Best Kenmore Dishwasher Heating Element Replacements: 5 Real Picks for 2026
Five tested heating element replacements that fit most Kenmore dishwashers, compared on fitment, price, and real owner ratings.
In this article
Who this guide is for
If your Kenmore dishwasher is leaving dishes wet, cool, or spotted at the end of the dry cycle, a burned-out heating element is one of the most common -- and cheapest -- culprits. Many Kenmore dishwashers built from the mid-2000s onward share their tub and heating assembly with Whirlpool, which means the same handful of part numbers (W10518394, W10134009, 154825001, W10703867) cover a huge range of Kenmore, Whirlpool, Maytag, KitchenAid, and Frigidaire models. This guide is for anyone who wants to confirm that overlap, pick a well-reviewed replacement element, and get the dry cycle working again without calling a technician.
Before ordering anything, pull the model and serial number off the sticker inside your dishwasher's door frame and cross-reference it against the part numbers listed for each pick below -- Kenmore reused numbering across several manufacturers over the decades, so a model-number match matters more than the Kenmore name on the box.
Comparison table
| Product | Part # Cross-Reference | Price | Rating | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Whirlpool W10518394 Genuine OEM | W10518394, W10134009, 8563007, 8572861 | $33.12 | 4.5 (257 reviews) | View on Amazon |
 Endurance Pro 154825001 OEM | 154825001, AP5628696, 154482901, 154663801 | $34.49 | 4.4 (120 reviews) | View on Amazon |
 Beaquicy W10518394 / W10134009 | W10518394, W10134009, PS8260087 | $28.97 | 4.2 (471 reviews) | View on Amazon |
 Techecook W10703867 Upgraded | W10703867, W10696509, W10473250, W10195052 | $45.99 | 4.2 (131 reviews) | View on Amazon |
 Budget W10518394 / W10441445 | W10518394, W10441445 | $25.98 | 3.8 (47 reviews) | View on Amazon |
The picks
Whirlpool W10518394 Genuine OEM
This is the manufacturer-branded original-equipment element behind most of the aftermarket clones on this list, and it carries the largest review base of any genuine-OEM option we found for this part number family.
Pros: Genuine Whirlpool manufacturing, widest documented model compatibility, long track record of owner reviews. Cons: Costs more than comparable aftermarket clones with the same physical spec. Skip it if: You've confirmed an aftermarket clone below matches your exact model and just want the lowest price.
Endurance Pro 154825001 OEM (Frigidaire/Kenmore/Sears cross-reference)
If your Kenmore dishwasher was actually built on the Frigidaire/Electrolux platform rather than Whirlpool, this is the cross-reference you want -- it uses an entirely different part-number family (154825001 series) than the Whirlpool-based picks above.
Pros: Covers Frigidaire-platform Kenmore models the Whirlpool-numbered parts won't fit, strong recent review average, straightforward two-bolt install. Cons: Won't fit Whirlpool-platform Kenmore dishwashers, so model verification is essential first. Skip it if: Your model sticker cross-references to a Whirlpool part number instead.
Beaquicy W10518394 / W10134009
This aftermarket element carries the largest single review count on our list by a wide margin, which suggests high sales volume and reasonable field reliability at a lower price point than the genuine OEM part.
Pros: Very high review volume for confidence, noticeably cheaper than OEM, explicitly lists Kenmore 665 series compatibility. Cons: Slightly lower average rating than the OEM Whirlpool part. Skip it if: You strongly prefer a manufacturer-branded part over a third-party equivalent.
Techecook W10703867 Upgraded
A different part-number family (W10703867) than the other four picks, this one targets a separate range of newer Whirlpool/KitchenAid/Kenmore dishwasher platforms -- check your model sticker closely before assuming the more common W10518394 fits.
Pros: Covers newer dishwasher platforms the older part number doesn't reach, solid review average. Cons: The highest price on this list. Skip it if: Your model cross-references to W10518394 instead -- you'll save money going with one of the other picks.
Budget W10518394 / W10441445
The least expensive element on this list using the common W10518394 cross-reference, aimed at owners who just want a working dry cycle again without spending much.
Pros: Lowest price on this list, same core part-number cross-reference as the pricier OEM and Beaquicy picks. Cons: Noticeably lower average rating and smaller review base than the other aftermarket options. Skip it if: You've had bad luck with budget aftermarket appliance parts before and would rather pay more for a proven track record.
How we chose these picks
We started by pulling the part numbers Kenmore dishwashers most commonly cross-reference to -- primarily the Whirlpool-platform W10518394/W10134009 family and the separate Frigidaire-platform 154825001 family -- since Kenmore itself doesn't manufacture the majority of its own dishwashers. From there we compared real Amazon listings on rating, review volume, and price, favoring parts with hundreds of verified purchases over newer listings with few or no reviews. We deliberately included one Frigidaire-platform option and one newer-platform option alongside the more common Whirlpool cross-references, since Kenmore's model lineup spans multiple manufacturers and a single best-fit part number doesn't cover every unit.
Final verdict
For most Kenmore dishwashers built on the Whirlpool platform, the genuine OEM Whirlpool element is the safest bet if you want manufacturer backing, while the Beaquicy version delivers nearly the same fitment at a lower price with an even larger base of verified buyers. If your unit turns out to be Frigidaire-platform instead, skip straight to the Endurance Pro cross-reference rather than forcing a Whirlpool-numbered part that won't physically fit. Whichever you choose, confirm the exact part number against your model and serial sticker first -- that single check prevents the most common return on this type of repair part.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Kenmore dishwasher's heating element is bad?
Dishes come out wet or cool, the dry cycle takes far longer than usual, or you notice the element coil in the tub bottom no longer glows faintly during the dry cycle. A multimeter continuity test across the element terminals is the most reliable confirmation -- no reading means it's dead.
Are aftermarket heating elements as reliable as OEM Whirlpool parts?
Most Kenmore dishwashers built after the mid-2000s were manufactured by Whirlpool, so aftermarket elements using the same W10518394 or 154825001 part numbers are built to the same physical spec. Reliability varies more by brand and manufacturing batch than by OEM-vs-aftermarket labeling, so checking recent buyer reviews matters more than the badge.
Do I need to disconnect power before replacing a dishwasher heating element?
Yes. Always shut off power at the breaker (not just the wall switch) before pulling the lower access panel, since the element wiring is a direct electrical connection and the tub can still hold residual water.
Will any of these elements fit a Kenmore 665 series dishwasher?
The Kenmore 665 series was built on the Whirlpool platform, so parts using W10518394 or W10134009 cross-references are the ones to check first. Always confirm against your dishwasher's model and serial number sticker (usually inside the door frame) before ordering, since Kenmore reused numbering across several manufacturers over the years.
Can I replace the heating element myself, or should I hire a technician?
It's a common DIY repair -- the element sits in the tub bottom and is usually held by two nuts with wire leads. If you're comfortable with a screwdriver, a multimeter, and turning off a breaker, most owners finish the swap in under an hour. If your model has an unusually tight access panel or a sump assembly in the way, a technician may be worth the extra cost.
