Help! I want to surprise my wife with a KitchenAid Mixer

[Major Nikon]

28. I own two KitchenAid Mixers

Don't ask why I have two, but I do.

There's basically two different types of mixers KitchenAid makes. Within the two different types you'll find a few different options for motor size.

The first type is more of a consumer grade product with less powerful motors and smaller capacity bowls. This one is still very much heavy duty and will probably last a normal household a lifetime of regular use. Even if you do manage to break something on it, you can buy repair parts. The most common thing that breaks on them is a nylon gear that's designed to shear rather than burning up the motor if you get a sudden stop, but even then it's usually a rare occurrence you aren't likely to encounter. Even if it does the repair is relatively easy.

The second type is more of a light commercial grade product. It's heavier and the motor is stronger and the bowl is a bit larger.

The biggest difference you'll find between the two is how you remove the implements. With the first type you flip up the head which allows for the clearance you need to remove the beaters. The second type has a lever which moves the bowl up and down. Of the two I prefer the flip up head. It just makes it faster and easier to remove the implements. Both types will accept the full range of accessories made for the mixers. Both types are more mixer than most home cooks are ever going to need.

My recommendation is to buy one with the flip top head. They are cheaper and easier to use. I think the one I have has the smallest motor and it's still very powerful. You can tell which motor they have by the wattage rating. So basically the only thing you need to compare with is the flip top head vs the lever type and the size of the motor. Outside of that the colors are pretty much the only differences.