Standouts from CR’s testing include models from Bosch, LG, and Miele
These dishwashers stand out in our tests for how well they clean and dry dishes.
By Pang-Chieh Ho
No matter which dishwasher you buy, you should be able to count on it to clean your dishes and dry them well. In our labs, we put each dishwasher we test through about 30 hours of tough trials to evaluate its performance on both counts.
The best dishwashers can get dishes squeaky clean and almost completely dry while using minimal water and energy. They also run quietly enough that you forget they’re running at all. The trick is finding a reliable machine that does all of the above, offers convenient features that suit your needs, and fits within your budget.
Below, we highlight the best standard-sized (24 inches wide) dishwashers from our tests. They all earn high scores for their cleaning ability on upper and lower racks. Many of them do a solid job of drying dishes, too, an area where some models can struggle. We’ve also listed the dishwashers that score the lowest in our ratings, models that either struggle to clean dishes or suffer from reliability issues.
If you’re looking for a machine with specific features or within a particular price range, you can explore our dishwasher ratings, which currently include about 130 models. We provide more details about features and prices in our dishwasher buying guide. While most of our highest-rated dishwashers listed here are on the pricier side, you can check out our recommendations for the best dishwashers under $1,000 and the best dishwashers for $500 or less for less expensive models that also score well in our tests.
CR labs test dishwashers on multiple factors. The washing test (shown here) involves a proprietary goop that technicians bake onto dishes. Image analysis then reveals how much gunk each dishwasher removes.
Best Dishwashers
The dishwashers below have different strengths, but they all perform impressively in our lab tests. Some of them hold Energy Star certification from the Environmental Protection Agency, which means they meet higher standards for energy and water efficiency than other dishwashers.
Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N
Bosch dishwashers have always performed well in our tests, and several of the company’s models sit at the top of our ratings, including the SHP9PCM5N.
The model belongs to Bosch’s Benchmark series, which includes the brand’s most expensive and feature-packed dishwashers. It does a very good job of both washing and drying, and it’s especially quiet. It has many of the features you’ll find in higher-end dishwashers, like an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, and adjustable tines, which help it earn high marks for ease of use. It also has a front indicator that shows the remaining cycle time, as well as Bosch’s new motorized wash arm, which spins on its own rather than being pushed by water pressure from the jets.
The dishwasher is WiFi capable, so you can use an app on your phone to customize where the wash arm goes and how heavily it washes different sections of the dishwasher. One downside, though, is that using certain features—such as the delayed-start option—requires the companion smartphone app. You don’t have the option to initiate them with a button on the machine itself.
Two other Bosch options in our ratings, the Bosch Benchmark SHV9PCM3N and Bosch Benchmark SHX9PCM5N, are similar to the tested model, and we expect them to perform about the same. As a brand, Bosch dishwashers earn stellar ratings for both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, based on our member surveys.
Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N
The Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N has many of the same features as the company’s Benchmark model, including an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, a stainless steel interior, adjustable tines, a motorized spray arm, and WiFi capability.
This model also performs similarly, scoring very well in both our washing and drying tests while being about as quiet as the Benchmark model. What it lacks are the subtle upgrades that give the Benchmark a better ease-of-use experience: There’s no built-in water softener or time-remaining indicator, and its third rack has less room and is less flexible than the Benchmark’s. As with the SHP9PCM5N mentioned above, features such as delay start and the customization of washing power in the dishwasher’s different zones are accessible only via Bosch’s Home Connect app.
That aside, the 800 Series SHX78CM5N is very energy-efficient. Two other models in our ratings, the Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N and Bosch 800 Series SHV78CM3N, are similar to this model except for some design differences, and we expect them to perform equally well.
Bosch 800 Series SHX78DM5N
The Bosch 800 Series SHX78DM5N is a solid performer, earning respectable scores in both washing and drying dishes. It has an Energy Star certification and is fairly energy-efficient, according to our lab tests. The dishwasher comes with convenient features, such as an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, and adjustable tines on the lower rack. It has a light that indicates when the dishwasher is operating, but it doesn’t show how much time is left in the cycle. Functions such as delay-start are available only via the app.
Bosch 300 Series SHE53C85N
The Bosch 300 Series SHE53C85N receives near-top-level ratings in our washing, energy use, and noise tests. Its drying performance, however, is only middling. (In our labs, the plastic items we placed inside the dishwasher came out of the drying cycle with a little bit of moisture on them.)
This dishwasher includes a soil sensor, an adjustable upper rack, and a stainless steel interior. It has adjustable tines, ample flatware slots, and a third rack. But it doesn’t come with a time-remaining display, and it isn’t Energy Star certified. Options such as delay start, quick rinse, eco mode, and half load are available only through the app. Two other 300 Series models in our ratings—the Bosch 300 Series SHS53CD5N and the Bosch 300 Series SHV53CM3N—are similar machines that we expect to offer the same level of performance.
Miele G7196SCVISF
The Miele G7196SCVISF delivers very good washing performance across both the upper and lower sections of the dishwasher, while also scoring well for ease of use and noise. It’s not as quiet as other models we recommend, but it does stand out with best-in-class energy efficiency. The cost of operating this model is lower than that of the other dishwashers we’re recommending here. Its drying performance, however, is only middling.
If you want a machine that’s unlikely to have problems down the road, it’s hard to go wrong with a Miele. As a brand, Miele dishwashers earn top ratings in both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction from our member surveys. Priced over $2,000, the G7196SCVISF is considerably more expensive than every other dishwasher that scores the same or higher. You do get a stainless steel interior, top-mounted touch controls (including a delay start feature), a third rack, an adjustable upper rack, and adjustable tines, but you can find many of these same features in dishwashers that cost hundreds less. One feature that sets the Miele G7196SCVISF apart is its automatic detergent dispenser, which eliminates the need to measure the correct amount of detergent each time you use the dishwasher.
Bosch 300 Series SHP53EM5N
The Energy Star certified Bosch 300 Series SHP53EM5N is very good at washing dishes on both racks and does so with moderate noise. Its drying capacity is only so-so, but it does come with an Extra Dry function that delivers higher temperatures during the rinse cycle and a longer drying phase. You can adjust the upper rack to three different heights, allowing you to fit larger or taller items in the dishwasher, but it doesn’t have adjustable tines. Other convenient features include a third rack and a light that indicates when the dishwasher is running. The delay-start feature, like the other Bosch models we’ve highlighted, is accessible only via the app.
LG Studio SDNTHS72S
It’s hard to find anything to criticize about the LG Studio SDNTHS72S’s performance. This machine is stellar at washing dishes—the best among the dishwashers we’ve listed here—and very good at drying them, too. It scores well for ease of use and offers many convenient features, such as an adjustable upper and third rack, an indicator light that illuminates when the machine is in use, and a delay start feature accessible through the dishwasher’s control panel. There’s also a special wash zone that’s designed to clean bottles effectively.
As a brand, LG dishwashers earn a very good rating for predicted reliability, though the score isn’t as high as those of Bosch and Miele. Its owner satisfaction rating is mediocre.
Bosch 300 Series SHE3ADF5N (Lowe’s)
For a less expensive pick, go with the Bosch 300 Series SHE3ADF5N, available exclusively at Lowe’s. While it may not come with the bells and whistles of the higher-end Bosch models we’ve spotlighted here, it’s very good at washing dishes and decent at drying them. It also gets a top score for energy efficiency. Like the Bosch 300 Series SHP53EM5N above, this model is not as quiet as Bosch’s top-performing dishwashers, but it still earns a passable score in our noise tests.
It comes with a third rack and an adjustable upper rack. The tub is made of both stainless steel and plastic, rather than just stainless steel, as is common among higher-tier Bosch models.
Worst Dishwashers
As important as it is to know which dishwashers are the best, it’s just as crucial to know which are the worst—so you can avoid buying a dud. Some of the worst performers from our tests are actually pricier models. The reality is that price isn’t always the best indicator of quality or performance. Though none of the dishwashers listed below are flat-out flops, their overall performance is mediocre. For the same price, you’re better off putting your money toward a better-performing machine.
Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW (Lowe’s)
The best thing about this model is that it costs less than $500, but it’s unimpressive in so many other respects. The washing performance of its lower rack is middling, and its upper rack washing leaves even more to be desired. Its drying is only so-so. The dishwasher is also pretty noisy and lacks many features found in our best-performing models, such as a third rack, an adjustable upper rack, and a soil sensor. Its tub is plastic, rather than stainless steel. You’ll likely also want to avoid the Hotpoint HDF310PGRWW, which is a similar model.
Viking VDWU524SS
As a model that costs more than $2,000, it certainly doesn’t lack amenities. It has nice features, such as ample flatware slots, a third rack, and an adjustable upper rack (though it doesn’t come with WiFi connectivity). But it gets points docked for drying performance, which is well below par. (We expect a similar model, the Viking FDWU724, to perform the same.) The other drawback is the reliability of Viking dishwashers. As a brand, Viking earns an unfavorable rating in predicted reliability and a bottom-tier rating in owner satisfaction.
Smeg STU2FABWH2
The main letdown of this dishwasher, which costs around $1,900, is its washing performance. In our lab tests, it earns lackluster scores for how well it cleans the dishes on either rack. It’s also not particularly quiet, and its drying performance is just average. It does come with an adjustable upper rack, a third rack, and a delay-start function on its panel, though it doesn’t have WiFi connectivity.
How CR Tests Dishwashers
Hundreds of dishwashers have been tested in our labs. We test new models throughout the year and periodically retest machines that have been around for a while.
To evaluate each model’s cleaning prowess, our testers apply a consistent amount of starchy goop to 12 white ceramic plates. (The recipe is a secret, but cocoa is involved.) Then they bake each plate until it’s crusty, load the plates into the dishwasher without pre-rinsing (shown below), and run the default cleaning cycle. Afterward, our imaging software compares before and after photos of each plate to precisely quantify how much gunk remains.
In Consumer Reports’ labs, testers load each of our dishwasher candidates with 12 dirtied ceramic plates and run a regular cleaning cycle.
Photo: Scott Meadows/Consumer Reports
Our experts also assess how well each model can dry dishes. They take an especially close look at plastic items, which dishwashers tend to have trouble drying.
For noise, a panel of judges listens to an entire dishwasher cycle to identify “any annoying noises,” as Larry Ciufo, who oversees dishwasher testing at CR, puts it. The dishwashers that make the least racket throughout the cycle receive the highest score for noise.
We also incorporate feedback from the tens of thousands of Consumer Reports members who take our annual dishwasher survey. This data helps us predict which brands are the most reliable and which owners would recommend to friends and family. The current ratings are based on data for about 77,000 dishwashers across 27 brands. All of the machines in our survey were purchased by CR members between 2015 and 2025.
How We Picked the Best Dishwashers
There are a few performance aspects that everyone can appreciate, and we test them rigorously in our labs.
Washing: The top performers reliably wash away starchy, crusted-on messes and produce great results even with lower-cost (or more eco-friendly) detergents or in hard water, which tends to reduce a detergent’s cleaning ability. Certain extras touted by manufacturers, like additional wash arms and specialty wash zones, may suggest better cleaning power, but that’s not always the case, as our washing tests have found.
Ease of use: For this category, which is newly incorporated into our ratings, we assess the convenience of a dishwasher’s interface and the number of helpful features it has, including a third rack, adjustable racks, adjustable tines, roomy flatware slots, hidden controls, a lighted interior, a delay start feature, a status indicator, and more.
Drying: In general, CR’s testers have found that dishwashers with heated-dry cycles (which essentially bake moisture off the dishes) tend to do a better job at getting dishes bone-dry than models that rely on residual heat, but it’s not a guarantee. Ciufo notes that dishwashers that automatically open the door at the end of a cycle to release steam are some of the most effective at drying.
Energy efficiency: Our tests have revealed that dishwashers often use slightly more water and energy than advertised, but the difference amounts to only a few dollars per year in additional utility costs. In our ratings, we include the annual operating cost of each dishwasher based on our calculations. Models with lower costs use less energy and water.
Noise: Certain “quiet” models can have spikes in volume from time to time while running, like the sound of the detergent door thwacking against the tub or the rumble of a loud drain pump. Our noise ratings account for these random spikes.
Cycle time: We consider the time it takes for the machine to run an “auto” or a “normal” cycle with the high-temperature option selected. With more people running their dishwashers overnight (and cycle length becoming less of a concern), cycle time is weighted less heavily in our ratings than it once was.
How Much Should You Spend on a Dishwasher?
The dishwashers in our ratings range from $300 to more than $2,000. Here’s what our testers found in each category.
Less than $500: It’s possible to find a pretty decent machine on a tight budget, but dishwashers under $500 are rarer than they used to be. Those that are still available usually have plastic tubs, which don’t resist stains as well as stainless steel tubs. Consumer Reports’ tests have also found that these dishwashers are relatively noisy.
$500 to $1,000: Many models in this price range earn our top ratings for cleaning performance and predicted reliability, two factors we weigh heavily in our ratings overall. They also often have at least a few convenient features, like adjustable racks, a third rack, and quiet operation.
More than $1,000: Dishwashers at this price offer elevated style and are fully loaded with special features, so you don’t have to pick and choose.
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