Smeg Vs Kitchenaid – What’s The Difference?
When it comes to kitchen appliances, you want to get the very best or at least know that you’re getting a good value for your money, right?
Smeg and Kitchenaid are both popular kitchen brands and their stand mixers are what really stand out to most people.
These stand mixers are certainly not cheap so before you go out and spend your hard-earned money, you need to know which is the best, or at least which one will be the best for you!
So, which is better? Smeg or Kitchenaid? Both of these brands are quality brands. It’s important to understand the differences in the brands, the products, the prices, and even how you use the mixers and they each have their own unique qualities.
In this guide, we will share with you a complete overview of Smeg vs. Kitchenaid. We will summarize and compare the brands, discussing their popularity, what they have to offer, their quality, their prices, and more.
Stay tuned to read a full rundown of Smeg vs. Kitchenaid.
Smeg
Smeg is an Italian brand that is all about style and technology mixed together. Their designs are meant to be sophisticated but also give you the best performance. They are very intuitive about even the minor details.
This brand makes both major appliances and small appliances. They are known for some unique designs, including their aesthetic lines. They have dealers throughout the world.
The primary home base of Smeg is located in Italy. Their base is in Guastalla, which is near Reggio Emilia.
Of course, they have subsidiaries throughout the globe, as well as sales offices and an extensive network of partners. They’ve been operating since 1948.
Product Line
The Smeg product line is known for having a retro style to it, taken with inspiration from the 1950s era but turned into something modern that also uses advanced technology.
They have an expansive line of products that includes both large and small appliances.
Here is a list of the major products they manufacture:
- Ovens
- Refrigerators
- Wine coolers
- Cooktops
- Ranges
- Coffee machines
- Dishwashers
- Hoods
- Drawers
- Toasters
- Kettles
- Blenders
- Juicers
- Frothers
- Coffee grinders
- Stand mixers
- Hand mixers
- Cookware
- Various accessories
When it comes to comparing the two brands, the stand mixers are probably the item you are most likely going to compare.
The stand mixers from Smeg come in a variety of color choices. They have a very retro look to them with rounded curves that look sleek. The stand mixer also offers a variety of accessories.
Some of those include ice cream maker, flex-edge beater, dough hook, flat beater, whisk, pasta makers, food grinder, veggie slicer, and bowls. The website has 18 accessory options.
Price Point
Smeg is a premium product made in Italy so it stands to reason it will be a little more expensive than some brands out there. Again, we are going to reference their stand mixers specifically for comparison purposes.
The stand mixer from Smeg starts at around $450. The prices will vary depending on color, style, and even where you purchase it from. The base package comes with the mixer, the flat beater attachment, and a metal mixing bowl.
The accessories can get pretty pricy as well. Most of the attachments are $50 and more. However, simple things like the beater and whisk generally run about $30.
Ease Of Use
Smeg offers you both power and control when you are using the stand mixer and the quality of their products is evident across the board.
The bowls and the stand mixer design are all ergonomic so they are comfortable to use. They are also very simple to work with.
The U.S. models do come with English instructions and you can quickly adjust to any particularities to the brand as well.
It’s made to be sturdy and built to last for years to come.
Kitchenaid
Kitchenaid has always been a popular kitchen brand. They are most known for their stand mixers. They too have a full range of products, including both large and small appliances as well as a multitude of accessories.
Kitchenaid has been making appliances since 1919. Kitchenaid products are well-known in many kitchens. Their products take a more modern approach as opposed to the retro look that Smeg is known for.
They focus on simplicity and provide much-needed tools for people who simply love to cook.
You can find some of their inspiration and their cause on their website as well.
Product Line
Kitchenaid is well-known for their stand mixers. It seems like that is what people think of and refer to the most about their brand. However, they do have a full range of other products as well.
Here is their basic product listing:
- Stand mixers
- Hand mixers
- Commercial mixers
- Commercial blenders
- Refrigerators
- Dishwashers
- Ranges
- Wall ovens
- Microwaves
- Cooktops
- Hoods/vents
- Disposals/compactors
- Grills
- Water filters
- Food choppers
- Food processors
- Blenders
- Coffee/espresso machines
- Kettles
- Toasters
- Slow cookers
- Multi-cookers
Since we talked about Smeg’s stand mixers let’s do the same for Kitchenaid. Their stand mixers include a variety of colors, sizes, and choices.
They do have a proline as well as a mini line too. Their mixers can be found in tilting head or bowl-lift style. You can even customize your own.
In terms of accessories, they also have a range of these. Some of those include a pastry beater, whisk, flex-edge beater, bowls, flat beater, bowl covers, shredding blades, spiralizer, dough hook, and more.
Kitchenaid certainly offers more variety in accessories. They have a total of 63 accessories on their website.
You will notice they don’t really have the same pasta attachments. A vast majority of their accessories are fun bowls to go with your mixer.
Price Point
Let’s check out the price of the stand mixer, much like we did with Smeg. For equal comparison, we’re going to look at the basic stand mixer. The tilt-head mixer is probably the most similar and the most popular.
The standard 5-quart mixer starts around $430 from Kitchenaid as well. Some colors are more expensive and some of the specialty or limited-edition options can get really pricy as well.
Some of their options can quickly reach over $1,000.
The accessories start around $25 for some of the basic things like beaters and whisks.
Some of the other attachments are slightly more expensive but the majority of them stay under $100. This makes Kitchenaid slightly more affordable than Smeg for the most part.
Ease Of Use
Kitchenaid is pretty easy to use. Most of the settings are pretty manual and easy to control or adjust. The attachments are easy to use but the brand does seem to take for granted that people will just know how to use everything.
They do provide instructions but it’s almost easier to look up instructions if you get stuck.
Overall, it’s easy to use and their purpose of making cooking easy definitely comes through in their design. All of their products are quality, lasting items as well.
So, What’s The Difference?
Finally, let’s review with a compare and contrast of Smeg vs. Kitchenaid.
The brands are similar as far as the number of things they offer. They both have large and small appliances.
Smeg has a leg up on style and design tactics with their retro designs but also their incredibly unique designer prints. Kitchenaid has more colors overall to choose from but not as many stylish prints.
When it comes to price, you will find the prices are slightly similar. Smeg does seem to be a little bit more expensive overall but there isn’t a huge difference in the prices really.
Kitchenaid offers more accessories overall but Smeg does have a lot of accessories to choose from, with just about anything you might need.
Finally, when you consider the quality and how easy they are to use, you will notice Smeg takes an innovative approach to technology while Kitchenaid prefers to keep it simple.
Both are still very easy to use and operate and both have reliable quality from the brand.
When it comes down to it, both of these brands have a lot to offer.
They both specialize in their own ways and regardless of where you decide to turn, you will find something unique that caters to your preferences and your design style as well.