakes and cookies more than bread.
- —You bake most weeks.
- —You'd like attachments like a pasta roller later.
- —You want a mixer that lasts for years.
Key differences
Pros and cons
- +5.5-quart bowl — bigger than the Artisan's
- +12 speeds and a splash guard
- +3-year warranty
- −Far fewer optional attachments than KitchenAid.
- −Its attachment port only takes Cuisinart's own attachments.
- +Mixes cakes, cookies and bread dough well
- +Hub for pasta, mincer and grater attachments
- +Pouring shield included
- −Heavy, at around 11 kg — it's a counter-top machine, not one you'll lift in and out of a cupboard.
- −The motor is rated far lower than Kenwood's, so large batches of stiff dough are hard work.
- −The tilt-head takes a little getting used to when you add ingredients.
Ready to choose?
- Is the SM-50 worth it?
- Is the Artisan worth it?
- Artisan vs Classic
- SM-50 vs Classic
- Halo Pro vs Artisan
- Best stand mixers
How we reached this verdict
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, America's Test Kitchen, Expert Reviews, Expert Reviews: Kenwood kMix, manufacturer specifications.