Kenwood vs KitchenAid: which mixer brand should you buy?

For many of us, Kenwood and KitchenAid are the first brands that come to mind when searching for a stand mixer. Maybe your mum had a Kenwood, or perhaps you've seen a KitchenAid on The Great British Bake Off and nothing else will do.

But which of the iconic brands is better – and is Bosch also worth considering?

To help answer these questions, we've asked hundreds of Which? Connect Panel members who own stand mixers to tell us whether they're pleased with their appliance, or if they've experienced problems.

Our survey data takes into account the reported fault rates of currently owned products, aged seven years old or less, and when the problems occurred.

Along with our independent testing data, the results reveal which brand is best – and which one least deserves your money.

Stand mixers rated

The table below summarises this year’s results. Brands are ranked by their customer satisfaction score, which relates to whether customers would recommend the brand to a friend.

Only logged-in Which? members can view which brands members are most satisfied with in the table below. If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access.

• Table notes: Results based on a survey of 1,215 Which? Connect Panel members who own a stand mixer, conducted in April 2021. Table last updated 21 July 2021.
• Customer score is based on brand satisfaction and whether customers would recommend the brand to a friend.
• Customer loyalty is based on how many owners stuck with the same brand when buying their current stand mixer, compared to their previous stand mixer.
• Percentage faulty is based on the number of models that had to be replaced due to a fault.
• Average test score is based on results of models tested by Which? and available to buy as of July 2021 (excluding similar models).

Best vs worst stand mixer brands

As the chart below reveals, there is little difference between the brand with the highest (85%) and lowest (80%) customer satisfaction score. The brands also have similar average test scores and fault rates.

Verdict: stand mixer brands in-depth

We've pulled together our survey data and independent test results, as well as some insight from our stand mixer experts, to give you an in-depth look at each brand.

Only logged-in Which? members can see our unique test scores and customer satisfaction survey results. 

If you're not yet a member, join Which? to get instant access to our in-depth verdicts on the following brands, listed here in alphabetical order:

• Bosch stand mixers verdict
• Kenwood stand mixers verdict
• KitchenAid stand mixers verdict

The three most common stand mixer faults

While stand mixers can last several decades before they need to be replaced, our survey reveals recurring faults that can cause stand mixers to stop working sooner than expected.

According to Which? Connect Panel members, the three most common faults that led to them replacing their stand mixer were:

1. Broken attachment(s) (24%)

Broken attachments account for almost a quarter of stand mixer faults. However, you don't always need to get rid of your stand mixer if an attachment snaps. Instead, it's worth checking with the manufacturer or searching online to see if you can buy a spare part. Not only will this save you the cost of a new model, it's more sustainable too.

2. Cracked mixing bowl (20%)

It's also worth checking to see whether you can find a replacement mixing bowl if yours cracks. Mixing bowls are more expensive to replace than attachments – spares cost between £30 and £100 – but it's still cheaper than buying a whole new model.

3. Complete loss of power (17%)

A complete loss of power could be caused by a burnt-out motor. While stand mixers can be used in longer bursts than blenders and food processors, it's still important not to use the appliance for any longer than recommended in the instructions manual – if you use it for too long, and the motor burns out, you might not be covered by the warranty.

How we calculate the best and worst stand mixer brands

We have a wealth of information of Britain's favourite stand mixer brands. 

Each year, we ask Which? Connect Panel members to tell us about their household appliances; from how likely they'd be to recommend a brand to a friend, to how long a product lasted before it needed to be replaced.

This year, more than 12,000 survey participants told us about almost 40,000 products, including 1,215 stand mixers.

Our survey results, combined with our independent testing data, mean we can give you an unrivalled insight into which stand mixer brand you should buy.

Head to our stand mixer reviews

Know which stand mixer brand you want? Use the links below to go straight to our reviews and find your ideal model.

• Bosh stand mixer reviews
• Kenwood stand mixer reviews
• KitchenAid stand mixer reviews