The 10 Best Dishwashers
Which Brand of Dishwasher is the Best?
Most of us don't think too much about the details of our current dishwasher: we load dishes, they get clean, then we empty them. But maybe you've noticed that the dishes aren't coming out as clean as they should, or you have to rinse them more to get a better clean, or the dishwasher's tines' coating is chipping. If so, you might be thinking about replacing your dishwasher with one that not only holds up but has some nice features that you deserve.
Consider first what you need in your new dishwasher. It's essential to choose a dishwasher that effectively cleans and dries your dishes quietly. After that, look for additional features that suit your preferences, such a third rack, a quick-wash cycle, a delay-start option, food pulverizers, sanitizer settings, special jets for silverware, smart-home integration, or child lock.
Friday, January 17th
2025 Dishwasher Reviews
Miele
Miele is the appliance brand you'll drool over but also may take a step back when you look at the price tag, just like that out-of-reach luxury car you've had your eye on. You'll love the Miele brand as they incorporate the most advanced cleaning, drying, and luxury features to their dishwashers; in fact, some features seem futuristic. Don't let that fool you, though, their quality is as impressive as their innovation. Cost aside, Miele is the dishwasher brand we absolutely love and it earns a perfect 5 stars from us.
Maytag
Maytag offers dishwashers that may not have many customizable features, and they may only have seven models to offer, but what they do offer are dishwashers that work. It's actually not overwhelming to scroll through the few models to quickly find the right one for you. Maytag doesn't have dishwashers with smart features, an interior LED light, or other features to wow you, so if you're looking for those options, we do have brands that we rate highly that should fit your fancy. But, for tried-and-true dishwashers that work ( without breaking the bank), Maytag is the best of the brands.
Thermador
It's appropriate that Thermador names their dishwasher models after jewels like Emerald and Sapphire, as they are really gems to own. If you're seeking the ultimate in dishwasher experience, Thermador is worth considering. Known for their top-tier quality, Thermador dishwashers are quiet and come with the latest features. Although their higher price may be prohibitive for some, Thermador dishwashers provide excellent value for the investment and the brand earns an excellent rating from us.
Bosch
Bosch, a German appliance company, is well known for their quality dishwashers which clean effectively, dry thoroughly, and operate quietly. Their dishwashers clean well with either soft or hard water, can feature third-row racks with versatility, and are widely regarded as top-notch dishwashers. Let the Bosch dishwasher do all the dish scrubbing, washing, and drying for you just as "quiet as a churchmouse,” so you can enjoy the dishwasher's peace and quiet while unwinding with a book or watching TV.
LG
LG dishwashers offer nice features for thorough cleaning, are quiet, and are priced competitively. No need to get the fanciest model unless you want a third rack. We find it odd that only the highest-end model includes the adjustable third rack, and some fun features like an interior LED light just aren't options at all. When users report breakdowns, which can happen with almost any appliance, LG's customer service is slow to respond. But, LG still provides a solid value in its dishwashers, so we give the brand our own solid rating.
Samsung
Samsung dishwashers have nice features such as a 60-minute cycle, adjustable top rack, and they run pretty quietly. They're not too pricey and include features that are fair to their price points. Samsung also has reasonably-priced ADA Compliant dishwasher models. Customers like Samsung, but some complain of water leakage. Overall, though, these dishwashers deserve our higher-than-average rating.
GE
GE appliances are a household name and staple, and GE has been rolling out their appliances since the mid-1950s. GE is one of the few brands that offers ADA Compliant dishwashers, and more than one model to choose from. You can get the space-saving drawer model rather than the traditional door-with-interior-racks models. We're rooting for GE for these reasons and more, such as design. However, a product needs to work as well as it looks. People complain of major repairs during the first few years, and there's only a one-year warranty included with purchase. We're willing to offer an above-average rating, but we hope that GE makes some strides in reliability in the future.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid dishwashers aren't the fanciest out there, as they don't have smart features to control the cycle with your app. But if you want a dishwasher that cleans well, dries well, is quiet, and includes a third rack, go for the... least expensive... KitchenAid model. Yes, the least expensive. You can get fancier models with more features, too, if you like. There are some customer complaints, but tests show the dishwashers to be fairly reliable. Our thought: if you don't like the least expensive KitchenAid model, go elsewhere and pay for more and better features.
Frigidaire
Frigidaire has been a respected household brand since the early 1900s. Their dishwashers are great at cleaning, can last up to ten years or more, offer various options and colors, and are priced fairly. On the downside, they clean well but don't dry as well or efficiently as many rival brands. Frigidaire can be loud compared to other dishwasher brands, and we're not a fan of the rack design. As a brand, Frigidaire ranks as "just average” for its dishwashers.
Whirlpool
Whirlpool is a long-standing name in American-made home appliances and offers low end, budget-friendly dishwashers, which makes them attractive for rental units. Whirlpool's middle-priced dishwashers have better features and are worth the upcharge. Reliability is the big question mark, however, with more than half of the customer reviews we've seen showing great disappointment in Whirlpool's quality. That's the biggest reason why this well-known brand earns a lower rating for its dishwashers.
Continued from above...
Now that you're shopping around, did you know there are four styles of dishwashers? There are built-in, countertop, portable, and drawer models. Drawers literally pop out as a drawer and you load the dishes in a single rack, then slide the drawer back in. Countertop models sit on your counter like a small appliance - they don't hold many dishes, and are common in Europe.
Portable dishwashers are just that: they're on wheels and you can move them out of the way when not in use. Built-ins, installed under the kitchen counter, are the most common. Since most kitchens are designed for built-ins, our research centered around this type of model.
Here are several criteria to keep in mind as you shop for your new dishwasher:
- Average price range. You can spend anywhere from $300 to $2,000, depending on the brand and the features you desire. The less expensive models may require more rinsing on your part and they may also be on the noisy side. Higher-end models often clean better, have smart capabilities, and have an interior LED light so you can find any dishes or glasses left at the back of your appliance's rack.
- Installation. Be sure to ask if there's an installation fee, which can be around $200 depending on the retailer. Usually, your new dishwasher will require new hoses, and that can cost around $50, so be sure to inquire and order them so you have all your parts when your new dishwasher arrives.
- Removal. If you already have a dishwasher, check to see if your retailer will remove the old dishwasher and at what cost.
- Finishes, handles, and control panel visibility. Dishwashers, like most major home appliances, will be offered in white, black, stainless, and fingerprint-free stainless. Most brands will offer a plain front panel option so you can add your own cabinetry panel - your dishwasher appliance will now blend in with your kitchen. Decide if you want a pocket handle for a flat-front look, or get a bar handle which might coordinate well with your other appliances.
- Noise. Most of us don't want the running dishwasher's noise to compete with nearby conversations, distract us from our reading, or hinder our attention to our devices. At the "loudest,” you should find most dishwashers at about 50 decibels, which is equivalent to a quiet conversation. 44 decibels is considered whisper soft, and most brands will offer this quieter, whisper option on their higher-priced models.
- Folding tines. If you have large serving dishes or pots and pans, consider folding tines. These tines can fold to be up or flat. Flat allows for large serveware, and raised up they will support thinner-material dishware that you don't want to fall and break.
- Third rack. The upper, third rack is becoming quite popular. You can remove your regular silverware basket and only use the 3rd rack, if you like, to create more room in your lower basket. You can also place long serving or cooking utensils on the 3rd rack if they're too tall for the bottom rack. Have you ever lost a tiny appetizer fork or spoon in the basket? Place it on the third rack and not only will you see it, it won't slip out.
- Detergent. It's something you might not think about, but the right detergent can be important. Even the best brands can have poor performance if you don't give it the right detergent, due to no fault of the appliance. One brand on the market requires its own detergent pods and the dishwasher will determine load by load how much is needed and disperse the correct amount.
- Rinse aid. If you've avoided rinse aids in the past, you should reconsider. If your new dishwasher ends up not drying well or leaving spots, no matter if you have soft water, it may be due to not using a rinse aid. If you complain to the manufacturer about your appliance not drying well, the first thing they'll ask is if you're using a rinse aid, and to call them back once you do. Dishwashers nowadays are designed to perform well with rinse aids as a standard practice.
- Available space. Be sure to measure your space. Standard dishwashers are 24” wide, while narrow, apartment-sized dishwashers are 18”.
To help you with your dishwasher purchasing decision, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed the top dishwasher brands available today. If you're tired of pre-washing your dishes, continually rearranging them due to poor rack and tine design, dealing with insufficient drying, or having to rewash dishes because of stuck-on leftover food, it might be time for a new dishwasher. Upgrading the features can save you time from doing the extra prep and hand-drying work, allowing you to relax and enjoy your favorite activities while your new, quiet dishwasher does all the work.
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