I present my choice of the five best ADA compliant dishwashers that I have personally tried and tested in various kitchens. My top three are in the table below.
Contents
Dishwashers have come a long way to fit in our modern homes. According to a survey, almost 58% of US households have a dishwasher. If we talk about numbers, then nearly 80 million US households own a dishwasher, but due to various reasons, almost 16 million users don’t use it frequently.
There can be many reasons behind it, but in my opinion, one of the reasons can be its lack of accessibility for disabled people. I suffer from localized paralysis where I can’t move my left leg, because of which I face difficulty in doing many daily chores.
But baking is something I love and is my passion. But one of the most challenging parts of baking is cleaning the stubborn baked leftovers. Hence I needed one ADA compliant dishwasher to ease my cleaning job.
ADA-compliant appliances are those appliances that are physically accessible for people with disabilities. Hence, I tried and tested a few ADA-compliant dishwashers before selecting the one that suits me. Based on my experience, I am reviewing these five dishwashers. Take a look!
You might like to read: What Is ADA Compliant Dishwasher
What To Look For In A Dishwasher If You Are Disabled?
ADA Compliance
Since I needed a dishwasher that did not limit my movement hence an ADA compliant certificate was a must to look for in a dishwasher. ADA compliant dishwashers have front-loading, wide doors that are easy to access. Also, these dishwashers are positioned at a perfect height, which makes them more accessible for me.
Additionally, if your dishwasher has some more certificates in its kitty, that can be an added advantage, such as the Energy Star certificate and National Sanitation Foundation Certificate. All these certificates add more stars to these dishwashers.
Performance
The performance of a dishwasher is the next most important deciding factor for me. There is no use in spending hundreds of dollars on a product that does not perform as expected.
I made sure to select dishwashers that were powerful enough to use upto 1500W so that it can clean heavy loads in less time than others. Also, I needed a unit that could fit in all my pots and pans at once and deep clean all the stubborn baked leftovers in one go.
Operation
I needed a device with a simple operating system that was not confusing for me. All the dishwashers I have selected here operate on simple mechanisms and are not difficult to use. All of them are button operated, and you won’t need an expert’s help to use them every time.
Hygiene
Earlier, my mother used a dishwasher that started producing a foul smell after several runs. So I was determined this time that I needed a dishwasher that helped maintain hygiene and killed almost all the household kitchen bacteria.
I also needed a unit that generated no foul smell; hence, I selected dishwashers to kill nearly 99.99% of household bacteria.
You might like to read: Americans With Disability Act – A Brief Guide For Caregivers
Maintenance
My health condition prevents me from doing any vigorous activity, including cleaning. Hence I needed a dishwasher that was easy to clean, use and maintain. Therefore, most dishwashers I have selected here have a self-cleaning feature, making my task simpler.
Noise
Besides localized paralysis, I also suffer from insomnia and take some small naps throughout the day. Hence I needed a unit that did not produce noise or minimum noise. I learned that any machine that generates noise between 50 to 60 decibels is considered quiet and is not harmful to human beings. Therefore, I tried to keep only those dishwashers that produce low to no noise on my list.
Answers To Questions About ADA Compliance, Countertops, Dishwashers and More…
What makes a dishwasher ADA compliant?
A dishwasher needs to meet the following requirements to be considered ADA compliant:
It should be front loading and unloading and must have wide doors.
The force required to operate it must not be more than five pounds.
Users must be able to operate and control it with one hand.
The washer must not require excessive gripping or twisting of the wrist.
All racks should be accessible from the front.
What is the difference between an ADA dishwasher and a normal dishwasher?
An ADA compliant dishwasher is a front-loading dishwasher, but a normal dishwasher can be top loading as well. A normal dishwasher can be an inch or two taller than the ADA compliant one. Also, it might not be as simple to operate as an ADA compliant dishwasher.
What is ADA counter height?
An ADA countertop is 36 inches tall. It is designed slightly lower than regular counters so that those in a wheelchair can easily access everything while sitting.
What is the size of an ADA compliant dishwasher?
An ADA compliant dishwasher is 32 inches tall, smaller than the standard size of 33-35 inches that regular dishwashers have. These dishwashers are smaller because they need to fit inside an ADA compliant counter top, which is 36 inches tall as discussed above.
How much smaller is an ADA dishwasher?
As explained above, an ADA compliant dishwasher is on average between 2 to 3 inches smaller than regular dishwashers
My List of The Five Best ADA Compliant Dishwashers
#1 Frigidaire ADA Compliant Compact Front Control Dishwasher : Best For Compact Kitchens
Features
- Performance: 9.8/10
- Operation: 9.7/10
- Hygiene: 9.7/10
- Maintenance: 9.9/10
- Noise: 8/10
- Certification: 10/10
Technical Specifications
- Material: Plastic, Stainless Steel
- Noise: 52 dB
- Capacity: 8 place setting
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Certification: ADA, Energy Star, National Sanitation Foundation Certified
- Size: 22.5 x 18 x 35 inches (D x W x H)
Pros
- The compact size is suitable for small spaces.
- It is very easy to clean and maintain.
- There are two racks that you can utilize.
- Easy to install and use.
- The dual spray arm offers stainless cleaning.
- ADA compliant dishwasher with front loading and easy access.
Cons
- Some users complained about the leakage. Well, I had no such issue till now.
- Unfortunately for some users, the machine didn’t last long.
Bottom Line
This dishwasher is my first choice because it is loaded with great features. I liked its size as it was best suited for my compact kitchen. Also, it was highly efficient in cleaning all the dishes as all my dishes were shining bright with no foul odor.
Features In Detail
- Performance: This dishwasher removes almost 99.9% of common household bacteria and leaves no grease on the dishes. Also, I didn’t find any foul odor coming from the dishes. It was loaded with a heat drying system, which helped dry my dishes the first time. It also helped me save some dollars on my electricity bills.
- Operation: The machine operates with a dual spray arm system which gives a thorough clean every time. The cleaning option includes heavy wash and rinse. The device works with a simple mechanism, and I found no difficulty using it.
- Hygiene: the dishwasher took complete care of hygiene as it promised to kill almost all the common household bacteria. I found this feature very suitable for my kitchen as I live with pets.
- Maintenance: I found this dishwasher to be very simple to install, use, operate, and clean. I could easily take out the racks and clean the interiors with water and vinegar mixture in no time.
- Noise: To be honest, I was thrilled to learn that this dishwasher did not produce any noise at all while cleaning the dishes. Sometimes I used to forget that I had kept the dishwasher on.
- Certification: One of the unique things about this dishwasher was that it had many certificates in its kitty. Such as ADA compliance, Energy saver, and National Sanitation Foundation Certificate.
You might like to read: A Complete Guide to Make a Wheelchair Accessible Home and Business
#2 Summit Appliance ADA Compliant Built-In Dishwasher: The Most Silent Option
Features
- Performance: 9.4/10
- Operation: 9.5/10
- Hygiene: 9.3/10
- Maintenance: 9.2/10
- Noise: 9.4/10
- Certification: 10/10
Technical Specifications
- Material: Stainless Steel, Ulc
- Noise: 48dB
- Capacity: 12 Place Settings
- Voltage: 115 Volts
- Certification: ADA certified, Energy Star Certified
- Size: 24 x 32 x 22.38 inches (W x H x D)
Pros
- The height of the dishwasher is perfect to fit under lower ADA compliant counters.
- Helps save water and energy.
- Comes with a large display screen and easy-to-use buttons.
- The stainless steel body enhances its life and enhances its looks.
- Its advanced sound absorption technology ensures quiet operation.
Cons
- Some users might find this dishwasher a bit heavier than the previous one.
- Some users might need some initial time to learn how to operate the system, just like me.
Bottom Line
The dishwasher produced almost no noise while in operation, which was the best feature of this device. I could easily work in the same room where the machine was working.
Features In Detail
- Performance: I liked the performance of this dishwasher as it cleaned all the dishes, pots, pans, and all other utensils neatly. It has a quick wash and dry function that allows the machine to wash large and small loads without any hassle easily. The unique feature I liked the most was that the device could self-adjust to the detergent type for optimum performance. Above all, the unit helped me save quite some dollars in water and electricity bills.
- Operation: The dishwasher operates at a 58 minutes cycle and lets you clean smaller loads within an hour. I found this feature excellent because I live alone hence sometimes don’t have many utensils to wash. I could also program a wash cycle for up to 24 hours in advance using its “Time Delay” feature.
- Hygiene: After each wash, I was fully satisfied that there was no grease on the dishes, especially pots and pans. Also, I found no foul smell coming from them.
- Maintenance: The dishwasher could self-clean itself using the InnerClean setting, and this feature just made my day as I was relieved that I would not have to manually clean the dishwasher.
- Noise: The unit just produced 49 dB noise which is very pleasing for human ears. This feature is one of the top reasons I recommend it to my fellow readers.
- Certification: The dishwasher holds the ADA certificate and the Energy Star certificate. Both these certificates make it one of the best dishwashers in the town.
#3 FRIGIDAIRE Stainless Steel Dishwasher: Most Value For Money
Features
- Performance: 8.9/10
- Operation: 8.8/10
- Hygiene: 8.7/10
- Maintenance: 8.6/10
- Noise: 8.8/10
- Certification: 10/10
Technical Specifications
- Material: Stainless Steel
- Noise: 52dB
- Capacity: 14 Place Settings
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Certification: ENERGY STAR certificate, ADA Certified
- Size: 24 x 351/4 x 491/4 inches (W x H x D)
Pros
- The upper rack is quite adjustable and can easily adjust up and down to accommodate tall and odd-shaped items.
- It comes with easy-to-use cleaning cycle options such as heavy clean, rinse only, and upper rack.
- It uses less water and energy without compromising on performance.
- The door stays still at whatever angle you open it for hassle-free loading and unloading.
- Automatically adjusts the cycle time based on how much cleaning your dishes need.
Cons
- It took me quite some time to install it and understand its operation.
- Some users complained that the unit started making noise after cleaning several dozen loads.
Bottom Line
This is the most affordable dishwasher on the list. It is loaded with great features, runs on simple mechanisms, and combines simplicity with technology. Without a doubt, I can say it is an excellent value for money product.
Features In Detail
- Performance: I would say that this dishwasher is one of the best performing dishwashers on the list. This is so because it could quickly clean all the stubborn baked food in just one go. I also found it ultra-efficient as it could clean a heavy load in just 38 minutes.
- Operation: This is where I needed some expert help, but once I learned all its mechanisms, I became a pro at using it. The unit adjusts washing pressure based on your needs. Also, it can automatically adjust the cycle time based on the cleaning needed.
- Hygiene: The device promises to kill almost 99.99% of household kitchen bacteria, which I am sure it does because the dishes were shining bright with no grease and foul odor after cleaning.
- Maintenance: I wasted no time maintaining this device because it comes with an automatic self-cleaning feature. This feature helps it clean itself thoroughly within 30 minutes.
- Noise: The device is pretty quiet and generates no to minimum noise. I could practically be in the same room while it was working.
- Certification: the device holds an Energy star certificate hence uses less energy and water to clean the dishes. It also holds an ADA certificate, making it apt for people with specific disabilities.
You might like to read: What are the ADA Requirements for Grab Bars?
#4 Summit Appliance Built-In Dishwasher ADA Compliant: Most Functional
Features
- Performance: 8.4/10
- Operation: 8.3/10
- Hygiene: 8.2/10
- Maintenance: 8.1/10
- Noise: 8.4/10
- Certification: 10/10
Technical Specifications
- Material: Stainless steel
- Noise: 47 dB
- Capacity: 10 place setting
- Voltage: 115 Volts
- Certification: ADA Certified, ENERGY STAR certified
- Size: 32.25 x 23.5 x 22.5 inches (H x W x D)
Pros
- The unit comes with intuitive button controls with a digital display.
- A convenient basket makes it easy to arrange your pots and pans along with plates, bowls, etc.
- The dishwasher will self-adjust to the detergent type for better performance.
- It comes with eight wash programs for all kinds of cleaning.
- You can program a wash cycle for up to 19 hours in advance.
Cons
- I faced some difficulty removing the bottom filter to throw away the accumulated food waste.
Bottom Line
All-in-all I would say that this dishwasher met all the requirements properly that it was supposed to meet. I liked the feature of its eight types of wash programs. I could easily clean pots, pans, cutleries, and crockeries of all shapes and sizes in one go by combining different wash programs.
Features In Detail
- Performance: As per my experience, I liked the performance of this dishwasher and the other dishwashers on the list. Two spray arms ensure your full load is properly washed. Five auxiliary functions helped me further customize the wash and dry settings, with options that include half load, sanitize, extra dry, extra fast, and high temperature for added efficiency.
- Operation: The dishwasher met all the ADA requirements, and its control panels and buttons were quickly operable using just one finger. It is filled with great features and modern technology that detects the wash type needed, gives water cut-off warnings, self adjusts to the detergent types, etc.
- Hygiene: the dishwasher helps maintain the full hygiene of the dishes and helps wash off almost all the household kitchen bacteria. I ensured better hygiene by using its Sanitize setting, where I increased the water temperature in the final rinse for a better wash.
- Maintenance: The device was easy to maintain and clean. However, I initially faced some issues in cleaning the bottom filter, but with a few tips and tricks, I could do it next time successfully. Other than that, there was no hassle in cleaning its interiors, etc.
- Noise: Till now, this is the least noise-producing dishwasher. I was amazed to learn that it produces only 47 dB, so now I can take my afternoon naps without any hindrance.
- Certification: The device is ADA certified hence perfect for me. It is also ENERGY STAR certified, which saves energy and water bills.
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#5 Blomberg ADA Compliant Built-In Dishwasher: Adjustable Racks For Washing Different Types of Utensils
Features
- Performance: 7.9/10
- Operation: 7.8/10
- Hygiene: 7.7/10
- Maintenance: 7.6/10
- Noise: 7.9/10
- Certification: 10/10
Technical Specifications
- Material: Stainless steel
- Noise: 48 dB
- Capacity: 8 place setting
- Voltage: 120 Volts
- Certification: ADA certified and Energy Star Qualified
- Size: 17.62 x 32.20 x 22.43 inches (W x H x D)
Pros
- It features stainless steel interiors to protect the machine from corrosion and heat.
- You can increase the water temperature to 167°F to kill all the germs and bacteria.
- Eight wash cycles ensure all types of cleaning for all kitchen utensils.
- Energy star certificates ensure you clean all the dishes brilliantly, using less energy and water.
- It operates at a low 48 dBA noise level.
- The upper rack can be easily adjusted in 3 simple positions; hence you can clean pots and pans of all shapes and sizes.
- Comes with a simple control panel with a digital display.
Cons
- After several runs, a few drops of water started leaking from the bottom panel.
Bottom Line
The dishwasher is certainly a 21st-century dishwasher with plenty of features imbibing modern technology. Its unique feature that grabbed my attention was its adjustable racks that could easily fit in all my pots and pans of versatile shapes.
Features In Detail
- Performance: This dishwasher offers excellent performance and can wash heavy loads within an hour. I used its Rapidclean mode to clean the loads quickly without any leftovers.
- Operation: the device works on simple mechanisms. I used it through simple button operations and selected the wash type by looking at the digital display.
- Hygiene: I like that I can increase the water temperature up to 167°F and clean all the germs and bacteria on the dishes.
- Maintenance: the machine was easy to clean and maintain, and I practically wasted no time on its well-being since it could do all its interior cleaning all by itself.
- Noise: the unit produces only 48 dB noise which is relatively safe for human ears, and I liked this feature.
- Certification: The device is ADA certified; hence it meets all the guidelines issued by ADA.
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My Top 3 Choices.
If you have any disability, then you can buy an appliance to meet all your requirements under ADA guidelines to feel not inferior to anyone.
Just like me, you can also buy an ADA compliant dishwasher to get rid of all those piled-up dishes in the kitchen. I have tested and then reviewed all the products above, but you can check my top three recommendations if you are in a rush.
My top three recommendations are:
The best option is the Frigidaire ADA Compliant Compact Front Control Dishwasher. This is because this dishwasher removes almost 99.9% of common household bacteria and leaves no grease on the dishes. The machine operates with a dual spray arm system which gives a thorough clean every time.
The Summit Appliance ADA Compliant Built-In Dishwasher is another great choice. It offers a quick wash and dry function that allows the machine to wash large and small loads without any hassle easily. The dishwasher operates at a 58 minutes cycle and lets you clean smaller loads within an hour.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the FRIGIDAIRE Stainless Steel Dishwasher, which is loaded with great features, runs on simple mechanisms, and combines simplicity with technology at a very reasonable price point
