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The dishwasher is one of the original labor-saving appliances. It also conserves water and energy. Any dishwasher is better than no dishwasher at all. But a great one—excellent at cleaning, easy to load, quiet, and reliable—goes above and beyond.
After scouring customer reviews and stress-testing 16 models, we recommend the Bosch 300 Series SHE53C85N as the first dishwasher you should consider.
Bosch 300 Series SHE53C85N – Best Overall
Of the models we tested, the Bosch 300 Series SHE53C85N delivers the strongest combination of cleaning performance, useful features, and value. We’ve been recommending the 300 Series since 2017.
The adjustable, roomy racks on the 300 Series SHE53C85N provide extra loading flexibility, so you can wash everything from dishes to taller pots and pans in one load. In addition to its bottom-rack cutlery basket, this dishwasher has a third rack that accommodates cutlery, as well as ramekins or larger spoons in its deeper middle trough.
When it’s running, this dishwasher is quiet enough to go unnoticed, unless you’re standing right next to it.
Like many dishwashers, this model struggles to fully dry plastic items. If bone-dry plastic is a priority for you, this might be a drawback.
The 300 Series SHE53C85N has a recessed handle with a touch-sensitive control panel that worked well in our testing even when wet. The dishwasher is designed to work more seamlessly with Bosch’s Home Connect app (which we had no problems connecting to); you can use it to track the timing of a cycle, or to optionally save your most frequently used dishwasher settings.
Bosch has a strong reliability track record. This model comes with a one-year warranty for parts and labor.
GE Fully Integrated 24-Inch Budget Dishwasher – Best Value
This built-in dishwasher comes out on top for its solid lineup of features and ultra-quiet operation.
If, like me, you can’t stand struggling to hear the TV over a loud dishwasher, quiet operation is a big priority. That’s one of many reasons I love this model, which has an ultra-quiet 48-dBA noise rating. Two other features at the top of my list are a fingerprint-resistant finish and a stainless steel tub. I also like that this model is Wi-Fi-compatible in case I want to upgrade.
Other highlights include a one-hour quick wash among the dishwasher’s five cycles, and the option to run a half-load on the top or bottom rack. The model comes in six finishes, plus it’s Energy Star-rated.
The only drawback, though likely not a dealbreaker, is that the part required for enabling Wi-Fi is sold separately.
KEY SPECS
| Place Settings | 16 |
|---|---|
| Cycles | 5 |
| Noise Level | 48 dBA |