Best dishwashers 2024: our expert picks of the best

Dishwashers are an underappreciated appliance. If you're getting by without one, you know that washing by hand is a tedious chore that plays havoc on your hands. The best dishwashers will quietly and quickly clean dishes and glasses for you. It shouldn’t get more complicated than that, but a bad dishwasher can be more inconvenient than no dishwasher at all. That’s why it’s important to invest in the best.

Short of turning my kitchen into an industrial dishwasher unit, I’ve thoroughly researched the best dishwashers on the market. I also have years of useful hands-on experience with the Fisher Paykel and Bosch dishwasher. As in our guide to the best washing machines, I’ve rigorously examined a range of customer and professional reviews, assessed expert information, and followed up on some of the magnificent claims made by each brand. 

Not only have I found the best dishwasher you can buy - the Miele G 7566 SCVi SF -  but I’ve also found the best for different needs. Whether you want your dishwasher to be smart, quiet, large, small, or a drying specialist, it’s on my list.

The quick list

If you want a top-quality dishwasher, but you're in a hurry, here's a summary of our top picks. There's more details below.

The best dishwashers in 2024

The best dishwasher overall

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Miele consistently delivers premium products and this dishwasher is no exception. Designed to make dishwashing effortless, the AutoDos system automatically dispenses detergent, and holds enough for twenty cycles. This thrives at around Thanksgiving or Christmas when you’re entertaining, because rather than overpour the detergent with back-to-back loads, the dishwasher regulates how much detergent you need. The result: less of an overflow of suds.

The range of cycle settings all perform exceptionally well. The QuickIntenseWash is a favorite amongst users. It takes just under an hour and tackles the toughest foods effortlessly. The Ecostart setting runs when utility rates are lower, and the auto-open arms ensure that you don’t have dishes sitting in damp for long periods of time. The SaniWash and IntenseZone receive lots of praise from reviewers with families too, because they can reach high temperatures and tough soils, making your dishes sanitary again. Users also like the adjustable shelves, which can make the most of this washer’s capacity. 

Premium performance comes with a price tag close to $3,000. Some suggest the Bosch 800, the second in this roundup, as a comparable dishwasher, but for less money. It’s also worth noting that this has a cutlery tray, not a basket, so you’ll need to be organized when loading, because each utensil needs to be lined up, rather than loaded in a big bundle. 

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The best dishwasher for drying

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This is one of the dishwashers that I have used. Often touted by reviewers as the less expensive version of the Miele, this dishwasher comes in at a close second. That’s thanks to the incredibly efficient CrystalDry technology. No gimmick, CrystalDry works using a mineral that takes in water and releases heat rather than drying with heating elements. Users consistently found that CrystalDry is effective. I’m used to finding pools of water in the tops of dishes or having plates that still feel a bit damp, but not with the Bosch. The only time I had damp dishes was when I made a mistake loading a bowl, so just make sure not to overfill the dishwasher.

The cleaning power is close to faultless: I never experienced any grease or redeposit on dishes or glasses. It’s really easy to reposition the middle rack for larger items such as vases. The cycles are very quick: the Express takes 30 minutes and the Heavy cycle takes 135 minutes. It’s also ADA compliant, so has great accessibility features: a lower height, it can be used with one hand, and doesn’t need a great deal of force to set. Reviewers also note how quiet it is. 

This is in second position because it has some minor redeposit problems. This only came up amongst reviewers in their analysis, so is unlikely to affect the average user. In fact, this is one of the dishwashers that I have used and I never noticed any redeposit problems. However, it’s in the statistics, so it would be remiss of me to exclude. You should also make sure to check your cabinet sizes before installing the washing machine, because it’s a about an inch shorter than average. It's not a huge drawback, but it could affect the noise and appearance. 

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The best smart dishwasher

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I often open my dishwasher mid-cycle, thinking it’s finished, or adding a dish in at the last minute. LG’s smart technology is the solution to this problem. The built-in WiFi and SmartThinQ app means you can monitor your cycle status and avoid interrupting the cycle. You can also receive notifications about maintenance on your phone to make sure your LG is always performing at its best.

LG boasts QuadWash technology, which means that they use four spray arms rather than the standard two. It’s effective, because users and reviewers alike think that it delivers better results than competitors. With steam technology to prevent watermarks and help to remove dried-on foods, this produces sparkling dishes. It’s also handy to have an adjustable rack  so you can put bigger items inside. 

The tines and racks are adjustable, but some users said that they feel flimsy, which, for the price, isn’t ideal. It doesn’t dry utensils as well as the Bosch and is a little on the small side.

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The best dishwasher for large households

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The ASKO DB1675IXXLS is perfect for large households. If you live with lots of people, you'll know that the dishes can pile up. It will quickly transform dish chaos into utter cleanliness. It has three racks and 17 place settings, each with plenty of height and width to accommodate awkward dish shapes and extra-large plates. If you struggle to see inside your dishwasher, you'll love the customer-favorite feature, which is interior LED lights to make it easier to stack.

One of the best and most surprising features is how quiet this is. Reviewers consistently reported that this runs around 40 dBA which is incredibly quiet for such a capable dishwasher. The lack of noise does not mean a lack of power, because this still cleans and dries plates professionally. The style is also minimalistic and simple, perfect for any kitchen.

This might all sound too good to be true and sadly, there are some drawbacks to the ASKO. It is over $1,600 at most retailers which is double the price of other models in this guide. It's also in no hurry to do your dishes taking over an hour for every different clean.

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The best affordable dishwasher

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If you’re looking to save some money, or don’t need smart technology, this is a good option. Reviewers all agree that it washes well, even with tough soils and imperfect pre-rinsing. The drying fan technology is a little more temperamental, so you might need to manually dry some dishes. Overall though, this is a reliably basic dishwasher.

If you have lots of different shaped dishes and pots, you'll find the adjustable second of the three racks extremely useful. Even though this feels a little flimsy, it can accommodate even the largest pots and pans, and although some users said that it felt a little flimsy, this is a useful feature.

It looks good and the fingerprint resistant stainless steel helps to keep your dishwasher looking good. This features a range of cycles, but the deep cleans take longer than two hours. Timings are inconsistent on reviews, so if you’re looking for speed, this isn’t for you. Although the name claims that this is a quiet dishwasher, it's actually louder than the others on this list. 

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The best looking dishwasher

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There’s a theme with Café appliances: they look beautiful. If you don’t have the budget for a built-in dishwasher or for a cabinet panel, this dishwasher looks good no matter what. It’s incredibly customisable for the price. There's three different body colors and 6 different hardware finishes. That means you can match your decor to the dishwasher without spending any extra for panels. I love that it is available as a drawer dishwasher, so if you’re short on space, you can opt for that instead.

The price is reasonable and users all felt that it came with a good finish. It’s consistently praised for both how quiet it is and how lovely it looks. It cleans well, has three racks, but users caution not to overload it, because you compromise on wash-quality. The LCD screen is a useful addition, because you can track the wash’s cycle.

In user reviews, the majority of people were pleased with the clean. However, it struggled with tough foods, which is poor for the price, so tended to score a little lower on the ‘value’ aspect. 

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The best dishwasher for sustainability

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Beko dishwashers are experts at cleaning with matching claims for sustainability and style. Lots of customers commented on how well these compact dishwashers perform. I'd put this down to their CornerIntense technology, which moves the water jets in squares, rather than circles, meaning every part of the dishwasher gets sprayed. 

Best of all, it has an Energy Star rating, meaning that it'll be kind to your utilities, which not only saves you money in the long run but is better for the planet. As for your ears, this is really quiet. Lots of customers marvelled at the almost noiseless 48 dBA machine. It's one of the best on the market. You don't pay the price for it either, as these dishwashers cost around $700, but are often reduced in sales.

The main issues that I could find were limiting capacity: big families needed a little more space from their dishwasher, but the height-adjustable shelves somewhat help. Your dishes might not come out as dry as they would have with a Bosch. Some customers found pools of water on their dishes when they opened their dishwasher. There's also no smart features, but to be fair you shouldn't expect them at this price. 

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The best compact dishwasher

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It's rare to find a compact dishwasher without any compromises. The Samsung DW50T6060US measures 18 inches wide and is incredibly popular amongst expert reviewers and customers alike. 

Even though it's smaller than most models, reviewers all say that this looks roomy inside. The tines can fold down if you're putting large dishes on the bottom rack and the eight place settings can cater to a small household perfectly.

Reviewers say that this performs excellently across a range of place settings, cleaning and drying dishes to perfection. When running, it's no louder than 46 dBA, which is impressive. There are quieter dishwashers in this guide, but 46 dBA is less noise than a quiet conversation, quiet office, or refrigerator. Once the cycle is finished, the door automatically pops open to let out steam and cool the dishes so that you can pack them away quickly.

As you might expect, this isn't geared up to large households, nor is it packed with smart features and apps. Some felt that the top rack was a little flimsy, but I've seen plenty of reviews suggesting the opposite. What I am sure about is that the Samsung  is the best compact dishwasher on the market. 

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The best drawer dishwasher

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A drawer dishwasher caters to smaller spaces and singletons, or people who would rather get a mini wash done if they’re hosting a party, for example. You can put these drawers together or individually. I have the double in my home and I love it, even for its quirks.

These look great, as you can customize the handle and choose whether it’s recessed or straight. These feel seamless among kitchen drawers; you just pull them out and load them up. This hingeless opening is really useful if you are short on space around an island, for example, because they don’t block the way. They’re also great because you don’t need to bend all the way down to use them, which is both convenient and makes for clever futureproofing as you get older. This dishwasher cleans well and has a range of settings, albeit a little more basic than the Miele. You can put the drawers on separate cycles at different times, so it’s less wasteful if you want to run a smaller load. It’s really quiet too, which is a welcome change for dishwashers. 

The standard height of a dishwasher level is about 32 inches, so you lose two inches when you have a drawer. This can make a big difference if you have large dishes or bowls which you need to fit in. I would recommend rinsing dishes quite well if you are filling the drawer, because I found that it had some redistribution issues. Nothing major, but it’s good practice to rinse your plates anyway.

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How to choose the best dishwasher for you

If we are thinking about dishwashers, there are a few key aspects:

Cleaning performance
It’s obvious but essential. You don’t want to have to run your dishwasher twice. It defeats the point of having a dishwasher. Choosing a smaller, or sometimes, more aesthetically pleasing dishwasher can mean that you compromise on performance. 

Drying performance
Not all dishwashers are great at letting steam out, so your dishes end up smelling a bit stale after sitting in cold water. Look for dishwashers that have special technology, whether that’s Bosch’s CrystalDry or a particularly effective heating element.

Noise levels
As with many home appliances, these can be noisy when they’re busy working. You can get dBA ratings for all dishwashers. Dishwashers can be as loud as 60 dBA, but that would be too noisy. 45 dBA and under is quiet, so anything up to 50 dBA is reasonable.

Cycles and options
More basic appliances have less of a range of cycle settings, but you might have a very specific need. For example, if you have children, it’s good to have a santizer setting for baby bottles. If you often cook food that sticks to pots and pans, you need a more intense wash. 

Smart
You can buy smart dishwashers to track your load and notify you of any maintenance updates required. These are a luxury, so you might not need them. It is nice to have though.

Installation
Check the installation requirements before buying a dishwasher, as some will need specialists. Drawer dishwashers in particular often require you to notify the plumber beforehand, so that they can anticipate a slightly different appliance.

Efficiency
Many dishwashers have eco settings, but it’s good to check the energy efficiency ratings of your dishwasher. They’re an appliance that you’ll use daily, so this will help you to avoid a big bill.

How I researched these dishwashers

Dishwashers are difficult to test, but  have hands-on experience using both the Bosch and Fisher & Paykel appliances. As for the others, I have extensively researched all the dishwashers on the market. I read through expert and customer reviews to determine whether these dishwashers lived up to their claims. Plenty of other dishwashers made it to this stage and fell down on customer testimonials. If readers find it confusing to use, poor at drying, or even slightly too loud, it won’t make it into my guide. I’ve only included the very best dishwashers. For more about how we test, visit our dedicated page.  

Dishwasher FAQs

There’s a lot to consider when buying a dishwasher. The three key aspects I would think about are capacity, reliability, and appearance. If you're a big household, you'll want a lot of space, if you're a single person who would struggle to fill a dishwasher, you'll want a smaller capacity drawer. Once you've sorted what size you need, you'll want a reliable appliance: one which will clean your dishes to a consistently high standard. For me, it's important that the dishwasher looks elegant and smart amongst the countertops too. If they look clumsy, they can ruin a kitchen's aesthetics.