Twenty years ago, dishwashers weren’t all that common. Now, however, they’re a staple of family kitchens, because they make short work of maintaining a clean and healthy home. Whether you’re washing for one or taking care of a small army, they can cut your pot washing routines in half. It is why we’re going to help you find the best dishwasher on the market.
There’s a lot to think about when shopping for one of these handy machines. Size is an important factor, as you don’t want to be using more electricity than necessary. This will push up your bills result in a very inefficient cleaning routine. On the other hand, if you pick a dishwasher that is too small, you’ll constantly be refilling and restarting.
So, getting the right balance is essential. Then, there’s the amount of jets to consider and the number of extra features. Do you want one of the top rated dishwashers with all the bells and whistles or would you prefer something simple? The choice depends on your lifestyle, of course, and how much washing you produce as a family.
Whether or not you have a particular aesthetic in mind is another question. In fact, even if you’re not sure what your dishwasher should look like, it does have to fit with the existing décor. Fortunately, these products come in a wide variety of materials, designs, shapes, and colors. If you shop in the right places, you’re bound to find a perfect match.
It’s time to take a closer look at the best dishwashers of 2024. We’ve scoured the major brands and come up with ten products that we think are worthy of the title…
| Product Name | Finish | Energy Star? | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch 300 Series Editors Pick | Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| Architect Series II | Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| Samsung Top Control Dishwasher | Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| WhirlPool Gold Series | Black Ice White Ice Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| KitchenAid Top Control Dishwasher | Black Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| MayTag MDB4949SDE | Black Stainless Steel White | Yes | |
| GE GDT545PSJSS | Stainless Steel | Yes | |
| SPT Countertop Dishwasher | Silver White | ? |
1. Bosch 300 Series – Best Dishwasher 2024
When you think ‘best dishwasher,’ one of the first names to come to mind might be Bosch. The manufacturer is one of the most respected producers of kitchenware in the world. With the SHE65T55UC 500 Series, it continues its legacy. When we switched the machine on, we noticed something satisfying right away. This dishwasher is incredibly quiet.
In fact, if not for the glowing LED display, there isn’t much to indicate that it’s running at all. So, you’re never going to be disturbed when watching TV. You won’t have to yell to make yourself heard at the dinner table. It’s a nice touch. We’re also glad to report that, despite its acoustic delicacy, the 500 Series really packs a punch when it comes to cleaning dishes.
It’s a roomy beast as well, with enough space on the inside for sixteen place settings. Unlike many of its rivals, this dishwasher includes a ‘V shaped’ third rack. It increases the loading capacity by around 30%. The uppermost rack can be shifted between three different height levels, and this allows for more flexibility when dealing with awkwardly shaped items.
While some users describe the loading system as being a bit fussy, it’s hard to find a single complaint about the cleaning performance of the Bosch 500 Series. Most never end up using the more heavy duty cycles, because even the express wash delivers impressive results. Grease, sauce, debris, and stubborn stains are obliterated by this deceptively gentle machine.
- Consistent, powerful cleaning
- Automated temperature settings
- Third rack for 30% more loading
- Remarkably quiet when active
- Doesn’t always dry completely on short cycles
- Some heavier cycles feel redundant
- Soap drawer is prone to sticking w/ certain detergents
2. Architect Series II
The Architect Series II offers no fewer than forty jets, from three individual spray nozzles. If it’s brute cleaning power you want, this is the right place to find it. From the outset then, you’re trading performance for energy efficiency. It doesn’t have an ENERGY STAR rating, and it is more expensive to run than some of its rivals.
For your money, you’re getting quite a lot of machine though. So, it’s up to you to decide whether the slightly higher expense is worthwhile. There’s an express, light, normal, pro, and a heavy duty ‘tough’ cycle. You can also place items in a special zone on the top rack, where they’ll receive a more concentrated clean. This is handy for the dirtiest of dishes.
Oddly, for a dishwasher which isn’t very energy efficient in the first place, the Series II comes with cycles which limit the amount of water used. The ProWash setting does this by matching the length and intensity of the clean to the amount of dirt on the dishes. It is able to make real time decisions while running and adjust the settings until the load is clean.
The good news is that it’s very spacious on the inside. There is room for up to fourteen place settings if they’re distributed across both racks. The upper rack is height adjustable if you fold the top tines down. With a child lock and a delay timer, there are plenty of extra features to help make cleaning routines easier than ever.
- Very quiet when activated
- Delay timer runs to eight hrs ahead
- Hidden touch sensitive controls
- Very powerful cleaning (x40 jets)
- No hard food disposal (manual only)
- Costs more to run than other models
- Less water coverage right at the back
3. Samsung Top Control Dishwasher
The standout feature of the Samsung Top Control Dishwasher is definitely its sleek, futuristic aesthetic. With a completely button free facade and only a mysterious blue light to indicate that it’s a kitchen appliance, this machine is a good match for style savvy homeowners. If you’re going for the ‘invisible’ look, it’ll fit in marvelously.
This product was widely touted as one of the best dishwashers of 2024 because it offers a unique ‘water wall’ cleaning system. Instead of spraying, as is conventional, the dishwasher applies a vertical sheet of water. Then again, maybe it’s telling that there are jets hidden somewhere on the inside as well, just to bolster the power of that ‘unbeatable’ deluge.
We actually found the water wall system to be pretty satisfying. It is adept at scrubbing hard to reach areas, even in a relatively quick cycle. In fact, we’re not sure why you’d need the intense settings (which take several hours) when the sixty-minute wash is sufficient for most loads. If heavily soiled, you can place dishes to one side and target them with extra pressure.
We should point out that some users have reported minor leaks when applying these high-pressure cycles. It isn’t something that we experienced over short term use, but it could be a problem if you’re constantly washing with the Zone Booster. There is enough room in the dishwasher for as many as fifteen place settings, so you’re not going to run out of space easily.
- Water Wall tech for all over coverage
- Very spacious (15 place settings)
- Zone Booster to target tough areas
- Beautiful, contemporary design
- Users have reported leaks on high-pressure cycles
- Heavy duty cycles take hours to finish
- Cycle complete alarm gets a bit annoying
4. Whirlpool GU2475XTVY– Best Budget Dishwasher
If you’ve got your heart set on an energy efficient product, the Whirlpool Tall Tub is one of the best dishwashers around. The elongated interior gives you enough room for fourteen place settings. Despite the rather spacious tub, it fits comfortably beneath most kitchen counters. We loved the concealed controls because they stop little hands from playing with the buttons.
They also give the dishwasher a very sleek and modern appearance. ‘Invisible’ details are all the rage right now, and it’s hard to get more integrated than this. It was a bit disappointing to find a fully exposed heating element, if only because it makes loading a bit more time-consuming. You can’t just throw plastic items inside. They need to be clipped into the bottom racks.
This prevents items from being unintentionally melted during the washes. While the cleaning performance is excellent, it can be a bit noisy. The best way to handle large loads is often to set the delay timer for a point when you’re not in or close to the room. There are six different wash settings, all of which are simple to use and correspond to the dirtiness of the dishes.
The high temperature and power scour features turned out to be very useful for greasy items. They prevent dishes and pans from coming out feeling slightly slimy, as is common when there isn’t enough heat to cut through cooking stains. Finally, we chose this as the best budget dishwasher, as it comes in at roughly half the price of many other popular models.
- Sleek concealed controls
- Delay timer minimizes disruptions
- Adaptive wash system conserves water
- Power scour feature for grease and oil
- Can be quite noisy at times
- Exposed heating element
- Slight risk of melted plastic (!)
5. Maytag Front Control Dishwasher
When it comes to scrubbing and scouring, the Maytag Front Control Dishwasher is a solid contender for the best dishwasher on the market. It uses a combination of steam, spray jets, and high temperatures to blast dirt and grime from your dishes. Heavily soiled pots and pans are never a problem because three powerful nozzles work to dislodge and dissolve stains.
It does have a small flaw, and it’s one which we keep seeing with heavy duty dishwashers. Clearly, all of the major manufacturers have got some way to go before they can offer high-pressure cleaning, without compromising on energy efficiency. The Maytag dishwasher has just one eco-friendly setting, and we found that it didn’t make a huge difference.
On the other hand, its power hungry nature is balanced out by the fact that it cleans very quickly. The standard cycle is only 111 minutes long, which is quite snappy for a domestic machine. One standout feature, particularly if you’ve got children, is the ‘lock out’ system. It prevents the dishwasher from being opened until the cycle is complete or has been aborted.
As regards space, it is a medium sized device, with room for twelve place settings. They are spread out over two racks, each with fold down tines for bulky items. The drum is made out of stainless steel, so it is built to last. The interior of the dishwasher is extremely strong and the choice of metal, as opposed to plastic, ensures that it does not run with too much noise.
- ‘Lock out’ system for secure use
- Shorter than average wash cycles
- Steel drum is great for absorbing noise
- Self-cleaning food filter/disposal
- Not big enough for large families
- No targeted ‘zone’ settings
- Not very energy efficient
6. Bosch Ascenta – Best Value Dishwasher
The dishwasher reviews of 2024 named the Bosch Ascenta a fantastic dishwasher for families and great value for money. It is energy star certified, so homeowners are guaranteed as much as a 30% reduction in their utility bills. In fact, the Ascenta is packed with goodies. They include a super quiet mode so that you can deal with dishes in the smoothest, softest way possible. At just fifty decibels, it really is one of the quietest dishwashers on the commercial market. Plus, the variable spray system lets you customize every single wash for precision cleaning every time.
We loved the handy detergent dispenser, which can be filled up a couple of times per month (or more frequently, depending on how often you wash). You load it up so that it’s not necessary to add detergent or other cleaners every single time. As it has been designed with families in mind, we think the self-latching door is a wonderful idea too.
It means that you can leave the dishwasher door mostly closed (and out of the way), without it locking shut. It is useful for times when you’re waiting for more items to fill the dishwasher up, or you want to take your time with loading. As long as you don’t push it beyond twenty degrees, it will hold itself open. Nudge it beyond that, and it will gently draw itself closed.
- Self-latching door for easy loading
- Variable jets for precision cleaning
- Extremely quiet (no noise disruption)
- Large detergent dispenser
- Lots of room, but rack ‘slots’ are narrow
- No hot air drying system
7. GE GDT545PSJSS Fully Integrated Dishwasher
According to manufacturer GE, the GDT545PSJSS dishwasher delivers 65% more wash power to each rack. With the Steam Pre Wash setting, you don’t even have to rinse items before you load. It provides more than enough heat and pressure to deal with tough stains and caked on dirt. With sixteen place settings, you’ll never run out of space for pots and pans.
The targeted jets allow you to clean half loads, on the bottom or top rack, without sacrificing cycle options or using any more electricity than you really need. We also liked the fact that the silverware basket can be attached to the inside of the door. It frees up room and makes it easier to add awkwardly shaped items.
The GE GDT545PSJSS offers a surprising level of customisation. The racks can be pulled out of the dishwasher and their tines folded in various different ways. It is a quick and simple way to reconfigure the interior based on your lifestyle and washing preferences. Despite all of this space, the entire unit can be installed flush with the rest of your kitchen cabinets.
It is a very attractive appliance if installed with care. As is popular now, the front façade contains no obvious buttons or controls. The design is crisp and clean. It is worth considering if you’ve got a family, as you’ll get plenty of consistent, reliable service from this dishwasher. It even has a dual pump, so that one can be dedicated to the automatic removal of food debris.
- Fast acting dual pump for food disposal
- Crisp, clean controls and flushed design
- Rack tines can be custom arranged
- Can hang cutlery rack on the door
- Detergent can leave a grainy texture
- Slow to dry heavy loads
- A bit noisy (spray nozzles clunk)
8. SPT Countertop Dishwasher – Best Portable Dishwasher
Countertop dishwashers tend to be a great choice for apartment dwellers and homes pushed for space. Therefore, we’ve named the STP countertop model as the best portable dishwasher on the market. It is compact, very affordable, and doesn’t require any extensive plumbing work. While a dishwasher like this won’t deal with family sized loads, it is a handy appliance.
There is room enough for four full place settings, which means that it is rather small. Even couples may need to run more than wash to deal with dinner parties or days of stacked up plates. The plumbing system is actually blessedly simple. You just attach one hose to a regular kitchen faucet, and the other is used to drain waste water back down the sink.
This does mean that you don’t need to deal with traditional pipework plumbing to use it. There is only one rack, but it contains a silverware basket and a removable filter. It is a very standard design and, though it performs well, it doesn’t offer anything too special. There are five basic cycles, ranging from light to heavy soiling, as might be expected.
There is also a quick rinse option. It has become standard for dishwashers, but it tends to be more practical when using a countertop. You don’t want any sort of wet food debris sitting around close to your kitchen prep surfaces, after all. The cycles are quick, and the heavy duty settings can deal with almost anything (occasionally, very small stains are left behind).
- Ideal for apartments and studios
- Absolutely no plumbing required
- Very affordable (x4 less than standard models)
- Annual cost of running is negligible
- Hums loudly when draining
- Must have a fast draining sink
- Larger items may not fit
Features We Considered
The best dishwashers are surprisingly complex machines. Even when they’ve been designed to be operationally simple, they hide very sophisticated mechanisms and cleaning technologies. The sign of a high-quality product, then, is that engineered sense of simplicity and aesthetic economy. You want your dishwasher to look classic but perform at a high level.
This is what we looked for when searching for the best dishwasher. Our testing team favored chic, sleek designs which hide world class cleaning capabilities. Whether compact and petite or big enough to cater for a whole family, top rated dishwashers must be quick to operate, produce a minimum amount of disruption, and leave pots and plates spotless.
Wash and Rinse Cycles
Modern dishwashers are so sophisticated that multiple cleaning cycles are no longer a privilege. They are essential because washing requirements vary throughout the day and depend on a host of lifestyle factors. So, at the very minimum, you should be looking for three or four basic wash settings. They start at light dirt and move up to intense soiling.
Ideally, your new dishwasher won’t stop there, because the major brands offer advanced cycle settings. They might include things like a specialist bacteria killing cycle. It raises the internal temperature to a point at which it’s impossible for 99.9% of germs to survive. If you’ve got babies or toddlers in the house, it can help to keep them safe from common sickness bugs.
Some dishwashers provide super green cycles. They conserve water by automatically assessing the degree of dirt and adding just the right amount of cleaning power and detergents. Others incorporate jets of steam so that plates and pans do not have to be rinsed before they are loaded. Make sure that you check out all cycle options before making a choice.
Drying Options
Traditionally, dishwashers have blasted heat at items to dry off excess water at the end of cleaning cycles. Many continue to do this, but others have added less wasteful options in a bid to make their appliances more sustainable and cheaper to run. Therefore, if you are concerned with operating costs, look for a product with variable drying settings.
They will allow you to substitute fans for direct heat. Often, it is a slower process, but it does save a substantial amount of energy. When combined with stainless steel drums and tubs, fan only drying cycles are more efficient. The metal naturally holds on to heat and speeds up the process without the need for extra power.
Top Side Controls
The position of control buttons seems to be a matter of preference, but there has been a distinct move towards top only and ‘invisible’ components. The big benefit of top side controls is that you don’t have to bend down or crane your neck to operate the appliance. They also ensure that the façade of the dishwasher fits in with the rest of the décor.
When there are no obvious buttons on the front, you can create a seamless aesthetic. For the super style savvy, there are now some dishwashers with fully concealed controls. They tend to have a small panel on the front which is carefully lifted to uncover the buttons. Apart from looking crisp, this prevents children from seeking out and tampering with the mechanisms.
Delayed Timer
Delayed timers are another common feature of contemporary appliances. They serve two main purposes. The first is to prevent disruption. You might want to load your dishwasher, in order to avoid a messy kitchen, but delay the cycle until you’re out of the house or away from the kitchen. This is easy to do with a simple timer function.
You can also use the scheduling buttons to set the cycle for a time when energy costs are at their lowest (such as overnight). You’ll find that most new dishwashers come with some form of scheduling, but they offer different capabilities. When shopping, be sure to look for a twenty-four-hour delay if you’re keen to make the most of this feature.
Noise Insulation
Gone are the days when dishwashers clunked and clanked through hours of your favorite TV shows. Manufacturers realize that this can be a big frustration and most have tried to incorporate noise insulation systems. The consistency of these features tends to be a bit up and down, so it helps to read reviews and testimonials from users before you buy.
In our experience, there’s really no such thing as a ‘silent’ dishwasher, but some appliances have come surprisingly close. For reference, the forty decibels Jenn-Air JDB8700AWS is considered to be one of the quietest dishwashers on the market, in terms of technical specs and after rigorous bouts of testing. Generally, anything between 40 and 55 decibels is gentle.
Internal Tub Materials
The older appliances were made out of plastic. Even though we know that this material can melt at high temperatures, it continues to be a good choice. You can ramp a dishwasher up to intense levels of heat without putting a plastic drum at risk. On the other hand, newer metal drums are allowing manufacturers to push these temperatures even further.
If you’re concerned about germs, get yourself a stainless steel tub. They are hardy enough to withstand even the hottest of bacteria killing cycles. They are also significantly quieter and less prone to wear and tear. While steel drums make dishwashers a little more expensive to buy, the extra reinforcement is worth the cost.
Flexible/Adjustable Racking
Families can really benefit from customizable interiors. For example, products like the LG LDS5560ST contain a third rack for additional space. The height of the bottom two racks can be adjusted, so awkwardly shaped items are easier to slide inside. The vast majority of dishwashers provide fully flexible dividers (or tines) to allow for bulky objects.
If you want to end up with the perfect dishwasher, identify your needs and match them to a specific configuration and design. You must either pick a product with a workable interior or choose one which lets you switch it around. Just be careful when rearranging racks as constant movement makes them more prone to breaks.
Automatic Food Disposal
Finally, we want to talk about the addition of food disposal features. They’re a relatively new function, but we highly recommend them. It’s unlikely to cost you any more money, but you get to avoid making contact with wet, mushy matter. They also protect dishwashers from clogging, even if you don’t rinse plates thoroughly before loading.
For most homeowners, the ideal dish washing system goes straight from ‘plate to rack.’ You don’t want to be rinsing and scrubbing because it defies the point of having the appliance. The best dishwashers are phasing out this requirement and creating complete, cohesive systems for fast paced families.
Best Dishwashers of 2024 – A Quick Review
Best Dishwasher of 2024
The Bosch SHE65T55UC 500 24’’ Stainless Steel Dishwasher is whisper quiet, even when running on a heavy cycle. It is also incredibly consistent with its cleaning, no matter what type of stains or mess you’re dealing with. It is easily one of the best dishwashers for big families.
Best Budget Dishwasher
The Whirlpool GU2475XTVY ‘Built In’ Tall Tub Dishwasher offers plenty of space, a sophisticated design, and contemporary controls. We chose it as the best dishwasher for homeowners on a budget, as it is roughly half the price of the other selections on our list.
Best Value Dishwasher
The Bosch SHE3AR75UC 24’’ Built In Dishwasher is great for families, as it offers plenty of space, a self-locking smart door, and a smooth, noiseless cycle system. The variable spray system enables users to customise washes and give heavy loads special attention.
Best Portable Option
The SPT Countertop Dishwasher is our pick for the best portable dishwasher. Though it is very compact, it packs a lot of cleaning power into a small space. We think it’s perfect for apartment dwellers and anybody who wants to avoid fussy plumbing installations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Best Dishwasher?
Well, we know that the answer to this question is very objective. It depends upon a host of different factors, such as how much washing you produce throughout the week, the size of your family, the size of your home, and how much money you would like to spend. Ultimately, only you can know what the best dishwasher looks like.
We can give you a nudge in the right direction, however. Our favorite of the ten dishwashers on the list is the Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher. We loved its remarkably quiet cycles, tough spray jets, and spacious interior. It isn’t the most affordable product featured, but it offers great value for money due to its abundance of features.
Which Brand Produces the Best Dishwashers?
At the risk of sounding a bit predictable, we’d have to say Bosch for this one too. Not only has it created one of the most popular models, in the SHE65T55UC 500 Series, but it is also highly respected by consumers all around the world. You are guaranteed quality, reliability, and consistency from Bosch dishwashers. The warranties are usually quite lengthy too.
If you’re not a fan of Bosch or just prefer the look of rival brands, take a look at Whirlpool, KitchenAid, GE, and Samsung. They are just a few of our favorite choices, but we’ve got a soft spot for companies like Zanussi and Beko as well. Where brands offer a long list of models, it’s really important to be specific about what you want your appliance to do.
How Do You Install a Dishwasher?
The answer to this question depends on whether you’re replacing an existing dishwasher installation or creating a brand new one. If you have used one of these appliances for some time and already have all of the pipework prepared, it’s just a matter of plugging inlets and outlets directly into the existing pipes.
If this is your first dishwasher, you may need a full-scale installation. It is always better to have a professional assist with this because it can be quite a complex job. Fortunately, most companies will include installation as part of the shelf price. If your manufacturer does not offer the service as standard, enquire as to how much a complete installation will cost.
Wrapping Up
This brings us to end of our hunt for the best dishwasher of 2024. It’s important to remember that your purchase must be an individual choice. We’re more than happy to point you in the right direction, but the needs of your family, home and lifestyle should be the focus. We understand that it can be confusing sometimes, as there are so many models out there.
The key to success is to, first, decide how much you are willing to spend. This will go a long way to narrowing the field and helping you locate the best vendors. If you’re working with a tight budget, decide which features are essential and which you might count as ‘luxury.’ Shop for the essentials first and then, with the money left over, pick out some cool extras.
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