Credit:
Bosch
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Credit:
Bosch
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
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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
This feature-filled, high-performing dishwasher comes in a Tuscan stainless steel finish that is sure to elicit jealously from your neighbors. 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
The Miele G 7566 SCVi SF is a marvel of German engineering. It combines robust power with a subtle touch of convenience. Read More
A dishwasher is among the largest investments you’ll make in your kitchen. With all the brands and available features, it can be difficult to have peace of mind knowing that you’ve made the right choice when shopping, but that’s what we’re here for.
Here at Reviewed, 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 SHPM88Z75N (available at Best Buy for $1,299.99) is the best dishwasher for most people. It offers excellent, reliable cleaning, can remove really difficult stains, and will 100% dry your dishes.
If you want a great value that still offers excellent cleaning, consider the Beko DUT25401, which we can’t rave about enough.
The cutlery basket has a robust plastic build, but is somewhat difficult to remove: You need to brace the lower rack to separate the two.
Powerful cleaning
Automatic detergent dispenser
Efficient
Expensive
Niche interior
Dries plastics
Stellar stain removal
Quiet operation
Nothing significant that we could find
Excellent cleaning power
Gets dishes dry
Tons of features
Minor issues with redeposit
Effective Heavy Duty cycle
Dries dishes completely
Foldable tines and repositionable racks
Dishes got less clean towards the center of the bottom rack
Quiet
Great cleaning ability
Gets dishes dry
None that we could find
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
Strong cleaning for its price point
15-minute Quick cycle
Good value
Very few extra features
Slightly unintuitive controls
Minor issues with redeposit
High-end aesthetics
Third rack, bottle jets, and smart features
Inconsistent cleaning
Not the best value at its current price
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, because we want you to trust our judgment, we bring in the best-rated dishwashers we’ve seen 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.
With dishwashers costing from around $500 to more than $2,000, there are a lot of differences with 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 go-around. 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 been the reason behind 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.
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.
While we lab test dishwashers for cleaning performance and quality of build, we don’t test for life expectancy or any kind of operational duration. How long a dishwasher will last will vary by brand and even 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.
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 Best Overall winner, the Bosch SHPM88Z75N, uses 1,093 gallons per year—the third highest of our top 12 dishwashers, and our Best Value winner, the Beko DUT25401X has an annual water use of 731 gallons—the third lowest of the 12. Interestingly, our upgrade pick, the Miele G 5266 SCVi uses the least amount of gallons, at 626.
Leigh Harrington has more than 20 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 writing, but mostly editing, consumer ed content and product reviews.
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.
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.
Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.
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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