Page: 5 of 5
In this report

See Also

Dishwashers: Ratings of Sources
Total of 19 Sources

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

1. ConsumerReports.org
Aug. 2009
Dishwashers: Ratings, How to Choose
by Editors of ConsumerReports.org
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

ConsumerReports.org updates its dishwasher ratings about once a year. Forty-seven dishwashers are included in the latest roundup. Editors measure cleaning ability, energy efficiency, noise level, ease of… use and cycle time. Most machines are similar in cleaning ability, with larger differences in noise level, energy efficiency and convenience. One of the article's most valuable assets is a sidebar about overall brand reliability -- the results from a survey of more than 100,000 Consumer Reports subscribers. This is by far the most informative review we read.

expand

collapse

2. Choice magazine
Apr. 2009
Dishwashers: Compare and Review Products
by Editors of Choice magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment 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 differ. More than 50 dishwashers are tested for washing and drying ability, energy and water use and noise. Four full-size and three compact models are recommended.
3. Which? magazine
As of Sept. 2009
Dishwashers
by Editors of Which? magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Like Choice magazine above, this British magazine is similar to Consumer Reports and continually tests dishwashers. In this latest report, 130 dishwashers are rated, with 31 models recommended. Some brands, like Bosch, Miele and Whirlpool, will be familiar to American readers but model numbers and specifications differ.
4. Consumer magazine
July 7, 2009
Dishwashers
by Editors of Consumer magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Consumer magazine is a New Zealand publication that performs extensive tests of dishwashers, much like Consumer Reports. Editors test 18 models in the most recent report, and five are recommended. Results of a brand reliability survey are also included. Asko, Bosch and Miele are the most reliable, while Fisher & Paykel DishDrawers rank at the bottom of the list.
5. ENERGYSTAR.gov
As of Sept. 2009
Dishwashers
by Editors of EnergyStar.gov
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

EnergyStar.gov is a joint project of the Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency. This site has an extensive list of Energy Star-compliant dishwashers that are more efficient than… non-Energy Star products. In addition to listing brands and model numbers, the energy factor (EF) rating is also available. The federal standard EF is now greater than or equal to 0.46. Energy Star dishwashers have an EF factor of at least 0.65. This site also offers information on purchasing a dishwasher and on efficient use, but specific dishwashers are neither tested nor rated.

expand

collapse

6. TheGreenGuide.com
Not Dated
Dishwashers Buying Guide
by Editors of TheGreenGuide.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

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.

expand

collapse

7. J.D. Power and Associates
Aug. 26, 2009
2009 Home Appliance Study: Dishwashers
by Editors of J.D. Power and Associates
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Nearly 3,500 people participated in this customer satisfaction survey about dishwashers. Brands are rated in six categories including performance, price, features, ease of use, style and warranty. Kenmore… Elite wins for overall satisfaction, followed closely by Bosch. Other well-liked brands are LG, KitchenAid and Maytag. Kenmore Elite receives a good or perfect score in all categories. However, this article does not recommend or rate specific models.

expand

collapse

8. Sears.com
As of Sept. 2009
Dishwashers
by Contributors to Sears.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Sears is the only site, other than Epinions.com and Consumer Reports, where you'll find some user ratings for Kenmore dishwashers. Most of the reviews are from new or fairly recent owners of Kenmore dishwashers, so keep that in mind when considering reliability and long-term performance, but this site is still worth a check if you're considering a Kenmore dishwasher in particular.
9. AJMadison.com
As of Sept. 2009
Built-In Dishwashers Reviews
by Contributors to AJMadison.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment About 150 dishwashers at AJMadison.com have at least one user review, but most have only a few. Half a dozen have ten or more reviews. Of these, the highest rated model is the now-discontinued Fisher & Paykel DishDrawer DD603. Avanti, Whirlpool and Frigidaire models generally receive good ratings from owners here.
10. Dulley.com
2008
Dishwashers: Update Bulletin No. 578
by James Dulley
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

James Dulley is an engineer and columnist who writes about household appliances and other house and home products. This buyer's guide covers quieter dishwashers. Dulley says the best dishwashers feature two… pumps -- one for spray cleaning and one for draining the water. Although Dulley favors Miele dishwashers, he discusses in detail a wide range of models and brands that are also good choices. None appear to have been subjected to formal testing, however.

expand

collapse

11. Buzzillions.com
As of Sept. 2009
Dishwashers
by Contributors to Buzzillions.com
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Buzzillions.com compiles consumer reviews from several retailers, including Abt.com, AJMadison.com and the Best Buy website. Dishwashers are ranked based on both average rating and the number of reviews they have. The top pick is the KitchenAid KUDS03FTWH (now discontinued), which has more than 40 reviews and an average rating of 4.4 stars (out of five).
12. Viewpoints.com
As of Sept. 2009
Dishwasher Reviews
by Contributors to Viewpoints.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Like Epinions.com, Viewpoints.com has user reviews of a few hundred dishwashers. Unfortunately, most of the listed dishwashers have only a handful of reviews and no particular model stands out here. In some cases, reviews are for an entire brand or series rather than a specific model. Most reviews are brief -- only a sentence or two -- but some go into more detail.
13. GardenWeb.com
As of Sept. 2009
Appliances Forum
by Contributors to GardenWeb.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment You can find individual opinions about dishwashers in these forums, but it is hit or miss whether you'll take away any useful information. There is information here on specific issues, including customer-service problems, repair issues and a lengthy discussion on why some dishwashers have a foul interior odor. Solutions are suggested.
14. Abby'sGuide.com
Not Dated
Getting the Dirt on Dishwashers
by Editors of AbbysGuide.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

AbbysGuide.com 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, AbbysGuide.com lists the four major dishwasher manufacturers in the U.S. and which brand names they sell.

expand

collapse

15. Building Products magazine
Sept. 15, 2008
Dishwashers Combine Energy Efficiency, Water Conservation and Premium Cleaning
by Chris Wood
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This article from Building Products magazine (a trade publication for contractors) discusses what to look for when buying an efficient dishwasher. Although no specific models are chosen, several are featured.
16. RateItAll.com
Not Dated
Dishwashers
by Contributors to RateItAll.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Of the more than 100 dishwashers listed here, only a few receive actual reviews from owners. Not surprisingly, the longer reviews are from consumers describing in detail what is wrong with their dishwashers. It is helpful, however, to see the number of ratings right on the main page. Note that RateItAll.com includes some reviews from Amazon.com.
17. Amazon.com
Not Dated
Dishwashers
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Hundreds of dishwashers are listed at Amazon.com, but only a handful receives user reviews, and those that do get reviews have only a few. The reviews, however, tend to be thoughtful and detailed. This site… will work best if you have already narrowed your choices down to a few models. The Bosch Integra 800 Series 24-inch (SHX98M09UC) dishwasher receives near-perfect ratings, but from only a handful of reviewers.

expand

collapse

18. Epinions.com
Not Dated
Dishwashers
by Contributors to Epinions.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

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).

expand

collapse

19. ConsumerGuide.com
Not Dated
Built-In Dishwashers
by Editors of ConsumerGuide.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Although several dishwashers receive a rating for performance, there is no evidence that any testing was conducted or that these models were even seen in person. Altogether, 20 dishwashers are recommended… as best buys, but we're unsure why these models may have been chosen over others. Although some dishwashers get a performance rating, nothing seems to have been tested. Many of the models reviewed here have since been discontinued.

expand

collapse

Useful Links

     
 

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.
 
 
 
  

Back to top