Our pick is the Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N. This dishwasher was a consistent top performer in our tests, and it’s quiet, efficient, and has a third rack for silverware and larger utensils—a feature that’s worth having if you have the space.
We’ve been testing models since 2010 and have spent more than 100 hours researching the latest dishwashers to come out since our last update. If you’re looking for something to clean your dishes for less than $500, we recommend the Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466QF. It doesn’t have a third rack, but it still did an excellent job in our testing and comes at a good price.
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After we published our first round of dishwasher reviews in January, we heard from a number of readers who asked if it was really necessary to spend more than $500 on a dishwasher. After all, you can get a decent-looking model for around $400 that cleans at least as well as our picks do.
But we believe that spending more money on a great dishwasher is worth the investment. A $500 machine will last you 10 or 15 years (and likely longer), but one that costs $400 might need to be replaced within seven years. We also think there’s something inherently worthwhile about owning an appliance that does its job exceptionally well. For example: You probably won’t use your dishwasher every single day for five years straight, but when you do need it, it should work as intended with no surprises. That’s why we think it makes sense to spend more than $500 on a dishwasher—at least once you’ve decided you want one in the first place—so
We’ve spent over 100 hours researching and testing dishwashers since 2010. We think the Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N is the best for most people because it’s quiet, efficient, and has a third rack for utensils.
The dishwasher is probably the least-loved appliance in your home. You have to run it before you eat and after you eat, and you have to fill it with detergent and rinse aid, which are not cheap. But a good dishwasher can save you a lot of time. It will also use less water than washing by hand, so if you care about saving money and the environment, a dishwasher is a good bet. And today’s machines are quieter than ever before–you can even find models that use sensors to figure out how dirty the dishes are and adjust their cleaning cycles accordingly, so they’re not running longer than necessary.
Because we spend so much time looking at dishwashers, we know exactly what to look for when evaluating them:
1)Powerful sprayers that get dishes clean without pre-rinsing or scrubbing;
2)A third rack that can hold utensils or small items like espresso cups;
3)Enough space to fit big pots
The best dishwasher for most people in 2018 is the KitchenAid KDPE234GPS. This model matches the performance and features of the Bosch Ascenta SHX3AR75UC, our previous pick, at a more reasonable price. It’s also less noisy and more efficient than the Ascenta, but it lacks a third rack.
We’re still confident in the Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N as a great alternative to the KitchenAid. The Bosch has a third rack, and you should get it if you want that feature or if you can find it for $150 less than our top pick. The Bosch is also quieter than our main pick, but it ties with the KitchenAid when both are running on their quietest settings and has worse drying performance.
The GE GDF530PGMWW is a decent budget dishwasher for about $250 less than our main pick. It’s good enough to get most dishes clean, but its tub is smaller, there’s no third rack, and it’s not nearly as quiet as the KitchenAid.
After spending 40 hours researching dozens of models and testing seven, we found that the Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N is the best dishwasher for most homes. It’s affordable, quiet, and dries better than most other dishwashers.
The Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N is our pick because it has a third rack, which is particularly handy for cleaning long flatware like spatulas and tongs. Its stainless-steel tub and interior are more durable than those of plastic tubs. It will be quieter than most other models you can buy for under $800; at 44 dBa its volume is lower than that of falling rain or a conversation in a restaurant. Most important, it did the best job of any machine we tested in getting dishes shiny and spot-free—and it does so with much less water than competing models. The Bosch can hold up to 16 place settings and can fit into kitchens with different configurations because it’s available in both 18-inch and 24-inch models.
If you need a portable dishwasher (or if you want to hide your dishwasher behind a kitchen cabinet), we recommend the Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher. This model costs about $250 more
After spending 40 hours researching and testing dishwashers in our labs, we think the GE GDT655SMJES is the best for most people. It cleans well, looks good, has a solid construction and a roomy interior, and it’s quiet enough that you can run it any time of day. GE also offers a one-year warranty on parts and labor (with in-home service), plus an additional nine years of coverage for the tub and racks.
In addition to giving you a detailed look at the features each model offers, we’ve expanded our list of recommendations this year to include more options for homes with limited space as well as some high-end models that offer unique features. We also interviewed experts from both sides of the industry—appliance repair technicians and kitchen designers—to learn what they look for when buying new machines for their homes or recommending them to clients.
As you can see, the Bosch 500 Series SHP65TL5UC is the best dishwasher for most homes. The Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC is our upgrade pick because it has a third rack, a better warranty, and more cycles, but it’s almost twice as expensive as the 500 Series.
Our budget pick, the Whirlpool WDF520PADM, is a decent dishwasher that can get your dishes clean enough for less than $500. It’s noisy and slower than our top picks and has fewer wash options, but it also costs half as much.
The GE GDT655SSJSS was our former pick for most people. It was just as quiet as the Bosch 500 Series but cost about $200 less. Unfortunately it looks like this model is being discontinued.
Bosch 500 Series SHP65TL5UC: $803 on Amazon*
Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC: $1,399 on Amazon*
Whirlpool WDF520PADM: $399 on Amazon*
GE GDT655SSJSS: $650 on Home Depot*