These are the best dishwashers of 2023, according to Consumer Reports

Most dishwashers clean well, as we’ve found in our extensive lab testing of more than 100 current models. But the very best dishwashers stand out because they run quietly, dry plastics well, and have great racking features that make them easy to load. They’re also reliable, a quality we’ve measured through surveys of tens of thousands of Consumer Reports members.

In our ratings, you’ll find dozens of models from a host of brands, such as Bosch (including the popular Bosch 300 series), Whirlpool, GE, LG, Samsung, and Frigidaire. We also tested boutique labels like Fisher & Paykel, store brands including Ikea and Insignia, and newcomers like Thor and Kucht.

SEE ALL Consumer Reports product reviews

CR members can read on to see ratings and reviews of a half-dozen standard-sized (24-inch-wide) dishwashers that earned top marks in CR’s tests and surveys. For even more options, CR members can also explore our full dishwasher ratings. In the middle of our rankings, there are decent machines with similar Overall Scores, but each has different strengths and weaknesses. You can pick and choose based on what matters the most to you.

How We Picked the Best Dishwashers

People prioritize different features in a dishwasher, including a third rack, a short wash-cycle time, or a fingerprint-resistant surface. We note these kinds of options on each model page from our comprehensive dishwasher ratings and provide the details you need to know about them in our dishwasher buying guide. But there are a few performance aspects that everyone can appreciate, and we test them rigorously in our labs. These include:

• Cleaning: The top performers can reliably wash away starchy, crusted-on messes and produce great results even with lower-cost (or more eco-friendly) detergents or in hard water, which tends to reduce a detergent’s cleaning ability. Certain extras like extra wash arms and specialty wash zones touted by manufacturers may suggest better cleaning power, but that’s not always the case, as our washing tests have found.
• Drying: In general, CR’s testers have found that dishwashers with heated-dry cycles (which essentially bake moisture off of the dishes) tend to do a better job at getting your dishes bone-dry than models that rely on residual heat, but it’s not a guarantee. Larry Ciufo, CR’s head of dishwasher testing, has also noted that dishwashers that automatically open their doors at the end of a cycle to release steam tend to be effective, too.
• Noise: Certain “quiet” models actually have jarring, obvious spikes in volume from time to time while they run, like the sound of the detergent door thwacking against the tub or the churn of a loud drain pump. Our noise ratings take those random spikes into account.
• Efficiency: Our tests have discovered that dishwashers often use slightly more water and energy than advertised, but the difference adds up to only a few dollars in extra utility costs per year. If efficiency and sustainability are especially important to you, opt for a CR Green Choice dishwasher, which we believe to be among the most efficient. They also have the least negative environmental impact compared with other models on the market.

How Much Should You Spend on a Dishwasher?

The dishwashers in our ratings can cost as little as $350 or more than $2,000. Here’s what our testers found in each category.

• Less than $500: There aren’t too many of these left after the effect of the double-digit inflation we’ve seen on appliances in the past couple of years. Those that are still available typically have plastic tubs, which don’t resist stains as well as stainless steel tubs. Consumer Reports’ tests have also found that these dishwashers are relatively noisy.
• Between $500 and $1,000: Many models in this price range earn our top ratings for cleaning performance as well as predicted reliability, which are two factors we weigh heavily in our ratings overall. They also often have at least a few convenient features, like adjustable racks, a third rack, and quiet operation.
• More than $1,000: Dishwashers in this price range have elevated style and are fully loaded, so you don’t have to pick and choose between special features.

How Consumer Reports Tests Dishwashers

When a dishwasher enters Consumer Reports’ labs, we put it through at least 28 hours’ worth of tough trials. More than 100 dishwasher models have gone through our labs, and we test new ones regularly.

Our experts assess how well each model can dry plastic, which is a tough task for modern, energy-efficient dishwashers. A panel of judges also listens to an entire cycle to identify “any annoying noises,” as Ciufo puts it.

And of course, we test each model’s cleaning prowess. Our testers apply a consistent amount of starchy goop to 10 white ceramic plates. (The recipe is a secret, but cocoa is involved.) Then they bake each plate until it’s crusty, load the plates into the dishwasher without prerinsing, and run the default cleaning cycle. Afterward, our imaging software compares before and after photos of each plate to precisely analyze how much gunk is left over.

We also incorporate feedback from the tens of thousands of Consumer Reports members who take our annual dishwasher survey. This data helps us predict which brands may be the most reliable and which ones tend to make their owners the happiest.

Best Dishwashers

Bosch 800 Series SHXM88Z75N

CR’s take: As you spend more on a Bosch dishwasher, the models get progressively quieter and the extra features start to add up. The Bosch 800 Series is one of the quietest dishwashers we’ve tested, earning a top score in our noise test. It also adds a souped-up drying system called CrystalDry, which contributes to its high rating on our drying test. While the lower-end Bosch models like the 300 model covered below are great at drying if you open the dishwasher door promptly at the end of a cycle, the 800 Series leaves your dishes moisture-free even if you leave the door shut for an extended period (like when you’re asleep, at work, or just really comfortable on the couch). You could also consider higher-end models from BSH, like those from the Bosch Benchmark line, or from Thermador. They might include useful features like an extra-deep third rack or interior lights.

Thermador DWHD650WFM

CR’s take: This WiFi-compatible model is one of the most affordable options in the Thermador lineup, offering a third rack, a stainless steel tub and finish, and touch-sensitive controls. In CR’s tests, the similarly designed DWHD660WFP model performs well in our washing test, excels in our drying test, and ranks among the quietest dishwashers in our ratings, and we expect the DWHD650WFM to perform the same. But what’s nice is that this model comes at a price that’s $400 less. Thermador dishwashers receive the highest marks for predicted reliability and a strong score for owner satisfaction in our member survey.

Thermador DWHD770WPR

CR’s take: Thermador dishwashers are made by the same parent company as Bosch—BSH. Like the Bosch models, in our member surveys the Thermidors earn the highest score in predicted reliability. As for owner satisfaction, they receive a near-top-level score. The DWDHD770WPR is similar to a CR-tested model. Test engineers expect it to wash well and be exceptionally quiet, with a drying system that does a fantastic job at removing moisture, even from plasticware. Like the Thermidor above, this model has a stainless-steel tub and is WiFi-enabled.

Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N

CR’s take: In the 300 Series (and up), you’ll get a third rack at the top of the tub, which can hold utensils, ramekins, kitchen tools like spatulas and whisks, and other small items. The 300 Series SHEM63W55N has a front-facing control panel and a stainless finish. But other variants are available with hidden controls, as well as different finishes and handle styles. You can pick whichever one suits your tastes and expect essentially identical performance. This particular model cleans impressively well while also being energy-efficient.

Ikea Essentiell (80.655.85)

CR’s take: The basic two-rack plastic-tub Ikea Essentiell offers great washing performance for a reasonable price, and its 5-year warranty coverage is one of the best in the industry. The Ikea brand receives near-the-top ratings for dishwashers in predicted reliability and owner satisfaction, based on responses to our member surveys collected over the past few years.

Café CDT845P2NS1

CR’s take: This Café dishwasher performs well in our cleaning test. It’s quiet and energy-efficient, the only model in our Best of the Year roundup to earn CR’s Green Choice designation. The model comes with a third rack that can hold small utensils. It also has special wash zones, meaning that if you have a smaller load, you can choose a specific section in the dishwasher to clean instead of running the full dishwasher. Café dishwashers earn middling ratings in both predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

GE GDT226SSLSS

CR’s take: Those looking for a budget-friendly dishwasher that offers solid performance may find it in this GE model. At under $700, it’s the most affordable dishwasher in our roundup and consistently delivers clean dishes with each wash, according to CR’s tests. Drawbacks include a less-than-stellar drying performance and a somewhat noisy operation. But with a cycle time of 125 minutes—the shortest on this list—you may be able to brush aside the inconveniences. GE receives a decent rating for predicted reliability but a less than satisfactory one for owner satisfaction.

Consumer Reports is an independent, nonprofit organization that works side by side with consumers to create a fairer, safer, and healthier world. CR does not endorse products or services, and does not accept advertising. Copyright © 2022, Consumer Reports, Inc.

Liam McCabe, Consumer Reports

Tanya A. Christian, Consumer Reports