Tilt-Head7.5/10
Cuisinart
Cuisinart Precision Master 5.5-Quart Stand Mixer (SM-50)
Reviewed / updated: Aug 29, 2026
The value pick among serious tilt-head mixers. The Precision Master gives you a die-cast metal body, a 500-watt motor, a 5.5-quart bowl, 12 speeds and a 3-year warranty for well under the price of a KitchenAid Artisan. It is also six pounds lighter. The catch is a much smaller attachment range.
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View on Amazon Cuisinart accessory outlet (pasta roller, grinder, spiralizer, ice-cream maker)
Best value for a metal-bodied tilt-head mixer.
7.5/10editor score
Best value for a metal-bodied tilt-head mixer.
Best for: bakers who want a metal-bodied mixer with a big bowl and a long warranty, and who will not miss a large attachment ecosystem.
Editor scores
Rated 0–10 across every mixer in our database. These are our judgement, not manufacturer figures.
Full specification
| Type & size | |
|---|---|
| Head design | Tilt-Head |
| Bowl capacity | 5.5 qt |
| Bowl material | Stainless steel |
| Dimensions | 14.2 x 7.9 x 14.1 in |
| Weight | 17 lb |
| Motor & speeds | |
| Motor power | 500 W |
| Motor type | AC |
| Speed settings | 12 |
| Planetary mixing action | Yes |
| Attachments | |
| Front attachment hub | Yes |
| Hub / accessory system | Cuisinart accessory outlet (pasta roller, grinder, spiralizer, ice-cream maker) |
| In the box | Chef's whisk, Flat mixing paddle, Dough hook, Splash guard with pour spout |
| Pouring shield included | Yes |
| Build & care | |
| Housing material | Die-cast metal |
| Dishwasher-safe bowl | Yes |
| Colors / finishes | Silver Lining, Onyx, Periwinkle Blue, Ruby Red, White Linen, Robin's Egg |
| Warranty | |
| Manufacturer warranty | 3-year limited |
| Warranty length | 3 yr |
Other details from the listing
| Model number | SM-50BC |
|---|---|
| BPA free | Yes |
| Also included | Instruction manual and recipe book |
A dash means the figure is not published for this model. We do not estimate spec values.
Our take
Cuisinart built the Precision Master as a direct answer to the KitchenAid Artisan, and on paper it wins several rounds: a larger 5.5-quart bowl, a higher nominal 500-watt motor, 12 speeds instead of 10, and a 3-year warranty against KitchenAid's single year. It has a die-cast metal body, so it has real weight behind the beater, yet at 17 pounds it is noticeably easier to move than the 23-pound KitchenAid.
Where it falls behind is the ecosystem. The front outlet takes only a handful of Cuisinart-specific accessories: a pasta roller, a grinder, a spiralizer and an ice-cream bowl. That is far short of KitchenAid's decades-deep catalog. If you only ever plan to mix, whip and knead, it does not matter. If you dream of a full attachment collection, it does.
Owners frequently frame it as a KitchenAid alternative that costs less and performs comparably. The most common complaint in the reviews is that the flat paddle sits slightly high, so you stop and scrape the very bottom of the bowl by hand.
Strengths
- Much cheaper than a KitchenAid Artisan for similar performance
- Largest bowl among the tilt-head metal mixers here at 5.5 qt
- 12 speeds and a 3-year warranty
- Die-cast metal body but 6 lb lighter than the KitchenAid
Weaknesses
- Only four optional attachments, not cross-compatible with KitchenAid
- Several owners note the paddle does not reach the bottom of the bowl
- Fewer color choices than KitchenAid
- Accessory outlet cover feels flimsy to some owners
Ideal for: Bakers who want a metal-bodied mixer with a big bowl and a long warranty, and who will not miss a large attachment ecosystem.
What owners say
The dominant theme in the reviews is value: owners who cross-shopped the KitchenAid say the Cuisinart matches it for less money, with a solid feel and quiet motor. A recurring practical gripe is that the flat beater leaves a little unmixed at the very bottom of the bowl.
Great value for a major name brand mixer
This mixer is such a great value for the money. The quality compares with KitchenAid but at a better price. The overall size is outstanding and it feels substantial.
Outstanding value
Plenty of power, good quality accessories, quiet and easy to use. Everything about this mixer is substantial and reliable and the quality is as good as my Cuisinart food processor.
Worth the money
Lighter and cheaper than KitchenAid, easy to use and to change accessories. The one problem: the mixer piece doesn't hit the bottom of the bowl, so I have to stop and stir.
Highest quality and best value among consumer stand mixers
I purchased this in October 2023 and I'm writing this review two years later. It has held up and still performs like new, which is why I waited to review it.
Review content shown as published on Amazon at the time of capture.
FAQ: Cuisinart SM-50
Is the Cuisinart SM-50 worth buying?
Best value for a metal-bodied tilt-head mixer.Our editors score it 7.5/10 overall. It is best for bakers who want a metal-bodied mixer with a big bowl and a long warranty, and who will not miss a large attachment ecosystem.
How big is the Cuisinart SM-50 bowl?
It has a 5.5-quart stainless steel bowl. Usable capacity for dough is roughly 60-70% of that figure.
Does the Cuisinart SM-50 take attachments?
Yes. Cuisinart accessory outlet (pasta roller, grinder, spiralizer, ice-cream maker).
What warranty does the Cuisinart SM-50 come with?
The manufacturer warranty is 3-year limited.
Similar mixers
Tilt-Head7/10
Compact4.8/10
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