- Preview: Top KitchenAid Appliances
- Reasons to Shop KitchenAid Appliances
- Explore KitchenAid Refrigerators
- KitchenAid Dishwashers: Future Industry Leader?
- The Results: Our Favorite KitchenAid Appliances
After a revamp in 2017 that involved developing new appliance features and an image makeover, Whirlpool’s mid-end brand, KitchenAid, has made it easier than ever for its users to “make the kitchen a place of endless possibility.” But while KitchenAid has a strong lineup of small appliances familiar to all levels of home cooks, many shoppers are unaware that KitchenAid also manufactures cooking appliances, refrigeration, and dishwashers.
Recently, KitchenAid created buzz with features like Smart Oven+ which allows cooks to mix-and-match powered attachments for even more cooking possibilities from a single appliance. But what the name is best known for are its refrigerators and dishwashers — which are exactly what we’ll be covering in this brand guide. So, follow along for an inside look at what this affordable luxury brand has to offer, along with some of our favorite picks from its lineup.
At a Glance: Best KitchenAid Appliances
- Top KitchenAid Side by Side Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 24.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Side-by-Side Refrigerator (KRSF705HPS)
- Top KitchenAid Counter-Depth Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 20 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator (KRFC300ESS)
- Top KitchenAid Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 23.8 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator (KRFC704FBS)
- Top Luxury KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid® 24" PrintShield™ Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher (KDPM804KPS)
- Top Budget KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid® 24" Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Built In Dishwasher (KDFE104HPS)
Why Shop KitchenAid Appliances
KitchenAid major appliances have the unique quality of feeling premium without being unapproachable. Overall, the brand offers an upscale, commercial look that works equally as well in an affluent kitchen or as a touch of elevation in the everyday kitchen. Currently, the brand manufactures a limited number of connected appliances, most of which are to wall ovens and ranges, plus a limited selection of high-end WiFi-enabled refrigerators. All in all, KitchenAid provides a range of appliances with options that fit budgets from moderate to luxury.
KitchenAid Refrigerators
Across all KitchenAid refrigerator price points, shoppers can find premium features, including SatinGlide® drawers with soft-close technology, platinum interiors reminiscent or JennAir’s obsidian interior, LED lighting, and a PrintShield™ Finish that cleans with just water and the wipe of a towel. Generally, moderately priced KitchenAid fridges are freestanding, while higher-priced options are intended for built-in installation.
Shoppers Looking for Quality & Value
Lower-end KitchenAid refrigerators start around $2,399 and come in freestanding or counter depth models. From there, shoppers have a choice of a French door, side by side, or bottom freezer refrigerator, with refrigerator capacities starting at just under 20 cubic feet and up to 26.8 cubic feet. Additionally, KitchenAid is one of few brands that carry 5-door French door refrigerators (along with parent company, Whirlpool), providing shoppers with even more buying options.
KitchenAid fridges come with a series of exclusive food preservation features, so ingredients stay fresh, tasty, and ready to be made into something delicious. Depending on the model, that could include the ExtendFresh™ Temperature Management System that uses dedicated sensors in the freezer and refrigerator to protect foods from freezing, or a Produce Preserver that absorbs ethylene gas to delay the process of ripening. Other options like the Freshchill™ Temperature-Controlled Full-Width Pantry with soft-close glides and four customizable presets add flexible food storage for chilled foods like fish, dairy, and drinks.
Shopper Looking for Affordable Luxury
If you’ve had your eyes on a JennAir refrigerator — another Whirlpool brand and sister line to KitchenAid — you might be pleasantly surprised by how similar higher-end KitchenAid refrigerators are. While JennAir is luxury through-and-through, shoppers with larger budgets can find comparable refrigerator features on higher-priced KitchenAid refrigerators at price points that are easier on the wallet than JennAir options. We like to think of KitchenAid as an introduction to JennAir and a great alternative for those who appreciate upscale design, but place function and performance over form.
Select models use Preserva® Food Care System with dual evaporators to keep foods at peak freshness and flavors. The technology provides individual temperature and air management in the freezer and fridge chamber, creating ideal climate settings that help to prolong the shelf life of produce. For even more food protection, the FreshFlow™ Air Filter and Produce Preserver use a two-step process that eliminates odors and absorbs ethylene, defending fruits and vegetables from over-ripening.
KitchenAid Dishwashers
KitchenAid has made a name for itself when it comes to its series of dishwashers, even rivaling top dishwasher brands like Bosch and Miele. But while the two European names retain their spots as the best dishwasher brands, they come at a prettier penny than KitchenAid dishwashers, which start as low as $799. Chances are, shoppers looking for a reliable dishwasher on a moderate budget will find a great option when exploring KitchenAid dishwashers.
Beyond savings, KitchenAid dishwasher features are truly impressive. Here are some of the best KitchenAid dish care options to keep an eye out for:
✓ ProDry™ System equipped with a heating element and powered ventilation that drive away moisture and boost drying, even without the need of a rinse aid
✓ ProScrub® that uses 40 spray jets to target and remove caked-on food messes
✓ ProWash™ equipped with sensors that measure soil levels in water and adjust temperature and wash time accordingly
And, of course, KitchenAid’s premium dishwasher feature, the FreeFlex™ Third Rack. Complete with a removable silverware tray, a drying bar, and rotating spray jets, this third rack with the largest capacity of its kind on the market gives users greater dishwasher loading flexibility on a design that accommodates glasses up to six inches. In the spirit of optimizing dishwasher space, select KitchenAid dishwashing machines also utilize fold-down tines, adjustable racks, and stemware glass holders, so you can fit more into a load with uncompromised performance.
The Verdict
KitchenAid appliances are a great option for shoppers looking to stretch a dollar with a reliable appliance that looks great, too. After taking into consideration all the fantastic features the brand has to offer, these are our favorite picks for both refrigerators and dishwashers.
1. Top KitchenAid Side by Side Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 24.8 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Side-by-Side Refrigerator
On top of providing the most fridge capacity out of all our picks, this best KitchenAid side by side refrigerator comes with a vertical layout that increases food organization in the fridge and freezer. Food storage is further maximized by an In-Door-Ice® System with a slim profile that frees up additional freezer space. Best of all, this large-capacity refrigerator features KitchenAid’s deluxe Preserva® Food Care System with FreshFlow™ Air Filter and Produce Preserver technology for state-of-the-art food preservation at a value price.
Extra perks include an in-door water and ice dispenser with automatic measured fill, vibrant LED lighting, and a PrintShield™ finish that looks great and requires minimal maintenance.
2. Top KitchenAid Counter-Depth Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 20 Cu. Ft. Stainless Steel Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
We looked at the KitchenAid refrigerator reviews for this best French door refrigerator pick with a 4.4 star rating from over 1,850 purchasers for our top French door refrigerator with a winning combination of function and style. Enjoy easier access to all your foods with the open design and ample storage, including a four-bottle wine rack and a full-width FreshChill™ pantry drawer with temperature-controlled technology. The clean design is further enhanced by an internal water dispenser that keeps the outside appearance clean and minimal.
Inside, foods receive the royal treatment, too, with the ExetendFresh™ Temperature Management System that independently monitors temperature settings in the freezer and refrigerator, protecting each from damaging chills. Even delicate foods fruits last longer with humidity-controlled crisper drawers, plus Produce Preserver technology that absorbs ethylene gases responsible for prematurely ripening produce.
3. Top KitchenAid Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator: KitchenAid® 23.8 Cu. Ft. Black Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Counter Depth French Door Refrigerator
Enjoy the best of both worlds inside this top-rated KitchenAid counter-depth refrigerator that provides the largest fridge capacity in its class on a space-saving design. Flexible storage options include an under-shelf prep zone capable of going from fridge to the oven or dishwasher, a slide-away shelf ideal for fitting tall items, and a 3-tier freezer drawer complete with handy dividers.
This counter-depth KitchenAid refrigerator is brimming with details inside and out. The edgy, black stainless-steel finish is coated in easy-to-clean PrintShield™ technology, plus a complementary Platinium Interior finish for a custom feel. Additional accents include a pull-out tray with a wood finish and metal trimming on the bins for an upscale experience that inspires.
And with Preserva® Food Care System, a temperature-controlled pantry drawer, and FreshSeal™ crispers, you can be sure every ingredient stocked inside this recommended mid-end KitchenAid refrigerator looks as good as the appliance will in your kitchen.
4. Top Luxury KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid® 24" PrintShield™ Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
Go ahead, get creative with dinner — this high-end dishwasher can handle it all with a complete lineup of KitchenAid’s best dishwasher features. That includes ProWash™ soil sensor technology, an Advanced Clean Water Wash System that provides clean wash water to every level, and ProDry™ heating and ventilation.
With 16 place settings, you can wash more in fewer loads, while the addition of the FreeFlex™ Third Rack and an adjustable middle rack provide more ways to load dishes. Best of all, this dishwashing machine operates at a silent 44 decibels and is Energy Star certified, meaning users can wash with less cost.
5. Top Budget KitchenAid Dishwasher: KitchenAid® 24" Stainless Steel with PrintShield™ Finish Built In Dishwasher
At about half the price as our top luxury KitchenAid dishwasher, this pick might not come with all the bells and whistles, but its 4.7 star rating from over 4,450 buyers does all the talking. Equipped with ProWash™ soil sensors, a Sani-Rinse setting, and Heated Dry option, this best-value dishwasher provides thorough dish care from start to finish. Upgrades include a PrintShield™ finish, SatinGlide® upper rack rails, fold-down tines, and a sleek pocket handle with touch controls.
We’re Your Buying Aid!
East Coat Appliance is more than another appliance dealer: We’re the largest independent appliance dealer in Virginia. That means we can provide reliable appliances from popular appliance brands at great prices. Explore buying options — including 4 piece KitchenAid appliance packages with some of our top picks from this list. Shop online or in-store today!