The US-Based Dishwasher Brand You'll Regret Buying From

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There's a lot to think about when you are choosing the right dishwasher for your kitchen. While capacity and features will probably be near the top of the list, equally important, if not more so, will be the brand's reputation for reliability and durability. If you've got the budget to splash out on a high-quality model, you might think those things would be a given. Unfortunately, with one U.S.-based appliance manufacturer, that may not be the case. Despite its dishwashers costing literally thousands of dollars, buying from Viking could be something you'll regret.

It doesn't matter how big the brand is or how good the quality is in general, some issues are inevitable. If there were only one or two complaints, you could put it down to bad luck. However, having checked customer feedback at popular retailers, review sites, and discussion forums it's clear that Viking dishwashers frequently don't live up to expectations. Although there are plenty of buyers who are happy with their purchases, a significant percentage are not, and average ratings of 3.5 and 3.6 stars hardly puts them among the most reliable dishwasher brands on the market. The premium price tag only adds to people's disappointment.

The Viking company makes much of being U.S.-based. On its website, it calls itself "an American icon." It's true that it is still based in Greenwood, Mississippi, where it all began, and there are several manufacturing facilities in that state. That's not where Viking dishwashers come from, though. They are actually made in Turkey.

It appears they don't travel well. "Walk away quietly" said Reddit user u/WesternTarget7 who had owned two Viking machines in seven years, both now broken. In addition to durability, performance also comes in for criticism. One owner on Consumer Affairs said it "simply does not clean." Another Best Buy reviewer was equally terse: "Does not dry."

To be fair, it's not difficult to find buyers who leave positive reviews. "Works extremely well. Quiet, cleans exceptionally," said one Best Buy customer. Yet our research shows that around a third of Viking dishwasher owners have experienced breakdowns or their machine has not lived up to expectations.

There are those who wonder if even having a dishwasher makes sense anymore, and there are pros and cons to think about. If you do decide to buy one, Viking may not be your best choice. A sizable proportion of owners will tell you it's something you will regret.