Dishwasher Buying Guide

Outfitting your kitchen with an energy-efficient dishwasher is one of the easiest ways to save time and money. Whether you're looking to upgrade an existing model, shopping for a new home, or you're just sick of doing dishes by hand, you've come to the right place.

Installing an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher can save more than 230 hours and around $100 every year, compared to hand washing. Keep reading to figure out what you need to know to start saving.

Most dishwashers are one of two sizes: 18 or 24 inches. The two sizes of dishwashers differ only in width. They share a standard 34" height and 24" depth dimension. If you need something slightly smaller, look for an ADA Compliant dishwasher. These units share the same width and depth as standard 18 and 24-inch models but are only 32" high.

• Countertop Dishwashers: up to 6 place settings
• 18 Inch Dishwashers: 8-10 place settings
• Portable Dishwashers: 8-12 place settings
• 24 Inch Dishwashers: 12-16 place settings
• Single/Double Dish Drawers: 7-14 place settings

The most common type of dishwasher is a built-in model. Built-in dishwashers are designed to be installed under your countertop. They have unfinished sides and require a hardwired or plug-in installation by a licensed electrician.

If you don't have room for a built-in model, consider a portable dishwasher. These free-standing models usually sit on casters and can be wheeled in and out of place as needed. They include two hoses. The first connects to your sink's faucet, providing water for the wash. Typically this requires a faucet with a threaded spout. If you have a faucet with a built-in sprayer, it's often possible to replace the sprayer with an appropriate adapter when you want to use the dishwasher. The portable dishwasher's second hose delivers wastewater back to the sink for draining. Both hoses and the dishwasher's electric cord store neatly behind the unit.

Portable dishwashers offer finished sides and often rest beneath a laminate surface. Portable dishwashers can be converted into built-in dishwashers by removing the exterior walls and rollers. The versatile nature of a portable dishwasher makes them ideal for apartments, older homes, and mobile homes. They can provide extra counter space when preparing a meal and wheel out of the way when they aren't needed.

Countertop dishwashers are typically around 22" wide x 17" high x 20" deep, weighing roughly 50 lbs. They need to be placed near a sink because, like portable dishwashers, they use hoses to pull water from a faucet and to empty waste water into a drain. So make sure you have counter space near your sink to spare before purchasing one of these models. If you want to free up that space when it's not in use, make sure you have a suitable storage location for it as well.

While countertop dishwashers can be convenient, they have a few drawbacks. As you might expect, they generally do not come with as many options as full sized models. Their size also prevents them from accommodating larger pots and pans, requiring you to wash these items by hand. Lastly, countertop dishwashers tend to be louder than most built-in models, ranging from 52 to 58 dB. Even with these shortcomings, countertop dishwashers can be a great option for renters, especially because you can bring them with you if you decide to move.

Dish-drawers started making their appearance in the US in 1997. Their innovative design splits the upper and lower racks of a standard dishwasher into two independent appliances. Instead of opening with a hinged door, dish drawers slide out for easy loading and unloading. This design is especially useful for those who have trouble bending down. And because dish drawers can run at the same time or independently, water consumption per drawer is considerably less than a regular dishwasher, as is overall consumption.

Choose from double and single drawer designs. Double drawer dishwashers are conveniently sized to fit standard dishwasher cutouts. Single drawer models are the same width as a standard dishwasher but half the height. If a single drawer dishwasher sounds like a good fit for your home, you can repurpose some of the space used for your old dishwasher with more cabinet space.

Like most kitchen appliances, dishwasher manufacturers stick to familiar finishes: white, black, stainless steel, and black stainless steel. However, if you're looking for something different, other colors are available. If you can't find the perfect finish, consider a panel-ready dishwasher. This will allow you to customize your dishwasher front to match the surrounding cabinets and door hardware, but feel free to spice things up with something more unique.

Once you've decided on a finish for your new dishwasher, consider the placement of its control panel. Front controls make it easy to monitor the progress of a cycle. Top-mounted controls, on the other hand, provide a sleek front panel that can give your kitchen a sophisticated look. Stylish as they may be, it can be difficult to know when top control dishwashers are running. In response to this concern, some brands offer a small indicator light on the floor or on the front panel so you can know where your dishwasher is at in the cycle.

Handles are another consideration that factor in the exterior appearance of your new dishwasher. Choose between a bar handle to match the handles of other appliances that also doubles as a towel bar, or a recessed handle that eliminates the need to match appliance fronts. Either way, both handles come in a variety of styles to choose from.

Dishwasher tubs are made primarily with either stainless steel or plastic. Stainless steel tubs are more resistant to stains and odors than plastic tubs. They are also better at heat retention, allowing dishes to dry more effectively. And though stainless steel is more durable, advancements in materials and technology have eradicated the concerns once associated with plastic dishwasher tubs. In addition, there is also the option of a hybrid tub which consists of a stainless steel interior complimented by a plastic liner situated at the bottom. This ingenious combination combines the longevity associated with stainless steel while harnessing the advantages of plastic.

Dishwasher racks are the best way to get the most out of your dishwasher. A well-organized rack ensures that each plate glass or utensil receives the right amount of water for squeaky clean dishes. Most dishwashers come with a standard upper and lower rack consisting of standing tines and a silverware basket; with that said, there are other rack options available that can elevate the dishwashing experience like adjustable racks which allow you to customize the layout of the dishwasher to make room for taller items. Third-row racks provide more flexibility and free up bottom rack storage in addition if slotted correctly silverware comes out cleaner because it is not crammed inside a basket. Lastly, folding and adjustable tines allow you to customize your rack space to the size and shape of your dishes as well as help keep odd-sized glasses and bowls in place. If you're hoping to squeeze every last bit of space out of your existing model, check out our guide to the best way you can load a dishwasher. And if you're still looking for a little more guidance, then check out our picks for the best dishwashers of 2025 from our appliance experts.

Dishwashers are often broken down into three price ranges:

Just because they're affordable, doesn't mean they can't clean. These inexpensive dishwashers often come with plastic tubs and limited cycle options. Finding an adjustable rack in this price range is also rare. Plus, these models are often louder than more expensive models.

Nearly every dishwasher in this range includes a soil sensor. Adjustable racks and stainless steel tubs are also very common. Dishwashers in this price range also tend to be a good deal quieter than less expensive models.

If you want a catalog of wash cycles and the latest and greatest features, expect a four-digit price tag. Models in this price range will include features like Wi-Fi connectivity and special wash zones.

Still want to learn more about dishwashers? Below, we've answered the most asked questions about these kitchen appliances so you can take one home today and get a better cleaning experience.

A standard dishwasher model can service you for about 10-12 years, but if you keep up proper maintenance and cleaning, you may be able to stretch your appliance's lifespan to 15 years.

No, not all dishwashers are built the same size. The most common sizes you'll find are 24-inch models, as they are the standard for many households. However, you can find sizes as small as 18 inches should you need a compact appliance for a smaller home.

Compared to hand-washing your dishes, dishwashers are definitely more efficient in saving water. Furthermore, if saving water is a priority for you, you may be seeking an environmentally efficient dishwasher. In that case, keep an eye out for Energy Star-rated models on our site.

How much electricity a dishwasher uses varies from model to model. Typically, your average dishwasher will require a minimum of 1200 watts of electricity to operate. If you want to know the wattage of the dishwasher you're considering, this information can be found in the specifications of the product. If reducing electricity use in the household is a priority for you, once again, explore the dishwasher models available in our Energy Star Center.

Truthfully, there is no definitive "best brand" to look for when it comes to dishwashers. The "best brand" for you depends on what features or functions you're looking for in an appliance. However, we can say that one of the top dishwasher brands we offer is Bosch, as they're known to manufacture fairly quiet, but powerful appliances.

If you're shopping for a new dishwasher and keep seeing the abbreviation "dBA", the number beside it is a measurement of how loud the appliance is when it operates. dBA, specifically, stands for "A-weighted decibels". The higher the dBA number is, the more noise your appliance will make.