How to Choose a Good Dishwasher? | Pick What Fits

A good dishwasher fits your kitchen, cleans without pre-rinsing, dries dishes, and runs quietly enough for your space.

For the full breakdown, see our best Built Dishwasher guide.

Choosing a dishwasher comes down to more than picking a model that looks nice. The right one fits the opening in your cabinets, handles the dishes you actually own, and doesn’t force you to hand-wash the stuff it can’t reach. Measure first, check the rack layout second, and let efficiency and noise guide the rest.

Most US homes use 24-inch-wide models, and nearly every major manufacturer builds to that standard. Compact kitchens sometimes need 18-inch-wide units instead. Start there, then work through the details below.

What To Measure Before You Buy

Dishwasher dimensions vary slightly even within “standard” sizes, so measuring your cabinet opening beats trusting the spec sheet. Consumer Reports points out that dimensions can differ between models, which makes a tape measure the most useful tool in your kitchen.

Take these four measurements before shopping:

• Width: Measure the opening at the top and bottom. If the numbers differ, use the smaller one.
• Height: Measure from counter to floor at the left, center, and right. Use the smallest reading.
• Depth: Measure the cabinet cavity, then verify the door has room to swing open fully.
• Leveling: Account for the adjustable feet and any uneven flooring under the opening.

Also confirm your largest dishes fit. A casserole dish or stockpot that won’t clear the upper rack becomes a daily frustration no feature list can fix.

Cleaning Performance and Drying Matter Most

Dishwashers earn their keep by cleaning greasy, baked-on food without a pre-rinse and leaving dishes dry enough to put away. Consumer Reports tests exactly this: how well each model removes starchy and greasy soil, and whether glasses come out spot-free.

Skip-the-pre-rinse performance saves water and time every cycle. If a model needs you to scrape every plate first, it’s not doing its job.

Drying matters more than most people expect. Plastic containers and tall glasses hold water on even expensive machines. Look for models with heated dry or fan-assisted drying if spot-free plastics are a priority for your household.

The rack design is part of cleaning performance. Height-adjustable upper racks and fold-down tines let you fit oversized bowls and cookware without blocking the spray arms. Check that your everyday dishes fit the layout before you commit to a model.

How Quiet, Efficient, and Smart Should It Be?

Noise is measured in dBA, and anything around 40 dBA or below counts as very quiet. That matters most in open-plan kitchens where the dishwasher runs near living areas or bedrooms. If your kitchen is closed off, you can tolerate a louder model and save money.

ENERGY STAR models use less water and energy per cycle. Consumer Reports recommends them for cutting utility costs over the life of the appliance. The savings add up across years of daily use.

Wi-Fi and smart features are common now, but optional. Software on many models lets you customize cycles and start the dishwasher from your phone. A soil sensor is more useful than connectivity since it automatically adjusts cycle length based on how dirty the load is.

Before you pay for extras, ask which ones you’ll actually use. A third rack for flatware and utensils helps some households and goes unused in others.

What Most Buyers Get Wrong

Short, readable paragraphs are easier for your readers to scan, especially on mobile. Keep them to one or two sentences for most paragraphs, and split longer sections into subheads.

The highest-traffic article on your site follows a pattern that works:

• A short intro that immediately tells the reader what they’ll get.
• Step-by-step instructions or a clear comparison table in the middle.
• A quick-reference summary at the end for skimmers.

For a how-to article, readers appreciate clear rules of thumb. “Measure twice, buy once” is simple and memorable. For a comparison piece, a table that shows top picks at a glance beats paragraphs of description.

Write for the reader who wants the answer, not the journey. Avoid long product histories or brand deep-dives unless they matter to the buying decision.

FAQs

How long should a dishwasher last?

Most dishwashers last between 9 and 12 years with regular use and basic maintenance. Cleaning the filter, checking the spray arms for clogs, and using rinse aid helps the machine run efficiently for longer.

Is a louder dishwasher a bad buy?

Not necessarily. A model rated around 50 dBA runs noticeably louder but costs less upfront. The trade-off only becomes a real problem in open-plan kitchens or near bedrooms where noise carries.

Do I need a plumber to install a dishwasher?

You can install a dishwasher yourself if you’re comfortable with basic plumbing and electrical work. The appliance needs a dedicated circuit, a shut-off valve within four feet, and GFCI protection. Check local codes and the installation manual before starting.