We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›
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.
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 Dishwasher in PrintShield
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: KitchenAid KDFE104HPS Front Control Dishwasher
- BEST PREMIUM: KitchenAid KDTM704KPS Dishwasher with Lighting
- BEST THREE-RACK: KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Dishwasher with Third Rack
- BEST QUIET: KitchenAid KDFE204KPS 39 dBA Dishwasher
What to Consider When Choosing the Best 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.
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 noisy, 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 decibels (dB), while a whisper is about 30 dB. Most modern dishwashers operate at between 40 and 45 dB, 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.
- 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.
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 Dishwasher in PrintShield
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.
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 dB
- Place settings: 16
Pros
- 3 adjustable racks
- PrintShield finish
- Energy Star certified
Cons
- High price
Get the KDTM404KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot, Lowe’s, or Best Buy.
Best Bang for the Buck
KitchenAid KDFE104HPS Front Control Dishwasher
KitchenAid’s basic dishwasher, the KDFE104HPS, offers excellent performance and a number of desirable features. It offers a ProWash Cycle, which detects dirt levels and automatically adjusts the cycle time and water usage. Unlike other budget dishwashers, it has a stainless steel interior, and the exterior offers a PrintShield finish in standard stainless steel. It’s also available with a black or white finish.
When compared to KitchenAid’s higher-end models, the KDFE104HPS does have some disadvantages. It’s slightly louder at 46 dB, and it has only two racks, resulting in a capacity of 14 place settings rather than 16. It is, however, still Energy Star certified, ensuring it’s eco-friendly.
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 2
- Noise level: 46 dB
- Place settings: 14
Pros
- Affordable price
- PrintShield finish
- Energy Star certified
Cons
- Only 2 racks
Get the KDFE104HPS KitchenAid dishwasher at Best Buy.
Best Premium
KitchenAid KDTM704KPS Dishwasher with Lighting
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.
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 dB
- Place settings: 16
Pros
- 3 adjustable racks
- PrintShield finish
- LED interior lighting
- Fan-Enabled ProDry System
Cons
- High price
Get the KDTM704KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Best Three-Rack
KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Dishwasher with Third Rack
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.
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 44 dB
- Place settings: 16
Pros
- 3 adjustable racks
- PrintShield finish
- Energy Star certified
- Fan-Enabled ProDry System
Cons
- Expensive
Get the KDPM604KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Best Quiet
KitchenAid KDFE204KPS 39 dBA Dishwasher
What sets the KitchenAid KDFE204KPS apart is its quiet operation. Operating at a noise level of just 39 A-weighted decibels (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.
Product Specs
- Number of racks: 3
- Noise level: 39 dBA
- Place settings: 13
Pros
- Features third rack, for utensils
- Quiet operation
- Energy Star certified
- Excellent color selection
Cons
- Low capacity
Get the KDFE204KPS KitchenAid dishwasher at The Home Depot or Best Buy.
Our Verdict
After reviewing this guide, you now know more about the different dishwasher models offered by KitchenAid. We chose the KDTM404KPS KitchenAid dishwasher as our best overall because of its midrange price and wide range of features. For those on a budget, the KDFE104HPS KitchenAid dishwasher offers excellent performance at a lower price.
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.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about choosing the best KitchenAid dishwasher for your home.
Q. How long does a KitchenAid dishwasher usually last?
Generally speaking, dishwashers should last between 7 and 12 years. Expect a KitchenAid dishwasher to last for at least 10 years.
Q. How much do KitchenAid dishwashers cost?
Budget KitchenAid dishwashers are available for between $800 and $1,000, but higher-end models can range in price to over $2,000.
Q. Where is the model number on a KitchenAid dishwasher?
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.
Q. Does KitchenAid still make glass-door dishwashers?
While KitchenAid once produced glass-door dishwashers, those models have been discontinued and are no longer available.
Q. Where are KitchenAid dishwashers made?
KitchenAid dishwashers are manufactured at the brand’s facility in Findlay, Ohio.