The 7 Best Dishwashers in 2021
Keep your dishes clean and your kitchen tidy with the best dishwashers in 2021.
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Dishwashers are one of those appliances that you don’t really think about until you need a new one. Then, all of a sudden, you realize just how many dishwashers there are available and that you have no idea which one you should get.
Luckily for you, we’ve already found a ton of top dishwashers for you to check out. We started with a great overall choice in the Indesit DFG26B1S Freestanding Dishwasher. We also found other specialized dishwashers, like the Cookology CMDW2SL Mini Portable Dishwasher if you want something smaller or the Bosch SMV68MD00G Perfect Dry Fully Integrated Dishwasher if you need something that dries exceptionally well. Let’s check out these options in more in our comprehensive guide.
Our picks
Indesit DFG26B1S Freestanding Dishwasher
Best Dishwasher Overall
Why should you buy this? The Indesit DFG26B1S Freestanding Dishwasher is top-of-the-line in every way and is even extremely energy-efficient.
Indesit DFG26B1S
Who’s it for? This dishwasher is a perfect choice for those who want a solid machine in every respect rather than a specialized dishwasher.
Why we picked the Indesit DFG26B1S:
We chose this is our top dishwasher overall because of its phenomenal features across all metrics. For instance, it has six wash programs to let you customize your dishwashing routine and handle different types of dishes in the same load. It’s also incredibly energy-efficient, so you won’t rack up a higher energy or hot water bill if you use this washer.
The salt level indicator is a great choice to protect more fragile dishes and let you know when it’s time to add more, as well. It’s equipped with 13 place settings, too, so you can do larger or smaller loads depending on your preference.
Electra C1760B Freestanding Dishwasher
Best Cheap Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Electra C1760B Freestanding Dishwasher does a lot of things right and for an affordable asking price.
Electra C1760B
Who’s it for? This is a superior choice if you want a cheaper dishwasher that can still handle large loads and adjust for multiple place settings
Why we picked the Electra C1760B:
This is a dishwasher equipped with one of the best adjustable racking systems we’ve ever seen. It has enough space for 12 place settings off the bat, as well as a low 49 dB noise level. This makes it one of the quieter dishwashers we found on the market.
To make things even better, it comes predesigned with a 30-minute quick wash time. Small loads will be out in a hurry and you’ll be able to handle lots of dishes in rapid succession thanks to its efficiency and affordability.
Bosch Series 2 Active Water Freestanding Dishwasher
Best High-End Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Bosch Series 2 Active Water SMS24AW01G Freestanding Dishwasher is a high-quality machine with lots of advanced features.
Bosch Series 2 Active Water SMS24AW01G Dishwasher
Who’s it for? This is a perfect dishwasher if you don’t mind spending a little extra money on something superior to most other products on the market.
Why we picked the Bosch Series 2 Active Water Dishwasher:
It’s an excellent dishwasher through and through, with a specialized eco-silence motor that guarantees low energy consumption and extremely quiet operation. You’ll be able to use this dishwasher even in dining areas without getting a headache as a result of its grinding.
But it also has several advanced features to make it worth your while. For instance, it uses special water-saving technology to improve its energy efficiency even further. There’s a height-adjustable top basket to let you fit bulky cookware on the lower levels.
You’ll also be able to regulate the temperature of water and water hardness to protect any glassware. A timer delay rounds off its features, allowing you to start washing when it’s convenient for your schedule.
Cookology CMDW2SL Mini Portable Dishwasher
Best Portable Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Cookology CMDW2SL Mini Portable Dishwasher is an extremely portable and affordable piece of kitchen hardware.
Cookology CMDW2SL Mini
Who’s it for? It’s an ideal choice for those who need dishwashing capability wherever they go, not just in their home.
Why we picked the Cookology CMDW2SL Mini:
We chose this model because it’s an excellent dishwasher as a whole, even if it’s an even better choice in terms of portability. It has several washing functions to let you customize the dishwashing load you placed into its bay, as well as several programs to allow for energy efficiency or speed depending on your needs.
It’s also designed with a delay timer and a storage function to prevent mildew from forming on finished dishes. It only weighs 31 pounds, so it’s incredibly easy to pack into a vehicle or take with you on a camping trip whenever you need it.
Cookology Mini Countertop Dishwasher
Best Countertop Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Cookology Mini Countertop Dishwasher does an excellent job of handling smaller or larger dish loads despite its smaller size.
Cookology Mini Countertop Dishwasher
Who’s it for? This is an ideal choice for those who need a dishwasher on the countertop without compromising too much on washing space.
Why we picked the Cookology Mini Countertop Dishwasher:
Ultimately, this is our choice for a countertop dishwasher because it’s easy to connect like a regular kitchen appliance and it can be fitted with a kitchen tap. Just connect the normal water hose and you’ll be good to go. It has six place settings, making it a perfect choice for smaller families or bachelors and bachelorettes.
It’s also an aesthetically attractive dishwasher, with a modern design that works on most home and apartment countertops. You can even install it in a suitably sized cupboard like beneath the sink. It has a 24-hour delay timer to let you customize your dishwashing routine.
Klarstein Amazonia 6 Built-in Dishwasher
Best Quiet Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Klarstein Amazonia 6 Built-in Dishwasher is one of the quietest kitchen appliances around.
Klarstein Amazonia 6
Who’s it for? This dishwasher is a perfect choice for those who can’t stand a loud racket as they clean up after dinner.
Why we picked the Klarstein Amazonia 6:
Overall, this dishwasher is among the quietest on the market. It only makes sound around 49 dB, which is below average compared to most other machines on the market. Even with this excellent aspect, it also has enough space in its interior for six place settings. It cleans quite powerfully with only minimal energy consumption of 174 kW per year.
It’s also designed with six different customizable programs to let you handle different types of dishes. Controlling the dishwasher is easy from the self-explanatory icons. It’s also easy to place this on a countertop or in a cupboard, so your installation options are variable.
Bosch SMV68MD00G Perfect Dry Fully Integrated Dishwasher
Best Drying Dishwasher
Why should you buy this? The Bosch SMV68MD00G Perfect Dry Fully Integrated Dishwasher is arguably the best in class when it comes to ensuring that your dishes are both washed and dried at the end of a cycle.
Bosch SMV68MD00G
Who’s it for? This should be the perfect choice for those who want to pick out dry dishes rather than have to hand dry them at the end of every cycle.
Why we picked the Bosch SMV68MD00G:
It’s a terrific dishwasher with a low noise level and a height-adjustable top basket. You’ll be able to get lots of different dish combinations in its interior. It’s also among the most energy-efficient dishwashers on the market, even with its drying aspect. It absorbs moisture and converts it into energy to lower its power consumption even further.
It’s also built with several customizable templates and temperature settings. The silver baskets are durable and perfect for repeated use at high temperatures.
Finish Dishwasher Powder
Best Dishwasher Detergent
Why should you buy this? The Finish Dishwasher Powder is the gold standard when it comes to dishwasher detergent. This detergent formula is super tough and is easy to rinse off to prevent residue from forming.
Finish Dishwasher Powder
Who’s it for? It’s an ideal choice for those who want affordable and effective dishwasher detergent that isn’t too hard to clean away.
Why we picked the Finish Dishwasher Powder:
We chose this detergent because it’s easier to get rid of after cleaning than most other detergents on the market. It has a free soaking action that lets stains rinse off without leaving a residue behind ensures a brilliant finish!
The lemon aroma’s pleasant and refreshing, and it’s a great companion to the feeling of clean dishes.
Finish Dishwasher Tablets All-in-1 Max
Best Dishwasher Pods
Why should you buy this? The Finish Dishwasher All-in-1 Max Tablets come with a powerful formula that gets rid of stubborn stains on the first wash cycle.
Finish Tablets All-in-1 Max
Who’s it for? These are an ideal choice if you prefer the cleaning power of tablets or pods over regular detergent.
Why we picked the Finish Tablets All-in-1 Max:
We chose these tablets because they’re the best, plain and simple. A single pack will last you a long time, so they are cost-effective and you have plenty to go around after a single purchase. They use special Powerball technology to soften up residue before initiating the cleaning process.
To make things even better, their powerful formula does a great job of removing stains without harming glass or silverware. Even fragile dishes should be able to be cleaned with this formula without an issue.
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
Best Dishwasher Cleaner
Why should you buy this? The Finish Dishwasher Cleaner has everything you need to clean your dishwasher and help it run smoothly.
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner
Who’s it for? It’s a perfect choice for those who need a dedicated dishwasher cleaning formula that does a great job each time.
Why we picked the Finish Dishwasher Cleaner:
This formula is total in its cleaning ability. For one, it gets rid of any sign of limescale on the inside of your dishwasher. For another, it clears away grease and any other slimy debris that might be hidden within the depths of your dishwashing machine.
But we also like this because it neutralizes odors that can be particularly rancid in a high-temperature environment. Thus, this choice is a great way to keep your kitchen smelling clean even if you do lots of dishes.
How we test
Finding the right dishwasher is harder than you might think. After all, they all wash dishes as a standard. The devil is in the details, so we decided to not just look at raw capacity and instead focused on all the little things. Controls, adjustability, and even noise levels became important in our search.
To find the best dishwashers on the market, we had to try them with tons of dishes. Eating food was the easy part. Then we loaded dishes into each machine, gave them a whirl with the dish soaps we recommended above, and saw the results. We also checked out things like how loud each washer was and whether they dried. In the end, we came up with a dishwasher collection we feel serves everyone’s needs.
Dishwasher FAQ
What is the Best Dishwasher?
The best dishwasher isn’t a single machine for everyone; it all depends on your needs. For instance, if you need something great all around, the Indesit DFG26B1S Freestanding Dishwasher is the choice for you. Maybe you need something more portable. In that case, the Cookology CMDW2SL Mini Portable Dishwasher is for you. Or you can go with the Electra C1760B Freestanding Dishwasher if you’re in the market for something more affordable.
Overall, the best dishwasher will fulfill your needs above all else.
How Do Dishwashers Work?
Dishwashers aren’t as complicated as you might think. Dishwashers are watertight, but they don’t fully fill with water. Instead, a basin at the bottom of the dishwasher fills with hot water between 130 and 140°F. A pump then propels water up to rapidly-rotating jets, which spray the water out and against your dirty dishes. It’s a lot like a garden hose at high pressure. The jets rotate to fling water around relatively equally.
Soap is then added from a receptacle or pouch, which is added to the water as it sprays. After a set period, the soap is rinsed away as freshwater is added to the spinning arms.
After the washing and rinsing are finished, the basin drains the water and the same pump that provided the liquid removes the washing water. Some dishwashers have a dry cycle, in which the heating element at the bottom warms the air to rapidly dry the dishes inside.
What is the Quietest Dishwasher?
Quiet is a bit relative. In general, you’ll want a dishwasher that’s below 60 dB if you don’t want to be annoyed with your appliance each time you run it. For our part, the Klarstein Amazonia 6 Built-in Dishwasher is our recommendation for a quiet machine that also does a great job of cleaning.
What to Look for in a Dishwasher
When you’re looking for a dishwasher, look for the following elements to ensure you get a great model.
Size is an important aspect. Some dishwashers can easily fit into your kitchen. Whatever size your kitchen is, make sure that the dishwasher you select isn’t too large to fit. You’ll waste money this way. You can get larger dishwashers that can handle lots of dishes at once or smaller, portable options, like the Cookology Mini Countertop Dishwasher.
Don’t forget to consider sound, too. Some dishwashers make a huge racket when you’re using them. Others are quiet and peaceful, like the Klarstein Amazonia 6 Built-in Dishwasher.
You might also consider energy efficiency. Dishwashers that are Energy Star Certified will be better for the environment and your wallet. They’ll take up less electricity and water than other dishwashers.
Finally, consider settings and options. For instance, some dishwashers let you use a China/crystal setting. This produces a gentler wash cycle to preserve fragile dishes. Other dishwashers might let you delay washing for later or use a timer so that your hot water can be used for a shower first, then dishwashing after.
What is the Best Dishwasher Brand?
Dishwasher brands aren’t always exclusive to these appliances. Many times they also make other home machines or devices. But we’d be remiss not to recommend Bosch. You’ve already seen that we recommended them multiple times. Go with them if you’re not a hundred percent sure about your choices. They make quality products in most cases.