I finally upgraded my 30-year-old mixer – Here’s how the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer measured up

When you're shopping for one of the best stand mixers on the market, the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer is a name that deserves attention. With its eye-catching retro design, robust build quality and impressive performance, the kMix stands out as a stylish yet functional alternative to more mainstream brands.

One of the newer mixers in the Kenwood collection, this kitchen appliance is equipped to handle everything from whipping cream to kneading dense dough, making it a versatile addition to any home to bring your baking ideas to life.

Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer review

How I tested the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer

As a home baker who usually mixes everything by hand - or pulls out her trusty 30-year-old mixer when she can be bothered to dig it out of the cupboard - I was looking for something a bit more reliable, stylish and strong enough to take on everything from light, fluffy cake batters to heavy bread doughs. That’s when I came across the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer, a machine that kept showing up on lists of the best stand mixers for home bakers.

I put the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer to the test to see whether it lives up to its reputation and how it compares to other top contenders in the world of best stand mixers. I’ll share my honest experience using the mixer, from everyday tasks such as baking cupcakes to tougher baking challenges and whether it truly earns a place among the best stand mixers out there.

To give the Kenwood kMix a proper workout, I used it just like I would any mixer in my normal baking routine - nothing fancy or overly technical, just real recipes I actually make. Over a few weeks, I put it through a variety of tasks: mixing cake batter, whipping egg whites and kneading pizza dough.

I also paid close attention to things like how easy it was to set up and clean, how noisy it got at full speed, and whether the bowl and splash guard actually helped prevent mess (spoiler: they mostly did).

Setting up the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer

It's super easy to set up the stand mixer and only takes a minute or so once you've read the instructions. Right out of the box, the Kenwood kMix felt like a solid, well-made piece of kit - reassuringly weighty but not so heavy that I couldn’t lift it onto the counter myself. The setup was surprisingly simple. The mixing bowl locks into place with a satisfying twist, and swapping between attachments (like the K-beater, balloon whisk, and dough hook) was straightforward once I got the hang of the twist-and-click mechanism.

The tilt-head design made it easy to access the bowl and attach tools without much fuss. I will say the first time lifting the head took a bit of fiddling, but once I got used to the release lever, it was smooth sailing.

It also comes with a splash guard, which initially looked a bit awkward to fit, but once in place, it did a great job of keeping flour clouds and sugar dust in the bowl instead of all over my kitchen.

As someone who’s used to wrestling with older appliances, I really appreciated how intuitive everything felt. No screwdriver needed, no guessing which part goes where - just plug it in and start mixing.

Features

The Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer has plenty of features for all your baking needs, whether you're an avid home cook like me or a professional baker. It comes with a powerful 1000w motor, which means it doesn’t flinch when kneading stiff bread dough or mixing dense cake batters. I was genuinely impressed by how easily it handled everything I threw at it, without the mixer wobbling or sounding like it was about to take off.

The speed control dial is smooth and precise, offering six speeds plus a pulse function. I liked that it starts off slow before ramping up - no sudden flour explosions! However, on the slowest setting, it did take five minutes to break some egg yolks, so I did have to put it faster than what the recipe I was following suggested.

Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer attachments

It includes these main attachments:
• K-beater - Great for general mixing
• Balloon whisk - Perfect for whipping cream or egg whites.
• Dough hook - Ideal for kneading without the elbow grease.
• Splash guard - Comes with a feed chute, which makes adding ingredients mid-mix tidy and fuss-free.

And although I haven’t tried them yet, the kMix is also compatible with additional attachments, like a pasta roller or food grinder, which you can buy separately if you want to expand what the mixer can do.

Final verdict

For something that looks so sleek, the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer is surprisingly hardworking and it strikes a nice balance between simplicity and functionality.

After spending a few weeks baking everything from delicate sponge cakes to cookies and brownies, I can confidently say the Kenwood kMix Stand Mixer has earned a permanent spot on my kitchen counter. It’s powerful, easy to use, and stylish enough that I don’t mind leaving it out on display (in fact, I kind of love showing it off).

It handles tough doughs without struggling, keeps mess to a minimum, and feels like it’s built to last. While it may not have quite as many fancy accessories included out of the box as some pricier models, what you do get is more than enough for most home bakers and you can always expand with attachments later if you need to.

If you’re looking for a powerful, practical, joy-to-use stand mixer, the Kenwood kMix is absolutely worth considering and would make a lovely gift for a baker. It’s made my baking easier, faster, and, frankly, more enjoyable and I wish I’d upgraded years ago.

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her three dogs.