Best Dishwashers for 2025

• Cafe CDT858P3VD1 is a notable alternative to other luxury offerings from Miele and KitchenAid; however, its dishwashers more closely resemble KitchenAid's in price. Where Cafe stands apart is a deep selection of finish options for handles, which act as color accents to help these dishwashers blend into designer kitchens. Cafe is a sibling brand of GE, so you can expect similarly respectable customer ratings -- but below those of Maytag, Bosch, KitchenAid, Frigidaire and Whirlpool.
• GE PDT755SYVFS comes packed with three flexible racks, advanced wash jets, steam cleaning and smart home functionality. This gives it a leg up over similar KitchenAid models -- and the sale price of $879 is a tempting alternative to our Bosch dishwasher pick. GE Appliance also boasts the largest dishwasher selection in my research -- 68 models -- with most earning Energy Star certifications. Still, customer sentiment -- a median rating of 4.2 -- is slightly less positive than most competitors.
• Ikea Vintrosa benefits from a smaller product lineup than other dishwasher brands, meaning you don't have to track specific model numbers. It even sells some of the most affordable panel-ready dishwashers, which you can seamlessly integrate into your kitchen cabinetry. However, Ikea's dishwashers have few online reviews, making it difficult to determine the brand's real value without hands-on tests. Still, the low prices match up favorably against Frigidaire, Maytag and Whirlpool.
• KitchenAid KDTM404KPS uses less water, 2.4 gallons per cycle, than our Bosch pick, which retails for the same price of $999. Unlike Bosch, KitchenAid sells only two Energy Star-certified models out of the 24 found in my research. It's surprising that a well-known brand like KitchenAid hasn't caught up to the latest Energy Star standards after nearly two years. Aside from the higher energy use, KitchenAid dishwashers have very favorable reviews from customers, who often call out excellent durability.
• LG LDTH5554S is Samsung's closest rival for the best smart dishwasher spot, especially if you want a more affordable option for Google and Alexa controls. Like Samsung, LG offers surprisingly lengthy warranties compared to most competitors, with the 10-year motor warranty standing out as one of LG's biggest advantages. Still, LG tends to be pricier than Samsung on average and has fewer options that qualify for the Energy Star Most Efficient certification.
• Maytag MDB4949SKB features a stainless steel tub and an outstanding 10-year parts warranty, making it notable among the two-rack models I evaluated. Maytag is the most liked brand among customer reviews, with the only median rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on this list. With no models over $900, its products straddle the low- and mid-price dishwasher categories. Still, it lacks smart home compatibility and an Energy Star certification. That said, it's a solid, no-frills, budget alternative to Bosch and Samsung.
• Whirlpool WDT750SAKB stands out for its adjustable middle rack and the option to fold down tines on the two lower racks. This kind of flexibility is great when you need just a little more space for a large pot or water bottle. Although there are more Energy Star-certified Whirlpool dishwasher models than its sibling brands, KitchenAid and Maytag, it trails far behind Frigidaire and Bosch. Whirlpool still makes excellent dishwashers, but I struggle to recommend it over more efficient competitors.

Unlike most consumer tech and small appliances, which are easy to test in at home, large appliances like dishwashers have logistical hurdles that make hands-on testing much more difficult. The plumbing and electricity needs alone require special accommodations, not to mention the expense of shipping and storing bulky appliances.

Because of this, I'm focusing on a research and data-heavy approach. I also surveyed four dishwasher experts to get the nitty-gritty details on what you should look for in a dishwasher. These experts include a dishwasher repair technician, an online appliance retailer, and two representatives for major dishwasher brands. To avoid potential conflicts of interest, they had no input in the evaluation process.

I also examined over 8,200 customer ratings, prices and specifications to help you figure out the best dishwasher brand for your needs. While this approach is best for a detailed bird's-eye view of each brand, it's harder to recommend specific models based on performance, only customer satisfaction.

Methodology

Before I discuss my methodology, I want to point out that it differs heavily from those we use for hands-on testing. I normally pepper my methodologies with detailed insights and results for each product. However, the overwhelming amount of data limits me to fewer examples -- at least if I want to keep it moderately interesting.

The data collection and analysis phase took over a week, which is much more than I typically dedicate to hands-on testing. However, the results provide a good foundation for my recommendations and which dishwasher model should represent each brand. Here's what I collected:

• 8,273 data points (prices, ratings, specifications) from 679 product pages on 34 retail and manufacturer websites (as of May 9, 2025)
• 483 unique dishwasher models across 42 brands
• 577 ratings based on 674,348 customer reviews (some product pages didn't have ratings)
• Energy Star data (as of May 9, 2025)

Eventually, I picked 12 noteworthy brands. While I believe the brands I chose for this dishwasher review are the best options for most people, customer sentiment was also very high for dishwasher manufacturers overall—81% of brands had a median customer rating of 4 stars or higher (out of 5 possible). I wasn't able to evaluate countertop or portable dishwashers for this review.

To make this comparison and my recommendations easier, I selected a "representative model" for each brand to highlight what I like most about the company. Your budget and preferences may lead you to a different model, but the representative is a solid starting point.

Evaluating over 674,000 online customer ratings to find the best dishwashers

For large-scale data journalism projects like these, this means crawling every online resource I can find to create a comprehensive spreadsheet. While these numbers can help us find broad trends, there are three limitations:

Limitation 1: There's a lot of overlap

Some retailers, especially Home Depot and Lowe's, host reviews from the manufacturer's website in addition to those from their customers. To their credit, the overlapping reviews have clear labeling, but it complicates things for me.

For example, the Bosch SHE53C85N has 10,907 reviews on Bosch's website, 4,924 on Lowe's and 3,140 on Home Depot. Altogether, that's 18,971 reviews. Using on-page review filters, I eliminated 3,970 overlapping reviews to reach 15,001 ratings.

However, even this number isn't foolproof -- because Bosch shares reviews among similar models, making the number fuzzier with no way to focus on a single model. To Bosch's credit -- as well as other brands -- it discloses this info below shared reviews. Granted, many dishwasher models have only cosmetic differences, but I'd love to filter out as much overlap as possible.

Limitation 2: Incentivized reviews

Incentivized dishwasher reviews result from a manufacturer or retailer soliciting customer reviews after a purchase. These reviewers didn't get a free dishwasher to review, but they probably got a coupon or another benefit -- for example, KitchenAid had a Ratings and Reviews Sweepstakes in 2024.

This type of review isn't completely useless since it can encourage customers who would never review a product otherwise. Still, most incentivized reviews have a tendency toward glowing reviews -- though plenty have a one-star rating. This practice may skew the numbers a little -- even when a company asks customers for an honest opinion, so it's best to treat online ratings as a rough guide rather than a definitive answer.

Limitation 3: Brands that don't sell dishwashers online

I can't analyze customer reviews that don't exist. Miele is the biggest example from my research because it directs buyers to authorized dealers instead of selling dishwashers directly through online retailers like Home Depot. In these cases, I rely on word of mouth, other expert reviewers and specifications, which isn't ideal. 

How do customer ratings affect our rankings?

Filtering out all incentivized reviews and overlap may be possible with a small dataset, but it's a far more difficult with a category as large as dishwashers. Still, I feel like the sheer volume of data somewhat offsets these limitations.

After identifying broad trends in the large dataset, I chose a representative model that I believe best showcases each brand's strength. The representative models are among the highest-rated products from a brand, which aren't always those with the highest ratings or most popularity.

To cover my bases, I finished my customer review evaluation by running the retail links of the representative models through Fakespot, a website that scans online reviews for deceptive practices. While Fakespot is a useful resource, the only links I could verify were from Home Depot and Best Buy, as Amazon reviews of dishwashers are so rare that it's ultimately a dead end.

Evaluating dishwasher specifications

While customer reviews can reveal consumer sentiment, they might gloss over a dishwasher's features. So, reviewers often fill in the gaps with manufacturer specifications -- even for hands-on tests. In this case, I pulled many specs from the product names in my dataset. This is because some retailers list specs in the dishwasher's name. Check out this example from Home Depot:

Bosch 500 Series 24 in. White Top Control Tall Tub Pocket Handle Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Tub, 44 dBA

Let's break it down:

• Bosch 500 Series (SHP65CM2N)
• 24 inches wide (full-sized dishwasher as opposed to an 18-inch compact dishwasher)
• White finish with a control panel on the top of the door and a pocket handle rather than a towel bar handle
• Stainless steel tub
• Sound level of 44 dBa

Most dishwasher product names I collected follow a similar pattern, so I standardized the formatting. From there, all it took was a few formulas to summarize the features of hundreds of models at once. I won't stray too deep into the weeds on this -- data analysis can be very boring -- but I think it's pretty neat.

Once I have a lineup of representative models, I dig deeper into the specs for those products to highlight the features that helped them stand out from the competition. These in-depth specifications are the main component of every table in this comparison. (For extra insurance, I double-checked the info on each product page before putting it in a table.)

This summary data was mostly useful in evaluating sound levels. It's how I determined that Samsung (DW90F89T0U12, DW90F89P0USRAA, DW90F89P0USR), Bosch (SHP95CM5N, SHP9PCM5N) and LG (LUDP8908SN) have the quietest dishwasher models at just 38 dBa.

Evaluating Energy Star data for dishwashers

Every product in the top five needed to have an Energy Star certification. A direct download on EnergyStar.gov took less than a minute to add to my spreadsheet, making this the easiest data to collect. Standard-size dishwashers must meet two criteria to earn an Energy Star label: use less than 240 kilowatt-hours per year (kWh/yr) of electricity and less than 3.2 gallons per cycle. (Energy Star says that 240 kWh per year equates to less than $50 in annual electricity costs -- $4.16 or less per month.)

Requirements are tighter for compact dishwashers, which hold fewer than eight place settings. (Midea, my pick for the best compact dishwasher, holds exactly eight place settings, so it's technically a standard dishwasher, according to Energy Star.)

As with specifications and consumer reviews, the Energy Star program isn't a catch-all method for finding a great dishwasher, but it's always helpful if you value energy-efficient appliances. Energy Star's greatest strength is its evolving criteria, with the latest update coming in July 2023. This also means older models won't keep an Energy Star label forever -- none of the dishwashers on Energy Star's current list were released before late 2017.

Electricity usage

I gave the most credit to dishwashers that meet the Energy Star Most Efficient 2025 Criteria (PDF) because they go beyond the standard certification. Miele dominates the Most Efficient category in terms of numbers -- 20 models -- which is over three times as many as qualifiers from Bosch, Samsung and LG combined. Notably, the Miele G 5892 SCVi SL is the most efficient model at 200 kWh/yr. This is 16.67% more efficient than the base Energy Star rating of 240 kWh/yr.

As for the normal Energy Star rating, GE, Miele, Bosch and Frigidaire had the most models that qualified for the Energy Star rating, with at least 39 models from each company. It drops off quickly from there, with LG, Midea and Samsung boasting between 17 and 23 Energy Star models.

However, Cafe, Whirlpool, KitchenAid and Maytag had fewer than 10 Energy Star models -- Maytag sells only a single model with the certification. These brands meet the previous Energy Star standard but haven't yet caught up to the latest criteria from 2023. While Ikea sells only six Energy Star models, these comprise the entire lineup, which is a nice bonus for Ikea fans.

Water usage

A handful of Bosch models use less than half the US Federal Standard (5 gallons) for water per cycle at just 2.3 gallons. While this is notable, even the least water-wise dishwashers on the Energy Star list use only 3.2 gallons per cycle -- a difference of just 0.9 gallons. Even dishwashers that don't meet Energy Star's electricity usage requirements can be water-wise, with the KitchenAid KDTM404KPS sipping only 2.4 gallons per cycle.

However, there's a caveat with Energy Star's water usage calculations: they only examine the low end of a normal wash cycle, which sometimes uses more water on heavily soiled loads of dishes. Likewise, heavy-duty and quick wash cycles can use more water than the Energy Star specification. (You can find water usage estimates for each cycle in your dishwasher's manual or cycle guide.)

Although I like knowing roughly how much water a dishwasher uses, Energy Star's water usage figures aren't useful performance indicators for other wash cycles, at least when reviewing products. For this reason, they don't influence my ranking decisions.

Still, you can rest easy knowing that a full dishwasher load uses less water than hand-washing an equivalent amount of dishes in the sink. Remember to do a full load as often as you can since dishwashers' efficiency benefits diminish as load sizes go down.

After evaluating hundreds of dishwasher models, I have one big takeaway: nearly every brand offers enough flexibility to fit your specific needs and aesthetic preferences. Once you choose a brand, you can narrow the list of potential dishwashers by looking at the cost, tub materials, cleaning methods (washing and drying) and whether you want smart home controls.

Cost

According to the data I collected for this comparison, the median retail price of a dishwasher is $880, with mid-range models costing between $700 and $1,300. These mid-range brands include Bosch, Maytag, Whirlpool, GE, Samsung and LG. These midrange brands also sell a selection of budget and luxury dishwasher models.

Luxury brands like KitchenAid, Cafe, Miele, JennAir, Fisher & Paykel, Thermador and Smeg have an average cost above $1,300, though Cafe and KitchenAid sell a handful of midrange models. In contrast, budget brands like Frigidaire, Ikea, Midea, Danby and SPT cost less than $700 on average.

The main difference between a cheap dishwasher and a luxury model is that the affordable option is usually louder and supports fewer place settings. While many budget dishwasher brands sell models with plastic tubs, there are plenty with more durable stainless steel tubs.

Energy Star certifications are available at every price, though the best efficiency comes from pricier options. Racking options are another differentiator, with budget brands offering fewer adjustable racks, foldable tines, and specialty tools for washing bottles.

Stainless steel tubs have several advantages over plastic ones

Every expert I surveyed said that stainless steel is the ideal material for a dishwasher's tub. According to Morgan LaLonde, Whirlpool's Dish & Laundry Brand Manager, "Stainless steel tubs in dishwashers have many benefits, including withstanding higher water temperatures for ultimately drier dishes later in the cycle." It's also easier to maintain and looks better than plastic, which may absorb odors and stains over time.

Maverick Davis, an Appliance Expert with Frontdoor, an app that offers virtual service calls for home appliance repair, noted that the tub material doesn't affect cleaning performance, just the durability and drying process. Essentially, plastic tubs are more than adequate for cleaning your dishes, even if they won't dry as quickly.

Soil sensor, wash cycles and drying methods

While the experts had varying opinions on which wash cycles are essential for a dishwasher, everyone agreed that soil sensors (also called turbidity sensors) are a must-have feature. Soil sensors work by measuring the water's cloudiness during the wash cycle and adjusting the cleaning cycle automatically. For example, a soil sensor can shorten the wash cycle for a lightly soiled load compared to a dirtier one.

Soil sensors aren't new and are often a standard dishwasher feature. All of the representative models on this list use one. Still, Auto, AI or Sensor-Wash modes are usually a dead giveaway. Based on my research, most dishwashers use the soil sensor in every wash cycle, not just in Auto Mode. Likewise, models like the Frigidaire FDPC4314AS may not have a sensor-wash cycle, instead opting for always-on functionality.

As for wash modes, you can expect to see Normal, Heavy, Sanitize and Quick wash cycles on most dishwashers, which should cover the basic cleaning needs of most people. (You might consider a Delicate mode if you frequently clean fine dishware.)

Beyond saying that stainless steel tubs allow water droplets to run down the interior better than plastic tubs, I won't dwell on the effectiveness of different drying methods. However, entry-level dishwashers with exposed electric heating elements are more likely to melt plastic dishes than models with air-drying, evaporation and zeolite-mineral drying options.

Smart home features

As a smart home expert, one of my biggest concerns with adding smart home technology to large appliances is that you must manually load them. And since you're already there, it's not a stretch to program your wash cycle and even set a time delay to run the dishwasher when you're asleep or out of the house. (As opposed to a smart light bulb or smart lock, which gains clear benefits from remote operation.)

Despite my criticisms, there are a few reasons to choose a smart dishwasher. Dirk Sappok, Miele's North American Director of Category Management for Kitchen Appliances, says dishwasher smart home features are mainly about monitoring. A dishwasher can send notifications when a cycle ends, track energy consumption, and if the unit needs maintenance or repairs.

This makes a lot of sense for people like me, who forget to unload the dishwasher for several days as dishes pile up on the counter. It's also nice to see time estimates for how long cycles last, and knowing when to clean the filter or run a maintenance cycle has a lot of value.

As for remote operation via an app -- and voice controls and smart home integrations by extension -- it might be useful for some users, but shouldn't be your primary motivation for getting a smart dishwasher.