KitchenAid/CNET

With cycles that can run several hours, perhaps noise — or lack thereof — is the most important consideration for you, especially if your open-plan kitchen is close to your bedroom or nursery, or if it’s also your office. Most standard dishwashers run in the 50-60 decibel range, which is just below the noise level of normal, indoor conversation. Many models now include additional technology that helps bring the noise level down to a very quiet 40-50 decibels, but this Kitchenaid model achieves an almost whisper-quiet level at only 39 decibels. In addition to being able to take a nap while the dishwasher is running, this high-end model also includes a third rack, a ProWash sensor that automatically adjusts the cycle for the soil level of the dishes and an extended heat dry option that can even evaporate the most determined drops on your plasticware.

This model reminded me of the Bosch SHEM63W55N both inside and out with its slick, modern design. The top silverware rack is slim but sturdy. The adjustable middle rack was simple to operate and intuitive to move into position to accommodate items of varying sizes.

• Home Depot rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 1,396 reviews
• Lowe’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 124 reviews