Dishwashers

Best Dishwashers for $1,000 or Less

These midpriced models offer top-notch performance and plenty of features

By Liam McCabe and Molly Bradley

Additional reporting by Daphne YaoUpdated by Kala Herh

Updated March 18, 2024

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more.

Bosch 100 Series SHXM4AY55N dishwasher open in a kitchen setting — While these products may fall in the middle of the price range for dishwashers, they offer some advanced features, such as a stainless steel tub and a third rack, that you typically see in higher-end models.

When you’re shopping for a dishwasher, you might expect that the more money you spend, the better the dishwasher you’ll get. And there certainly are expensive dishwashers that have both impressive performance and a lot of bells and whistles. But based on our lab tests of more than 140 models and our member survey data of more than 86,000 dishwashers purchased between 2021 and 2023, we believe the sweet spot for dishwashers is between $500 and $1,000.

Within that range, you’ll find a selection of high-performing machines equipped with the features that people care most about—and often some nice extras too. Data from our member surveys bears this out: Between 2021 and 2023, our members spent a median price of $855 on their dishwashers.

In this article

There’s a broad range of moderately priced dishwashers that earn our top rating for cleaning performance. Machines in this price range almost always outperform dishwashers that cost less than $500. They also tend to score well in predicted reliability, and the quality of manufacturing means you can expect the machine to live up to its roughly 10-year life expectancy.

You’ll also find a wider array of features in these dishwashers compared with models under $500, like adjustable racks and tines, room for more place settings, self-cleaning filters, and multiple cycle options. The models approaching $1,000 typically have more features, but even models that cost closer to $500 have their perks. If you’re shopping for a dishwasher between $500 and $1000, you should be able to expect the following.

Quieter performance: If you hang out or sleep near your kitchen, it can be worth upgrading to a dishwasher that runs quietly. Plenty of models that cost between $500 and $1,000 earn our top rating for noise. Those are “very difficult to hear,” says Larry Ciufo, CR’s head of dishwasher testing. “You can stand next to it and not hear a thing.”

Better drying: Most dishwashers have no trouble with drying ceramic or metal items. But the top performers can almost completely dry plastic, too, even when their door isn’t opened promptly to let steam escape at the end of a cycle.

A stainless steel tub: The metal walls contribute to quieter performance and better drying. They’re also much better than plastic tubs at resisting the chalky, unsightly limescale stains that sometimes build up over time, especially if you have hard (mineral-rich) water.

More rack space and adjustments: Several dishwashers in this price range come with space for more place settings and a third rack. This low-profile tray sits at the top of the tub and can hold utensils and other small or relatively flat items, freeing up extra space for the bigger dishes on the bottom and middle racks. Height-adjustable upper (or middle) racks are also pretty standard, as are multiple sets of folding tines.

Powerful fast-wash cycles: Even cheap dishwashers usually have a quick cycle for lightly soiled dishes. But some midpriced models have cycles that can thoroughly wash (and sort of dry) a load in an hour or less, as long as there’s not too much dried-on gunk (though they’re less energy-efficient than the standard Normal, Auto, or Sensor cycles.)

A higher-end look: A stainless steel finish is the norm in this price range. Stacy Canova-Turner, CR’s market analyst for dishwashers, says that shoppers can also find black stainless and “panel ready” (customizable-front) models. “Dishwashers with bar handles, rather than pocket handles, are becoming more common at this price too,” Canova-Turner says. That design is usually paired with integrated control panels, also known as hidden or top-mount controls, which offer a cleaner look.

CR members can read on to see a selection of five great dishwashers from our ratings, all falling between $500 and $1,000. Some are among the top-rated models in our rankings, while others have solid ratings and above-average looks and features for their price. For even more choices, members can explore our full dishwasher ratings. And be sure to consult our dishwasher buying guide as you shop.

Best Dishwashers for $1,000 or Less

These moderately priced dishwashers perform well in our lab tests and come with a nice array of useful features.

How Consumer Reports Tests Dishwashers

We spend 28 hours evaluating each dishwasher in our lab. Our testers load each machine with 10 white ceramic dishes with baked-on food and run the normal cycle or its equivalent. Afterward, they use a photo-imaging machine to determine precisely how clean each dish is. They also test a dishwasher’s drying capabilities, judge noise levels, record cycle time, and calculate water and energy use.

We also incorporate feedback from Consumer Reports members who’ve shared their experiences with us in our annual surveys. They’ve provided data for more than 85,000 new dishwashers purchased between 2021 and 2023, which we use to predict the most reliable dishwasher brands, as well as the brands that tend to make their owners the happiest.

Molly Bradley

Molly Bradley is a home and appliance writer at Consumer Reports. Before joining CR in 2023, she managed the editorial team at Digg, and has devoted her career to helping readers navigate the world and make their lives a little easier, elucidating topics in technology and culture. Molly earned a master’s degree in writing from Bennington College and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her cat, Saltine. Follow her on X @mollyguinn.