Best dishwashers 2023: our expert picks of the best

Dishwashers are an underappreciated appliance. If you're getting by without one, you know that washing by hand is a tedious chore that plays havoc on your hands. The best dishwashers will quietly and quickly clean dishes and glasses for you. It shouldn’t get more complicated than that, but a bad dishwasher can be more inconvenient than no dishwasher at all. That’s why it’s important to invest in the best.

Short of turning my kitchen into an industrial dishwasher unit, I’ve thoroughly researched the best dishwashers on the market. I also have hands-on experience with the Fisher Paykel and Bosch dishwashers. As in our guide to the best washing machines, I’ve rigorously examined a range of customer and professional reviews, assessed expert information, and followed up on some of the magnificent claims made by each brand. 

Not only have I found the best dishwasher you can buy - the Miele G 7566 SCVi SF -  but I’ve also found the best for different needs. Whether you want your dishwasher to be smart, quiet, large, small, or a drying specialist, it’s on my list.

The Quick List

If you want a top-quality dishwasher, but you're in a hurry, here's a summary of our top picks. There's more details below.

Best dishwashers 2023

Best dishwasher overall

Miele consistently delivers premium products and this dishwasher is no exception. Designed to make dishwashing effortless, the AutoDos system automatically dispenses detergent, and holds enough for twenty cycles. This thrives at busy times of year, or when you’re entertaining, because rather than overpour the detergent with back-to-back loads, the dishwasher regulates how much detergent you need. The result: less of an overflow of suds.

The range of cycle settings all perform exceptionally well. The QuickIntenseWash is a favorite amongst users. It takes just under an hour and tackles the toughest foods effortlessly. The Ecostart setting runs when utility rates are lower, and the auto-open arms ensure that you don’t have dishes sitting in damp for long periods of time. The SaniWash and IntenseZone receive lots of praise from reviewers with families too, because they can reach high temperatures and tough soils, making your dishes sanitary again. Users also like the adjustable shelves, which can make the most of this washer’s capacity.

Premium performance comes with a price tag close to $3,000. Some suggest the Bosch 800, the second in this roundup, as a comparable dishwasher, but for less money. It’s also worth noting that this has a cutlery tray, not a basket, so you’ll need to be organized when loading, because each utensil needs to be lined up, rather than loaded in a big bundle. 

Best dishwasher for drying

This is one of the dishwashers that I have used. Often touted by reviewers as the less expensive version of the Miele, this dishwasher comes in at a close second. That’s thanks to the incredibly efficient CrystalDry technology. No gimmick, CrystalDry works using a mineral that takes in water and releases heat rather than drying with heating elements. Users consistently found that CrystalDry is effective. I’m used to finding pools of water in the tops of dishes or having plates that still feel a bit damp, but not with the Bosch. The only time I had damp dishes was when I made a mistake loading a bowl, so just make sure not to overfill the dishwasher.

The cleaning power is close to faultless: I never experienced any grease or redeposit on dishes or glasses. It’s really easy to reposition the middle rack for larger items such as vases. The cycles are very quick: the Express takes 30 minutes and the Heavy cycle takes 135 minutes. It’s also ADA compliant, so has great accessibility features: a lower height, it can be used with one hand, and doesn’t need a great deal of force to set. Reviewers also note how quiet it is.

This is in second position because it has some minor redeposit problems. This only came up amongst reviewers in their analysis, so is unlikely to affect the average user. In fact, this is one of the dishwashers that I have used and I never noticed any redeposit problems. However, it’s in the statistics, so it would be remiss of me to exclude. Make sure to check your cabinet sizes before installing the washing machine, because it’s a little shorter than average. It’ll only be by around an inch, but this could affect the noise and appearance. 

Best affordable dishwasher

If you’re looking to save some money, or don’t need smart technology, this is a good option. Reviewers all agree that it washes well. The drying fan technology is a little more temperamental, but overall, to clean and dry dishes, this is reliable. The second of the three racks is adjustable, so it can accommodate larger pots and pans, and although some users said that it felt a little flimsy, this is a useful feature. It looks smart and the fingerprint resistant stainless steel helps to keep your dishwasher looking good.

This features a range of cycles, but the deep cleans take longer than two hours. Timings are inconsistent on reviews, so if you’re looking for speed, this isn’t for you. Although the name claims that this is a quiet dishwasher, it's louder than the others on this list. 

Best smart dishwasher

I often open my dishwasher, mid-cycle, thinking it’s finished, or adding a dish in at the last minute. LG’s smart technology is the solution to this problem. The built-in WiFi and SmartThinQ app means you can monitor your cycle status and avoid interrupting the cycle. You can also receive notifications about maintenance on your phone to make sure your LG is always performing at its best.

LG boasts QuadWash technology, which means that they use four spray arms rather than the standard two. It’s effective, because users and reviewers alike think that it delivers better results than competitors. With steam technology to prevent watermarks and help to remove dried-on foods, this produces sparkling dishes. It’s also handy to have an adjustable rack  so you can put bigger items inside.

The tines and racks are adjustable, but some users said that they feel flimsy, which, for the price, isn’t ideal. It doesn’t dry utensils as well as the Bosch and is a little on the small side.

Best looking dishwasher

There’s a theme with Café appliances: they look beautiful. If you don’t have the budget for a built-in dishwasher or for a cabinet panel, this dishwasher looks good no matter what. It’s incredibly customisable for the price. There's three different body colors and 6 different hardware finishes. That means you can match your decor, whether it’s from GE or not. I love that it is available as a drawer dishwasher, so if you’re short on space, you can opt for that instead.

The price is reasonable and users all felt that it came with a good finish. It’s consistently praised for both how quiet it is and how lovely it looks. It cleans well, has three racks, but users caution not to overload it, because you compromise on wash-quality. The LCD screen is a useful addition, because you can track the wash’s cycle.

In user reviews, the majority of people were pleased with the clean. However, it struggled with tough foods, which is poor for the price, so tended to score a little lower on the ‘value’ aspect. 

Best drawer dishwasher

Fisher Paykel caters to smaller spaces and singletons, or people who would rather get a mini wash done if they’re hosting a party, for example. You can put these drawers together or individually. I have experience using the double and I loved it.

These look great, as you can customize the handle and choose whether it’s recessed or straight. These feel seamless among kitchen drawers; you just pull them out and load them up. This hingeless opening is really useful if you are short on space around an island, for example, because they don’t block the way. They’re also great because you don’t need to bend all the way down to use them, which is both convenient and makes for clever futureproofing as you get older. This dishwasher cleans well and has a range of settings, albeit a little more basic than the Miele. You can put the drawers on separate cycles at different times, so it’s less wasteful if you want to run a smaller load. It’s really quiet too, which is a welcome change for dishwashers.

The standard height of a dishwasher level is about 32 inches, so you lose two inches when you have a drawer. This can make a big difference if you have large dishes or bowls which you need to fit in. I would recommend rinsing dishes quite well if you are filling the drawer, because I found that it had some redistribution issues. Nothing major, but it’s good practice to rinse your plates anyway.

Best dishwasher for sustainability

Beko dishwashers are experts at cleaning with matching claims for sustainability and style. Lots of customers commented on how well these compact dishwashers perform. I'd put this down to their CornerIntense technology, which moves the water jets in squares, rather than circles, meaning every part of the dishwasher gets sprayed. 

They have an Energy Star rating, meaning that it'll be kind to your utilities. Although, your dishes might not come out as dry as they would have with a Bosch. Some customers found pools of water on their dishes when they opened their dishwasher. 

As for your ears, this is really quiet. Lots of customers marvelled at the almost noiseless 48 dBA machine. It's one of the best on the market. You don't pay the price for it either, as these dishwashers cost around $700, but are often reduced in sales.

The main issues that I could find were limiting capacity: big families needed a little more space from their dishwasher, but the height-adjustable shelves somewhat help. Aside from a lack of smart features, which you probably wouldn't expect for this price, there's little to fault.

How We Research

Dishwashers are difficult to test, but  I have hands-on experience using both the Bosch and Fisher & Paykel appliances. As for the others, I have extensively researched all the dishwashers on the market. I read through expert and customer reviews to determine whether these dishwashers lived up to their claims. Plenty of other dishwashers made it to this stage and fell down on customer testimonials. If readers find it confusing to use, poor at drying, or even slightly too loud, it won’t make it into my guide. I’ve only included the very best dishwashers. For more about how we test, visit our dedicated page.  

FAQs

There’s a lot to consider when buying a dishwasher. The three key aspects I would think about are capacity, reliability, and appearance. If you're a big household, you'll want a lot of space, if you're a single person who would struggle to fill a dishwasher, you'll want a smaller capacity drawer. Once you've sorted what size you need, you'll want a reliable appliance: one which will clean your dishes to a consistently high standard. For me, it's important that the dishwasher looks elegant and smart amongst the countertops too. If they look clumsy, they can ruin a kitchen's aesthetics.