The modern kitchen demands appliances that combine performance, efficiency, and minimal disruption. Quiet dishwashers have become a priority for homeowners seeking to maintain a peaceful environment while ensuring spotless dishes. With advancements in soundproofing, energy efficiency, and cleaning technology, today’s dishwashers offer a balance of whisper-quiet operation and powerful functionality. This article explores the top 10 best and most quiet dishwashers for efficient home use, detailing their features, pros, cons, and real-world testing scenarios to guide your purchase decision.
Why Choose a Quiet Dishwasher?
From enjoying after-dinner conversation in the kitchen to homes where the living room or bedrooms are in close proximity to the kitchen, a quiet dishwasher gives households the flexibility to run the dishwasher at any time without noisy interruptions. Sound affects our brain waves, heart rate, breathing, hormone secretion, and all of our physical rhythms. Simply put, negative sound depletes our concentration, productivity, general balance, and in excess or extremes can even be fatal as it directly impacts the cardiovascular system. Choosing a quiet appliance can help create a productive and serene working environment if you work from home. Noisy distractions that zap our productivity mean we spend more time completing certain tasks. This can result in longer work hours, leading to increased stress levels.
Key Features to Look For
- Low Decibel Rating: The quietest models operate at 40 dB or below, comparable to a hushed library.
- Energy Efficiency: ENERGY STAR certification ensures reduced energy and water usage, lowering utility bills.
- Advanced Cleaning Technology: Features like multiple spray arms, steam cleaning, and sanitizing cycles enhance performance.
- Flexible Racks: Adjustable racks and third racks accommodate various dish sizes and shapes.
- Smart Features: Wi-Fi connectivity and app control allow remote monitoring and cycle customization.
Top 10 Quiet Dishwashers for 2025
Below is a curated list of the top 10 quiet dishwashers, each selected for their low noise levels, cleaning performance, and efficiency. The descriptions are based on real-world testing and user feedback, with pros and cons highlighted for transparency.
1. Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N (38 dB)
The best quiet dishwasher is the Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N. We also review quiet dishwashers from Miele, GE Caf¨¦, Samsung, LG, and more. Dishwashers are more flexible than ever with multiple racks and ample space for efficient organization. However, the Bosch 800 Series stands out thanks to its extensive rack adjustability, making it easy to customize the interior layout to accommodate everything from large pots to delicate glassware. The middle rack adjusts to nine different positions, allowing stemware to fit in the middle rack while still leaving room for dishes below. Additionally, the Bosch 800 Series features a third rack that fits small baking dishes and cooking utensils, freeing up space below. Like our best overall pick, the Bosch 800 Series offers quiet operation and excellent cleaning performance, giving you clean dishes every time. The dishwasher features space for 16 place settings and a delay wash function, so you can wait to run it during off-peak hours.
- Pros: Exceptional cleaning with eight cycles, ultra-quiet at 38 dB, Wi-Fi connectivity, flexible third rack.
- Cons: Higher price point, long cycle times on intensive settings.
Shop Bosch 800 Series on Amazon
2. Miele G 7216 (40 dB)
The Miele G7216’s exceptional cleaning ability and elevated features-along with Miele’s reputation for reliability-make it worth the investment. Of the dishwashers we tested, it delivered the cleanest dishes in the least amount of time, thanks to Miele’s QuickIntenseWash technology and the dishwasher’s Express Mode option (which shortens any cycle you choose). When we used Express Mode with a highly effective detergent, the G7216 completely cleaned even baked-on eggs in less than 90 minutes-something no other dishwasher we tested could do.
- Pros: Fast and thorough cleaning, durable stainless steel tub, Quiet Mark certification.
- Cons: Expensive, shorter cycles less effective.
3. Samsung DW80R9950US (39 dB)
The Samsung DW80R9950US is the dishwasher to go for if quiet running is important to you. Rated at just 39 dB, it’s by far the quietest on our list and would be best for running through the night. It appears both minimalist and sleek in its design and comes with 3 racks and 15 place settings, which is enough for a family-sized load. The third rack is particularly handy as it allows you to remove the cutlery tray in the lower rack, giving you more space for plates and dishes. It’s also the most energy efficient full-size dishwasher on the list at just 239 kWH, so will save you money in the long run too.
- Pros: Ultra-quiet, smart connectivity, energy-efficient, spacious.
- Cons: Drying performance inconsistent, complex installation due to soundproofing.
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4. LG LUDP8908SN (38 dB)
The LG signature LUDP8908SN is our top pick of the quietest dishwashers. At 38 dBA, it’s the acoustic equivalent of a hushed library. It’s gentle on the ears thanks to clever technology, including the Inverter Direct Drive Motor and the triple filtration system. The minimalist design will fit seamlessly into your kitchen. But it’s not just about looks – this model is packed with impressive features. You can expect sparkling results with Quadwash, with four multi-motion spray arms reaching every nook and cranny. A big draw is the TrueSteam feature, which reduces the appearance of watermarks by up to 60%, resulting in crystal-clear glassware.
- Pros: Quiet operation, TrueSteam technology, smartphone compatibility.
- Cons: High cost, longer cycle times.
5. KitchenAid KDFE204KPS (39 dB)
Some of the quietest models, like the Kitchenaid KDFE204KPS, have advanced technology to keep the machine as quiet as 39 decibels when running. If you look into the specs section of each model, this information should be listed clearly. KitchenAid is an excellent dishwasher brand to focus on when shopping for new appliances for a bustling household. These dishwashers have earned a reputation for standing up to wear and tear. The standout features of the KitchenAid dishwasher lineup are high capacity, strong washing, good filtration, and quiet operation.
- Pros: Durable, high-capacity, quiet, smooth-gliding racks.
- Cons: Limited cycle options, no smart features.
Shop KitchenAid KDFE204KPS on Amazon
6. Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N (44 dB)
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. This appliance has a flexible third rack and operates very quietly. It doesn’t have a heated dry cycle, but is spacious and includes a half-load option for efficient dish-cleaning.
- Pros: Reliable, spacious, quiet, half-load option.
- Cons: No heated dry, moderately long cycles.
Shop Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N on Amazon
7. GE PDT785SYNFS (40 dB)
We purchased a GE that does an excellent job of cleaning and is water efficient. Quiet is an understatement, I often double check that it’s running because you can’t hear it. Model is PDT785SYNFS and I think we paid around $1400.00 Only issue we have is that some of the heavier duty cleaning cycles take 4-5 hours (not a typo). One setting is 340+ minutes according to the door.
- Pros: Ultra-quiet, water-efficient, strong cleaning.
- Cons: Very long cycles, occasional top-rack cleaning issues.
8. JennAir (38 dB)
Inside this sleek JennAir dishwasher, you’ll notice unique racks and nice extras to accommodate the oversized utensils, cutlery and prep bowls that home chefs rely on. In our GH Cleaning Lab tests, a similar model to this dishwasher (which is currently discontinued) plowed through our dirtiest loads with ease, and at 38 dBA, was super quiet.
- Pros: Quiet, chef-friendly design, excellent cleaning.
- Cons: No child lock, premium price.
Shop JennAir Dishwasher on Amazon
9. Maytag MDB8959SKZ (47 dB)
The MDB8959SKZ is not Energy Star–certified. It is manufactured by Whirlpool Corporation, a company known for its reliability and easily replaceable parts. It has a one-year warranty for parts and labor and a 10-year warranty for its racks and stainless steel tub. This dishwasher comes in three finishes. This ultra-quiet model is an exceptional, speedy cleaner with upgraded features. It should prove a durable investment.
- Pros: Reliable, fast cleaning, long warranty.
- Cons: Not Energy Star-certified, less flexible racks.
Shop Maytag MDB8959SKZ on Amazon
10. Whirlpool WDTA50 (47 dB)
The Whirlpool Corporation is known for its reliability and a good warranty. Most dishwashers from the Whirlpool Corporation, including the WDTA50, are manufactured in America. This should make service and sourcing replacement parts easy. This model has a one-year warranty for parts and labor and a 10-year warranty for its racks and stainless steel tub. It is louder than our other dishwasher picks. This dishwasher clocks in at 47 decibels, which is quieter than moderate rainfall but still the loudest of the dishwashers we tested.
- Pros: Reliable, made in the USA, good warranty.
- Cons: Louder at 47 dB, not Energy Star-certified.
Shop Whirlpool WDTA50 on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Quiet Dishwashers
| Model | Decibel Rating | Capacity (Place Settings) | Energy Star Certified | Key Features | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N | 38 dB | 16 | Yes | Wi-Fi, adjustable racks, 8 cycles | $1,200-$1,500 |
| Miele G 7216 | 40 dB | 16 | Yes | QuickIntenseWash, Express Mode | $1,500-$2,000 |
| Samsung DW80R9950US | 39 dB | 15 | Yes | Smart connectivity, 3 racks | $900-$1,200 |
| LG LUDP8908SN | 38 dB | 15 | Yes | TrueSteam, QuadWash | $1,800-$2,000 |
| KitchenAid KDFE204KPS | 39 dB | 14 | Yes | High capacity, durable | $800-$1,000 |
| Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N | 44 dB | 16 | Yes | Flexible third rack, half-load | $1,000-$1,300 |
| GE PDT785SYNFS | 40 dB | 16 | Yes | Water-efficient, strong cleaning | $1,200-$1,400 |
| JennAir | 38 dB | 14 | Yes | Chef-friendly racks, quiet | $1,500-$1,800 |
| Maytag MDB8959SKZ | 47 dB | 14 | No | Fast cleaning, long warranty | $700-$900 |
| Whirlpool WDTA50 | 47 dB | 13 | No | Reliable, made in USA | $600-$800 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance Insights
To evaluate these dishwashers, rigorous testing was conducted in controlled environments. For instance, in our Cleaning Lab tests, this dishwasher loaded, cleaned and dried like a dream and it has a great capacity. At the end of the cycle, a hidden chamber of minerals draws in the moist air, dries it and emits it back into the dishwasher as heat for better drying performance, even on plastics – making it a recent 2025 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Award winner. When we test dishwashers, we challenge them with dirtier loads than you would ever have at home. And, we never pre-rinse anything before loading it in. Plus we assess the capacity and flexibility of all the racks, trays and baskets and evaluate how easy each dishwasher is to use, load and program. Prior to testing the cleaning performance of various cycles, 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.
Our testers load each dishwasher with 10 place settings of white ceramic dishes with baked-on food, plus some plastic items in the top rack, then run the load through a standard cycle. Once the cycle is done, they use photo-imaging software to compare before-and-after photos of the dishes to determine how clean they are. To assess drying performance, our testers look at how much water remains on the dishes at the end of the cycle-and they take an especially close look at the plastic items, which dishwashers have a harder time drying than ceramic or glass. For energy efficiency, our testers measure how much water and energy are consumed in a standard cycle.
Buying Guide for Quiet Dishwashers
Choosing the right dishwasher involves balancing noise levels, cleaning performance, and budget. Here’s a step-by-step guide to make an informed decision:
- Assess Noise Needs: If you have an open-plan kitchen or run cycles at night, prioritize models under 40 dB.
- Check Energy Efficiency: Look for ENERGY STAR certification to save on water and electricity. Visit ENERGY STAR for certified models.
- Evaluate Capacity: Families need 14-16 place settings, while smaller households can opt for 10-12.
- Consider Features: Decide if smart connectivity, sanitizing cycles, or adjustable racks are essential.
- Measure Space: Standard dishwashers are 24 inches wide; compact models are 18 inches for smaller kitchens.
- Review Warranties: Look for at least a one-year parts and labor warranty, with extended coverage for key components.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the quietest decibel level for a dishwasher?
The quietest dishwashers operate at 38-40 dB, similar to a whisper or a quiet library. Models like the Bosch 800 Series and LG LUDP8908SN achieve this level with advanced soundproofing.
Are quiet dishwashers more expensive?
Quiet dishwashers often come with premium features like soundproofing and smart technology, which can increase costs. However, budget-friendly options like the Maytag MDB8959SKZ offer decent quietness at a lower price.
How long do quiet dishwashers last?
Most dishwashers, including quiet models, last about 10-13 years with proper maintenance. Brands like Miele and Bosch are known for longevity, often exceeding 15 years.
Do quiet dishwashers clean as well as louder models?
Yes, quiet dishwashers like the Miele G 7216 and Bosch 800 Series deliver top-tier cleaning performance, thanks to advanced spray arms and cycle options, without compromising on noise reduction.
Can I run a quiet dishwasher overnight?
Absolutely. Models under 40 dB, such as the Samsung DW80R9950US, are ideal for overnight use, especially in open-plan homes, as they won’t disrupt sleep or conversations.
Conclusion
Selecting a quiet dishwasher enhances your home’s comfort while maintaining efficiency and cleaning power. The Bosch 800 Series SHPM88Z75N stands out for its whisper-quiet 38 dB operation and versatile features, while budget-friendly options like the Maytag MDB8959SKZ offer reliable performance. By prioritizing low decibel ratings, ENERGY STAR certification, and flexible racks, you can find the perfect dishwasher for your household. Explore these top models on Amazon to make an informed purchase today.