Head-to-head · Best Dishwashers

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS vs LG LDTH7972S

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

The short answer

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.5 vs 4.4). The gap is mostly about Households with a large amount of glassware, baby bottles, kitchen utensils, or cooking tools that need the deepest possible third rack, and buyers who prefer KitchenAid's slightly-better-than-Bosch reliability record over the absolute quietest cabinet. — read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Dishwashers

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS

4.5

$1,199

The KitchenAid KDTM604KPS is the dishwasher to buy when third-rack capacity matters most. KitchenAid's FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest in the market, with its own wash jets and a stemware drying bar that genuinely help, and the rest of the machine is a competent 44 dBA performer with the brand's usual better-than-average reliability.

Strengths

— FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest third rack on the market with its own rotating wash jets and stemware drying bar
— 44 dBA operation is quiet enough for open-plan kitchens
— ProWash sensor cycle scales wash time and water temperature to actual soil load

Watch-outs

— Only 5 wash cycles, fewer than the Bosch 800's 8 or the LG LDTH7972S's 10
— 44 dBA is competitive but loses to the Bosch 800's 42 dBA
— No app-based smart features; not Wi-Fi connected

$1,199 · Buy at kitchenaid.com Full review →

Ranked #3 in Best Dishwashers

LG LDTH7972S

4.4

$949

The LG LDTH7972S is the value pick that doesn't feel like one. At $949 it matches the Bosch 800 Series on noise (42 dBA), beats most everything in its class on warranty depth, and is the only machine in this comparison with a true steam generator. The lower rack has a documented cleaning dead-zone, but on the Heavy cycle with TrueSteam the LG removes over 99% of stains.

Strengths

— 42 dBA noise level matches the Bosch 800 Series at $400 less
— TrueSteam loosens baked-on food before the main wash, raising Heavy-cycle cleaning past 99%
— 10-year warranty on the direct-drive motor and 2 years on the stainless tub and racks — one of the deepest warranty stacks in the segment

Watch-outs

— Bottom-center of the lower rack can leave heavier stains during Normal cycles (Reviewed measured up to 70% residual staining there in testing)
— Plastics still require a wipe after the dry cycle despite the Dynamic Heat Dry fan
— Only 1 year on parts and labor — the deeper warranties are on specific components

$949 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

How they stack up

KitchenAid KDTM604KPS

Best third rack of anything in this comparison — bigger, deeper, and with its own wash jets that the Bosch 800 SHX78CM5N rack does not have. Slightly louder than the Bosch SHX78CM5N (44 vs 42 dBA) and noticeably louder than the Miele G 7266 SCVi. Cleans well but does not match the Bosch SHX78CM5N's 99.97% Heavy-cycle figure. Drying with the Fan-Enabled ProDry is good but loses to the Bosch's zeolite CrystalDry on plastics. Quieter and far more capable than the LG LDTH7972S on rack flexibility; the LG counters with TrueSteam and Wi-Fi.

LG LDTH7972S

The single best value built-in in this comparison — matches the Bosch 800 SHX78CM5N on dBA and on Wi-Fi at $400 less. The Bosch and Miele G 7266 SCVi both clean more consistently across the full lower rack; the LG has a documented dead zone at the back-center bottom. Wins decisively over the KitchenAid KDTM604KPS on warranty depth (10-year motor coverage) and on cycle count (10 vs 5). Much louder and cycle-quicker than the Farberware FCD06ABBWHA countertop, as expected for a built-in.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	KitchenAid KDTM604KPS	LG LDTH7972S
Width	24 inches	24 inches
Noise Level	44 dBA	42 dBA
Place Settings	16	15
Wash Cycles	5 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, ProWash, Express)	10 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, Delicate, Refresh, 1-Hour, Express, Rinse, Machine Clean, Download Cycle)
Third Rack	Yes, FreeFlex with rotating wash jets and stemware drying bar	Yes, height-adjustable slider
Energy Star	Yes, certified	Yes, 238 kWh/year
Drying System	Fan-Enabled ProDry	—
Warranty	1-year full parts and labor	1-year parts and labor, 10-year direct-drive motor, 2-year tub and racks
Smart Features	—	ThinQ Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google, leak detection

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