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Kenmore Elite 5 Qt Stand Mixer Review

A moderately priced mixer that suffers from a poor design and inferior components
Kenmore Elite 5 Qt Stand Mixer
Credit: Amazon.om
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Price:   $230 List
Pros:  One-handed operation, slow start, work light
Cons:  Significant bowl/ attachment gap, weak motor
Manufacturer:   Kenmore
By Nick Miley and Michelle Powell  ⋅  Nov 12, 2019
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55
OVERALL
SCORE

RANKED
#10 of 12
  • Mixing - 30% 3
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6
  • Whipping - 25% 8
  • Kneading - 15% 5

Our Verdict

While this stand mixer has the trappings of a higher-quality machine, when put to the test it revealed itself to lack both in design and in quality componentry. The Kenmore Elite offers consumers a til-head configuration that facilitates one-handed operation and bowl removal. The bowl illuminating working light is a nice touch, too. However, the pronounced bowl/ attachment gap creates a lot of problems. More concerning though is the high pitched whine, faltering, and acrid smells we observed in the motor. We have serious doubts about the long term durability of this mixer. In the short term, this machine struggles to perform basic tasks such as mixing and kneading dough.

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Pros One-handed operation, slow start, work lightPowerful motor, simplistic design, large capacity bowl, planetary mixingPowerful motor, simplistic design, sturdy platformPowerful, affordable, easy to useCompact, ample power, good kneading action
Cons Significant bowl/ attachment gap, weak motorBulky, heavy, expensiveTilt-head impedes bowl access, mediocre whipping actionPoor whipping action, requires bowl scrapingLimited volume, so-so whipping action
Bottom Line A standing mixer that has a below average cost, quality and performanceA powerful, effective, easy-to-use, do-it-all stand mixer that looks sharp, tooA versatile stand mixer that will exceed most cook’s requirements at a manageable priceA stand mixer that will meet most people’s needs and budgetThis standing mixer is a miniature of the classic KitchenAid tilt-head design though the decrease in size does not come with much of decrease in cost
Rating Categories Elite 5 Qt 6-Qt. Professional... Artisan Classic Plus KSM75WH KitchenAid Artisan...
Mixing (30%)
3
8
8
8
7
Ease Of Use (30%)
6
9
9
8
7
Whipping (25%)
8
8
6
5
6
Kneading (15%)
5
8
9
8
8
Specs Elite 5 Qt 6-Qt. Professional... Artisan Classic Plus KSM75WH KitchenAid Artisan...
Head Type Tilt Fixed Tilt Tilt Tilt
Bowl Capacity 5 quart 6 quart 5 quart 4.5 quart 3.5 quart
Standard Attachments Wire whip, flat beater, dough hook Wire whip, flat beater, spiral dough hook Wire whip, dough hook, flat beater Wire whip, dough hook, flat beater, Wire whip, flat beater, dough hook
Motor (watts) 400-watt 575-watt 325-watt 275-watt 250-watt
Mixing Action Planetary Planetary Planetary Planetary Planetary
Number of Speeds 10 10 10 10 10
Attachment Port yes yes yes yes yes
Timer no no no no no
Measured Dimensions (L x W x H) 16" x 8.75" x 14" 14.5" x 11.25" x 16" 13.25" x 8.75" x 13.5" 14.5" x 10.75" x 14.25" 12.25" x 7.75" x 12"
Measured Weight 20lbs. 9oz. 26lbs. 1oz. 22lbs. 13oz. 22lbs. 13oz. 17lbs. 1oz.
Warranty limited 5-year 1-year 1-year 1-year 1-year
Color Options 3 22 46 2 10

Our Analysis and Test Results

The Kenmore Elite is a nice looking machine with ample bowl capacity and some useful features. However, if you plan to use this machine on the regular and with heavy or otherwise demanding recipes, then look elsewhere. This machine shows signs of future failure when put to these kinds of tasks. While the mixer is straightforward to use, it has to be monitored by the user, as the frequent scraping of the bowl will be required.

Performance Comparison



This machine offers a novel working under the tilt-head.
This machine offers a novel working under the tilt-head.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Likes


Standing mixers are supposed to make the user's life easier by assuming certain functions such as whipping and kneading. However, the way the user interacts with the machine is also an important part of the overall experience. The Kenmore Elite has a number of features that improve the user's experience. Namely, the unique working light located under the tilt-head. The machine also has conveniently placed speed, power, and tilt controls and an easy to remove bowl. Collectively, these feature results in a machine that can be operated with a single hand.

Ten speed settings on an easy to use knob.
Ten speed settings on an easy to use knob.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

As far as food outcomes are concerned, the Kenmore can reasonably manage most soft or light ingredients. As such, the Elite produced satisfactory frosting, as well as whipped cream and egg white.

Dislikes


What we don't like about the Kenmore Elite is that it fails to execute basic mixer tasks without the aid of a spatula to guide the ingredients into the mixing attachment. This is largely due to the substantial gap between the bowl and the attachment. But also to the inconsistent revolution of the motor.

Kenmore's aftermarket attachments matching its attachment port are...
Kenmore's aftermarket attachments matching its attachment port are limited.
Credit: Jenna Ammerman

While the mixing issues are a major concern, the larger issue is the long term durability of the machine. In particular, we have considerable concerns about the motor. During our testing we experienced inconsistent mixing motions including stalling and jerking. Additionally, we experienced irregular noises ranging from grating to high-pitched whines.

Value


The Kenmore Elite certainly has a competitive price point. However, having used this mixer side-by-side with other leading models, its modest price seems a bit high. For a few tens of dollars more, one can purchase a machine that will do its job as opposed to having you biting your nails waiting for the ax to fall on your mixer. As such, we don't find this mixer to be a value purchase.

Credit: Jenna Ammerman

Conclusion


The stand mixer market has a lot of products that, at first glance, look markedly similar. However, as with books, mixers should not be judged by their covers. The Kenmore Elite is a good example of this truism. While the machine looks the part of a high-end mixer, it is not. This machine struggles with basic tasks such as kneading dough and mixing cookies. Moreover, if tasks such as these were to be repeated frequently, we would have serious concerns about the long-term durability of the motor.

— Nick Miley and Michelle Powell