Choose the Right Dishwasher for Your Kitchen

Dishwashers

Choose the Right Dishwasher for Your Kitchen

Your dishwasher should wash and dry dishes really well—that’s a given. But which of the dozens of extra features are right for you? Our comprehensive guide will help you make the right choice.

Photo: LG

Choose the Right Dishwasher for Your Kitchen - Consumer Reports (1)

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.

What kinds of features can dishwashers have?

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.

Hundreds of current dishwasher models qualify for the Energy Star, a designation created by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency, which indicates that a machine uses an average of 3.5 gallons or less in a cycle.
In theory, an Energy Star certified dishwasher can cost about $55 per year to run and can save you about 3,850 gallons of water over the course of its service.

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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.

Water efficiency

Dishwashers with the Green Choice designation use no more than 4 to 5 gallons to clean a load of dishes.

Energy efficiency

Green Choice dishwashers use a maximum of 1 kilowatt-hour of energy per cycle (about 13 cents’ worth of electricity).

Interior materials

Stainless steel is more durable and easier to recycle than plastic, so dishwashers with stainless steel tubs are considered more eco-friendly.

Brand reliability

Our member survey data tells us which dishwasher brands are mostly likely to produce a machine that will last a long time without problems.

Shipping footprint

We use dishwashers’ advertised weight and dimensions to calculate the carbon footprint they leave in shipping.

Price and warranty

We look at the cost of a dishwasher and the length of its warranty—you can find warranty information in our dishwasher ratings.

How should I shop for a new dishwasher?

When you’re shopping for a dishwasher, there are a few questions you should ask yourself that will determine the model that’s right for you.

Does the dishwasher fit my kitchen?

Most dishwashers measure 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep. If you have a small kitchen, you might consider an 18-inch dishwasher, which measures 18 inches wide and 24 inches deep. Measure your space, and don’t forget to account for adjustment of the leveling feet.
Illustration: Consumer Reports
Do my dishes fit the dishwasher?

Take a close look at the configuration of the dishwasher’s interior to make sure the rack design accommodates your dishes. If you frequently use oversized bowls or large casserole dishes, you may want a height-adjustable upper rack or fold-down tines on the bottom rack.
Illustration: Consumer Reports
What features do I need for my dishes?

The more features a dishwasher has, the pricier it will be, so think through which extras you’ll actually use. For example, many models now come with WiFi, which offers cycle customization—but a good soil sensor means you shouldn’t have to hand-tweak a cycle.
Illustration: Consumer Reports

How much should I spend on a dishwasher?

Dishwasher prices have crept up over the years, and it can be hard to sift through the many models and features that dishwasher brands offer. But you can still find a machine that will get your dishes clean in your price range. Here’s what you can expect for your money.

Gets dishes clean
$500 or Less
- Fewer models available in this range
- Basic styling and fewer features
- Likely to have less-durable plastic tubs
- Tend to be noisier
Best Dishwashers for $500 or Less
The Sweet Spot
$500 to $1,000
- Better styling and more finish options
- Top-rated for cleaning and reliability
- Tend to be quieter
- Tend to have more rack flexibility
Best Dishwashers for $1,000 or Less
Upscale styling
$1,000 or More
- More exterior finish options, including custom cabinetry
- Loaded with features such as rack flexibility, interior lighting, and hidden controls
- Many feature WiFi and smart features
Best High-End Dishwashers

Choose the Right Dishwasher for Your Kitchen - Consumer Reports (2024)

Dishwashers