Best Dishwasher Features of 2023 – CNET
Best Dishwasher Features of 2023 - CNET
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Every gadget gets new features and capabilities almost every year, and dishwashers are no different. Some of the tech in dishwashers might surprise those with just a standard one at home. The latest dishwashers on the market have features that can change the way you clean dishes — and make it a lot easier.
Every major dishwasher brand boasts a plethora of available features for its models, all of which promise to make the chore of cleaning up the kitchen and getting dirty dishes spotless easier than ever. Some of those features are actually capable of handling the job. When shopping for a new dishwasher, make sure you buy a model that’s up to the task and houses the best dishwasher features available. Here are the best options right now.
I’ve linked to models from a variety of brands and retailers that include the best dishwasher features discussed below. Note that CNET hasn’t tested those individual models at this time. We update this list periodically.
<div edition="us" description="
Aside from the usual jets at the bottom of the tub, some dishwashers have specialized jets meant for specific dishes. I love these. GE and Electrolux dishwashers have bottle wash jets. You clip a baby’s bottle or a water bottle to them and they’ll spray directly into the bottle to make sure the bottom gets cleaned. Kenmore and Samsung offer jets meant for casserole dishes. Load the dish in the back of the bottom rack, and these jets will hit the corners with a spray.
This is my favorite dishwasher feature because it takes part of the chore of cleaning up off your plate — instead of having to hand-wash your bottles, the dishwasher can take care of it. I also appreciate this feature because of how specialized it is — if you’re not regularly washing bottles or casserole dishes, you don’t need to bother. If you are, this feature is a godsend.
Better yet, dishwasher manufacturers don’t tend to charge a premium for these dishwasher features; you can find them as nice add-ons in ordinary midrange to high-end standard dishwasher models. If you want to hand-wash fewer dishes, consider a dishwasher with specialized jets.
” superlative=”Best overall” imagegroup=”{"alt":"ge-profile-series-diswasher-pdt750ssfss-product-photos-1.jpg","caption":"
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Aside from the usual jets at the bottom of the tub, some dishwashers have specialized jets meant for specific dishes. I love these. GE and Electrolux dishwashers have bottle wash jets. You clip a baby’s bottle or a water bottle to them and they’ll spray directly into the bottle to make sure the bottom gets cleaned. Kenmore and Samsung offer jets meant for casserole dishes. Load the dish in the back of the bottom rack, and these jets will hit the corners with a spray.
This is my favorite dishwasher feature because it takes part of the chore of cleaning up off your plate — instead of having to hand-wash your bottles, the dishwasher can take care of it. I also appreciate this feature because of how specialized it is — if you’re not regularly washing bottles or casserole dishes, you don’t need to bother. If you are, this feature is a godsend.
Better yet, dishwasher manufacturers don’t tend to charge a premium for these dishwasher features; you can find them as nice add-ons in ordinary midrange to high-end standard dishwasher models. If you want to hand-wash fewer dishes, consider a dishwasher with specialized jets.
<div edition="us" description="
Most dishwashers offer something to keep your stemware in place and most are passable. Generally, it’s a plastic piece that lowers onto the stem and braces it. Electrolux and Frigidaire have soft-grip racks that actually secure your glass. Press your stem into the blue plastic and it wraps around the step and grips it.
We didn’t encounter much broken stemware from any dishwasher during our testing, but if you want to feel extra secure with your fragile glasses, most Electrolux and Frigidaire dishwashers ship with these well-designed grips so you won’t have to pay a premium.
” superlative=”Best usability feature” imagegroup=”{"alt":"electroluxei24iddishwasherproductphotos-6.jpg","caption":"
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Best usability feature
Good Wine Stem Holders
Most dishwashers offer something to keep your stemware in place and most are passable. Generally, it’s a plastic piece that lowers onto the stem and braces it. Electrolux and Frigidaire have soft-grip racks that actually secure your glass. Press your stem into the blue plastic and it wraps around the step and grips it.
We didn’t encounter much broken stemware from any dishwasher during our testing, but if you want to feel extra secure with your fragile glasses, most Electrolux and Frigidaire dishwashers ship with these well-designed grips so you won’t have to pay a premium.
<div edition="us" description="
Yes, internet-connected dishwashers exist. Most let you check on the status of your cycle remotely and can notify you when your dishes are clean. While that’s neat in theory, most people I know run their dishwasher cycle at the end of the day or at night when they don’t urgently need clean forks. On the other hand, one smart feature is consistently useful — Amazon Dash Replenishment.
Smart GE, Whirlpool and LG dishwasher models offer this option, which will automatically ship you new dishwater detergent pods when you’re close to running out. The dishwashers keep track of the number of pods you ordered and how many times you’ve run the dishwasher so you can take one item off of your list to worry about when you go shopping.
Smart models from all three companies tend to be at the higher end of dishwasher price ranges, but the premium is worth considering if you want your dishwasher to be at the cutting edge of tech.
” superlative=”Best Smart Upgrade” imagegroup=”{"alt":"amazon-dash.jpg","caption":"
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Best Smart Upgrade
Dash Replenishment
Yes, internet-connected dishwashers exist. Most let you check on the status of your cycle remotely and can notify you when your dishes are clean. While that’s neat in theory, most people I know run their dishwasher cycle at the end of the day or at night when they don’t urgently need clean forks. On the other hand, one smart feature is consistently useful — Amazon Dash Replenishment.
Smart GE, Whirlpool and LG dishwasher models offer this option, which will automatically ship you new dishwater detergent pods when you’re close to running out. The dishwashers keep track of the number of pods you ordered and how many times you’ve run the dishwasher so you can take one item off of your list to worry about when you go shopping.
Smart models from all three companies tend to be at the higher end of dishwasher price ranges, but the premium is worth considering if you want your dishwasher to be at the cutting edge of tech.
<div edition="us" description="
If you regularly run out of room in your dishwasher, consider getting one with a third rack. Most manufacturers offer this feature, but models do tend to be a little more pricey than ordinary two-rack options. The smaller third rack sits above the others and is meant for silverware, small cups, serving utensils and the like.
While you can only fit small items in a third rack, putting all of your silverware in a separate place lets you fit larger dishes instead of the silverware basket on the bottom rack. Shift the little pieces to the top and you’ll have more room in the rest of the dishwasher for whatever else you’d like to wash when you clean dishes.
” superlative=”Best use of the space” imagegroup=”{"alt":"screen-shot-2020-06-18-at-11-11-03-am.png","caption":"
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Best use of the space
The Third Rack
If you regularly run out of room in your dishwasher, consider getting one with a third rack. Most manufacturers offer this feature, but models do tend to be a little more pricey than ordinary two-rack options. The smaller third rack sits above the others and is meant for silverware, small cups, serving utensils and the like.
While you can only fit small items in a third rack, putting all of your silverware in a separate place lets you fit larger dishes instead of the silverware basket on the bottom rack. Shift the little pieces to the top and you’ll have more room in the rest of the dishwasher for whatever else you’d like to wash when you clean dishes.
<div edition="us" description="
Several of my family members swear by the practice of opening the dishwasher door at the end of the wash cycle run. They want to let out the steam so the dishes can dry better and with fewer water marks. More recent models from companies like Bosch and Samsung can now do that task automatically.
Both Bosch and Samsung use fans to keep steam from damaging your counter as it’s released. Samsung’s AutoRelease Dry feature actually opens the door with 5 to 15 minutes left in the wash cycle. The feature is designed to save time and energy by letting in fresh air to help speed up the drying process.
” superlative=”Best automation” imagegroup=”{"alt":"screen-shot-2020-06-18-at-10-56-38-am.png","caption":"
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Best automation
Automatic Door Opening
Several of my family members swear by the practice of opening the dishwasher door at the end of the wash cycle run. They want to let out the steam so the dishes can dry better and with fewer water marks. More recent models from companies like Bosch and Samsung can now do that task automatically.
Both Bosch and Samsung use fans to keep steam from damaging your counter as it’s released. Samsung’s AutoRelease Dry feature actually opens the door with 5 to 15 minutes left in the wash cycle. The feature is designed to save time and energy by letting in fresh air to help speed up the drying process.
