Best Dishwashers

Three dishwasher brands get the best reviews

Bosch dishwashers have always been popular with owners on kitchen-enthusiast and home-improvement websites. Continual improvements in sound insulation and loading flexibility have given Bosch an edge. Bosch models generally have stainless-steel tubs, which are not prone to the discoloration that can occur with plastic tubs, and the most expensive models in this line offer custom doors to match existing cabinetry. With the sleek, modern look of its Integra and Ascenta models, Bosch is appealing more to contemporary American tastes than it has in the past.

Bosch has cleaned up its act with respect to reliability. In the past, this brand was prone to more repairs than others, but the most recent data suggest that Bosch's commitment to improvement is paying off. Although Kenmore Elite gets the highest ratings for overall customer satisfaction in the survey at J.D. Power and Associates, Bosch is a close second. It is the least repair-prone brand according to Britain's Which? magazine and Australia's Choice magazine. Furthermore, Bosch dishwashers are some of the quietest models. However, they are also more expensive than some others.

The Bosch SHX98M09UC (*Est. $1,550) is the quietest (at 42 decibels) and most energy-efficient dishwasher available in the U.S., with many of the latest convenience features. The top and bottom racks are adjustable to accommodate dishes of all shapes and sizes. For small loads or just washing glasses, a special half-load cycle washes just the top or bottom rack. The Ecosense wash cycle uses a sensor to determine how dirty your dishes are and then decides if a second fresh-water fill is needed. If not, this secondary cycle is eliminated. Foldable tines (which collapse easily to make room for casserole dishes, mixing bowls, and other large items), a delay start, quick-wash cycle and cup shelf add to flexibility. For added safety, this dishwasher features no exposed heating element and a door that is designed to stay in position when it is open more than 10 degrees.

The Bosch SHX98M09UC can reach temperatures of up to 160 degrees Fahrenheit by having the water pass through a heating chamber. This model is very quiet due to the unit's sound insulation. The Bosch also dries dishes in a unique way. It doesn't have a heated-dry cycle; it recycles the heat from the hot water used in cleaning. The condensation is then drained, so you never have steam when you open the dishwasher after a load. This dishwasher comes in stainless steel or fully integrated (to blend in with cabinets). It is also Energy Star-rated. One caveat about Bosch dishwashers is that they don't have a self-cleaning filter with a hard-food disposer, so you should scrape (but not rinse) dishes before washing. Some food particles left on plates will wind up accumulating at the bottom of the dishwasher, and you'll need to empty the filter manually. However, owners say emptying the filter is easy and only needs to be done every few weeks. There are also those who don't like the absence of a heated drying cycle. While more energy efficient, some owners say that their dishes don't dry as quickly as they'd like.

With a noise rating of 46 decibels, the Kenmore Elite UltraWash HE 13163 (*Est. $1,240) isn't as quiet as the Bosch SHX98M09UC, but it does have many of the same features. It's Energy Star-rated and includes a soil sensor, delay start, quick-wash cycle, fold-down tines and hidden controls. It also has a steam sanitize option -- a new feature that's been added to many high-end dishwashers. The manufacturer claims the steam cycle "kills 99.999% of certain bacteria" -- but doesn't specify which -- and there's no evidence that steam is more effective for actual cleaning. Like the Bosch, this dishwasher has a filter that must be manually emptied and does not include a built-in food disposal. This dishwasher isn't included in the professional tests we found, but its predecessor, the Kenmore Elite UltraWash HE 13153 (now discontinued), performed well. About 20 owner reviews for the new model at Sears.com are generally positive, but we did read a few complaints about poor cleaning performance and breakdowns. The Kenmore Elite dishwasher comes in white or black.

Miele dishwashers are very popular in the United Kingdom and in Australia, scoring highly in tests at Choice and Which? magazines. Miele dishwashers score well for overall reliability in both the U.S. and Europe. The Miele Inspira II G2142SC (*Est. $1,150) features six wash cycles and a stainless-steel drum that is large enough to hold 14 place settings. One unique feature is a third-level cutlery tray, helpful for oversized utensils. Like Bosch dishwashers, the Miele Inspira has a passive drying setting (which recycles heat to dry dishes and save energy), along with a quick-wash cycle. There is no upper-rack-only wash cycle, and the filter is not self-cleaning. Although we didn't find any owner reviews for this model, it does perform well in professional tests but isn't as quiet as some Bosch models. The Miele comes in white, black and stainless steel (for $100 more), and there is a version that accepts a custom door panel to match surrounding cabinets.