KitchenAid vs. Bosch {Which Mixer Do You Really Need?}
It’s KitchenAid vs. Bosch! In this ultimate showdown between two of the most popular stand mixers on the market, learn the ins and outs of each mixer, and find out which stand mixer is right for you!
Disclaimer: this is an unsponsored post (i.e. I haven’t been paid to talk about these mixers); this post contains a few affiliate links which means that, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks so much for your support in this way!. As always, feel free to shop around for the best price!
In my extremely scientific (read: not scientific at all) research analysis, I’ve found that out of all my readers that own a stand mixer, most of you have either a KitchenAid or a Bosch mixer.
There are other brands on the market, but today, I want to focus on these two mixers.
It’s a battle of KitchenAid vs. Bosch!
My Experience Using Both Mixers
They are vastly different mixers. You can see this immediately in terms of shape, color, size, and design.
And because of that, each have good points…and some not so good points.
I’ve been a loyal Bosch Universal fan for years. I received one in the first years of my marriage and have been using it since (not the original mixer – I gave that one to a friend when I upgraded to the new model design a couple of years ago, but the 14-year old Bosch is going strong for my pal, Katie).
As for using a KitchenAid, many years ago, Costco was running a huge rebate on KitchenAid mixers, and I took the plunge and snagged one during the sale.
I never thought I would be a KitchenAid owner (or fan), but after hearing several friends rave about their KitchenAid’s strengths, I decided I wanted to try one out for myself.
She’s definitely a beauty, no doubt about that.
In all honesty, I was tempted to return the KitchenAid mixer within the first few weeks I had it (mostly because it felt, and still feels sometimes, excessive to have two stand mixers), but I stuck out the learning curve of a new mixer, and I’m glad I did, because it’s given me time to figure out which mixer really is the best.
Comparing KitchenAid to Bosch Universal
The KitchenAid I bought at Costco is unique to Costco stores and is a bit different than KitchenAid mixers you can buy online or at other stores, but it is very similar to this KitchenAid mixer.
This is the Bosch Universal mixer I have.
The Bosch stand mixer is also offered in a compact version (400 watts, 4-quart bowl capacity, about $189). And the KitchenAid mixers come in many different variations of motor power and bowl capacity (such as this 5-quart, 325 watt mixer, about $299).
For the purpose of today’s KitchenAid vs. Bosch post, I want to compare similar models between brands (so that it wouldn’t be an unfair contest, like comparing a Ferrari to a Nissan Sentra).
Below, you can see some of the basic specs for each of the mixers.
Fairly similar in price and bowl capacity, the Bosch shines in it’s higher powered motor at 800 watts (and let’s be serious, the KitchenAid can’t be beat when it comes to color options).
This makes a big difference when it comes to making things like bread. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that someone’s KitchenAid mixer burned up making bread…
It seems to be a common issue with KitchenAid mixers, although less so with higher powered KitchenAid’s (500 watts and above).
However, I have never heard anyone say their Bosch mixer motor burned out, especially not while making bread, which brings me to my first comparison point.
The Bosch Shines at Bread-Making
The Bosch Universal is hands down the best mixer for making bread.
Because of the bowl design (the mixing shaft comes up from the bottom rather than the top, like the KitchenAid), and because of the higher power, the Bosch can easily hold upwards of 22 cups of ingredients in the bowl and will mix bread like a boss.
I always make large batches of bread in my Bosch, including my go-to whole wheat bread recipe that makes 5-6 loaves.
I think the Bosch handles small batches of dough just fine, also, although I will say that this is a common complaint with the Bosch: small batches of anything don’t fare well.
The secret I’ve learned is to add the flour very gradually for small batches of bread in the Bosch, otherwise, you’re left with dry patches as the dough just spins aimlessly in the mixer unable to incorporate all the ingredients.
The KitchenAid and Bread-Making
Now let’s talk about the KitchenAid and bread.
I have turned to my KitchenAid a time or two to make smaller batches of bread (like these divine breadsticks).
It works fine, but I find it’s much easier to overflour the dough in the KitchenAid in order to get all the ingredients mixed based on how the dough hook moves around the bowl.
Making large batches of bread dough is out when it comes to the KitchenAid, in my opinion, but small batches seem to work ok. I’ve found I often have to scrape the sides of the bowl down to help incorporate flour – a difference between KitchenAid and Bosch as I never have to scrape down the sides of the Bosch bowl when making bread.
I’m going to detail a few more side-by-side comparisons below, but if you want to jump right to an overview, here’s a little chart for an at-a-glance picture at how these mixers measure up against each other.
Cookie Making in a KitchenAid and Bosch Universal
Both the Bosch and the KitchenAid are awesome for cookie making.
I made the exact same chocolate chip cookie recipe side-by-side in each mixer.
You can see that initially, the Bosch does a slightly better job at incorporating the butter and sugar together. The butter doesn’t get as hung up on the cookie paddles in the Bosch like it does in the KitchenAid.
As a sidenote, the cookie paddles are not included with the Bosch mixer, but are totally worth the extra $20 purchase; I use the dough hook or cookie paddles for everything I make in the Bosch.
UPDATE: I’ve started using the cookie paddles to cream the soft ingredients and then switch to the dough hook when adding the dry ingredients (I had a couple sets of cookie paddles break on me). And often, I just use the dough hook start to finish.
This dough hook that is sold separately is a game changer for the Bosch – it helps with dough climbing up the center column and overall just does a better job mixing any and all ingredients. I wish this was the dough hook shipped with the Bosch!
After a little pause for scraping the butter off the paddle, the KitchenAid works great.
Interestingly both mixers struggled a bit to incorporate the eggs into the cookie dough without some excessive scraping action, as well.
Which brings me to a pretty major point that BOTH mixers have issues with ingredients getting stuck to the bottom of the bowl, especially with wet batters or doughs, and based on design (and even after manipulating the screw on the KitchenAid to bring the paddle closer to the bottom of the bowl), it requires some scraping to get everything incorporated.
This is NOT an issue when doubling a standard cookie dough recipe in the Bosch, FYI (beautiful double batch of cookie dough pictured just below).
The larger quantities of everything seem to help the paddles pick up all necessary bits, but doing the same and doubling a cookie dough recipe in the KitchenAid, I still had to dig in there to scrape lingering bits of butter and sugar off the bottom (but not necessarily the sides).
After the egg/vanilla point in cookie making, both mixers handle the cookie dough like the professionals they are.
Since I already touched on it above, let’s talk about the issues of making smaller batches of recipes in each mixer.
Small Batches/Thinner Batters
No offense to my Bosch, but it stinks when making small batches of anything. Even though the description will say it can whip even one egg white to stiff peaks (and it may, I’ve never tried it), when it comes to small, or more particularly, thinner/wetter recipes, I have to do a lot of scraping, especially on the bottom of the bowl, to help incorporate the ingredients.
There IS a bowl scraper available, but I don’t have it and can’t attest to whether it helps this issue out or not, and it certainly wouldn’t help with all the goodness that gets stuck on the center shaft of the mixer and the bottom of the bowl.
The solution in the Bosch is usually to double the recipe (not always possible, I know). A batch of frosting that might need a lot of scraping usually does great when doubled.
Even though the KitchenAid does require some initial scraping to get ingredients off the bottom of the bowl, it really shines when mixing wet batters, like cake recipes or frosting, or for whipping cream or egg whites.
There is also a scraper attachment for KitchenAid mixers. Again, I don’t have this, but it may be a help, although my issue with the KitchenAid is the ingredients that hang out on the bottom of the bowl even after adjusting the height of the mixer.
Despite having to still pull up ingredients from the bottom of the bowl, the KitchenAid is hands down the best mixer for standard-size recipes of thinner/wetter ingredients.
And I love having it for this perfect yellow cake recipe (although keep in mind when I made that dang recipe 17 times to get it perfect, I didn’t have a stand mixer, so my handheld mixer – more details below – did the job).
Ease of Use
I’m not going to lie, I’ve wanted to kind of scream in my pillow sometimes at trying to add ingredients to the KitchenAid while it is mixing.
My measuring cups hit the side of the mixer when adding flour and other dry ingredients; it’s hard to get all the flour added without banging the measuring cup against the side of the bowl like a madwoman to expel the last specks of flour.
If you have the flexibility to stop the mixer and lower the bowl, it’s much easier, but in small batch bread dough recipes or any recipe where you need to add ingredients gradually, it’s a pain.
However, adding liquid/wet ingredients, like eggs or milk, seems to be much easier.
I don’t know if it’s the measuring cups I’m using or not, but clearly, adding ingredients to the KitchenAid is kind of a love/hate thing for me.
The Bosch, on the other hand, is easier for adding ingredients while the mixer is running thanks to the open top design.
However, after adding dry ingredients, some light sweeping is usually necessary to get the excess flour (or whatever) off the metal driver.
And take care to avoid the plumes of whispy flour (or powdered sugar) that puff out of the mixer and may cause minor coughing fits (which is mainly caused by one sticking their face too close to the mixer during the dry ingredient adding procedure – not that I would ever do that).
Cookie maker beware.
Where Does This Leave Us?
You can probably already see (if you made it this far, and if so, you deserve a cookie), that instead of proclaiming a true winner, it’s clear that each mixer has it’s strengths and weaknesses.
And much of the decision about which mixer to buy really depends on what you predominantly plan to make with it.
For serious bread makers and avid bakers of many types, the Bosch is a strong contender.
For those that see themselves making average-sized batches of cookies and cakes more than bread, the KitchenAid might be the best option.
And just to muddy the waters a bit, I have to say that in addition to my two stand mixers, I rely heavily on my everyday hand mixer, too.
For the longest time (over a decade), it was just me, my Bosch, and my trusty hand mixer that I used to make smaller batches of frosting, thin cake batters, etc.
Maybe it’s just because I’m a creature of habit, but I like having it around.
And since I’m clearly having a good time putting together charts, here’s a recap of which mixer I use..and for what.
It’s probably really obvious from this post that I’m a huge fan of the almighty Bosch. I can’t help it. She’s been by my side for over a decade.
If I had to choose between mixers, I’d definitely go with a Bosch Universal.
For me, a Bosch + hand mixer (for those thinner batters) is everything I would need for day-to-day cooking and baking operations in my kitchen.
However, the lovely KitchenAid cannot be discounted in terms of all-purpose use, especially if there isn’t going to be much bread or large-batch baking.
And, I will definitely say that if you are into looks, the KitchenAid has much more of an ooh-la-la factor. They are shiny and purty, no doubt about that.
The Bosch, on the other hand, isn’t fancy and doesn’t come in a million colors – it is definitely more on the humble, hard-working side of things.
And guess what? I also believe you can live your life fully and with lots of joy without even owning a stand mixer!
So, now it’s YOUR turn! If you are a stand mixer owner, which one do you have? And why do you love it?
Thanks for sticking with me for this detailed post (assuming you did, ha!). Feel free to ask any additional follow-up questions or clarification in the comments. Later, skaters!
I have both as well. My Kitchenaid is my Grandma’s old one from the 70s and I use it for cookies, frosting, whipped cream, cakes, etc. I love it for all of those things! I’ve tried bread in it with no success whatsoever, so my Bosch is used almost exclusively for bread. It is amazing! My husband surprised me with it a few years ago for Christmas. I used to make all my bread by hand, but now I use my trusty Bosch! I don’t have the cookie paddles, but when I’ve made cookies with my mom’s Bosch I felt like it was too powerful and was afraid of overmixing the dough. Has that been a problem for you?
Glad you love both mixers, Diane! I agree that the power of the Bosch can definitely overmix cookie dough. I use the pulse function to incorporate the dry ingredients and only let it mix until just combined.
Thanks for your comparison. Makes me have pangs of regret for giving my mother’s Bosch to my daughter…but I still have two KA. For bread making in the KA, I do NOT use the bread hook but rather the paddle (Y shaped attachment) as it seems to incorporate all the ingredients quicker and more thoroughly. Love your blog! Thanks
Interesting about using the paddle for bread, Wendy!
Great post! I loved your comparisons! I have an Electrolux stand mixer I use for making bread dough (now called Ankarsrum). I broke the whisk attachment the first time I used it, but I never replaced it because I really only use that mixer for bread dough and just use the scraper and dough roller. I’ve never tried the dough hook it comes with–the roller and scraper do a great job kneading and simulate hand kneading. The mixer holds a lot–I can make 6-loaves at a time without a problem. I also have a Kitchen Aid mixer that I love. I bake a lot (including wedding cakes and tons of cupcakes with frosting), and I currently have an 8-quart COMMERCIAL KA model that I love for these tasks. Some of the home models have attachments that must be hand-washed, but the commercial model’s attachments are dishwasher safe. I love the scraper paddle that I have with it, too. I ordered an extra bowl (which is wonderful!) plus my old 6 quart bowl works well with the paddle that came with that mixer (I saved the paddle & bowl when I replaced that mixer with my 8-quart model–which is hands down better than the 6 quart version I had). I agree that both types of mixers have their strengths. Experimenting in the kitchen is a passion of mine, so I can totally justify having two heavy-duty stand mixers on my counter!
Hey Mel. I just have to say that this is an excellent article and I can’t thank you enough! I went shopping online on Canadian websites for the mighty Bosch. Right now there is a Mothers Day special going on and the offer is that you get a free attachment when you order the Bosch. There are five choices of attachment packs, 3 of which I am considering. One is the ‘Bakers Pack with Cookie Paddles, Cake Paddles and Bowl Scraper’; second one is ‘Over the Bowl Large Slicer/Shredder’; and the third is ‘Meat Grinder Attachment’. When I make a batch of cookies I always double the batch and freeze some so I am considering the Bakers Pack. Can you advise if you have this and find it useful? I am also considering the Large Slicer/Shredder but I do have a smaller separate appliance for this purpose. Thirdly of course is the Meat Grinder which I think I would rarely use as it is just my husband and I. Keep in mind though that I am one of those Mom’s who shares what she makes and often am sending home dishes or desserts with the kids when they come for a visit. Do you have any advice with respect to the above attachments and if you use any of them? This sale is only on for a brief period so if you can’t get back to me, not to worry…with a household your size, believe me, it’s definitely understandable LOL! Thanks so much Mel
Just to chime in, if you want to use it to mix cookie dough you should probably get that Bakers Pack. In Mel’s photos of the Bosch where she’s mixing cookie dough, she’s got the cookie paddles attached. I don’t think you can use the attachments the Bosch comes with (at least what mine came with) to mix cookie dough.
Hey Nancy! I would definitely go with the Baker’s Pack – but that’s largely based on the fact that those attachments would be most used in my household (I wouldn’t have a need for the meat grinder and I already have a food processor to do slicing and shredding). I don’t think you’d regret getting the cookie paddles and bowl scraper for sure!
What a fun post and discussion! I was raised with KA, and I’ve never used a Bosch (disclaimer out of the way right off the bat). I certainly would try one – especially if I had reason to make large batches of bread, and since my current KA is boring white (I SO want a periwinkle one, but, in my experience, these KAs never die – I’ve NEVER met or talked to anyone who burned one up!) I can’t rave about the color bringing joy to my heart. My FIRST KA was my grandmothers avocado green one…ick, and it has now been passed on to two more generations of KA users.
What I see as a MAJOR difference is that there are a bazillion attachments for the KA! It works to churn my old White Mountain wooden ice cream churn AND you can purchase a modern ice cream freezer with the freezable bowl and churn.
I also have pasta attachments – the old fashioned roller, cutting blades, AND an extruder. And a meat grinder/sausage stuffer. And a grain mill. And a peeler/corer/slicer zoodle-maker.
I see no mention that Bosch has ANY of these fun toys, which I believe for the most part work on all models of KA mixer. Hands down, the accessories would make it hard to part with my beloved Kitchen Aid mixer. Unless someone wanted to trade me for one in a fun color – I’m open to negotiations!
You are right, the KA has SO many attachments. It’s crazy (and awesome!). Bosch actually has a few of the same ones (pasta roller, meat grinder, blender, and a few others), but KA definitely wins the attachment battle.
I have enjoyed reading all of theses comments! I have the 6 qt bowl Kitchen Aid mixer, and have had it for years so I’m not quite sure when I got it, but I am surprised no one has mentioned the attachment (plastic ring/splash guard that goes around the top of the bowl with a pouring spout). I could never add ingredients without that! Anyway, I love my mixer!!!
I actually burnt mine up making bread. The gears are stripped and the stem that comes down from the head (where you attach your beaters to), is loose and wobbly. Bummer…. KA definitely is not meant to make bread for the long haul. Unfortunately
I grew up using both and love both for different applications. When I got married though my mom got me a cuisinart because at the time they were performing better than KA. It was great till it burned out on gingersnaps! I went with an industrial KA and it was great for 2 years till my kids got bigger appetites. Now I wish I could make bigger batches of bread. I never thought about using a hand mixer for the things the Bosch can’t do well. Maybe I can sell mine and get a Bosch. Not that I don’t love my KA, just have different ‘kneads’ right now!
So true how different phases of life might mean a different mixer!
Sunbeam Mixmaster! Probably almost 30 years old, and still works great. It’s the kind that the top comes off to be a hand-held mixer, so it’s the best of both worlds. Of course, I’ve only done normal bread dough by hand. But I do make gluten-free breads in it just fine!
I’m hearing lots of good things about those old Sunbeam mixers!
I have an older KA with a 6 qt bowl and never had an issue with it and love that I can just toss everything in the dishwasher. I make bread in a Zojirushi bread machine so that comparison is not an issue for me. I love my Zo more than any other kitchen appliance I have and it is in constant use. I do agree that a hand mixer is just best sometimes.
I have a couple friends that love their Zojirushi bread maker more than life.
Ok, I’m the weirdo that read every word of the post. I just had this discussion with my sisters. We were trying to figure out which machine to go in on for a newlywed. I own both machines, although my kitchen aid has a smaller bowl and has less watts. I voted the KA! I had the KA first, so that might make a difference. But, I use my KA for everything that you do with a handmixer plus general smaller batches (cake, brownies, two dozen cookies, breadsticks…anything under five cups flour). My KA gets used daily, but my bosch only gets pulled out for big batches of bread and cookie dough. So logically, I had to vote for the KA. It was cheaper and would get used more frequently (especially for a family of 2). My bosch came as a gift and was perfect timing…when my family needed more than two loaves of bread at a time. So, I think family size and what you cook most, should definitely be included before people make a decision! And, I know this has been said a lot, but ease of cleaning is huge for me! That’s another reason I’ll grab my KA. I stick my smaller bowl in the dishwasher, but always hand wash my bosch. I love my Bosch too… if only everyone could have both. And if you DO have a Bosch, their shredder attachment for zucchini is A.MAZ.ING! The end.
Thanks for your input, Anneka! (and for reading every last word) 🙂
I love this post! I have a Kitchen Aid that was my great-grandmothers that I treasure…but… I couldn’t make bread well in it for fear of burning it up. After reading your previous posts about your Bosch I received it as my Christmas present this year and have LOVED it! I agree with everything in the post about all 3 mixers! At this point it would be hard to live without any of them but if forced to choose I would go with the Bosch and hand mixer.
I agree with you! I have a Bosch and love it!! also have a hand mixer foe the smallwr jobs. We have a family of 7 so our batches are bigger- the Bosch does a fine job every time. I tested a KA, and watched my friends use theirs, every time the paddle came around , the ingredients, either wet or dry would splash out the top of the bowl and make a mess! Not for me! Just a few of my life’s experiences! 🙂
Thanks for your input, Becki!
It makes me so happy you have a Bosch, Jessica!
Wow, I can’t believe how many comments you have only a day after posting! I guess we really like talking mixers. I actually also own both a KitchenAid and a Bosch, but it’s the Bosch that’s the newbie in my kitchen. My parents gave it to me as a gift just a couple months ago because they thought I would enjoy learning to bake bread. And that’s really all I intend to use the Bosch for–bread mixing. I’m definitely used to my KitchenAid and enjoy working with it, and think it does a great job with the cookies and cake batters I typically make in it. I’ve been really impressed with how much bread dough the Bosch can handle though.
Funny, I just used my KitchenAid on Sunday to mix chocolate chip cookies. Because my recipe calls for melted butter, I never thought a mixer was necessary and just made the dough by hand. Turns out the faster mixer speed (compared to my arm lol) led to a much fluffier dough. I was so happy with the results and glad for the excuse to pull out the mixer in the future.
Interesting about the cookies made in the mixer, Emily! Thanks for sharing your feedback. 🙂
Great post. I’ve only had my hand mixer all these years & recently have been ready to purchase a large mixer. My girlfriend, who is a pastry chef, uses both machines & loves them. She told me the same thing about smaller batches of wetter ingredients & cookies, the kitchenaid may be the best option. The funny thing is, opposite to most, I don’t like the esthetics of the kitchenaid! Lol! I really prefer my countertops to be cleared off & clean of appliances when I am not using them. Which is the reason I leaned towards the Bosch, because of its more compact put-away-in-the-cupboard design..lol. I’m so boring with kitchen esthetics.
Well, you are probably outnumbered on the looks comment, Becca, but I love it! Way to be you. My dream would be to have kitchen counters with nothing on them. I do have a deep drawer that stores my Bosch, and I like that I can tuck it away.
I LOVE my Bosch Universal- it has traveled from Maine to the UK back to Maine and now in the UK again with my trusty transformer. I use it for cookies and bread. I use my Bosch food processor for pie dough. While in Maine I did buy a Kitchenaid with some bonus money just a few years ago- shiny red Artisan. Broke 2 eggs in the bowl to give it a small road test, set it up to whip- machine stopped and that was it. It was back on its way to Amazon the very next morning with a scathing review. No Kitchenaid for me- I know it was bad luck- but not meant to be. However, I did buy a Kenwood Chef here in the UK as I am making far more cakes (grandkids) and they all want to learn to bake!
Ugh! That IS bad luck!
Great post, Mel. I must say I have my grandmother’s Kitchen Aid – from 1978! This behemoth is the autumn gold color so popular back then. This is the best mixer ever – it is one of the original, metal parts through and through. It stands up to the heaviest of doughs. That said, once, it freaked out on me. The motor started overheating and burning. My husband, bless his confidence and skills, took it apart and ‘fixed’ it. It has been running strong for over 5 more years. I thought I would need to purchase a new one 🙁 . While researching them, I found out the company was sold way back. The new ones have plastic and cheaper parts. :O They are not equipped to handle bread dough. Every time I take out ‘my grandmother’s mixer’ I thank her (and my hubby) for it. Never tried any other – for as you can see – this one is top notch, sturdy, dependable and heavy duty. I love my grandmother’s mixer (my husband asks when it will be ‘my mixer’) haha!
I have a Kitchenaid with metal parts as well. It’s a hand me down, and it is amazing. The new ones aren’t great, but if you can find an older one it works so much better!!
I have an old Kitchen Aid too! So much better than the new ones. I don’t know what I’m going to do when mine dies. I hate trying to clean the Bosch.
Thanks for your input, Chris! Others comments are definitely in line with what you are saying (older KAs are stellar in terms of quality). I’m so glad your Autumn gold mixer is going strong still!
I also have an old 70s yellow Kitchen aid that was also my grandmother’s!
My KA is not working well and seems like it really can’t handle bread. I’d been thinking of buying a new mixer (possibly Bosch)–but I think I may just “trade” with my dad who still has my mom’s workhorse KA from the 70s that he never uses. That thing is beast and based on what she put it through, I was expecting the same with my newer model, but the quality just is no longer there.
Absolutely go with the older KA! Mine is such an amazing workhorse. I used it daily (sometimes up to 20x per day) when we had a small breakfast/lunch restaurant. This thing is incredible! It LOVES making bread as much as I do 😉
I have my grandma’s old KitchenAid as well, probably the same color as yours! I love it and make everything in it, including bread. I had no idea about the metal parts, but it makes sense. It has always served me well, maybe someday I’ll have a Bosch but not yet 🙂
I loved this post. I had never heard of a Bosch mixer until I started reading your blog a few years ago. Although I had heard of Bosch tools, same company? I’ll have to look into that. It definitely sounds like a workhorse. I currently do not have a stand mixer, just my handy hand mixer. I am newly starting to make breads but haven’t gotten the look and feel of the dough yet, so I still like kneading it by hand. If I do consider buying one I will be referencing this blog post for sure. Thanks for all the charts, I love seeing side by side comparisons like this is chart form.
I think learning to make bread dough by hand is so important to get the texture right – so way to go, you! That’s awesome.
Lucky lady!
I have mostly owned KitchenAid and have used my daughter-in-laws Bosch a few times. My KitchenAid is a professional model I bought at Sam’s Club 3 years ago. I think this mixer is amazing. I have made hundreds of cookies over the last three years and I love this machine. I am impatient and hate waiting for butter to soften. My KitchenAid softens it quickly and I get perfect cookies every time. I always forget that my daughter-in-law’s Bosch cannot handle this. I really dislike the metal/plastic parts I have broken hers more than once and have had to buy her new ones. I love the durability of the KitchenAid’ parts and motor. My daughter did burn up one of my KitchenAid mixers when she put a package of chocolate chips that had been melted an then frozen into it. It jammed the machine and burned up the motor. She was twelve. I will always buy a KitchenAid over a Bosch.
Thanks for your input, Vanalee! I haven’t had anything break on my Bosch mixer, but I agree that metal is definitely more durable than plastic. 🙂
I have the Bosch Univeral and feel the same way you do about it, and my hand mixer. I’ve never considered the Kitchen Aid because I’m all about the bread and the large batches of everything! And then I use my hand mixer for cakes and whipping cream. I honestly never make a single batch of cookies, like ever. I figure if I’m going to go to the effort of making cookies I might as well make a bunch, plenty for me and plenty to share! Maybe that’s my problem actually! My only complaint about my Bosch is that my cookie paddles break! And now I’m baffled seeing your pics with a double batch of cookies with your cookie paddles! I think I’m on my 4th set of cookie paddles and they are already broken, I’m just still using them because they will stay on once everything is in place and I don’t want to buy another set! They have always broken when I’m making a double batch of cookie dough so I try and be more careful now and switch to the dough hook before I add all the flour, but if I’ve gotten lazy and not switched, they’ve broken again. Have you ever had them break?? Maybe I just have bad luck.
And I just have to tell you that today my 5 year old asked me if I could be anyone who would I be? I told him I would still want to be his mom and he said I would still be his mom, but if I could be anyone who would it be? I said, “like Batman?” He said it can be anyone, real or pretend. I finally told him if I could still be his mom and be someone I would be Mel, Mel’s Kitchen Cafe Mel (we have a friend named Mel, so I have to call you Mel’s KC Mel) so that I could make yummy dinners every night! He liked that idea! So gets you go, if I could be someone else, I’d be you!
Oh my gosh, Josie, your comment was hilarious and so sweet. I can assure you that if you knew me in real life, you wouldn’t want to be me, but it still made my day. Ha! You are cute.
And no, I haven’t had the cookie paddles break! That’s SO frustrating! Where do you buy them from? Have you ever contacted the company? I have heard the cookie paddles kind of creak, for lack of a better word, when I’m probably pushing the limits of quantity, but no breakage yet. But I’ll be watching more closely from now on!
I wish I did know you in real life Mel! And I already know that you are even better in person than online, Bro. Massey said so, so I know it’s true! 🙂
I should try contacting Bosch and see if they’ll send me new ones, we used to have a Bosch store here in St. George, but another company took over and now they don’t carry Bosch anymore. Weird! So I’ve ordered them from Amazon. It made me wonder if they were “legit” Bosch, when my 2nd set broke so fast. But same thing as Rebe said…the ribbing breaks and I hear a crack and then have to find little splintered off pieces in my cookie dough. The first time they broke, I had heard a noise but I didn’t know what happened, then someone I gave cookies to found a hard plastic chuncky splinter in a cookie! I was mortified! Then I inspected them and realized those plastic ridge thingies had broken. It’s been annoying because I love the mixer so much, and my life pretty much needs cookies!
I have had 2 sets of the cookie paddles break as well. It has been on the ribbing along the top of the paddle for me. This makes it so the cookie paddle just is free in the bowl and doesn’t turn. Usually it happens when my butter isn’t softened enough. The first time, I sent them back and got a new set, but I haven’t bothered with it again and just make cookies by hand.
I love my 900w Sunbeam mixmaster. I bought it as a Mother’s Day present a few years ago and it has not steered me wrong. The tilt head makes life easier and the paddle attachment is great for biscuit/cookie recipes; I don’t mind a bit of scraping. I find the easiest way to add dry ingredients is to sift on to baking paper and tip into the bowl. No mess that way. My parents have had their Sunbeam since they were married 43 years ago and it is still going strong.
Sounds like those Sunbeam mixers are a favorite of many! Thanks, Simone!
I have always had a KitchenAid, but it did once burn out making bread dough and we had to replace some part inside it. Because it was right before the holidays when that happened, my friend lent me her Bosch because she doesn’t bake very often. I fell in love. Because as mentioned it was before the holidays, I was making big batches of everything! The capacity and mixing power is amazing! I also wish I could make my own bread for our family but the KitchenAid only made small batches and the loaves were eaten so quickly that it wasn’t worth it. So now it’s going on my wish list–I seriously would be thrilled to get that as a birthday present!
However, as I do a lot of cake baking and decorating, I still love my KitchenAid. It’s not the 6-quart one which I do bemoan, but it mixes well and whips amazingly and gets the job done.
So yeah. One day I’ll have both!
One day! 🙂 Thanks for your comment, Yael!
I honestly have never heard of a Bosch mixer except on your blog. I may have to rethink my dreams of obtaining a Kitchenaid some day. Maybe I just need a Bosch. (I currently have a Breville I won, it gets the job done but has some issues. Anyway the only reason I really felt compelled to comment was because I noticed what I believe is a Norwex kitchen cloth wiping your Kitchenaid, and I got a little giddy about it. LOL! I use the same cloth for my silver mixer (and counters, and stove, and everything, lol). I’m a Norwex fan
Haha! I love my Norwex dish cloths. And I love seeing your comment(s), Veronica. 🙂
Have you seen this pouring shield?? It helps with pouring ingredients (like flour) into the KitchenAid while it’s mixing. I have one but don’t use it all the time. When I remember it, it works pretty well. Might help solve your problem 🙂
https://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-KN1PS-Pouring-Shield-1-Piece/dp/B0007QN054
Yes, I have that…but honestly, I have such trouble. I’m sure it’s operator error. 🙂
I had a Bosch for 40 years and wore it out. During that time I had the older style kitchenaid mixer with a glass bowl, which I also wore out. By that time, my kids were grown so I decided not to get another Bosch, but I miss it and the blender it had with it. My ‘new’ kitchenaid is about 8 years old. I can make 2 loaves of bread in it, cookie dough, whip cream, etc. But I don’t like that the top doesn’t lift. Other than that it’s okay, but do miss my old style kitchenaid!!!!
Thanks for the comment and review, Janet!
While I must admit the kitchen aids are beautiful and shiny…My Bosch…is my best friend in the kitchen…I have used my daughter and daughters in law kitchen aids…I have never been impressed with them…I love the hooks for the Bosch….keeps the center and edges of the bowl scrapped….BUT I do admit I have a hand mixer…for those little things! Thanks Mel…This was very interesting!
Thanks, Jill! Seems like there are a lot of Bosch fans who also keep a handy dandy hand mixer around, too. Smart!
Saw this on instagram & couldn’t wait to read your thoughts. To be honest I’ve never owned a kitchen aid. However, I’ve used giant ones at BYUI in college and smaller ones in a bakery that worked at as well. I’ve commented before on another post that I have a Bosch that was my great Grandma’s & that is well over 35 years old and it’s still going. I got an upgrade a couple years ago because they had Bosch mixers at Costco around Christmas. It came with food processing attachment, cookie paddles, whips, a dough hook and scraper. The scraper is awesome for any yeast dough that has 3-4 cups of flour. Anyway, I think a good old hand mixer and Bosch will serve me well for years to come. I’m more of a cookie and bread baker rather than cakes. By the way, my sister has a cherry red Bosch base she got a few years ago and her bowl is gray. Pretty!! Thanks mel! Hope to see you in Costco or the soccer field soon. Wink wink 🙂
I’m going to have to check out that scraper for smaller batches! I can’t believe that Bosch is going on 35+ years. That is amazing! And are you kidding about the red Bosch? Was that a limited edition thing?
Have both love both for different things but I hate to clean the Bosch. The kitchenaid is so much easier to clean.
Thanks for your comment! Sounds like a lot of people don’t like to clean the Bosch…I guess because it’s the only mixer I knew for so long, it hasn’t seemed to be a problem, but I can understand why people may not like it.
I have two of the smaller Bosch, one at home and the other people n Arizona. LOVE them! Two things that you didn’t mention that favor the Bosh are how easy it is to lift and move, and how steady they are when kneading. I used to have to stay close to the KA when using it for bread, because it “walked” right to the edge of my countertops. I just put the ingredients in the Bosch, and never have to worry. Also have a vintage Kenwood that I picked up at a s second hand store for twenty bucks, and it came with the stone grinding disks!
Thanks, Sharon! You know what’s interesting? My Bosch “walked” off my kitchen counter a few years back (my own fault…my dough was WAY too stiff and causing the Bosch to move around). Amazingly, the mixer wasn’t damaged at all by the fall, thank goodness.
I have an old bosch that was given to me by a friend who upgraded. I was so impressed by its power! Love it for making bread, especially bigger batches. I am commenting here because mine has leapt off the counter, too! The impressive thing is is that it still keeps on going! It’s very ugly, with a chip off the base from it’s flying adventure, but it still works! I also have a kitchenaid which we all use frequently for just about everything else besides bread. I do love it for whipping! I thought by now, I would have burned up the motor, but it has lasted over 12 years. My dough hooks have chipped their paint however. I appreciate your Reviews!
I quite agree with most of your comments between the two machines. While I dislike cleaning my Bosch which is around twenty odd years old, I do find it best for making bread dough. I make large batches of whole grain bread with flour that I grind myself. The KitchenAid is easily cleaned and I do prefer it for making cakes and cookies which is why I purchased one two years ago. Like you I use my hand mixer as much as possible simply for the easy clean up. I do enjoy your blogs and recipes !
Thanks, Pauline!
I grew up using my mom’s old tilt head kitchen aid, and got one of my own when I got married. It did everything I needed it to do, though it sometimes struggled with huge batches. After 14 years of heavy use, I was given a 5qt kitchen aid with a more powerful motor. I love it, except for small batches. Bonus… it’s a bright cherry red :). I would love the chance to try out a Bosch, but it’s neat to see a comparison. Thanks for doing this post!
Thanks, Kristi! I’m loving all these comments, especially to see how people agree and disagree. It’s so interesting!
Loved reading this post. Up until a couple years ago all I had was a hand mixer. Then someone gave my mother-in-law a kitchen aid mixer with all sorts of attachments that belonged to their brother who passed away. She gave it to me because she already had one. I love it for cookie dough, cakes and frosting. I have never tried it for bread because I make bread by hand. Since I never had a mixer I always made bread dough by hand and I just really enjoy kneading the dough by hand. But I don’t make the amount of bread you do.
I totally agree with you about adding in the dry ingredients. I always have to stop it and lower the bowl. One day I had cocoa powder all over the mixer and counter. I was not happy. It was a good thing the cookies I was making turned out good so it was at least worth it.
Haha, good thing those cookies were worth it! 🙂
I have both and love both. I use my kitchen aid for bread, because I make huge batches (6, 1.5 pound loaves) at least once a week. I have the 7 quart industrial motor and it has been 5 years with no issues (it even kneaded itself off the counter once… oops). My bosch is 20 years old and large batches of bread always crept up the center and got into the inside of the column. It was a giant pain to clean that out every week. My kitchen aid has a collar with a pour slot that makes adding dry ingredients easier. I’m glad I don’t have to choose just one mixer. If my kitchen aid ever dies I will probably replace it with a hobart or similar industrial machine. I don’t think my bosch will ever die (which is awesome).
Haha, I just commented above how my Bosch did that same thing – kneaded itself off the counter. There have been several people comment that the 7-quart industrial KitchenAid seems to be pretty durable. I haven’t had the issue with bread being hard to clean out of my Bosch, but I know others have.
Bosch all the way. I’ve had one for 19 years and love it. My mom has had hers for close to 50 years. The only thing she’s had to replace was the bowl.
50 years? Thats insane (in a good way!).
I love, love, love my Bosch!! It has to work hard for me every summer! I bake for 4 farmers markets every week. I love that my Bosch can handle so many cups of flour. I use the dough hook for almost everything: bread, cookies, frosting, etc.
That’s awesome, Kristina!
Love your detailed review.
I’m one of the few who just uses a handmixer. Now, I don’t make bread very often (maybe 2X per year) so I might not fit in with this crowd, but I just do the whole thing by hand. Everything else I use the handmixer for and agree with your post that it’s doable! (My main reason is small kitchen, full cupboards and not much counter space.)
Love your comment, Sarah! Thanks for taking the time to share what works of you!
What a fun post, I love the research (aka real life experience).
Ha! Yes, that’s my kind of “research!” 🙂
I burned out three Kitchenaid motors before I bought a Bosch, and wonder now why it took me so long to change!!! Coupled with a hand mixer I can do everything needed in the baking department. The powerful motor is the winner!
Ugh, three KitchenAids? That’s no fun! Glad you are happy with your Bosch!
I’ve always used my hands or an ancient hand mixer from the 70s passed down from my mom. The only reason I have a stand mixer now is because my dad got my mom one for Christmas over 10 years ago, and she gave it to me because she didn’t use it much. I have a smaller cheaper version, a 4.5 quart that has the head that goes up and down instead of the bowl. I always hated the stuff getting left on the bottom of the bowl, but only found out last week that there is a screw to adjust! Will have to try that. I don’t make much bread, but want to start. I do have a bread machine, but it’s very small. May get a bosch for bread, but it’s kind of pricey for me.
Thanks for your comment, Laurie!
I have had the Bosch for many years. I love how powerful it is and have used it a lot successfully. I do not love the 2-piece plastic lid that falls apart too easily, or the fact that I find the bowl/post hard to clean. I also now have a beautiful black Kitchen Aid, Professional 600, given to me by my sister-in-law to try out. I’m sure it has lots of merit, but I wish the head would raise like the smaller mixers do. After lowering the bowl, there still isn’t enough space to easily remove the bowl without first having to remove the beater…and there doesn’t really seem to be enough room to remove the beater easily either. Also, the bowl does not lock into the “button” at the back without considerable effort. Am I doing something wrong, or is it just a matter of getting used to it? I don’t see this complaint from anyone else.
Hi Rebecca, I agree with the KitchenAid comment – it’s hard to get in and out of the bowl without removing the beater; I wish the head tilted up, as well. I was worried when I started locking the bowl in place – I also have to push it really hard (I don’t let my kids do it because I’m afraid they’ll pinch their fingers). I don’t think you are alone in this.
I have a Kitchen Aid mixer that my MIL picked up at a garage sale for me several years ago. It has got to be from the 70s or 80s because it is a mustard yellow color. It is a work horse and I think it has been so reliable because it was made so many years ago! It has been great for me. I grew up with my mom having a Bosch mixer and she loves it! I don’t make the bread we eat everyday so the kitchen aid has worked great for me to make all my other yeast doughs and that is mainly what I use it for. Having used both, I think they both definitely have pro’s and cons as you have pointed out. Having worked in a few bakeries in college I haven’t ever seen a mixer like a Bosch in a bakery before, they are all those giant Hobart mixers that are in essence, designed like a kitchen aid. Just a random thing to point out. ☺
So true! Pros and cons for both, and it does appear from many comments that those older KitchenAids are where it’s at! They are more durable than today’s models, it seems like. I think the design of the KitchenAid/Hobart-type mixers definitely have merit. But I’m not sure most KitchenAids are as well designed (plastic vs. metal parts). I would love to be able to afford a Hobart. Can you imagine? 🙂
I have both a Kitchenaid and a Bosch (well, and a Blendtec…thanks Mel :). I only use the Bosch for bread making and large batches of cookies. I use my Kitchenaid for everything else: cakes, whipping, pizza dough, etc. I pretty much agree with all of your comparisons. I agree with other reviewers though: I HATE cleaning my Bosch. I know the dishwasher will do it, but I don’t like all of that dough/food waste washing away into my septic. They are spendy to replace, if you know what I mean, living out in the country. So I always wash it by hand so that I can strain out the food and dough particles to throw away. The Kitchenaid is so much easier to clean, in my opinion, which is why I grab it for anything but bread/large batches of anything. I do love them both and think they are both great! I wouldn’t want to part with either one!
I’m also on septic and wash my Bosch by hand, too. It can be a pain, but because I’ve done it for so many years, I guess I don’t think twice. You aren’t alone, though – lots of comments here about how people hate cleaning it.
Whenever I see your pictures of bread making, your machine always looks “cleaner” than mine. My dough rides up a lot and gets stuck in all of those little grooves at the top of the center piece, and it also rides up and gets stuck inside of the place where the hooks attach. That is what I hate cleaning, because I have to sit and scrape out each tiny groove. I have a hard time getting it out sometimes, so I wait until it dries and I “chip” the dried dough out with a toothpick. I bought mine off of Ebay, so it’s not the newest model, so I’m not sure if that makes a difference. Otherwise, have you experienced your dough riding up the center ever like I do? Any tips on how to avoid this? Clean up would be SO much easier!! Thanks! I loved this post!
I started with a bottom of the line Kitchenaid, then moved up to a professional one with more capacity and power, and my hub has replaced worn gears several times. Last one turned out to be a problem with the cast case, so I bought the Costco deal on the Bosch and kept both Kitchenaids so I can still use my pasta machine and other attachments What a work horse…youre right about it not handling small batches as well, but I’ll never worry about wearing out gears again… I love my Bosch!!
Thanks for your comment, Sharon!
I have had a Bosch compact mixer for 25 years, I love it. I would love to get the model that you have eventually. My daughter was a baby when I got it, and I could pass the compact to her. It’s one of my favorite things for sure!
I love that the Bosch compact has lasted for so many years!
I have had my current Kitchen Aid for 37 years!!!! I LOVE it and have never wanted for anything else. I have several attachments for it with grain mill or shredder being my most used. Although, I have recently acquired a spiralizer and loving it with plans to plant extra zucchini just for that purpose. At this point, I don’t know who will die first…me or my mixer. 🙂 Together we have made over 5000 loaves of bread, over 1000 cakes and at least 100,000 cookies!!!! 🙂
That’s amazing! 37 years!
We received a kitchen aid as a wedding gift 31 years ago. About 10-15 years ago, I bought the Bosch. I LOVED it. Unfortunately, it’s been sitting in my basement for many years, out of use. The bowl was jammed on. We spent two hours prying with a screwdriver to get it off. I miss it so much. I make big batches of bread and cookies and the kitchen aid just doesn’t work as well.
Oh, that is such a bummer about your Bosch! 🙁
I actually use my KitchenAid for bread all the time and love it. It has a learning curve, but if you add the ingredients right it works just great and I can add upwards of 10-12 cups of flour, so I get three or four loaves depending on the recipe I use. The cover for it is really helpful for pouring ingredients in while it’s running and it helps with the puff factor as well.
So happy you love the KA for bread making, Jolena! Thanks for your comment!
I started our marriage 14 yrs ago with a BOSCH and I’ve never had a complaint. My mom uses the same BOSCH she bought 30 yrs ago. So maybe my opinion is a lil biased. I have a hand mixer I use for smaller jobs. I also have the BOSCH blender and have to say it’s outlasted the other blender we received for a wedding gift at the same time.
Thanks, Tanya!
I had the 575w kitchen aid with 6 qt bowl after my 20 years old Kenwood Chef stopped working and nobody serviced Kenwood anymore. I bake 6 loafs of bread everyweek in 2 batches the kitchen aid burned with 7 cups of flour 3 times through the warranty ( they changed it each time) the last one last a little longer. Died after 16 months fixed it myself, lasted 3 more months. I gave up, bite the bullet and bought the Bosch. What a great mixer. Now I make my 6 loafs in one batch. If I had to choose between Kitchen Aid and Kenwood, the Kenwood is much better than the Kitchen Aid. When it come to mixers the Europeans are way better.
So glad to hear your experience with both mixers!
I’ve had my KitchenAid for 20+ years. It’s been complaining rather loudly to me lately when I double my cookie recipes. I have a feeling I’ll need to be making a stand mixer purchase in the near future so I really appreciate the timing of this post. Could you please compare how both mixers are to clean? Are they easy to take apart? Any nooks and crannies for dough to get trapped in? Any cleaning issues at all? Also any issues with storage? Do you cover your mixers? Thanks for your help!
Great questions, Julie. The older style of Bosch was really hard to clean because you couldn’t remove the bottom from the center shaft. But with the newer models of the Bosch Universal, the bottom will twist off of the center shaft and I feel like it is really easy to clean. However, several people have commented on this thread that they detest cleaning the Bosch (not sure if they have the older or newer model). The KitchenAid is as simple as cleaning a large bowl and whatever beater/attachment you use. I don’t have a problem whatsoever cleaning the Bosch, but I may just be a creature of habit. I keep my Bosch in a deep drawer in my island and my KitchenAid stays on my counter – I wipe it off every day or so if I haven’t used it just to get rid of the dust.
Since my kids are grown and on their own, I don’t make bread very often. My KitchenAid works fine for the things I do make, but now I’m curious about Bosch mixers.
Maybe I’ll start making bread again as an excuse to get a Bosch!
🙂
I have a small baking business and I have both. I use my Bosch for everything except Royal Icing. I have the scraper attachments for the Bosch and they do work well. Especially the one for dough but I do prefer the easy cleanup of a kitchen aid. If I was only allowed to have one I’d pick the Bosch no question. I actually store my KitchenAid upstairs and only pull it out when I have a batch of cookies I have to decorate with said royal icing. Thanks for the review! I appreciated hearing someone else’s views on them both!
Such a great review, especially since you are using the mixers professionally. Thanks, Kathryn!
I am so glad you did this post. I have a red Kitchenaid that makes me happy just to look at it but not so happy when I use it. I’m loving all the colors they have now, could have one of each! I just don’t think it’s as good as it’s thought to be. It is sturdy but does bounce around when I knead pizza dough (I don’t even try bread). I’m not to happy having to scrape all the time & the thing that really irritates me is when it throws flour out of the bowl. Every time I add it I have to pulse slowly & wrap a towel around the top. (I’m not crazy about the plastic lip attachment). I will have to try the scraping attachment you mentioned. I have 2 friends who have the Bosch & they love it. One of them just dumps everything at once in the bowl & mixes. I’ve been wanting to read a comparison so thanks for the post!
I know, the colors are SO PRETTY.