What makes a good dishwasher?
Dishwashers have a pretty simple task: getting dishes clean. But you can expect a little more from your cleaning machine. Here are some of the most important qualities in a good dishwasher:
Powerful cleaning
A good dishwasher should thoroughly clean your dishes and leave them decently dry. A lot of dishwashers have a hard time getting things fully dry—especially plastic items, which are tougher to dry than glass or ceramic—but your machine shouldn’t leave them dripping wet.
Quiet operation
The best dishwashers also keep the noise to a minimum. You won’t find a totally silent dishwasher, but the machines that score the best for noise in our tests keep the clanging and whooshing to a minimum.
Eco-friendliness
A good dishwasher is energy-efficient and uses minimal water to get things clean and dry. An energy-efficient machine is gentle on the environment and can save you money, too.
The right features
The best dishwasher features for you depend on your needs and preferences, but a few things are desirable for just about anyone: A stainless steel interior tub is better than plastic, because it’s more durable and stainproof. And some level of adjustability in a dishwasher’s racks ensures your dishes will fit.
Which brands make the most reliable dishwashers?
Along with testing dishwashers in our labs, we also survey CR members about their appliances to find out how different dishwasher brands perform over time. In our latest survey, we gathered responses from more than 75,000 members about more than 85,000 dishwashers across 26 brands, all purchased new between 2013 and 2023. From the responses, we identified performance problems and breakages in these dishwashers purchased in the last 10 years, and used those findings to predict the likelihood that a dishwasher from a given brand will develop problems or break in its first five years of service.
The survey results show that no brand is free of problems—and it’s worth noting that a brand’s quality can vary over time with changes in design and production. But some of the brands that rose to the top for predicted reliability were Bosch, Gaggeneau, Miele, and Thermador. Just behind these in reliability scores were Ikea, Whirlpool, Beko, and Hotpoint. The most common problems members had with dishwashers were machines that failed to clean and dry well, followed by those that failed to drain away water and dish racks and control panels that broke or stopped working properly.
To read more about the results from our latest survey, see our guide to the most and least reliable dishwasher brands. And if your dishwasher has broken down or needs repairs, you can use our interactive tool to help you figure out whether it’s worth paying for repairs or replacing the machine altogether.
How do I know if a dishwasher is energy-efficient?
Almost any dishwasher will use less water to clean a load of dishes than if you washed them by hand. Most dishwashers have soil sensors, which detect how dirty dishes are and determine how much water and time are needed to get them clean. In CR’s tests, we measure both the amounts of water and energy consumed in a standard wash cycle to assess how energy-efficient a dishwasher is. But you can also look for the Energy Star designation.
What makes a dishwasher a CR Green Choice?
For a more comprehensive assessment of a dishwasher’s eco-friendliness, CR has created a label of its own: Green Choice. To earn CR’s Green Choice designation, dishwashers must stand out in a variety of key environmental assessments. Green Choice doesn’t factor into a dishwasher’s Overall Score in our ratings, but it indicates which dishwashers are easiest on the environment. You can view CR Green Choice dishwashers in our ratings, and read about the most eco-friendly dishwashers in our tests.
Dishwashers make quick work a less desirable chore. These fantastic appliances easily dissolve the toughest grease and grime, all while using minimal water and energy.
Whether you are finally making the leap from hand-washing, or are just looking to upgrade, choosing the right dishwasher type, style, capacity, and more that fits your budget is a major purchasing decision.
Our dishwasher buying guide will help you pick the right one for your space.
Types of Dishwashers
A dishwasher is a kitchen essential for most kitchens, and there are many available types. They are available in three basic categories.
Built-in
Built-in dishwashers are designed to go underneath a countertop, and they are the most widely used dishwasher type in homes. Built-ins are typically located near the kitchen sink due to the necessity of a plumbing connection.
Built-in models come in two sizes: standard and compact.
- Standard size measures 34 inches tall by 24 inches wide and between 24 to 28 inches deep. Accommodates 12 to 16 place settings per wash.
- Compact sizes are often listed as 18-inch dishwashers but can be 17 to 18 inches wide and 22 to 26 inches deep. Height varies from 32 to 34 inches. Accommodates eight to 10 place settings per wash.
Countertop
Countertop dishwashers are designed to sit on a counter. These machines typically measure between 20 to 24 inches wide, 22 to 24 inches deep and 25 to 28 inches high. These machines use a water intake hose connected to the kitchen sink faucet, a drain hose that releases the dirty water into the sink and needs a nearby electrical outlet to provide power. Countertop units can accommodate between six and eight place settings per wash.
Portable
Portable units are great options for renters, RVers and people living in smaller spaces. These units typically measure 20 to 25 inches wide, 27 to 30 inches deep and 34 to 38 inches high. They are slightly larger than countertop units and can accommodate eight to 12 place settings per wash—portable units are designed to be stowed away when not in use. However, these machines will need access to the kitchen sink for water and drainage like the countertop units.
Dishwasher Shopping Considerations
There are abundant options available for dishwashers on the market. If you’re not sure what you need just yet, here are things to keep in mind when choosing the best dishwasher for your needs.
Exterior Finish
Dishwashers are available in white, black, slate, stainless, brushed, black stainless and even in color. Some finishes, such as brush stainless steel, are more fingerprint-resistant than other finishes. The finish should match or complement the finishes of your existing appliances in your kitchen. Although the exterior finish is purely cosmetic, it does help unify the look and feel of your kitchen decor.
Control Panel Location
Most dishwashers feature controls mounted on the front of the door. However, there are models that feature the control panels along the top edge of the door, where it will be hidden when the door is closed. This option is purely cosmetic and offers a streamlined, modern look. The main downside for a hidden control panel is that you can not see how much longer the cycle is at a glance.
Size and Capacity
The size and capacity of a dishwasher’s capacity are generally measured by the number of place settings it can hold per one load. Most homes will have a standard dishwasher. For apartments or smaller households, a compact dishwasher is a better choice due to limited space availability.
Tub Material
Dishwasher tubs are either stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel tubs resist stains and odors, dry out faster and are more durable. However, they are also more expensive. Plastic tubs are just as durable but are not as stain-resistant. The exterior finish does not indicate whether the tub is stainless steel or plastic. However, the tub material does not affect cleaning performance.
(Note: All details and prices are accurate as of publication and are subject to change.)
Noise Level
Noise levels for dishwashers are indicated by their decibel level. A rating of 45 decibels or lower is a virtually silent dishwasher. Decibel levels between 45 and 50 have the equivalent sound level to steady rainfall. A 50 or higher decibel level is equivalent to the level of a normal conversation. The lower the decibel rating, the more expensive the dishwasher will be.
Water Usage
Fortunately, dishwashers must use no more than 5.8 gallons of water per cycle, making them far more efficient than older models. Thankfully, the EPA’s ENERGY STAR program incorporates water efficiency and usage data as well as energy usage into its certification criteria, which will help you find the most efficient dishwasher. A dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR rating means standard dishwashers will not exceed three and a half gallons of water usage per load.
Energy Efficiency
A dishwasher will display an “Energy Guide” label that estimates the annual power consumption and estimated yearly operation cost. A dishwasher with an ENERGY STAR rating indicates it exceeds the federal minimum standards for efficiency.
Speed and Cycles
A typical dishwasher features at least three settings: normal, heavy and light. Wash cycle selections will vary from dishwasher to dishwasher, and one with programmable or built-in modes for quick wash, delicate, rinse and hold, etc., will generally cost more but may save you money on power and water in the long run.
Drying Performance
Economical dishwashers use the residual heat in the tub to dry the dishes. In most cases, this is sufficient. However, some dishwashers come with options for extra drying and may include a heating element to dry the dishes coupled with a fan to circulate the warm air that expedites the drying process.
Filters
The filter keeps the wash water free of food, so it is not redeposited onto the clean dishes. There are two types: self-cleaning and manual.
- Self-cleaning filters feature a grinder that pulverizes the debris and flushes it down the drain.
- Manual filters need to be removed and cleaned often to keep them free of debris.
Extra Features
Extra features above and beyond the standard options are what sets one dishwasher apart from another. However, the more features the appliance has, the higher the price tags. Here are some common extra features available on dishwashers.
- Adjustable racks let you reconfigure the interior of the dishwasher, giving you the option to customize the configuration of your washer to suit the size of your dishes.
- A third rack is typically a narrower rack that sits above the top rack and may have a separate wash arm.
- Soil sensors automatically adjust the cycle’s time and water use to help improve water efficiency.
- Rinse/hold cycle allows you to rinse dirty dishes to help reduce odors and prevent food from setting until you have a full load.
- Wash zones designate parts of the dishwasher for heavily soiled items that need a special cycle to get them clean.
- Smart-home technology and Wi-Fi connectivity allow you to program your washing schedule via computer or smartphone.
Top Dishwasher Brands
There are many dishwasher brands available that will match just about any budget. These are some of the most popular brands that make quality dishwashers and are available in most big box retail stores:
- Amana
- Beko and Blomberg
- Bosch
- Dacor
- Electrolux and Frigidaire
- Farberware
- Fisher & Paykel
- GE
- Kenmore
- KitchenAid
- LG
- Maytag
- Samsung
- Whirlpool