Scroll to the bottom for my 6 month post purchase update 🙂
For the past 5 years I have been a proud owner of a Shiny Red KitchenAid Mixer. When I bought my KitchenAid, I had never baked a loaf of bread in my life, and in fact, I barely knew how to make cookies. I bought it because everyone said you needed one, and I wanted to take a step forward in my cooking skills. And it was awesome, that shiny red beauty got me through 5 years of learning, experimenting, and discovering the joy of baking. I used it to knead countless loaves of bread, mix up cookie dough, make granola, etc etc etc. But last month I tried to knead 4 loaves of bread all at once and the poor thing died. (Actually it stripped a gear, which required major surgery to fix) I spent nearly an hour on the phone with the friendly, but completely un-helpful people at kitchen aid, who informed me that I would need to pay shipping both to and from their facility and then the cost of repairs as well, since their warranty doesn’t extend 5 years. I decided it was time for a new mixer, unfortunately deciding to buy one was only the beginning.
Bosch or KitchenAid???
After spending HOURS researching, reading reviews, and comparing- all I got was more frustrated. Which was better? Which should I choose? I have loved my KitchenAid, but since I have 3 adults and 4 children living in my home, I need to be able to bake more than 2 loaves of bread at a time. Which is where the Bosch comes in. But they are so UGLY, and bulky…and expensive! So I was considering KitchenAids with a stronger motor, or just weighing the benefit of buying the cheaper one and replacing it again in 5 years. I even posted on Facebook asking for experiences, and after post after post swearing by the Bosch, I decided to take a closer look, but I was still leaning towards the KitchenAid.
This video is what changed my mind- Bosch Mixer vs KitchenAid Comparison
I actually called the number on this website and ordered a mixer about an hour later. You see, having been a KitchenAid owner for so long, I KNOW its flaws- and one that drove me crazy nearly every time I used it, was the inability to get the stuff on the bottom of the bowl mixed in. The Bosch handled 1 egg white with precision that was AMAZING, and while I’m not planning to make much meringue, it was the ability of the mixer to get the tiniest bit of ingredient mixed in that impressed me! **as a side note, I have actually made meringue with my new Bosch and it really did make it perfectly from just 1 egg white**
I should also point out that calling Bosch Kitchen Center was SUCH a breath of fresh air. I got a PERSON, immediately, no “push 1 for blah blah blah”. They were courteous, not pushy, and super helpful- even offering their favorite bread recipes! Then, they gave me the same price I had found on Overstock.com-including the coupon discount, AND they gave me free shipping. Plus they gave me an extended warranty that I wouldn’t have gotten if I had bought it on overstock. They guy told me to call back when I got it, and they would give me some first timers tips (I didn’t take them up on this offer, since it came on a Saturday).
Now that I have had my new mixer for a month, I am completely satisfied. But I will admit there are benefits and disadvantages to both of them. For the novice cook, who just needs something to whip up cookie dough, and look pretty on the counter? Go with the KitchenAid for now. You, like me, may revisit that decision as the KitchenAid helps you fall in love with baking- but its a safe choice for now.
But if you are serious about baking, and want something thats going to last you for years to come? Go with the Bosch! I haven’t talked to anyone yet who was unhappy with their decision to upgrade to the Bosch! It makes great bread, rolls, Pizza Dough, Cookies, Etc. Its a little more complex to clean than the Kitchen-Aid but still easier than, my blender, for example. And honestly, it wasn’t THAT much more than the KitchenAid! The ONLY time I miss my kitchen-Aid is when I look in my kitchen and miss the pretty red shiny-ness on my counter. But I can live without that, especially now that I discovered Urban Kitchen fancy sets.
FYI, I gave my broken KitchenAid to my handy brother in law and for 15 dollars he bought a new gear and fixed that baby right up. Now my cute little sister and her husband have a new toy and we are both happy! WIN WIN!
So- Here’s the Showdown!
*****UPDATE: I have now had my Bosch Mixer for more than 6 months, and I’m not 100% sold on it being THAT much better. I do love my Bosch for making large batches of bread, I just don’t make huge batches that often. For everything else, I miss the kitchen-aid a little. The Bosch doesn’t handle small batches very well, for example a pizza dough recipe is too small for the dough hook to really mix it up well. Its also can’t handle large batches of cookie dough that my Kitchen-aid whipped up like a champ. Also compared to the Kitchen-Aid the Bosch is a PAIN to clean. Lots of grooves and places that have to be scraped, and everything has to be completely dry before you put it back on the mixer- this is frustrating when you are cooking multiple items back to back. Honestly, in a perfect world with endless counterspace? I’d have the 2 side by side.
******Yet another update. A friendly and helpful commenter pointed out that you can buy a dough hook extender from Bosch the eliminates the problem with small batches. I am excited to purchase one and give it a try. I’ll let you know how it does!
Amy Null - Very good comparison!! I think you nailed it! I have owned a bosch for 17 years and I love it. Still runs like new and I’ve made tons of bread in it. Just got a kitchenaid two days ago (yes I know I’m spoiled) and I used it a ton for Thanksgiving dishes. Love having both of them. Bosch, definitely better for large batches of bread. Kitchenaid, beautiful and great for whipping up batters and whipped cream. After reading your review of both, I’ll not be attempting any large batches of bread in my Kitchenaid.November 27, 2015 – 8:14 pm
Kara Baker - This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that a Bosch mixer is better suited for bread making. I love making my bread at home, and my kids love eating it fresh out of the oven. My Bosch stopped working last week, and I was considering getting a Kitchenaid instead, but I’ll definitely look into just replacing my mixer with something similar. Thanks for the great post! http://www.hillsmills.ca/November 11, 2015 – 9:41 pm
Eva Wong - Thanks for the info. Very helpful as I’m looking to buy a standalone mixer and leaning towards Kitchenaid (and majority of this is for the look I’ve to admit). I don’t have the space (and money) to buy both – if I can only buy 1, and I’ve a small family, do you think Kitchenaid suffice? I do concern on the fact that it can’t reach the bottom of the bowl when mixing small quantity – but I guess I can just use a hand mixer for very small quantity?October 13, 2015 – 2:09 am
Aleesha Bake - I will have to try the dough hook Extender, THANKS thats worth trying for sure! I don’t typically make just one loaf of bread- but I do make a lot of pizza dough, tortillas and rolls, which are smaller amounts.
I do LOVE my Bosch, I just don’t really think that it replaces a kitchen Aid– just complements one in a perfect world 🙂
March 19, 2015 – 7:27 am
Patricia - Hi! I happened to find your post in a google search. I loved your points of view and comparisons. For the cookie dough, have you tried using the Cookie Paddles for the first ingredients but the flour and the chocolate chips. Then just switch to the Dough Hook, add all the flour, and finally the chocolate chips at the end?
Also, it seems that your only problem is the fact that you can’t make small batches of bread, right? Have you tried the Dough Hook Extender for Bosch Universal Mixers? This will allow you to mix as little as one loaf of bread with your regular dough hook which glides smoothly around the center column.
I love my Bosch a lot, and it totally outlasts any other mixer out there, with its powerful motor and high-torque transmission that adjusts itself just like a car. Give it a try, you gonna love it, and for sure you will prefer Bosch ever!!
http://boschmixers.com/index.php/bosch-mixer-attachments/attachments-universal/universal-bowls/dough-hook-extender-for-bosch-universal-mixers.htmlMarch 19, 2015 – 5:18 am
Patricia - Hi! I happened to find your post in a google search. I love your points of view and comparisons. It seem that your only problem it the fact that you cant make small batches right? Have you tried the Dough Hook Extender for Bosch Universal Mixer? This will allow you to mix as little as one loaf of bread with your regular dough hook which glides smoothly around the center column.
I love my Bosch a lot, and it totally outlast any other mixers out there with its powerful motor and high-torque transmission that adjusts itself just like a car. Give it a try…you gonna love it and for sure you will prefer Bosch ever!!
http://boschmixers.com/index.php/bosch-mixer-attachments/attachments-universal/universal-bowls/dough-hook-extender-for-bosch-universal-mixers.htmlMarch 19, 2015 – 4:59 am