Kitchenaid has come to be a household name in kitchen appliances. Although other companies have tried to duplicate and compete against the Kitchenaid classic stand mixer, they haven't been able to match the power and reliability that the Kitchenaid mixer provides. Kitchenaid has also responded to the competition by increasing their variety both in look and in power.

If you are someone that doesn't cook on a regular basis, the basic Kitchenaid stand mixer will probably suit your needs just fine. This model, available in red or white, comes with a 4.5-quart bowl and three mixing tools: a wire beater, a flat beater and a dough hook. For any cake and cooking making, cream whipping and bread kneading you have to do the 250-Watt, 10-speed motor will help you in the kitchen.

For those who want a little more out of their mixer, or who are a little more fashion conscious, the Kitchenaid artisan 5-quart stand mixers offer a little more bowl capacity and a more powerful 325-Watt motor that can handle pizza dough with ease. More importantly, the artisan mixer is offered in a couple of dozen colors; you will sometimes see additional limited edition colors at specialty retailers. You'll pay around $75 more than for the Kitchenaid classic stand mixer, but if you bake bread regularly, or you have to have a particular color to match your kitchen, it can be a good investment.

When it comes to baking some people take it really serious. If this is the type of person you are, then you may consider investing in a Kitchenaid professional 600 mixer. For an additional $125.00 - $150.00 more than the Kitchenaid artisan 5-quart stand mixer, you will receive a 6-quart bowl and a beefy 575-Watt motor. The motor sports have a number of great features such as soft start to stop splattering and it also has automatic shut-off. The Kitchenaid professional 600 mixer comes in about 12 different colors, which include a few metallic finishes, so you should have no problem finding something that goes with your taste.

All Kitchenaid mixers, no matter which model you have, can be taken to the next level when various attachments are added. For example, this simple stand mixer can be transformed into a meat grinder, an ice cream maker, a pasta roller and even a juicer. Not only do these attachments save you counter space and time, you won't have to worry about burning out the motor of a more unreliable countertop appliance.

Whether you are an occasional baker or a semi-professional pizza maker, the range of stand mixers offered by Kitchenaid will have something for you. The Kitchenaid classic stand mixer is a great machine that can do a lot for you, but if you can find somebody else to pay for it (there's a reason to put these things on your wedding registry), then one of the more expensive models make a great investment.