Dishwasher racks are not something people think about very often but they are something you interact with almost every day! A little education and thought before buying can make your day-to-day experience with your dishwasher much more convenient and enjoyable. You’ll want to consider the materials, configuration, number and style of racks and take into account what you really need.
Top 10 Dishwasher Racks for 2025
Below is a curated list of the top 10 dishwasher racks, focusing on efficiency, safety, and user satisfaction, based on real-world testing and customer feedback.
1. Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N Third Rack
Bosch has a reputation for high-end performance, and it doesn’t disappoint with the Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N dishwasher. It’s the personal pick of our U.S. Editor, Mike Prospero, who was amazed at how quietly the dishwasher runs. The third rack is a standout, offering a flexible cutlery tray that accommodates utensils, small bowls, and even mugs, maximizing space. The adjustable middle rack allows for taller items, and the tines are spaced to hold various dish sizes securely.
- Pros: Quiet at 44 dB, flexible third rack, adjustable tines for large items.
- Cons: Closer tine spacing may not suit thicker earthenware dishes.
- Buy on Amazon
2. Miele G7316SCU AutoDos Third Rack
Customers love the effective 60 minute cycles and the intuitive, adjustable racks which can fit large, awkward dishes and bottles. The third rack is deep enough for ladles and spatulas, and the AutoDos system ensures optimal detergent use. The racks are adjustable, with color-coded parts for easy reconfiguration, and the stemware holders secure delicate wine glasses.
- Pros: Deep third rack, adjustable racks, auto-dispensing detergent.
- Cons: High price, proprietary PowerDisks increase long-term costs.
- Buy on Amazon
3. LG QuadWash Pro Third Rack
The LG consistently leaves everything sparkling clean and dry. From the dishwasher’s interior light to a removable cutlery basket with flip-down lids, you can open it in case your larger utensils won’t fit in the third rack-LG thought of almost everything. The third rack is adjustable in three ways, offering flexibility for cutlery and small items, while the QuadWash technology ensures thorough cleaning.
- Pros: Adjustable third rack, powerful drying, spacious interior.
- Cons: Smart features like remote start can be unreliable.
- Buy on Amazon
4. Maytag MDB8959SKZ Third Rack
The Maytag MDB8959SKZ’s third rack is deeper than that of the Miele G5008 dishwasher, but it doesn’t have as much space for utensils. It has an efficient filter. Despite the copious amounts of pasta chunks and oatmeal globs that ran through this dishwasher cycle after cycle, the MDB8959SKZ’s filter rarely needed to be rinsed during testing. The racks are sturdy, with a 10-year warranty, and the adjustable middle rack accommodates tall items.
- Pros: Deep third rack, reliable filter, long warranty.
- Cons: Less utensil space, racks less user-friendly than competitors.
- Buy on Amazon
5. Hotpoint H7FHP33UK Maxi Space Racks
The Hotpoint H7FHP33UK is perfect for larger families, thanks to its Maxi Space design, which provides 10% more space than a standard freestanding dishwasher. Included are three racks which are flexible and can be adjusted accordingly to best suit the load. The middle rack’s tines flip up or down, and the bottom rack accommodates large pots with foldable tines.
- Pros: Extra 10% space, flexible tines, tall wine glass compatibility.
- Cons: Eco mode struggles with tough stains.
- Buy on Amazon
6. Samsung Smart Linear Wash Third Rack
Samsung’s Linear Wash technology is also neat: Instead of standard spray arms, it has a ¡°water bar¡± that moves across the tub and sprays dishes with a ¡°wall of water.¡± The third rack is ideal for cutlery and small items, and the racks are adjustable for larger dishes. The SmartThings app allows remote control, though the water bar may misalign in hard water areas.
- Pros: Innovative water bar, smart app control, quiet at 39 dB.
- Cons: Water bar issues in hard water, app functionality varies.
- Buy on Amazon
7. GE Built-In Tall Tub Racks
GE’s 18-inch model delivers table-ready dishes with steel blades that rotate at 3,600 RPM to pulverize and then fully wash away food particles. The racks are adjustable, with fold-down tines for large items and a removable cutlery basket. The tall tub design enhances drying efficiency, though it lacks a third rack.
- Pros: Tall tub for better drying, adjustable racks, portable option.
- Cons: No third rack, louder at 50 dB.
- Buy on Amazon
8. KitchenAid KDPM604KPS Third Rack
KitchenAid, GE Appliances and Bosch are among the top brands we tested to find which dishwashers have the best cleaning performance. The third rack is deep, ideal for utensils and small bowls, and the adjustable middle rack accommodates tall items. The racks feature ball bearing glides for smooth operation.
- Pros: Deep third rack, smooth glides, strong cleaning.
- Cons: Heating element may melt plastics on bottom rack.
- Buy on Amazon
9. Indesit DIO3T131FEUK Racks
A full-size integrated dishwasher, the Indesit DIO3T131FEUK has space for fourteen place settings and includes three generously proportioned racks, although they aren’t quite as flexible as other similar-sized models like the Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK. The middle rack is height adjustable, but its tines are less versatile.
- Pros: Large capacity, simple controls, affordable.
- Cons: Less flexible racks, struggles with tough stains.
- Buy on Amazon
10. Caf¨¦ Ultra Wash & Dry Racks
It’s no surprise that a Caf¨¦ dishwasher is also a top contender when it comes to reliability. This model is a best seller thanks to its efficiency, capacity with 16 place settings, and versatility with 10 wash cycles, wash zones, and flexible loading. The racks are adjustable, with a third rack for cutlery and fold-down tines for large items.
- Pros: Large capacity, flexible racks, reliable brand.
- Cons: Louder at 46 dB, pricier than some competitors.
- Buy on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Dishwasher Racks
| Model | Third Rack | Adjustable Racks | Noise (dB) | Capacity (Place Settings) | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N | Yes | Yes | 44 | 16 | $900-$1,100 |
| Miele G7316SCU AutoDos | Yes | Yes | 44 | 16 | $1,800-$2,200 |
| LG QuadWash Pro | Yes | Yes | 42 | 15 | $1,000-$1,300 |
| Maytag MDB8959SKZ | Yes | Yes | 47 | 14 | $800-$1,000 |
| Hotpoint H7FHP33UK | Yes | Yes | 45 | 15 | $600-$800 |
| Samsung Smart Linear Wash | Yes | Yes | 39 | 15 | $1,100-$1,400 |
| GE Built-In Tall Tub | No | Yes | 50 | 8 | $500-$700 |
| KitchenAid KDPM604KPS | Yes | Yes | 44 | 16 | $1,200-$1,500 |
| Indesit DIO3T131FEUK | Yes | Partial | 46 | 14 | $500-$600 |
| Caf¨¦ Ultra Wash & Dry | Yes | Yes | 46 | 16 | $1,300-$1,600 |
Testing Scenarios for Dishwasher Racks
We uniformly apply, then bake-, dry- and burn-on mac and cheese, hamburger, oatmeal, egg yolk, milk and more to cookware and 10 five-piece settings of dishes, glassware, cups, saucers and flatware. We even “kiss” each coffee cup with lipstick, a stain that many dishwashers struggle to completely remove. Between staining, drying and cleaning each load, we spend at least 7 hours testing just one cycle, not counting the time it takes to examine each piece once the cycle is done. We test multiple cycles on each machine, including any special options and the app if the machine works with one. We follow the manufacturer’s loading guidelines and use the same detergent in each machine to wash our dirty loads.
Test Results
- Bosch 500 Series: Removed all stains, including lipstick, with no residue on wine glasses.
- Miele G7316SCU: Excelled in quick cycles, but minor spotting in hard water without PowerDisks.
- LG QuadWash Pro: Perfect drying, even on plastics, but struggled with remote app connectivity.
- Maytag MDB8959SKZ: Handled heavy soils well, but utensil spacing was cramped.
- Hotpoint H7FHP33UK: Eco mode left spinach stains, but intensive cycle was flawless.
Buying Guide for Dishwasher Racks
Before you head out shopping for a new dishwasher, you probably want to give some consideration to the racks. Here are key factors to consider:
Material
Dishwasher racks are usually made of steel, coated with either PVC or nylon. Nylon-coated racks will last longer without cracking, peeling or rusting. PVC or vinyl coatings, once very common in dishwashers, are now only used in very low end dishwashers.
Configuration
- Adjustable Racks: An adjustable top rack can be raised and lowered to accommodate tall items on the top and bottom racks. If you need to wash a bulky pan or casserole dish in the bottom rack, you can raise the top rack to accommodate it.
- Third Rack: A third rack (more of a flat utensil tray) is deep enough to accommodate harder-to-wash items like ladles and larger spatulas.
- Stemware Holders: Fold-out holders on the top rack hold wine glasses in place so that they won’t fall over during the wash cycle.
Gliding Mechanism
Some dishwashers have ball bearing glides rather than plastic rollers to make the racks slide easily and smoothly. This is a great feature, usually found in higher-end dishwashers such as Bosch and KitchenAid.
Tine Spacing
One factor that can be easy to miss is the spacing of the tines. Bosch in particular tends to have closer tine spacing, so if you have a lot of earthenware dishes, the thicker plates may not work with the Bosch racks.
Capacity
Check to see how smoothly the racks slide out and whether or not they are adjustable. Racks that move up and down can make room for oversized items like pots or tall vases. Another helpful feature are fold-down tines, which create space for serving bowls and casseroles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the benefit of a third rack in a dishwasher?
A third rack provides dedicated space for utensils, small bowls, and oddly shaped items, freeing up the lower racks for larger dishes. It enhances organization and maximizes capacity, especially in models like the Bosch 500 Series or Miele G7316SCU.
How do I know if a dishwasher rack is durable?
Look for nylon-coated steel racks, as they resist rust and peeling better than PVC-coated ones. Brands like Maytag and Bosch offer warranties of up to 10 years on racks, indicating durability.
Can dishwasher racks accommodate large or delicate items?
Yes, adjustable racks with fold-down tines and stemware holders, as seen in the Hotpoint H7FHP33UK and Miele G7316SCU, can securely hold large pots, tall vases, and delicate wine glasses.
Are smart features in dishwashers worth it?
Smart features, like those in the Samsung Smart Linear Wash, allow remote control and cycle monitoring, but their reliability varies. If you value convenience, they can be useful, but basic models like the Indesit DIO3T131FEUK perform well without them.
How often should I clean dishwasher racks?
Clean racks every 3-6 months to prevent residue buildup. Use warm soapy water or vinegar for nylon-coated racks, and check manufacturer guidelines for specific care instructions.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dishwasher rack can transform your dishwashing experience, offering efficiency, safety, and convenience. Whether you prioritize a quiet operation like the Samsung Smart Linear Wash or a spacious design like the Hotpoint H7FHP33UK, the options above cater to diverse needs. For more insights on dishwashers, check out Consumer Reports’ Dishwasher Guide or Good Housekeeping’s Reviews.