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Once you have a dishwasher in your home (or a washing machine, for that matter), it’s hard to imagine living without one. Washing your dishes at the kitchen sink after cooking dinner is a drag, even for a one-pot meal for two people—plus it uses much more water than a machine does.
If your dishwasher is getting up there in age, or your kitchen doesn’t have one at all, there are countless models to ease the burden—these days, often with premium features like smart connectivity, ultra-quiet motors, and adjustable racks. Buying a new dishwasher is an expense, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you can do without some of the latest bells and whistles.
Keep reading for the best dishwashers we recommend based on function, durability, and features, along with some expert advice to think over before buying.
Looking for more kitchen appliances and upgrades? Check out our recommendations for the best refrigerators, kitchen faucets, and electric stoves.
The Best Dishwashers
- Best Overall: GE Fully Integrated 24-Inch Dishwasher
- Best Value: KitchenAid 24-in Built-In Dishwasher
- Best Third Rack: Bosch 500 Series 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher
- Best Upgrade: Frigidaire Gallery Built-In Dishwasher
- Quietest: GE Profile 24-in Smart Built-In Dishwasher
What to Consider
Type, size, capacity, noise level, and features like the number of wash cycles are the main things to consider when dishwasher shopping. Here's a condensed guide to give you an overview.
Type
There are a few styles of dishwashers available today, including standard built-in or integrated models, as well as portable and countertop dishwashers. The latter two options offer more flexibility for those who live in smaller homes, as the appliances can be moved around as needed and don’t require permanent connections in your kitchen. However, they tend to be louder, smaller, and offer fewer features.
Size and Capacity
Dishwashers come in two common size options: standard 24-inch and compact, or half-size, 18-inch models—which refers to the width of the unit. You’ll often see the number of standard five-piece place settings a dishwasher can hold on product listings, though it isn't the best metric for measuring capacity.
Think about it: How many times in the last year did you run tea cups and saucers through the dishwasher versus water bottles and giant coffee mugs? Instead, think about your biggest dishes and compare their size with the height of the drawers.
Noise Level
A quiet dishwasher is typically at the top of most buyers’ checklists, and for good reason—dishwashers are notoriously noisy. Noise is measured in decibels, or dBA, and a dishwasher’s noise level is almost always included in the specs. For dishwashers, 44 dBA or less is ultra-quiet; 45 to 50 dBA is very quiet, and 51 dBAs or more is standard. If you’re particularly noise-sensitive, look for a model that’s 38 or 39 dBA, which are the quietest currently on the market, like this GE Profile model we recommend below.
Features
A slide-out third rack is a handy feature, especially for plastic straws or baby spoons that fall through a standard two-rack model. The number of cycle settings is another factor to take into account—look for models with six or seven cycles for the most flexibility, like heat drying and sanitization.
Of course, there are also smart dishwashers with built-in Wi-Fi connectivity for controlling your dishwasher from your phone. The models we recommend are Energy Star-certified and use 3.5 gallons of water or less during a normal cycle, and some include reusable self-cleaning filters. Pro tip: No matter what dishwasher you buy, it’s important to clean your dishwasher at least a couple times per year.
How We Selected
We recommend standard and half-size dishwashers with a variety of features across price points, from value-packed options to splurge-worthy, Wi-Fi-enabled picks. We cover standard built-in models, along with a countertop and portable model, all from top brands including GE, Frigidaire, and Bosch. To make our final selections, we compared specs like number of cycles and noise rating, plus specials features like a third rack and fold-down tines.
1
Best Overall
GE Fully Integrated 24-Inch Dishwasher
Pros
Quiet operation- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- Stainless-steel tub
Cons
- Additional part required for Wi-Fi
This fully integrated, large-capacity dishwasher has a stainless-steel tub, five wash cycles including a one-hour quick-wash, and a quiet noise-level rating.
The energy-efficient dishwasher also has a fingerprint-resistant stainless-steel finish and optional Wi-Fi connectivity, but the smart capability requires an additional part sold separately.
Other highlights include a fan to boost the drying cycle, a sanitizing setting, and four bottle jets to reach taller items. This is an excellent standard pick at an affordable price, with top controls for a sleek look after installation.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 16 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 5 |
| Noise Level | 48 dBA |
Pros
- Extremely quiet
- Third rack
- Stainless-steel tub
This KitchenAid dishwasher operates at a whisper-quiet 39 dBA, and many users say they can’t even tell that it’s on when it’s running. It has a convenient third rack for utensils and there are five cycle options to choose from, including a smart cycle that automatically adapts the settings based on the load.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 13 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 5 |
| Noise Level | 39 dBA |
Pros
- Adjustable top rack
- Very quiet operation
- Extra drying feature
Cons
- No steam option
We previously recommended a Bosch 300 Series dishwasher, but this newer model adds better drying features, and racks that glide more easily and offer better flexibility for capacity— all for about $100 extra.
Other notable features include a stainless-steel tub and a 24-hour delay wash setting, plus a quieter-than-most noise rating. Though like other Bosch dishwashers, this model has only five wash cycles, which is probably sufficient for most households though it may be drawback if you want more variety.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 16 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 8 |
| Noise Level | 44 dBA |
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Pros
- Seven wash cycles
- Adjustable third rack
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Racks may feel a bit cheap
This value-packed, fully integrated dishwasher offers extra capacity and a solid lineup of features, all for a great price. It has a stainless-steel tub that holds up to 14 place settings, making this an excellent pick if you have a big family.
You can customize each cycle with eight wash settings, plus it’s considerably quiet. It also has an adjustable upper rack, separate top- and bottom-level wash zones, and a smudge-proof stainless-steel finish.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 14 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 7 |
| Noise Levels | 47 dBA |
5
Quietest
GE Profile 24-in Smart Built-In Dishwasher
Pros
- Ultra-quiet
- Wi-Fi-enabled
- Third rack
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
Cons
- Only five wash cycles
This ultra-quiet dishwasher is about as silent as they come—and it has built-in Wi-Fi, so you can keep tabs on your dishwasher via the app.
The GE Profile line is one we’ve grown to trust, offering top-performing appliances that are at the cutting edge of their product categories. This dishwasher is no different, with a dry boost cycle with two fans, a well-designed third rack, plus deep-clean silverware jets. There are two wash zones with fold-down tines on both levels to accommodate hard-to-fit items like pots and pans, and a hard food disposal to prevent clogging.
There are only five wash cycles, which may be a downside for some, but this is well worth it if your dishwasher sits near your living room or TV since it’s the quietest one we recommend.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 16 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 5 |
| Noise Level | 39 dBA |
6
Best Portable
GE Smart Portable Fully Integrated Dishwasher
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Pros
- Adjustable rack
- Stainless-steel tub
- Good capacity
Cons
- Not quiet; standard noise rating
For those who don’t have space for a built-in, a portable dishwasher is the next-best option. They come loaded with desirable features plus they’re easy to hook up and wheel into a utility closet after use.
This energy-efficient full-console model has a stainless-steel tub and holds up to 12 place settings, featuring an adjustable rack, three wash cycles, and a sanitizing option. There’s also hard food disposal to prevent clogging and a delayed start setting for overnight cycles.
It’s set on casters and weighs 147 pounds, but several customers say it rolls well when you need to move it, but it is quite loud compared to other dishwashers we recommend. If you’re looking for a half-size dishwasher, this model also comes in an 18-inch width.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 12 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 3 |
| Noise Level | 58 dBA |
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Pros
- Stainless-steel tub
- Six wash cycles
- Adjustable rack
Cons
- Not quiet; standard noise rating
If you don’t have space for a full-size dishwasher, going with an 18-inch model—which often include similar features to their larger counterparts—is your best bet. This full-console Frigidaire offers good value for the price, with a stainless-steel tub, six wash cycles, four hot water temperature options and a sanitizing setting.
Its smart wash system gauges how dirty the dishes are and adjusts cleaning according, so it’s energy-efficient. Other highlights include an adjustable rack and a delayed start feature, but it isn’t particularly quiet.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 8 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 6 |
| Noise Level | 52 dBA |
Pros
- Adjustable third rack
- Quieter than average
- Gets dishes extra dry
Cons
- Some customers have issues with the racks
Bosch dishwashers are known for their superior drying abilities, and this 800 Series model is no exception, leaving your dishes perfectly dry and ready to be put away. It features the brand’s proprietary drying technology, which uses minerals to absorb moisture and transform it into heat for drying.
It might be a splurge, but this dishwasher is decked out with a wide range of high-end features. It has a flexible third rack with expandable wings, intelligent sensors that ensure all dishes are cleaned evenly, and a dedicated spray jet that dissolves detergent tablets completely.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | 16 |
|---|---|
| Cyclrd | 6 |
| Noise Level | 42 dBA |
Pros
- Five-gallon water tank
- Sleek, compact design
- Holds oversized dinner plates
Cons
- Noisy operation
If your kitchen doesn’t have a designated dishwasher hookup, you might need to buy a countertop model like this sleek one from Farberware.
The compact appliance is designed to sit right on your counter and takes up minimal space, as it's roughly a 21-inch cube. There’s a 5-gallon water tank—awesome because it frees up your faucet—and it comes with a hose hookup to use if you prefer. It has five wash cycles, which is impressive for its size, and it can accommodate up to 12-inch dinner plates (10.5 inches is considered standard).
The dishwasher is an excellent choice if you’re short on square footage, but it’s noisier than most during operation.
Key Specs
| Place Settings | Not listed |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 5 |
| Noise Level | 62 dBA |
Rachel Klein
Senior Commerce Editor
Rachel Klein is a Senior Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, where she writes about everything from garden hose reels and patio furniture to mesh wifi systems and robot vacuums. She started her career as a daily newspaper reporter and was a travel editor for more than a decade before she started testing and reviewing luggage, noise-cancelling headphones, and other travel-related products. Fast-forward another five years and her area of expertise includes home decor, appliances, tech, and outdoor adventure gear. In her spare time, you'll find her planning her next trip, reading historical fiction, and seeing as much art as she can squeeze into a weekend.
Camryn Rabideau
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in home, kitchen, and pet products. In her four years as a product tester, she's tested hundreds of items firsthand, and her work appears in publications such as Forbes, USA Today, The Spruce, Food52, and more.
