Has anyone registered for a Kitchenaid mixer?

I have a Classic (the least expensive model) that someone gave me a few years ago. Now, I love Kitchenaids. My father has had the same one since 1984. It has no model name. At the time it was the only one they made that wasnt commercial. It is most similar to the Artisanal and I love it! I don't love the Classic. The paddle doesn't quite reach the bottom of the bowl and the bowl has no handle. The motor is perfect, though.
I'm not sure if I will register for an Artisanal or just some of the great add ons (spiralizer, pasta maker, grinder) that fit all models and just replace the Classic on my own later.

I didn't register for one but FH bought me one for my birthday a couple years ago. All of them are good quality, my mom has the same one my dad bought her 17 years ago. If you are worried about counter space the mini is a good option. It is cheaper than the 5 or 6 at ones but all of the attachments work with it and it still has capacity for up to 5 dozen cookies per batch. The tilt head is easy to load but the bowl lift has a better dough hook and more capacity. It really is a preference, color and capacity thing on the price and model differences. Every mixer they make can use all of the attachments they have. The only thing the mini doesn't have I believe is the temper pot or the ice cream maker pot, but that's because they are bowls that don't fit the small stature.

I use mine quite often. If you're a baker I highly recommend getting at least the 5 qt. I started with the 4.5 qt and loved it, but it could really make quite the mess with flour or chicken when im shredding it flying all over. The 5 qt doesn't sound that much bigger, but it really does make a huge difference.

Whichever one you register for, also register for a second bowl. That second bowl comes in so handy during holiday cooking.

View Quoted Comment Yes! Best decision we made was to register for a second bowl and some attachments. I already had an older bowl lift model from when my parents upgraded theirs to the pro series. My MIL has the tilt-head and I will say I think the bowl lift has more power and I likened a little better! (And she got hers from the wedding in the 80s, so they last forever! ll

I got the Artisan (mid-range) at my first wedding, almost 14 years ago, and it is seriously like-new. It has withstood the test of time! It has the capacity I need for one batch of anything I bake. If you're going to be making larger batches regularly, it might be worth going for the Pro. I plan on getting it someday (maybe retirement when I have time to bake a lot haha).

My FH was in charge in the kitchen area -- he's a chef. He chose the Professional 600 series. He had the basic model prior to us registering. We figured the same thing -- that a couple couples would go in on it for us. His dad surprised us with it as an engagement present. (I'm pretty sure that he got it for us just so FH will cook for him :-D ) I know they last a long time and I haven't heard from one person that got one that regretted it.

I did along with attachment and my parents, sister and aunt all chipped in and got us ours.

I bought my FH one for Christmas and we love it. I bought one of the middle grade ones, I can't remember which exactly off the top of my head. We use it fairly often, both of us make lots of things and I absolutely love using it. It makes all of the baking we do easier. Especially when we are making multiple batches. We haven't had it long but it seems to work wonderfully. I haven't bought many attachments for it but I did get a paddle with a silicone scrapper on the side which has totally been worth it.

View Quoted Comment The paddle not reaching the bottom of the bowl makes me stabby. Namaste.

I registered for the professional series but I love to bake and was told by my sister that her old smaller model (the artisan i believe) couldn't really handle thicker doughs like shortbread well.

So much good info on here! Thanks everyone!