Compare KitchenAid Mixers

Tilt-Head mixers allow easy access to the bowl and the beaters since the motor head tilts back. It's lighter than a bowl-lift mixer, so it can be moved around your kitchen if necessary, making storage easier. If you intend to use your KitchenAid stand mixer under a cabinet, be sure you have clearance to raise the head.

Bowl-Lift mixers raise the bowl and ingredients to the beaters. Since the bowl sits on 2 metal pins and locks into place in the back, the machine is extremely stable. They are heavier than tilt-head models, so it would need a place to stay in your kitchen rather than being moved about.

The bowl-lift mixers have stronger motors enabling them to power through larger batches. They also have a much more rigid design making them better with stiffer batters and doughs.

Of the 3 bowl-lift models, the KitchenAid Professional 5 Plus Series and the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixers have wide-mouth bowls and the PowerKnead dough hook enabling them to handle larger batches easily.

Here's how some KitchenAid stand mixers compared the tilt-head and bowl-lift design.

I have had both and like both. They are both capable at the same tasks but the lift bowl mixers are stronger and the Pro 600 and 5+ have the wide bowl and that makes it easier to add ingredients.

If you don't bake much, get the tilt head. However; if you're into baking big time, I would consider the bowl lift for it's rigid design and heavy duty parts...

My experience with the lift is an intuitve fit but if you're bitten by the volume baking bug you may want a lift. If moving up to a lift, opt for the Pro600. The Pro5 is only 1/2 quart bigger than a tilt head and you will be glad you bought the wider bowl. It mixes more evenly and its much easier to add ingredients without bathing the side of the mixer.