At a Glance:
Pros and Cons of Top Control Dishwashers
Pros and Cons of Front Control Dishwashers
Installing Top Control vs. Front Control Dishwashers
Deciding on a Front Control vs Top Control Dishwasher
Why Trust Plaza Appliance Mart?
With all of the options we have when it comes to choosing new appliances, the information can get a little overwhelming. So it’s important to whittle down your wants from your needs.
➤ Distinguish between what is a must and that-would-be-nice.
But you’ve never even thought aboutfront control dishwashers vs. top control dishwashers. Is that important? Would you be making a critical error to choose one over the other? Let’s find out!
What Are the Pros and Cons of Top Control Dishwashers?
Top control dishwashers have their controls located on the top of the door, rather than on the front of the dishwasher. Honestly, a lot of this relies on your personal style and circumstance, so let’s look at the pros.
Benefits:
✅ Minimalist design: The top control panel gives the dishwasher a cleaner, seamless look because there’s no buttons or displays on the front.
✅ Childproof: With the controls on the top, children are less likely to accidentally press buttons or change settings. But I hate to break it to you, they can still learn how to press the top of the dishwasher – especially if that’s what they see you doing.
✅ Easy cleaning: Because there are no buttons or displays on the front of the dishwasher, cleaning the exterior is easier.
Drawbacks:
❌ Difficult to see: The top control panel is difficult to see if the dishwasher is installed under a countertop. So you have to set the cycle before you close the dishwasher.
❌ Price: Top control dishwashers tend to be perceived as more stylish, so the more expensive models tend to have top controls.
Popular Top Control Dishwasher Models
Top control dishwashers are increasing in popularity. Here are three unique options that our customers love.
JennAir® 24" Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
Shop JennAir's Top Control Dishwasher
True to form, JennAir’s top control dishwasher offers more sophisticated features like a precision dry, steam and sanitize cycles, and up to 24 hour delay wash cycles. It also enhances its function by adding a third rack up top for those long utensils that don’t fit in the silverware basket.
What Real Customers Say:
“We got this amazing dishwasher a month ago. It is beautiful, shiny, and very quiet. We love it! And the inside is very easy to load!”
“This dishwasher was offered as a replacement by our home warranty company. Way better quality than the 19 year old Maytag that it replaced. This is a good looking, high quality, super quiet, and great washing dishwasher.”
Customer Reviews for Model #: JDPSG244LS
➝ Learn More: 5 Top Model Picks from JennAir Appliances
Maytag® 24" Stainless Steel Built in Dishwasher
Shop Maytag's Top Control Dishwasher
Maytag top control dishwasher boasts a full range of cycles, a third rack for long utensils, and lasting durability that they stand behind. Maytag offers a 10-years parts warranty on its racks, the stainless steel tub, and the chopper.
What Real Customers Say:
“Bought it from our local dealer. Installed ourselves. No problems and runs very quietly! Washes thoroughly!”
“Dishwasher is great thus far. Like the 3rd rack. Dishes come out very clean.”
Customer Reviews for Model #: MDB8959SKZ
GE® 18" Stainless Steel Portable Dishwasher
Shop GE's Portable Top Control Dishwasher
Even if you don’t have space for a built-in dishwasher, GE has this portable 18 inch dishwasher that you can roll out when you need it, and put it away when you don’t.
It comes with a stainless steel tub and a hard food disposer.
What Real Customers Say:
“We have bought an 18 inch portable dishwasher forever and they have been complete junk. This dishwasher is sturdy, reliable and cleans like a dream!! DREAM DISHWASHER!!”
“I really like the feel of the dishwasher. It seems that the hoses are very heavy duty; the hook up to the water faucet was as easy as could be.”
Customer Reviews for Model #: GPT145SSLSS
➝ Learn More: GE Profile Dishwashers: Price vs Features
LG Black Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
Shop LG's Top Control Dishwasher
LG brings super quiet operation and beautiful design to their top control dishwasher. It has three racks with the middle rack being adjustable. But the real show stopper here is the ThinQ technology and the ability to start your dishwasher remotely.
Yep. If you forget to start the dishwasher at home, you can just whip out your phone, and tell it to start.
What Real Customers Say:
“We love this dishwasher and we love LG! We purchased a complete LG suite that included this dishwasher. I love it! The design is sleek with no handle to bump into. I especially love the top pullout shelf for silverware and the upper rack has a height adjustment. What a great idea! AND, it is sooooo quiet! Love, love, love it!!”
“Great dishwasher! Love the options and features it has. I love how well it cleans the dishes and the room availability.”
What Are the Pros and Cons of Front Control Dishwashers?
Front control dishwashers have their controls located on the front of the door, and they also have their pluses and minuses.
Pros:
✅ Price: Front control dishwashers tend to be less expensive than top control models.
✅ Visibility: The front control panel is easy to see and access, even if the dishwasher is running a cycle.
✅ Variety: There are a wider variety of front control dishwashers available on the market, so you can choose from more options in terms of features, styles, and price points.
Drawbacks:
❌ Not childproof: With the controls on the front, your inquisitive little children are more likely to press buttons or change settings.
❌ Design: Front control dishwashers can look cluttered if they have a lot of buttons and text.
❌ Cleaning: Many front control dishwashers now have integral buttons, so that you can wipe them clean easily. But if they don't, dirt and grime can accumulate around the buttons. And it’s hard to clean in the cracks of all those buttons.
Popular Front Control Dishwasher Models
Here are three stainless steel front control dishwashers for every budget.
GE® 24" Stainless Steel Built In Dishwasher
Shop GE's Front Control Dishwasher
This GE front control dishwashers keeps its controls simple and to one side.
Also GE discovered that one of their customers’ main complaints was that the dishwasher didn’t dry their dishes. So now every GE dishwasher has a Dry Boost button that gets dishes 7xs drier than competitors.
What Real Customers Say:
“This dishwasher is everything you need but without the fancy choices.”
“Does a wonderful job of washing the dishes. Also love that they are dry when we take them out.”
Customer Reviews for Model #GDF535PSRSS
➝ Learn More: GE Dishwasher Not Draining? What To Do
Whirlpool® 24" Stainless-Steel Built-in Dishwasher
Shop Whirlpool's Front Control Dishwasher
This Whirlpool front control dishwasher has a few more options – including an option to delay the start of your wash. And the tall tub ensures that your tall glasses will fit on the top rack of the dishwasher. The silverware holder, while it can be moved around, is square instead of the traditional linear design.
What Real Customers Say:
“So glad to find a dishwasher that cleans all the way to the corners”
“We are really enjoying our new dishwasher. Our home is an "open concept" with no way to close off the kitchen, so a quiet dishwasher was important. This model is perfect. It gets the dishes clean, though several items on the top rack do not dry well (which I think is common with most dishwashers).”
Customer Reviews for Model #: WDF550SAHS
KitchenAid® 24" Stainless Steel with Printshield Built In Dishwasher
Shop KitchenAid's Front Control Dishwasher
KitchenAid’s front control dishwasher comes with a stainless steel drum that is easier to clean, a tiered top rack that is also adjustable, and is a quieter dishwasher at 47dBA.
What Real Customers Say:
“I bought this a month ago to replace an older Kitchen Aid dishwasher. It is so much better. It is quiet and efficient.”
“We've been very happy with this dishwasher. It's very quiet and does a great cleaning job.”
Customer Reviews for Model #: KDFE104KPS
➝ Learn More: 5 Affordable Products from KitchenAid Appliances
Is There a Difference in Installing Top Control vs. Front Control Dishwashers?
There is no significant difference in the installation process for front control and top control dishwashers. Both types of dishwashers are typically installed by sliding them into a designated space under the countertop, securing them in place with mounting brackets, and connecting the water supply and drain lines.
With a top control dishwasher you may need to adjust the feet to give a little more space between the top controls and the countertop. But that’s something you’d have to check with a front control as well.
Front Control vs Top Control Dishwasher: Decision Time
If your style is clean and minimalistic. If you have young children who love to press all the buttons. If you like having a front bar handle that easily opens your dishwasher, then the top control dishwasher is for you.
If you prefer to see the indicator light more clearly and you don’t have little hands to worry about. If you don’t like a bar handle sticking out into your walking space, then the front control dishwasher is for you.
But the good news is that no matter if you’re team top or team front control dishwasher, you can find an excellent machine that washes your dishes at Plaza Appliance Mart. So come in and find your new dishwasher.
Why Trust Plaza Appliance Mart?
Plaza Appliance Mart is a local, family-owned, appliance store in North Carolina where you can get personalized, expert service that you won’t find at the big box stores. Plaza Appliance Mart is YOUR source for competitive prices with knowledgeable in-store professionals here to help you every step of the way, whether you need to replace an old appliance, or if you're remodeling and need an entire kitchen full of new brand-name products. And, our delivery and installation specialists will assure that your new appliances arrive safely and are installed properly.
If you were to ask the employees at Plaza Appliance Mart about their roles in the company, they'd say they're not just employees, they're family. So as you might imagine. a team of professionals like this who are already so tightly knit and bonded together make for a perfect partner with the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. Apart from their community ties, Plaza Appliance is an accredited Better Business Bureau company with an A+ Rating.
Shop Dishwashers at Plaza Appliance Mart
Stop by Plaza’s Charlotte, Huntersville, Matthews, or Pineville locations to see what a difference buying local with an experienced staff can make. Or shop dishwashers online! Our friendly experts are always happy to help you decide between a front control vs top control dishwasher — whether you call us at 704-568-7600, use our online chat feature, or visit us in person.
Learn More: 3 Top Panel Ready Dishwashers on the Market