Over the last few years dishwashers have changed. Today every manufacturer has a quieter dishwasher with decent features.
Quietness is the first thing when most people buy a dishwasher, rather than wash-ability. You assume dishwashers will wash the dishes . To a certain extent, you are right. The second factor to consider is reliability. You want it to work.
So we will look at both companies, their products and compare at the end.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid is well known in the appliance industry for many years now. KitchenAid makes a solid, reliable, American-style dishwasher with many features at a range of prices.
KitchenAid is owned by Whirlpool Corporation, one of the largest appliance manufacturing companies. Whirlpool Corporation also owns the Jenn-Air, Maytag and Amana brands.
To compete with Bosch and Miele, KitchenAid updated their more expensive models with a filter for more quietness. You have to clean the filter occasionally, but it works well for many other brands.
KitchenAid is built in the USA.
Electrolux
Electrolux is the second largest appliance company after Whirlpool. Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, most of their products sold in the U.S. are made in North America.
Electrolux manufactures both commercial and residential appliances. You may know them from their subsidiary Frigidaire.
Electrolux manufactures their dishwasher with the grinder on the bottom. Their dishwasher is manufactured in Mexico.
Dishwasher Comparison
Now let’s take a look at their dishwashers and compare them. Both brands offer many options so we are going to compare 3 models for each manufacturer (Good, Better, Best).
Good Level
KitchenAid KDFE104DSS – $719.99
- 46 Decibel Level (dBA)
- 6 Wash Cycles – Express, Light/China, Normal, Pro Wash, Rinse Only, and Tough
- Delay Wash – 4 Hour Delay
- 14 Place Settings
- Heat Dry Option
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction
- Colors Available – Stainless Steel, Black, and White
Electrolux EI24CD35RS – $809.99
- 49 Decibel Level (dBA)
- 5 Wash Cycles – Auto Wash, Normal, Heavy; 30-Minute Fast Wash; Eco Wash
- Heat Dry Option
- Delay Start – 2/4/6 Hour
- 3rd Level Rack Cutlery Tray
- 14 Place Settings
- Stainless Steel
- Available in Black or White with Hidden Controls (Model # EI24ID30Q)
Better Level
KitchenAid KDTE254ESS – $989.99
- 39 Decibel Level (dBA)
- Top Hidden Controls
- 6 Wash Cycles – Express, Light/China, Normal, Pro Wash, Rinse Only, and Tough
- Delay Wash – 2-4-8 Hour Delay
- 14 Place Settings
- Heat Dry Option
- Third Level Rack – Better Cleaning for Spatulas, Serving Utensils, and Silverware
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction
- Colors Available – Black, White, and Stainless Steel
Electrolux EI24ID50QS – $899.99
- 47 Decibel Level (dBA)
- 9 Wash Cycles – Heavy, Normal, Fast Wash, Auto, Upper Rack Only, Eco Wash, Stemware, Rinse Only, and “My Favorite”
- 9 Perfect Stemware Holders
- Satellite Spray Arm for Better Cleaning
- Luxury Dry System
- China Crystal Wash Option
- Leak Detection System
- 1-24 Hours Delay Start
- 3rd Level Rack Cutlery Tray
- 14 Place Settings
- Stainless Steel only
Best Level
KitchenAid KDTM804ESS – $1,799.99
- 44 Decibel Level (dBA)
- Top Hidden Controls
- 6 Wash Cycles – Express, Light/China, Normal, Pro Wash, Rinse Only, and Tough
- Delay Wash
- Window with Lighted Interior and Advanced Racks
- Dynamic Wash Arms Provide Complete Water Coverage
- ProScrub – 40 Targeted Spray Jets Help Remove Stubborn Messes
- Third Level Rack – Better Cleaning for Spatulas, Serving Utensils, and Silverware
- Maintenance Free Water Filtration System
- 16 Place Settings
- Stainless Steel
Electrolux EW24ID80QS – $1,079.99
- 45 Decibel Level (dBA)
- 9 Wash Cycles – Heavy, Normal, Fast Wash, Auto, Upper Rack Only, Eco Wash, Stemware, Rinse Only, and “My Favorite”
- 18 Perfect Stemware Holders
- Satellite Spray Arm for Better Cleaning
- Luxury Dry System
- Wave Touch Controls
- Leak Detection System
- 1-24 Hours Delay Start
- 3rd Level Rack Cutlery Tray
- 14 Place Settings
- Stainless Steel only
Conclusion
This is an interesting choice. Both have plenty of features, probably more than you will use. They also both have heated drying.
There is much to like with Electrolux. Their satellite wash system sprays more water in different places and is good for sports bottles. It is technically the best wash system available. For the same features, Electrolux is cheaper than the KitchenAid as well.
However, Electrolux has the grinder on the bottom, whereas the better KitchenAid have the filter. So, KitchenAid is significantly quieter by 30% (3 dBA) per dishwasher. Their 39 dBA dishwasher is one of the quietest in the industry.
KitchenAid is far more reliable with a 16% service rate in the first year versus 41.5% for Electrolux. I would expect that number to decrease over time.
Additional Resources
Need more information on the latest dishwashers? Download the Yale Dishwasher Buyers Guide with features, specs and detailed profiles of the best brands. Well over 190,000 people have read a Yale Guide.