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In this report

See Also

Dishwasher Rating Sources

Total of 13 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. ConsumerReports.org
Last updated Aug. 2011
Recommended Dishwashers
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumerReports.org updates its dishwasher ratings about once a year. More than 135 standard dishwashers and five dish drawers are currently rated on its website, although not all of them have actually been tested; some are rated based on their similarity to tested models. Editors rate each machine's cleaning ability, energy efficiency, noise level, ease of use and cycle time. Nearly all the tested dishwashers are found to clean well, but more expensive models tend to be quieter and offer more convenience features. A valuable sidebar addresses overall brand reliability -- the results of a survey of more than 80,000 ConsumerReports.org subscribers.
2. J.D. Power & Associates
Aug. 3, 2011
2011 Home Appliance Study: Dishwasher
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEvery year, J.D. Power and Associates conducts large surveys on appliance brands; respondents aren't asked about specific models. Dishwasher brands are rated in six categories including performance, price, features, ease of use, style and warranty. In last year's survey of more than 4,000 consumers who had recently bought dishwashers, Miele gets the highest overall ratings for the second year in a row. Other top brands include Fisher & Paykel, Kenmore Elite and Bosch. Amana, GE and Asko receive the lowest overall scores.
3. Good Housekeeping
Oct. 18, 2010
4 Top Dishwashers
by Editors of the Good Housekeeping Research Institute
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentThe Good Housekeeping Research Institute's latest test of dishwashers is much more limited than the one at ConsumerReports.org. The test itself is thorough, pitting each machine against a baked-on food mixture and then evaluating its cleaning, rinsing and drying performance, energy efficiency and ease of use. However, only 15 dishwashers are tested and results are presented for only the top four -- three of which are now discontinued. The only one that's still available is the LG LDS4821ST, recommended as a budget buy.
4. Choice magazine
Oct. 10, 2011
Dishwashers Review
by Matthew Steen
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentChoice magazine is the Australian equivalent of ConsumerReports.org, with testing that's just as detailed. In its latest roundup, more than 35 dishwashers are evaluated for washing and drying ability, energy and water use, and noise. Four machines are recommended, including one that's named as a Green Buy. While most of the brands rated here are available in the U.S., model numbers and specifications are different.
5. Which? magazine
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwashers
by Editors of Which? magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentLike Choice magazine, this British magazine is similar to ConsumerReports.org, and it tests dishwashers on an ongoing basis. As of February 2012, a total of 157 dishwashers are rated, with 28 models recommended. Some brands like Bosch, Miele and Whirlpool will be familiar to American readers, but model numbers and specifications differ.
6. Consumer magazine
Updated Jan. 19, 2012
Dishwashers
by Editors of Consumer magazine
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentConsumer magazine is a New Zealand publication that performs extensive tests of dishwashers, much like ConsumerReports.org. Editors test 32 machines in the most recent report, and nine are recommended. Results of a brand reliability survey are included. As with Which? and Choice magazines, the models recommended in Consumer aren't sold in the U.S.
7. ENERGYSTAR.gov
Not dated
Dishwashers
by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentEnergyStar.gov is a joint project of the U.S. Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This site has an extensive list of Energy Star-compliant dishwashers that are at least 20 percent more efficient than non-Energy Star products. The list includes each model's energy and water use, as well as energy factor ratings, which measure an appliance's efficiency. The site offers tips on purchasing a dishwasher and using it efficiently, but specific models aren't recommended.
8. AJMadison.com
As of Feb. 2012
Built In Dishwashers Reviews
by Contributors to AJMadison.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentAbout 125 dishwashers at AJMadison.com have at least one user review, but most have just a few. Only a handful have 20 or more owner comments. Of these, the highest-rated machine is the LG LDF7932WW, which has also been tested by ConsumerReports.org. An overwhelming percentage of owners say this is the quietest dishwasher they've owned; they're also enthusiastic about its sanitary setting, which they say gets their dishes super clean. However, editors at ConsumerReports.org say that dishwashers with sanitary settings don't necessarily do a better job of cleaning.
9. Sears.com
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwashers
by Contributors to Sears.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentMany dishwashers are rated at Sears.com, but only a few receive more than a dozen or so reviews. However, Sears is the only retail site where you can find user ratings for Kenmore dishwashers. Most are from new or fairly recent owners of Kenmore models, which is something to keep in mind when evaluating reliability and long-term performance. Still, this site is worth a look if you're considering a Kenmore machine in particular.
10. HomeDepot.com
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwashers
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentDishwashers sold at HomeDepot.com are sorted into three categories: standard, portable and "tall tub" dishwashers. This last group contains the largest number of products, including several that receive 50 reviews or more. Maytag JetClean dishwashers seem to be especially popular, with several models in this line garnering more than 100 reviews and high overall ratings. However, browsing reviews at this site is a bit awkward; from the main page, you can't tell which models have the highest overall ratings, or if they have any reviews at all. This site is most useful once you've already narrowed down your dishwasher choices to a few models.
11. Buzzillions.com
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwasher Reviews
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentBuzzillions collects user reviews from other websites. The list of dishwashers can be sorted based on star rating or number of reviews, making it easy to pick out the models with the most positive comments. Model numbers aren't always listed, however, making it difficult to tell exactly which dishwasher is being recommended. Because the reviews on this site overlap with those from other sites we use as sources, we use it only to find additional feedback on top-rated models.
12. BestBuy.com
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwashers
by Contributors to BestBuy.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentNearly 200 built-in dishwasher models are sold at BestBuy.com, and while several receive a significant number of user reviews, none get high overall ratings. A few machines receive fairly high ratings (at least 4 stars out of 5 on average) from 25 or more users. BestBuy.com makes it easy to sort through reviews by allowing you to select the average star rating you want, then further narrow down the listings by the number of reviews received.
13. Viewpoints.com
As of Feb. 2012
Dishwasher Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
Credibility Rating
Our AssessmentViewpoints.com offers user feedback on more than 400 dishwashers. Most of the listed models have only a handful of comments, but a few stand out with a sizable number of reviews and high average ratings. Viewpoints conveniently ranks the listed machines by average star rating and also provides a handy list of the most commonly cited pros and cons for each. However, all of the current top-rated dishwashers at this site are now discontinued.
     
 

This is our assessment of the review’s relevance, clarity of testing and thoroughness.

Read more about our Ratings Criteria by clicking the link at the top of the page.
 
 
 
  
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