Best High-End Dishwashers

Consumer Reports’ test engineers spend 28 hours testing each dishwasher. To evaluate cleaning performance, dishes are put through a proprietary test that uses photo imaging to determine precisely how clean they are after a normal-equivalent cycle full of dishes with baked-on food. 

In addition, testers measure energy use and water consumption throughout the process, and they assess how well the dishwasher dries by checking the remaining moisture on plastics, which are more difficult to dry than glass and ceramic. A listening panel evaluates noise levels throughout, judging its propensity to disturb your TV viewing or conversations.

Miele, Bosch, and Thermador top our list for the most trustworthy high-end dishwasher brands, all nabbing excellent or near-excellent predicted reliability and owner satisfaction ratings in our latest CR member surveys. It’s no shocker, then, that all three offer some of the best dishwashers in this price range. 

Ikea and Whirlpool dishwashers are also expected to treat you well during the first five years of ownership. On the flipside, you may want to avoid models from Samsung and Viking—both brands score near the bottom for predicted reliability and owner satisfaction.

These findings are based on survey data CR collected from over 100,000 buyers who bought more than 120,000 models between 2012 and 2022. The results come from surveys conducted in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Consumer Reports’ test results show that dishwashers in the $500 to $1,000 range—and even for $500 or less—can often outperform models that retail for two to three times that cost.

“Our survey suggests that paying more for a dishwasher does not necessarily mean it’s going to be a more reliable machine,” says Debbie Kalensky, associate director of CR’s survey research department. “And in general, we found that consumers pay more to get expensive dishwashers repaired.”

Many basic dishwashers offer the same washing performance and offer similar core features, such as stainless steel tubs, soil sensors, and roomy adjustable racks for enough dishware and flatware to feed a small platoon, at more affordable prices than the upscale models in CR’s ratings.

The following features are commonly found on high-end dishwashers.

• Stainless steel tubs: Dishwashers with stainless steel tubs don’t stain as easily, and the finish also contributes to better drying performance.
• Increased insulation: Manufacturers take extra measures to build more insulation into high-end dishwashers for better noise control.
• Hidden controls: The controls are across the top of the door and can’t be seen when the door is closed, for a look that’s sleek and clean. Some models have a small light on the front of the door that glows when the machine is running, or a light that shines a small spot on the floor.
• LED lights: Most high-end dishwashers shine light on the dishes when you open the door, making it easier to load and unload.
• WiFi connectivity: This allows you to receive updates regarding the status of the wash cycle or control your machine remotely from your smartphone.