The Maytag MDB8951BWS is the stainless steel version in this dishwasher series. It has hidden controls and a sleek finish. It has a single, horizontal handle across the front and an easy pull-down door.

A trendy feature we like is the hidden control panel that allows for a clean look on the front of the dishwasher. The control panel has pushbuttons and a digital timer that gives a countdown of the remaining minutes in a cycle. There are six cycles, ranging from heavy to rinse-only to sanitize. A built-in food disposal whisks away food particles and prevents them from clogging the dishwasher's inner-workings or re-depositing on dishware. An energy-saving sensor indicates whether dishes need an extra rinse, and a high-temperature rinse helps eliminate spotty glasses.

The Maytag MDB8951BWS has several standard features we'd expect at this price point, like a delayed start and the ability to lock the controls, but the real question is how well this dishwasher cleans. The answer? It works very effectively. The combination of powerful jets, built-in disposal and flexible racks makes it one of our favorites. It has a thermal-drying option that adds heat to the drying time and results in less water left behind.

The interior of the Maytag MDB8951BWS is rust-resistant stainless steel. It features a standard top and bottom rack with coated tines. The top rack has adjustable fold-flat tines to custom fit odd-shaped items, or it can be removed entirely; both are options we like. There is also a feature we don't often see: convertible tines designed to securely hold bowls of varying sizes on the lower rack. Although handy if you're washing cereal bowls versus dessert cups, it isn't a must-have feature. The flatware caddy has a few improvements over the standard version; it has clips to hold lightweight items in place, and it can be split into two parts.

At 55 dB, this Maytag model isn't as quiet as other models in this price range (we've tested others that are rated about 10 dB quieter). However, in a bustling kitchen, the difference probably won't be noticeable. This is a minor complaint when compared to all the other things the Maytag MDB8951BWS has going for it. Overall, this Maytag model cleans well and has many extra features we haven't found on more expensive models. The dishwasher's performance, clean lines and hidden controls make it one of our top choices.


Pros: Hidden controls, built-in food disposal, adjustable racks
Cons: Noisier than some, but still not bad

Warranty
1 year, limited