Choosing the right dishwasher can significantly impact your daily routine and kitchen’s efficiency. Two popular models on the market are the Midea MDF18A1AST and the RCA RZ0842 dishwashers, both offering practical solutions for smaller households or kitchens with limited space. However, each has its unique strengths, features, and functionality that may make one a better choice depending on your specific needs. In this detailed comparison, we’ll break down their key features, performance, and overall value.
1. Design and Build Quality
- Midea MDF18A1AST: This dishwasher features a slimline design, with dimensions of 22.6″D x 17.6″W x 32.4″H, making it an ideal choice for compact spaces. Despite its smaller footprint, it has been designed thoughtfully to accommodate large plates, pots, and pans, up to 11 inches in height. The dishwasher’s stainless steel exterior gives it a sleek, modern look, while also ensuring durability and resistance to stains and corrosion. Its adjustable legs make installation easier in tight spaces or uneven floors.
- RCA RZ0842: The RCA model is slightly larger, with dimensions of 25″D x 24″W x 35″H, and is also made from stainless steel, which gives it durability and a professional appearance. This under-counter dishwasher is designed to handle standard kitchen loads, and its tall-tub design allows for more flexibility when loading larger dishes. The build quality is solid, with a focus on noise reduction, but it takes up more space compared to the Midea model, making it less ideal for small kitchens.
2. Capacity
Both dishwashers have a capacity for 8 place settings, making them suitable for small to medium-sized households.
- Midea MDF18A1AST offers a well-organized interior with ample room for plates, glasses, and cutlery. The adjustable racks and smart layout ensure that even larger items, like pots and pans, can fit comfortably. This model’s design is particularly focused on maximizing space efficiency, which is ideal for homes where kitchen space is at a premium.
- RCA RZ0842 also supports 8 place settings with its tall-tub design, offering plenty of room for everyday dishwashing needs. Its tub design is optimized for larger dishes, allowing for easy accommodation of items such as pans, pots, and even tall glasses. However, it lacks the space-saving features that the Midea model offers, making it slightly bulkier.
3. Noise Levels
- Midea MDF18A1AST: With a noise level of 52 dB, the Midea model is relatively quiet, making it a great choice for open-plan living spaces or apartments where a quieter operation is preferred. While not whisper-quiet, its sound level is low enough to run during the day or night without disturbing household activities.
- RCA RZ0842: This dishwasher operates at 57 dB, which is slightly louder than the Midea model. Although not excessively noisy, the RCA RZ0842 is better suited for homes where sound is less of a concern, such as in detached houses or areas where the kitchen is separate from the living space.
4. Control System and Interface
- Midea MDF18A1AST: This model features a digital control panel with an LED display, offering a more modern and intuitive user interface. The controls are straightforward, with push buttons that allow users to easily select washing modes and additional functions. The display provides clear information on the current cycle and time remaining, giving users more control over the wash process.
- RCA RZ0842: The RCA dishwasher comes with ready-select electronic controls on a full console. The front panel is simple and user-friendly, allowing you to select different wash cycles at the touch of a button. However, it lacks the modern LED display found in the Midea model, which could be seen as a downside for users who prefer a more high-tech control interface.
5. Washing Cycles and Programs
Both dishwashers offer 6 wash cycles to meet various cleaning needs, but the specific options and additional features differ slightly.
- Midea MDF18A1AST: This model offers six programs: Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse. In addition, it includes three extra functions: Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize, which provide additional customization for thorough cleaning. The Heated Dry option ensures that dishes come out completely dry, eliminating the need for towel drying, while the Hi-Temp wash increases the water temperature to effectively clean heavily soiled dishes. The Sanitize function is especially useful for cleaning baby bottles or items that require an extra level of hygiene.
- RCA RZ0842: This model also comes with 6 wash cycles, including Energy Saver, pots and pans, rinse only, and light wash. It offers additional options like sanitize, high temperature wash, and high heat/no heat dry, similar to the Midea model. While both dishwashers offer sanitize and high-temperature wash features, the RCA lacks the ECO or delicate cycle, which may be a disadvantage for those looking to conserve water or wash more fragile items.
6. Energy Efficiency
- Midea MDF18A1AST: This dishwasher is designed to be energy-efficient, especially with its ECO cycle, which uses less water and energy while still delivering clean dishes. The combination of the ECO wash and the Heated Dry function makes it a good choice for eco-conscious users looking to reduce energy consumption.
- RCA RZ0842: The RCA model also includes an Energy Saver wash cycle, aimed at reducing energy usage. However, it may not be as efficient as the Midea’s ECO cycle, which is specifically tailored to minimize both water and energy consumption. That said, the RCA’s performance in terms of energy efficiency is still respectable for a full-sized, under-counter dishwasher.
7. Drying Performance
- Midea MDF18A1AST: Equipped with a Heated Dry function, this model ensures that dishes come out completely dry after each cycle. It offers efficient drying performance, reducing the need for additional towel drying and saving time in the kitchen. The extra drying function is not available in the Rapid and Self-clean cycles, but it covers most standard washing needs.
- RCA RZ0842: This model also offers a high heat dry option, but it allows users to choose between high heat or no heat dry at the end of the cycle. While this provides flexibility, its drying performance may not match the thoroughness of the Midea’s Heated Dry function. Users may find that certain items, such as plastic dishes, still need manual drying after the cycle completes.
8. Special Features
- Midea MDF18A1AST: This model stands out for its slimline design, which takes up minimal space in the kitchen while still offering a full range of cleaning capabilities. Its digital display and Heated Dry function further enhance its usability. The dishwasher also comes with a HI TEMP cycle that heats the water to 136°F, making it suitable for heavily soiled dishes and sanitizing purposes.
- RCA RZ0842: The RCA dishwasher comes equipped with a Sound Reduction System (operating at 57 dB), which keeps noise levels low. Its tall-tub design provides extra space for larger items, making it versatile enough for various dish sizes. However, it lacks the modern LED display and the specialized drying functions offered by Midea.
9. Price and Value
- Midea MDF18A1AST is typically positioned as an affordable, compact option that doesn’t sacrifice functionality. Its space-saving design, advanced features like the Heated Dry function, and intuitive digital controls make it an excellent value for those looking for a budget-friendly yet high-performing dishwasher in small or compact kitchens.
- RCA RZ0842 is likely to be similarly priced but may be a better fit for those who prioritize capacity over compact design. The RCA model’s tall-tub design and sound reduction system provide great value, but it may feel less modern due to its lack of digital display and slightly noisier operation.
Conclusion
Both the Midea MDF18A1AST and the RCA RZ0842 dishwashers are solid choices, but they cater to different needs:
- Midea MDF18A1AST is ideal for those who have limited kitchen space and want a slim, compact design with advanced features like a digital display, Heated Dry, and HI TEMP wash for added cleaning power and efficiency. It’s quieter, more energy-efficient, and offers better space optimization for modern, compact kitchens.
- RCA RZ0842, on the other hand, is better suited for users who prioritize capacity and a tall-tub design for larger dish loads. It performs well with standard cleaning tasks and offers flexibility with its high heat/no heat dry options. However, it is bulkier and slightly louder, making it a better choice for more traditional kitchens with more space.
Ultimately, the decision depends on your specific requirements—whether you prioritize space efficiency and modern features or capacity and robust functionality.