Verdict
The Best 5Reviewed by Mike Hun·May 23, 2026

Best Dishwashers

Top built-in and portable dishwashers reviewed and ranked.

Quick answer

Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N is our top pick for dishwashers — an averaged 4.8/5 across 3 published reviews at about $1,349. Runner-up: KitchenAid KDTM604KPS (~$1,199).

At a glance

Tap any product for the full review
(3 sources)
$1,349Best for: Buyers who want the quietest possible 42 dBA cabinet, the best drying on plastics, and a US-supported build-quality story without paying Miele money.
$1,349 · Check Price on Amazon
(3 sources)
$1,199Best for: Households with a large amount of glassware, baby bottles, kitchen utensils, or cooking tools that need the deepest possible third rack, and buyers who prefer KitchenAid's slightly-better-than-Bosch reliability record over the absolute quietest cabinet.
$1,199 · Buy at kitchenaid.com
(3 sources)
$949Best for: Budget-conscious families who want premium-quiet 42 dBA operation, TrueSteam, Wi-Fi smart features, and a strong warranty stack at a value-tier price, and who are willing to run the Heavy cycle to dodge the Normal-cycle dead zone.
$949 · Check Price on Amazon
(3 sources)
$1,999Best for: Buyers who keep appliances 15+ years, have hard water that benefits from a built-in softener, want a fully-integrated panel-ready install, and are willing to pay double the LG LDTH7972S price for measurably lower long-term failure rates.
$1,999 · Buy at mieleusa.com
(3 sources)
$340Best for: Renters, apartment-dwellers, RV and boat owners, and small kitchens with no dishwasher hookup — anyone who cannot install a permanent under-counter dishwasher but still wants automated cleaning and sanitization. Also a useful second dishwasher for households washing a high volume of baby bottles.
$340 · Check Price on Amazon
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Reviews aggregated from
Consumerreports.orgReviewed.comYaleappliance.comMasterswholesale.comAbt.comCanadianappliance.caWashdrydazzle.comKikitop.com

The full ranking

How we rank →
Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N
#1 · Top Score
Best for: Buyers who want the quietest possible 42 dBA cabinet, the best drying on plastics, and a US-supported build-quality story without paying Miele money.
Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N
from 3 sources$1,349

The Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N is the dishwasher most worth buying if you can spend around $1,300. It pairs the best wash and drying performance in its class with one of the quietest cabinets you can put in an open-plan kitchen, and Bosch's reliability record continues to put it near the top of any service-rate chart that includes the major US brands.

Strengths
  • 42 dBA noise level is among the quietest in any built-in dishwasher under $1,500
  • CrystalDry zeolite system delivers genuinely dry plastics that most competitors leave wet
Watch-outs
  • Touch controls can feel finicky and several useful options live only in the Home Connect app
  • Normal cycle runs around 2 hours, which feels slow if you only run one load a day
KitchenAid KDTM604KPS
#2
Best for: Households with a large amount of glassware, baby bottles, kitchen utensils, or cooking tools that need the deepest possible third rack, and buyers who prefer KitchenAid's slightly-better-than-Bosch reliability record over the absolute quietest cabinet.
KitchenAid KDTM604KPS
from 3 sources$1,199

The KitchenAid KDTM604KPS is the dishwasher to buy when third-rack capacity matters most. KitchenAid's FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest in the market, with its own wash jets and a stemware drying bar that genuinely help, and the rest of the machine is a competent 44 dBA performer with the brand's usual better-than-average reliability.

Strengths
  • FreeFlex Third Rack is the deepest third rack on the market with its own rotating wash jets and stemware drying bar
  • 44 dBA operation is quiet enough for open-plan kitchens
Watch-outs
  • Only 5 wash cycles, fewer than the Bosch 800's 8 or the LG LDTH7972S's 10
  • 44 dBA is competitive but loses to the Bosch 800's 42 dBA
LG LDTH7972S
#3
Best for: Budget-conscious families who want premium-quiet 42 dBA operation, TrueSteam, Wi-Fi smart features, and a strong warranty stack at a value-tier price, and who are willing to run the Heavy cycle to dodge the Normal-cycle dead zone.
LG LDTH7972S
from 3 sources$949

The LG LDTH7972S is the value pick that doesn't feel like one. At $949 it matches the Bosch 800 Series on noise (42 dBA), beats most everything in its class on warranty depth, and is the only machine in this comparison with a true steam generator. The lower rack has a documented cleaning dead-zone, but on the Heavy cycle with TrueSteam the LG removes over 99% of stains.

Strengths
  • 42 dBA noise level matches the Bosch 800 Series at $400 less
  • TrueSteam loosens baked-on food before the main wash, raising Heavy-cycle cleaning past 99%
Watch-outs
  • Bottom-center of the lower rack can leave heavier stains during Normal cycles (Reviewed measured up to 70% residual staining there in testing)
  • Plastics still require a wipe after the dry cycle despite the Dynamic Heat Dry fan
Miele G 7266 SCVi
#4
Best for: Buyers who keep appliances 15+ years, have hard water that benefits from a built-in softener, want a fully-integrated panel-ready install, and are willing to pay double the LG LDTH7972S price for measurably lower long-term failure rates.
Miele G 7266 SCVi
from 3 sources$1,999

The Miele G 7266 SCVi is the buy-it-once dishwasher. It's tested to a 20-year service life, has Miele's industry-low 5.6% twelve-month service rate, and its AutoOpen door delivers drying that Bosch and KitchenAid only approach with electric heating elements. The catch is the cycle time and the $2,000 price — both are real trade-offs.

Strengths
  • Tested for the equivalent of 20 years of service life — longest of any consumer dishwasher
  • AutoOpen door pops ajar after the cycle, letting steam escape and air-drying dishes
Watch-outs
  • Panel-ready design requires a custom cabinet panel; not a drop-in stainless install
  • Cycle time runs long — Consumer Reports judged it 'poor' on cycle time for full heavy loads
Farberware FCD06ABBWHA Countertop Dishwasher
#5
Best for: Renters, apartment-dwellers, RV and boat owners, and small kitchens with no dishwasher hookup — anyone who cannot install a permanent under-counter dishwasher but still wants automated cleaning and sanitization. Also a useful second dishwasher for households washing a high volume of baby bottles.
Farberware FCD06ABBWHA Countertop Dishwasher
from 3 sources$340

The Farberware FCD06ABBWHA is the right dishwasher if you can't install one. It sits on a countertop, hooks up to any standard kitchen faucet, washes 6 place settings of dishes up to 10 inches, and includes a Baby Care cycle that sanitizes at 158°F. Don't expect built-in cleaning consistency, but for apartments, RVs, and rentals where a permanent install isn't possible, it is the most-reviewed and best-rated countertop dishwasher on the market.

Strengths
  • Fits on a standard countertop with no installation, plumbing, or cabinet work required
  • Uses only 2.85 gallons of water per Normal cycle versus 3-4 for built-ins
Watch-outs
  • Only fits dishes up to 10 inches in diameter — no large dinner plates or cookware
  • Plastic items remain damp after the cycle; needs air-drying to finish

Spec comparison

5 products
SpecBosch 800 Series SHX78CM5NKitchenAid KDTM604KPSLG LDTH7972SMiele G 7266 SCViFarberware FCD06ABBWHA Countertop Dishwasher
Width24 inches24 inches24 inches24 inches19.7 inches (countertop unit)
Noise Level42 dBA44 dBA42 dBA42 dBA54 dBA
Place Settings161615166
Wash Cycles8 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, Speed60, Eco, Rinse, Glass, Express)5 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, ProWash, Express)10 (Auto, Heavy, Normal, Delicate, Refresh, 1-Hour, Express, Rinse, Machine Clean, Download Cycle)9 (Auto, QuickIntenseWash, ComfortWash, Eco, Pots & Pans, SaniWash, Express, Rinse, Glassware)7 (Heavy, Normal, Baby Care, Light, Glass, Speed 45, Self Clean)
Third RackYes, flexible 3D MyWayYes, FreeFlex with rotating wash jets and stemware drying barYes, height-adjustable sliderYes, 3D MultiFlex cutlery tray
Energy StarYes, certifiedYes, certifiedYes, 238 kWh/yearYes, certified
Smart FeaturesHome Connect Wi-Fi app + voice (Alexa, Google)ThinQ Wi-Fi, Alexa, Google, leak detectionMiele@home Wi-Fi app
Warranty1-year full parts and labor1-year full parts and labor1-year parts and labor, 10-year direct-drive motor, 2-year tub and racks2-year full coverage, 20-year tested service life1-year limited
Drying SystemFan-Enabled ProDryAutoOpen door drying

Frequently asked questions

What is the best dishwasher?
Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N is our top pick for dishwashers, with an averaged rating of 4.8/5 from 3 published reviews. The Bosch 800 Series SHX78CM5N is the dishwasher most worth buying if you can spend around $1,300. It pairs the best wash and drying performance in its class with one of the quietest cabinets you can put in an open-plan kitchen, and Bosch's reliability record continues to put it near the top of any service-rate chart that includes the major US brands.
Is there a cheaper alternative worth considering?
Farberware FCD06ABBWHA Countertop Dishwasher (around $340) rates 4.3/5 in our analysis. The Farberware FCD06ABBWHA is the right dishwasher if you can't install one. It sits on a countertop, hooks up to any standard kitchen faucet, washes 6 place settings of dishes up to 10 inches, and includes a Baby Care cycle that sanitizes at 158°F. Don't expect built-in cleaning consistency, but for apartments, RVs, and rentals where a permanent install isn't possible, it is the most-reviewed and best-rated countertop dishwasher on the market.
How does Verdict rank these products?
Every rating on Verdict is the numerical average of scores published by independent review sites, YouTube reviewers, and Reddit buyer reports. No editor adjusts the order — the ranking is whatever the source data produces. See our methodology page for the full process.
When was this guide last updated?
This guide was last re-checked in May 2026. We re-run our research pipeline for each category on a rolling basis so prices and rankings reflect current market reality.

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