I'm a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
It seems almost strange to place KitchenAid stand mixers alongside lesser known brands like Aucma and Dash. KitchenAid is the de facto leader in this arena, but Aucma and Dash are starting to gain recognition as more affordable, but also comparable, KitchenAid alternatives. So here we are, KitchenAid vs Aucma vs Dash stand mixers. Are these two alternative brands anywhere close to KitchenAid standmixers, or will they fall by the wayside?
We’re going to compare these brands based on capacity, settings, and accessories. Read on to see who wins the competition. We also wrote about the KitchenAid Artisan line in depth if you’re interested.
KitchenAid vs Aucma vs Dash: Capacity
Choosing the right capacity is a balancing act between knowing how much you need, considering the biggest recipes you’ll make in the future, and overall price. Getting a massive stand mixer ensures you can make any recipe you want, but it also costs more and you may never fill the stand mixer.
Judging capacity is a little subjective because it depends on the model you’re choosing. For example, some Aucma stand mixers or Dash stand mixers are bigger than others. We’ll instead cover the overall range that’s offered and say which models are easiest to get.
When it comes to KitchenAid vs Aucma vs Dash, let’s start with KitchenAid stand mixers and see what they offer. The KitchenAid Artisan 5qt is currently one of their most popular models and 5 quarts tends to be a popular size overall for home bakers. You can get as small as the KitchenAid Classic Plus at 4.5qt, or as large as the KitchenAid Pro 600 at 6qt.
If we judge KitchenAid vs Aucma mixers, you’ll find that Aucma is actually somewhat bigger. The standard model is the Aucma 6.5qt stand mixer. This is somewhat bigger than the Pro 600, but the best thing about the Aucma 6.5 quart stand mixer is that it’s a fraction of the price. There’s also the Aucma 7.4qt stand mixer with tilt-head design, but that model tends to be harder to find.
Lastly, let’s look at KitchenAid vs Dash stand mixers to see how it stacks up. Dash tends to prioritize smaller appliances for apartments, dorms, and anywhere else where space is at a premium. So, it comes as no surprise that this is the smallest of the bunch. There is the Dash Everyday Stand Mixer at 3 quarts and the Dash Delish Stand Mixer at 3.5 quarts.
That means that Aucma is the best stand mixer in this category with KitchenAid close by.
At the same time, one thing we should mention is that Aucma stand mixers are about half the weight of KitchenAid models. While KitchenAid is quite heavy, this is good when you’re mixing big batches of stiff dough.
KitchenAid vs Dash vs Aucma: Power
Whether you’re working stiff dough for breads or softer doughs for cookies, you need enough power for the stand mixer to cut through the ingredients and properly incorporate them. Both professional and experienced home bakers know what happens when the stand mixer is too weak: the motor blows out and you’re left with a hunk of junk. The best way to judge stand mixer power is by checking the wattage.
Much like with capacity, this depends on the exact model you choose. You should also consider weight (just like with capacity above). Heavier stand mixers like KitchenAid often seem to have weaker motors, but they don’t need to exert as much force on the dough for it to properly mix. That being said, which stand mixer is the most powerful?
Starting once again with KitchenAid, the KitchenAid Artisan Series comes with 325 watts of power while the KitchenAid Professional 600 is up to 575 watts. How do the other brands stack up?
Both Aucma stand mixers seem to use the same motor as they are both 660 watts. However, since Aucma is about half the weight of KitchenAid, this evens out to similar performance between the two.
Dash is once again at the lowest rung here, but it makes sense for the smaller size. Actually, when you consider that, you’re getting more power for the capacity. The Dash Go Everyday Mixer is 250 watts while the Dash Delish is 350 watts.
It’s a toss up between KitchenAid vs Aucma here. Aucma technically has more power, but its lighter weight is a detriment. KitchenAid has lower wattage, but they are sturdy and can often better handle stiff doughs in general.
Speed Settings
Speed settings are essential for stand mixers. You want to start slow so the ingredients can incorporate before going full speed and really mixing everything together. Having more speed settings is often better because this gives you more control over the dough, but you can make do with fewer speed settings if necessary.
In general, KitchenAid stand mixers, like the Artisan series from KitchenAid, have about 10 speed settings. This gives you precision mixing that is ideal for any recipe. How do the other two brands do in this regard?
When it comes to Aucma vs KitchenAid stand mixers, Aucma only offers 6 speed settings in general. This isn’t bad, but it’s nearly half as many speed settings. You will still get good mixing, but it won’t be as precise as with KitchenAid.
What about Dash vs KitchenAid stand mixers? The Dash Delish has 5 speed settings while the Dash Everyday has 6 speed settings. That means that Dash vs Aucma is about the same, not bad but not the best.
KitchenAid really cleans up in this category. When you buy KitchenAid, you’re buying a precision stand mixer that is ready for your every demand. At the same time, if you don’t need extreme precision, then both the Aucma and Dash stand mixers are pretty good. Speaking of precision stand mixers, you should also consider checking out our article on KitchenAid vs Cuisinart vs Hamilton Beach stand mixers.
Accessories
KitchenAid stand mixers consistently set the bar when it comes to stand mixer accessories. Not only do they have the most in general, but there’s also the KitchenAid Power Hub (more on this in a moment). Can Dash or Aucma mixers stand up to this giant? Let’s find out.
KitchenAid usually comes with quality stainless steel or glass mixing bowls, a variety of hooks and paddles, splash guards and there are many extra accessories you can buy to make your stand mixer even more functional.
The KitchenAid Power Hub is an attachment at the front that allows you to use over 20 different KitchenAid accessories. There’s a meat grinder, spiralizer, pasta cutter and so much more. You can do so much more than mixing with KitchenAid.
While neither Aucma or Dash have anything like the Power Hub, they do have their own accessories. Aucma comes close to the other KitchenAid accessories as you get a stainless steel mixing bowl, several hooks and paddles, and a splash guard.
Dash is right below Aucma here. It doesn’t offer a splash guard, but you’re getting a stainless steel mixing bowl along with several hooks and paddles.
In terms of Aucma vs KitchenAid vs Dash, neither Aucma or Dash can stand up to KitchenAid, but that makes sense. It’s one of the best mixers out there when it comes to accessories. Even other top brands have a hard time keeping up. That being said, both Aucma and Dash give you the basics, which might be enough if you only want this for mixing and nothing else.
Which Stand Mixer is Better?
KitchenAid Stand Mixers
- KitchenAid vs Aucma: heavier and sturdier, more speed settings, more accessories
- KitchenAid vs Dash: larger sizes, sturdier, more speed settings, more accessories, more power
Aucma Stand Mixers
- Aucma vs KitchenAid: larger sizes, faster motor, similar accessories (excluding Power Hub), more affordable
- Aucma vs Dash: larger sizes, faster motor, better accessories
Dash Stand Mixers
- Dash vs KitchenAid: more compact design, better price
- Dash vs Aucma: better price, better for small spaces
Final Thoughts
If we were to rank these three, we would say that KitchenAid is on top, Aucma a close second, and then Dash in third. Dash has good power and accessories for its size, and people with smaller spaces will appreciate it. Both KitchenAid and Aucma have similar sizes, Aucma has a stronger motor while KitchenAid has better weight and sturdiness. KitchenAid also has significantly more accessories, which makes it more versatile.
If you’re looking for a budget stand mixer that runs like a premium one, then Aucma might be good for you. But if you’re looking for a premium stand mixer and don’t mind spending extra, then KitchenAid is a wonderful brand to buy from.