It’s not about reducing the workload; it’s about reducing the DIRTY workload! So, yes, the dishwasher is an integral part of the kitchen if it’s a good one!
But you will end up with a bad one unless you don’t know dishwasher brands to avoid. Some renowned brands have some underperforming dishwashers with lots of bad reviews. And the opposite is true too!
So in this article, I will talk about those least reliable dishwasher brands. I will mention some trusted brands as well!
Least Reliable Dishwasher Brands 2021
Let me remind you again, just because a few models are badly reviewed on some online store does not make the entire brand a bad one.
But I do not want you to waste your hard-earned money to waste on those models too. So, I will talk about them no matter how renowned those brands are. Having said that, let’s check those brands!
1. Electrolux
Not just for dishwashers, many prominent reviewing websites like Consumer Reports cited it as the least-preferable washing machine brand as well.
In fact, Consumer Reports put it in the “POOR” group in the least preferable washer brands! To me, that’s no shocking at all.
If I want to be specific, consumers have expressed serious disappointment about the Electrolux 301025579 dishwasher model. It makes a seriously loud noise (more than 45 dBA) while operating!
Some of their other dishwashers had to be repaired several times during the first year. And it’s not just about the excess repair cost, many customers have expressed their disappointment about the performance and customer care service too.
So, think twice before you prefer the least reliable brands over other trusted dishwasher brands.
2. Insignia
The stainless-steel finish of the Insignia NS-DWH2SS8 dishwasher model is quite eye-catching! It’s enriched with many attractive features and you can get it for a reasonable price.
However, many customers have said that the utensil holders of the dishwashers can’t fit most of their plates. And some reviewers also said that it’s not that good to remove food stains!
3. Jenn-Air
You should avoid those brands with mixed reviews. JennAir is exactly that with mixed reviews for their dishwasher. I would avoid this brand just to be on the safe side!
Let me explain why should you avoid this brand too…
A few years back, a Yale Appliance study stated that almost 38.3% of the JennAir dishwashers needed for repair within 12 months of purchase.
Yes, there are plenty of people claiming it to be a reliable brand but should you invest your money after seeing that study?
I would not!
When one-third of customers had to face troubles with the products, it’s a red sign.
It’s a big no for me!
4. Bosch Benchmark
It’s a renowned brand for household appliances. I know that. But back to the same Yale Appliance study…
In that study, you can find that almost 35.71% of people needed to service their dishwashers within a 12 months period after their purchases.
Not that much as the JennAir but still…
If you are loyal to Bosch, keep some money aside for the repair. It is most likely to happen!
Yes, the failure rate is lower than the JennAir but I would keep my option open and look for other trusted brands.
People faced trouble with their 500 series dishwasher too. However, they improved a lot with the 800 series. Learn the key differences between Bosch 500 and 800 series dishwashers.
5. Miele Dishwasher
When it comes to high-quality home appliances, Miele comes in the front line. But you should have a second thought about their dishwashers. You should be at least some of their models!
Because the same study revealed that almost 20% of their sold dishwashers had to be serviced within 1 year. Customers got some complaints about their customer care service as well.
But it is generally believed that their dishwashers last longer than other brands. So, you need to make up your own mind about this brand.
6. Viking
It’s a mainstream brand for popular appliances like freezers and refrigerators but as per the Consumer Report website, it’s the least reliable brand for at least their dishwashers.
It’s not just about the reliability of their dishwashers but consumers who have bought it expressed some upsetting reviews on some major online stores.
7. Danby Dishwasher
Many people look for cheap dishwashers and Dandy tried to capture that specific customer group. It did not work well for them…
In fact, many of their customers have rated it as another worst dishwasher brand. Yes, they are cheap and the aesthetics are great but the trade-off between quality and price is too high.
Consumers are not happy with the performance of Danby dishwashers. Apart from inefficient cleaning, their leakage issues, scarcity of spare parts problems, bad after-sales support are the main disappointing issues.
So many disappointed consumers have recommended people to stay away from their dishwashers on several home improvement forums.
8. MOOSOO Dishwashers
Have you ever heard of this brand? I am pretty sure not many people have heard of this Chinese brand.
But they are trying really hard to capture the U.S. market. So, they have established some sort of collaboration between the U.S. and China to increase the trust level among consumers.
But it’s not doing a good job delivering quality dishwashers.
First of all, the construction of their dishwashers doesn’t seem to be sturdy enough. Many people are not happy with the inconvenient racks of their dishwashers.
Besides, consumers have reported getting a low performance. In some cases, you may have to rinse your dishes 2 to 3 times more to get the optimum result.
But the worst thing is that you won’t find the spare parts when it comes to repairing.
9. Fisher & Paykel
You may come across this brand and I admit not everyone is familiar with this brand. Fisher & Paykel is primarily known for the steep pricing of its products.
Yes, I get it they are in the luxury product line. But it would be great if their steep cost would resemble performance. Apparently, it’s not!
Because according to the same Yale Appliance study, almost 29% of their dishwashers need to be repaired with one year of purchase.
When the price is so high, you need to be seriously concerned about those data. Do your own study and read some reviews before you think about the Fisher & Paykel dishwashers.
10. Magic Chef Dishwasher
Not many people even heard of this brand but yes they also sell dishwashers. In fact, it was one of the best-selling brands in 2020.
But you do not want to have your dishwasher from Magic Chef. Let me explain why…
First, you will be mortified seeing so many error codes. The performance is not so good and with a flimsy construction, their dishwashers are not durable either.
In several reviews, consumers have expressed their disappointments with several other drawbacks too.
Just because it’s an affordable brand does not mean you have to trust something unreliable and cheap.
11. SPT Dishwasher
Unless you want to go through repeated repair and maintenance, you want to avoid this brand at all costs.
Yes, their dishwashers are cheap (maybe the cheapest!) but what’s the point of being budget-conscious if you are not happy with the performance?
That’s what people are talking about SPT dishwashers.
The build quality seems flimsy along with the cheaply made door. You will not love the interior design of their dishwashers either.
Above all, the leakage problem is more frequent and you will find a hard time reaching their customer support for help.
12. Samsung
It’s really shocking to see this brand in the least reliable dishwasher brands. Don’t get me wrong. Samsung is undeniably a trusted and top-notch brand when it comes to home appliances.
In fact, to me, Samsung is the synonym of high-quality work! Their high-tech products like smart refrigerators, smartphones, etc. are awesome.
Unfortunately, I can’t say this for their dishwashers. And that’s not just according to me. As per Consumer Reports, their dishwashers are categorized as “POOR” groups too.
Apparently, their dishwashers have some reliability issues. As per the same website, Samsung must improve the quality of their dishwashers. Watch this video to understand Samsung dishwasher problems.
13. Frigidaire
I have included this brand to be avoided for refrigerators as well! But I am not talking about avoiding the entire Frigidaire dishwasher brand here. It’s a renowned company with excellent reliability ratings. Many people trust this brand and you can too.
However, the reason I put this on my list is because of its customer service. I have read so many reviews mentioning that they did not get the required support from their customer service.
It’s not uncommon to have malfunctioning electrical equipment every now and then. But it’s disappointing when it becomes too hard to get a hold of the customer service.
Even when it’s possible to get a hold of them, it appears they don’t know very well about their own products!
Why You Should Avoid Unbranded Dishwasher?
Browse dishwashers on an online platform like Amazon. There are tons of them and most of them are from brands you never heard of. And you can get them cheap!
But should you buy from these nameless companies?
It’s tempting to save a bunch of cash, but it’s not a wise thing to do. Can you guess the reasons why they are unbranded in the first place? If they are so good as they claim, how come they are still nameless?
The main problem with buying these aftermarket dishwashers or any electronics is that they don’t stand by their products. They are here to make some quick buck.
You won’t find them when your dishwasher begins to malfunction. More importantly, you won’t find any replacement parts to fix your malfunctioning dishwasher.
So yes, you will get them in cheap but you will suffer for the rest of the lifecycle of the dishwasher. You will be costing an insane amount of money on never-ending repairing.
I would not buy those off-brand dishwashers even if they offer it half the price!
Most Reliable Dishwasher 2021
Your option is really wide because there are so many dishwasher sales going on from various trusted brands. And most of them are renowned worldwide!
So, here is a list of trusted dishwashers for you:
- Thermador
You have learned which dishwashers to avoid. But which one you should trust with your money?
Well, here comes the Thermador!
Thermador is a bright example of what you can achieve when you can mix quality material with great engineering. There are so many reasons why Thermador is hailed by the Consumer Reports.
Not just the Consumer Reports, if you ask me which brand to trust for the most reliable dishwasher, I would say Thermador! With a competitive price tag, their dishwashers are just plain good!
Their dishwashers are least likely to break within 5 years of purchase as per the CR! More so, unlike other brands, you will find their customer service very satisfactory.
- Maytag MDB4949SKZ
Maytag is a trusted brand for any home appliance. Their dishwashers have made a great name among consumers too.
But out of all, Maytag MDB4949SKZ is most popular for several reasons. It can clean your pots, pans, dishes, etc. at a low noise level (only 50 decibels).
With a smooth panel, you can start a cycle just by tapping a button. For your larger utensils like dinner plates, you will find its upper and lower rack quite useful.
The interior is made of stainless steel. So, it’s both durable and powerful. Premium grade build quality.
Yes, it does not have so many smart features but this is still awesome with its tucked-away front-control panel.
The powerful motor will last a long time and this tall tub dishwasher comes with 14 place settings! The PowerBlast settings can take care of sticky and crusty messes without any pre-rinse.
In case, you face trouble, here is what to do if your Maytag washer won’t spin or drain.
- Whirlpool WDT730PAHZ
When it comes to kitchen appliances, you know this brand very well. With a soil sensor, you can determine how dirty and how large the load is and act accordingly!
Yes, depending on the situation of the load, it can adjust the normal wash cycle to deliver your clean and sparkling dishes and cookware.
But that’s not all…
Some people don’t like the wet and drippy dishes at the end of the wash cycle, do you? Well, if you don’t then you will love this fan-assisted tall tub dishwasher.
It has an impressive drying capability with an extended dry option and a built-in fan. You should run this with a drying agent to prevent moisture from accumulating on the doors and walls.
- GE Profile PDT775SBNTS
Another tall tub dishwasher with top control you can trust. Yes, it’s from the ancient GE! It’s a dream combo of smart features and a sleek design.
When you have it, you can both steam clean and sanitize your dishes and pots quietly.
It comes with a Twin-Turbo Dry Boost to make your dishes dry and sparkling in no time!
This is a good feature to have to avoid your dishes dripping in the cabinet. It takes some time but still worth it!
Besides, if you are in hurry; you can always use the one-hour quick wash cycle to get things clean faster.
Using their app, you can actually monitor the progress from your smartphone too!
The Piranha hard food dispenser is great to deal with hard-to-remove food stains.
Also, it has an impressive capacity with up to 16 place settings. The stainless-steel-made interior will ensure its great durability. Follow this article in case your GE profile dishwasher not draining.
- Farberware FCD06ABBBKA
It is ideal even if your kitchen doesn’t have enough room. It’s a portable dishwasher for small households. Don’t think any less of it. You can still get all the benefits of a modern dishwasher.
It is enriched with several options to enjoy the full benefits like the normal, heavy, baby, glass, and a quick wash option. To fasten the dry times, you will find the hotter-than-normal rinse cycle highly useful.
The 21-inch wide dishwasher can easily rest in any non-cluttered cabinet or counter. It has 6-plate settings with a pull-out rack including a silverware basket. More so, it can fit up to 10-inch dish sizes.
- KitchenAid KDTM404KPS
How about a third rack in your dishwasher? Apparently, this is a new trend and people are liking it! You can use this extra rack to hold dirty utensils that usually don’t fit the basket.
Yes, it’s a little bit expensive dishwasher model but this versatile and large one is what you need for your tall glasses, mugs, or bowls. The third rack is there to impress you letting you hold the stuff you need.
As usual, you will love its quiet operation and the stainless-steel-made interior design. The intuitive control pad on the top of the dishwasher is really smart and nice looking.
Overall, you need this dishwasher for your stylish kitchen.
- Frigidaire FFCD2413UB
Yes, I remember I told you that this is a dishwasher brand you should be aware of. But remember, not all the models are bad! So, Frigidaire FFCD2413UB is such a great dishwasher you can still consider if you have a limited budget.
Apart from its noisy operation and plastic-made tub, you will love everything else about this dishwasher. It has 14 place settings!
Like the high-end models, it has some cool features like the one-hour quick wash option. A very handy option for a modern-day busy life! Like the one-hour function, it has a four-hour delay function too.
I don’t know about you, but many people find the delay function useful when their favorite TV show is going on!
Again, yes it has a noisy operation. But for the price and powerful but easy operation, this is a model to consider.
- DELLA Countertop Dishwasher (032-DW-626BK)
Lastly, I want to inform you about another mini and compact dishwasher that seems to get popular FAST. It has 6 standard place settings with 6 wash cycles.
Not bad for the mini model!
Della is a leading home appliance manufacturer and they have done a great job with their dishwashers, washing machines, and other top-notch electronics.
This countertop 032-DW-626BK model dishwasher comes with a durable rack, cup shelf, and silverware basket. For effective wash, it can heat up to 148 degrees Fahrenheit.
With the quality, the spray arm will deliver dependable washing for many years to come! The delay feature is good to have to enjoy your favorite show during the operation.
What Factors To Consider To Buy A Dishwasher?
Nobody likes the greasy or messy dishes in the kitchen. So, a dishwasher is a life-saver! But you have to get it right. Keep the following factors in mind while buying your life-saver:
- Dishwasher Type
You can only get a tall tub dishwasher or most commonly known as the built-in dishwasher only if you have enough room in your space. And it depends on the layout of your space.
Keep in mind that you have to hook it up with the home’s water system professionally.
But if you live in an apartment or RV, then a countertop dishwasher will be suitable for you. You can hook up such a portable dishwasher with your kitchen faucet.
- Control Panel
You can find it either on the top of the dishwasher or on the front side. Many people prefer the front-side control panel because they can monitor the cycle easily.
But there is a higher chance that you will accidentally hit the control and change the progress of the cycle. The top-control panel system does not have this problem.
However, you can’t monitor the progress with a top-control panel! I prefer the top-control panel because it lets the dishwasher have a sleek look!
- Noise Level
Noise level is measured in dBA and standard dishwashers have a 45 and 60 dBA level. Up to 52 dBA level is comfortable to have a conversation but you can still hear the rinse cycle.
Anything above is bad and irritating.
You should get a lower dBA level if you set it up nearby the bedroom or you have children in the house.
- Energy efficiency
It is an important factor to consider since the energy cost will keep going up day by day. And dishwashers consume a lot of energy for sure.
Just because a dishwasher consumes a lot of electricity does not mean it works better. There are lots of eco-friendly dishwashers that work better and use less electricity.
- Utensil Holders
You may not think about them being important but they are. In fact, it’s a crucial part to keep your dishwasher decluttered.
You do not want to put your dirty utensils on the counter. Utensil holders on the dishwasher come in handy to avoid this problem.
- Customer Service
No matter which brand you pick, you will be needing their help on various issues sooner or later. That’s why it’s important to read reviews on the customer service of a particular brand before you finalize anything.
Make some inquiries regarding how easily you can communicate with their reps. Is there a live chat option or do they have a direct contact number? Everything is important to keep the future hassle in check.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Bosch is the most reliable dishwasher brand according to Consumer Reports. Other brands like Samsung, Frigidaire, and GE have more repair-prone dishwashers than the Bosch.
Miele dishwashers last longer than any other brand as per the claim of the manufacturer. For average usage, the dishwashers can last up to 20 years!
Of course, Whirlpool. Frigidaire has some very repair-prone and lousy dishwashers in the market.
Apparently, Yes! But keep in mind that both of the brands manufacture their dishwashers in the U.S. and they are renowned to deliver high-quality and durable kitchen appliances.
Yes. Their dishwashers are dependable and reliable. Also, their dishwashers are budget-friendly.
Final Thoughts
Lots of dishwasher brands to avoid! Again, not all of the brands are bad just because a few of their models performed poorly.
Some of their dishwasher models are doing great in the market from those same brands. So, you should do your study about a specific model you are about to buy.
Read as many customer reviews as you can. Only then you can find your best match.
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