If you grew up helping your parents or grandparents in the kitchen, then odds are you’ve encountered KitchenAid appliances. Whether it be their legendary stand mixer or wide array of cooking appliances, KitchenAid has been a big part of household kitchens for over 100 years.
Considered the workhorse of any culinary space, we wanted to shine a light on KitchenAid’s line of high-performance dishwashers. In recent years, KitchenAid has evolved their dish care appliances to operate at near-silent decibels while conserving water and energy during each cycle.
In this KitchenAid dishwashers review, the industry experts at Albert Lee discuss the best dishwasher features, as well as how our list of recommended products stands out amongst competitors.
At a Glance
Best Overall KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid 24-Inch PrintShield Stainless Steel Dishwasher (KDTM404KPS)
Best Budget-Friendly KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid Built-In Dishwasher with PrintShield Finish (KDFE104HPS)
Best Luxury KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid Panel-Ready Built-In Dishwasher (KDTM504EPA)
Who Are KitchenAid Dishwashers Designed For?
KitchenAid dishwashers perform well in three main areas that are necessary for user satisfaction: noise level, loading capacity, and effective cleaning tools. So, if you desire a low-decibel dishwasher with a spacious interior and powerful performance, KitchenAid is right for you.
If you have young children at home, a low-decibel product will prevent any disruptions to daily nap schedules. Adjustable racks allow you to wash more dishes per cycle, and energy-efficient operation saves water and energy.
Beyond that, KitchenAid dishwashers are recommended for anyone that appreciates a long history of dedication and quality. You can guarantee a KitchenAid product will do the hard work for you while elevating your kitchen design with a variety of custom finishes and panel-ready options.
KitchenAid Dishwasher Performance
Cleaning performance is what distinguishes the top dishwasher brands. As one of the best in this category, select KitchenAid dishwashers allow you to wash up to 15 place settings in one wash, while the ProDry system uses a recessed heating element to draw moisture off your dishes. This means washing an entire day’s worth of dishes in one cycle and less time spent waiting for your dishes to dry.
All KitchenAid dishwasher models feature the primary wash settings: Normal, Tough, and Light. However, newer models also come with ProScrub, ProDry, and Extended ProDry cycles. Additionally, you can find wash cycles for heavy-duty cleaning or fast washing when you’re pressed for time.
Some of these wash and dry cycles include Express Wash, Rinse Only, Heat Dry, Hi-Temp Wash, Bottle Wash, Sani Rinse, Top Rack Only, and the 24-Hour Delay Option. Sani Rinse is particularly helpful for fully disinfecting your dishes, as the dishwasher maintains a temperature of at least 155 degrees.
Related Article: Bosch vs KitchenAid Dishwasher Comparison
KitchenAid Dishwashers Buying Considerations
When it comes to shopping for a new dishwasher, KitchenAid products are more reliable than the average brand in terms of price, longevity, and energy savings. Several factors may influence the price of a dishwasher, including the finish material, smart features, and configurations. If you’re considering a premium KitchenAid dishwasher, they will range somewhere between $1,079 and $1,709, but you can still find a more cost-effective quality product for $859 to $899.
If you’re financially and environmentally conscious, then consider a KitchenAid dishwasher with the Energy Star certification. Not only will they use less water with each cycle, but they will also make the dry cycles more efficient, saving you money year over year. One of the most sought-after features is also the PrintShield Finish, which makes the exterior stainless-steel fingerprint-proof and smudge-resistant. You can even find this dishwasher finish on KitchenAid’s line of black stainless-steel dishwashers if you’re hoping to add a dramatic touch to your kitchen.
And if you’re curious about how the different design options might play into your current kitchen layout, KitchenAid allows you to choose from the following types:
- Classic front controls
- Hidden top controls with a towel bar handle
- Hidden top controls with a pocket handle
- Panel ready dishwasher
- Door with a glass window
Related Article: Best Built-In Dishwasher Reviews
Best KitchenAid Dishwashers
Best Overall KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid 24-Inch PrintShield Stainless Steel Dishwasher (KDTM404KPS)
Keep up with the tools you use to execute every step, from meal prep to serving thanks to this 24-inch dishwasher with three racks of versatile loading possibilities and complete wash coverage. The FreeFlex Third Rack fits glasses, mugs, bowls, silverware, and cooking tools, freeing up room below for pots, plates, and mixing bowls. The Advanced Clean Water Wash System circulates clean water to dishes in all three racks, so you can count on a complete and thorough clean.
The 44 dBA operation is hardly detectable, providing quiet cleaning without compromising performance, so there’s no need to wait to run a wash cycle while entertaining or enjoying meals. The ProWash Cycle uses sensors to measure soil levels throughout the cycle and adapts wash time and water temperature as needed for tough messes or lighter loads.
Additional features include:
- Sani-Rinse option
- Top controls
- Express Wash
- Adjustable racks with SatinGlide
- Stemware holders
- Stainless steel interior with PrintShield finish
- Energy Star certified
Best Budget-Friendly KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid Built-In Dishwasher with PrintShield Finish (KDFE104HPS)
If you want the same sleek features as our best overall model but at a more affordable price, this stylish front control dishwasher with a smudge-resistant PrintShield finish delivers the KitchenAid performance and style passionate cooks appreciate, for over $200 less.
One-touch ProWash Cycle senses soil levels, then automatically adjusts cycle time and water usage in real time for the best cleaning performance. Upper-rack SatinGlide Max rails roll out smoothly even when fully loaded and weighed down by heavy cookware. And the Heat Dry option and durable stainless-steel tub provide an effective and efficient means to facilitate drying.
The Sani-Rinse option heats the final rinse water to 155 degrees, eliminating 99.999 percent of food soil bacteria, while the Delay Wash allows you to set the dishwasher to start at a more convenient time within two-hour increments.
Additional features include:
- Fold-Down Shelf
- Filter-based wash system
- Extended Heat Dry Option
- Express Wash
- Energy Star certified
Best Luxury KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid Panel Ready Built-In Dishwasher (KDTM504EPA)
Sometimes, you want a clean and uniform design in your kitchen space, and luckily, this top control panel-ready dishwasher provides a seamless high-end look. This luxury dishwasher model matches your cabinets with a custom-made front panel and features Dynamic Wash Arms to provide complete coverage. The unique nine-arm design sprays water throughout every nook and cranny of your appliance, and it also has a Clean Water Wash System that cleans the wash water for superior performance, even with the messiest loads.
The ProScrub option eliminates soaking or pre-scrubbing with 40 targeted spray jets that help remove stubborn messes like seared or baked-on foods. The addition of a third dishwasher rack makes it easy to clean hard-to-place items such as spatulas, serving utensils, and measuring cups, freeing up space in the lower two racks. Once your wash cycle is complete, the Advanced ProDry System uses a recessed heating element and a fan to draw moisture out of the wash tub giving you better drying results.
Additional features include:
- Upper and lower SatinGlide rails
- Two rows of fold-down tines and two fold-down cup shelves
- Upper rack utility basket
- Five wash levels
- LED interior lighting
- Energy Star certified
Pros and Cons of KitchenAid Dishwashers
While KitchenAid manufactures some top-of-the-line dishwashers, they might not be best for every user. If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, there are some pros and cons worth considering.
Pros:
- Third-level rack
- Quiet operation (as low as 39 dBA)
- Triple filter system
- Energy Star rating
- Multiple wash cycles including Sani-Rinse
- Numerous design options
Cons
- Often comes with a premium price tag
- Can be slightly longer than a standard cabinet length
- Most dishwashers don’t have a Wi-Fi feature
- Older models can still be noisy
Shop KitchenAid Dishwashers at Albert Lee
If you’d like to learn more, navigate to our KitchenAid dishwasher catalog for a full comparison of product attributes, prices, finishes, reviews, and more. However, if you think you’re ready to invest in a new KitchenAid dishwasher, Albert Lee is your home for the best KitchenAid products in the greater Seattle region. Shop with us online, give us a call at your preferred store, or visit one of the 6 Albert Lee locations near you to find the dishwasher you’ve been searching for.