You are definitely in the right place if you want to find out more about KitchenAid dishwashers, or you want to know which model is best. In the last couple of years KitchenAid lost its top position in the market, since it took a while for the brand to dish out quieter dishwashers.
KitchenAid now makes quiet products and it is considered as one of the top dishwasher brands in the US. So, going for a KitchenAid dishwasher is not a bad decision.
There are certain things you need to look out for in a dishwasher. We covered these in detail in our dishwasher buying guide. But before you purchase your next KitchenAid dishwasher, do take a look at our review of the brand under some crucial headings.
Without wasting further time, lets get into real details
Are KitchenAid Dishwashers Good?
KitchenAid dishwashers are known for three important factors high load capacity, powerful cleaning tools, and quiet operation.
Among these factors cleaning ability and quietness ultimately determine user satisfaction. We can confidently confirm that KitchenAid dishwashers are good when it comes to these areas.
Quietness
KitchenAid was not always known for quiet dishwashing. That cost them their top place in the premium dishwasher market. The brand has made a lot of improvements since then, including getting rid of the hard food disposer on the bottom that was the main culprit of noisy operation.
Yes, KitchenAid currently has some of the quietest dishwashers in the market. All the newer models have noise levels at or below 46dB, which is the current standard and is just as quiet as a hushed conversation. One of our best KitchenAid dishwasher models, the KDTE334GPS, has a noise level of 39dB, which is one of the lowest and is only a little bit louder than rustling leaves.
You are probably wondering what is a decibel (db) rating? How do I know if a dishwasher is quiet? We covered this topic in detail in our articles and videos with audible examples:
Cleaning Performance
This is about the most critical feature of a dishwasher, and KitchenAid dishwashers are one of the best in this category. Top KitchenAid dishwashers allow you to wash as much as 14-15 full place settings in one load. This provides enough space for a days worth of dishes (in a single wash) for the average family.
KitchenAids wash system revolves around the following three technologies: ProWash",effective filtration", and water distribution/coverage".
ProWash
The ProWash option considers the soil level and uses it to determine the best wash cycle for each load. Other manufacturers call this feature "sensor wash". It is a feature that helps modern dishwashers clean distinctly better than their predecessors.
Triple Filter System
We often talk to customers who would like to replace their dishwashers. They often say that their old dishwasher no longer gets dishes clean. This is the textbook description of a filtration issue. Water jets help remove soils, but smudge makes its way back on clean dishes (a.k.a. "redeposit" in tech terms).
All KitchenAid dishwashers have a triple filter system (a screen filter, coarse particles filter, and microfilter) to remove dirt from the wash water. This enables the dishwasher to save energy by reusing the water, and also prevent the drain hose from being clogged with dirt.
Higher-end model employ the clean water wash system which includes a self cleaning ultra-fine filter.
Water Distribution/Coverage
The traditional wash arm on KitchenAid dishwashers is designed to deliver water to every corner of the interior. Higher-end models come with a dynamic wash arm that helps to distribute water effectively.
Additionaly, most KitchenAid dishwashers have the ProScrub feature, which cuts through pretty tough messes on the lower rack with 40 targeted spray jets. This eliminates the need to prewash or soaks pots and dishes. Some KitchenAid dishwashers allow you to target the ProScrub system on the upper rack alone for concentrated washing.
These features are responsible for the maximum efficiency for which KitchenAid dishwashers are known. Theres the extra Bottle Wash for cleaning sports and baby bottles, which other dishwashers do not provide.
Drying Performance
If you think the washing features are not so remarkable, then you certainly have to give it up for KitchenAid in the drying category. While it doesnt beat Bosch, it towers high above popular brands like Samsung, Wiele, and Thermador thanks to its extra fan-enabled ProDry system.
The ProDry system makes use of a recessed heating element to draw moisture off plastic dishes. This confers a less drying time on the dishwashers with the feature and also helps to sanitize the dishes. Theres the extended ProDry that keeps the heating element activated for a longer period. However, you might prefer just the condenser drying option if you own more of ceramic and metal bowls.
Cycles and Washing Options
A dishwashers cycles control how well and thorough it washes the dishes. Most dishwashers have virtually similar cycles but with different names. While the number of cycles does improve the washing and drying performance, it is not always a matter of how much but how well.
All KitchenAid dishwashers have the primary Normal, Tough, and Light cycles. The newer models sport the ProScrub, ProDry, and Extended ProDry features. The ProWash option also comes in handy for heavy-duty cycles (the KDTM804ESS complements that with its Dynamic Wash Arm).
Besides the ones mentioned already, theres Express Wash and the Rinse Only cycle. Then the options include the Heat Dry, Hi-Temp Wash, Bottle Wash, Sani Rinse, Top Rack Only, and the 1-24 Hour Delay Option. Sani Rinse is particularly interesting, especially for homes with infants. The dishwasher maintains the dishes at 155 F degrees, which keeps them sanitized.
What are Popular KitchenAid Dishwasher Styles?
Door Design Options
Most KitchenAid dishwashers have the PrintShield Finish, which makes the exterior stainless steel finish fingerprint-proof. You will find this too in the black stainless steel finish, which is hard to find in most other brands.
Other remarkable outer design features of KitchenAid dishwashers include
- Classic front Controls
- Hidden top controls and Towel Bar handle
- Hidden top controls and Pocket handle (which is suitable for most kitchen designs)
- Panel ready designs (which you can find in models like the KDTM504EPA)
- Door with a glass window (in models like the KDTM384ESS).
Quick word on the glass window. This style is for sure different. However, there is no real-life use-case associated with it. Simply looking at the dishwasher window one would not know the remaining time on a cycle, if dishes are clean or not etc.
KitchenAid has one major problem in the outer dishwasher design category. The dishwashers are either 24 1/2 -inches or 24 -inches deep (even without the handle), which means they all stick out of a standard 24 inches kitchen cabinet. This makes it hard for designers to achieve a seamless kitchen finish.
Interior Design
The design category shows how well a brand thinks of its customers and their needs. Generally, popular brands like Samsung, GE Appliances, Bosch, and even KitchenAid excel in this category. A good dishwasher design features a smart arrangement of the compact tines and racks. A stainless-steel interior also offers better drying than the plastic tub option.
Kitchen Aid dishwashers all have stainless steel interiors, which help to improve drying by condensation. Besides the compact tine arrangement that allows space for more dishes, some KitchenAid dishwashers like the KDTE334GPS and the KDTM804ESS come with a third rack.
KitchenAids SatinGlide feature enhances smooth rack movement. You will appreciate this when you have to move heavy dish loads in and out of the dishwasher. Most KitchenAid dishwashers have this smooth glide feature on the upper rack only. Only high-end KitchenAid dishwashers have the smooth glide feature for the bottom rack too.
Are KitchenAid Dishwashers Reliable?
In this category, we had to lean towards other popular brands. While they have been improving steadily and garnering more positive reviews recently, KitchenAid hasnt always scored as high as other top brands in reliability. That said, KitchenAid dishwashers are more reliable than the average dishwasher brand in the market.
Connectivity and Smart Features
Wi-Fi connectivity is a feature some home appliance brands are beginning to explore. Of course, it increases the price of the home appliance and may be very high, especially for a premium brand like KitchenAid.
However, KitchenAid dishwasher models do not have the connectivity feature. KitchenAid appliances that are connected are currently limited to cooktops and ovens.
Pricing
Several factors influence the pricing of dishwashers. These include the stainless-steel interior, sleek design, integration, and smart features. Generally, prices for good dishwashers range from $600 to $2500.
Well, KitchenAid is a premium dishwasher brand with prices ranging from $800 to $1,500. That notwithstanding, you can still get a good KitchenAid dishwasher like the KDTE334GPSat a little over $800.
Energy Efficiency
Remember that most KitchenAid dishwasher models make use of heat drying to amplify the regular stainless-steel condenser drying. This makes it hard for the brand to score high in energy efficiency.
But even at that, you can still find some models, like the KDTM404ESS, which have the ENERGY STAR certificate for energy efficiency. Our top-rated model, the KDTM354ESS, and the older version, the KDTM354DSS, are known to be water-saving. These show how much effort KitchenAid puts into energy efficiency despite the heat-drying handicap.
3 Best KitchenAid Dishwashers
KitchenAid has over 20 dishwasher models in the market. Besides the pricing, these dishwashers have pretty similar features in functionality, which made it a bit difficult to pick the best. In the end, we focused on value, price, and silence levels.
That said, here are our three best KitchenAid dishwashers.
1) Budget Pick - KitchenAid 46 dB Built-In Dishwasher with Third Rack
The KDPE234GPS packs impressive features that put it among the best dishwasher in the market. While it may not compare with high-end KitchenAid dishwashers in functionality, its low price makes it a better choice.
At 46dB, the KDPE234GPSs noise level is about the same as that of a library and is just below the market standard. It has a third rack for improved washing and to accommodate more load. It also has a PrintShield Finish that resists fingerprints and smudges on the outer stainless-steel exterior.
The KDPE234GPS is undoubtedly not the cheapest KitchenAid dishwasher but is one of the low-priced models with a third rack that offers excellent value. It is our recommended option for single individuals looking to make a budget-friendly but classy home.
2) Most Quiet - KitchenAid 39dB Built-in Dishwasher with Third Rack
Most independent reviews pick the KDTE334GPS as the best KitchenAid dishwasher, and they are nowhere wrong. The KDTE334GPS is the quietest KitchenAid dishwasher and one of the quietest in the market. At 39dB, it is almost noiseless. Besides that, it also has some remarkable features.
Like most KitchenAid dishwashers, it has bottle sprays that offer concentrated washing. The top rack has specialized sprays for baby or sports bottles. Its ProScrub system, with the high-pressure spray, is located at the bottom of the dishwasher for effective scrub. The model also comes with a third rack and has a stainless-steel interior for better drying.
The KDTE334GPS is our recommended option if you want a fully integrated and noiseless dishwasher. The official KitchenAid price varies through the year and can be anywhere between $700 - $1100. But you can get the dishwasher at its standard price from authorized retailers.
3) Best Value - KitchenAid KDTM354ESS 44dB Dishwasher
The KDTM354ESS is one of the latest dishwasher models from KitchenAid, and it comes as an improvement to the KDTM354DSS. Without a third rack, it is not exactly the best in accommodating load, but its other features make it remarkable.
It comes with an ultra-fine filter that removes food particles while washing to reduce water and energy. It has a 40-jet spraying option for stubborn messes and also has a load sensor for determining how dirty the dishes are. This enables it to select the best washing option, thereby reducing cycle time.
The KDTM354ESS has topped the list of best KitchenAid dishwashers in several independent reviews. It is not a model you would like to leave out of your reviews as it offers excellent value for money. It is a fully integrated dishwasher with electronic touch controls that blends into your kitchens classy finish.
Conclusion
KitchenAid has some of the best dishwashers in the market, which are remarkable for their high load capacity, powerful cleaning tools, and quiet running. They are a little less reliable than those of other popular brands, but their premium features offer a good bargain.
Thanks to our review and buying guide, you are better equipped to purchase the KitchenAid dishwasher that best meets your taste. You can always find some good models at standard prices in our KitchenAid dishwasher catalog.
FAQs
Where are KitchenAid dishwashers made?
KitchenAid is an American-based home appliances brand owned by Whirlpool Corporation. All of its dishwashers are manufactured in Findlay, Ohio.
How long do KitchenAid Dishwashers last?
A dishwasher has an average lifespan of 7 to 12 years. The average KitchenAid dishwasher can stay for as long as ten years with proper maintenance and care.
Semi-Integrated or Fully Integrated?
An integrated dishwasher allows you to mount a custom kitchen cabinet panel on it. This helps to create a seamless finish by matching surrounding kitchen cabinets. The controls are usually placed at the top of the dishwasher panel and hidden from view.
KitchenAid dishwasher models are either premium built-in, semi-integrated, or fully integrated. The Semi-integrated models, like the KDFE104HPS, have front controls that are pretty visible. Other KitchenAid dishwasher models, like the KDTE234GBL and the KDPM354GBS, are fully-integrated. The KDTM504EPA model even comes with a panel-ready design for custom integration.
Who makes KitchenAid Dishwashers?
KitchenAid, as a brand, is owned by Whirlpool Corporation. The company also owns other brands like Maytag, Amana, JennAir, and Whirlpool.
Do KitchenAid Dishwashers have Wi-Fi?
No, KitchenAid dishwashers do not have the Wi-Fi connectivity feature. The connectivity feature is only found in KitchenAid cooktops and ovens.
Why do you need a water softener in a dishwasher?
As the name suggests, a water softener is necessary to soften hard water (like well water and New Jersey water). This prevents the deposit of minerals on the insides of the dishwasher, prolonging the machines lifespan. Soft water also enhances sparkling results, leaving no streaks or water spots on the dishes.
The bad news is that KitchenAid does not have any dishwasher models with a water softener. The feature is limited to some Bosch, Miele, and Frigidaire models. You should make use of rinse aid in your washing water to extract the salt deposits.
Does KitchenAid make 18-inch small dishwashers?
Unfortunatley no. At this time KitchenAid does not make 18-inch small dishwashers.