KitchenAid KDFM404KPS Dishwasher Review

KitchenAid’s KDFM404KPS can deliver exceptionally clean dishes after every wash—but it might take a bit more time than others to do so.

Featuring an advanced microfiltration system, it can remove the greasiest stains off the plates without ruining the most delicate glassware. Even without KitchenAid’s ProDry system, it can fully dry cookware and tableware across all three racks.

Other than the lack of the ProDry system, its features are nearly identical to the higher-end KitchenAid dishwashers, which makes it worth its price.

If you’re looking for strong cleaning performance without the hefty price tag, we recommend the KitchenAid 404 dishwasher.  

However, if you want a dishwasher that can also dry plastic items thoroughly, the higher-priced 604 model is an excellent alternative.

Entry-level Bosch models are much faster at cleaning, but you might prefer this KitchenAid dishwasher for its stainless steel tub and better drying power.

Keep reading to learn more about the KitchenAid 404.

How We Reviewed the KitchenAid KDFM404KPS 

A reliable dishwasher can make all the difference in kitchen clean-ups. Since they come in a wide range of features and functionality, choosing the right one for the household is easier said than done.

To help you decide if the KitchenAid KDFM404KPS fits your needs, we created this comprehensive guide for you. 

We conducted extensive research on the KitchenAid 404 model. Then, we evaluated it based on its cleaning and drying power, loading flexibility, range of operations, and reliability.

We don’t own a KitchenAid 404 dishwasher. We also didn’t conduct any tests for our assessment.

Instead, we spent weeks mulling over customer reviews and ratings from KitchenAid, Best Buy, and other appliance retailers. Such data influenced our overall rating of the unit.
We also read independent reviews conducted by Designer Appliances, Bray and Scraff, and USA Today to gauge how the dishwasher compares to other KitchenAid models, as well as similar-priced models on the market.

KitchenAid Dishwasher KDFM404KPS Specs

Category	Details
Brand	KitchenAid
Model	KDFM404KPS
Dimensions	33-5/8” x 23-7/8” x 26-3/4”
Net Weight	105 lbs.
Noise Level	44 dBA
Wash Cycles	ProWash, Tough, Normal, Express Wash, Rinse
Programs	Heated Dry, Extended Heat Dry, 2-4-8 Hour Delay, HiTemp Wash, Sani Rinse
Tub Material	Stainless steel
Number of Racks	3
Number of Place Settings	16
Installation Type	Built-In
Location of Controls	Top, Hidden
Energy Star Qualified	No

The KitchenAid 404 dishwasher is a more affordable alternative to the 604 model with nearly identical features—a third FreeFlex rack, an Advanced Clean Water Wash System, a ProWash Cycle, and a PrintShield Finish.

Sleek and stylish, its specialized coating gives it that look of luxury without the hefty price tag. It’s also smudge and fingerprint-resistant, ensuring easy, hassle-free maintenance.

Compared to similar-priced models, it lacks WiFi connectivity, which is now a mainstream function on modern dishwashers. Even entry-level Bosch models have smart features that enable remote monitoring and control. 

KitchenAid has yet to add such a feature to any of its dishwashers, including the 404 model. This might be a dealbreaker for those who are running smart households, but it does make up for it in terms of cleaning.

One of the advantages of getting a KitchenAid 404 dishwasher is its cleaning power.  Since it features an advanced microfiltration system, its performance is up to par with the higher-end iterations.

Its drying system, on the other hand, is different. Instead of the fan-enabled ProDry System, it relies on heated water and hot air to dry the dishes, which isn’t always as effective.

Our Overall Rating: 8.6/10

The KitchenAid KDFM404KPS dishwasher delivers quiet, top-tier cleaning performance while barely making any noise. With its intuitive design, it makes the cleaning experience smooth, easy, and hassle-free for everyone.

Here’s a summary of how we evaluated the KitchenAid 404 dishwasher.

Cleaning performance

To gauge the dishwasher’s cleaning power, we assessed how it cleans various caked-on stains on flatware, glasses, bowls, ramekins, and pots.

From greasy messes and dried-on starches to leafy greens, we considered a wide range of food categories in determining its cleaning ability. We also took note of the foods it struggled to clean in deciding its overall cleaning score.

Drying performance

Aside from the drying system, drying performance is affected by different factors, such as the dishwasher’s interior layout and material. We took all these into account while conducting our assessment.

Additionally, we scrutinized the unit’s ability to dry plastic items, which most dishwashers struggle with.

Features

In evaluating the dishwasher’s range of operations, we examined thousands of reviews and ratings to determine what the customers like and don’t like about them.

We also examined independent reviews from experts like USA Today, Bray and Scarff, and Designer Appliances to identify how the 404 dishwasher compares to other KitchenAid models and similar-priced dishwashers.

Loading flexibility

It was important for us to determine the versatility and ease of loading dishes. Thus, in our assessment, we scrutinized the design of the racks.

Reliability

Customer reviews and ratings were the basis for our assessment of the dishwasher’s reliability.

Specifically, we rated it based on the frequency of malfunctions and how difficult they were to repair. We also took note of the quality of customer support services that KitchenAid offers.

What do experts say?

It is a reliable, powerful cleaner.

There is no discernable difference between the KitchenAid 404 and 604 dishwashers when it comes to cleaning. That means you get reliable cleaning power for a more affordable price if you choose the 404 model.

KitchenAid’s 404 dishwasher also uses an advanced microfiltration system to remove food particles throughout the wash cycle, preventing them from getting redistributed into the dishes. 

It even allows you to wash the greasiest cookware with the most delicate glassware in a single load. It helps you save energy and time.

Another noteworthy feature that adds to its cleaning power is the ProWash Cycle. It uses smart sensors to detect the soil level of the load, then it adjusts the wash temperature and time to ensure clean speck-free dishes after every wash.

Like the KitchenAid 604, the trade-off for such impressive cleaning power is speed. You have to wait through longer wash times to get fresh, sparkling clean dishes which, to us, is all worth it in the end.

It offers hygienic, energy-efficient drying.

KitchenAid’s 404 dishwasher doesn’t have the ProDry system that higher-end iterations have. That’s why it can’t fully dry plastic items.

Unfortunately, it’s a flaw you’ll see in most modern dishwashers. On the bright side, it outperforms similar-priced models from other brands when it comes to drying.

The absence of a ProDry system isn’t a dealbreaker for this KitchenAid dishwasher because it can still fully dry glass, metal, and ceramic dishes. 

All thanks to its stainless steel tub and spacious racks, it can deliver bone-dry dishes after every wash. Even without the ProDry system, its results are consistent and more impressive than Bosch’s entry-level dishwashers.

Additionally, the upside of having a stainless-steel tub instead of plastic is that it’s more hygienic. It retains heat better than plastic tubs, allowing it to kill bacteria and germs.

It offers generous space and versatile loading opportunities.

In terms of capacity and flexibility, the 404 dishwasher is a step up from the lower-cost 304 model. That’s because it has a FreeFlex rack, which is also found on higher-end KitchenAid dishwashers, while the 304 only has a standard third rack.

The FreeFlex third rack has a deep, angled design that can accommodate 6-inch glasses, mugs, and other awkwardly shaped items that often stick out in standard racks. 

It has built-in rotating wash jets to ensure a thorough cleanse of all the items. It even has a drying bar with tabs to promote better drying for glasses.

The downside to the third rack is that it doesn’t have a utensil basket. However, it does have a removable tray for flatware that enables them to be washed evenly.

All racks have adjustable ball-tipped pins to prevent scratches on delicate glassware. Moreover, the middle and lower racks are foldable, which creates more space for larger items like pots and pans.

It’s quite hard to find an entry-level dishwasher that has high storage capacity and allows a wider range of loading opportunities. If you can gloss over the KitchenAid 404’s minor flaws in design, you can benefit greatly from its adjustability and space.

What do customers say?

• Dishes always come out clean after every wash. Whether it’s grease, starch, or lipstick stains, the dishwasher can clean the toughest stains off the dishes without disturbing the entire household.
• Compared to other models with similar cleaning power, the wash cycles take a longer time to finish.
• The dishwasher can thoroughly dry metal, glass, and ceramic items, but it often struggles to dry plastics. Although rare, we’ve noted some customers complain about warping.
• The SaniRinse program, which adds a high-heat rinse toward the end of the cycle, makes the dishwasher an ideal choice for families with infants and other little children.
• Since the dishwasher only has 2 stemware holders, users might still have to wash their glassware by hand, especially those who love to entertain guests.

Summary of Reviews 

The vast majority of customer reviews were positive, praising the cleaning performance of the KitchenAid KDFM404KPS dishwasher. Although it offers thorough cleaning, its wash cycles are quite long.

It doesn’t dry plastics as well as other KitchenAid dishwashers, but it can thoroughly dry everything else, such as metal, glass, and ceramic items. 

Around 89% of customers would recommend it to a friend because it’s quiet, exceptional at cleaning, and reliable.

Comparison 

Sources: 

• https://www.brayandscarff.com/blog/dishwashers-kitchenaid-404-vs-604/
• https://www.designerappliances.com/blog/kitchenaid-dishwasher-review/
• https://reviewed.usatoday.com/dishwashers/content/kitchenaid-kdtm404kps-dishwasher-review