“The dishwasher is perhaps the most important appliance we have in the kitchen,” says Harry Daniels, a restaurateur with over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry. “It saves time, and it has actually been proven that it saves water [over washing dishes by hand], too.” To come up with this list of the best dishwashers, we researched the price, noise level, number of wash cycles, style, and energy efficiency of the top dishwashers on the market. Our top overall pick is the Bosch 300 Series 24-Inch Stainless Steel Dishwasher, which has five wash cycles and plenty of room for up to 16 place settings. It also has a low noise level of only 44 decibels, which is as quiet as a library. Here are the best dishwashers. Keep in Mind: The door is not fingerprint-proof. As our top pick for the best dishwasher, the Bosch 300 Series 24-Inch Stainless Steel Dishwasher is one impressive appliance. Its three spacious racks allow you to fit all the dirty dinnerware from a 16-person dinner party in one go, and you can adjust the racks to nine different positions to fit items of various sizes, like large platters and pots and pans. The tines in the racks are also flexible so you can make space for oddly shaped items, too. No more scrubbing or even rinsing plates clean before putting them in the dishwasher either; this appliance has clever sensors that automatically know when more pressure is needed so the dishes always come out sparkling clean. Among its five wash cycles, the dishwasher has a convenient one-hour speed cycle for a quick wash that not only cleans dishes but dries them, too. With all cycles, you also have the option to sanitize everything—great for new parents washing bottles or for any household that has recently had a sick member for extra peace of mind. Other cycle options include half-load and delayed start. This dishwasher is super quiet at only 44 decibels which, for comparison, is much quieter than the noise level of a normal conversation, which has a rating of around 60 decibels. The design is a sleek and timeless stainless steel, and the controls are at the front for easy access and visibility. Just keep in mind that the dishwasher isn’t fingerprint-proof, so you’ll need to remember to wipe off prints during your regular cleaning schedule. Price at time of publish: $929 Capacity: 16 place settings | Racks: Three | Noise Level: 44 dBA | Energy Consumption: 269 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: Five Keep in Mind: It cannot be voice controlled. The Samsung Linear Wash Top Control 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher’s powerful jets are located on a sliding bar and spray in a linear motion to ensure that every item inside the roomy 23-cubic-foot interior, as well as each corner of the dishwasher, is thoroughly cleaned. And yet, the estimated yearly energy cost for this dishwasher, when used with an electric water heater, is just around $31—and only $21 when used with a natural gas water heater—making it our choice for the best dishwasher for energy efficiency. With a noise level of just 39 decibels, this appliance ties with the KitchenAid 39-Decibel Dishwasher (more on this appliance further down) as one of the quietest dishwashers around, too. The controls on the appliance are hidden on the top of its door, so the overall look is minimalist and chic, blending in with any kitchen décor. Only a simple blue time display is visible. When the cycle is done, the dishwasher’s door automatically opens so that the dinnerware can dry more quickly. The door is fingerprint-proof, so it won’t need to be wiped down on a daily basis to avoid looking messy. Plus, it comes in four colors, including black and navy, so you can choose the best look for your kitchen. Price at time of publish: $1,199 Capacity: 15 place settings | Racks: Three | Noise Level: 39 dBA | Energy Consumption: 239 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: Seven Keep in Mind: The heat dry option will not perform as well without a rinse aid, and the dishes will likely have excess moisture if used without one. If you often let large cookware soak overnight to avoid having to scrub them by hand, you’ll love the Whirlpool Large-Capacity Dishwasher, which can accommodate pots and pans thanks to its height-adjustable racks. Cups, dishes, cookware, and utensils of all shapes and sizes can fit inside this appliance, meaning you won’t have to wash anything manually. The third rack at the top of the dishwasher can fit those long utensils that are usually hard to place anywhere, and the racks’ tines are flexible so you can make everything fit just so. This dishwasher has soil sensors that detect how dirty the dishes are and how much pressure will be needed to get them clean. There’s also a delayed start that can delay cycles for up to 24 hours, so you won’t forget to run a cycle but you also won’t steal any hot water from those showering when the dishwasher is ready to run. The door, which is fingerprint-resistant and easy to keep clean, has a bar-style handle and comes in five different timeless finishes, including black, white, and silver, to suit your kitchen style. There’s a silverware basket that is removable so you can easily take it on over to the cutlery drawer for quick tidying. Alternatively, you can remove it to make more space for larger items that need to be cleaned. Other handy settings include automatic temperature control, a heavy pots and pans cycle, pre-soak, condensation drying, a sanitization option, and a quick wash cycle. Remember to add a rinse aid when using the heat dry option to remove excess moisture. This dishwasher also features a child safety lock, so your little ones won’t be able to get into it. Price at time of publish: $929 Capacity: 13 place settings | Racks: Three | Noise Level: 47 dBA | Energy Consumption: 270 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: Five Keep in Mind: There’s a “Direct Drive 10-Year Warranty” decal that cannot be removed (although it’s not too big and does blend in with the door color itself, we’d prefer if it wasn’t there). Looking for a smart dishwasher? You can operate the LG Top Control Smart WiFi-Enabled Dishwasher with the free LG ThinQ app, which is Android and iPhone compatible and allows you to operate your dishwasher (and any other LG smart appliances you may have) from your smartphone or tablet. You can keep up with its cycles, get notifications when the cycles finish, and also control it via voice command with Alexa or Google Assistant. Like some of the other best dishwashers on this list, this model features three adjustable racks with movable tines to accommodate many sizes of dishes and cookware, and it has powerful sprays to clean everything from all different angles. The door has hidden controls and a stainless-steel finish that is fingerprint- and smudge-proof so it will always look clean. What differentiates this dishwasher from its competitors, apart from its smart capabilities, is its interior LED lights that automatically turn on to give clear visibility so you can see that tiny teaspoon that has fallen all the way down the back without having to switch your phone’s flashlight on to find it. It also has smooth gliding rack wheels that allow you to slide the baskets in and out effortlessly using just a finger. The dishwasher features different water pressures on the top and lower racks, so you can put more hardwearing crockery at the bottom and delicate items, like glassware, at the top. It has a quiet operation at only 42 decibels; an impressive 10 wash cycles, which include cycles for crystal, china, and half loads; and a 10-year warranty on the motor for extra peace of mind. Price at time of publish: $1,300 Capacity: 15 place settings | Racks: Three | Noise Level: 42 dBA | Energy Consumption: 258 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: 10 Keep in Mind: The racks are not adjustable. If you have a tight kitchen that can’t fit a standard dishwasher or a small family, your home dishwashing needs may be covered by a narrow dishwasher—and the Frigidaire 18-Inch Built-In Dishwasher is worthy of consideration for many reasons. Able to clean and dry up to eight place settings at a time in its two roomy racks, this appliance is not only Energy Star certified, but it also has certification from the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) for its ability to successfully tackle household bacteria. There are two spray arms for a more thorough clean and six cycle options, including a heavy wash for stuck-on grime and an energy-saving wash cycle for cleaning lighter food remnants. While it’s not the quietest dishwasher on this list, it’s still an extremely low-noise machine at 52 decibels that won’t disturb your phone calls or TV watching. A time delay can set the cycle to start up to 24 hours later, which is ideal if you’re trying to avoid peak hour electricity rates. The buttons are situated on the front of the door, as are the status indicators, and the machine is easier to operate than some other dishwashers which require a thorough study of the manual before you get started (although you should obviously always have a readthrough of all appliance manuals). With this dishwasher, there is simply one button for each cycle and a start button. There is also a child lock, and it is ADA compliant. Keep in mind that the racks aren’t adjustable, so you may not be able to fit all of your large pots and pans inside. Price at time of publish: $899 Capacity: Eight place settings | Racks: Two | Noise Level: 52 dBA | Energy Consumption: 270 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: Six Keep in Mind: It only has five wash cycles. Although this KitchenAid 39-Decibel Dishwasher is just as quiet as the Samsung Linear Wash Top Control 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher, it won this spot as the best quiet dishwasher because it pairs its muted operation with polished aesthetics. Stylish enough to belong at the top of an Instagram feed, this dishwasher has a sleek stainless steel bar handle and comes in four colors that are all fingerprint resistant, including black and a swoon-worthy farmhouse white. But it’s not all about looks. In addition to being sophisticated, this appliance is both Energy Star and NSF certified, is as quiet as a mouse, and can both wash and dry dishes. The controls on this dishwasher are hidden at the top of the door, but there’s a discrete indicator light at the front of the door that signifies the progress of each cycle. Its three racks, which smoothly glide in and out, have room for up to 13 place settings and, although the tines do not fold down, the middle rack is adjustable if you want to add taller items, like the jug from your smoothie blender or a large salad bowl. The top utensil rack, which is removable, means that you now have somewhere to put those long and awkwardly shaped ladles. You can also do away with the extra knife and fork basket if you need more bottom rack space. This dishwasher does only have five cycles, although we feel like the settings will likely cover all your dishwashing needs. Price at time of publish: $1,149 Capacity: 13 place settings | Racks: Three | Noise Level: 39 dBA | Energy Consumption: 270 kilowatt hours per year | Cycles: Five Keep in Mind: Your kitchen faucet will be out of use when this machine is running. Even the smallest of kitchens could make some room on a countertop for this little Magic Chef dishwasher if it means not having to wash dishes by hand night after night. This compact dishwasher, which is smaller in length than your average microwave (21.7 inches) and around the same height (17.2 inches), can impressively hold six place settings, despite being so tiny. It also has six wash cycles, which is more than some full-size models can claim. This dishwasher has many handy features, such as protection against flooding, a hygienic drying system, and a filter that prevents food from getting into the pump. The filter comes out easily for cleaning, too. The energy consumption is understandably low given its small size at only 203 kilowatt hours per year. At around 44 pounds, this dishwasher is also lightweight and compact enough to be taken on vacation in an RV or used in a rental apartment if no dishwasher is available. Perhaps the only less-than-ideal thing about this model is that you have to connect it to your kitchen faucet every time you want to use it, which renders your kitchen tap out of order for the duration of the dishwasher cycle. However, the connection is quick and simple, and all the hardware needed comes with the appliance. And, let’s face it, it’s a small price to pay for offloading the dishwashing task. Price at time of publish: $436 Capacity: Six place settings | Racks: One | Noise Level: 52 dBA | Energy Consumption: 203 kilowatts per year | Cycles: Six Keep in Mind: It’s not the quietest dishwasher out there. Giving you the flexibility to move it around and place it anywhere you find convenient thanks to its handy wheels, this Whirlpool portable dishwasher is ideal for any kitchen space without a designated built-in dishwasher slot. Great for a utility room, pool house, garage, or even a small professional space, this appliance provides convenience where permanence as to its location isn’t necessary. Available in both black and white, this dishwasher has two racks, a removable cutlery basket, and three basic cycles. The features may seem a little weak compared to those of the other dishwashers on this list, but portable options shouldn’t be directly compared to built-in dishwashers simply because portable models haven’t quite caught up yet, technologically speaking. This model, however, provides a superior clean, with a soil level sensor that will automatically change the pressure depending on how dirty your dishes are. It can also fit place settings for up to 12 people and get everything washed in just one hour. There is also a drying option with the use of a rinse aid, and a four-hour delayed start function. This dishwasher has a stylish yet functional wooden top that can double up as extra counter space as well. The machine’s display and buttons are on the front of the door, but they blend in nicely and are hardly visible when the washer is switched off. It is a little louder than some of the other models on this list, so you might want to go into another room while it’s in action. Price at time of publish: $849 Capacity: 12 place settings | Racks: Two | Noise Level: 64 dBA | Energy Consumption: 307 kilowatts per year | Cycles: Three
What to Know About Dishwashers Before Shopping
Type and Capacity
There are four main dishwasher categories for home use:
Standard
A standard built-in dishwasher measures 24 inches wide and 34 inches high and is typically designed to fit either under a counter or to slide in between two units. Most have a removable top in order to be able to slide in under the counter. These dishwashers can accommodate approximately 12 to 16 place settings. Another variation of the standard dishwasher that is also readily available is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant option that is slightly shorter in height at 32 inches. ADA-compliant options can also have adjustable bases that vary between 32 to 34 inches.
Narrow
The only factor differentiating a narrow dishwasher from a standard model is its width, which is 18 inches. This, in turn, means that its internal capacity is decreased. Narrow, or compact dishwashers, can fit eight to 12 place settings.
Portable
Also known as freestanding dishwashers and often sporting wheels for easy portability, these dishwashers are available in both standard and narrow sizes.
Countertop
These small dishwashers that are made to sit on top of a countertop can be fixed discreetly into the plumbing as a more permanent fixture, but they usually come with quick-connect hoses and faucet adaptors that attach to your kitchen sink. These appliances typically fit four to eight place settings, depending on their size.
Racks
Until recently, most dishwashers had the standard top rack for cups and bowls and a bottom rack for plates. Most modern dishwashers, however, have added a convenient third upper rack for cutlery and utensils. “That third rack really comes in handy for thoroughly cleaning all the utensils, like ladles, spatulas, and tongs, that we’d usually have to wash by hand,” Daniels says. “Modern dishwashers have adjustable and removable racks that cater to larger items like pots and casserole dishes.”
Settings and Special Features
The best dishwashers nowadays have various cycle options, including quick washes, heavy-duty cycles, delicate cycles for glassware, and rinse-only options, to name a few. Different wash cycles and settings are important as they allow you to cater to the items that need washing. A half-load cycle is less wasteful when you only have a few items to clean, whereas full load, high temperature, and heavy settings should be saved for heftier cleaning tasks. Sticking to quick washing, when possible, can save energy, water, and money. In addition to wash cycles, a modern dishwasher can also offer drying modes and delayed start, which allows you to set the appliance to start later in the day, perhaps to avoid peak electricity rates or to allow a household member to shower with hot water. Self-cleaning functions are also available and some dishwashers can even be voice-controlled and operated via a smart device.
Your Questions, Answered
How do you clean a dishwasher?
Many new dishwashers have a self-cleaning function, so it’s a good idea to run that regularly to keep the machine as clean as possible. Even still, dishwashers should still be cleaned manually every so often to keep them in tip-top shape and extend their life. To clean the dishwasher, start by removing all parts that can be removed, such as utensil trays and baskets, dishwasher filters, and racks. Place them in a sink, and scrub with a brush and dish soap using hot water. An old toothbrush is great for getting into those hard-to-reach little nooks. Next, get to the dishwasher itself. Whip up a batch of homemade chemical-free cleaner (¼ cup of baking soda with 1 quart of water), and rub the inside and the door with a soft cloth—nothing that could scratch the stainless-steel interior. Again, you can use a toothbrush to get into all the grooves and crevices. Wipe off any excess soap or cleaning mixture with a clean, damp sponge, and then with a clean dry cloth. After you put all the parts back inside, the next step is to place some plain white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe cup on the top rack, and run a full cycle without detergent. This will clean and sanitize the inside of the dishwasher as well as the racks and baskets. If at all throughout the cleaning process you find any rust, it might be a good idea to call in a professional to have a look at it and maybe get the dishwasher serviced.
How long do dishwashers last?
As long as it’s properly taken care of, cleaned, and serviced, a good dishwasher—especially a modern one—could last 10 years and possibly longer. A good indicator of how long you could expect a dishwasher to last is by having a look at the warranty that the company offers.
Can you use dish soap in a dishwasher?
It is not recommended. Not only will using dish soap in your dishwasher cause bubbles to leak across your kitchen floor, it could also damage your dishwasher. Dishwasher detergent uses enzymes to clean dirt from dishes—dishwashers were not designed to handle soap suds.
Who We Are
This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 10 years of commerce writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. To come up with this list of the best dishwashers, Kat reviewed and tested multiple dishwashers and spoke to Harry Daniels, a restaurateur with over 25 years of experience in the restaurant industry, and owner of Zorba the Greek restaurant chain in England, UK. She also researched factors such as each dishwasher’s power, capacity, number of racks, number of settings, special features, how easy it is to clean, and value for the money.
