In days gone by, it was relatively easy to buy a new dishwasher. Most models on the market performed one basic function which was washing your dishes, period. Fast-forward to 2020, and you’ve got a dizzying array of choices in dishwashers.
Today, there are models that seemingly do everything for you except load the dirty dishes into the machine. Many modern dishwashers offer an array of features like quick-dry options, eco-modes for energy savings, and extra racks for bigger loads.
To help you wade through the sea of dishwashers on the market, we’ve created this list of the 11 best dishwashers to buy. We’ll follow up the reviews with a buying guide. This way, you’ll have a good idea of what to look for in your next dishwasher.
1. Bosch SHVM98W73N 800 Series Fully Integrated Dishwasher
The Bosch SHVM98W73N 800 series dishwasher is a top-seller in Bosch’s 800 series of dishwashers. This machine is loaded to the max with all kinds of helpful features. It’s a 24” model with a white exterior finish.
This is a panel-ready, built-in dishwasher. That means it’s ready to be fitted with a customized front panel that integrates into your existing cabinetry and decor. The tall, stainless steel tub on the inside can hold 14 to 16 place settings.
This model has three racks you can adjust vertically thanks to Bosch’s MyWay Rack technology. The racks have fold down, adjustable tines. There is a cup shelf and stemware holders on the top rack. The lower rack has an included silverware basket.
The SHVM98W73N has everything you’d expect from a high-end dishwasher. It has noise reduction technology, a delay-start option, a self-cleaning filter, and cycle status lights.
This model has a fully-integrated control console located on the top of the door. It offers six wash cycles and a sanitize cycle you can run in conjunction with a wash cycle. The SHVM98W73N also offers leak protection, a fast wash cycle, and lots more.
Pros:
- Quiet & energy efficient
- MyWay Rack technology
- Extra tall stainless steel tub
- 6 wash cycles
Cons:
- Doesn’t always completely dry dishes
2. hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
This small and powerful dishwasher is the perfect size if you have a tiny kitchen. The hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher is ENERGY STAR certified to help you save energy dollars. It offers 6 wash cycles and a delay button to postpone a wash cycle.
This hOmeLabs dishwasher made for countertops features user-friendly controls located on the top of the door. It’s an attractive refrigerator that’s perfect for a studio apartment, small home, holiday cabin, or any small, cramped kitchen space.
You can pre-set this dishwasher so it starts working in 2, 4, or 8 hours, which is great for working professionals and people on the go. There’s enough room inside for six place settings. There’s also a silverware basket you can take out to load and unload. This machine cleans dishes well and is budget-friendly.
Pros:
- Perfect size for small homes, apartments, cabins
- Offers 6 wash cycles
- User-friendly controls
- 6 place setting capacity
- ENERGY STAR certified
Cons:
- Indicator buzzer is loud
- Doesn’t dry dishes
3. EdgeStar BIDW1802BL 18-inch Built-In Dishwasher
If you can’t fit a 24-inch dishwasher into your kitchen, the EdgeStar BIDW1802BL is ready to serve you. This is an 18-inch wide built-in dishwasher with an attractive black finish. Even though this dishwasher is not as wide as many models, there’s enough room inside for 8 full place settings.
This EdgeStar dishwasher’s roomy interior has 2 pull-out dish racks, a silverware basket, and a cup tray. The front of the unit has a digital panel you operate via push buttons. Just choose the wash cycle you want out of the 6 that are available. A light on the unit illuminates to show you what cycle it’s in. When your dishes are done, you’ll get a notification via a buzzer sound.
With its ENERGY STAR certification, a leakage sensor, and six different wash cycles. this narrow dishwasher packs a powerful punch. It does a good job of thoroughly cleaning dirty dishes. It has a few extra features you’ll appreciate, especially on your busiest days.
Pros:
- Sleek exterior finish
- Holds 8 place settings
- 6 wash cycles
- Leakage sensor
- Push-button controls
Cons:
- Doesn’t run whisper-quiet
- Dishes often come out damp
4. Frigidaire FFCD2418US 24-Inch Built-In Full Console Dishwasher
If you’ve got a big family and entertain often, you’ll appreciate the Frigidaire FFCD2318US dishwasher. It’s a 24 inch, built-in model that has plenty of room inside the big polymer tub for lots of dishes. This model can easily hold 14 place settings.
This dishwasher runs quietly and is ENERGY STAR certified to help you save money. It offers a filtration system that eliminates food particles to get your dishes extra clean. It has a stay-put door that stays where you want it, at whatever angle you prefer. This makes it much easier to load and unload your dishes.
With its 5 wash cycles, the FFCD2318US does a good job washing your dishes. It performs outstandingly well at drying your dishes too, using a heated drying system. This is good news because it’s never nice to unload soaking wet dishes.
This is a robust, hard-working dishwasher. It offers user-friendly controls, it runs quietly, and does great at washing and drying dishes.
Pros:
- Uses high heat to dry dishes
- Easy loading and unloading
- Energy-saving model
- Large capacity
Cons:
- Tines on racks don’t fold back
5. Fisher Paykel DD24DAX9 Double DishDrawer with Recessed Handle
The nice-looking Fisher Paykel DD24DAX9 dishwasher doesn’t sport the usual dishwasher design. This dishwasher is called a Double DishDrawer. It’s a 24 inch full console dishwasher that’s easy to load. It has a 14 place setting capacity, six wash cycles and six wash programs.
This dishwasher is just as easy to open and close as your kitchen drawers. This makes it a cinch to load your dirty dishes in and take them out sparkling clean. This machine offers many racking options for greater flexibility. It also has folding rack tines to accommodate a full load of pots and pans.
This dishwasher runs quietly. It has height-adjustable cup racks and plenty of space for all your dirty dishes. This model uses a brushless DC motor that acts as both a wash pump and drain pump. This equates to fewer moving parts to fix or replace.
The spray arm rotates at different speeds, depending on the wash cycle you choose. This helps this dishwasher get your dishes very clean, which is something we love about this Fisher Paykel!
Pros:
- Quiet
- Many rack options and folding tines
- Brushless DC motor
- Rotating spray arm works at different speeds
- ENERGY STAR certified
Cons:
- Doesn’t excel at drying dishes
6. Bosch SHX3AR75UC Ascenta 24’ Stainless Steel Fully Integrated Dishwasher
This Bosch dishwasher gets high consumer ratings online due to its many features. This model is 24 inches wide and has a bar-style handle on a stainless steel chassis. The Bosch SHX3AR75UC dishwasher has a 14 place setting capacity and 6 wash cycles featuring two options.
The SHX3AR75UC has a sanitize option to get rid of bacteria and household allergens. It also offers a delicate wash cycle that is safe for fine china and other delicate dishware. This Bosch dishwasher comes with a 3,6, and 9 hour delay start time, putting you in charge of when the machine runs. It’s an ENERGY STAR certified machine that helps you save on water usage. It also offers a variable spray pressure option you can dial into to get very dirty dishes clean.
It’s a quiet running dishwasher from Bosch. It has a touch panel control center integrated into the top of the door. This model has a tall tub made of polypropylene that’s designed for durability and longevity.
Pros:
- Sanitize option
- Delicate cycle
- 6 wash cycles w/ 2 options
- Variable spray pressure
Cons:
- Lower rack has been known to come off track
7. SPT SD-9241SS Energy Star Portable Dishwasher – 18 Inch
If you’re pinched for space and don’t want to spend a big wad of money on a dishwasher, have a look at the SPT SD-9241SS Energy Star Portable Dishwasher. This little powerhouse offers 6 wash cycles and helps you save energy dollars. It’s an ENERGY STAR certified machine that’s made by Sunpentown International Limited located in S. California.
This is a top performing dishwasher that gets dishes clean. It’s a standalone portable unit on wheels. You can install it right next to your sink, without needing professional installation services. It’s a stainless steel dishwasher with a full panel digital control console.
The SPT SD-9241SS has two spray arms that are removable and easy to clean. It also has two racks, one up and one down. The top rack is adjustable, which is great!
While this dishwasher can’t accommodate 14 place settings, it does have plenty of room for 5 place settings.
The SPT SD-9251SS is quiet, energy-efficient, nice looking, and compact. It’s perfect for anyone with limited space who doesn’t want to pay a high price for a dishwashing machine.
Pros
- Compact & easy to use
- Easy to hook up
- Energy efficient
- Does great washing dishes well
- Adjustable upper rack
Cons:
- Doesn’t dry dishes
8. EdgeStar DWP62SV 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher
Are you’re in the market for a good-looking, top-performing countertop dishwasher? Then look no further than the EdgeStar DWP62SV 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher.
This dishwasher grabs your attention right away with its attractive stainless steel finish and design. It’s got a convenient digital display panel on the front where you control everything.
This EdgeStar dishwasher gets rave reviews for how well it cleans dishes. People also love the fact that it fits right in under most cabinetry. It has a stainless steel interior that has enough room for 6 place settings. It’s a quiet-running machine that saves on water consumption. It only uses 2.85 gallons per cycle, which is little compared to larger models.
The DWP62SV is very easy to operate. There are 7 wash cycles and a built-in rinse agent dispenser to cut down on water spotting. There’s also a water heater onboard that eliminates germs and bacteria by cranking up the water temperature to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with a quick-connect faucet adapter and a 5-foot hose to make hook-up fast and easy.
Pros:
- Compact & easy to use
- Saves water
- Simple hook-up
- 6 wash cycles
- Does very well at washing dishes
Cons:
- Won’t fit large dinner plates or big pots and pans
9. Danby DDW611WLED Countertop Dishwasher
The compact and powerful Danby DDW611WLED countertop dishwasher fits right under most kitchen cabinets. This small dishwasher packs a real cleaning power punch. It does a great job at getting dishes sparkling clean with its six wash cycles. There’s also an LED display on board for total user control.
The Danby DDW611WLED has touch button controls along the top front of the door. It quickly connects to your kitchen tap and only uses 3.17 gallons of water during a normal cycle. The durable stainless steel interior has enough room for 5 place settings.
This dishwasher has two racks, one on top and one on the bottom. Both racks are vinyl-coated to protect your dishes from breakage. It also has a silverware basket made of plastic. This Danby is a real dandy when it comes to value! It’s a fully capable little machine that does what it’s designed to do – wash your dishes and get them clean.
Pros:
- Cleans dishes well
- Conserves water
- 6 wash cycles
- Push-button operation & LED display
Cons:
- Standard sized dinner plates angle forward and won’t stand upright
10. Frigidaire FBD2400KS Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher
The 24-inch Frigidaire FBD2400KS Stainless Steel Dishwasher is a built-in model featuring a full panel control console on the door. This dishwasher has a tall polymer tub that can hold 12 place settings. It has Frigidaire’s SpaceWise silverware basket which is a large container for silverware that can hold a big load.
The FBD2400KS has two wash cycles and a heat/no heat dry option. This model has a heavy wash cycle for those times you have many dirty items to wash. The machine does a very good job at washing even the most soiled dishes. This dishwasher features Frigidaire’s UltraQuite technology that reduces sound for quiet performance during every wash cycle.
The FBD2300KS comes with a removable filter trap to clean out food debris. It also has a food disposer built in. This model sports a squeeze latch door that’s easy to open and close. This model helps you save energy with its AIr Dry feature. This works by preventing the heating unit from coming on during the drying cycle.
Pros:
- Nice looking stainless steel exterior with black accents
- Does well at getting dishes sparkling clean
- Removable filter trap
- Energy saver
- Large silverware basket
Cons:
- Top rack doesn’t adjust
11. EdgeStar BIDW11802BL 18 Inch Black Built-In Dishwasher
This EdgeStar dishwasher gets good marks from us for its good looks. This sleek black 18-inch dishwasher is a built-in model. It has a 8 place setting capacity. The Edgestar BIDW11802BL dishwasher offers 6 wash cycles with three wash options: sanitize, hi-temp, and heated dry.
This dishwasher does a good job of cleaning even heavily soiled dishes. It’s a quiet-running dishwasher that has a leakage sensor. If a leak is detected, the machine turns off water flow to protect your home from damage.
The front of this unit has digital push buttons that allow you to cycle through the six wash cycles. A light tells you what cycle the unit is running. A buzzer sounds when the machine is done washing.
Pros:
- Eye-pleasing design
- 6 wash cycles
- Leakage sensor
- Quiet
- Roomy for an 18 inch model
Cons:
- Non-folding tines
Dishwasher Buying Guide
When it’s time to buy a new dishwasher, you face sorting through a whole dish load of choices. There are many sizes of dishwashers like compact countertop models, slim 18-inch units for tight spaces, and free-standing 24-inch models.
Dishwashers also come in many colors. The three most common colors are black, white, and silver or stainless steel. Some brands even offer bisque and slate colors.
There are also lots of styles available in dishwashers. Some manufacturers offer simple units with the controls on the top of the door. Other manufacturers offer more elaborate models like those with hidden, recessed handles and full panel digital displays.
This guide will help you sort through the many choices in dishwashers so you end up buying one that best matches your needs and preferences.
Determine What Size You Need
Standard dishwashers are 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep. Slim dishwashers are 18 inches wide by 18 inches deep. Compact countertop dishwashers come in various sizes like 18”W x 35”H x 24”D or 16”W x 33”H x 22”D. Before you begin shopping for a dishwasher, carefully measure the space you have available. Once you’ve done that, you’ll know what models to look at.
Name Your Price
You can expect to pay anywhere from a few hundred dollars to $1000 or more for a new dishwasher. Here’s a brief breakdown of the various price ranges of dishwashers, and what you can expect to find in each category.
- Dishwashers costing $500 or less: While dishwashers costing under $500 aren’t always loaded with tons of features, they do an excellent job of washing dishes. Lower priced models simply don’t come with all the bells and whistles so don’t expect to find things like super-economy wash cycles or many choices in drying cycles. Most dishwashers in this price range are relatively noisy and don’t come with extras like folding tines and multiple options in rack adjustments.
- Dishwashers costing $600 to $900: If you’re willing to dish out more money, you can get a quieter dishwasher that excels at cleaning even the most soiled dishes. You’ll find dishwashers in this price range come with many more features like adjustable racks and energy-saving modes for both washing and drying. Unlike cheaper dishwashers with plastic polymer interiors, these dishwashers usually have stainless steel interiors that are more stain-resistant.
- Dishwashers costing $1000 or more: This price range has dishwashers that are fully loaded with features and cutting-edge technology. These models often have two stacked drawers you can use at the same time or separately. You can expect to find many energy saving features in this price range too. These higher priced dishwashers often offer extra wash cycles that work very well at cleaning the dirtiest dishes.
Decide What Features are Important to You
When shopping for a dishwasher, look for features that can save you time, money, and effort. Everyone is different. Some people don’t mind drying their dishes by hand after removing them from the dishwasher. Others want their dishwashers to do the drying for them.
If you want it to be super easy to load your dishwasher, look for a model that comes with adjustable racks and folding tines. A good choice would be a model that lets you configure the interior and which comes with silverware baskets with individual compartments for easy loading and unloading.
Most dishwashers today come with at least three cycles: light, normal, and heavy. If you want a model that sanitizes your dishes as it washes them, you’ll need to find a model that has a sanitize/wash cycle. The same thing applies if you want your dishes to come out bone dry after washing. While many dishwashers offer a drying function, only some models use high heat during the dry cycle.
Digital or Manual Control? You Decide.
You’ll be using your new dishwasher every single day. That’s why it’s important to choose a model with the types of controls you prefer. The control panels on dishwashers use either digital touch controls or physical buttons.
If you like to keep things simple, then a dishwasher with a physical dial should suffice. But if you’d like a digital timer and a computerized push panel, look for a model that offers a full digital control panel. Of course, digital touch controls cost more than physical buttons so consider your budget when deciding which way to go.
Wrap Up: Choose Your Price & FInd the Features You Like
Now that you know what’s out there in the world of dishwashers, it’s time to start shopping. Set your budget and determine how much space you have to work with. Then decide what features you want and which you can live without.
It can be intimidating to pick the right dishwasher. But once you have your budget set and know what features you want, the whole ordeal gets easier.
Our reviews can help you develop your short-list. Once you look over the top models you’re considering, sooner or later you’ll pick the one that best matches your needs and preferences. Just remember to shop carefully so you end up with an awesome dishwasher you’re happy with and enjoy using!
