Dishwashers

Flatware baskets with lids provide individual slots for most of the utensils in our silverware load. Such lids prevent "nesting" and thus improve flatware cleaning. It is more time-consuming to load the cutlery into individual slots, though, so you can remove the lids if you prefer.

Most models hold cups and glasses on the top rack, plates on the lower rack, and silverware in a basket. The ability to adjust the upper rack up or down an inch or so allows for more flexibility in loading items such as tall glasses.

Most models hold cups and glasses on top, plates on the bottom, and silverware in a basket. Features that enhance flexibility include adjustable tines, which flatten areas to accept bigger dishes, pots, and pans. A "yes" here indicates adjustable tines on at least the top or the bottom rack.

A digital display lets you know how much longer the dishwasher will take to complete the chosen cycle. Rotary dials or status bars generally give an indication of the stage the cycle is in, less precise but still helpful.

A dishwasher's interior, which includes the inside of the door, could be made of stainless steel, plastic, or a combination of the two--such as a plastic door and stainless sides and bottom. Unlike a plastic interior, an all-stainless interior won't discolor, but it does increase the cost of a dishwasher by about $100.

Some dishwashers lack a finished front-door panel, so you must furnish your own at an additional cost. This lets you match the dishwasher's panel with your kitchen cabinetry, or to choose a stainless-steel front. Many models with finished fronts also let you add custom panels to change the finish.

A filter that cleans itself is convenient but can add to noise. While most mid- to high-end dishwashers come with filters that require periodic manual cleaning, a few newer high-end models come with self-cleaning filters that use micro-filtration rather than macerators.

This feature offers remote access through a wireless network. The specific functionality varies by model but can include options like problem detection and start/stop or cycle selection choices.