The best dishwashers

Dishwashers can make your life so much easier. Stuff the dishes in, turn the dishwasher on, and the dishes come out squeaky clean. A good dishwasher can make this process easy, holding lots of dishes and washing them all effectively without breaking anything, with the dishes placed so it's easy to take them all out again.  

Our top picks for the best dishwashers combine effective cleaning with features that allow you to wash dishes large and small and to sterilize bottles for young children while still cleaning delicate glassware with care.

Credit: Bosch

(Image credit: Bosch)

Bosch 300 Series SHSM63W55N

Best dishwasher overall

Specifications

Type: Built-in, top control
Racks: 3
Noise: 44 dB
Place Settings: 16
Energy Use: 269 kWH
Features: Auto, Sensor Wash
App Control: No

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent performance
+
Third rack holds cutlery, small dishes

Reasons to avoid

-
Racks can be difficult to adjust
-
Fixed tines make larger dishes awkward to place

The Bosch 300 Series SHSM63W55N is the best dishwasher overall, because it has it all at a reasonable price: top cleaning performance, adjustable racks, and plenty of space for plates and dishes. Reviewers found that it had excellent cleaning performance, removing burnt-on stains and other food while never depositing it back on the other dishes. The removed food is held in a filter at the bottom of the dishwasher and then sluiced out when the wash is complete.

A rare feature at this price is a third rack. This thin rack slides into the top of the dishwasher and holds cutlery, small dishes and other items. The washer fires jets of water at this rack from the sides to give knives and forks a good cleaning.

Some reviewers noted that because of the arrangement of the tines (the rods that stick up and hold plates in place), you can't fit in larger dishes or saucepans. The racks are adjustable but can be awkward to lift up and down. If the top-control, stainless-steel design of this model doesn't appeal to you, don't worry: Bosch offers a number of similar models with different styles of handles and control locations.

Credit: KitchenAid

(Image credit: KitchenAid)

KitchenAid KDTM354DSS

An older, but still very good dishwasher.

Specifications

Type: Built-in, top control
Racks: 2
Noise: 43 dB
Place Settings: 15
Energy Use: 260 kWH
Features: ProDry, ProScrub, Sani Rinse, Top Rack Wash
App Control: No

Reasons to buy

+
ProScrub gives bottom rack more cleaning performance
+
Quiet

Reasons to avoid

-
Some dishes on top rack don't get cleaned as well as those on the bottom rack

The KitchenAid KDTM354DSS is an argument for patience. It's an older model that was first launched in 2014, but the upside is that the price has been falling ever since. Now that this formerly high-end, expensive dishwasher is much more reasonably priced, we see it  as another top pick.

The KDTM354DSS has two racks and a silverware basket that clips into the top of the dishwasher interior. Some of the tines on each rack can be folded down to offer extra space for large dishes, although not all of the tines on the bottom rack fold down. Along with the usual spray arm under the bottom rack, an additional sprayer at the rear of the dishwasher (KitchenAid calls this ProWash) provides extra cleaning power for tough messes.

The reviewers found that this dishwasher had excellent cleaning performance, although the bottom rack was the place for really dirty dishes. Some more heavily stained dishes on the top rack were not cleaned as effectively. But as long as you put the really icky stuff on the bottom rack, this machine is excellent at cleaning dishes.  

Credit: Whirlpool

(Image credit: Whirlpool)

Whirlpool WDF520PADM

The best dishwasher for those on a budget

Specifications

Type: Built-in, front control
Racks: 2
Noise: 55 dB
Place Settings: 14
Energy Use: 260 kWH
Features: NSF Certified Sanitize, Delay Start
App Control: No

Reasons to buy

+
Very good overall cleaning performance
+
Holds a decent number of dishes

Reasons to avoid

-
Slightly noisy
-
Fixed tines on racks make placing large dishes difficult

The Whirlpool WDF520PADM has everything you need and nothing you don't, all at the right price. Available for just under $400, this dishwasher offers very good cleaning performance, stylish looks and little else. There is no third rack, no fancy cleaning cycle and no sterilize feature.

While the WDF520PADM may not have many bells and whistles, it has power where it counts, with the reviewers finding that it did a very good job of removing gunk from dishes. It's not a top scorer, though; the dishwasher failed to fully remove dried-on spinach from some plates, and it redeposited some on other plates. Reviewers also noted that larger dishes could block the rotating spray arm if the dishes weren't put in place at an angle.

The two racks did slide in and out easily, but the tines are not movable, so larger dishes can be difficult to place. That does mean that the racks can hold a good number of plates and bowls, though.

This dishwasher isn't the best at anything. Other models clean better, hold more dishes and are generally better overall. But those machines are twice as expensive, and the WDF520PADM offers great value for money.

Credit: Whirlpool

(Image credit: Whirlpool)

Whirlpool WDF330PAHW

Another great bargain dishwasher

Specifications

Type: Built-in, front control
Racks: 2
Noise: 55 dB
Place Settings: 13
Energy Use: 270 kWH
Features: Pots and Pans, Quick Wash
App Control: No

Reasons to buy

+
Good cleaning performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Some dishes still had damp spots after drying
-
Slightly noisy

Another great option for the budget buyer is the Whirlpool WDF330PAHW, which is available for under $400. It's another no-frills dishwasher that has decent performance for the price but no fancy features.

This machine has two racks with fixed tines and a cutlery basket that sits at the front of the bottom rack, making the basket easy to load and unload. You can also place the cutlery container at the side of the rack, which is useful if you habitually put just one more dish in before you start a load. The front of the dishwasher is white, although a stainless steel option is also available. The few, simple controls are located around the handle.

(Image credit: Samsung)

Samsung DW80R9950US/AA

Best dishwasher for large families

Specifications

Type: Built-in, top control
Racks: 3
Noise: 39 dB
Place Settings: 15
Energy Use: 239 kWH
Features: Sanitize, Half Load

Reasons to buy

+
Third rack with adjustable section
+
Excellent cleaning performance
+
Quiet

Reasons to avoid

-
Expensive

If you have a houseful to clean up after, the large Samsung DW80R9990US/AA  with three racks is our top pick for you. Reviewed.com found that this model could get rid of over 99% of stuck-on stains which most dishwashers won't be able to shift and it has extremely high user ratings. A Zone Booster lets you direct water jets to the lower left side of the washer for truly difficult to remove messes. 

This dishwasher has three racks, including a top rack for cutlery and small dishes which has an adjustable section for oversized utensil like ladles and whisks. You also have the option of lowering or raising it to either accommodate tall items on the rack below or make space for bulkier tools on the top rack itself. At the end of a cycle, the door automatically opens to circulate air for better drying performance.

All of these features come at a price. At more than $1000, the Samsung  is one of the most expensive of our picks. But it has the performance to justify the price, and features like the third rack will be worth it if you wash a lot of dishes and cutlery all the time.

Credit: LG

(Image credit: LG)

LG LDF5545ST

The best budget dishwasher for large families

Specifications

Type: Built-in, front control
Racks: 2
Noise: 48 dB
Place Settings: 15
Energy Use: 258 kWH
Features: Half Load, Pots and Pans, Rinse and Hold, Sanitize
App Control: No

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent cleaning performance, flexible racks for large dishes

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't always dry dishes completely

Flexibility is the key with the LG LDF5545ST. This dishwasher has the same QuadWash technology as more-expensive LG models, in which four wash arms spray water in a variety of directions for more-effective washing. Although the machine has only two racks, both include fold-down tines to make it easier to put in large dishes. The top rack can also be lifted and lowered to fit larger dishes.

This LG washer also has excellent cleaning performance, with the QuadWash making a significant difference in removing stubborn gunk from dishes on the bottom rack.

The LDF5545ST isn't perfect, though. According to the reviewers, it is a little noisier when washing than more-expensive models, and it doesn't always completely dry the dishes, unless you use the Extra Dry option. This machine also lacks the Wi-Fi–connected features of LG's LDP6797ST (another one of our top picks), so you can't monitor this washer from the couch.

Credit: Bosch

(Image credit: Bosch)

Bosch 800-Series SHPM98W75N

Superquiet dishwasher

Specifications

Type: Built-in, front control
Racks: 3
Noise: 39 dB
Place Settings: 16
Energy Use: 269 kWH
Features: MyWay Rack, AquaStop
App Control: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
Very quiet
+
Third rack for cutlery
+
App control

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive

Shh! Hear that? No? Neither do I, because the Bosch 800-Series SHPM98W75N is running. Bosch claims that this machine is the quietest dishwasher brand, and this model in the company's 800 Series would seem to back up that ambitious claim.

The reviewers praised the quiet running of this premium model, which made barely a whisper while water was sloshing around inside. The noise numbers are very close between this and the Samsung DW80M9960US, but the Bosch seems quieter, making no more than a slight distant whooshing when in use.

The top rack, which Bosch calls the MyWay rack, offers a number of lowered areas where you can put larger items, like soup spoons, potato mashers and the like, away from the plates below. This means that they stand a better chance of getting clean. You can also monitor this dishwasher using a smartphone app, and a feature called AquaStop will automatically drain the water if the feature detects a leak.

The SHPM98W75N is also a very efficient dishwasher. Reviewed.com found that a similar model used just 2 gallons of water when running a normal wash and just under 4 gallons on a heavy-duty wash. That's an incredibly small amount of water. If you pay a lot for your water, or have only a limited source, this could be an important factor.
  

Credit: LG

(Image credit: LG)

LG LDP6797ST

Best smart dishwasher

Specifications

Type: Built-in, top control
Racks: 3
Noise: 44 dB
Place Settings: 15
Energy Use: 258 kWH
Features: SmartThinQ
App Control: Yes

Reasons to buy

+
SmartThinQ Wi-Fi–app control
+
Excellent cleaning performance

Reasons to avoid

-
Takes a long time to wash

Looking for the smartest dishwasher on the block? The LG LDP6797ST has brains to spare, as it comes with a Wi-Fi connection. Pair this with the LG SmartThinQ app, and you can monitor the wash from your smartphone, getting an estimate of how long is left and a notification when the wash is done. That is, perhaps, a good thing, as some users commented on the long cycle times of this dishwasher.

In addition to the smarts, the LDP6797ST has three racks, with the top rack meant for cutlery. You can adjust the middle rack, moving them up and down to accommodate different-size dishes. The LDP6797ST also comes with LG's QuadWash system, with four spinning spray arms to aim more water at the dishes. The reviewers found that this system easily cut through baked-on cheese and maple syrup.
 

Credit: SPT

(Image credit: SPT)

SPT SD-2213

Best countertop dishwasher

Specifications

Type: Countertop, front controls
Racks: 1
Noise: 55 dB
Place Settings: 6
Energy Use: 203 kWH
Features: Heavy, Normal, Eco, Glass, Speed
App Controls: No

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap
+
Takes up only a small amount of space

Reasons to avoid

-
Doesn't hold many dishes

Don't have the space for a full-size dishwasher? Or do you live alone and use just a few dishes? A countertop dishwasher may be solution, as these smaller dishwashers sit on your counter rather than under it. Our top pick for this type of dishwasher is the Suncom SPT SD-2213, a cheap dishwasher that offers only basic features.

This machine has a single rack for your dishes and can hold only about half as many dishes as a full-size model. The small size also means that this washer won't hold pots and pans. But if you order takeout a lot and just need a small dishwasher to clean your plates and cutlery, this is a great pick.

Richard Baguley has been working as a technology writer and journalist since 1993. As well as contributing to Tom's Guide, he writes for Cnet, T3, Wired and many other publications.