Credit:
Bosch
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Credit:
Bosch
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The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N is a near-perfect dishwasher. It scrubbed out every stain we threw at it, in record time, and has great smart features. Read More
The G 5266 blows most other dishwashers out of the water. If your budget can accommodate its premium price, it's one of the best models you can buy. Read More
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This Bosch is one of the best dishwashers we've ever tested. It gets dishes clean and dry, quickly, and is ADA-compliant. Read More
The Beko DUT25401X is that it pairs an excellent, energy-efficient performance with an incredibly low price tag—a great value. Read More
A gorgeous upmarket look compliments this dishwasher's excellent cleaning skills and quiet, 39-decibel operation. Read More
A dishwasher is one of the best investments you’ll make in your kitchen. With all the brands and available features, it can be difficult to sort through the options and be sure you’ve made the right choice, but that’s what we’re here for.
We've been testing dishwashers in our labs for close to 15 years, so we know what separates the best dishwashers from the mediocre ones—and which dishwashers you should avoid.
In addition to leaving dishes spotless, the best dishwashers provide great stain removal and completely dry dishes, while also being quiet and energy efficient. They offer great functionality, with third racks or adjustable racks, and top-rated modern dishwashers are Wi-Fi enabled or can be operated with a smart home assistant.
We tested top-rated dishwashers on the market, challenging them with thousands of dirty dishes, food-stained pots and pans, and tough, crusted casseroles. We found that the Bosch SHP78CM5N (available at Wayfair) is the best dishwasher for most people. It offers excellent, reliable cleaning, can remove difficult stains, and will deliver dry dishes after its wash cycles.
If you want a great value that still offers excellent cleaning, consider the Beko DUT25401, which we can’t rave about enough.
Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best dishwashers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.
Between its performance, feature set, and high-end build quality, the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N is our pick for the best dishwasher you can currently buy.
It cleans even stubborn stains completely
Fast cycle times
It dries dishes
Controls can be finicky
Some options only available on app
If you have the money to spend, the Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP is our pick for the best dishwasher upgrade.
The Bosch 800 Series SGX78B55UC/13 is an ADA-compliant dishwasher that also out-performs most of the competition, earning our pick for best accessibility.
With a great combination of performance and price, the the Beko DUT25401X is our pick for the best value dishwasher.
The GE Café CDT875M5NS5 looks good, performs great, and keeps its operating noise low, making it our pick for the best dishwasher with the lowest dBA.
High-end aesthetics
Third rack, bottle jets, and smart features
Inconsistent cleaning
Not the best value at its current price
Powerful cleaning
Automatic detergent dispenser
Efficient
Expensive
Niche interior
Effective Heavy Duty cycle
Dries dishes completely
Foldable tines and repositionable racks
Dishes got less clean towards the center of the bottom rack
Great cleaning quality
Customizable racks
Smart features via HomeConnect
Some features only accessible via app
Third rack
Adjustable tines
Lots of features
Cleaning power was low for its price
Attractive exterior
Powerful Normal cycle
Well-designed top rack
Slow cycles
When it comes to rating the best dishwashers, we do all the dirty work—pun intended. First, our editors research the best brands and models on the market to get an idea of what’s special, what’s different, and which dishwashers have a reputation for cleaning well.
Then we bring all types of dishwashers to Reviewed’s Cambridge-based labs for hands-on and scientific testing. Yes—we do have a chief scientist on staff!
Testing dishwashers is obviously a dirty job filled with cheese-crusted casserole pans and spinach puree-painted plates, but we are happy to do it. When testing, we assess each dishwasher on the three major factors—performance, features, and user experience.
We test each dishwasher’s three main dishwasher cycles: quick, heavy, and normal by baking nasty food and beverage stains on 15 to 20 dishes that are then loaded into the dishwasher per the manufacturer's loading directions.
At the end of each cycle, we manually determine how much stain has been removed from each dish. Ideally, each dish is 100% clean, but that level of cleaning perfection can be harder to achieve in real life. We also look at redeposit, which is when water jets remove bits of food from one dish that get stuck on a second dish.
We also look at a dishwasher’s ability to dry dishes and how it gets this job done. Customers expect their dishes to be dry, so we penalize the dishwasher every time a dish comes out wet.
Learn more about how we test dishwashers.
With dishwashers costing from around $500 to more than $2,000, there are a lot of differences between models. Here are some things to think about when you’re shopping for a new dishwasher.
As with refrigerators and ranges, dishwashers come in many, many finishes and colors.
Stainless steel is a timeless classic, and most of the dishwashers in this list are available in that finish. But there are other stainless options, with black stainless and fingerprint-resistant more popular than ever.
Some of our favorite models are available in more bold choices, too, including navy steel, Tuscan steel, and platinum glass. That said, which finish and color is best for you comes down to personal preferences.
During our testing, we focused on normal, heavy and quick cycles, but that’s only the start of available cycles. While budget dishwashers may only have those three, you will see other available settings as you move up in price.
Some of the models we tested had sanitize settings, which can be especially helpful for families, while others had cycles for china. High-end models typically have the most cycles.
While all of the features in the world can't make a bad dishwasher better, they can really add the finishing touch to a model that does a killer cleaning job.
Adjustable upper racks are helpful when dealing with oddly shaped cups and bowls. Third racks are great for utensils that don’t seem to fit other places.
Most of the dishwashers we tested had the option for a delayed start, and all of them had stainless steel tubs, which are quieter than dishwashers with plastic ones. The ability to detect soil levels also is helpful with getting dishes sparkling clean.
As with the number of cycles, the more features you have, typically, the more you will spend on a dishwasher.
Maybe it’s been 10 years since you last bought a dishwasher—or maybe this is your first time shopping. Either way, it’s likely you have questions, and we can help you answer them.
Full-size dishwashers typically have the capacity to hold 14 to 16 place settings. Loading a dishwasher can be an art, and it’s instigating factor of many post-meal arguments.
Here are the basics: Plates and serving dishes on the bottom rack, glasses and bowls on the top rack, and, if you have one, serving spoons, spatulas, and other larger utensils on the third rack.
If there’s one rule to go by, don’t overload your dishwasher. If there are too many dishes crammed in, the water from the spray arm won’t be able to reach, and consequently, clean all the dishes.
Cleaning your dishwasher is easy and only requires two ingredients: white vinegar and baking soda.
First, pour a cup of white vinegar into the dishwasher and run it on its heavy cycle. When done, sprinkle the bottom of the dishwasher tub with baking soda and let it sit overnight. Then run an empty cycle again.
Your dishwasher filter is another (gross) matter entirely. When it comes to how to clean a dishwasher filter, you’ll need dish soap and a scrub brush. Twist the filter out of the bottom of the dishwasher’s tub, scrub it under the tap with the soap and brush, and rinse it clean. When it comes to when to clean a dishwasher filter—that’s weekly.
Depending on how and from where you buy a dishwasher, its installation will vary. You may just want to call in a professional to take care of it. Consider if you have basic plumbing and electrical skills or would rather hire one, because set-up has to adhere to state requirements.
If you still want to drive the DIY highway, we have a guide on how to install a dishwasher, which outlines how you can get the job done yourself and when it makes the most sense to call in a pro.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the average dishwasher lasts about nine years; this InterNACHI chart on standard estimated life expectancies for all types of home products is incredibly helpful.
When we spoke to appliance repair experts, they claimed a good dishwasher should last 10-to-13 years.
While we lab test dishwashers for cleaning performance and build quality, we don’t test for durability, life expectancy, or any kind of operational duration. How long a dishwasher will last will vary by brand and by model.
The average price range for dishwashers spans about a $1,000 difference from the least expensive to the most.
At the low end, you can find models that are just over $500 for value brands like Hotpoint and Amana. Midrange models start in the mid-$600s and run through about $1,000 with GE, Frigidaire, and Whirlpool, and even some Bosch 100 and 300 series dishwashers.
Over the $1,000 mark, you’ll be getting a dishwasher loaded with special features and finishes, from brands like Bosch, Cafe, Samsung, Frigidaire Pro, and GE Profile. Over $1,600, and you’re in high-end territory with dishwashers from Miele, Fisher & Paykel, Bertazzoni, and Viking.
It depends. As we explained above, you should expect your dishwasher to last about 9-to-10 years. A replacement will cost anywhere from $500 to over $1,000 depending on if you're shopping on a budget or trying to get the best, most durable model you can for your money. Also, modern models often use less electricity and water than older models, which can save you a little bit of money on your utility bills.
If your dishwasher is towards the end of its lifespan and something breaks, it probably is just cheaper to buy a new dishwasher. That way you won't get stuck in a cycle of constantly fixing an older unit and you can take advantage of the more efficient design of a modern dishwasher.
If you do decide to buy a new dishwasher, make sure you have a plan for how to dispose of your old appliance.
In short: No.
All built-in dishwashers that require installation are either 24 or 18 inches wide, and connect directly to the water intake in your kitchen. Measure the width of your space before buying.
If you want one that’s going to sit perfectly flush with your cabinetry—like in a home design magazine—you'll also need to grab a tape measure and determine your available depth. Double-check all measurements before purchasing.
However, this means that it's super easy to shop for a built-in dishwasher online, because you can guarantee it'll fit the space you already have open in your kitchen.
Dishwashers use far less water than you would by hand-washing your dishes. Surprising, right?!
Reviewed's lab operations manager Jonathan Chan says, "The amount of water a dishwasher uses varies greatly on type and cycle selected. Normal cycles on compact models can use as little as 2.5 gallons, but larger entry-level models can use up to 5 gallons."
For example, in our test labs, we measure the amount of water and energy used per fast, normal, and heavy wash cycle. We assume 208 cycles per year (4 per week), of which 25% are fast, 50% are normal, and 25% are heavy. Based on these cycle counts and the per cycle numbers, we can determine approximate annual water use.
The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N, our current pick for the best dishwasher, uses 750 gallons per year. Our current Best Value winner, the Beko DUT25401X, has an annual water use of 731 gallons. Interestingly, our upgrade pick, the Miele G 5266 SCVi uses the least amount of gallons, at 626.
Currently, brands like Bosch, Miele, and KitchenAid all have several dishwashers that tested well enough to be featured on this list. In the past brands like Thermador, LG, and Samsung have also been over-represented amongst our highest-testing dishwashers.
Over the years, Bosch has proven to be one of the most consistent brands for producing top-of-the-line dishwashers.
All this being said, all of the above-mentioned brands are capable of making excellent dishwashers. Just because Bosch, by some metrics, could be considered the best dishwasher brand, that doesn't mean they have the best dishwasher for you and your specific needs. Their dishwashers are often quite pricy and you may not use all of the features they come equipped with, which can make them a worse value for you than they would be for someone else.
Also, new dishwashers come out each year, with unique features and engineering innovations, some of which are so valuable they become standard throughout the industry, like the third rack, and some of which are an expensive, short-lived gimmick. Every company we've tested can produce dishwashers that, for some reason or another, are overpriced and under-powered. While a blanket statement about which manufacturer is best is certainly a good way to quickly make a purchasing decision, it's in no way a substitute for researching the performance of individual models.
We don't perform any long-term testing on a product's durability, so we don't have any data to indicate which brand tends to produce more reliable machines. Even if we did have data, as stated above, dishwashers can vary greatly from model to model. Making a sweeping conclusion based on a brand instead of individual models would be an oversimplification that could lead you to make a poor purchasing decision.
That being said, some manufacturers do provide better warranties than others, which means you're less likely to be on the hook for a replacement if something goes wrong within the first few years of your purchase.
The industry standard warranty is 1 year of coverage for parts and service. Bosch's warranty also covers racks and circuitry for up to 5 years, with rust damage on the stainless-steel fixtures covered for the lifetime of the product. LG will likewise cover parts for the control board and rack for up to 5 years, the motor for up to 10 years, and offers a lifetime warranty on the stainless steel door liner.
Be aware that some manufacturers may claim their products last for decades, but don't necessarily offer a warranty to match. Miele, for example, claim their products last for 20 years, but only offer a 2-year warranty.
While there is a correlation between a dishwasher's price and its overall quality, we've also tested a lot of expensive dishwashers that performed quite poorly despite a stylish appearance.
In general, a higher price indicates one of four things: • Better quality cleaning * More features * A higher-end aesthetic * Better overall build quality
For example, our current highest-rated dishwasher, the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N was capable of cleaning over 99% of our test stains, has some useful features for accommodating almost any dish you need to wash, comes equipped with smart features, and has a robust build backed by an excellent warranty that covers certain parts for up to 5 years with a lifelong guarantee on its stainless steel interior. It costs over $1,000.
Our pick for the best budget dishwasher, the Beko DUT25401X, had a cycle that was also capable of cleaning over 99% of our test stains, though it took longer to do so. While it does have an adjustable upper rack, it lacks foldable tines and smart features. Its overall build quality also doesn't appear to be as durable as the Bosch. While the Beko's 2-year warranty is good, it's not as extensive as what Bosch offers. The Beko DUT25401X, while not as widely available as the Bosch, can be bought for under $600.
The answer to this question is going to vary greatly based on your available resources.
As discussed above, there are some salient differences between one of the best dishwashers we've tested, which costs over $1,000, and one of the better budget buys we've seen, which costs under $600. While the budget model had comparable cleaning strength on one of its cycles, its other cycles were much worse than those on the higher-end model. In most cases, the budget model will perform worse than the more expensive model, which means you may need to run some dishes through multiple wash cycles, or hand-wash particularly stubborn stains. For lightly soiled dishes, the budget models should do just fine.
More expensive models will often have significantly more features, but whether or not they're useful features for you will depend of what types of dishes you tend to wash. If you have a lot of bulky cookware or ceramics, foldable tines may be important for allowing them to slot in easily. If you often use deep pots, an adjustable rack may be a necessity. Smart features, like remote control, can be a great accessibility feature for some, but not particularly useful for others.
Another difference between higher-end models and budget models is the overall build quality of the machine, and that's where buying the high-end model has an advantage over time. Dishwashers generally last about 10 years, but budget models may fail before then and high-end models may last much longer before they break down. If you spend half as much on a dishwasher and need to replace it twice as often, it probably makes more sense to buy the higher-end model. Not only will it save you the headache of needing to replace and dispose of a faulty model on short notice, but you also can benefit from its extra cleaning power and helpful features.
As of this publication, according to our testing, the current #1 dishwasher is the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N dishwasher. It offers excellent cleaning performance, useful features, looks great, and all its parts have a good build quality.
New dishwashers are always coming out, and old favorites are discontinued after a few years, so our list is always changing. Just because a Bosch holds our top spot now doesn't mean that won't change in a few months or a year. Check back often to make sure you're as up to date on the current landscape as we are.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Leigh Harrington has 25 years experience as a writer and editor for myriad print and digital publications.
At USA TODAY and Reviewed, Harrington oversees large appliances, including refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, and laundry, and manages Reviewed's overall home content, including areas of focus like home improvement, cleaning, gardening, cooking, and parenting. She focuses on developing and editing consumer ed content, product reviews and buying guides, but she also writes, too.
Harrington is also an experienced travel writer, and has authored books including Fodor's Boston, 100 Things to Do in Boston Before You Die, and Colorful Boston, an adult coloring book. www.leighharrington.com
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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