Hi This is Dishwasher Guy and this is my review on the best dishwashers on the market right now.
I’ve been working part-time as a handyman in California for almost a decade. I won’t say that it was the most exciting job I’ve had, but it actually lead me to see all there’s to see about essential household stuff – like dishwashers.
In fact, I know them like the palm of my hand.
And on one fine day, when I was driving down the street to fix my best friend’s dishwasher, it occurred to me that I should use my experience to help more people than the ones in my circles.
That’s when I decided to write a review – and here I am – blending both experience and research to craft the ultimate review on dishwashers.
I hope from all my heart that it’ll work out for you and that you’ll be able to pick the most suitable one.
So read on and check everything out – but don’t worry – since you’re inside my radar, I’ve got you covered.
- Best Built in Dishwasher –
Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC Fully Integrated Built-in Dishwasher 24″
A compact design that boasts capacity and power.
bosch-800-series-shx68t55uc
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Washes extremely well
⊕ Multiple washing cycles and options
⊕ Added room with a third rack
⊕ Quieter operation
⊕ Long lasting
⊕ Energy efficient
Cons
⊗ No heating element
⊗ Certain cycles are long
Best suited for
This is one of the Bosch dishwashers that I found very easy to like. You might think that it’s because it gave me no trouble in mounting it up, while you’re partially right, there’s more to it.
Ideally, it’s made for average to large families and perhaps for small restaurants that need a lot of dishes done at once. It comes in handy with its additional third rack and in total, it can do up to 16 place settings.
It also has 6 wash cycles and five options to choose from – which give users a flexible approach for dish washing.
And by making a noise of about 44 decibels, it stands ahead among the quietest dishwashers I’ve heard. So if you love to keep peace in your kitchen, then this could be your buy.
The Bottom Line
Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the best of its kind. In most houses, I’ve only installed it and had never once been called to service it.
However, it has no drying element, which could be frustrating if you need them dried and ready to be reused almost immediately. But then, if you let the dishes stay for an hour, the existing heat inside the machine would be enough for drying.
All in all, I think it’s well worth a peek at Amazon.
- Best Countertop Dishwasher –
SPT Countertop Dishwasher
Makes life so much easier.
SPT Countertop Dishwasher
See it Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Washes well
⊕ Economical
⊕ Installation is a breeze
⊕ Very quiet
⊕ Easy to clean
Cons
⊗ Takes up a little counter space
⊗ Large plates and bowls have trouble fitting in
Is This For You?
If you don’t do a lot of cooking in your small kitchen, then this is a dishwasher worth considering. It can wash a maximum load of 6 place settings and you’ll only need to scrape – not rinse – food off the dishes before placing them in.
At 21.6 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches, I love how compact it is – taking only little room in small apartments that are in great need of space saving. So it’ll fit on almost any countertop – but do double check whether it’ll fit yours.
On top of that, it’s sleek. Once installed, which is pretty easy, it’ll go in line with most of your kitchen decor. In the meantime, you’ll be given the choice to choose from 6 wash cycles. For dishes with light meals, you’ll only need a quick wash cycle and everything will come completely clean.
It’s also energy star rated, so it’s going to save you a lot of bucks. But then again, it does only a small load of dishes, so it’ll obviously not to draw in much power.
The Bottom Line
One of my friend wanted me to pass his recommendations on this model when he learnt that I was writing a review on it. It was me who installed it for him and it has been running smoothly for almost 4 years now.
Though it can’t handle many dishes at once, it bests at functioning at its capacity by saving space and sitting on a countertop. So space-savers, if you check this out on Amazon, this might turn out to be your ideal buy.
- Best Single Drawer dishwasher –
Fisher Paykel DishDrawer DD24SCX7 24″
Flawless dish washing in a Dishdrawer.
Fisher Paykel DishDrawer DD24SCX7 24″
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Thorough cleaning
⊕ Compact design doesn’t take up much space
⊕ Very quiet operation
⊕ Sleek and convenient
⊕ Energy efficient
Cons
⊗ Filter needs to be cleaned/rinsed often
⊗ Installation is a bit tricky
Best Suited For
You should consider buying the DishDrawer DD24SCX7 only if you’ve little dishes to deal with at a time. Ideally, it’s best suited for loners and couples. The most important thing, however, is that even those living in RVs can make room for it without having to sacrifice much.
But this unit, by far, is one of the trickiest units I’ve installed. So you should be really cautious when you install and any misstep will end up leaking the unit. My advice for you would be to get the help of an experienced plumber.
In terms of performance, it does a wonderful job, as long as you use an effective detergent. If you do it right, you can get sparkling-clean dishes at the end of each cycle.
The Bottom Line
The main reason for including this DishDrawer comes down to its prime function -washing. Though it looks smaller, it has 7 place settings with 9 wash cycles, including the Eco wash. While the adjustable racks aren’t large enough to hold many plates that are above average in size, you still can get most of your pots and pans cleaned.
Additionally, it’s energy star rated. So be rest assured about not wasting water and electricity every time you run it.
And if you decide to drop by Amazon to buy a unit, take your time leafing through the reviews. You’ll notice how the majority of the bad reviews come from extremely picky customers that I’m afraid no one could please.
- Best 18 inch Dishwasher –
Frigidaire FFBD1821MB 18 Built-In Dishwasher
Efficiency in terms of cleaning and power.
Frigidaire FFBD1821MB 18 Built-In Dishwasher
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Cleans extremely well
⊕ Easy installation
⊕ Relatively quiet
⊕ Compact
⊕ Sleek, stainless steel design
⊕ Dries without heat
Cons
⊗ Dishes need to be arranged carefully
Is this for you ?
This is a dishwasher that isn’t for large families who dirty too many dishes every day. But then, if you don’t mind running it several times a day or giving it only half of your dish-washing load, then go ahead, you might like it.
It can hold about 8 place settings, but I’d say that it depends on the size of tableware you own. It also has a silverware basket on the lower rack. Though not the most convenient, I’m still surprised how far the manufacturers have gone to make more room inside such a compact unit.
The Bottom Line
With 6 wash cycles, 4 wash levels, and heat and no-heat drying, this unit offers more options than any other 18 inch dishwashers. And since it has the heavy setting option, you don’t have to pre-rinse even if the dishes are dirtier. It’s also one of the rare units that saves so much water and power with its energy star rating.
I only read the instructions once to mount it up pretty fast. And I believe that’s easy enough even for a complete newbie to do it right.
So through my experience in the industry and heavy research, I’d suggest to first check this unit out on Amazon before you decide to shop for another 18-inch dishwasher.
- Best Stainless Steel Dishwasher –
Bosch SHE65T55UC 500 24″ Stainless Steel
Semi-Integrated Dishwasher
This is the definition for quiet, roomy and efficient.
Bosch SHE65T55UC 500 24″ Stainless Steel
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Washes efficiently
⊕ Makes hardly any noise
⊕ An additional third rack
⊕ Beautifully designed
⊕ Self-installation is possible
Cons
⊗ Certain wash cycles are long
⊗ No heating element
Best suited for
Now this is a dishwasher worth buying if you’re a family of 5 or more. That’s because it can meet up the challenges large families throw at it.
It also saves a lot of space with its semi-integrated design. So having a small kitchen will not restrict buyers from using it.
Although compact, I like how spacious it is on the inside. It has 3 racks and 2 added fold-down shelves on the top rack to wash smaller items like cutleries. This way, it can take care of almost all your dish-washing needs.
The Bottom Line
With this unit, pre-rinsing is no longer needed and there are 5 wash cycles to choose from. While some of the wash cycles could take longer as certain food stains need to be soaked to soften up, the Express Wash is mostly enough to get the job done, not to mention pretty fast.
Many times I’ve come across complains with regards to the dishwasher clogging the drain. This is mainly due to not scraping solid food wastes off. So make sure you do that before loading it.
Apart from that, it’s important to note that there’s no heating element. Keeping the dishwasher closed for about 45 minutes would be enough to dry everything up. While it could frustrate some buyers, I think it’d be a great way to go green.
There’s more to this dishwasher, and it’s definitely worth being checked out on Amazon.
- Best Countertop Portable Dishwasher
EdgeStar 6 Place Setting Countertop Portable Dishwasher
Smaller, faster and cheaper.
EdgeStar 6 Place Setting Countertop Portable Dishwasher
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Cleans well
⊕ Relatively quiet
⊕ Durable
⊕ Energy efficient
⊕ Quick set up
⊕ Stainless steel, sleek design
⊕ Easy to use
Cons
⊗ Large dishes don’t fit
Is this for you ?
If you’re a college student, loner, or a member of a tiny family, renting out an apartment for the time being, then this is a dishwasher worth considering. Since it’s portable and doesn’t have to be installed permanently, you can take it with you wherever you go.
It has 6 wash cycles, and 6 place settings – quite impressive for its size. Everything you put in comes out washed clean, but since it’s only slightly larger than the size of a microwave, large pots and plates will have to be hand washed.
It also has safety features like the Child Lock, which most dishwashers lack. This will help you in protecting not only your child, but also the dishwasher from your child’s wandering hands.
The Bottom Line
Though a bit more expensive than the SPT Countertop Dishwasher, with the added advantage of portability, I think it’s well worth the price. It’s also way more energy efficient as it uses only about 200 kilowatt hours per year and less water than competitive units.
Saving space in your kitchen isn’t a problem either. You can stow it away and bring it on to your countertop only when you need it. This way, you don’t have to sacrifice efficiency to save space.
If you still feel a bit sceptic, then you ought to check out the first hand customer experiences and of course the price on Amazon. I assure you that both will surprise you.
- Best Tall Tub Dishwasher
AMANA ADB1100AWB Built-In Tall Tub Dishwasher
Tall, dark and efficient.
AMANA ADB1100AWB Built-In Tall Tub Dishwasher
See it at Amazon.com
Pros
⊕ Cleans well
⊕ Installation is simple
⊕ Easy to use
⊕ Reasonably quiet
⊕ Long lasting
Cons
⊗ A power code is not included
⊗ Bad-looking
Best Suited For
If you’re a family of 5 or more, with many dishes piling up in your sink, then you should consider buying a tall tub dishwasher instead of a regular one. It has extra room that can wash more dishes at once. While they’re usually more expensive, I was able to hunt down just the right one you might love.
It doesn’t boast many features – which pretty much explains the reason behind the price. But that doesn’t stop it from doing what is expected from a dishwasher. In fact, it’s easy to handle with less complicating modes and cycles.
As the name itself implies, it has only 3 cycles – normal, heavy and 1 hour – and two additional options. This makes it one of the most basic dishwashers I’ve dealt with. But based on the fine job it does, it becomes worthy of a buy.
The Bottom Line
In spite of lacking the sleek, expensive look, the ADB1100AWB is quiet, durable, and good at doing the job at hand. It isn’t the quietest, nor the fastest but it’s well worth the price you pay for.
The normal cycle is pretty much enough for a complete wash. But it takes over 2 hours. So if you’re willing to be patient, or run the unit when you go to bed, then I don’t think there’s much to complain.
If you do think the same, then don’t forget to drop by Amazon.
- How to Decide on the Best Dishwasher :
Complete Buying Guide –
I’ve dealt with enough dishwashers to realize that not every unit is for everyone.
There’s so much to know – starting from the number of place settings to the features and to the size and more.
That’s why, in addition to my review, I decided to come up with a buying guide. After all, a wrong buy will only end up in regret and disappointed. So to avoid those on all costs, read on!
Dish-washing Load
To decide how much of dishes you’ll want your dishwasher to wash, you need to foresee the future as well. Think whether your family will multiply significantly, or that your teenage children will be leaving.
After you take everything into account, you’ll be able to choose the ideal one.
Dishwasher Type
It’s important to know which type of dishwasher will be ideal for you even before you begin your search. In my review alone, there were about 5 different types. To decide your type, you should consider the size in parallel with your kitchen space.
For limited spaces, you can go for a compact, drawer, or a countertop dishwasher.
If you’ve a generous kitchen, built-in dishwashers and tall tub dishwashers would be ideal.
But then again, it also depends on the load per wash. If you’ve only a little load in a large kitchen, then you know what to choose.
Measure It To Treasure It
In my experience, buying an imperfectly sized dishwasher is one of the most frequent issues buyers deal with.
To put a full stop to it, get hold of your measuring tape and measure the place you’ll be allocating for your dishwasher. Even if it’s going to be your countertop, measure it twice.
Then check whether it matches with the dishwasher before you buy.
Capacity
The capacity of a dishwasher is measured in terms of place settings and it mainly depends on the type of dishwasher you choose.
Generally, a compact size dishwasher has the lowest capacity and it can hold up to 8 place settings while standard and tall tub dishwashers can hold up to 12 and 14 place settings respectively.
However, this isn’t always the case. With innovations thriving in the industry, newer models come with added racks that provide more space – if not for plates, at least for cutleries.
Noise Level
A dishwasher will obviously make some level of noise with the amount of activity taking place inside. But by adapting sound insulation, certain manufacturers have been able to muffle this sound.
My top overall pick Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC is a great example for one of the quietest dishwashers. It hardly makes any noise and if it wasn’t for the red LED that glows when it sets to work, you wouldn’t even know that it’s working. It’s that quiet.
Flexibility and Convenience of Racks
Additional third racks available in certain models such as the Bosch SHE65T55UC is very convenient to do a few more additional dishes. It’s also flexible enough to be removed entirely, or placed in a better elevation to make room for larger bowls in the lower racks.
This feature, however, isn’t available in all dishwashers. So if you want it, make sure your dishwasher has it before you buy.
Stainless Steel Over Plastic Tubs
When exposed to hot water, steam and hot air, plastic tubs and racks tend to warp over time. They’re also less efficient than stainless steel in retaining heat. More importantly, they’re noisier and don’t last long.
Though rare, certain manufacturers still use plastic tubs to reduce the cost of production. So be wise enough to pay a little more initially and buy yourself a stainless steel model. It’ll save you in the long run through energy bills.
Safety Features
Kids are danger magnets and they tend to try out everything that come their way. Before you buy a dishwasher, make sure it’ll be out of their target by choosing one with a Child Lock. This feature will lock the dishwasher until you unlock it.
There’s also the control panel to consider. A touch panel is much safer than the old-fashioned buttons because in most cases, they’re invisible when not in use. This way, you can have it hidden from your little cherub’s eagle eye.
Energy Star Label
A dishwasher is an added expense into your electricity bill. That’s why you need to consider buying a model with the Energy Star Label. Usually, these dishwashers are 5 percent more energy efficient and use about 15 percent less water than standard models.
They might cost you a little more initially, but you’ll be saving more than that in total by running it every day.
Wash Cycles and Durations
Wash cycles start from the standard 3 and may go up to even 7 or 8. Having a wide range of choices may help you in picking the most suitable one, but it could also be confusing.
Usually, a Normal Cycle is pretty much enough for a thorough wash. But it can take up to 2 hours, which could be frustrating if you need to reuse the dishes fast. If so, a dishwasher with an Express wash may seem more pleasant as it would complete the job in less than 60 minutes.
There are also models that offer the Smart Wash option. This will surely be more popular and an essential feature in a couple of years. Through this, the dishwasher can automatically detect the condition of the dirt in dishes and wash them by using the most suitable wash cycle.
So don’t forget to delve deep into the Wash Cycles available before you make a buy.
Drying
While I personally believe that having a drying option is a waste of energy when you can let the dishes air dry, if you’re in an urgent need to use the washed dishes, then looking for a heating element could be reasonable. But I still believe that this isn’t essential.
Once the washing is complete, let the dishes stay in for about an hour. This way, the heat generated from washing will dry the dishes up. So you won’t be wasting power.
Extra Features
There are dishwashers that offer many added features such as the Delay Start and Half Load. Not every dishwasher offers these, but I believe that it’s important for the convenience of use.
If you believe the same, then check whether your dishwasher offers these.
Decor-Conscious
Kitchen is one of the places many of us strive hard to keep up-to-date. While most modern dishwashers are unbelievably sleek and are looking more and more less like a washer, there are also certain models sold with a front that look like a cabinet.
So if you’re willing to spend a little more to save your kitchen decor, then I think I’ve just shed some valuable piece of information to look for.
Price Range
Usually, you can buy a dishwasher for somewhere between $200 to $600. There are also more expensive models that boast many features. If you’re willing to spend more, make sure you spend on a model with features that are worth having. Buying a dishwasher with many washing cycles and then using only two will not be efficient.
While there can be many more points you might personally want to consider, these are the basic points any buyer should know.
If you look into every one of the above, I can be certain that you’ll buy just the perfect one to fit your needs.
Editor’s Top Picks
- Bosch 800 Series SHX68T55UC
bosch-800-series-shx68t55uc
View Price
Frankly speaking, I don’t think a dishwasher in the current market can get any better than this. It has everything from a third rack, to energy star rating and sound insulation. So it’s easily my best overall pick.
- SPT Countertop Dishwasher
SPT Countertop Dishwasher
View Price
The SPT goes a long way for a countertop dishwasher. Though it has the energy star label, it’s still affordable and performs as one of the highly efficient units I’ve seen.
Frigidaire FFBD1821MB 18 Built-In Dishwasher
View Price
- Frigidaire FFBD1821MB 18 Built-In Dishwasher
Frigidaire dishwashers aim to please, and this one is no different. In addition to the multiple wash cycles, it has many options that provide a convenient dish-washing experience.
Wrapping it Up
Of course, apart from the ones in my review, there are hundreds of other dishwashers available on the market. I took my time going through most of them, even the ones I have never dealt with. While they had some good points, they don’t come anywhere near my best picks in terms of overall value for your hard earned money.
After all, if you get a good load of dirty dishes spotlessly cleaned, with minimum or no-hassle, then that’s the unit worth buying. And since I’ve shortlisted them, picking one is going to be easy. So go ahead, head straight to Amazon, and make your most favourite a buy.