The KitchenAid Pro and Pro Plus stand mixers both offer professional-grade power, but they differ primarily in motor strength, bowl capacity, and price. The Pro series features a powerful motor and a 5-quart bowl perfect for most home bakers, while the Pro Plus series steps up with a larger 6 or 7-quart bowl and an even stronger motor designed for heavy, frequent use and bigger batches.
Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which KitchenAid mixer is right for your kitchen.
KitchenAid Pro Series
The Pro series is the go-to choice for serious home cooks who need more power and capacity than a standard tilt-head mixer offers. Built with a durable die-cast metal body and a bowl-lift design for stability, it’s designed to handle challenging tasks like kneading dense bread dough and mixing large batches of cookie batter without walking on the counter.
- What it is: A professional-grade, bowl-lift stand mixer designed for dedicated home bakers and food creators.
- Key features: Robust motor (around 0.9 HP), bowl-lift design for adding ingredients easily, all-metal construction for stability.
- Price: Ranges from $500 to $700, depending on the retailer and current promotions.
- Dimensions &, Capacity: Typically comes with a 5-quart stainless steel bowl, which is enough to mix dough for 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch.
- Materials/Construction: Features a high-quality die-cast metal body and durable stainless steel attachments and bowl.
- Pros: Excellent power for the price, stable bowl-lift design, classic and durable construction, handles most baking tasks with ease, available in many colors.
- Cons: Bowl can be too small for very large holiday baking projects, motor may strain with extremely dense, large batches over time.
This mixer is ideal for anyone who regularly bakes bread or large batches of cookies but doesn't need commercial-scale capacity.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowl-lift-stand-mixers/
KitchenAid Pro Plus Series
The KitchenAid Pro Plus series is a step up in every way, designed for the most demanding kitchen environments. With an even more powerful motor and a larger bowl, it’s built for prolific bakers, large families, or small businesses that need to produce high volumes without compromise. This line is made to tackle the largest and heaviest mixtures effortlessly.
- What it is: A heavy-duty, commercial-style stand mixer with top-tier power and capacity.
- Key features: High-performance motor peaking at up to 1.3 HP, all-metal construction, and a large-capacity bowl-lift design.
- Price: Usually priced higher, from $700 to $900.
- Dimensions &, Capacity: Offers larger 6-quart to 7-quart bowls, capable of handling dough for up to 14 dozen cookies or 8 loaves of bread at once.
- Materials/Construction: The same durable die-cast metal body as the Pro series, but with a more robust motor and larger stainless steel components to handle increased demand.
- Pros: Extremely powerful motor that breezes through dense dough, large capacity for big-batch baking, professional-level performance and durability, ideal for semi-professional use.
- Cons: Higher price point, larger and heavier build takes up more valuable counter space, may be more power than the average home baker needs.
The Pro Plus is the choice for avid bread bakers, cottage food businesses, or anyone who frequently prepares double or triple batches of recipes.
Shop this product: kitchenaid.com/countertop-appliances/stand-mixers/bowl-lift-stand-mixers/
KitchenAid Pro vs. Pro Plus Comparison
Dimensions &, Capacity
The most noticeable difference is in capacity. The KitchenAid Pro's 5-quart bowl is ample for most family-sized recipes, easily handling nine dozen cookies. The Pro Plus series, with its 6 or 7-quart bowl, is made for volume, mixing up to 14 dozen cookies at a time. This extra capacity means the Pro Plus models are slightly taller and have a larger footprint, so ensure you have adequate counter and storage space before buying.
Motor Power &, Performance
Power is the key performance differentiator. The Pro series motor, at around 0.9 horsepower, is very capable and can handle tough jobs like kneading brioche dough. It's robust and reliable for daily home use. The Pro Plus, however, is a clear winner in raw strength with a motor delivering up to 1.3 horsepower. It kneads heavy bread dough without hesitation and won't show any signs of strain, making it a true workhorse for bakers who frequently work with dense, large-volume mixtures.
Materials &, Construction
Both series are built to last with heavy die-cast metal bodies that provide stability and minimize vibrations. You can expect years of service from either machine. The build quality is exceptional on both, with stainless steel bowls and attachments included. The primary difference lies inside, where the Pro Plus features a more powerful motor and gear system engineered to handle the stress of its larger capacity and more demanding tasks.
Price &, Value
There's a significant price gap between the two. The Pro series typically costs around $500-$700 and offers excellent value for a high-performance mixer that can handle almost any home baking task. The Pro Plus starts at $700 and can go up to $900, reflecting its enhanced power and capacity. For the average but serious home cook, the standard Pro provides the best value. For passionate bakers, semi-professionals, or those with very large families, the added cost of the Pro Plus is a worthwhile investment for its durability and extra-large batch capabilities.
Style &, Color Options
Aesthetically, both mixers maintain the iconic KitchenAid silhouette that has become a kitchen status symbol. They look very similar, featuring the professional bowl-lift design instead of a tilt-head. The main visual difference is the sheer size of the Pro Plus model. Both lines come in a wide array of signature KitchenAid colors, from Empire Red to Aqua Sky, allowing you to match your mixer to your kitchen's style.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both of these mixers are fantastic machines, but they are designed for slightly different users.
Choose the KitchenAid Pro if:
- You're a serious and frequent home baker but don't usually double or triple large recipes.
- You need a powerful mixer that can knead bread dough a few times a week.
- Counter space is a consideration, and you'd prefer a slightly more compact model.
- Your budget is between $500 and $700.
Choose the KitchenAid Pro Plus if:
- Baking is your main hobby or a side business, and you regularly make massive batches.
- You exclusively bake heavy, dense breads like sourdough or whole wheat in large quantities.
- You have a big family and need to scale up all of your recipes routinely.
- You're willing to invest more for top-of-the-line power and won't settle for anything less.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between the KitchenAid Pro and Pro Plus?
The three main differences are bowl capacity, motor power, and price. The Pro Plus has a larger bowl (6-7 quarts vs. 5 quarts), a stronger motor (up to 1.3HP vs. ~0.9HP), and costs a few hundred dollars more than the standard Pro series.
Can the regular KitchenAid Pro handle bread dough?
Absolutely. The KitchenAid Pro is designed specifically to handle dense mixtures like bread dough. It performs exceptionally well for standard home batches of one or two loaves. The Pro Plus just does it with more ease and can handle larger quantities.
Which bowl size is right for me?
For most people, a 5-quart bowl is more than enough for everyday baking, including cakes, multiple dozen cookies, and standard bread recipes. If you own a small baking business, have a large family, or find yourself constantly making double batches, the 6 or 7-quart bowl of the Pro Plus is worth the upgrade.
Are attachments interchangeable between the Pro and Pro Plus?
Not always. Because the bowl sizes and shapes can differ between the Pro and Pro Plus models, their attachments (like the whisk, paddle, and dough hook) are often not cross-compatible. It is always important to purchase attachments specifically designed for your model number.
Is the higher price of the Pro Plus worth it?
It's worth it if you will actually use the extra power and capacity. If you often bake large quantities for holidays, events, or a home business, the Pro Plus will save you time and handle heavy loads without strain. For everyone else, the regular Pro series is powerful enough and offers better value.
What is a bowl-lift design?
Both models feature a bowl-lift design, which is common in professional kitchens. Instead of the head tilting back, a lever raises the bowl up to meet the mixing attachment. This creates a highly stable platform that prevents the mixer from rocking or moving, which is especially important when mixing heavy ingredients.
How much counter space do these mixers need?
These are large appliances. You'll want to measure your space, especially the height between your counter and upper cabinets. The Pro Plus line is typically an inch or two taller and wider than the Pro series, so make sure you account for its larger footprint.
Where is the best place to buy a KitchenAid mixer?
You can purchase directly from the KitchenAid website, which often has exclusive colors and bundles. Major retailers like Williams Sonoma, Best Buy, and Amazon also carry a wide selection and frequently have sales or promotional events where you can find a good deal.
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