A high-quality dishwasher is one of the best investments you can make for your home, offering benefits that extend far beyond basic convenience. In addition to eliminating the tedious task of hand-washing dishes, today’s best models use advanced technology to save you money on water and energy. Modern dishwashers deliver consistently spotless results thanks to advanced features like soil sensors, efficient drying systems, multiple wash zones, adjustable racks, and energy-saving cycles. For instance, these machines can clean a full load.connector-top-10-best-cleaning-dishwashers-for-spotless-dishes-in-2025 of dishes using just a few gallons of water-significantly less than the 20+ gallons it takes to wash dishes by hand, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Meanwhile, Energy Star certification ensures they meet strict efficiency guidelines, though all modern dishwashers are very efficient.
Top 10 Dishwashers for 2025
1. Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N
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. He says it’s so quiet that he can hardly hear it, even in the kitchen. He often has to check the InfoLight below the handle to ensure it’s on, which he says is a good visual indicator, and is especially welcome for something that runs so quietly. He even tested it to check the decibel level, which he registered at between 47-50 dB, slightly higher than the 44 decibels claimed by Bosch. With an overall rating of 4.6/5 stars out of 9,760 reviews at Lowes, consumers are generally thrilled with this dishwasher cleaning performance and reliability, noting that it’s exceptionally quiet in use. Plus, the third rack and the flexibility of rack height and foldable tines are especially appreciated. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Quiet operation (44 dBA), third rack for utensils, adjustable racks, excellent cleaning performance, reliable brand.
- Cons: Slightly higher noise level than claimed, controls may require firm touch.
2. Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP
The Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP is one of the best dishwashers, offering great cleaning, sleek design, and functionality. With some high-end models, you pay for a dishwasher’s look and style, not increased cleaning performance. That’s not true with the G 5266. During testing, it delivered nearly spotless dishes with no redeposit. A gorgeous upmarket look complements this dishwasher’s excellent cleaning skills and quiet, 39-decibel operation. Its controls can sometimes be unresponsive or too sensitive, and some options are only accessible via the app. While offloading options allows for a simpler control panel on the device, it puts them out of reach for those who never open the app. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Superior cleaning, quiet (39 dBA), sleek design, AutoOpen drying feature.
- Cons: Expensive, some controls app-dependent, less comprehensive warranty than claimed lifespan.
3. LG Signature LDP6810SS
If shopping for a dishwasher gives you sticker shock, look no further than this model from LG. It’s hard to find a model priced at only $500 with so many high-end touches, but LG managed to do it. First, you’ll notice the stainless steel interior and fingerprint-resistant front panel, something more expensive models don’t always offer. Its discreet control panel lights up when you press the buttons and we found it very easy to read and navigate. This LG did a great job cleaning and drying our test loads and even removing lipstick from the rims of the cups. Two options it offers are Flex Zone which allows you to adjust the wash intensity to the racks where you’ve put the dirtiest dishes and Night Dry to help vent steam from the tub overnight for better drying. All these benefits made it an easy decision for us to name it a winner in our last Good Housekeeping Best Kitchen Gear Awards. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Affordable, stainless steel interior, excellent cleaning and drying, user-friendly controls.
- Cons: Limited capacity compared to larger models, some cycles may be lengthy.
4. Samsung DW80CG4021SR
The Samsung DW80CG4021SR has a sleek, modern design for an affordable dishwasher. Aside from its bold handle, it features an otherwise clean facade with the digital touch controls hidden on the top of the stainless-steel door. Operating at just 39 decibels, this Samsung dishwasher is the quietest on our list (and one of the quietest on the market), but its performance is still top-notch. It has a unique sliding spray bar that ensures total coverage of dirty dishes, AquaBlast jets that clean from corner to corner and a Zone Booster option that provides an extra water stream at the bottom left of the appliance for that harder-to-tackle cookware. The dishwasher is big enough to fit up to 15 place settings, and the third rack provides extra space for silverware or mixing spoons and other oversized utensils. It also has integrated Wi-Fi that allows you to control and monitor the machine remotely. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Quiet (39 dBA), Wi-Fi connectivity, AutoRelease drying, spacious interior.
- Cons: Drying performance mixed for plastics, longer cycle times.
5. KitchenAid KDTM404KPS
With 4.5/5 stars on Best Buy, reviewers raved about the capacity, noise and overall cleaning performance on offer from this machine. The recessed handle proved to be a welcome feature too, along with the third rack. This model features KitchenAid’s ProWash system that senses soil levels and adjusts the time and temperature of the wash cycle. In addition, it has lots of other helpful cycles including Sani-Rinse and Express Wash. And when it’s running it so quiet you’ll probably have to take a peek at the top controls if you don’t remember whether or not you turned it on. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Quiet operation, ProWash system, third rack, multiple cycle options.
- Cons: Higher price point, some users report rack arrangement issues.
6. Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N
This is one of the roomiest models around, making it ideal if you have a large family or entertain often. Not only can it hold a lot, but the rack configuration makes it easy to fit in plates of all sizes as well as oversized bowls and platters. You won’t find yourself with a few extra pieces or a clunky serving piece to hand wash. The GE also solves the problem of cleaning vases, water bottles and empty mayonnaise jars. In the upper rack, jets spray water directly into these hard-to-clean items to make sure they come out spotless. GE also promises that its drying system will get everything, including plastics dry, so you can put everything away straight from the dishwasher. Among this dishwasher’s cycles are a sanitizing one and a quick one-hour wash. It has a stainless-steel interior and a third rack. With a 45dBA rating, it’s fairly quiet when it’s running. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Large capacity, quiet (45 dBA), bottle jets, sanitizing cycle.
- Cons: Rack tines may be too close for thick plates, longer auto cycle.
7. Whirlpool WDT750SAKZ
While the Whirlpool WDT750SAKZ is able to thoroughly remove difficult, baked-on stains, both the Normal and Heavy cycles have extremely long cycle times (nearly three hours and four hours, respectively) so it may be best to typically run this dishwasher overnight. The Quick Wash cycle does stick to its one-hour promise, but is best for less soiled dishes. For its price, it performs quite well, is reasonably quiet, and has a great look. The dishwasher itself is pretty basic, but if you don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles, you’ll appreciate the cleaning power and functionality of the Whirlpool WDT750SAKZ. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Strong cleaning, affordable, stainless steel tub, quiet operation.
- Cons: Long cycle times, basic features, mixed drying performance on plastics.
8. Maytag MDB4949SKZ
The Maytag MDB4949SKZ is one of the consistently highest user-rated dishwashers on this list, and it is frequently on sale. You won’t be disappointed in this dishwasher’s Auto cycle, which cleared away over 97% of our test stains. Where this dishwasher stands out is its Heated Dry mode, which was able to get an entire load of dishes completely dry after a wash cycle. Many affordable dishwashers struggle in particular with completely drying dishes. This Maytag is one of the better affordable options for anyone who hates wet dishes. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Excellent drying, affordable, high user ratings, reliable cleaning.
- Cons: Noisy compared to premium models, limited advanced features.
9. Beko DUT25401X
After testing the best affordable dishwashers, our evaluation found that the Beko DUT25401X offers the most value for its price by a large margin. It gets dishes spotless, but it won’t clean out your bank account. The Beko DUT25401X dishwasher features convenient racks that flip down for larger kitchen utensils. The Beko DUT25401X offers excellent, energy-efficient performance and an incredibly low price tag. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Budget-friendly, energy-efficient, strong cleaning, adjustable racks.
- Cons: Less known brand, limited availability, basic design.
10. GE Profile PDT715SYNFS
This is one of the roomiest models around, making it ideal if you have a large family or entertain often. Not only can it hold a lot, but the rack configuration makes it easy to fit in plates of all sizes as well as oversized bowls and platters. You won’t find yourself with a few extra pieces or a clunky serving piece to hand wash. The GE also solves the problem of cleaning vases, water bottles and empty mayonnaise jars. In the upper rack, jets spray water directly into these hard-to-clean items to make sure they come out spotless. GE also promises that its drying system will get everything, including plastics dry, so you can put everything away straight from the dishwasher. Shop on Amazon
- Pros: Spacious, bottle jets, excellent drying, sanitizing cycle.
- Cons: Higher price, some users report noise issues.
Comparison Table of Top Dishwashers
Model | Noise Level (dBA) | Capacity (Place Settings) | Key Features | Price Range |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N | 44 | 16 | Third rack, InfoLight, adjustable racks | $900-$1,100 |
Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP | 39 | 14 | AutoOpen drying, ExtraClean, stainless steel tub | $1,800-$2,200 |
LG Signature LDP6810SS | 46 | 14 | Flex Zone, Night Dry, fingerprint-resistant | $500-$700 |
Samsung DW80CG4021SR | 39 | 15 | Wi-Fi, AutoRelease drying, AquaBlast jets | $600-$800 |
KitchenAid KDTM404KPS | 44 | 16 | ProWash system, Sani-Rinse, third rack | $1,000-$1,300 |
Bosch 300 Series SHEM63W55N | 45 | 16 | Bottle jets, sanitizing cycle, third rack | $800-$1,000 |
Whirlpool WDT750SAKZ | 47 | 15 | Quick Wash, stainless steel tub | $600-$800 |
Maytag MDB4949SKZ | 50 | 14 | Heated Dry, Auto cycle, high user ratings | $500-$700 |
Beko DUT25401X | 48 | 14 | Energy-efficient, adjustable racks | $400-$600 |
GE Profile PDT715SYNFS | 45 | 16 | Bottle jets, sanitizing cycle, spacious | $1,000-$1,200 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N
In our Cleaning Lab tests, this dishwasher loaded, cleaned and dried like a dream and it has a great capacity. When it came to capacity, we fit in our full 110-piece test load plus an additional nine glasses and one extra dinner plate. It’s super quiet, so there’s a light that shines on the floor to let you know what stage it’s in. The only hiccup we could find was that the controls needed a firm touch to engage but with practice, it got easier. 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.
Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP
During testing, it delivered nearly spotless dishes with no redeposit. The ability to detect soil levels also is helpful with getting dishes sparkling clean. The Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP is one of the best dishwashers, offering great cleaning, sleek design, and functionality. With some high-end models, you pay for a dishwasher’s look and style, not increased cleaning performance. That’s not true with the G 5266.
LG Signature LDP6810SS
This LG did a great job cleaning and drying our test loads and even removing lipstick from the rims of the cups. Two options it offers are Flex Zone which allows you to adjust the wash intensity to the racks where you’ve put the dirtiest dishes and Night Dry to help vent steam from the tub overnight for better drying.
Buying Guide for Dishwashers
- Capacity: Full-size dishwashers typically have the capacity to hold 14 to 16 place settings. Loading a dishwasher can be an art, and it’s the instigating factor of many post-meal arguments. Here are the basics: Plates and serving dishes on the bottom rack, glasses and bowls on the top rack, and, if you have one, serving spoons, spatulas, and other larger utensils on the third rack. If there’s one rule to go by, don’t overload your dishwasher. If there are too many dishes crammed in, the water from the spray arm won’t be able to reach, and consequently, clean all the dishes.
- Noise Level: The best dishwashers can get dishes squeaky clean and almost completely dry while using minimal water and energy and running quietly enough that you forget they’re running at all. The trick is finding a reliable machine that does all of the above, offers convenient features that suit your needs, and fits within your budget.
- Energy Efficiency: Almost any dishwasher will use less water to clean a load of dishes than if you washed them by hand. Most dishwashers have soil sensors, which detect how dirty dishes are and determine how much water and time are needed to get them clean. In CR’s tests, we measure both the amount of water and energy consumed in a standard wash cycle to assess how energy-efficient a dishwasher is. But you can also look for the Energy Star designation. Hundreds of current dishwasher models qualify for this designation created by the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. It indicates that the appliance uses an average of 3.5 gallons or less in a cycle.
- Features: Modern dishwashers come with a surprising array of features, including a third rack at the top for smaller, flatter items, adjustable upper primary rack, soil sensor, Wi-Fi connectivity, foldable tines, and more. The question is: How much are you willing to spend for these additional features?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dishwasher brand for reliability?
Bosch and Miele consistently rank among the most reliable brands, with fewer reported issues in consumer surveys. Bosch offers a two-year warranty, while Miele is known for longevity, often lasting 10-15 years with proper care.
Do I need to pre-rinse dishes before loading them?
No, most modern dishwashers with soil sensors can handle dirty dishes without pre-rinsing. Scraping off large food particles is sufficient to ensure optimal cleaning and prevent clogging.
How often should I clean my dishwasher?
Clean your dishwasher every 1-2 months using a dishwasher cleaner to remove limescale, grease, and mold. Regular maintenance, like cleaning the filter, extends the machine’s lifespan.
Are Energy Star-certified dishwashers worth it?
Yes, Energy Star-certified dishwashers use less water and energy, saving you money over time. However, even non-certified modern dishwashers are highly efficient compared to hand-washing.
Can dishwashers dry plastics effectively?
Dishwashers with heated dry cycles or auto-open doors (like Samsung’s AutoRelease) perform better at drying plastics. Models without these features may leave plastics slightly damp.
Conclusion
Choosing the right dishwasher involves balancing performance, features, and budget. The Bosch 500 Series SHP65CM5N stands out for its quiet operation and reliability, while the Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP offers premium cleaning and design. For budget-conscious buyers, the LG Signature LDP6810SS and Beko DUT25401X deliver excellent value. By considering capacity, noise level, and energy efficiency, you can find a dishwasher that keeps your dishes spotless and your kitchen efficient. For more insights on home appliances, check out Consumer Reports or Good Housekeeping.