Kitchenaid Dishwasher Review: The Best 5 Models

Imagine this: You just finished a big family dinner. Piles of dirty dishes loom in the sink. You wish for a silent helper that makes them sparkle without you lifting a finger. That’s the dream, right?

Choosing a new dishwasher, especially a Kitchenaid, can feel like a puzzle. So many features! Which one cleans the best? Will it be quiet enough for your open-concept home? We know these questions can make picking one feel overwhelming. You want reliability and performance, but the choices seem endless.

Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down what makes Kitchenaid dishwashers special. You will learn about their top features, different models, and what real users love (or dislike). By the end, you will feel confident knowing exactly which Kitchenaid dishwasher fits your life and budget perfectly.

Top Kitchenaid Dishwasher Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1
Sharp SDW6726MS 24-inch Stainless Steel Dishwasher, 47 dB Library Quiet, Third Rack, Power Wash Sprayer, 12 Place Settings,
  • QUIET OPERATION: Library Quiet technology delivers peaceful dishwashing at just 47 dB noise level, perfect for open-concept homes
  • FLEXIBLE STORAGE: Adjustable third rack provides dedicated space for flatware and serving utensils, maximizing loading capacity
  • POWERFUL CLEANING: Three-sprayer system with specialized Power Wash sprayer delivers enhanced scrubbing for heavily soiled dishes
  • SMART SENSORS: Built-in soil sensors automatically adjust wash cycles for optimal cleaning performance and efficiency
  • CONVENIENCE FEATURES: 12 place setting capacity, 5 wash cycles, 4 options, and front touch controls for easy operation
SaleBestseller No. 2
Cascade Platinum Dishwasher Pods, Dishwasher Detergent, Dish Detergent Soap, Fresh, 71 count
  • Sold as 74/Pack
  • Dissolves fast to release the grease-fighting power of Dawn, while food-seeking enzymes latch on and break down food into particles so small they can flow right down the drain
  • Dishwasher detergent pods clean burnt-on messes in just one wash, with no prewash needed
  • Features a Fresh scent
  • Capacity: 38.6 oz
Bestseller No. 3
Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner, Helps Power Away Odor Causing Bacteria, Limescale, Mineral Deposits & Grime Inside Pump, Tub & Hoses, 6 Tablets, 6 Month Supply
  • Powers Away Limescale And Mineral Build-up
  • Cleans Your Machine While Your Detergent Cleans Your Dishes
  • Cleans Inside All Machine Models
Bestseller No. 4
Kenmore 22-14582 24" Built-In Dishwasher - UltraWash, SmartWash, Sanitize Rinse, SmartDry, and Leak Detection - 14 Place Settings - 57 DBA - ENERGY STAR Certified - 24" - White
  • 3 Stage Ultra Wash Filter: The 3-stage UltraWash Filter captures particles as small as a grain of fine sand and drains them away, so they canโ€™t redeposit on dishes - for a sparkling clean every time. The filter removes easily for monthly cleaning
  • SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. Leak detection prevents damage before it starts
  • SmartDry Technology: SmartDry drying selects the best drying cycle and adjusts for optimized drying performance. Hot water forces condensation onto the stainless tub, and down the drain
  • Roomy Interior & Adjustable, Removable Rack: Fit up to 14 place settings or just a few items using the Half Load option. The MoreSpace Adjustable Upper Rack raises, lowers, or removes entirely to make room for pots, tall items, or delicate stemware
  • Sani Rinse Option: This ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher has a UL-certified Sani Rinse option for seriously clean dishes
Bestseller No. 5
Kenmore Elite 24" Built-In Dishwasher - UltraWash Plus, TurboDry, QuietWash, SmartWash & TurboFlex Third Rack - 15 Place Settings - 42 DBA - ENERGY STAR Certified - Stainless Steel
  • UltraWash Plus Power Cleaning: 3 pressurized spray arms clean dishes from every angle using fresh, filtered water. Accela Wash option cleans dishes if you're in a hurry. Sani Rinse option gets dishes seriously clean
  • SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. A dishwasher that gives the best clean for every load
  • TurboFlex Third Rack + Adjustable Interior: Get 35% more loading space for large utensils with the removable TurboFlex third rack. Need more height? Slide the trays aside to fit tall items in the middle rack. MoreSpace Plus Upper Rack adjusts to 3 heights
  • TurboDry for Dry Dishes: A built-in fan pulls moisture and warm air out of the dishwasher while a heating element boosts drying power. Even plastics come out dry and spot-free. Ditch the dish towel
  • Whisper-Quiet Wash + Smart Features: This elite dishwasher runs at just 42 dBA with a QuietWash option for a whisper quiet cycle. LED floor light tells you when it's running. Hidden touch controls and a sleek bar handle offer a streamlined look
SaleBestseller No. 6
Upgraded WPW10546503 Dishwasher Top Rack Adjuster Compatible with Kitcheneaid Dishwasher Parts Upper Rack, Includes W10546503 W10195840 W10195839 W10250160 Part for Whirlpool kenmore Dishwasher, 8 PCS
  • ๐—ก๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฃ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜†๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐— ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฎ๐—น ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—”๐—ฑ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ - The updated W10546503 for kitcheneaid dishwasher parts upper rack adjuster is made of advanced new polymer materials which is more robust and persistent than other materials. The complete kit is well-tested by the manufacturer before leaving the factory to ensure safety and longer use, not OEM parts but quality equal to OEM requirements even better. Your concerns about fragility, security and durability will be well addressed
  • ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜ ๐—ฆ๐—ผ๐—น๐˜‚๐˜๐—ถ๐—ผ๐—ป ๐—ง๐—ผ ๐—ฌ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ฟ ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—บ๐˜€ - Package includes 2 x W10546503 Dishwasher rack adjuster, 2 x W10195840 adjuster positioner, 2 x W10195839 Rack Adjusters and 2 x W10250160 adjuster arm clip lock. These replacement parts are able to fix the issues effectively as following: โ‘ Dishwasher not washing properly; โ‘กDishrack will not pull out or push in; โ‘ขDishrack is not level, etc. Funmit cost-effective kit will solve your dishwashing worries and help extend the life of your dishwasher
  • ๐——๐—ถ๐˜€๐—ต๐˜„๐—ฎ๐˜€๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ง๐—ผ๐—ฝ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—”๐—ฑ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—ฃ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ณ๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ฝ๐—น๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—ป๐˜ - โ‘  W10546503 dishwasher upper rack adjuster replaces WPW10546503, W10418314, WPW10546503VP, AP6022813, W10306646, PS11756150, B008DJLRKW, B017TLV632. โ‘ก W10195840 dishwasher positioner replaces 1872228, AH3407016, EA3407016, PS3407016, WPW10195840, LP16233. โ‘ข W10195839 dishwasher rack adjuster replaces WPW10195839, AP6016799, PS11750092. โ‘ฃ W10250160 adjuster arm clip lock replaces WPW10250160, AP6017800, PS11751100
  • ๐—ช๐Ÿญ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฑ๐Ÿฐ๐Ÿฒ๐Ÿฑ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฏ ๐—ฅ๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐—ธ ๐—”๐—ฑ๐—ท๐˜‚๐˜€๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฟ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ฝ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ฏ๐—น๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—น - Funmit W10546503 & W10195839 & W10195840 & W10250160 dishwasher upper rack adjuster kit perfect fit for Whirlpool Kenmore kitcheneaid dishwasher parts models including 4KAER7685EW0, 4KMER7600AW0, 4KMER7685ES0, 4KMER7685EW0, 4KWFC120MAW0, 4KWFE7685ES0, 4KWFE7685EW0, ACR4303MEB0, ACR4303MES0, ACR4303MEW0, ACR4503SEB0, ACR4503SES0, ACR4530BAB0, ACR4530BAW0, AER5330BAB0, AER5330BAS0, AER5330BAW0, AER5630BAB0, AER5630BAS0, etc
  • ๐—ฆ๐—›๐—ข๐—ฃ ๐—ช๐—œ๐—ง๐—› ๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—™๐—œ๐——๐—˜๐—ก๐—–๐—˜ - Funmit adhere to provide all customers with a simple, streamlined shopping experience of large appliance replacement parts, and prove that we have the highest quality parts and service out there. We stand by our products, and our customers are our focus as a business. If you have any quality problem, please contact Funmit customer service team in time, and we will try our best to solve your problems
Bestseller No. 7
Midea MDF18A1AST Built-in Dishwasher with 8 Place Settings, 6 Washing Programs, Stainless Steel Tub, Heated Dry, Energy Star
  • Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea built-in dishwasher boasts a slim body that takes up minimal space and is easy to fit. It features a digital control panel with an LED display and has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate larger plates, pots, and pans up to 11 inches in height.
  • 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of 22.6D x 17.6W x 32.4H with adjustable legs, this under sink dishwasher provides a spacious and flexible interior for maximum dishware loading.
  • 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers six programs, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse washing programs. It also features Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize functions that meet all your daily needs. Note: ONLY use detergent specially for dishwasher because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems.
  • Heated Dry : Smart dishwasher ensures the best drying performance. The extra drying function offers a thorough drying performance (except for the Rapid and Self-clean cycle) with no additional towel drying required.
  • HI TEMP : The HYGIENE wash cycle maintains the water temperature at 136ยฐF (58ยฐC) max , which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes. It is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children's dinner sets.
SaleBestseller No. 8
Kenmore 22-14605 24" Built-In Dishwasher - UltraWash Plus, TurboDry, SmartWash & EasyFlex Third Rack - 15 Place Settings - 45 DBA - ENERGY STAR Certified - 24" - Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel
  • UltraWash Plus Power Cleaning: 3 pressurized spray arms clean dishes from every angle using fresh, filtered water. Accela Wash cleans fast when you're in a hurry. Sani Rinse option gets dishes seriously clean
  • SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. A dishwasher that gives the best clean for every load
  • EasyFlex Third Rack + Adjustable Interior: The removable EasyFlex third rack adds 35% more space for utensils and large tools. The MoreSpace Adjustable Rack lifts or lowers to make room for pots, pans, and tall items with ease
  • TurboDry for Dry Dishes: A built-in fan pulls moisture and warm air out of the dishwasher while a heating element boosts drying power. Even plastics come out dry and spot-free. Ditch the dish towel
  • Quiet Wash + Leak Protection: This dishwasher runs at just 45 dBA, with a QuietWash option for a whisper quiet cycle. Built-in Leak Detection senses and drains excess water to help stop damage before it starts

The Ultimate KitchenAid Dishwasher Buying Guide

KitchenAid dishwashers bring power and style to your kitchen. Choosing the right one means looking closely at what matters most for clean dishes and a happy home. This guide helps you pick the best model for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

When you shop, check these important features first. They make a big difference in how well your dishwasher works.

  • **Cleaning Power (Wash Cycles):** Look for models with multiple wash cycles. Heavy Wash handles baked-on food. Light Wash saves energy for lightly soiled items. Sensor cycles automatically adjust water use, which is smart.
  • **Drying Technology:** You want dishes dry and ready to put away. Fan-assisted drying is common. Newer models often use **ProDryโ„ข** or similar heated drying systems for better results.
  • **Noise Level (Decibels – dBA):** Dishwashers run often. Lower numbers mean quieter operation. Anything under 48 dBA is considered very quiet. If your kitchen is open to your living room, aim for 44 dBA or lower.
  • **Rack System Flexibility:** Can you adjust the racks? Look for **3rd racks** for silverware and small utensils. Adjustable tines let you fit oddly shaped pots and pans easily.
Important Materials for Longevity

The quality of the materials directly affects how long your dishwasher lasts and how clean your dishes get.

The tub material is crucial. Stainless steel tubs are the gold standard. They handle high heat better than plastic tubs. Stainless steel also helps dry dishes faster and resists odors. Always choose a model with a stainless steel tub if your budget allows.

The spray arms should be sturdy. Metal spray arms clean better and last longer than plastic ones. Check the material of the racks too; quality racks have durable vinyl or nylon coatings that protect your dishes from scratches.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Good design boosts performance. Bad design causes headaches.

Quality Boosters:
  • **Water Filtration:** Advanced filtration systems trap food particles better. This stops grime from redepositing on your clean plates.
  • **Reliable Motors:** A strong wash pump ensures water reaches every corner of the tub, even when fully loaded.
  • **Durable Controls:** Look for electronic controls that are sealed well. They resist spills and wear better than basic push buttons.
Quality Reducers:
  • **Poor Racking Design:** If racks don’t slide smoothly or you cannot fit standard dinner plates, daily use becomes frustrating.
  • **Weak Drying:** If dishes are always wet, you waste time hand-drying, defeating the purpose of the machine.
  • **High Noise:** A loud machine forces you to wait until everyone is asleep to run a load.
User Experience and Use Cases

KitchenAid dishwashers are often chosen for their professional look and solid performance.

Everyday Use: For busy families, the ability to load large pots quickly is key. A good model handles daily spills and heavy grease easily. Users love the fingerprint-resistant finishes that keep the exterior looking clean.

Entertaining: When hosting parties, you need capacity and quietness. A quiet cycle lets you run the machine while guests are present without interrupting conversation. The third rack maximizes space for all those extra wine glasses and serving spoons.

Installation Note: Make sure the chosen model fits your existing cabinet cutout. Standard sizes exist, but always measure your space before buying.


KitchenAid Dishwasher FAQ

Q: What is the quietest KitchenAid dishwasher noise level?

A: The quietest KitchenAid models often operate around 38 to 40 dBA. This is extremely quiet, often barely audible even when standing next to it.

Q: Do KitchenAid dishwashers have a sanitizing cycle?

A: Yes, many KitchenAid models include a Sani Rinse option. This cycle heats the final rinse water to a very high temperature to kill most common bacteria.

Q: How do I load the third rack correctly?

A: The third rack is best for flat items like silverware, serving spoons, and small measuring cups. Place utensils flat or slightly angled so water jets can reach all surfaces.

Q: Are KitchenAid dishwashers energy efficient?

A: Most modern KitchenAid dishwashers meet high energy standards. Look for the ENERGY STARยฎ certification on the model specifications to ensure it uses less water and electricity.

Q: What is ProDryโ„ข technology?

A: ProDryโ„ข is KitchenAidโ€™s enhanced drying system. It often uses a heating element combined with fan assistance to circulate warm air, ensuring plastics and glasses come out dry.

Q: How often should I clean my KitchenAid dishwasher filter?

A: You should check the filter monthly. If you run the dishwasher daily or frequently wash heavily soiled dishes, you may need to clean the filter every two to four weeks. Most filters twist out easily for rinsing under the sink.

Q: Can I install a custom cabinet panel on a KitchenAid model?

A: Yes, some high-end KitchenAid models offer ‘panel-ready’ options. These allow you to attach a custom wood panel that perfectly matches your existing kitchen cabinetry for a seamless look.

Q: What does a “Soil Sensor” do?

A: The Soil Sensor measures how dirty the water gets during the initial rinse. If the water is very dirty, the dishwasher runs a longer, hotter main wash cycle. This saves water and energy on lightly soiled loads.

Q: Are replacement parts easy to find for older models?

A: KitchenAid is a major brand, so parts are generally available for many years. However, you should always check the availability of specific parts (like racks or spray arms) before purchasing a very old or discontinued model.

Q: Which rack is best for wine glasses?

A: Most KitchenAid models feature adjustable stemware holders on the upper rack. Fold down these supports to cradle the base of the wine glass securely, preventing tipping during the wash cycle.