Whirlpool is one of the most popular American appliance brands, and its dishwashers give you a lot of bang for your buck. But are they any good? Are they reliable?
In this review, I’ll break down the pros and cons of Whirlpool dishwashers, walk you through the differences in its product line-up, and give you our expert recommendation on which model is best for most people.
Eventually, it happens. Your dishwasher breaks down, the dishes are piling up, and you desperately need a replacement.
If you’re reading this review, that’s probably exactly where you’re at, and I feel your pain. I know you’re dreading the trip to your local home improvement store, where it’s impossible to find anybody to help you out.
That’s why we’ve pulled together all the resources you need to make a smart decision.
Table of Contents
3 Reasons to Choose Whirlpool
So, why should you consider a Whirlpool dishwasher?
I can think of three strong pros for starters.
#1. They are American made and reliable.
You’ve probably heard or may just have a vague sense that Whirlpool is an old, reliable American brand. You’re right; it is. That’s why I include it in our annual best dishwashers rankings.
Whirlpool’s best value dishwashers may not have all the latest technology, but their no-frills design means fewer problems.
You get solid wash performance and customer service at a reasonable price. That brings us to numner two.
#2. Affordability.
Whirlpool has always been known for affordable dishwashers.
You should know that they have jumped up in price recently, though. Like many other brands, Whirlpool has been struggling with supply chain issues in 2020 and 2021.
A dishwasher that cost $500 two years ago now rings up closer to $700. That’s still relatively low, but it’s quite a jump. And I don’t see any signs of prices going back down anytime soon.
When it comes to style… Whirlpool has the sleek pocket-style dishwasher handles and fingerprint-resistant finishes found on more expensive brands like Bosch and Miele at a much lower price point.
#3. Speedy wash and dry.
There’s a lot of debate about what’s better… dishwashers with a heating element to dry dishes, or the European style approach of relying on a hot water final rinse to encourage condensation.
While the European method is safer for your dishes, won’t melt plastics, and uses less energy, condensation drying does take about 30 minutes longer per cycle and it doesn’t do a great job on plastics.
Whirlpool goes for heating element approach, so you’ll get quicker drying and won’t have to deal with excess moisture on your plastics.
Just watch out for your kids’ utensils dropping to the bottom or you may be dealing with a mess of burnt melted plastic.
Whirlpool Models
As I mentioned, Whirlpool makes dozens of dishwashers, and it doesn’t divide them into different series the way other manufacturers do.
To make the assortment easier to wrap your head around, I’m dividing them into three categories: base, midrange, and premium.
Base
Let’s start with Whirlpool’s base category dishwashers.
These dishwashers cost under $600. Why so affordable? They’re mostly very loud and look a little dated.
Dishwashers today range from 38 dB on the extremely silent end to slightly above 60 dB at the noisiest. I recommend targeting a 50 dB or less—that’s quieter than a typical conversation.
Most base Whirlpools run louder than 50 dB, but if your kitchen is isolated from the rest of your home, that might not be a problem.
However, if you have an open-concept kitchen that connects to your living room, steer clear of these models. You’ll regret hearing the water of the dishwasher swooshing while you’re trying to watch TV or have a conversation.
For you I’d recommend targeting 44 decibels or less, something found on Whirlpools highest end models.
On the outside, they’re available in black and white plastic or regular stainless steel and have bulkier handles and displays.
On the inside, you’ll get a plastic tub, not stainless steel. While stainless interior looks nicer and tends to do a better job reducing odors, the plastic tub here saves money and is what allows Whirlpool to hit this crazy low price point, and we’ve found that Whirlpool interiors don’t stain too easily.
I like how the racks have generously spaced tines—they’re great for stoneware or chunky coffee mugs. You’ll also get sensor wash, sanitize, and one-hour cycles.
If you’re really on a budget, these base models may be a good choice for you, but if you can I recommend splurging for what’s up next, their midrange options.
Midrange
Whirlpool’s midrange dishwashers cost between $600 and $800. They add conveniences like fingerprint-resistant finishes, sleeker handles and control panels, a stainless steel interior, a third rack, and noise levels at or below 50 dB.
On the inside, a third rack is a feature you’ll appreciate. It lets you neatly arrange your utensils and small bowls, and frees up space on the bottom rack where a silverware basket would traditionally sit.
A fingerprint-resistant finish is super convenient, and a smaller or hidden control panel looks more modern.
Midrange Whirlpool dishwashers also have nicer-looking handles, like this pocket-style one that blends into any kitchen design. The 47 dB WDTA50SAKZ, for example, comes with a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior, a sleek pocket handle, and a hidden control panel.
Open the door, and you’ll find a stainless steel tub, a third rack, and an adjustable middle rack with folding tines.
It’s a prime example of the streamlined, solid product Whirlpool is known for, and you can find it for under $800.
Premium
Premium Whirlpool dishwashers range from $800 up to $1000 and deliver quieter, smarter performance. One even has Wi-Fi. You can also get a black stainless steel finish.
These high-end dishwashers have Whirlpool’s most advanced wash technology, the TotalCoverage Spray Arm.
Every dishwasher has spinning spray arms with nozzles that shoot out water onto your dishes. Whirlpool’s two TotalCoverage spray arms have 21 nozzles designed to cover the whole tub in a high-pressure spray. Some also have heated and vented drying for bone dry results.
They don’t all have a third rack or stainless steel interior, so be sure to check for those features if they matter to you.
Best Whirlpool Dishwasher
Now that you know about the three different categories of Whirlpool dishwashers, let’s discuss which ones we recommend.
From a value perspective, I suggest sticking with Whirlpool’s mid-range dishwashers.
The basic models are too loud for most home kitchens, which tend to be where your family gets together. Ideally, you don’t want the dishwasher to be louder than your conversation.
Once you get into the premium dishwashers, brands like Bosch give you more for your money. You’ll get a more complete feature set compared with Whirlpool.
That’s why the sweet spot for a Whirlpool dishwasher is between $600 and $800 price range.
The WDTA50SAKZ is an ideal choice at this price point. It may not have Wi-Fi, but it has everything else you need.
To sum it up, Whirlpool’s midrange dishwashers have everything you need (plus a convenience or two) and nothing you don’t, at a fair price.
As far as availability, my advice is to buy this model wherever you can find it. Just give the retailer call first to be sure it’s really in stock before you click buy.
Cons
When we recommend a product, we want you to have the full picture before making a decision. So what are those cons I mentioned earlier?
Whirlpool dishwashers are pretty reliable, and they’re backed by a solid customer service network, but they aren’t the longest-lasting ones out there as their lifespan tends to be about six to seven years.
That’s not as long as Miele or Bosch, some of the most dependable brands we sell. Those are built to last anywhere from 10 to 20 years.
But that may not matter to you if you’re planning to sell your home soon or don’t want to make a long-term investment.
When it comes to installation, you should know that Whirlpool dishwashers don’t sit completely flush with your cabinetry. They’re deeper than average.
That’s great because they can hold more, but it also means they stick out some. If you’re looking for a perfectly flush installation and you have shallower cabinets, be aware.
And if you care about Wi-Fi connectivity, you should know that Whirlpool has only one smart option, and it’s not one of the models we recommend due to it’s high price point.