Best Dishwasher Brands

!±8± Best Dishwasher Brands

Searching for the best dishwasher is sometimes like trying to find the end of a rainbow. There are hundreds of models to choose from, and it seems like the more you look, the more confusing and elusive your goal becomes.

To help narrow down your search, why not start with the best brands first, and then work your way down the list? According to J.D. Power & Associate's 2009 Home Appliance Study, the top 5 dishwasher brands for overall customer satisfaction are Kenmore Elite, Bosch, Maytag, KitchenAid, and LG.

In our own study of over 200 dishwashers, we rated each appliance in 40 key areas. The top 5 brands that consistently scored at the top in almost every price range were GE, Maytag, Kenmore, KitchenAid, and Frigidaire.

The best dishwasher brands common to both studies are Kenmore, Maytag, and KitchenAid. Let's take a look at their top models:

1. Kenmore 13183 - This stainless steel dishwasher scored 10 out of 10 in our study. It has a stainless steel exterior, stainless steel inner tub, and hidden controls for a sleek, modern look. The 13183 sprays water to 6 different levels, supplements with spray jets, and has a NSF certified sanitary rinse cycle. The design is "Tall Tub" and it holds up to 14 place settings. The racks are adjustable, and you'll love the quietness with only a 52 dbA sound rating. The 13183 is also Energy Star qualified with a 300 kWh annual electricity usage.

2. Maytag MDB8959AWS - Rated 9.8 out of 10, this Maytag has stainless steel inside and out, and the controls are hidden at the top. The cleaning system is one of the best with 5 wash levels, spray jets, steam, and a sanitary rinse. Its eco-friendliness is evident in several areas including a low 291 kWh rating and 4.2 gallon per cycle water usage. The MDB8959AWS holds 14 place settings in the tall tub, and the racks are adjustable. Noise levels are slightly higher than the Kenmore at 56 dbA, but still very good.

3. KitchenAid KUDE70FVSS - With hidden controls and stainless steel all around, this best dishwasher also scored 10 out of 10. Water spray is delivered to 5 levels while the jets scrub and scour any heavily soiled items. The NSF sanitary rinse finishes up a wash cycle that is one of the best. As far as noise goes, it's one of the quietest dishwashers you can buy. At 41 dbA, only Bosch makes a slightly quieter dishwasher at 40 dbA.