Samsung IntensiveWash™ Dishwasher (DW60M5042FS) Review: The Absolute Essentials
The Samsung IntensiveWash™ Dishwasher (DW60M5042FS) is Samsung’s entry-point into the 13-place setting dishwasher category, built for those on the strictest of budgets. This model delivers the brand’s well-regarded Intensive wash for tough stains but makes substantial compromises across the board to keep costs down. Key features found in slightly more expensive models, like Auto Door Open Dry, an Express cycle, and a third wash arm, have been removed. It utilizes a basic Condensing Dry system and operates at a loud 52 dBA. It’s a functional machine that gets the core job of washing done, but its limitations in performance, efficiency, and convenience are significant.
Powerful Cleaning on a Budget
IntensiveWash Program
This dishwasher’s primary selling point is the Intensive wash cycle. It’s designed to powerfully clean heavily soiled cookware, such as greasy pans and kadhais, using high-temperature water and focused jets from its two wash arms.
Basic Condensing Dry
This model uses a standard Condensing Dry system. It relies on the residual heat from the final hot rinse to evaporate water from the dishes. While functional for ceramics and glass, it is generally less effective for plastics, which often remain wet.
Hygiene and Half Load Options
The dishwasher retains some useful features, including a Hygiene option to sanitize dishes with a high-temperature rinse and a Half Load setting to save water and energy when you don’t have a full load.
Height Adjustable Rack
To help accommodate taller and bulkier items in the bottom rack, the upper rack’s height can be easily adjusted. This is its main flexibility feature, as the machine lacks any foldable tines.
Full Specification Table
Design & Performance
- Model: DW60M5042FS
- Type: Freestanding
- Capacity: 13 Place Settings
- Energy Class: A+
- Noise Level: 52 dBA
- Water Consumption: 12 L/cycle
- Drying System: Condensing Dry
- Color: Stainless Steel
Programs & Options
- Programs (4): Normal, Intensive, Delicate, Eco
- Missing Programs: No Express Wash, No Pre Wash
- Options: Delay Start, Half load, Hygiene, Multi-in 1, Control Lock
- Missing Feature: No Auto Door Open
Racking & Features
- Wash Arms: Mid/Low (2 arms only)
- Upper Rack: Height Adjustable
- Lower Rack: No Fold Down Tines
- Safety: Leakage Sensor (No Aqua Stop)
Dimensions & Power
- Net (WxHxD): 598 x 845 x 600 mm
- Heater Power: 1800W
- Net Weight: 41.5 kg
Pros and Cons: A Detailed Breakdown
Pros:
- Affordable Price Point: It is one of the cheapest ways to get a 13-place setting dishwasher from a major brand.
- Powerful Intensive Cycle: Effectively cleans very dirty pots and pans.
- Large Capacity: Suitable for the daily dishwashing needs of a standard family.
Cons:
- Very Loud Operation: At 52 dBA, it is significantly louder than most modern dishwashers and is unsuitable for open-plan homes.
- Ineffective Drying: The basic Condensing Dry system will struggle to dry plastics and can leave other items damp.
- Missing Key Safety Feature: The lack of an Aqua Stop flood prevention system is a serious omission.
- Limited Flexibility: With no fold-down tines on either rack, loading large or awkwardly shaped items is very difficult.
- Reduced Cleaning Coverage: Having only two wash arms instead of three may lead to less consistent cleaning results.
- Fewer Wash Programs: The absence of an Express or quick wash cycle is a major inconvenience.
- Poor Energy Efficiency: An A+ rating means higher long-term running costs compared to competitors.
Who Is This Dishwasher For?
This dishwasher should only be considered by:
- The Most Budget-Constrained Buyers: Those who absolutely cannot spend more but need a 13-place setting machine.
- Users with a Separate, Closed-Off Kitchen: A closed door is necessary to mitigate the high noise level.
Who Should Definitely Look Elsewhere?
Almost everyone else. You should absolutely choose a different model if:
- You live in an open-plan home.
- You want your dishes, especially plastics, to be dry.
- You value low utility bills and energy efficiency.
- You are concerned about potential water leaks and want the Aqua Stop safety feature.
- You need the flexibility to wash large bowls or pots.
Competitive Edge: Price, and Nothing Else
The Samsung DW60M5042FS has only one competitive advantage: its low price. It is a product designed to hit the absolute lowest possible price point for a full-size dishwasher from a globally recognized brand. To do so, it has been stripped of features that are now considered standard on most modern appliances, including effective drying, quiet operation, robust safety systems, and flexible loading. Its value is measured purely in its upfront cost, not in its performance, convenience, or long-term running costs.
Final Verdict: A Machine of Too Many Compromises
The Samsung IntensiveWash™ Dishwasher (DW60M5042FS) is a difficult product to recommend. While it offers a large capacity and a powerful wash cycle for a very low price, the trade-offs are severe. The loud 52 dBA noise level makes it intrusive in most modern homes, and the switch to a basic Condensing Dry system is a major step back, guaranteeing wet plastics and potentially damp dishes.
The removal of the Express Wash cycle, a third wash arm, all fold-down tines, and the critical Aqua Stop safety feature are compromises that heavily impact the daily user experience and peace of mind. While it does wash dishes, it does so loudly, inefficiently, and inconveniently. Buyers would be far better served by spending slightly more to get a model—even from the same brand—that rectifies these significant flaws. This dishwasher is functional, but fundamentally compromised.
Overall Rating: 2.8 out of 5.0 (Functional but fundamentally flawed and difficult to recommend)