Best Premium Pick
Kenmore 22-14605 Dishwasher Review: Premium Performance at a Reasonable Price
Last tested: March 2026 · By Claire Ashworth
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Best for homeowners who want full-size dishwasher performance with a third rack for extra capacity. The UltraWash Plus system handles baked-on food reliably without requiring you to pre-rinse everything first. Price falls in the mid-premium range, which is justified by the cleaning results and the TurboDry system that actually handles plastics. Families who run the dishwasher daily will find it earns its keep.
| Brand | Kenmore |
|---|---|
| Model | 22-14605 |
| Width | 24 inches |
| Place Settings | 15 |
| Noise Level | 45 dBA |
| Wash System | UltraWash Plus |
| Drying | TurboDry |
| Sensor | SmartWash |
| Third Rack | EasyFlex adjustable |
| Finish | Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel |
| Energy | ENERGY STAR Certified |
| Cycles | Normal, Heavy, Light, Sensor, Quick, Rinse Only |
The SmartWash sensor is the part of this machine you'll notice most in daily use. It reads the soil level in the water and adjusts both temperature and cycle duration automatically. We tested with a range of loads, from lightly rinsed coffee mugs and glasses to a large stockpot with dried-on tomato sauce and a sheet pan with baked cheese. The stockpot came out clean without any pre-rinsing. That's not a given at this price point.
TurboDry is the other standout. Most dishwashers in this range rely on residual heat to dry dishes, which works fine for ceramics and glass but leaves plastic containers damp. TurboDry pushes heated air through the tub actively during the drying cycle, and the difference on plastics is real. Tupperware lids, protein shaker cups, and cutting boards came out dry in our testing, not just warm. If you own a lot of plastic containers, this matters.
At 45 dBA, the machine is quiet enough to run during dinner without it pulling focus. It's not Bosch-silent, but it's comfortable for an open-plan kitchen. We ran it during a family dinner with the kitchen open to the dining room and it didn't require anyone to raise their voice or pause conversation. That's the practical test that actually matters.
Multiple spray arms with targeted jets reach into tall glasses, wide pans, and the corners of the lower rack that standard spray patterns can miss. Baked-on food released cleanly without soaking on 9 of 10 test runs we conducted. The one exception was carbonized residue on a cast iron pan, which isn't really a dishwasher problem anyway. For standard cooking residue, including dried pasta sauce, egg, and oatmeal, it handled everything without intervention.
Active drying with a fan pushes hot humid air out of the tub while drawing drier air in. This is fundamentally different from the condensation-based drying most budget dishwashers use. Plastic containers that typically stay wet after a cycle came out dry in our testing. If you've been pulling damp Tupperware out of the dishwasher and towel-drying it before putting it away, this is the feature that ends that habit.
The sensor detects how dirty the wash water is and adjusts the cycle accordingly. Heavy loads ran longer and at higher temperatures. Lightly soiled loads finished faster and used less water. Over a week of regular use, this translates to real energy and water savings compared to a machine that runs the same fixed cycle every time regardless of what's inside. It's not flashy, but it's genuinely useful.
The adjustable third rack sits above the upper rack and holds utensils, flat lids, spatulas, chopsticks, and long-handled items that don't fit well in the silverware basket. It's wider than a typical utensil tray and can be repositioned to accommodate awkward items. In practice, it meaningfully increases the usable capacity per load. Households that cook regularly and generate a lot of utensils will use it every cycle.
Quiet enough for open-plan kitchens. Not the quietest dishwasher on the market, Bosch goes as low as 42 dBA on the 800 series, but 45 dBA is comfortable for most homes. The difference between 42 and 45 dBA is small in practice unless you're sitting very close to the machine. For most households running it after dinner while watching TV or finishing up in the kitchen, 45 dBA won't be a complaint.
The fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish does what the name suggests. Handles, a common smudge point on stainless appliances, stay clean after normal use without constant wiping. The exterior looks premium without requiring maintenance. The control panel sits on the top edge of the door rather than the front face, which keeps the exterior clean and uncluttered. It also means you can't see the current cycle status without opening the door slightly, which is a minor trade-off.
The interior tub is well-organized. Rack tines are spaced generously and the lower rack accommodates large pots and pans without requiring the upper rack to be repositioned. The EasyFlex third rack adds to the organized feel rather than cluttering the interior. Build quality feels solid throughout. The racks glide smoothly and the door closes with a satisfying weight. It's not in the same build tier as Bosch or Miele, but it's a step above most machines in its price range.
The control layout is straightforward. Cycle selection is a single row of buttons on the top edge of the door. There's no touchscreen, no app to configure, and no setup beyond choosing a cycle and pressing Start. That simplicity is an advantage for households where multiple people use the machine. Anyone can operate it without reading a manual. The SmartWash sensor cycle handles most loads well as a default, so you'll often just press one button.
Installation is standard for a 24-inch built-in. It requires a 120V outlet, a hot water supply connection, and a drain line to the sink drain or garbage disposal. If you're replacing an existing dishwasher, the connections are already in place and a plumber can complete the swap in under two hours. New installations in kitchens without an existing dishwasher require more work. Kenmore's spec sheet lists the same requirements as every comparable 24-inch unit.
Compared to the BLACK+DECKER BDW300MHS, the Kenmore costs more but delivers three meaningful upgrades: 15 place settings vs 12, a third rack, and the SmartWash sensor that cleans reliably without pre-rinsing. For households that run the dishwasher daily with a mix of light and heavy loads, that difference in cleaning performance adds up. You won't be pre-rinsing or re-running loads, which matters more in daily use than the price gap suggests.
Compared to the Bosch 500 series, the Kenmore is priced lower and gives up a small amount on DBA rating and overall build feel. If you're deciding between the two, the question is whether you want the best-in-class build quality and ultra-quiet operation or a very strong performer at a lower price. For most buyers who aren't comparing them side by side in a showroom, the Kenmore's practical performance will feel excellent. The Bosch is better on the spec sheet. The Kenmore is better on value per dollar.
Households that run the dishwasher daily and want reliable cleaning without having to babysit it. If you cook regularly and need the machine to handle heavy soil loads, stuck-on sauces, and a full load of mixed items without pre-rinsing everything first, the Kenmore 22-14605 delivers. The third rack makes it genuinely practical for families who generate a lot of utensils and awkward items per meal.
Buyers who want the absolute quietest dishwasher available should look at the Bosch 500 or 800 series. If you prioritize DBA ratings above everything else and budget allows, Bosch is the better choice. Anyone who wants app connectivity, smart home integration, or remote cycle monitoring will also be disappointed here. The Kenmore is a focused appliance that does its core job well and nothing beyond that.
The Kenmore 22-14605 does what a good dishwasher should do: clean reliably, dry completely, and run quietly. The UltraWash Plus and TurboDry combination puts it ahead of most competitors in its price range on actual results. You don't need to pre-rinse, the plastics come out dry, and the SmartWash sensor handles the variable loads that every household generates. If you don't need Wi-Fi connectivity and aren't fixated on hitting 44 dBA or lower, this is a strong buy that will perform well for years.
Yes, for most households. UltraWash Plus handles heavy soil reliably, TurboDry dries plastics without leaving moisture behind, and 45 dBA is comfortable in open kitchens. We rated it 4.6 out of 5 after testing it with a range of loads from coffee mugs to stuck-on stockpots.
45 dBA is roughly equivalent to a quiet library or soft rain. You can hold a normal conversation in the same room without raising your voice. It's noticeably quieter than older or budget dishwashers (which often run at 50-55 dBA) and comfortable for open-plan kitchens.
No special requirements. It needs a 120V outlet, a hot water supply connection, and a drain line. Most plumbers complete a standard unit swap in under two hours. If you're replacing an existing dishwasher, the connections are already in place.
For most households, yes. The EasyFlex third rack holds utensils, flat lids, spatulas, and long-handled items that are awkward in the lower basket. It meaningfully increases the usable capacity per load without requiring you to run the machine more often.
The Bosch 500 series runs at 44 dBA (slightly quieter) and has marginally better build quality, but costs more. The Kenmore delivers comparable cleaning at a lower price. If DBA ratings and premium build feel are your priority, go Bosch. If you want strong results at a better value, the Kenmore holds up well.
