5 Dishwashers That Aren’t Worth the Money
When you make a big and delicious meal, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by a ton of pots and pans.
The comfort and luxury of having an energy-efficient dishwasher helps ease some of that trouble. After all, who wouldn’t want to have a dishwasher that cleans so well that you’ll be able to see your reflection in your plates?
If you’re going to shell out hundreds to thousands of dollars for a new kitchen appliance, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.
See Also: 6 Genius Things All Wealthy People Do With Their Money
What Are the Most Common Dishwasher Problems?
When you’re looking for a new one, testing dishwashers isn’t always an option. You’ll often have to rely on the reviews and ratings of others. There may be a full load of dishwashers on the market, but make sure the one you buy doesn’t falter in the following features.
Wash cycles
Water and energy usage
User-friendly control panel
ENERGY STAR certified
Noise level
Stainless steel tubs
Drying performance
5 Worst Dishwasher Brands To Avoid Buying
The only thing you really need from your dishwasher is to clean and dry your dishes, all while keeping sanitary. Unfortunately, these dishwasher models may fall short of your needs and expectations.
Smeg
Maytag
Kenmore
Hotpoint
Haier
Blomberg
1. Smeg
You can recognize a Smeg appliance often by its fun retro exterior. However, this stylish Italian brand’s dishwasher has been called unreliable by many users. Consider the following before you buy a Smeg dishwasher:
Reported frequent leaks can cause expensive damage to your floors and/or other plumbing issues.
Customer service is often unresponsive or unwilling to help when issues arise with the appliance.
The control panel graphics are not user-friendly and are often too confusing to get the right setting or operation you want.
Several parts are plastic and easily break.
Features such as the flatware basket or knife and spoon shelves are too small or don’t fit standard items well.
2. Maytag
The Maytag repair man may have his work cut out for him on many of the Maytag dishwasher models. Though some are highly rated appliances and dishwashers, many models have been criticized for frequent breakdowns and leaks. Here are some other red flags Maytag dishwashers customers have noted:
Unreliable or unresponsive customer service can leave you in a lurch if something breaks or goes wrong.
Error codes can show only weeks after purchasing.
Issues with the cheaply made drain and drain pump can stop the appliance from working.
A faulty control panel that breaks easily.
Frequent leaks can cause expensive damage to your home.
3. Kenmore
Kenmore has been considered a top appliance from Sears for decades. In recent years, however, its appliances, and more specifically its dishwashers, have come under fire for being unreliable and prone to breakdowns. Though generally a respected brand, there are several issues of which you should be aware before purchasing:
Frequent leaks can cause not only dishwashing issues, but also costly repairs to your home.
The soap dispenser door can be flimsy and thus, breaks easily.
Chronic computer panel can malfunction, potentially needing a reset to circuit boards and breakers.
Unreliable repair team, even with a warranty, and unresponsive customer service in general.
4. Hotpoint
U.K.-based Hotpoint is lesser known in the U.S. and, unfortunately, has garnered a reputation for being not worth the investment. Here are some reasons why you may want to do more research before you buy from this line:
Cheap make and design on the controls.
Poorly designed door handles can cause pain or injury to your hand.
Water temperatures never reach high heat, which can be problematic for sanitization.
Inconsistent performance for cleaning dishes and only basic settings available.
Low ratings for most features including: performance, design, usability, capacity, consistency and reliability.
5. Haier
Made in China, Haier has numerous reviews alleging that the dishwashers are poorly made and easily malfunction. To top it off, users report that it’s nearly impossible to get a customer service representative on the line when you’re dealing with issues. Here are some other warning bells you should hear before buying a Haier dishwasher:
Basic repairs are costly and hard to arrange.
Not known for having the highest quality, which results in breakdowns or failure to clean dishes properly.
The door sometimes opens during a wash cycle, causing leaks and subsequently, water damage.
The machine does not have a long lifespan on average, which makes it not worth the cheaper price tag.
The tracking mechanisms for the pull-out tray easily break.
Highly Rated Dishwasher Models
As much as you should familiarise yourself with what not to buy, it also helps to know what might be worth the investment. Here are some of the best-reviewed dishwashers on the market today:
Bosch Benchmark Series 24-inch Dishwasher with PrecisionControl: It is quite an investment, owing to its higher price point, but this machine is designed well and easy to load. It’s customizable and has great capacity.
GE UltraFresh Dishwasher with Microban: For its quality, it has the best value for its price range and is also designed to pull in fresh air between cycles.
JennAir Top Control Built-in Dishwasher: Expensive, but well-made. Best for chefs or people who cook a lot, as it’s high-performance and long-lasting.
Miele Smart Dishwasher with AutoDos: Though very expensive, it’s built to last and comes highly recommended by both consumers and testers.
Final Take To GO
When it comes to dishwashers, it’s important to invest in quality rather than opting for the cheapest option.
When considering a dishwasher purchase, prioritize reliability and performance over brand names and flashy features. Avoid dishwashers that fall short of your expectations. Instead, opt for machines that have cemented their reputation, and have positive reviews to ensure satisfaction with your investment.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 5 Dishwashers That Aren’t Worth the Money
