Is the KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer Worth It? (Honest Review Before You Buy)
Are you wondering whether KitchenAid’s higher-end stand mixer is worth the money?
If you watch cooking shows, you’ve noticed that every counter has a stand mixer. Most of the time, it’s the KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer.
Why?
What makes this one the go-to mixer for serious cooks?
As a serious home cook and food-loving dietitian, a KitchenAid stand mixer was one of my first investments when I wanted to level up in the kitchen.
Spoiler: Yes. It was worth it.
This article dives into the features, pros, and cons of the KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer so you can decide if it’s right for you.
Why Trust Me?
I’ve owned and cooked with a KitchenAid stand mixer for nearly two decades.
My first was the Artisan model, which moved with me through four homes and handled everything from cookie dough to pizza dough to whipped cream. After 17 years of regular use, I finally upgraded to the Professional 600 for the extra power and larger bowl.
I’ve had this model for a few years now, and as someone who cooks at home often, I use it regularly when I want hands-free mixing or need more power than a hand mixer.
KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixers at a Glance
KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer Pros
All KitchenAid stand mixers come with (1) 6-quart stainless steel bowl, (1) wire whisk, (1) flat beater, and (1) dough hook. But the KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer has more features that make it worth the investment if you’re a serious home cook or baker.
Here are a few reasons why this mixer rises above the rest:
- The 6-quart bowl can handle double recipes of bread dough and dough for up to 13 dozen cookies.
- The 575-watt motor keeps the mixer stable on the counter while mixing even dense dough.
- The professional series mixers are bowl-lift stand mixers, so you don’t have to stop the mixer to tilt it back so you can add ingredients.
- Although the weight of the professional model is only 3 pounds more than the Artisan, the bowl-lift function makes it much more stable at high speeds.
- There are other attachments, including pasta and an ice cream maker, that you can purchase separately to get more use out of this appliance.
- Metal and stainless steel attachments are designed to withstand wear and tear. Although coated ones sometimes chip, it won’t affect the function of your appliance. And you can always replace the accessories if necessary.
- Hands-free mixing simplifies measuring ingredients and allows you to leave the mixer running while you work in the kitchen!
KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer Cons
If you’re considering investing in this higher-end stand mixer, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Although this has 67 touchpoints for thorough mixing, you may need to frequently scrape down the side and bottom of the large bowl during mixing while mixing smaller amounts of ingredients.
- This model is pricier than other KitchenAid stand mixers, although discount sales make it more affordable.
- Due to its size and weight, consider where you can store or place your stand mixer for easy access.
Key Takeaway
This KitchenAid stand mixer is my favorite small appliance (even though I use my Cuisinart Food Processor and Vitamix Blender more often).
Hands-free mixing allows me to clean up and measure ingredients while the stand mixer runs. It can also whip cream, mix thick cookie dough and knead bread. I still use a hand mixer for whipping mashed potatoes, but I use the stand mixer for everything else.
Three key features make the professional model worth the investment for home cooks. But before I break down those features, let me share my experience with stand mixers.
Here are a few of the best features:
Feature 1: Bowl-lift Function
- Unlike tilt-lift models, the bowl lifts when it’s in the mixing position. When you add ingredients or remove the bowl, use the lever on the side to drop the bowl.
- The bowl-lift function helps stabilize this almost 29-pound appliance on the counter. So, it can mix dense dough at high speed without moving (my Artisan mixer almost fell off the counter a few times while kneading bread dough).
Feature 2: 6-Quart Bowl
- The 6-quart bowl is large enough to mix and knead large batches. When the bowl is too small, ingredients tend to ride up the mixer attachment.
- The bowl has three lock points and securely snaps into place.
- You can double recipes when cooking and baking for holidays or parties. For example, I like to double recipes when I’m taking the time to bake bread from scratch.
Feature 3: Soft Start
- The mixer slowly works up to speed, allowing the ingredients to come together a little before reaching the speed setting. This helps avoid accidents, splatter and a big mess.
Feature 4: Power and Stability
The Professional 600 has a powerful motor and weighs more than most stand mixers. Although it’s taller than other stand mixers, it should still fit under standard upper cabinets.
The bowl-lift function and 575 watts set this mixer apart from the rest. It’s both stable and powerful enough to handle mixing dense dough and kneading bread without shimmying to the edge of the counter or the head coming loose.
Here are the general specifications:
- Watts: 575
- Weight: 29 lbs
- Depth: 14 ½”
- Height: 16 ½”
- Width: 11 ¼”
- Comes with a wire whisk, flat beater, dough hook, pouring shield, and a 1-year warranty, depending on where you purchase it.
Stand Mixer Competitors
Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and GE are some well-known brands that make stand mixers.
The power of the KitchenAid Professional 600 and the Cuisinart stand mixers is comparable. But the KitchenAid Professional 600 stand mixer has more stability, especially when mixing tough jobs at high speed, making it the go-to for serious home cooks.
It comes down to how much power you need, whether you prefer a bowl-lift or tilt-head mixer, the look and color, and your budget.
If you want a powerful and stable mixer with a bowl-lift function at a lower price and don’t need the power of the Professional 600, the KitchenAid’s Professional Plus 5 is a great alternative.
Here’s a comparison of the key differences between a few popular stand mixers:
| MIXER | WATTS | BOWL SIZE | MIXER SPEED | MIXER TYPE | WEIGHT |
| KitchenAid Artisan | 325 | 5-quart | 10 speeds | Tilt-head | 26 lbs |
| KitchenAid Professional Plus | 450 | 5-quart | 10 speeds | Bowl-lift | 29 lbs |
| KitchenAid Professional 600 | 575 | 6-quart | 10 speeds | Bowl-lift | 29 lbs |
| Cuisinart Precision Pro | 500 | 5.5-quart | 12 speeds | Tilt-head | 21 lbs |
| Hamilton Beach 12 Speed Professional | 450 | 5-quart | 12 speeds | Tilt-head | 15.9 lbs |
| GE | 350 | 5.3-quart | 7 speeds | Tilt-head | 21 lbs |
Note:
Cuisinart, Hamilton Beach, and GE may have other models to choose from. I decided to highlight these because they are comparable to the power of the KitchenAid Professional 600 stand mixer.
Who Is the KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer Right For?
- A stand mixer can do everything a hand mixer can do and more. Investing in a KitchenAid stand mixer allows you to multitask while mixing.
- Unlike a hand mixer, a stand mixer can handle a greater variety of doughs and batters. The ability to knead yeast dough is a big advantage.
- Even only bake for the holidays and a few other times of the year, you’ll appreciate the power of this mixer. You can double cookie recipes and keep your hands free to measure ingredients or clean up as you cook.
- It’s a beautiful appliance to store on your counter. You’ll be surprised how much you’ll use it when it’s easily accessible.
Who Is the KitchenAid Professional Stand Mixer Not For?
- This is not a good investment if you don’t bake or make food that requires a powerful mixer.
- This mixer is heavy and large, so you’ll need space on the counter or cabinet to store it. You’ll be less likely to use the mixer if it’s packed away and not easily accessible.
What I Actually Use It For
I may not use my mixer every day, but I keep it on the counter so it’s always ready when I need it, especially for baking.
Here are the things I actually use my KitchenAid mixer for:
- Kneading bread, cinnamon roll, or pizza dough (I sometimes finish kneading by hand)
- Creaming butter for cookies, icing and cakes
- Whipping egg whites to stiff peaks for meringue, mousse, or some pancake and waffle recipes
- Mixing thick batters like muffins or quick breads
- Whipping cream (the reason I bought a KitchenAid mixer 20 years ago)
All of these are possible without a mixer, but much easier with one.
Conclusion
The KitchenAid Professional 600 Stand Mixer is one of my most valued cooking and baking tools. So, whether you’re an experienced home baker or looking to upgrade your small appliances, this mixer will be a great investment for your kitchen.
It has power, stability, and durability.
And it’s versatile.
It can handle a variety of tasks with ease, from kneading bread dough and whipping egg whites and cream to mixing cake batters. The optional attachments also make it easy to create a variety of dishes and desserts with just one machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The KitchenAid Professional 600 may be too big if you don’t have the counter space or use it enough to justify taking up counter space. Mine fits nicely in the corner. It’s smaller than a large convection oven but bigger than a coffee pot. Since it weighs about 28 pounds, storing it in a cabinet can make it harder to take out and use regularly.
The Artisan is a solid mixer that handles most home cooking needs, so not everyone will need to upgrade. The Professional model has a bowl-lift design that makes it easier to add ingredients, a larger bowl for bigger batches or double recipes, and a sturdier base that stays stable with dense doughs. If those features matter to you, the upgrade can be worthwhile. If not, the Artisan is still a great choice.
For most things, yes. It’s more powerful, more flexible, and frees up your hands while it works. It can handle dense dough, whipped cream, and egg whites more easily than a hand mixer. I still use my hand mixer for small jobs like mashed potatoes but rely on my stand mixer for everything else.
About Jennifer Messineo, MS, RD
I’m a food loving Registered Dietitian. I help families plan meals, reduce food waste and save money on food!