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We all can agree: Washing dishes isn’t exactly the best part of cooking and enjoying a delicious meal. Staring down a sink brimming with dirty plates, smudged glassware and a sauce-streaked Dutch oven is enough to make one want to throw in the towel on post-dinner cleanup. But the best dishwashers work miracles in keeping the kitchen tidy, without all the heavy lifting and time required by hand-washing.

From large capacity models to compact countertop versions, the best dishwashers do all the dirty ... [+] work for you.

Our top pick is the affordable Bosch Ascenta 24-Inch Stainless Steel Front Control Dishwasher, a sleek and powerful model that’s a great option for most homes. That said, the right dishwasher for you ultimately depends on your unique set of needs and preferences. Thankfully, whether you’re looking for a portable model that connects to the sink and can be wheeled out of sight when not in use or a built-in machine with a large capacity, you have plenty of great options.

Ready to start shopping for this important appliance? Here, we’ve rounded up the best dishwashers from Bosch, LG, Samsung, KitchenAid and more.

Dimensions: 33.9 x 23.6 x 23.8 inches | dBA: 50 | Capacity: 14 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

Bosch dishwashers are categorically swoon-worthy—quiet, effective and expertly crafted—and the brand’s Ascenta model checks all the boxes at an affordable price. Its third rack makes loading and stacking silverware easy, a sanitizing option removes 99.9% of bacteria and a precise, powerful spray ensures spotless dishes without pre-rinsing. It’s also Energy Star qualified, which means it’s kinder on the environment and provides you with year-round energy bill savings; plus, there’s a half load cycle option for smaller loads. The icing on the cake is its streamlined looks, from the front control panel to the recessed handle and fingerprint-resistant finish that keeps smudges at bay.

Dimensions: 24.5 x 23.7 x 33.8 inches | dBA Rating: 44 | Capacity: 16 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

This Bosch 500 Series dishwasher isn’t the cheapest dishwasher out there, but it is a really great value—meaning it packs in a lot of features at a fair price. This dishwasher has a flexible third rack if you need extra room for oversized dishes and utensils, so you can fit everything in after a dinner party. Once the dishes are washed, the AutoAir Dry automatically pops the door open so your dishes dry quicker without water marks. For added convenience, the appliance is equipped with an LED light that shines on the floor, so you’ll always know when a cycle is running.

Dimensions: 24 x 24 x 34.5 inches | dBA: 42 | Capacity: 15 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

This LG Smart Dishwasher has built-in Wi-Fi and a SmartThinQ app that let you monitor cycle time from your phone, so you can unload the dishwasher as soon as everything’s dry. Beyond the technological bells and whistles, the dishwasher also uses a powerful water stream that tackles stuck-on food while extra steam technology prevents water spots on dishes. Holding up to 15 place settings (according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, one place setting includes a dinner plate, snack plate, saucer, bowl, coffee cup, drinking glass and cutlery), you can have the whole gang over without dreading the cleanup.

Dimensions: 34.6 x 23.8 x 24 inches | dBA: 59 | Capacity: 12 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

Good quality dishwashers do not have to cost a fortune. This GE model is roomy (it fits up to 12 place settings), easy to use and versatile (there are five wash cycle options to choose from). A “delay start option” conveniently lets you set your dishwasher to run in advance, and an advanced dry cycle ensures fully dry dishes every time—all without the sticker shock. And while the decibel rating is a bit on the higher side, you can still carry on a normal conversation while it’s running.

Dimensions: 23.6 x 22.4 x 33.7 inches | dBA: 45 | Capacity: 16 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

This next-level dishwasher from Miele gives your best dishes the ultra-luxe treatment. This sleekly designed model is quick, Wi-Fi connected and powerful, so you don’t have to pre-rinse even the most stuck-on food. The layout inside is fully customizable, offering a height-adjustable section for smaller items and a width-adjustable section for wine glasses and other stemware. An innovative dosing system senses and dispenses the optimal amount of detergent for whatever you are washing.

Dimensions: 23.87 x 35 x 25 inches | dBA: 39 | Capacity: 15 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

At just 39 dBA, this Samsung dishwasher is the quietest on this list—and one of the quietest on the market—but its performance is still top notch. It has a one-of-a-kind sliding spray bar that ensures total coverage of dirty dishes, plus AquaBlast jets that clean from corner to corner. It’s big enough to fit up to 15 place settings, and the third rack provides extra space for silverware or mixing spoons and spatulas that never seem to have anywhere to go. It also has integrated Wi-Fi so you can control and monitor it from your phone. But one of our favorite features? The door automatically opens when the cycle is done so you don’t have to worry about lingering moisture or a buildup of unwanted smells.

Dimensions: 23.8 x 34 x 24 inches | dBA: 44 | Capacity: 16 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

Several of the dishwashers on this list have third racks, but the one that comes in this KitchenAid model is the most impressive. Rather than fitting only silverware or utensils, it’s large enough to accommodate 6-inch cups, bowls and mugs, thanks to its angled design. Operating at only 44 dBA, the Kitchen PrintShield Dishwasher is also virtually silent, plus it has a removable utensil tray and rotating jets that make sure every surface is thoroughly cleaned and rinsed. It also has a specialized cleaning cycle called the ProWash Cycle that utilizes sensors to track soil levels as the dishwasher runs and adjusts wash time and water temperature accordingly.

Dimensions: 22.4 x 32.5 x 18 inches | dBA: 46 | Capacity: 8 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

Apartment dwellers and those who tend to cook for a smaller crowd can enjoy all the benefits of a standard-size dishwasher in a slimmer, space-saving size. Samsung’s 18-inch, Energy Star-qualified model fits up to eight place settings and is designed to completely dry your dishes. Each load should finish within 60 minutes, so you can start a new one if needed. As an added convenience, the dishwasher is whisper quiet at 46 dBA.

Dimensions: 36 x 18 x 25.4 inches | dBA: 52 | Capacity: 8 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

For efficient, hands-free dish cleaning that’s there when you need it and tucked away when you don’t, a portable dishwasher is the way to go. GE’s 18-inch model delivers table-ready dishes (clean, dry and sanitized), with steel blades that rotate at 3,600 RPM to pulverize and then fully wash away food particles. When not in use, you can simply disconnect the dishwasher from the sink and wheel it into a closet, freeing up kitchen space for other tasks. 

Dimensions: 19.7 x 21.7 x 17.2 inches | dBA: 62 | Capacity: 6 place settings | Energy Star qualified: Yes

Outfit smaller kitchens—in vacation cottages, RVs and/or boats—with this portable dishwasher that sits right on the countertop. Despite its compact size, it holds up to six place settings and includes a cutlery basket for silverware. The dishwasher’s six washing programs offer full-size cleaning quality, and an extra drying function leaves plates and glasses dry and ready for the cupboard. A convenient child lock setting lets you lock the buttons, so little ones cannot accidentally start the dishwasher.