DeLonghi DSM5 Review

What the Reviewers Like:
The DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 stand mixers win praise for most aspects of its performance. For a standing mixer, this machine is fairly compact, reviews say. Its die-cast aluminum housing looks sleek. The DeLonghi DSM5 and larger DSM7 come with dishwasher-safe parts, a splash guard, dough hook, whisk and beater.

What the Reviewers Don’t Like:
In professional testing, the DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 had a little difficulty with heavy ingredients. Some owners say that DeLonghi customer service is unresponsive and it has few service centers in the United States. These stand mixers are expensive.

DeLonghi DSM5 review highlights

Reviews say that 5-quart DeLonghi DSM5, which is known in other countries as the Kenwood Chef Classic, is an excellent performer. The DeLonghi stand mixer's design helps keep ingredients low in the bowl, which minimizes the need to scrape down the sides. In expert tests, however, the DeLonghi mixer wobbled and made noise while mixing heavy ingredients. The larger and more powerful DeLonghi DSM7 performed similarly. But its 7-quart bowl is so large that this model has difficulty mixing small amounts, and reaching into the deep bowl can be awkward. On consumer review sites, some owners say that the DeLonghi stand mixer is better than its competitors, while others complain that this machine, which is hard to find in stores, is only average in overall quality. Several owners say that replacement parts are hard to find. The DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 have a sleek appearance, and come with dishwasher-safe parts, a splash guard, dough hook, whisk and beater. In the same price range as the DeLonghi mixers, the KitchenAid Professional 600 (*est. $350) and Cuisinart 5.5 Quart Stand Mixer (*est. $350) receive more consistent reviews.

Cook's Illustrated and Consumer, a New Zealand magazine, have both included the DeLonghi DSM5 in their tests of stand mixers. This model and the larger DSM7 (*est. $460) have garnered more than 50 owner-written reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions.

Also see full report: Mixers

*In order of credibility (see our Ratings Criteria).

1. Cook’s Illustrated
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Mix Masters -- Standing Mixers
Editors of Cook's Illustrated
Nov. 2005

The DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 performed reasonably well in kneading and creaming tests, but they could have done better with heavy loads. The DSM5 won praise for its flared bowl and well-sized attachments. The DeLonghi DSM7 mixer earned an overall rating of "recommended with reservations" because the deep bowl makes it difficult to scrape down the sides and, like many, this mixer has trouble whipping small amounts of eggs or cream.

2. Consumer.org.nz
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Untitled
Editors of Consumer.org.nz
Nov. 2005

Editors tested seven standing mixers and combined the results with an ease-of-use rating to arrive at overall scores. Although the DeLonghi DSM5 mixer was judged easiest to use and best overall, it's expensive, fairly noisy, and incapable of whisking a single egg white to a froth.

3. Amazon.com
DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 Reviews
Contributors to Amazon.com

About 50 owners have posted reviews to Amazon.com of the DeLonghi DSM5 or DSM7, and these models earn a high average rating. Owners appreciate the DeLonghi stand mixers’ compact size and good looks. Several owners point out that, unlike KitchenAid mixers, the DSM5 fits on the counter below upper cabinets. Difficulties with repairs and customer service are the primary complaints.

4. Epinions
DeLonghi DSM5 and DSM7 Reviews
Contributors to Epinions

The dozen owners posting reviews of the DeLonghi DSM5/DSM7 here are almost evenly split between those who love it and those who hate it. Many say that the powerful DeLonghi stands up to heavy use, but some users say that the gears are made of plastic and break easily, and many report that repairs are time-consuming and expensive. Many owners like the professional look of this stand mixer.

Also see full report: Mixers

DeLonghi DSM5 Review