Top Dishwasher Picks for Everyday Cleaning and Drying
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The best dishwasher should remove stubborn food, dry plastics effectively, and run quietly enough for an open kitchen. I prioritized cleaning performance, drying, rack flexibility, noise, leak protection, and current US availability.
Top picks
Kenmore 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher — Best overall
This 24-inch Kenmore built-in pairs a quiet stainless tub with TurboDry, SmartWash soil detection, and active leak protection, with capacity for 15 place settings at a listed 49 dBA.
Why it wins: SmartWash soil sensing adjusts the cycle to how dirty the load actually is, while TurboDry vents warm air to cut down on hand-drying afterward. It carries ENERGY STAR certification and 15-place-setting capacity, making it a practical, high-capacity all-rounder for a busy household.
- UltraWash Plus Power Cleaning: Three pressurized spray arms clean dishes from every angle using fresh, filtered water. Accela Wash option cleans dishes if you're in a hurry. No soaking, scrubbing, or scraping needed - just sparkling plates, glasses, and cookware
- SmartWash Adjusts to the Mess: Sensor technology detects soil levels and automatically adjusts the water temperature, pressure, and cycle time. A dishwasher that gives the best clean for every load
- TurboDry for Dry Dishes: A built-in fan pulls moisture and warm air out of the dish washer while a heating element boosts drying power. Even plastics come out dry and spot-free. Ditch the dish towel
Pros
- SmartWash automatic soil detection
- TurboDry drying system
- Active leak protection
- 15 place settings, 49 dBA, ENERGY STAR
Cons
- No third rack at this price
- 49 dBA is audible in an open kitchen
Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: Its 49 dBA rating is louder than the near-silent premium models, and there is no third rack for flatware. Skip it if whisper-quiet operation or a dedicated cutlery tray is a priority.
Scores: Performance 4.4/5 | Cleaning and Drying 4.4/5 | Ease of Use 4.4/5 | Value 4.5/5
Sharp SDW6504MS — Best value
The SDW6504MS is a 24-inch stainless steel dishwasher with a hybrid tub, pocket handle, heated dry, and five wash cycles for 12 place settings.
Why it wins: It covers the essentials—stainless exterior, heated drying, and a practical five-cycle set—at one of the lowest prices among full-size built-ins, which makes it an easy budget replacement for an aging machine.
- ADJUSTABLE DESIGN: Upper rack features 2-inch height adjustment capability to accommodate taller dishes and provide flexible loading options
- QUIET OPERATION: Library Quiet technology delivers peaceful dishwashing at just 52 dBA noise level, perfect for open-concept homes
- EFFICIENT CLEANING: Half Load Option enables washing smaller loads while reducing water and energy usage for daily convenience
Pros
- Low price for a full-size built-in
- Stainless steel finish
- Heated drying
- Five wash cycles
Cons
- 52 dBA is louder than premium picks
- 12 place settings, no third rack
Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: The 52 dBA rating and 12-place capacity suit smaller households better than large families running frequent full loads. Skip it if near-silent operation matters most.
Scores: Performance 4.3/5 | Cleaning and Drying 4.2/5 | Ease of Use 4.5/5 | Value 4.8/5
Sharp SDW6767HS — Best feature-rich
This smart Sharp works with Alexa and adds an adjustable third rack, a Wash Zone that cleans a half load on either rack, LED interior lighting, and heated dry with fan assist.
Why it wins: The Wash Zone and adjustable third rack give real loading flexibility, while app and voice control plus fan-assisted heated drying bring it close to premium-tier convenience without a premium-tier price.
- ALEXA VOICE CONTROL WITH SMART SPEAKER OR ALEXA APP: This dishwasher easily connects to your Echo device to control your dishwasher with simple voice commands. Amazon Echo device not included.
- INTERIOR LED LIGHTS: Bright white LED interior lighting for a clear view inside your dishwasher.
- SIMPLY BETTER LIVING WITH ALEXA: Ever load the dishwasher and climb into bed at night only to realize that you forgot to press start? Just ask Alexa, “Alexa, turn on the dishwasher,” from any Echo device in your smart home. Do your children like being in the kitchen with you? Just ask Alexa, “Alexa, turn on Child Lock,” for one less thing to worry about. Just ask Alexa to set the Cycle, Mode, Wash Zone, and even check how much time is left.
Pros
- Smart control, works with Alexa
- Adjustable third rack
- Wash Zone for half loads
- Heated dry with fan assist and LED interior
Cons
- Higher price than the value pick
- Smart features add setup steps
Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: The smart features are useful but not essential; buyers who will not use app or voice control can save with the SDW6504MS.
Scores: Performance 4.4/5 | Cleaning and Drying 4.4/5 | Ease of Use 4.3/5 | Value 4.5/5
EdgeStar BIDW1802SS — Best 18-inch dishwasher
The EdgeStar is a narrow built-in dishwasher designed for kitchens that cannot accommodate a standard 24-inch machine.
Why it wins: Its 17⅝-inch width fits compact openings while still providing eight place settings, six wash cycles, a sanitize option, heated drying, and leak detection. It operates at a listed 52 dBA.
- Accommodates up to eight (8) place settings and features a silverware basket and cup tray
- Six (6) Wash Cycles: Heavy, Normal, ECO, Glass, Rapid, and Rinse; Three (3) Options: Sanitize, Hi Temp, Heated Dry
- At only 17.75 inches wide, using this unit to replace an older appliance such as a trash compactor is a great option.
Pros
- Space-saving 18-inch width
- Stainless steel tub
- Six wash cycles
- Leak sensor included
Cons
- Limited eight-place-setting capacity
- Racks are not adjustable
Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: Its narrow tub requires more frequent cycles and may struggle with large cookware. Skip it when cabinet space allows a standard 24-inch dishwasher.
Scores: Performance 4.0/5 | Cleaning and Drying 4.0/5 | Ease of Use 4.2/5 | Value 4.3/5
Bosch 800 Series SHP78DM5N — Best premium
The Bosch 800 Series combines PrecisionWash, PowerControl, CrystalDry, a flexible third rack, and 42 dBA operation.
Why it wins: CrystalDry is designed to improve drying—including difficult plastic items—while PowerControl lets the wash intensity target different areas of the lower rack. Its adjustable RackMatic upper rack and third rack provide flexible loading for mixed dishes.
- Pocket Handle Design
- 16 Place Setting
- 8 Wash Cycles
Pros
- Strong cleaning and drying systems
- Quiet 42 dBA operation
- Flexible third rack
- Adjustable upper rack
Cons
- Long cycles on efficiency settings
- Complex racks require familiarization
Social proof: See reviews on Amazon.
Trade-offs / Who should skip: CrystalDry and the flexible rack system make this a premium choice rather than a basic wash-only machine. Skip it when simple controls or a lower-cost replacement matters more than plastic drying and quietness.
Scores: Performance 4.9/5 | Cleaning and Drying 4.9/5 | Ease of Use 4.5/5 | Value 4.3/5
Quick compare
- Kenmore 24-Inch Built-In: Best overall
- Sharp SDW6504MS: Best value
- Sharp SDW6767HS: Best feature-rich (smart)
- EdgeStar BIDW1802SS: Best for narrow kitchens
- Bosch SHP78DM5N: Best premium
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