The KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS and the Artisan Mini KSM85 are both iconic stand mixers, but their primary differences lie in size, power, and capacity. The KSM150PS features a large 5-quart bowl and a powerful 325-watt motor for serious bakers, while the KSM85 is a more compact, space-saving model with a 3.5-quart bowl and a 250-watt motor for smaller kitchens and occasional use.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right KitchenAid stand mixer for your countertop.
KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS Stand Mixer
The Artisan KSM150PS represents the gold standard for home bakers, offering a perfect blend of power, capacity, and iconic style. With its 5-quart bowl, robust motor, and compatibility with a huge ecosystem of attachments, it has cemented its place as the go-to workhorse for everything from holiday cookies to homemade bread.
- What it is: A larger, classic tilt-head stand mixer designed for versatility and high-volume baking.
- Key features: 5-quart stainless steel bowl with handle, powerful 325-watt motor, die-cast metal construction, 10 speeds, tilt-head design for easy access, and over 40 color options. Suitable for up to 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch.
- Price: Around $429 - $499.
- Dimensions: 14.3" H x 8.7" W x 14.3" D.
- Materials/Construction: A heavy, stable body made of die-cast metal with a polished stainless steel bowl. The flat beater and dough hook are coated, while the wire whip has stainless steel wires.
- Style: Timeless, retro-inspired professional kitchen aesthetic available in a massive range of colors to match any kitchen decor.
- Pros: Powerful 325-watt motor handles thick doughs with ease. Large 5-quart capacity is ideal for big batches and entertaining. Extremely durable and stable due to its heavy metal construction. The massive selection of optional attachments makes it a versatile kitchen tool. Unparalleled color selection.
- Cons: Takes up significant counter space. It is very heavy and difficult to move and store. The price is a considerable investment. It might be overkill for individuals or couples with modest baking needs.
Ideal for dedicated home bakers, large families, and anyone who needs a powerful and reliable mixer that can handle heavy-duty tasks without compromise.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/artisan-5-quart-stand-mixer-ksm150ps.html
KitchenAid Artisan Mini KSM85 Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid Artisan Mini KSM85 delivers the brand’s signature quality and style in a more compact and manageable package. It’s designed for home cooks who have limited counter space or don’t require the massive batch capacity of its larger sibling, making it perfect for apartment living and everyday baking.
- What it is: A smaller, lighter tilt-head stand mixer designed for everyday tasks and kitchens with limited space.
- Key features: 3.5-quart stainless steel bowl, efficient 250-watt motor, die-cast metal body, 10 speeds, and a tilt-head design. It shares compatibility with most of the same hub attachments as the larger models.
- Price: Around $399 - $429.
- Dimensions: 12.5" H x 8" W x 14" D.
- Materials/Construction: Features the same durable die-cast metal body as larger models, but in a lighter frame with a smaller stainless steel bowl.
- Style: Maintains the iconic KitchenAid aesthetic in a sleeker, more streamlined profile. Available in over 20 colors.
- Pros: Compact footprint saves valuable counter space. Lighter weight makes it easier to move and store. More affordable price point than the classic Artisan. Perfect for smaller batches of cookies, frostings, and cakes. Still very capable for most day-to-day baking.
- Cons: The 250-watt motor may struggle with very stiff or large batches of bread dough. Its 3.5-quart bowl capacity can be limiting for holiday baking or large families. Fewer color options are available compared to the KSM150PS.
Perfect for apartment dwellers, small households, or casual bakers who want the quality and style of a KitchenAid mixer without the bulk of a full-size machine.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/artisan-mini-5-quart-stand-mixer-ksm85.html
KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS vs. KitchenAid KSM85 Comparison
Dimensions & Capacity
The most noticeable difference between these two mixers is their size. The classic Artisan KSM150PS is built for volume, with a 5-quart bowl that can handle recipes calling for up to 9 dozen cookies or 4.5 loaves of bread. Its larger frame requires a dedicated spot on the counter and measures 14.3 inches tall, making it a tight fit under some cabinets.
In contrast, the Artisan Mini KSM85 is designed for space efficiency. Its 3.5-quart bowl can mix up to 5 dozen cookies at a time, which is more than enough for many households. At just 12.5 inches tall, it's significantly shorter and has a smaller footprint, making it ideal for moving from a cabinet to the counter or for kitchens where every inch of space matters.
Motor Power & Performance
Power is another key differentiator. The KSM150PS is equipped with a 325-watt motor designed to power through dense bread dough and large, heavy batters without straining. This robust motor also ensures longevity and consistent performance under heavy workloads.
The Artisan Mini KSM85 uses a 250-watt motor that is perfectly sufficient for most common baking tasks, including whipping cream, mixing cake batters, and kneading small batches of dough. However, it can noticeably labor when working with very stiff doughs like bagels or high-hydration sourdough. For frequent bread makers, the KSM150PS is the clear winner in terms of performance and motor durability.
Price & Value
Both mixers are an investment, but the KSM85 is the more budget-friendly option, typically costing $30-$70 less than its larger counterpart. Its value lies in providing the premium KitchenAid experience - durability, style, and attachment compatibility - for users who don't need maximum capacity or power.
The KSM150PS offers superior value for serious or aspiring bakers. The extra cost gives you a significant boost in power and capacity, ensuring the mixer can handle any recipe you throw at it and won't need to be upgraded as your skills or family grows. For those who bake often, the investment in a more powerful machine makes sense long-term.
Style & Color Options
Both models share the beloved, timeless KitchenAid design. Your choice really comes down to scale and color palette. The KSM150PS is a statement appliance with a grand presence on the counter and comes in an unmatched spectrum of over 40 colors, from classic neutrals to bold limited editions.
The KSM85 mirrors this style in a smaller, more approachable form. While its color range is more limited (around 20+ options), it still offers plenty of choices to personalize your kitchen space and has a slightly more modern, streamlined appearance due to its compact profile.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both mixers uphold the KitchenAid standard of excellence, but they cater to very different kitchen environments and baking habits.
Choose the KitchenAid Artisan KSM150PS if:
- You bake frequently or in large batches for family and events.
- You often make heavy doughs for bread, pizza, or pasta.
- You have ample counter space and plan to keep your mixer out as a design piece.
- You want the widest possible selection of color options.
- You see your mixer as a long-term investment that can grow with your culinary ambitions.
Choose the KitchenAid KSM85 if:
- You live in an apartment or have a small kitchen with limited countertop space.
- You primarily bake "standard" recipes like cookies, cakes, and frostings in smaller quantities.
- You prefer an appliance that is lighter and easier to store in a cabinet when not in use.
- You want the KitchenAid quality and aesthetic at a more accessible price point.
- You are a more casual baker and don't require heavy-duty performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between the KSM150PS and KSM85?
The main differences are size, capacity, and power. The KSM150PS has a 5-quart bowl and a 325-watt motor, making it larger and more powerful. The KSM85 has a 3.5-quart bowl and a 250-watt motor, making it smaller, lighter, and better suited for small spaces and everyday tasks.
Can the KitchenAid Artisan Mini KSM85 handle bread dough?
Yes, it can handle small batches of standard bread dough. However, its 250-watt motor may strain with very large batches or particularly dense, low-hydration doughs. For frequent bread bakers, the more powerful KSM150PS is a more reliable choice.
Do all KitchenAid attachments fit both models?
All attachments that fit into the power hub at the front of the mixer - like the pasta maker, meat grinder, and vegetable sheeter - are compatible with both the KSM150PS and the KSM85. However, bowl-specific accessories like pouring shields or ice cream bowls are not interchangeable.
Which model is better for a small kitchen?
The Artisan Mini KSM85 is explicitly designed for small kitchens. Its smaller countertop footprint and shorter height make it easier to store under cabinets, and its lighter weight makes it easier to move around.
Is the larger KSM150PS more durable?
Both models are built with durable die-cast metal bodies and are known for their longevity. However, the KSM150PS's more powerful motor may experience less strain over time when performing heavy-duty tasks, potentially giving it an edge in durability for intensive users.
How many cookies can each mixer make in one batch?
The 5-quart KSM150PS can mix dough for up to 9 dozen cookies in a single batch. The 3.5-quart KSM85 can handle a batch of up to 5 dozen cookies.
Are they heavy to move around?
Yes, the KSM150PS is quite heavy (around 26 lbs), which adds to its stability but makes it difficult to move often. The KSM85 Artisan Mini is significantly lighter (around 18 lbs), making it much more manageable to pull out from a cabinet or pantry for use.
What comes in the box with each mixer?
Both typically include a flat beater, a dough hook, and a wire whip. The KSM150PS often includes a stainless steel bowl with a handle and a pouring shield, while the KSM85 includes a bowl without a handle and the shield is usually sold separately.
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