Dishwasher Buying Guide
Using a dishwasher can save you more than 230 hours a year, compared with washing your dishes by hand. Thatās according to the Energy Star rating, anyway. That means more than half an hour of your day, every day of the year, can be saved by this all-but-essential kitchen appliance. But with hundreds of models available, and inventory often in flux, how should you go about choosing the best dishwasher to suit your needs?
Our comprehensive dishwasher ratings cover more than 110 models from more than 25 brands, including Bosch, LG, Samsung, and Viking. And our article on the best dishwashers zeroes in on the top scorers of the bunch.
But not all dishwashers will match everyoneās priorities and budget. Thatās why weāve put together this buying guideāto help you separate the must-have features from the nice-to-haves, and explain what you can expect for various prices.
Once youāve bought a new dishwasher, maintaining it will substantially lengthen its lifeāand if something does go wrong, look to repairs before replacing it. Finally, youāll want to get the right dishwasher detergent to complement your machine and dishes.
How We Pick the Best Dishwasher
We test dishwashers year-round, spending around 28 hours evaluating each one and identifying its features. Our testers load each dishwasher with 10 place settings of white ceramic dishes with baked-on food, then run it on the normal cycle (or the modelās equivalent) with the high-temperature wash and heated-dry options selected, if available. When the cycle is complete, we record cycle time and the amount of water and energy used. We use a photo-imaging machine to determine precisely how clean each dish is, and we test how well each machineĀ dries plastics. Panelists also judgeĀ noise levels.Ā
That said, dishwashers that perform well but donāt hold up over time arenāt helpful. Thatās why we also conduct surveys with thousands of our members to collect data on each brandās predicted reliability and owner satisfaction. This data is then converted into individual scores, which you can see on each modelās ratings page, as well as incorporated into each modelās Overall Score.Ā
Dishwasher Sizes
When buying a dishwasher, look for exterior dimensions that fit your kitchen, as well as interior dimensions that fit your cleaning needs.
Does the Dishwasher Fit Your Kitchen?
Conventionally sized dishwashers are intended for a cavity thatās 24 inches wide and 24 inches high. Theyāre the most commonly sold type, and theyāre what Consumer Reports buys and tests most often.
If you have a small kitchen, you might consider buying a dishwasher intended for an 18x24-inch cavity. Theyāve been growing in popularity, and Consumer Reports tests a handful of them.Ā
To ensure your dishwasher will fit your kitchen before you make your final selection, carefully measure your space and ask the retailer for the specific height of the model youāre interested in. Donāt forget to account for adjustment of the leveling feet.Ā (Remember that when you retile your floors or redo your counters, that may change the height of that cavity in your kitchen.)
Do Your Dishes Fit the Dishwasher?Ā
Take a close look at the configuration of the dishwasherās interiorāthe spacing of the tines and the placement of the silverware baskets and racks, for instance. Make sure the design is accommodating, whether youāll need extra space for oversized bowls or a spot for chopsticks. If youāre shopping in a store, consider taking some of your dishes with you to make sure they fit. Rack designs are not all the same, and dishes might not fit like they did in your old machine.
Eco-Friendly Dishwashers
Almost any dishwasher uses less water than washing dishes by hand. And hundreds of current dishwasher models qualify for Energy Star, a certification for models that use no more than 3.5 gallons during a normal cycle (like flushing a modern toilet twice), and less than the equivalent of 270 kilowatt-hours of energy per year (about $37 worth of electricity, based on todayās national average cost).
At CR, weāve found that dishwashers often use slightly more water and energy than advertisedāthe difference adds up to a few dollarsā worth of extra utility costs per year. However, every little bit counts, and if efficiency and sustainability are especially important to you, you can opt for a CR Green Choice dishwasher. We believe these options to be among the most efficient models you can buy, and the least likely to affect the environment negatively. You could also look for models on the Energy Star Most Efficient list or in the Consortium for Energy Efficiencyās Top Tier.
Dishwasher Finishes and Design
Stainless steel is the most popular finish for kitchen appliances. But other finishes are available, from white or glossy black, at lower prices, to various brushed-metal looks, at the higher end. Integrated (hidden) controls and bar-style handles are also considered to be an upscale look, and theyāre available on several of our top-performing models.
On certain models, the brand logo is also gone. Along with a recessed pocket handle replacing a bar, this type of machine coordinates seamlessly with appliances from other brands if they have similar finishes.Ā
Some dishwashers have a stacked-drawer design; the compartments can be used simultaneously or separately. However, these models are expensive, and they havenāt performed as well overall as most conventional dishwashers in Consumer Reportsā lab tests.
Dishwasher Price Ranges
If youāre buying a dishwasher right now, you might notice supply issues and inflated prices. Until inventory and costs return to pre-pandemic levels, you might have to wait to buy the dishwasher you want (including some of our recommended models), or settle for something less ideal. Hereās what you can expect for your money.
Dishwashers for $500 or Less
There arenāt too many of these left, after the double-digit inflation weāve seen on appliances in the past couple of years. Those that are still available tend to have plastic tubs, which, according to Consumer Reportsā tests, donāt resist stains as well as stainless steel tubs. Weāve also found that these dishwashers are relatively noisy. But CRās Larry Ciufo, who is in charge of testing dishwashers, says that if you need a machine that simply gets your dishes clean for this price, regardless of the other downsides, āyou can still find a dishwasher that might be right for you.āĀ
Dishwashers for $500 to $1,000
This is the sweet spot for many buyers, particularly around $800. Many models in this price range earn our top ratings for cleaning performance and predicted reliabilityātwo factors we weigh heavily in our ratings overall. They also often tend to operate quietly and have at least a few other quality-of-life features, such as adjustable racks and a third rack.
Dishwashers for $1,000 or More
The styling becomes more upscale, and the dishwashers are fully loaded with special features, so you donāt have to pick and choose.Ā
Dishwasher Features That Matter
The best dishwashers combine stellar performance with clever components to save you time, money, and effort.
Dishwasher Brands
A Whirlpool brand, Amana makes dishwashers that are in the lower price range, usually $500 or less.
Bertazzoni, an Italian brand, has products that tend to come in above $1,000.
Bosch makes dishwashers that sell for about $500 to well over $1,000. This European brand is part of BSH Home Appliances, which also makes Thermador and Gaggenau appliances.
Electrolux is the parent company, and youāll see both brands at big-box stores, independent appliance stores, and other national retailers. The Electrolux models go for around $1,000. The Frigidaire models start around $375, and the midpriced Frigidaire Gallery models are $450 to $750. Frigidaire Professional models are more expensive; youāll see them for $900 or more.
Fisher & Paykel (F&P) is the only brand currently making dishwasher drawers. A stacked pair sells for around $1,250 or more. F&P does not make full-sized conventional dishwashers.
GE is sold at big-box stores, independent appliance stores, and other national retailers for $475 to about $1,800 for its GE, CafƩ, and GE Profile models, and over $2,000 for its Monogram line. GE is owned by Haier.
Ikea sells budget-friendly dishwashers that are made by other dishwasher brands, such as Whirlpool and Electrolux.
Kenmore is sold at Sears and has three lines: Kenmore, Kenmore Elite, and Kenmore Pro. Prices range from approximately $500 for a basic Kenmore model to more than $1,000 for those in their Elite and Pro lines.
KitchenAid is part of Whirlpool. Models sell for $900 or more.
LG dishwashers are sold mostly in big-box stores, and prices range widely, from $600 to about $1,000, and more for LG Signature models.
A Whirlpool-owned brand, Maytag makes dishwashers in the midpriced range, from $600 to $1,000.
Miele is a European brand that makes higher-priced dishwashers. CR has tested models that sell for $1,450 and up.
Samsung dishwashers are available in big-box stores for about $500 to just over $1,000.
Thermador is a high-end brand, with dishwashers selling for $1,400 to $2,300. Thermador is part of BSH Home Appliances, maker of Bosch and Gaggenau appliances.
Known for its pro-style kitchen appliances, Viking dishwashers are sold mainly in independent stores for $1,000 or more.
Whirlpool is sold mostly at big-box stores for $500 to about $1,000. This brand also makes JennAir, KitchenAid, and Maytag appliances, all at different prices.