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Beko vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers (Reviews / Ratings / Prices)

Written by Steve Sheinkopf | Oct 19, 2021 9:08:24 PM

Buying a dishwasher, especially a premium dishwasher, will be difficult from now until mid-next year.

Bosch will be producing a fraction of its 2019 output.

You will not be able to buy a Miele dishwasher until March of 2022 at the earliest.

However, KitchenAid and Beko are two excellent alternate options. You should compare them with Bosch and Miele even if they were available.

Both are innovative with new features in washing, drying, and racking.

We will compare both brands and their most popular dishwashers, the Beko DDT39432X against the KitchenAid 200 series KDTE204KPS as well as their 600 series the KDTM604KPS.

These two brands have better availability than most manufacturers, so this article may help you decide your next dishwasher by default.

But first, let's answer your first question. Who is Beko?

Beko

Beko is the luckiest company I have probably ever researched.

Why lucky?

They decided to import into the U.S. at a time when their main competition couldn't supply dishwashers.

However, Beko is extremely innovative, with unique features in all its appliances.

They are based out of Turkey and are extremely popular in Europe and are in 140 countries.

They have been marketing under the name Blomberg in the U.S. and have been manufacturing Viking dishwashers.

Beko's Most Popular Dishwasher

Beko DDT39432XIH Stainless Steel Dishwasher - $899

Beko has the best cycles in the industry.

Hallmarks of a Beko DDT39432X Dishwasher

AquaIntense

Beko has three wash action levels and a silverware rack like most other dishwashers, but it has a cycle called AquaIntense.

It's a separate set of sprays to scour baked-on casserole dishes at the bottom of the dishwasher.

AquaFlex

Aquaflex redistributes 60% more water pressure on the bottom for pots and pans and lighter amounts for delicates on the top shelf.

You can effectively wash lasagna pans on the bottom and crystal on the top rack in the same cycle using this feature.

Fast Cycle

The Fast cycle cuts time in half by adding more water pressure and a higher temperature.

At 167 degrees, Beko is amongst the hottest dishwashers on the market.

IonGuard

IonGuard is another Beko exclusive. It's included in all their better appliances.

Odors have positively charged ions. Beko has a negative ion generator to eliminate the odors within the tub.

Silence Rating

Beko is 39 dB and the quietest in this class. You would have to buy a $2,149 Bosch or $1,999 Miele for the same level or, ironically, a $999 KitchenAid.

Click here to listen to what a 39 dB dishwasher sounds like.

Wi-Fi

Let's face it. Wi-Fi in a dishwasher is a stretch as a feature.

However, it will signal you when the cycle is complete, so you won't open the door while it's still running.

Read More: Is the Beko DDT39432X Dishwasher Any Good?

KitchenAid

After playing nail to Bosch's hammer for years, KitchenAid has had the most popular premium dishwashers under $1,000 since 2018.

KitchenAid has several different series, but two consists of most of the consumer purchases.

However, they differ in terms of every feature. What's right for you depends on what you want.

KitchenAid's Most Popular Dishwashers

KitchenAid 200 Series KDTE204KPS Dishwasher - $999

Hallmarks of the KitchenAid KDTE204KPS Dishwasher

39 dB Silence Rating

Like Beko, this KitchenAid dishwasher is incredibly quiet at 39 dB.

Basic Cycles

You have their most popular cycles and options in this model.

Read More: Is the New KitchenAid 200 Series KDTE204KPS Dishwasher Worth Buying?

KitchenAid 600 Series KDTM604KPS Dishwasher - $1,299

KitchenAid had the best dishwasher on the market in 2019 but promptly eliminated most of its best features for a completely different set.

Hallmarks of the KitchenAid Dishwasher KDTM604KPS

Washing

It now has four levels of wash action, including concentrated sprays from the rack.

KitchenAid dishwashers now have a two-stage filter, so cleaner water washes your dishes.

Drying

A fan pulls in air from the outside, dissipating the moisture as water. KitchenAid adds a heating element as well to absorb more moisture.

Third Rack

Most premium dishwashers have a third rack, but you will fit more in the KitchenAid.

44 dB Silence Rating

All M series dishwashers are 44 dBs. Yes, it's noisier, but this dishwasher employs a second filter for cleaner water washing your dishes.

Read More: Is the KitchenAid 600 Series Dishwasher KDTM604KPS a Good Dishwasher?

Beko vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers

Where Beko and KitchenAid Do Not Compete

Before you learn about KitchenAid and Beko's differences, let's see where they do not compete.

Beko has dishwashers under $549. They're basic but still decent, with 48 dB silence ratings and five cycles.

Beko's best dishwasher is the DDT39432CF at $1,349. KitchenAid's best dishwasher sells for about the same price.

However, KitchenAid has dishwashers up to $1,899 (not that you should buy one).

Panel-Ready Dishwashers

If you are looking to place a cabinet panel on your dishwasher, then the Beko DIT39432 dishwasher is a better choice.

It fits within a 24-inch cabinet, whereas the KitchenAid protrudes past the cabinetry.

It's the difference between looking at a cabinet that's a dishwasher and a dishwasher with a panel stuck on it.

Quietness

Beko and the lower-priced KitchenAid are the quietest dishwashers at 39 dB on the market. However, never buy a dishwasher for its silence rating alone.

Forty-four is the minimum threshold for quiet in a dishwasher and not much louder than 39 dB.

Racks

Beko has an adjustable top rack and a sliding basket, as well as a cutlery rack on the top (shown below).

The basic KitchenAid has a standard third rack (shown below).

KitchenAid has the largest third rack in the industry and can hold the most, leaving you with more room in the dishwasher.

Drying

The Beko DDT39432X dishwasher and the basic KitchenAid KDTE204KPS dishwasher have normal condensation dry.

It's a factory term for using residual heat from the dishwasher plus a finishing rinse like JetDry.

The better KitchenAid has the fan pulling outside air into the dishwasher.

Your cooler, drier kitchen air is attracted to the hotter air and is dissipated as water.

Miele has used a similar system successfully for years.

KitchenAid also has a heating element to absorb moisture as well.

Washing

When you add the 4th level and a second filter, KitchenAid would seem better.

However, Beko has better cycles adding pressure and cleaning power, especially on the bottom rack with AquaFlex and AquaIntense (shown below).

Beko can also reach temperatures of 167 degrees versus 150 degrees for KitchenAid. Hotter water adds more cleaning power.

Reliability

Reliability is another factor. Beko is the best premium dishwasher at 7.67% compared to a still-respectable 11% for KitchenAid.

Parent company Whirlpool and a few others are better, but they are basic builder models. Beko has some lesser expensive models calculated in the ratings as well.

Dishwasher Reliability From December 2019 to November 2020

  Service Ratio
Blomberg 0%
LG 1.9%
Whirlpool 2.1%
Thermador 7.6%
Beko 7.67%
Miele 8.2%
GE Profile 10.5%
Samsung 10.6%
JennAir 11.0%
KitchenAid 11.0%
Asko 11.6%
Bosch  12.8%
Bosch Benchmark 18.4%
Café Appliances 18.8%
GE Appliances 19.5%
Fisher & Paykel 27.8%
Average 11.2%

Each brand represented has a minimum of 50 units sold and a total sample of over 10,000 pieces.

One major consideration is what happens when there are problems.

Beko is new to this country, so KitchenAid is a better choice because Whirlpool's parent company is the best.

It's important if you are buying from a store without service. (We service what we sell, so it's not an issue).

Read More: Most Reliable Dishwashers 

When Is the Best Time to Buy a Dishwasher?

This is the first of two odd questions. With good feature packages in both dishwashers, timing can be important as both these dishwashers will fluctuate in price from $869-$1,099.

Are Beko and KitchenAid Dishwashers Available?

COVID-19 delaying shipments was a problem last year.

In 2021-2022, we're having problems with the lack of available components and parts.

The lack of parts is a big problem. Here is a disturbing quote from a brand manager.

"Appliances are made of parts. If a dishwasher comprises 220 parts and one is not available, we can't ship the dishwasher."

Uh oh.

Then again, you have probably been hearing the same dilemma from your car dealer, your HVAC supplier, and countless other businesses with global supply chains.

KitchenAid and Beko have been better than most for now.

Certainly, availability will be part of your decision-making for many items in the next 12-18 months, including dishwashers.

You should consider features or what you want in a dishwasher rather than buying a brand. It will leave you with more options.

Beko vs. KitchenAid Dishwashers: Key Takeaways

First, Beko is a legitimate brand you should consider even against a KitchenAid or Bosch and Miele.

It has better cycles, washes action, and is quieter. Wi-Fi is a nice touch, but its functionality is limited for a dishwasher.

IonGuard is a nice option depending on how bad your dishwasher usually smells.

KitchenAid is a more known commodity.

Their 200 series is quiet and less expensive at $999.

Its third rack with sprays in the 600 series is excellent. The drying cycle with the fan and heating element is better as well.

So both are decent. One may be better, depending on what you wash.

Beko should be better at scouring your dishes, whereas KitchenAid will hold more in the KDTM604KPS dishwasher.

However, the better dishwasher is the one you can buy. Both have been more available than most of the premium competition, but that is not a guarantee in the future.

Lastly, you always want to ensure your new appliance can be repaired by looking at reviews beforehand, not afterward, when there is an issue.

Additional Resources

Want to learn more about Dishwashers? Download the Yale Dishwasher Buying Guide with features, specs, and inside buying tips for all the brands. Over 820,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

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