The KitchenAid Classic K45SS mixer has 10 speed settings. These speeds give you a lot of flexibility, whether you're gently stirring ingredients together or kneading something a bit tougher.
From our research, this mixer handles most everyday tasks well, like mixing batters and lighter doughs. The 275-watt motor is generally up to the job for home baking. Just keep in mind it might not cope as well with really heavy or dense doughs you sometimes make for bread.
The manufacturer describes it with a 4.5-quart stainless steel bowl, which is a good size for most home recipes. However, if you often make large batches or really dense doughs, the bowl size might feel a bit tight.
If your main goal is mixing everyday recipes, the Classic K45SS should do the trick. But if you're into frequent bread-making or dealing with heavier dough tasks, you might want to check out the KitchenAid Artisan or Professional lines. They have more powerful motors and larger bowls, which are better for those heavier jobs.
In short, with 10 speeds, the Classic K45SS is versatile enough for various mixing needs.
Whether it’s cake batter or lighter bread doughs, it should serve you well.
For heavier tasks, though, you might need to look at other models for more oomph.