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KitchenAid is one of the most trusted appliance brands on the market, and its current slate of dishwashers offer top-of-the-line features, eco-friendly operation, and high capacities.
Shopping for a KitchenAid dishwasher online, however, can quickly become overwhelming because so many options are available at a wide range of prices. This article breaks down what to look for when shopping for the best KitchenAid dishwasher and discusses the key considerations to keep in mind while shopping. We love the KitchenAid KDTM404KPS PrintShield Tall Tub Dishwasher due to its large capacity and upgraded features.
Keep reading for tips on choosing the best option, and explore our curated picks for some of the best KitchenAid dishwashers.
- BEST OVERALL: KitchenAid KDTM404KPS PrintShield Tall Tub Dishwasher
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: KitchenAid KDFE104KPS Dishwasher With ProWash Cycle
↓ Jump to Review - UPGRADE PICK: KitchenAid KDTM704KPS Dishwasher with Lighting
↓ Jump to Review - BEST 3-RACK: KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Dishwasher with Third Rack
↓ Jump to Review - BEST QUIET: KitchenAid KDFE204KPS 39 dBA Dishwasher
↓ Jump to Review - MOST VERSATILE: KitchenAid KDTE204KWH Dishwasher With Utensil Rack
↓ Jump to Review
How We Chose the Best KitchenAid Dishwashers
Years of experience covering home goods and appliances, as well as extensive product research, went into creating this guide. We explored all of the KitchenAid dishwashers currently available from major retailers and weighed a number of practical considerations before making our recommendations.
- Availability: The past few years have seen global appliance shortages, so for this guide, we only included models that were readily available from major retailers.
- Price: KitchenAid’s dishwashers are not the most affordable on the market, but we did attempt to offer recommendations at a range of prices to cater to a variety of budgets.
- Reviews: It’s hard to gauge a dishwasher’s performance just from its technical specifications, so we relied on user reviews to ensure that the manufacturer’s claims weren’t overstated.
Our Top Picks
Now that you’ve learned more about KitchenAid dishwashers, it’s time to start shopping. The following are the top picks for the best KitchenAid dishwasher for your kitchen.
Best Overall
KitchenAid KDTM404KPS PrintShield Tall Tub Dishwasher
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 decibels (dB)
- Place settings: 16
What We Like
- Large capacity family model with 3 racks that offer good versatility when loading
- Stainless steel tub retains heat for better cleaning, and should provide excellent durability
- High energy efficiency to reduce running costs, underlined by Energy Star certification
What We Don’t Like
- Has a relatively high price tag compared to similar models
The KitchenAid KDTM404KPS dishwasher is one of KitchenAid’s midrange offerings, providing a number of upgraded features when compared to the brand’s basic models. It features a FreeFlex Third Rack, which is tall enough to fit glasses, mugs, bowls, and silverware, allowing for a high total wash capacity of 16 place settings. With a noise level of just 44 dB, this model offers quiet operation that won’t be a disturbance to your household. The Advanced Clean Water Wash System uses microfiltration to remove food particles and circulate clean water to all three racks.
It’s available with either a standard stainless steel or black stainless steel finish, both of which offer PrintShield to prevent fingerprints. Shoppers can choose between a pocket handle with front controls and a bar handle with top controls, depending on their aesthetic preferences.
Testing Results: Becky Helzer, the lead copy editor at Bob Vila, performed a full hands-on test on this dishwasher in our KitchenAid FreeFlex Dishwasher review and notes that “the KitchenAid FreeFlex dishwasher couldn’t be easier to use. It has five wash cycles (Rinse Only, Express Wash, Normal, Tough, and ProWash, which sense soil levels and adjust water temperature and wash time as needed), so it’s able to handle everything from delicate glassware to dirty pots and pans with just the touch of a button. With the variety of wash cycles, fingerprint-resistant finish, bonus third rack, adjustable middle rack, and very quiet 44 dB rating, this dishwasher has a lot to like. It looks sleek in my kitchen, and it does an excellent job cleaning the dishes, even those with stuck-on or baked-on food.”
Get the KDTM404KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at Lowe’s, The Home Depot, or Best Buy.
Best Bang for the Buck
KitchenAid KDFE104KPS Dishwasher With ProWash Cycle
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 2
- Noise level: 47 dB
- Place settings: 12
What We Like
- A budget-friendly option that doesn’t mean compromising on quality features
- Offers the ProWash Cycle that senses soil levels, and adjust performance to suit
- Stainless steel inside and out with PrintShield finish that is easy to wipe clean
What We Don’t Like
- Lacks the capacity of some competitors and is also louder than some
Those keeping an eye on their budget could be attracted to the KitchenAid KDFE104KPS. It’s typical of the brand’s other easy to control dishwashers, and shares many features of more expensive models but with a more competitive price tag. There are two racks that provide place settings for up to 12 people.
The KDFE104KPS features the ProWash Cycle found on high-end KitchenAid models. It automatically senses soil levels, and adjusts accordingly. There is also a heated dryer option. The stainless steel tub improves durability, and retains heat for better efficiency. The exterior is also stainless steel with a PrintShield finish that resists fingerprints, and is easy to clean. At 47 decibels it’s not a particularly quiet dishwasher when compared to others in the range but it would be unfair to call it noisy.
Get the KDFE104KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Best Buy.
Upgrade Pick
KitchenAid KDTM704KPS Dishwasher With Lighting
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 dB
- Place settings: 16
What We Like
- Spacious interior with a FreeFlex 3rd rack for added versatility
- ProDry System combines both fan and heating element for thorough drying
- LED interior lighting for easy loading plus fingerprint-resistant PrintShield finish on the outside
What We Don’t Like
- It’s expensive, and there are occasional reports of the finish peeling off doors
The KDTM704KPS dishwasher is one of KitchenAid’s high-end offerings, providing the brand’s top-notch performance along with a number of additional desirable features. It features a FreeFlex Third Rack for maximum capacity and can clean an impressive 16 place settings in one wash cycle. LED interior lighting illuminates the stainless steel interior for easy loading and unloading. The ProWash Cycle uses interior sensors to measure soil levels and adjust the wash cycle accordingly, while the Fan-Enabled ProDry System efficiently dries dishes using a combination of a fan and heating element.
Hidden top controls make for a streamlined look, and the front panel features PrintShield technology to keep it looking clean. Shoppers can choose between a pocket handle or a bar handle.
Get the KDTM704KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Best 3-Rack
KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Dishwasher With Third Rack
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 dB
- Place settings: 16
What We Like
- Combines a spacious interior with the flexibility of 3 adjustable racks
- Clean Water Wash System filters waste from the tub for more effective cleaning
- Uses the fan-enabled ProDry System, and is still Energy Star certified for efficiency
What We Don’t Like
- High price, and while usually reliable a number of buyers complain of leaks
KitchenAid’s KDPM604KPS dishwasher features most of the brand’s top features, making it one of the best options the company offers. It has a large capacity, fitting 16 place settings for a single wash, which is facilitated by the FreeFlex Third Rack. This feature provides plenty of additional space, making this one of the highest-capacity models available on the market. It also comes with a Fan-Enabled ProDry System and Advanced Clean Water Wash System.
It’s available in either standard stainless steel or black stainless steel, and both finishes offer PrintShield for a clean look. Shoppers are able to decide between a pocket or bar handle based on their style preference.
Get the KDPM604KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Best Quiet
KitchenAid KDFE204KPS 39 dBA Dishwasher
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 39 A-weighted decibels (dBA)
- Place settings: 13
What We Like
- Among the quietest dishwashers available with a surprisingly competitive price tag
- Features the automated ProWash Cycle, and the option to use normal or heated drying
- Available in 4 finish options to suit a wide range of kitchen decors
What We Don’t Like
- Lower capacity than some, and a few owners report error code or control panel issues
What sets the KitchenAid KDFE204KPS apart is its quiet operation. Operating at a noise level of just 39 dBA, it’s just louder than a whisper, ensuring it won’t be a disturbance even in smaller homes. It also differs from other KitchenAid dishwashers because instead of the FreeFlex Third Rack, it has a utensil rack and an adjustable middle rack.
It’s important to note that this model has a lower capacity than most of KitchenAid’s other dishwashers, fitting 13 place settings. Still, this is a larger capacity than many other dishwashers on the market. It’s available in a wider range of finishes than most other models and can be purchased in black, white, standard stainless steel, or black stainless steel.
Get the KDFE204KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Most Versatile
KitchenAid KDTE204KWH Dishwasher With Utensil Rack
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 39 dBA
- Place settings: 13
What We Like
- A very quiet dishwasher with the advantage of 3 racks for maximum versatility
- Available with top or front control, bar or pocket handle and in 4 finishes
- Sani Rinse kills 99.99 percent of food bacteria, plus triple filtration so only clean water circulates
What We Don’t Like
- Limited space for the money, and more fault reports than typical for the brand
The KDTE204KWH dishwasher from KitchenAid is another whisper-quiet model packed with features for better cleaning and ease of use. There is versatile interior space thanks to the 3 rack system, and SatinGlide rails for smooth access when loading and unloading. There are also numerous choices when it comes to appearance, with top or front controls, bar or pocket handle, and 4 different finish options.
At just 39 dBA, the KitchenAid KDTE204KWH is another very quiet dishwasher that can be run without disturbing the household. It has the ProWash Cycle that maximizes efficiency for each load, and there’s the option of heated or normal drying.
Get the KDTE204KWH KitchenAid dishwasher at Lowe’s, The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Jump to Our Top Picks
What to Consider When Choosing a KitchenAid Dishwasher
Although it’s easy to assume that all dishwashers offer similar performance, a number of factors affect their functionality. Keep reading to learn about the important features to consider when choosing a dishwasher for your kitchen.
Size and Capacity
Choosing a dishwasher that’s the correct size is essential. Dishwashers have relatively standard dimensions, with a height of 34 inches and width of 24 inches. Most kitchen counters are 36 inches tall, and most dishwashers are therefore designed to fit underneath them. KitchenAid dishwashers typically measure 33.75 to 35 inches tall, 23.5 to 24 inches wide, and 23.25 to 28 inches deep, though other brands do produce models that are both smaller and larger.
A dishwasher’s capacity is tied to its size and is typically measured in the number of place settings it can accommodate. Most standard dishwashers accommodate between 8 and 12 place settings. KitchenAid’s modern dishwashers offer capacities of up to 16 place settings, setting them apart on the market.
Design
While most KitchenAid dishwashers look relatively similar from the outside, their interiors feature a variety of designs. Some dishwashers have just two racks, while others have a third rack that’s designed to increase the washing capacity. These third racks can be adjustable, allowing users to raise or lower them accordingly to accommodate their dishes.
In terms of aesthetics, some KitchenAid dishwashers only come in a single finish, while others may be available in several colors to best match other appliances. The most popular finish is stainless steel, and many KitchenAid models feature PrintShield, a fingerprint-resistant coating that keeps the dishwasher looking its best. KitchenAid does not currently offer drawer dishwashers.
Settings
The wash settings are what differentiate one KitchenAid dishwasher from another. All KitchenAid dishwashers have at least three wash cycles: normal, tough, and light. The tough wash is suitable for cleaning pots and pans, while the light wash is ideal for delicate glassware. Along with these standard cycles, some higher-end models may feature additional settings, including express wash, rinse only, heat dry, high-temp wash, bottle wash, sani rinse, and top-rack only.
A delayed wash setting comes in handy for programming the dishwasher to run at a set time, be it first thing in the morning or after everyone has gone to bed.
Noise Level
When choosing a dishwasher, its noise level is an important consideration, especially for those living in smaller spaces. While older dishwashers tend to be quite loud, newer models are designed to be as quiet as possible.
The sound level of a dishwasher is measured in decibels. A normal conversation is approximately 60 dB, while a whisper is about 30 dB. Modern models that operate at between 40 and 45 dB are generally considered quiet dishwashers, though some KitchenAid models are even quieter, operating at below 40 dB. Before choosing a model, verify its noise level to ensure it’s suitable for your living situation.
Additional Features
While all KitchenAid dishwashers serve the same basic purpose, some have additional features that set them apart.
- Integrated controls are situated along the door’s top edge, hiding them from view and creating a more sleek, modern look. Traditional front control dishwashers are also available.
- The Advanced Clean Water Wash System uses microfiltration to remove food particles.
- The ProWash Cycle detects dirt levels and automatically adjusts the cycle time and water usage accordingly.
- LED interior lighting allows users to see the inside of the dishwasher easily.
- The Fan-Enabled ProDry System uses a heating element and a fan to dry the dishes efficiently.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about choosing the best KitchenAid dishwasher for your home.
We have a detailed report on how long dishwashers should last, but generally speaking, it should be between 7 and 12 years. Expect a KitchenAid dishwasher to last for at least 10 years.
Budget KitchenAid dishwashers are available for between $800 and $1,000, but higher-end models can sell for over $2,000. Those who are not confident to install on their own may wish to pay extra to have the dishwasher professionally installed.
All KitchenAid appliances feature an adhesive label that features both the model number and the serial number. This label should be found on the left edge of the dishwasher’s door.
While KitchenAid once produced glass-door dishwashers, those models have been discontinued and are no longer available.
KitchenAid dishwashers are manufactured at the brand’s facility in Findlay, Ohio.
