The opening paragraph of the article is pretty straightforward. We offer a simple list of the best dishwashers, while also taking notice of the fact that this is a list of the most reliable dishwashers. This is an important distinction to make, because some dishwashers are great in terms of their features, but do not last very long.
The second paragraph introduces new information. We present some data from J.D. Power regarding major appliance brands as well as their reliability ratings, and then we say that we used this rating system to inform our picks for the best dishwasher brands. We also suggest that you can use these same ratings to help find the best appliance brands for your budget and needs.
It’s not a lot of text, but it does a good job of laying out our argument for why the list is the way it is and what makes it valuable to consumers.
According to the latest Consumer Reports dishwasher reviews, top-performing dishwasher brands include Bosch, Miele, Frigidaire, and GE. For a top-performing brand that’s more affordable, consider Kenmore or Whirlpool. KitchenAid also offers excellent performance in addition to its well-known design aesthetic.
After testing 94 models from 18 brands over two years, we’re confident that these are the best dishwashers for your kitchen. They’re easy to use and clean your dishes without leaving spots or streaks. The best dishwashers are quiet enough (they score at least 50 points out of 100 on our noise ratings), have plenty of cycles and options, and good usability.
Here’s the complete list of our top 10 dishwashers:
Bosch Ascenta SHE3ARF5UC Dishwasher
Miele Futura Dimension G4975SCVIK2D Dishwasher
Kenmore Elite 12793 Dishwasher with Turbo Zone/360 Power Wash Spray Arm – Stainless Steel Tub at 55dB
Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466QF Dishwasher
Whirlpool WDT730PAHZ Built-In 24″ Tall Tub Pocket Handle Dishwasher with 3rd Level Rack and Leak
It’s time for the annual Best Dishwasher Brands list!
So, what makes a dishwasher brand great?
We’ve been reviewing dishwashers for over 11 years, and a lot of our reviews of dishwashers from the same brand look similar. As we’ve mentioned before, all dishwashers these days are very good. They clean well and are reliable, so the brands that stand out are those that do the basics really well, and then add in extra features that enhance convenience or cleaning performance.
So when we look at brands as a whole, we want to see:
● Families of similar models rather than just one-offs
● New models with innovative features and good user feedback
● Very good reliability ratings
The most important feature is reliability. A dishwasher that can’t clean dishes well is annoying but easy to live with – you just wash by hand. But a broken or unreliable dishwasher is much more frustrating, because it can interrupt your life and cost you money. We estimate that close to 50% of service calls for dishwashers are caused by poor installation rather than by an inherent design flaw. But many of those could be avoided if the machine was more reliable in the first place.
You have many dishwashers to choose from, but which one is the best? You need to consider the brand, features and price. We’ve done our research and found the 10 best dishwashers for you.
The Beko DFS05013W is a compact dishwasher that still fits up to ten place settings. It comes with six washing programs including a fast wash cycle that takes just 55 minutes. The height of the upper basket can be adjusted to accommodate large plates, bowls or platters. The lower basket has fold-down tines that can be folded down to make space for pots, pans and other large dishes.
The Danby DDW621WDB is another compact model with a capacity of six place settings. It has seven wash cycles including Energy Saver, Heavy and Normal. The Danby has an automatic detergent dispenser and rinse aid indicator light to let you know when it’s time to add more detergent or rinse aid.
The Frigidaire FFCD2418US is a full-sized dishwasher with a stainless steel interior, stainless steel tub and nine wash cycles including Quick Wash, Auto Wash, Rinse Only and Light/China. It also has Energy Star certification for its low energy usage
Bosch
Bosch is one of the top dishwasher brands because of its innovative features and quality products. Bosch dishwashers are designed to be quiet, so you won’t find any models that are louder than 50 decibels (dB). They also use a technology that senses how much dirty water there is in the dishwasher and adjusts the wash cycle accordingly. That means your dishes will come out clean whether you’re doing a half-load or a full-load.
Another perk with Bosch dishwashers is their third rack, which gives you more space to load flatware and other kitchen tools. If your glassware needs extra attention, consider a Bosch model with CrystalDry technology. It uses high heat for better drying performance and can handle up to 14 place settings at once.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid is another great brand to consider when shopping for a new dishwasher. KitchenAid offers many different finishes, including some exclusive options like the printshield stainless steel finish, which resists smudges and fingerprints. Another unique feature available on some KitchenAid models is the adjustable 3rd rack, which can be raised or lowered based on what you’re loading into the dishwasher.
If you’re looking for an Energy Star
When deciding which dishwasher to buy, the first thing to consider is how important quality and efficiency are to you. Some homeowners will want a product that reliably and consistently delivers quality results for as long as possible, and don’t mind paying a premium for it. Others, however, may require only basic performance levels and be more interested in keeping their purchase cost to a minimum. Dishwasher brand reputation is another factor. Miele, Bosch, and KitchenAid are all considered very high end brands that deliver an excellent product. Something like Whirlpool or Maytag would be considered more of a “budget” brand.
Whirlpool
Maytag
KitchenAid
General Electric (GE)
Bosch
Amana
Frigidaire
Asko
Miele
Thermador
We’ve rated and ranked the best dishwashers from brands like Bosch, Miele, and Fisher & Paykel for a variety of budgets.
High-end dishwashers generally have customizable wash cycles, a better overall washing performance, and quieter operation. However, these features don’t come cheap, as high-end dishwashers are more expensive than budget models.
If you want a reliable dishwasher that won’t break the bank, stick with one of our top budget picks. Our top pick is the Kenmore 13473 with a powerful Clean Boost option that scrubs off even the toughest baked-on messes.
If you’re willing to pay more for luxury features like water softeners and bottle jets, our top recommendation is the Bosch 500 Series SHPM65Z55N which has an impressive third rack for utensils and ramekins.
If you’re looking for a great middle-of-the-road unit with all the basics, we recommend the Frigidaire Gallery FGID2476SF. It comes with a food disposer to pulverize stuck-on food so it doesn’t clog up your appliance’s filter.
A high-end dishwasher can be worth the investment if you have regular