15 Dishwasher Brands To Avoid (Buy From These Brands Instead)

If you are looking for dishwasher brands to avoid, you should also know what brands are suitable for use. This is because not every brand in the market is worth buying. However, the brands we declare as the worst dishwasher brands are not completely bad and useless. They do have their own value and serve the purpose. But they consist of much more drawbacks and defects for the money you spend. Hence, it is better to avoid these worst dishwashers. 

A dishwasher is not something you buy very often. You buy these home appliances to be used for many years. So, it is necessary to make sure what you pay is worth the investment. So, find out all about the worst dishwasher brands that should be avoided. To make things easy for you, here is a list of the worst dishwasher brands to avoid.

List of Dishwasher Brands to Avoid

Even most of the best brands have manufactured some worst dishwashers that need to be avoided. These dishwasher brands are considered flawed products due to the negative reviews provided by most users. The reasons for their issues have also been identified in the description.

1. Frigidaire Dishwasher

Frigidaire is a top brand in the market. Many customers prefer the appliances of this manufacturer due to their high-quality products. However, there are many disappointed users when it comes to these dishwashers. There have been a lot of complaints about the unsatisfactory customer support after the sale. It is frustrating to customers when such a top-rated manufacturer does not respond to the customer’s needs. Hence, the users have to bear a huge repair cost due to this.

The Frigidaire model FGIP2468UF is a built-in dishwasher made of stainless steel. It has fully integrated controls. It has 8 wash cycles and a dual orbit clean wash system. It consists of a Graystone tub with Nylon racks and 14 Place Settings Capacity. Let’s identify the reasons why this is among dishwasher brands to avoid.

Reasons to Avoid:

• The springs of the door being broken in a few months
• The coarse texture of trays 
• Dishes not drying well in the normal setting
• The upper rack is flimsy
• The interior is made of plastic 
• Quite noisy 
• Terrible customer support

2. Samsung Dishwasher

Even though the brand Samsung has earned a renowned reputation in the industry, they have failed to keep up their performance in dishwashers. The users have been disappointed with the low reliability of this product. Therefore, the negative feedback from consumers has listed this as one of the dishwasher brands to avoid. This is a built-in dishwasher with 15 place setting capacity and 5 wash cycles. There is extra rack space inside and has easy-touch digital controls. Here are some of the issues reported by customers on the low quality of the Samsung dishwasher.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Leaking issues
• Break downs after few months
• Average quality in build 
• Frequent display of error codes
• Inefficient draining
• Rarely good response from the customer support

3. Bosch Dishwasher

Since Bosch is a luxurious brand that is well-reputed for its good performance, most customers buy their products with trust. However, their dishwasher has created high failure rates that have disappointed the buyers. Even though this is a German brand, most of the products are manufactured in North Carolina. Only a few of the products are made in Germany itself.

There is a major issue with the reliability of these dishwashers. It requires expensive repairs and servicing after about 6 months of use. There is also a high failure rate of about 36%. The Bosch model SHE3AR75UC is a 24-inch built-in dishwasher. It has 6 wash cycles and 14 place settings. There is a sanitize option and a delay start. But there are the following drawbacks.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Dishes are not dried properly
• The dishwasher will have trouble after 6 months of use
• High repairing cost
• The build quality is not compatible with the price
• Poor rack design with no space for casseroles, bowls, and cookie sheets
• Difficulty in opening and closing the dishwasher door

4. Fisher and Paykel Dishwasher

This is a top-selling luxurious brand that might be unfamiliar to the general public. These dishwashers are expensive in terms of both affordability and repair costs. High reliability is expected from an expensive brand. However, most of the users have been disappointed with this model. There is a high probability of needing repair within 6 months into use and has issues with durability. 

Reasons to Avoid:

• Faulty controls of over 29% of all dishwashers
• Problems in the process of cleaning
• Might be noisy while the water is being drained
• Might even have to change plumbing lines due to the difficult installation process
• Issues begin within a year
• Very Expensive

5. LG Dishwasher

LG is a popular brand that is highly recognized all over the world. This manufacturer has introduced some models with advanced technologies such as steam cleaning, Wi-Fi control, and quad wash. But the LG dishwashers are not worth the investment. Integration of too much technology has led to problems in the durability of this dishwasher.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Not so reliable as its other appliances
• Its advanced features create serious trouble while fixing
• The control board fails after few months of use
• Unsatisfactory customer support
• Poor-quality build 
• High cost of repairing even minor issues due to advanced technology

6. Danby Dishwasher

The Danby dishwashers are not so expensive. However, there have been many negative responses from the users. They complain that the quality of the product offered at the price they paid is not sufficient at all. Issues have been reported even before the installment of the device. The dishwasher has an attractive appearance with a digital display and compact designs to suit narrow spaces. It has low water consumption with convenient wash cycles and even affordable prices. The unhappy customers provide the following issues.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Hoses dump water on the floor very often
• Leakage problems
• Ineffective cleaning
• Unsatisfactory customer support
• Difficulty in finding its spare parts

7. Magic Chef Dishwasher

This product has been a top-selling brand in 2020 due to its affordable price and average performance. However, it was proven to be unreliable and hence, became unsatisfactory. There have been certain issues that made it be one of the dishwasher brands to avoid.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Fragile build
• Average performance
• Frequent error codes displaying on the digital screen
• Leakage problems
• Durability issues

8. SPT Dishwasher

This dishwasher is very low in cost. The repairs are often manageable as they cost low. Even though it is cheap, the users seem to be dissatisfied with the product. This is because there are consumer complaints about many problems.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Average build quality
• Flimsy door
• Leakage problems
• Poor customer service
• Its interior design is not preferred by many people
• Not a reliable appliance

9. MOOSOO Dishwasher

This is a Chinese manufacturer who also has products in the U.S. market. The exterior design of this dishwasher is created in the U.S. The technology is developed in collaboration with the United States and China. This product would be good for short-term usage only. This being the cheapest brand in the market, has many problems.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Unsatisfactory quality
• Average overall performance
• Cheap material used in manufacturing
• Spare parts not easily available in the local market
• Need to rinse 2 or 3 times for better cleaning results
• Inconvenient arrangement of racks

10. Electrolux Dishwasher

This was regarded as one of the safest choices in dishwasher brands. Since these dishwashers are quite expensive, the users expect good quality performance. But the brand has been unable to satisfy the buyers. The negative feedback from users has discouraged the new customers from purchasing it. 

Reasons to Avoid:

• Need to repair very often
• Noisy when operating
• High electricity consumption
• Issues in the function few months into use
• Expensive 

11. JennAir Dishwasher

There has been both negative and positive feedback on this type of dishwasher. Some users have trust in this product while others claim not to. However, this product too has its own drawbacks.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Problems start within a year of use
• No proper water draining
• No proper build
• Unsatisfactory customer support
• Durability issues

12. Viking Dishwasher

The brand Viking is considered to produce good home appliances. But the dishwashers do not seem to be as good as the other products. The overall feedback by its users on this product is also negative. These are some of the major issues with this dishwasher.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Ineffective drying process
• Durability issues
• Inconvenient racks
• Average build quality

13. Insignia Dishwasher

This might not be a common brand but has been a bestselling dishwasher brand. The customers have encountered problems even before two weeks of installation. This is a major drawback even though it is attractively built and offered at a lower price.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Most plates don’t fit in the utensil holders
• Cleaning problems of sticky stains
• Inefficient detergent dispense
• Poor cleaning performance
• Unsatisfactory customer support

14. Miele Dishwasher

This is rated as one of the longest lasting dishwashers. But, over 20% of the products sold have required servicing in less than a year. So you can choose this product if you are willing to purchase a long-lasting product, but at the cost of many servicing and maintenance on occasion.

Reasons to Avoid:

• High servicing requirement
• Bad customer support
• Less efficiency in handling complaints 
• Impolite sales representatives.

15. Whirlpool Dishwasher

The attractive appearance has drawn most customers into purchasing this product of model WDF518SAHB. However, this is among the worst brands to buy. It starts creating issues of performance within a few weeks of use. Some problems are listed here.

Reasons to Avoid:

• Issues in the control panel
• The dishwasher doesn’t resist fungal and bacterial builds
• Bad odor
• Issues in detergent dispenser

What are the Most Reliable Dishwashers?

Reliability is a major concern that draws customers towards the products. Many buyers prefer to have appliances that last longer with minimal repair and maintenance costs. So let’s find some of the recommended brands of dishwashers.

1. GE

The General Electric brand is a highly reputed company that manufactures all types of home appliances. The constant innovative technology used in manufacturing has created these dishwashers to be among the most ideal solutions in the industry. They have included many new features in their products. Smart technology has been one of the main requirements of users in the modern generation. Supplying this need at a moderate price is a great benefit of this product. 

2. Thermador

This brand has improved its quality and reliability over the years in the industry. They use high-quality materials for manufacturing. It is designed excellently with proper engineering. According to statistics, the first requirement for the repair of this dishwasher would occur after about 5 years of continuous use of the product. It is a high-end product with proper functioning. Hence, it has expensive counterparts. They also have good customer service.

3. Whirlpool

Whirlpool in general is a good brand in the industry of home appliances. It is highly reliable as the Yale Appliance study has shown that only 3% of all Whirlpool dishwashers have been reported with performance issues. It also revealed that these products never needed service until one year of usage. They also have satisfactory customer service that is very responsive. They have good feedback and quick attending to complaints is highly commendable. Hence, Whirlpool customers might even be the happiest among all other buyers.

What to Look for When Buying a Dishwasher?

In terms of financial consideration, investing in a dishwasher is quite an expense. Therefore, to get the highest return on your investment, choosing the best product is mandatory. As the choices have been narrowed down by eliminating the worst dishwashers, let’s focus on what to look for, when purchasing a good dishwasher.

1. Dishwasher Type

There are two main types of dishwashers, namely the built-in type and the free-standing type. The first type would be ideal for a neat and ordered appearance. It creates a well-balanced look with the other fixtures of the kitchen. But the free-standing type would be more portable. It can either be larger or smaller in size. If you want to change the location of your dishwasher often, then you can choose this type.

2. Cleaning Performance

This is the most important feature that you should look for in a dishwasher. Look for advanced cleaning features such as concentrated wash sprayers. This is necessary for items like glassware and sports bottles as they need thorough washing. The power washing feature is necessary for cleaning greasy items. The water softeners are used to reduce the hard water requirement and make the device more cost-efficient.

3. Drying Performance

The dishwasher should have proper performance in drying the utensils. If not, you would have to dry them manually. This is not what you purchased a dishwasher for. Also, poor drying ability would cause mold to build up inside, creating a pungent odor. This is highly unsanitary and may even cause health risks. 

4. Noise Level

Since these applications are used at home, it is beneficial to be of quiet performance.  A noisy dishwasher can harm the quality of your life. It would even affect your other tasks as the sound would spread throughout the house. The standard noise level for a dishwasher would be between 45 and 60 dBA. You can still be comfortable with the sound up to 52dBA. But it would be irritating if the sound is beyond that. So, get a dishwasher with a lower decibel value especially if you have kids in the house. A noiseless choice is always a good investment.

5. Cycles

There are various cycles in dishwashers. However, you might not need them all. These cycles would help you clean your different items with various levels and intensities. 

• The normal cycle is the most energy-efficient type.
• The quick or express cycle lasts an hour with an average level of cleaning.
• The auto cycle is where a sensor detects the stained level of utensils and adjusts the level of cleaning accordingly.
• The rinse cycle is ideal for the least soiled kitchenware and uses less amount of water.
• The China and Crystals is a special, gentle washing cycle to be used on delicate glass and ceramics.
• The energy-saving cycle has a regular duration but consumes less water and energy.
• The sanitization process is designed especially to kill bacteria with very high temperatures.
• The steam pre-wash eliminates stains before the washing cycle begins.
• Steam wash is for dry cleaning purposes.

There are additional options in high-end dishwashers. Some of these are as follows.

• Extra hot: to increase the washer temperature
• Half load: to wash only the top and bottom racks
• Extra dry: to activate heaters for fast drying
• Delay: to run the process for any desired duration

6. Smart Features

The availability of smart features is common in all household appliances. Technological advancements make life easier and also increase energy efficiency. One such feature is the Wi-Fi connectivity which allows remote control of the dishwasher. You can activate the device with an application on your phone and even use smart assistants like Google or Alexa. This would even help in maintenance checking, calculating the remaining cycle time, and similar functions.

7. Build

Stainless steel build is the best option for both interior and exterior finish. A proper build also saves space in your kitchen. A well-organized dishwasher can ease the arrangement of kitchenware inside. Foldable tines can create more space for the larger and delicate utensils. Having adjustable racks and an additional third rack are added advantages.

8. Maintenance and Installation

The unnecessary cost of maintenance and difficult installation procedures might be a drawback in the product. Therefore, try to go for a product that does not have many premature repairs and replacements. Having these expenses constantly would result in a larger expense than what you spent initially on purchasing the product. You can reduce these risks by checking the drain pump clogging and cleaning the filters regularly. You should also be careful when choosing the correct dish detergents.

9. Energy Efficiency

Choosing the most energy-efficient choice would help you save the electricity bill. The energy star rating is indicated on labels on the product. The factors considered in this rating are eco-cycle, speed wash, and smart cycle options. 

10. Control Panel

The control panel comes either on the top or on the front side. The cycle can be monitored easily from the side control panel and it is preferred more by users. But there is a higher probability of hitting this panel accidentally and the process is changed. This problem does not exist in the top control panel. But the progress cannot be monitored from the top panel. So check your preference on this arrangement as well.

11. Cost 

The features or performance of the dishwasher would vary depending on the fluctuation in cost. A dishwasher that costs less than $500 would still be good at cleaning and drying, even though it would not be a top performer. These dishwashers even have a soil sensor that can detect the state of stains and adjust the cycle time and water usage. They have stainless interiors and adjustable racks. But the drawback is that dishwashers around this price might be more noisy than others. 

If the dishwasher cost is between $500 and $1000, it would be quieter and offer good cleaning. Stainless tub, flexible flatware slots, and racks would be the enhanced features in this. The soil sensor is also present as in previous dishwashers. If you can afford a dishwasher beyond $1000, you don’t get restricted to only the basic features. You can get advanced technological support and innovative accouterments.

Safety Tips for Using a Dishwasher

Safety is a major necessity when handling household appliances. Follow these safety tips when dealing with your washing machine. 

1. Place sharp utensils like forks and knives, facing down in the basket.
2. Place the glassware gently when loading.
3. Never overload the dishwasher.
4. Allow the dishwasher to cool down after use.
5. Close the dishwasher door after loading and unloading.
6. Lock away the dishwasher and keep it out of reach of kids.
7. Keep dish detergents out of reach of children.
8. Do not exceed the required amount of detergent.
9. Avoid mixing dish detergent with other soap and cleaning chemicals.
10. Avoid washing delicate and insulated utensils in the dishwasher.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you have an overall idea of what to avoid and how to choose a suitable dishwasher, let’s identify some additional details on this. Here are some frequently asked questions related to dishwashers that can give you more information.

What is the average lifespan of a dishwasher?

The average dishwasher would last for about 7 – 10 years. However, this would be affected by the brand and its quality. You can increase the durability of your appliance through proper maintenance and timely servicing.

How much do dishwashers cost?

A dishwasher would cost somewhere from $500 to $3000. You can even find good brands with the basic features even for a cost below $500. If you are looking for more advanced, ergonomic features to help you efficiently, then you might have to spend at least $1000 on your product.

Are insulated mugs safe in dishwashers?

It is not safe to wash insulated mugs in dishwashers. This is because these mugs are coated with a vacuum seal and they could get melted in high temperatures. This is similar to the other insulated wares. The washing cycles can damage the insulating material, create leaks, and make the utensils no longer safe for use.

What other items should not be put in the dishwasher?

Here is a list of items that are not safe to be washed in the dishwasher.

• Sharp knives
• Nonstick and iron cast pans
• China porcelain with metallic accent
• Hand-painted and Gold-colored ceramics 
• Acrylic and Lead crystal ware
• Pressure cooker lids and measuring cups
• Wood or aluminum ware
• Utensils with paper labels

Do dishwashers pose a health risk?

Researches have shown that over 60% of dishwashers are potential growing places for fungi varieties that prefer warm and humid conditions. This is why it is essential to make sure that the dishwasher is dry after every use. 

How much water can be saved when using the dishwasher?

Using the dishwasher can save a lot of water than by hand washing. This is because water is utilized effectively. Only a fixed amount of water is used in each cycle. It would save up to 100 gallons of water when compared to washing the kitchenware by hand. This is also beneficial for the environment as it reduces the wastage of water. 

Should the dishwasher be running daily?

It is recommended to run the dishwasher only when it is full. So, if you don’t have enough kitchenware to wash, you can leave it for another day to run when it is filled.

Is it cheaper to use the dishwasher at night?

Yes, it is cheaper to run dishwashers at night. This is because it does not compete with the lights and other appliances.

What is the longest lasting dishwasher brand?

Miele is the longest lasting dishwasher brand. It would most likely last for over 15 years, which is almost double the age of an average dishwasher.

What is the quietest dishwasher in the market?

Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N is the quietest dishwasher available at present. It works around 40 decibels. This would be almost as quiet as in a library.

Is it worth fixing a dishwasher?

This choice depends on the life of the dishwasher. If it is older than 7 years, then it would be better to go for a new one, rather than fixing it. This is because when the appliance is old, it might break again very often. But if the breakdowns in your dishwasher happen very rarely, then you can repair it and use it further.

What is the best dishwasher?

Different dishwashers would be ideal for different functions in performance. The following are some of the best dishwashers depending on certain factors.

• Best Overall: Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher
• Best in High-End Dishwashers: Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher
• Best Cleaning Performance: GE GDP665SYNFS Dishwasher
• Best Feature Set and Design: KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Dishwasher
• Best Budget Dishwasher: Maytag MDB7959SKZ Dishwasher
• Most Reliable type of Dishwasher: Miele G 7316 SCU AutoDos Dishwasher
• Best Countertop Dishwasher: BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Dishwasher
• Best in Portable Dishwashers: GE GPT145SSLSS Portable Dishwasher
• Most Ideal Smart Dishwasher: LG STUDIO LDP6797ST Wi-Fi Enabled Dishwasher
• Quietest Dishwasher: GE Profile Series PDT785SBNTS Dishwasher
• Fastest Dishwasher: Thermador Star-Sapphire Series Dishwasher
• Best in Narrow Dishwashers: Bosch 300 Series SPE53U52UC

Are Bosch dishwashers worth the money?

Bosch dishwashers are quite expensive than a standard dishwasher. This is due to advanced features included, to maximize the performance and ensure that the dishes are clean. It also has 30% more loading capacity and quiet operation.

They also come in with extensive warranties. However, they are most likely to have trouble after a few months of use and cost a lot in repairs. Therefore, the quality is not compatible with the price.

Conclusion

As you are familiar with the good and worst brands of dishwashers, you have a better knowledge of the manufacturers. Also, you have been guided on the factors to concern when choosing the ideal dishwasher to match your requirements. As you might have noticed, even the best brands have created some worst dishwashers.

This is due to certain design and manufacturing faults. Therefore, whatever brand you choose, it is equally important to check the performance of the specific model you are planning to buy. You should also go for a brand that provides excellent customer support. 

So, you can choose your ideal dishwasher by considering the factors indicated in this guide. As it is a large investment to purchase a dishwasher, pick the right choice to suit your application. You can find similar buyers guides for home appliances with the worst brands to avoid in Refrigerator Brands to Avoid and Washing Machine Brands to Avoid. You may also find interest in Worst Tire Brands.