Avanti DWF18V0W Dishwasher Review

The whole reason this machine exists is its width. At 17.75 inches wide it slides into an opening a standard dishwasher cannot use, and it installs under the counter as a built-in rather than sitting on wheels like a portable.

The tub is stainless steel, which holds heat and resists odor better than the plastic tubs common on entry-level machines. Among the wash options you get Sanitize, alongside Hi-Temp Wash, Extra Dry, Half Load/Eco and Delay Start.

The cycle options are Delicate, Intensive, Normal and Rinse. A Sound Reduction System keeps the rating at 53 dBA, which is normal-conversation level rather than loud-machine level.

The dishwasher is ADA compliant, which matters in accessible-design kitchens and under low counters. The machine has a cutlery basket, a drop-down metal door, digital controls and a front control LED display. On paper it is efficient too: 239 kWh per year and 3.1 gallons per cycle, both well under the federal standard for the class.

Capacity is the trade-off you make for the footprint. Two racks and a cutlery basket, with no third rack and no cutlery tray, mean the basket eats rack space, and a small machine needs more frequent runs than a 24-inch unit for the same dishes.

Drying is the weak point of the compact class. Heat-based drying on an 18-inch machine leaves plastic and tightly packed loads damp.

The build is utilitarian. Nylon-coated racks and a 61-pound body do not have the solidity of a larger or more expensive machine. At 53 dBA the noise is fine in a closed kitchen but audible in an open-plan studio.

The box includes a cutlery basket, a drop-down metal door, digital controls, a front control LED display and a rinse aid dispenser. The warranty is a one-year limited manufacturer warranty.

Quality is inconsistent from unit to unit. The spread of ratings points to a machine many owners are happy with and some are not, so buy from a retailer with a good return policy and register the warranty. The stainless tub, the sanitize option and the compact footprint are what justify this machine's price point; the product card shows the day's price.

The width is 17.75 inches. The 24.25-inch depth and the ADA-compliant 32.25-inch height are the other dimensions to check.

At 53 dBA the machine sits mid-pack on noise. The efficiency figures are low for the class, which keeps running costs modest even if a small tub means more cycles.

The machine must be secured to the adjacent cabinetry with the supplied brackets.

This is a built-in model only, not a portable or countertop unit, and it suits a low-clearance or ADA-height counter.

Loading is straightforward with two racks and a basket, and you will run it more often than you would a full-size machine.