Our top pick for the best dishwasher with front controls is the Maytag 24-inch Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher, which is efficient, well-priced, and Energy Star-certified. For a top control model, we love the Bosch 500 Series 24-inch Built-In Dishwasher that operates quietly, and is outfitted with a flexible third rack for your favorite mugs, silverware, and bowls. Here, the best dishwashers to save you time on dish duty. In terms of performance and value, it’s hard to beat this built-in dishwasher from Maytag, and that’s why it’s our top pick for a front control unit. This 24-inch unit has a durable stainless steel interior and touch controls on the front of its door so you can easily see which cycle your dishwasher is on. This appliance is Energy Star-certified, meaning it uses less electricity per cycle, so that will save you from overpaying on your next electric bill. It also has four different wash cycles to choose from, including a PowerBlast cycle that removes stubborn, caked-on foods, and its Dual Power filtration system works to remove and disintegrate food particles to prevent clogs. This means you don’t have to pre-wash your dishes because this appliance can handle even the messiest dinner plates. This dishwasher can hold up to 14 place settings per load, and it has a higher-than-average upper rack height that accommodates bulky pots and pans on the lower level. The heated dry cycle ensures your dishes come out as dry as possible, and the fingerprint-resistant stainless steel exterior resists smudges and streaks for a pristine appearance no matter how many times you open and close the door. While not the quietest model available, it still operates at a low enough volume that won’t disturb your day-to-day activities, and it’s backed by a 10-year limited parts warranty that protects the racks, chopper blade, and tub. There are limited cycle options, but you’ll likely be more than satisfied with the powerful ones that are available, and while there is plenty of room to load your dishes, the prongs aren’t collapsible, so you can’t customize your load in that way. However, we think these inconveniences are minor when you consider what you get with this top-notch appliance. Price at time of publish: $879 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34.6 x 24 x 24.5 inches | Decibel Rating: 50 decibels | Capacity: 14 place settings | Cycles: 4 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Front | ADA Compliant: No In addition, the Energy Star-certified appliance can hold up to 16 place settings at one time, making it a high-capacity option that would be suitable for larger families or anyone who doesn’t want to run their dishwasher frequently. The tub is made of durable stainless steel, and the top control design leaves the front door looking sleek and clean. A half load setting also gives you the option to run your dishwasher before it’s entirely full. It’s a thoughtful option to make use of if you’re heading out of town and want to complete your chores, or need a few specific items. Now, you will need to keep in mind that this built-in dishwasher has a three-pronged outlet. The junction box is sold separately, as is the water connection kit that’s required for installation. However, this is otherwise a super powerful and reliable pick that’s worth every penny. Price at time of publish: $1,100 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 33.88 x 23.75 x 23.56 inches | Decibel Rating: 44 decibels | Capacity: 16 place settings | Cycles: 5 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No The Amana dishwasher is Energy Star-certified, and it has a triple filter system so you don’t have to pre-rinse dishes before putting them in. There are two wash arms for more comprehensive cleaning coverage, and the silverware basket includes a handle in case you want to lift it up onto the counter to unload. The main drawback of this budget-friendly dishwasher is that it’s quite loud during operation—its noise level is around 63 decibels, which is enough to interrupt a conversation. Additionally, the dishwasher connection kit isn’t included with the appliance and will need to be purchased separately. Price at time of publish: $499 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34.5 x 24 x 24.5 inches | Decibel Rating: 63 decibels | Capacity: 12 place settings | Cycles: 3 | Tub Material: Plastic | Control Location: Front | ADA Compliant: No This two-drawer dishwasher can hold up to 14 place settings, and it has two removable silverware baskets, as well. It offers six wash cycles, including a Fast Dry and Sanitize option, and it operates at a quiet 46 decibels when just one drawer is running. The inner racks can be adjusted to hold even the largest pots and pans, and the appliance has fan-assisted drying to get your dishes cleaner, faster.  One of the appealing factors about Café appliances is that you can swap out the handles for a different finish to match any decor style, but a new set of handles for this dishwasher costs over $300. Price at time of publish: $1,253 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34 x 24 x 21.75 inches | Decibel Rating: 46–49 decibels | Capacity: 14 place settings | Cycles: 6 | Tub Material: Plastic | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No This countertop dishwasher has a built-in detergent dispenser and removable filter, just like a full-size model, and it even has high-temperature wash and heated dry options. A child lock prevents your family members from tinkering with the appliance while it’s not in use, and it’s mounted on locking casters that make it easy to move around your counter as needed. Just bear in mind that this dishwasher is fairly loud, operating at 60 decibels, and it can only fit plates up to 10 inches in diameter. Price at time of publish: $375 Type: Countertop | Dimensions: 17.2 x 21.5 x 21.7 inches | Decibel Rating: 60 decibels | Capacity: 6 place settings | Cycles: 7 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Front | ADA Compliant: No While it is somewhat pricey, this appliance offers five different wash cycles and an advanced “Clean Water Wash” system that ensures fresh water is being used on all three racks. It’s extremely quiet, operating at just 44 decibels, and it can hold up to 16 place settings at a time, making it a top choice for larger households. The sleek exterior is another main selling point, and its stainless steel finish even resists fingerprints, helping to keep it looking pristine with minimal cleaning. Price at time of publish: $1,349 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34.6 x 24 x 24.5 inches | Decibel Rating: 44 decibels | Capacity: 16 place settings | Cycles: 5 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No This portable dishwasher is Energy Star-certified, and it has three different wash settings, as well as a sanitize option that’s certified to help reduce the amount of bacteria on your dishes. It operates at a fairly quiet 52 decibels, and it even has a hard food disposer that chops up any leftover particles to ensure they don’t clog the wash arms. However, it doesn’t have a dry setting, which can be pretty inconvenient, and there’s no easy way to store the unit’s hoses when it’s not being used. Price at time of publish: $949 Type: Portable | Dimensions: 36 x 18 x 25.4 inches | Decibel Rating: 52 decibels | Capacity: 8 place settings | Cycles: 3 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No This compact dishwasher has six different wash cycles, including heavy wash, rinse only, and more. It operates at 52 decibels, which is about average for a dishwasher these days, and it has a self-cleaning filter that traps food particles. The tub interior is stainless steel, which bodes well for its durability, but most of the external components, including the leveling legs, are made from plastic. Price at time of publish: $849 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34.8 x 18 x 22.5 inches | Decibel Rating: 52 decibels | Capacity: 8 place settings | Cycles: 6 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Front | ADA Compliant: Yes This 24-inch dishwasher is Energy Star-certified, and it operates at around 51 decibels, which is average for today’s dishwashers. There are five wash cycles to choose from, including a “sani-rinse” option that sanitizes dishes to kill bacteria and a high-temperature wash to more effectively remove caked-on food remnants. If you tend to use the same settings every time, you’ll like that this appliance automatically remembers your last cycle, making it quick and easy to start, and there’s even a one-hour wash cycle for when you need clean dishes ASAP. The standard cycle is longer than average, but that’s the price you pay if you want your dishes extra dry. Price at time of publish: $959 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34.5 x 24 x 24.5 inches | Decibel Rating: 51 decibels | Capacity: 15 place settings | Cycles: 5 | Tub Material: Plastic | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No This dishwasher has a larger-than-average capacity of 15 place settings, and its TrueSteam technology uses steam to dissolve baked-on foods and eliminate water spots on glassware. It’s extremely quiet, operating at just 44 decibels, but its wash cycles can be extremely long, especially if you want the appliance to dry your dishes, as well. The dishwasher has a fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish, and it has a sleek exterior that’s sure to look good in any kitchen. It’s a popular appliance, so you may experience delayed delivery or waitlists in order to get your hands on one of these. Price at time of publish: $1,099 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 32.5 x 24 x 24.6 inches | Decibel Rating: 44 decibels | Capacity: 15 place settings | Cycles: 10 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No To get every dish as clean as possible, this Energy Star-certified washer has a unique sliding spray bar that moves in a linear motion for more complete coverage. It also has an AutoRelease door that pops open at the end of each cycle, helping to circulate air so dishes dry better. Of course, the caveat is that it doesn’t have a heated drying cycle, so air drying is really the only way to go. Price at time of publish: $1,199 Type: Built-in | Dimensions: 34 x 24 x 25 inches | Decibel Rating: 39 decibels | Capacity: 15 place settings | Cycles: 7 | Tub Material: Stainless steel | Control Location: Top | ADA Compliant: No

Noise Level

Noise level is measured in decibels and can usually be found within the specifications of a model’s listing, with the abbreviation dBA. A standard dishwasher typically has a decibel rating between 45 and 60 dBA—with 52 dBA being quiet enough to have a conversation over but loud enough to hear the rinse cycle start up. The lower the decibel rating, the quieter your dishwasher will be. So, if your household has children or you entertain often, you’ll want to find a dishwasher in the 38 to 45 dBA range if you plan on continuing conversations and playdates while the dishwasher runs.

Control Panel

The control panel of a dishwasher can be located on the front of the model or the top of the door. A front control model is the standard setup and allows you to check the status of your cycle as it runs. The downside? It’s easy to accidentally hit the buttons and change the cycle’s progress. Our best overall, front control pick, the Maytag MDB4949SKZ 24 in. Front Control Dishwasher, solves some of the potential frustrations of a front control panel by having the panel placed in a recessed portion of the door. We still recommend being mindful of the latch and handle on your front control dishwashers, as they’re often in the same location of the panel. A top-control model avoids this issue by hiding the control panel and giving your entire appliance a sleek look. If you shop for a dishwasher with a top control panel, know that you won’t be able to monitor your cycles.

What Is the Best Type of Dishwasher for Me?

Built-In

Built-in dishwashers are the most common dishwasher, and they must be professionally installed in your kitchen. They generally fit underneath your kitchen counter and continuously connect to your water system. Since they have a larger build, built-in dishwashers have more flexibility regarding features and price. You can find a built-in model with front or top controls, two or three racks, and for $300 or upward of $1,500.

Portable

A portable dishwasher hooks up to a kitchen faucet and measures only 24 or 18 inches wide. Despite their smaller design, they usually can fit anywhere between 6 and 12 place settings, the latter being around the same as a built-in model. Most portable dishwashers are mounted on caster wheels, allowing you to easily move and stash them away in a closet when not in use. The GE GPT145SSLSS 18 in. Stainless Steel Portable Dishwasher, our best portable pick, is set on caster wheels and has the look of a built-in dishwasher, without the necessary counter space. It even has features like hard food processor to effectively remove solids from your dishes and it can hold up to 8 place settings. Portable dishwashers start at around $400 but can cost up to $800 depending on the brand and model.

Countertop

As you may have guessed, a countertop dishwasher is incredibly compact and designed to be placed on your kitchen counter. This type of dishwasher is the size of a microwave, ranging from 18 to 22 inches in depth, height, and length. Countertop models usually have a single rack and a drawer or door design—depending on the brand and model. Like portable dishwashers, they’re hooked up to your kitchen sink to run, so no complex installation is necessary and cost anywhere from $200 to $300.

Standout Features

Third Rack

Typically, dishwashers have a lower and upper rack. A third rack—which is most convenient for larger households—maximizes the capacity of your dishwasher by giving you an extra layer for mugs, small bowls, kitchen utensils, and silverware that can’t fit in the basket. The rack is usually adjustable and can have an angled design to accommodate pot lids and tall glasses. The one downside is that it can limit what you place in the lower rack.

Stainless Steel Tub

Dishwasher tubs are typically made from either plastic or stainless steel, and there are several benefits to going with the latter. “Stainless steel tubs are best,” says Tanya Klien, CEO at Anta Plumbing. “They cost more than plastic tubs, but they look better longer, and they are far more durable.” Stainless steel tubs in dishwashers help to keep the interior sanitized and clean. Like a stainless steel tub in a washing machine, the material is less likely to develop stains, harbor bacteria, and show wear over time. The metal is more conducive to heat, making it very helpful in drying dishes. If you purchase a model with a stainless steel tub and additional fans, your dishes will likely come out very clean and dry. This is a major perk for any household, particularly for those who might run the dishwasher more frequently.

Sanitize Setting

A sanitize setting in dishwashers uses very hot water to cleanse your dirty dishes of lingering bacteria, allergens, and germs. It’s typically an add-on setting that can be paired with a normal cycle selection. Households with children will find this setting most handy, especially when paired with a stainless steel tub, powerful water jet system, and hard food disposer. Our best smart pick, the LG Electronics LDP6810SS 24 in. Built-In Smart Dishwasher, has a sanitize cycle that uses steam to penetrate heavy food residue and eliminate water spots by up to 60 percent. This setting can also be paired with the dishwasher’s Dynamic Dry setting, which uses four steam jets to heat the interior for dryer dishes.

Bottle Wash

Select dishwasher models may be equipped with special bottle washing jets, which are ideal for cleaning inside reusable water bottles and other glasses with a narrow opening. These jets direct water and detergent inside these hard-to-clean containers, saving you from having to scrub them with a bottle brush. 

Hard Food Disposer

If you’ve ever unloaded your dishwasher and found particles of food stuck to the clean dishes, you’ll understand the appeal of a hard food disposer. Think of this feature as a garbage disposal for your dishwasher—it uses sharp blades to chop up any food particles into tiny pieces and prevents them from being recirculated back into the wash cycle. This is also beneficial because it prevents large food pieces from clogging the wash arms or your pipes, and it also lessens the maintenance required, as you won’t need to frequently empty your dishwasher’s filter.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written by Camryn Rabideau, a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. As she was researching dishwashers, she spoke with Tanya Klien, CEO at Anta Plumbing, for insights on what consumers typically look for in a dishwasher and what features are worth buying. She evaluated dozens of products based on their performance, noise level, energy efficiency, and capacity, scouring user reviews to determine the pros and cons of each product.  Once the machine has completed the cycle, sprinkle one cup of baking soda on the appliance floor to fix a smelly dishwasher. Run a quick cycle with hot water, skipping the drying cycle. When it’s finished, keep the door of the appliance open so it can air dry. For more, see our guide on how to clean a dishwasher. Load plates, and large items, like casserole dishes and pans, in the bottom rack of the dishwasher. Keep items separated using the dishwasher’s tines, and make sure items are angled toward the spray arms of the dishwasher. Place bowls facing down and avoid crowding, so the dirtiest surfaces are sprayed during the wash cycle. For clean silverware, make sure to alternate the direction of forks and spoons in the silverware basket, so they don’t nest together during washing. For safety, place knives in the dishwasher with blades facing down. This article was edited and updated by Marisa Casciano, the senior commerce editor for appliances, cleaning, and organization for The Spruce. Throughout her career, she’s researched the ins and outs of air purifiers, dishwashers, cooktops, and more in the home and lifestyle space. Having lived in multiple apartments, she knows the difference that having a functional and quiet dishwasher can make.