Are Maytag Dishwashers Good? A Contractor’s Honest Look at the Brand

Maytag built a 100-year reputation on the durability of its washing machines, but the dishwasher side of the business has a more complicated story. Are Maytag dishwashers good in 2026? The short answer is yes, with caveats. Mid-tier models built since the 2018 redesign clean reliably and last 10 to 12 years on average, but they trail Bosch and KitchenAid on noise levels and trail GE Profile on smart features. Knowing which Maytag model fits your kitchen — and which ones to skip — is the difference between a 12-year appliance and a 5-year headache.

Who Actually Builds Maytag Dishwashers

Whirlpool Corporation has owned the Maytag brand since 2006. All current Maytag dishwashers are manufactured in Whirlpool’s Findlay, Ohio plant — the same facility that builds Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and JennAir dishwashers. The platforms share many parts, including motors, pumps, and racks. That cross-pollination is mostly good news for parts availability and repair turnaround.

What separates the brands is feature tuning and finish. Maytag positions as the budget-tough cousin of KitchenAid, with stainless tubs, PowerBlast cycles, and 10-year limited warranties on the chopper and rack system. KitchenAid adds quieter operation, third racks, and premium handles, often $300 to $500 more for similar internal hardware.

The 2026 Maytag Lineup at a Glance

Current models fall into three tiers, all 24-inch built-in. Prices below reflect Lowe’s and Home Depot regular pricing — sale prices typically run $100 to $200 lower around Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Black Friday.

• MDB4949SK series: Entry-level, $599 to $749. Plastic tub, 50 dBA, basic cycles. Skip this tier.
• MDB7959SK series: Mid-tier, $799 to $999. Stainless tub, 47 dBA, PowerBlast cycle, fingerprint-resistant stainless.
• MDB8959SK series: Upper-tier, $999 to $1,299. Stainless tub, 44 dBA, third rack, dual power filtration.

The 7959 and 8959 series are the only ones worth considering. Plastic tubs at the bottom of the line stain, hold odors, and warp over time. Stainless tubs are the floor for any 10-plus-year purchase.

Cleaning Performance vs Bosch and KitchenAid

Consumer Reports and Reviewed.com both rate the Maytag MDB8959 at 4 out of 5 for cleaning. That puts it in the same tier as the Bosch 300 series and the KitchenAid KDPM704KPS for getting dried-on lasagna off plates after a normal cycle. PowerBlast adds high-pressure jets that handle baked-on residue without pre-rinsing — a real improvement over older Maytag designs that required scraping.

Where Maytag trails is dry performance. Most current models use a condensation dry without a heat element. Plastics come out damp. Bosch CrystalDry (which uses zeolite minerals) and KitchenAid ProDry (which adds a heat fan) both finish noticeably drier. If you load a lot of Rubbermaid containers, factor in 10 minutes of towel-drying with a Maytag.

Reliability: The Numbers That Actually Matter

Yale Appliance’s annual service-call data is the gold standard for dishwasher reliability. In their 2025 report, Maytag posted a 14.6 percent service call rate within the first year — better than GE (16.2 percent) but worse than Bosch (11.8 percent). Whirlpool-built dishwashers as a group (Maytag, KitchenAid, Whirlpool) averaged 14 to 16 percent.

Common failure points on Maytag dishwashers include the control board (around $180 to $250 plus labor at year 6 to 8) and the diverter motor ($120 to $180 at year 5 to 7). The chopper and macerator are covered under the 10-year limited warranty on the 8959 series, which is one of the best coverage policies in the segment.

Noise Level: The Single Biggest Complaint

If you have an open-concept kitchen, noise matters. Maytag’s 44 dBA rating on the 8959 series is acceptable but not best-in-class. Bosch 800 Series hits 39 to 42 dBA. KitchenAid premium models run 41 to 44 dBA. For comparison, a quiet refrigerator hums at about 40 dBA and normal conversation registers at 60 dBA.

In a closed kitchen with cabinetry on both sides, the difference between 44 and 39 is barely noticeable. In an open-plan space where the dishwasher runs during family movie nights, those 5 decibels feel like double the volume. If silence is a priority, look at Bosch.

Installation Costs and Plumbing Considerations

Replacing an existing dishwasher with a new Maytag runs $1,000 to $1,500 total — $799 to $1,299 for the appliance plus $150 to $300 for professional installation at Lowe’s, Home Depot, or an independent plumber. The IRC and most local codes require a high loop or air gap in the drain line, plus a dedicated 15-amp 120V outlet under the sink.

If you are converting from a portable to a built-in or replacing a 30-year-old unit with mineral-encrusted supply lines, budget an extra $150 to $250 for new supply tubing, shutoff valves, and possibly a new air gap (required in California, optional elsewhere). The dishwasher’s footprint hasn’t changed in decades — any 24-inch built-in will fit a standard cutout 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 34 inches tall.

Smart Features and Connectivity

Maytag is behind GE Profile and LG in app integration. The MDB8959 offers basic delay-start and cycle indicators but no remote start, no cycle scheduling, and no diagnostic notifications. If you want to start the dishwasher from a phone while at work, look at the GE Profile UltraFresh with SmartHQ or the LG QuadWash with ThinQ.

For most households, the lack of smart features is a non-issue. A dishwasher that quietly cleans and runs on a schedule does not need WiFi. Save the $200 premium for a feature most users touch once and forget.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy Maytag

The MDB8959 is a strong pick if your priorities are durable cleaning performance, a solid warranty, and a price under $1,300. Skip Maytag if you need whisper-quiet operation, top-tier dry performance, or smart app control — Bosch and GE Profile do those better. For a busy family kitchen where the dishwasher runs twice a day and needs to last 12 years without drama, Maytag is one of the best values in the market right now.