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CNET reviewed Smeg’s Forte stand mixer, a $550 model with a 700-watt motor that the reviewer says is more than twice as powerful as KitchenAid’s Artisan mixer. It handled an extended pizza-dough knead well, though the mixer head rocked slightly and some controls and attachments were stiff.
CNET reviewed Smeg’s Forte stand mixer, a $550 appliance with a 700-watt motor that the reviewer says offers more than twice the power of KitchenAid’s Artisan model. In testing, the Forte kneaded pizza dough effectively, but its head moved slightly under load and some of its mechanical controls took effort to operate.
The review focused on whether the Forte’s higher stated motor power translated into useful performance, particularly during an extended kneading test. The reviewer used the mixer’s dough hook on sturdy pizza dough for about 10 minutes. The dough became smooth, and the motor was hardly warm afterward. The mixer’s noise was described as average for an electric stand mixer.
The Forte comes with a dough paddle, flexible scraper paddle, wire whisk and dough hook, along with a handled stainless-steel bowl that locks into the base. CNET’s reviewer praised the smooth, top-mounted speed lever and the sturdier-feeling pouring shield, which has a wide opening for adding ingredients. The model also has a tilting head and Smeg’s rounded, retro-inspired design with chrome details and a range of colors.
The review also identified drawbacks. The mixer head rocked slightly during kneading, although the reviewer said it did not appear likely to move off the counter. The head-release button and spring mechanism for fitting attachments felt stiff, and the bowl became difficult to unlock after kneading. CNET said some resistance might ease with use, but did not report longer-term testing to establish that.
Smeg Forte: More Power for the Price
CNET found strong dough-kneading performance from Smeg’s $550 stand mixer, alongside handling drawbacks and fewer attachment options than KitchenAid.
How it performed
In CNET’s test, sturdy pizza dough became smooth and the motor was hardly warm afterward.
The dough hook worked through sturdy pizza dough for about 10 minutes.
The dough became smooth; the motor was hardly warm after the test.
The mixer head rocked slightly under load.
Where the trade-off lies
- 700-watt motor; reviewer says it has more than twice the Artisan’s motor power.
- Four standard tools, a handled stainless-steel bowl and a pouring shield.
- Smooth, top-mounted speed lever.
- Head rocked slightly during kneading.
- Release button, attachment spring and bowl lock felt stiff.
- Fewer attachment options than KitchenAid.
What the review can tell you
The power comparison reflects stated specifications, while the dough result comes from one reviewer’s hands-on test.
A promising dough test
CNET’s test supports the Forte’s core kneading performance, but does not establish results across recipes or repeated heavy batches.
Stiffness remains uncertain
The reviewer suggested some resistance might ease with use, but did not confirm that through longer-term testing.
Power Comes With Trade-Offs
The review gives shoppers a specific comparison to weigh: motor power and dough-kneading performance against price, handling and flexibility. At $550, the Forte is still a substantial purchase, even though CNET described its price as comparable to KitchenAid’s mid-premium Artisan models rather than dramatically higher.
For people who regularly make bread or pizza dough, the tested kneading performance may be more relevant than a specification alone. But the reported head movement and stiff mechanisms matter too, especially for buyers expecting a premium appliance to feel stable and easy to adjust. CNET’s review is one hands-on evaluation, not evidence that every unit will behave identically or that the Forte is better for every type of mixing.
Attachment choice is another consideration. The Forte includes four standard mixing tools, but CNET says it has fewer attachment options than KitchenAid. Buyers who want a mixer to support tasks beyond mixing and kneading may value that broader ecosystem more than the Forte’s higher motor rating or styling.
Products Worth Considering
Cuisinart Stand Mixer, 12 Speed, 5.5 Quart Stainless Steel Bowl, Chef’s Whisk, Mixing Paddle, Dough Hook, Splash Guard w/ Pour Spout, Ruby R
KitchenAid 5.5-Qt Bowl-Lift Stand Mixer, Porcelain White (KSM55SXXX)
KitchenAid Classic Series 4.5-Quart Tilt-Head Stand Mixer, Onyx Black
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How the Forte Compares
KitchenAid’s Artisan line is a familiar reference point for home bakers, and the source review describes it as a default choice in the stand-mixer market. The comparison is not based only on appearance: CNET set the Forte’s motor rating against the Artisan’s and tested the Smeg on dough, a demanding use that can put sustained load on a mixer.
The Forte’s listed output is 700 watts; the reviewer says that is more than twice the Artisan’s motor power. The supplied material does not give a precise Artisan wattage, nor does it provide standardized laboratory testing across both machines. The power comparison should therefore be understood as the reviewer’s comparison of stated specifications, while the dough result reflects the reviewer’s own test.
Smeg is an Italian kitchen-appliance brand known for retro-styled products, including refrigerators, espresso machines and handheld blenders. That design is part of the Forte’s appeal, but CNET’s review also tested practical details such as the pouring shield, bowl lock and attachment fitting. The review’s conclusion was favorable about the mixer’s core performance, while noting that its price and mechanical feel temper the case for choosing it.
“All in all, as a functional stand mixer, I’d say it delivers on what it promises.”
— CNET reviewer Pamela Vachon
Questions After One Test
The supplied review describes one reviewer’s use of the Forte and does not establish how the machine performs across a wider range of recipes, repeated heavy batches or years of ownership. It is also unclear whether the stiff controls and bowl lock will loosen with continued use; the reviewer raised that possibility but did not confirm it through long-term testing.
The source material does not provide a detailed, controlled head-to-head test against a KitchenAid Artisan, including matched dough batches, mixing times or measured stability. It also does not state the precise Artisan wattage, the review’s publication date, warranty terms, or whether the $550 price is a temporary or standard price. Those details should not be inferred from the comparison.
Check Price and Attachments
Readers considering the Forte can compare current prices and included accessories with the specific KitchenAid Artisan model they are considering. They should also check which additional attachments are available for each mixer, since CNET says Smeg’s selection is more limited.
No follow-up test or product change is described in the supplied material. The next useful evidence would be longer-term use showing whether the bowl lock and attachment spring become easier to handle, alongside further testing of performance and stability across different mixing tasks.
Key Questions
How much does the Smeg Forte stand mixer cost?
CNET’s review lists the Smeg Forte at $550. The supplied source does not say whether that price is a sale price or the model’s ongoing retail price.
How powerful is the Smeg Forte?
The Forte has a 700-watt motor. CNET’s reviewer says that is more than twice the motor power of KitchenAid’s Artisan model, but the source does not provide a precise Artisan wattage or describe a standardized power test.
How did the Forte perform with pizza dough?
In CNET’s test, the mixer kneaded sturdy pizza dough for about 10 minutes. The dough became smooth and the motor was hardly warm afterward. The reviewer also observed slight movement in the mixer head during the test.
What drawbacks did CNET identify?
The reviewer reported slight head rocking during kneading, stiff head-release and attachment mechanisms, and a bowl that was difficult to unlock after the test. The review also says the Forte has fewer attachment options than KitchenAid.
Does the Forte include standard mixing tools?
Yes. The review says the Forte comes with a dough paddle, flexible scraper paddle, wire whisk and dough hook, as well as a handled stainless-steel bowl and pouring shield.
Source: CNET
