The 7 Best Dishwashers for Every Kitchen

Corrie
by Corrie

By Corrie Pelc


We should all give thanks to Josephine Cochran. Without her invention of the dishwasher to clean lots of dinner party dishes for her wealthy husband back in 1858, we would not have the machine that so many of us rely on today to help us quickly and efficiently get our dishes spotlessly clean.


It’s no doubt that the dishwasher has changed quite a bit since its origin, with lots of bells and whistles to help make quick work of dirty plates, cups, and silverware. With so many dishwasher options available, it can be a bit daunting figuring out which model will work best for your home.


Fear not — we've done the legwork for you and have come up with a list of the best dishwashers you can purchase right now. Let’s dig in!

Open dishwasher filled with dishes / Photo via Shutterstock

Top Picks

How to Buy a Dishwasher

When making a dishwasher purchase, here are a few things to consider to help you narrow down your choices:

  • Type: Depending on the space in your kitchen, you may be able to install a built-in dishwasher that goes into a space underneath your kitchen countertop. If your kitchen doesn't allow for that, there are other options out there, including portable, countertop, and even drawer dishwashers, to choose from.
  • Size: On average, how many dishes do you need your dishwasher to handle? That will give you an idea of the capacity you need in a dishwasher. A standard dishwasher is usually 24 inches wide and deep and 35 inches tall, and can handle dishes for families of four or more members. A smaller compact dishwasher is usually around 18 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 35 inches high, perfect for smaller families of two to three people.
  • Cycles: The average dishwasher comes with at least two cycles for washing dishes. However, many of today's dishwashers come with many more cycles, including quick washes or cycles just for specific items like wine glasses. Knowing your dishes and their needs will help you narrow down the types of cycles you really need.


Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Dishwashers

Here’s a rundown of the test factors we used when determining our list of the best dishwashers:

  • Size: What size of a dishwasher is this — standard or compact?
  • Type: What type of dishwasher is this — is it a built-in, portable, countertop, or drawer model?
  • Colors: What colors does the dishwasher come in?
  • Cycles: How many cycles does this dishwasher come with?
  • Controls: How is this dishwasher controlled — a turn knob? Touch screen? Phone app?
  • Racks: How many racks does this dishwasher have for loading up dishes?
  • Sound: How loud is this dishwasher when it runs? This is measured in decibels. For reference, all of the dishwashers on this list are roughly between 40 and 60 decibels. A quiet rain is 40 decibels and a normal conversation with someone in the same room as you measures 60 decibels.
  • Special Features: Does this dishwasher come with any special features, such as electronic dirt sensors or child safety locks?
  • Energy Star-Certified: Dishwashers use electricity, and quite a few today are Energy Star-certified, meaning components of the dishwasher help save water. Energy Star dishwashers cost only about $35 a year to run and can save homeowners an average of 3,870 gallons of water over their lifetime.
  • Warranty: Does the manufacturer back this product’s performance?


Let’s take a look at our list of the best dishwashers you can buy right now.

Best Overall Dishwasher: Bosch 300 Series 24 in. Front Control Dishwasher

Size: Standard Type: Built-in Colors: Black, stainless steel, and white Cycles: 5 Controls: Front touch screen Racks: 3 Sound: 44 decibels Special Features: Delayed start, half load, sanitize, extra dry, sensor wash, hard food filter Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

The Bosch 300 Series 24 in. Front Control Dishwasher is our top pick for the best dishwasher you can buy right now. Available in black, stainless steel, or white, this dishwasher’s controls are easily accessible on the front of the machine. The dishwasher features three racks that can be adjusted to nine different rack positions, with the third rack a perfect place to clean smaller utensils and measuring cups. This machine runs very quietly at only 44 decibels, which is about the same level as a quiet library. Offering five wash cycles, this Energy Star-certified dishwasher can be used with your choice of cleaner — gel, powder, or tabs. And the Bosch 300 Series 24 in. Front Control Dishwasher also offers sanitize and delayed start options, as well as a Speed60 cycle for cleaning dishes in about one hour.

Pros

  • Features three adjustable racks
  • Runs very quietly
  • Comes with five cycles and lots of special features, including sanitize, delayed start, and half load options

Cons

  • None that we can see!

Best Compact Built-In Dishwasher: Frigidaire FFBD1831US 18 inch Built-In Dishwasher

Size: Compact Type: Built-in Colors: Black, stainless steel, and white Cycles: 8 Controls: Front touch screen Racks: 2 Sound: 52 decibels Special Features: Sanitize, delayed start, energy saver, heavy wash, rinse only Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 1-year limited warranty

The Frigidaire FFBD1831US 18 inch Built-In Dishwasher is designed to fit smaller built-in spaces. This Energy Star-certified dishwasher can fit up to eight place settings in one cycle, making it a great option for smaller families. The dishwasher comes with eight wash cycles, including a china/crystal setting and a delayed start option. Its sanitized cycle is certified by the National Sanitation Foundation to remove 99.9 percent of common household bacteria from your dishes, pots, and pans. And the Frigidaire FFBD1831US 18 inch Built-In Dishwasher operates at only 52 decibels, which is the same loudness as moderate rainfall.

Pros

  • Designed to fit smaller built-in spaces
  • Energy Star-certified
  • Comes with eight wash cycles and a variety of special features

Cons

  • May not be the best option for cleaning up after a large family or party

Best Portable Dishwasher: GE GPT145SSLSS 18 in. Stainless Steel Portable Dishwasher

Size: Compact Type: Portable Colors: Stainless steel Cycles: 6 Controls: Touch screen located on inside edge of door Racks: 2 Sound: 52 decibels Special Features: Heavy wash, delayed start, sanitize, quick wash Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 1-year warranty

If you need a dishwasher you can pull into the kitchen when needed and push away when you don't, then you'll want to check out the GE GPT145SSLSS 18 in. Stainless Steel Portable Dishwasher. This compact-sized portable dishwasher is placed on four swiveling casters for easy moveability. The Energy Star-certified dishwasher features two racks — one an adjustable top rack — and six washing cycles including sanitize, quick wash, and delayed start options. The easy-to-use touch screen controls are placed on the inner edge of the door, so the machine looks very sleek and clean when closed. And the GE GPT145SSLSS 18 in. Stainless Steel Portable Dishwasher operates at a very low 52 decibels, which is about the same level of sound you'd find in a quiet office.

Pros

  • Portable dishwasher comes on four swiveling caster wheels
  • Adjustable top rack
  • Six washing cycles including delayed start and sanitize

Cons

  • May not be the best option for cleaning up after a large family or party

Best Countertop Dishwasher: Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher

Size: 17.1 H x 17.1 D x 16.5 W inches Type: Countertop Colors: Black and white Cycles: 3 Controls: Front touch controls Racks: 2 Sound: 62 decibels Special Features: Delayed start, baby care function Energy Star-Certified: No Warranty: 1-year warranty

If your kitchen space is limited to the point where you don't have room for a portable dishwasher on wheels, then the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher might be your best option. Available in both black and white options, this countertop dishwasher can fit a variety of dishes up to 12 inches in diameter in its main rack and cutlery rack. The dishwasher works by an included five-liter water tank, with the option to hook it up directly to a water faucet if you'd like. Three washing cycles include a delayed start option and a baby care function for steam-sanitizing baby bottles. And the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher operates at a low 62 decibels, which is the same loudness as a normal conversation.

Pros

  • Can fit a variety of dishes up to 12 inches in diameter
  • Runs on built-in water tank or can be hooked up to a water faucet
  • Features a baby care function for sanitizing baby bottles

Cons

  • Not Energy Star-certified

Best Drawer Dishwasher: Fisher Paykel DD24SAX9 24-inch Drawers Full Console Dishwasher

Size: 16.13 H x 23.57 W x 22.57 D inches Type: Drawer Colors: Stainless steel Cycles: 6 Controls: Front touch screen Racks: 1 Sound: 45 decibels Special Features: Child lock, delayed start Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 2-year warranty

If you like the idea of your dishwasher fitting seamlessly in your kitchen like a closed drawer, then you'll love the Fisher Paykel DD24SAX9 24-inch Drawers Full Console Dishwasher. Because it's a drawer, it can be installed at bench height to make it easier on backs when loading and unloading. The drawer dishwasher comes with six wash cycles, including fast, delicate, and heavy, and can fit up to seven place settings in its single rack with foldable cup racks. The Fisher Paykel DD24SAX9 24-inch Drawers Full Console Dishwasher is Energy Star-Certified and operates at a very quiet 45 decibels.

Pros

  • Sleek design allows the drawer dishwasher to blend seamlessly into kitchen design
  • Can be installed at bench height to help minimize back strain from loading and unloading
  • Energy Star-certified

Cons

  • Expensive
  • May not be adequate space for a large family

Best Value Dishwasher: Whirlpool WDF520PADM 24-inch Built-in Dishwasher

Size: Standard Type: Built-in Colors: Black, stainless steel, or white Cycles: 4 Controls: Front touch screen Racks: 2 Sound: 55 decibels Special Features: 1-hour wash cycle, soil sensor, sanitize, delayed start, hard hood filter Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 1-year warranty

Who says you can't find a standard built-in dishwasher for under $500? The Whirlpool WDF520PADM 24-inch Built-in Dishwasher is a top pick at The Home Depot with almost 12,700 reviews and recommendations from 86 percent of customers. Despite its budget-friendly price, this dishwasher offers a lot of the same special features as more expensive appliances, including delayed start and a soil sensor that adjusts the normal wash cycle depending on how dirty the dishes are. This dishwasher also has a sanitizing option for eliminating 99.999 percent of food soil bacteria, and lastly, the Whirlpool WDF520PADM 24 in. Built-in Dishwasher is Energy Star-certified (another detail that’ll save you money!).

Pros

  • Under $500
  • Best-seller with many of the same features as pricier models
  • Energy Star-certified

Cons

  • The inner cleaning tub is plastic, whereas most dishwashers have longer-lasting stainless steel

Best High-End Dishwasher: Miele G7106SCUSS 24 inch Full Console Built-In Smart Dishwasher

Size: Standard Type: Built-in Colors: Stainless steel Cycles: 7 Controls: Front touch screen; smartphone app Racks: 3 Sound: 41 decibels Special Features: WiFi enabled, delayed start, quick wash, sanitize, quick intense wash Energy Star-Certified: Yes Warranty: 3-year warranty

The Miele G7106SCUSS 24 inch Full Console Built-In Smart Dishwasher is the dishwasher of your dreams. This standard-sized, built-in dishwasher features three racks that are height and width-adjustable so you can change up the layout of the racks as you need them. The dishwasher features seven wash cycles, including options for sanitizing, a quick intense wash, crystal/china, and delayed washes. The appliance has a special system for dispensing detergent, making sure it only uses what your load requires. And the Miele G7106SCUSS 24 inch Full Console Built-In Smart Dishwasher is WiFi-enabled, so you can keep an eye on your dishwashing loads through Miele’s mobile app.

Pros

  • WiFi-enabled — control through Miele mobile app
  • Seven wash cycles, including quick intense wash, sanitize, and china/crystal options
  • 3-year warranty

Cons

  • Expensive

Do you have a dishwasher that holds a special place in your heart? Tell us about it in the comments below!

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