Which is better for pots and greasy pans?

The KitchenAid. Its three wash arms and 30+ jets give more targeted coverage, and ProWash adjusts time and temperature to soil level. The Whirlpool's Quick Wash is better suited to lightly soiled everyday loads.

Which one is quieter?

The Whirlpool is rated lower on noise, so it is the better pick for an open-plan kitchen or a dishwasher next to a living area. The KitchenAid at 47 dBA is still quiet enough for most homes.

Which dries dishes better?

The KitchenAid. ProDry works with an automatic door open at the end of the cycle, and the ProDry Max option adds extra drying time. The Whirlpool is rated A for drying but has no door-open dry.

Is the third rack worth having?

Yes if you hand-wash a lot of silverware and serving spoons. It keeps utensils out of the lower rack and frees space for plates. The Whirlpool has no third rack.

Both use stainless steel tubs, which resist staining and odors. Longevity depends more on water hardness, filter cleaning and loading habits than on the brand. Neither has a clear durability edge from the specs.

Does either handle sanitizing?

The KitchenAid has a Sani-Rinse option that eliminates 99.999% of food soil bacteria. The Whirlpool does not list a sanitize cycle.

KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher vs Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

The KitchenAid KDFS224SWH is the stronger cleaner and dryer: 30+ wash jets across three arms, a third-level utensil rack, a stainless tub, and the ProDry system with automatic door open. The Whirlpool WDT740SALW is the quieter machine on paper and the simpler one to live with, with a quick wash and a rinse aid indicator. Pick the KitchenAid for heavy, greasy loads and better drying; pick the Whirlpool if quiet operation and straightforward cycles matter more than wash hardware.

Choose the KitchenAid KDFS224SWH if you want the most wash coverage and the best drying, and you load a lot of pots, pans and utensils.
Choose the Whirlpool WDT740SALW if a low noise rating and simple, quick cycles matter more to you than extra spray arms and a third rack.

Prices

KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher: $938.00 at ABC Warehouse (checked today)
Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher: $790.99 at Best Buy (checked today)
Difference: the Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher is $147.01 cheaper than the KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher today

	KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher	Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher
Wash hardware	30+ total wash jets on three wash arms	Standard wash system, no jet count or third arm listed
Third rack	Third Level Utensil Rack with water repellent tech	No third rack listed
Drying	ProDry system plus automatic door open and a ProDry Max option	Rated A drying performance, no door-open dry listed
Noise	47 dBA	39 dBA on the spec sheet, though the model name says 50dB
Cycles	5 cycles including ProWash and Express Wash	5 programs including Quick Wash
Tub	Stainless steel interior	Stainless steel tub
Sanitizing	Sani-Rinse option eliminates 99.999% of food soil bacteria	Not listed
Leak detection	Leak Identification System notifies you of a leak	Not listed

Spec	KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher	Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher
Color	White	Black
Sound level	47 dBA	—
Wash jets	30+ Total Wash Jets	—
Wash arms	three wash arms	—
Third rack	Third Level Utensil Rack with Water Repellent T…	—
Tub material	Stainless Steel	—
Door open distance	4"	—
Bacteria elimination	99.999% of food soil bacteria	—
Filtration	Triple Filtration System	—
Drying system	ProDry™ System	—
Noise Level (dB)	—	39
Place Settings (pcs)	—	14

Spec	KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher	Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher
Placement	—	Built Under
Features	—	Quick Wash Program, Delayed Start, Electronic R…
Quick Wash Program	—	Quick Wash
No. of Programs	—	5
Drying Performance	—	A

KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher vs Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

Prices

KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher vs Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

Prices

KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher

Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

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KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher

Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

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KitchenAid KDFS224SWH Dishwasher

Whirlpool WDT740SALW Built-In Dishwasher

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