All dishwashers are not created equal. You can't just look at the price tag.
Here is what you need to know before you buy.
The first day you will miss your dishwasher is the day it finally decides to stop working. They can be real time savers in the kitchen. With over 20 brands currently available, ranging anywhere from $225 to over $2500, you have your work cut out for you. You don’t have to drop a $1000 to get a good machine, but you'll almost certainly spend more than $400 to get one to wash and dry your dishes properly. Here’s how to pick the right dishwasher without spending too much money.
Cleaning/Drying Performance
Think of a dishwasher as a magic box: put your dirty dishes in, press the button and the magic box cleans and dries your dishes. We often talk about cleaning, but we seldom mention drying, which accounts for about a third of the time we spend hand-washing dishes. Most units under $400 can do a fair job of washing your dishes, few of them will dry as well as the more expensive models. In addition, some of the more advanced models (like Kitchen Aid models with the clean water wash system) actually remove food particles as it washes. If you are the kind of person who typically rinses their dishes before washing, a basic unit may be fine. If you have a lot of baked on casseroles and pans you usually soak before washing, many of the better dishwashers can tackle those without the prewashing.
Features - Added Convenience, Higher Prices
At a certain price level, for the most part, many dishwashers will do a good to very good job washing and drying your dishes. Added features, which will typically add to the cost of a dishwasher, can also improve to how quickly and easily your get your dishes done. For example, many better dishwashers will have things like adjustable racks which allow you to wash full size dishes on both main racks; adjustable tines which allow you more flexibility on where you place your dishes; bottle jets will allow narrow and tall items (like vases and sports bottles) to get clean; many premium units will come with fan assisted drying to assure spot-free dishes and a full complement of wine racks to hold every glass the first load. Recently, many dishwasher manufacturers (Bosch, Kitchen Aid, Thermador, ASKO and even GE) have been adding a thin third rack positioned above the upper rack. This rack is designed to free up extra space on the lower rack for extra utility. Dishwashers starting at $700 and up will have this very handy extra rack.
Longevity
Sure, you just bought a dishwasher that works well today, but how long before it breaks? A basic dishwasher can last 6-8 years while better, more reliable brands can last you 12-15 years (some premium brands claim 20 years). It's not just the money you spend today, it's the money you don't have to spend tomorrow. It's simple: better dishwashers are built to last longer, using more durable components. Basic dishwashers have plastic tubs and PVC coated racks (the cream or white colored racks) which, over time, will chip, crack, and rust and possibly fall apart. Better dishwashers will have stainless steel tubs with nylon coated racks (grey, silver or black) which should last the life of your dishwasher. Some brands are noted for their reliability. Whirlpool (this can include Kitchen Aid and Jenn-Air) claims that for 20 years no one has built a more reliable dishwasher in America. Bosch makes a similar claim on reliability (they started building their German engineered dishwashers in North Carolina 15 years ago). For the past 15 years, they state, no one has built a more reliable dishwasher in America than Bosch. Regardless of which of these companies can lay claim to the most reliable, they both consistently makes models that perform well and last longer than many other brands.
Looks Good, Runs Quiet
It may seem like a small thing to some, but having a dishwasher that blends in with the rest of the kitchen appliances is important to many of us. Today's newer and better units have hidden controls and discreet pulls which allow these units to look good in almost any kitchen. Some premium units (brands like Thermador, Kitchen Aid, Bosch, ASKO and Miele) are panel ready, meaning that they can be cleverly concealed behind wood panels that look just like the rest of your kitchen cabinetry. Even more important than looks, we don't want our dishwashers to sound LOUD. In fact, most of us prefer a virtually silent machine if possible. Starting around $500 and up, you can get a dishwasher that operates at a whisper quiet 50 decibels. At $800 and up, dishwasher will run extremely quiet (44 decibels or less). At $1200 and up, dishwashers in this class will run virtually silent (39 decibels or less). Keep in mind, many dishwashers under $400 will sound noisy or even loud. Most dishwashers over $500 will be quiet, over $1000 and they will be almost silent.
The Bottom Line
Knowing what you want from your dishwasher is crucial to getting the best value. If you are very budget conscious, you can still get a good dishwasher. Just know that, at the very least, you will be giving up features, quietness and possibly performance. If you want a solid mix of performance, quietness, and features, expect to pay between $650 and $900. If you feel the need for the very best performance, quietness and reliability, understand that you will most likely be spending at least $1000 or more. Check with a Don's Appliances sales associate to make sure you are getting the features you need at the right price.