Dishwashers

Choice magazine is the Australian equivalent of Consumer Reports, with testing that is just as complete and thorough. Most of the brands rated here are available in the U.S., though model numbers and… specifications often differ. Thirty-six dishwashers are tested. Four models are recommended, including one each from Miele and Asko. Bosch rounds out the last two recommended dishwashers with models not available in the U.S., but both are comparable to the Bosch SHX98M09UC. Fisher & Paykel dishwashers receive some of the lowest overall scores.

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TheGreenGuide.com, run by the National Geographic Society, is devoted to helping people live in an environmentally aware way. This buying guide ranks dishwashers based on their energy efficiency and water… usage. Tips on choosing dishwashers are included. Although some products at TheGreenGuide.com are tested, there's no indication the dishwashers have been. The KitchenAid KUDD03STWH is chosen as the best value, while the Asko D5893 is the most eco-friendly dishwasher rated. Green Guide also recommends the Viking DFUD042.

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This brief article discusses the best low-cost luxury household appliances, according to Good Housekeeping editors. The Bosch Integra SHX36L, which is made of stainless steel both inside and out, is the top… choice for dishwashers. This model does a great cleaning job while using less water than other machines. The LG LDS5811ST (now discontinued) is recommended for loading flexibility. While it's clear these dishwashers were tested, editors don't disclose the extent of the testing, nor do they tell us which models failed to make the cut.

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Abby's Guide offers detailed information on how to buy a dishwasher, what to look for and how to save on energy bills. There are no reviews, ratings or recommendations, but there's still some useful… information provided. Dishwasher features are discussed, including GE's SmartDispense, which allows you to fill the soap dispenser with 48 ounces of detergent to cover numerous washes. The SmartDispense system uses the detergent as needed. Other features include sensors that determine how dirty your dishes are and then choose the appropriate wash cycle. Finally, Abby's Guide lists the four major dishwasher manufacturers in the U.S. and which brand names they sell.

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Epinions.com lets users rate their own dishwashers and serves as an excellent forum for complaints. At the time of our visit, owners were disappointed with quite a few Maytag and GE models, most of which… warrant only a one- or two-star rating. One of the Fisher & Paykel Dish Drawer models receives more than 75 comments, but only an average score. The top reviewed models are a portable dishwasher from Danby and the Whirlpool GU2700XTS (now discontinued).

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