The KitchenAid KSM125 Artisan and the KSM200 Professional 600 Series stand mixers are two of the most popular machines on the market, but they are built for fundamentally different users. The KSM125 is the classic 5-quart tilt-head mixer perfect for most home bakers, while the KSM200 is a larger, more powerful 6-quart bowl-lift model designed for heavy-duty use and bigger batches.
Here’s everything you need to know to choose the right KitchenAid for your kitchen.
KitchenAid KSM125 Artisan 5-Quart Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid KSM125 Artisan Series is the brand's iconic, best-selling model and the go-to choice for most home cooks and baking enthusiasts. Its tilt-head design offers easy access to the bowl for adding ingredients, and its smaller footprint makes it well-suited for a wide range of kitchen sizes. Available in a vast array of colors, it combines powerful performance for everyday tasks with a classic aesthetic.
- What it is: A tilt-head stand mixer designed for everyday home use, from whipping cream to mixing cookie dough and occasional bread making.
- Key features: 325-watt motor, 10-speed settings, 5-quart stainless steel bowl, classic tilt-head design for easy access. Can handle up to 9 dozen cookies' worth of dough in a single batch.
- Price: Around $300 - $350.
- Dimensions: 14.3" H x 8.1" W x 14.3" D. It's compact enough to fit under most kitchen cabinets.
- Materials/Construction: Durable die-cast metal body that provides stability, with a polished stainless steel bowl.
- Style: Features the classic, vintage-inspired KitchenAid design and is available in dozens of colors to match any kitchen decor.
- Pros: Wide range of color options, fits easily on most countertops, easy-to-use tilt-head makes adding ingredients simple, powerful enough for the vast majority of home baking tasks.
- Cons: The tilt-head locking mechanism can loosen over time with heavy use, the 325-watt motor can struggle with very stiff bread doughs, smaller capacity isn't ideal for large-batch baking.
The KSM125 Artisan is the perfect mixer for home bakers who need a reliable machine for cakes, cookies, and light bread-making, and who value classic style and a wide color selection.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/artisan-5-quart-stand-mixer
KitchenAid KSM200 Professional 600 6-Quart Stand Mixer
The KitchenAid KSM200 Professional 600 Series is a heavy-duty counterpart to the Artisan, designed for serious home chefs and prolific bakers who demand more power and capacity. Its bowl-lift design provides superior stability when mixing heavy, dense ingredients. This model can tackle multiple loaves of tough bread dough or family-sized batches of cookies without straining.
- What it is: A powerful bowl-lift stand mixer designed for large batches and dense doughs, ideal for frequent and heavy use.
- Key features: 575-watt motor, 10-speed settings, 6-quart stainless steel bowl, stable bowl-lift design where the bowl raises to meet the beater. Can mix enough dough for 13 dozen cookies in one go.
- Price: Around $400 - $500.
- Dimensions: 16.5" H x 9.4" W x 15.4" D. Its height can make it challenging to store under some standard kitchen cabinets.
- Materials/Construction: It has a robust all-metal construction and a heavier build than the Artisan, with enhanced motor and gearbox components for durability.
- Style: Features a sleek, professional look that is more utilitarian. Color options are more limited, typically focusing on metallic and neutral tones.
- Pros: Exceptionally powerful motor tackles stiff doughs with ease, larger 6-quart capacity is great for big recipes, the bowl-lift design is very stable during heavy mixing.
- Cons: Significantly more expensive, heavier and bulkier, which is a concern for space, the bowl-lift design can make it less convenient to add ingredients or scrape the bowl.
The KSM200 is built for bakers who frequently work with large or dense recipes and need the power and capacity that a professional-grade machine offers.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/professional-600-6-quart-stand-mixer
KSM125 vs. KSM200 Comparison
Power & Capacity
The most significant difference lies here. The KSM200's 575-watt motor provides substantially more mixing power than the KSM125's 325-watt motor. For tasks like whipping cream or mixing cake batter, this difference is less noticeable. However, when kneading stiff bread doughs, the KSM200 powers through without stalling or struggling, while the KSM125 Artisan may strain under the load.
Capacity is the other key factor. The KSM200 features a 6-quart bowl, letting you mix dough for up to 13 dozen cookies, compared to the KSM125 Artisan’s 5-quart bowl, which handles about 9 dozen. If you frequently double recipes or bake for large gatherings, the extra quart in the KSM200 quickly becomes essential.
Design & Usability
The KSM125's tilt-head design is iconic and user-friendly. You simply unlock it, tilt the motor head back, and have clear access to remove the beater and bowl. This makes adding ingredients and scraping the sides a straightforward process.
The KSM200’s bowl-lift mechanism feels more professional. The head remains stationary while a lever cranks the bowl up into its mixing position. This design provides excellent stability, preventing any "head wobble" during intense mixing. However, removing the bowl or beater requires lowering the bowl first, which can feel a bit more cumbersome than the simple tilt-head motion, particularly when the bowl is full.
Dimensions & Fit
The KSM125 is the more kitchen-friendly of the two, standing at 14.3 inches tall. It comfortably fits on most countertops and can usually be stored underneath standard upper cabinets. The KSM200 is taller at 16.5 inches and will not fit under many kitchen cabinets, often requiring a dedicated spot on the counter or in a pantry.
Weight is also a factor, the KSM200 is heavier, making it less ideal if you need to move your mixer around frequently.
Price & Value
The KSM125 Artisan is consistently more affordable, typically costing $100-$150 less than the KSM200 Professional. For most home cooks, the KSM125 offers outstanding value, providing all the power and functionality needed for everyday jobs at a reasonable price point.
The higher cost of the KSM200 is justified by its more powerful motor, larger capacity, and more robust construction. For someone who bakes multiple times a week, especially dense bread, the KSM200’s durability and performance represent a long-term investment that offers better value for their specific needs.
Style & Aesthetics
When it comes to looks, personal preference plays a big role. The KSM125 Artisan leans into a classic, somewhat retro design and is famous for its massive color palette. You can find a shade to match nearly any decor, making it a design statement piece on your counter.
The KSM200 Professional has a more professional, utilitarian appearance. Its color options are more limited, typically focused on classic whites, blacks, and metallics. Its heftier build communicates power and seriousness about baking.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both stand mixers are excellent machines, but they excel in different kitchens for different bakers.
Choose the KSM125 Artisan if:
- You are an enthusiastic home baker making cakes, cookies, and occasional bread.
- You value aesthetics and want a mixer that comes in a specific color to match your kitchen.
- You have limited counter space or need to stash the mixer under standard-height cabinets.
- Your budget is in the $300-$350 range, and you want the best all-around mixer for everyday use.
Choose the KSM200 Professional 600 if:
- You are a serious baker who frequently makes large batches or works with dense doughs like whole wheat or sourdough.
- You prioritize power and stability over aesthetics and ease of access.
- Counter space and budget are less of a concern than long-term durability and performance.
- You want a machine that functions closer to a commercial mixer for a high-volume home kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the main difference between the KitchenAid Artisan and Professional?
The main difference is in the motor, capacity, and design. The Artisan (KSM125) has a 325-watt motor, a 5-quart bowl, and an easy-to-use tilt-head design. The Professional (KSM200) has a much stronger 575-watt motor, a larger 6-quart bowl, and a stable bowl-lift design for heavy-duty mixing.
Which KitchenAid mixer is better for making bread?
The KSM200 Professional is technically better for bread. Its powerful motor can knead stiff, dense doughs without straining, and its bowl-lift design provides the stability needed for the job. The KSM125 can handle lighter bread doughs, but might struggle with frequent or heavy dough loads.
Can you interchange the bowls and attachments between the Artisan and Professional models?
No, the bowls and attachments are not interchangeable due to the different designs. The Artisan uses beaters designed for the tilt-head mechanism, while the Professional series attachments are slightly different to accommodate the bowl-lift design. Bowls are also sized and shaped differently to fit their respective mixer bases.
Will the KSM200 Professional fit under my kitchen cabinets?
That depends on your cabinet height. The KSM200 stands at 16.5 inches tall. The standard clearance between countertops and upper cabinets is around 18 inches, so while it might fit, it will be a very snug fit with little room to operate. We recommend measuring your space carefully before buying.
Is the Artisan KSM125 powerful enough for most people?
Absolutely. For the vast majority of home bakers making everything from holiday cookies and birthday cakes to pizza dough and occasional loaves of white bread, the 325-watt motor in the Artisan KSM125 is more than sufficient.
Which mixer is easier to clean?
Both are quite easy to clean. The included bowls and metal beaters (dough hook, flat beater) are often dishwasher-safe on modern models. The units themselves can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Some might find the tilt-head Artisan slightly easier to clean around, as the head moves completely out of the way of the bowl.
Why is the KSM200 Professional more expensive?
The higher price tag is due to its more robust internal components, including a significantly more powerful motor and a heavy-duty gearbox. The larger size, greater material cost for the bigger bowl, and more complex bowl-lift mechanism also contribute to the increased price.
What comes in the box with each mixer?
Both the KSM125 and KSM200 typically include the mixer itself, a stainless steel bowl with a handle, a dough hook, a flat beater, and a wire whip. Some packages might also include a pouring shield.
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