Dishwasher spec sheets throw a lot of numbers at you: a dBA rating, a drying system with a trademarked name, a third rack, a yearly energy cost. This guide explains what each means, which numbers compare across brands, and where claims need a closer read.
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Short answer. Measure your opening (most dishwashers are 24 inches wide), make sure the racks fit your dishes, aim for about 44 dBA or lower if noise matters (every 10 dB sounds roughly twice as loud), pick a drying system based on how much you care about dry plastics, and confirm ENERGY STAR certification, which for a standard model means 240 kWh a year or less and 3.2 gallons a cycle or less. A stainless steel tub and good reliability data matter more than most extras.
This is a research-based guide; The Review NYU did not test any dishwasher. On 14 November 2026 we read the ENERGY STAR dishwasher criteria, the Department of Energy's dishwasher rulemaking page, FTC pages on the EnergyGuide label, the Consumer Reports buying guide (updated 28 May 2026), and pages from KitchenAid, Bosch and Miele. Manufacturer numbers are treated as claims; Consumer Reports test and survey findings are attributed to it.
We did not read a GE Appliances page, and we skipped Wirecutter, CNET and Serious Eats, which earlier research could not read. An FTC consumer page on the EnergyGuide label returned a 404, so we relied on the FTC rule page instead.
Dishwasher noise is quoted in dBA, A-weighted decibels, which KitchenAid explains reflect how loud something sounds to the human ear. The scale is logarithmic: KitchenAid states that every 10-decibel increase doubles the perceived noise, so a 60 dBA machine sounds about twice as loud as a 50 dBA one. A 39 dBA model and a 49 dBA model are not slightly apart; the louder one sounds roughly twice as loud.
KitchenAid says quiet models go as low as about 38 dBA, anything at 44 dBA or lower may be considered quiet, and 50 dBA or above is usually thought of as average. Its ranges are below; they are a manufacturer's descriptions, not independent measurements.
| dBA rating | Comparable sound | How it may come across in a kitchen |
|---|---|---|
| 38 to 40 dBA | Library, bird calls | Virtually silent, blends into background |
| 41 to 45 dBA | Moderate rainfall | Barely noticeable during conversation |
| 46 to 50 dBA | Normal conversation at home | Noticeable hum, not disruptive |
| 51 to 55 dBA | Average household refrigerator | Moderate noise, may interrupt quiet moments |
| 56 dBA and up | Conversation in an office or restaurant | Clearly audible, may be distracting |
Makers usually give one dBA figure, often in the product name (KitchenAid's guide lists models at 39, 41, 44 and 47 dBA). The pages we read did not say which cycle was measured or how, so use the figure to rank one brand's models and be more cautious across brands. Consumer Reports scores noise in its own lab tests, notes that no dishwasher is totally silent, and says models at $500 or less tend to be noisier.
KitchenAid credits quieter operation to insulation, stainless steel tubs, food-trap filters instead of disposals, and quieter pumps. In an open-plan kitchen, a low rating is worth more.
Drying is where many dishwashers fall short. Consumer Reports says many models struggle to dry fully, especially plastics. The table describes the main approaches in general terms; specific numbers are manufacturer claims.
| Drying approach | How it works | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Heated dry | An electric element heats the tub after the final rinse so water evaporates. | Whether the heat option is on by default, and whether it adds energy use on your chosen cycle. |
| Condensation (residual heat) | A hot final rinse warms the dishes; moisture condenses on the cooler tub walls and drains away. Consumer Reports and KitchenAid both say a stainless steel tub helps drying; KitchenAid says it retains heat. | Plastics often stay wetter. Rinse aid matters for this method. |
| Fan-assisted | A fan moves humid air out of the tub or across the load. Brands use their own names, such as KitchenAid's "ProDry" in product names. | What the fan actually does on that model; the marketing name alone does not tell you. |
| Mineral (zeolite) drying | Bosch says its CrystalDry uses natural minerals to collect moisture and turn it into heat, up to 176°F, and circulates the hot air through the tub. | The footnote behind any "drier" claim (see below). Bosch offers it on higher-end series. |
| Door-opening | Miele says its AutoOpen drying pops the door open at the end of each cycle to let warm, humid air escape. Bosch lists AutoAir as a separate drying feature alongside PureDry and CrystalDry. | Whether a door that opens on its own suits your kitchen, and whether it can be switched off. |
Bosch's CrystalDry page shows why. Its headline says "60% drier" while body text says "20x drier". The footnote compares Bosch 800 Series models with CrystalDry and rinse aid against Bosch 500 Series models without AutoAir and without rinse aid: Bosch's own models under different conditions, not a test against other brands. Rinse aid is part of the result, so budget for it whatever system you choose.
Door-opening behavior varies by cycle: Miele support says that on its QuickIntenseWash program the door opens 10 minutes after the program ends, with that time used for drying. Check the manual for the model you want.
The single most practical question is whether your own dishes fit. Consumer Reports advises taking a close look at the rack configuration and, if you often use oversized bowls or casserole dishes, choosing a height-adjustable upper rack or fold-down tines on the bottom rack.
Consumer Reports says third racks appear above a certain price point; they are shallow top racks usually meant for silverware and flat items like cooking utensils and pot lids. KitchenAid adds that some are deep enough for mugs or bowls and suggests looking for wash jets beneath the third rack.
A cutlery basket takes up lower-rack space but is quick to load. A third rack frees that space and lays utensils flat, but each piece goes in by hand. Some models offer both; check the specific model.
Consumer Reports says an adjustable upper rack accommodates taller dishware, is more common at higher prices, and that some upper-rack adjustability is desirable for almost anyone. Fold-down tines handle bulky items, and where they fold varies between machines.
According to Consumer Reports, most dishwashers measure 24 inches wide and 24 inches deep, and if you have a small kitchen you might consider an 18-inch-wide model that is also 24 inches deep. Measure the opening and remember to account for the adjustment of the leveling feet.
ENERGY STAR classes dishwashers by capacity, not width: standard models hold at least eight place settings plus six serving pieces; compact models hold fewer. Before comparing an 18-inch model's efficiency with a 24-inch one, check which class it is certified under. A smaller machine saves space but can mean more loads.
Two labels help you compare running costs. The first is ENERGY STAR certification. The ENERGY STAR key product criteria, which became effective on 19 July 2023, set these limits:
| Class | Capacity | Maximum energy | Maximum water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | 8 or more place settings plus 6 serving pieces | 240 kWh per year | 3.2 gallons per cycle |
| Compact | Fewer than 8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces | 155 kWh per year | 2.0 gallons per cycle |
ENERGY STAR says the DOE test behind these figures (required for all models since 23 January 2024) includes standby energy and assumes 215 cycles a year, so your real use will differ if you run more or fewer loads.
The second is the yellow EnergyGuide label. Under the FTC's Energy Labeling Rule, it states estimated annual operating cost and energy use, plus a range showing the highest and lowest cost among similar models. Consumer Reports says the label is required on all dishwashers sold and gives costs for homes heating water with gas or electricity. Compare the yearly cost that matches your home across your shortlist.
For scale, Consumer Reports says an ENERGY STAR dishwasher can in theory cost about $50 a year to run and save about 3,800 gallons of water over its lifetime.
The DOE's consumer dishwashers page says a rule published 24 April 2024 set new standards, with compliance required from 23 April 2027. It also lists a 16 May 2025 proposal to rescind the amended water-use standards, returning limits to the statutory 6.5 gallons per cycle (standard) and 4.5 gallons (compact). The page, last updated 16 July 2025, showed no final decision when we checked on 14 November 2026, so treat the 2027 rules as subject to change. ENERGY STAR's limits are stricter either way.
Tub. Consumer Reports says a stainless steel tub is more durable than plastic, stains less easily and helps dishes dry faster, but adds to the price; it notes that models at $500 or less are likely to have less durable plastic tubs. KitchenAid adds that stainless tubs are generally quieter.
Filter. Consumer Reports says most dishwashers use manual filters you clean occasionally, while self-cleaning models grind food so it drains away. KitchenAid says disposal models are noisier. A manual filter means some upkeep and a quieter machine.
Reliability. Consumer Reports surveyed more than 66,000 members about more than 77,000 dishwashers from 27 brands bought between 2015 and 2025. No brand was problem-free; Bosch, Miele, Thermador, Beko and Midea rose to the top for predicted reliability, with Maytag, Whirlpool, LG and Hotpoint just behind. The most common complaints were poor cleaning, then poor drying or draining, and broken racks.
Warranty and price. We did not verify specific warranty terms, so read the written warranty for the exact model, including who pays for labor. Our guide on whether an extended warranty is worth it helps with add-on plans. Consumer Reports calls $500 to $1,000 the sweet spot for cleaning, reliability and quiet; if a model is discounted, see how to tell if a sale is a real deal.
Compare shortlisted spec sheets side by side (see how to read a product spec sheet), and run full loads of your own dishes inside the return window (see how to test a product during the return window).
KitchenAid's guide says any dishwasher rated 44 dBA or lower may be considered quiet, the quietest go down to about 38 dBA, and 50 dBA or above is usually thought of as average. These are manufacturer descriptions, so compare figures within one brand with more confidence than across brands.
Since 19 July 2023, a standard dishwasher (at least eight place settings plus six serving pieces) must use no more than 240 kWh a year and 3.2 gallons per cycle to earn ENERGY STAR. Compact models are limited to 155 kWh a year and 2.0 gallons per cycle.
It depends on how you load. A third rack is a shallow top rack for flatware and utensils that frees space in the lower rack, while a basket is quicker to load and unload. Consumer Reports notes third racks usually appear above a certain price point.
Plastics are harder to dry than glass or ceramic, according to Consumer Reports. Mineral drying such as Bosch CrystalDry and door-opening systems such as Miele AutoOpen are designed to help, but the manufacturer claims we read compare a brand's own models under set conditions, not other brands, so look for independent drying scores.
The DOE page we checked says compliance with standards from an April 2024 rule is required from 23 April 2027, but it also lists a May 2025 proposal to rescind the amended water-use limits. The page showed no final decision when checked on 14 November 2026, so the rule may change.