Some major appliances are so common that you take them for granted. With that, you might lose sight of the ongoing energy costs of operating them.
Dishwashers are one such appliance, but they don’t need to run up your energy bill. Running an Energy Star-certified dishwasher costs about $50 per year and can save 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime. Here are some of the best ones available today.
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Best Energy-Efficient Dishwasher
To find the best energy-efficient dishwashers, we started with Energy Star and then checked to see if the most efficient models were widely available and well-reviewed by customers. Here are our top picks.
Best energy-efficient dishwashers
The most efficient dishwashers you can buy right now are from Miele. Under regular use, the Miele G5892SCViSL consumes just 200 kilowatt-hours per year and 3.2 gallons of water per cycle. That’s 34% and 36% better than the respective federal standards. This Miele has an automatic door release and fan-assisted drying for better energy efficiency.
A close second is the Fisher & Paykel DD24DTX6PX1 which uses just 202 kWhs per year and 3.1 gallons of water per cycle. Its unique DishDrawer design lets you wash half loads, even if you’re actively loading the other drawer. It also has fan-assisted drying.
Both of the picks listed above come at a high price ($2,099 and $2,649, respectively). The Edgestar BIDW1802** is both more affordable ($499 to $539) and available in more places. Energy Star says it uses 234 kWhs of electricity in a year and 3.1 gallons of water per cycle, better than the national average by 24% and 38% respectively.
Most popular energy-efficient dishwashers
While the dishwashers above may be the most efficient, these models are efficient and are some of the most-rated dishwashers at major sites like Home Depot and Lowes.
The Frigidaire FFCD2413**** uses 240 kWhs of electricity per year (22% better than the national standard) and 3.2 gallons per cycle (36% better). It has nearly 11,000 ratings at Lowes and is nearing 9,000 at Home Depot (a four star average at both). Its popularity likely comes in part from its price: just $359 at this writing. This dishwasher has a plastic tub, unlike the options above, which have a stainless steel tub.
Another option with a high number of reviews from the Bosch 500 Series, which has more than 4,500 reviews on Home Depot (4.4 stars) and over 10,000 on Lowes (4.6 stars). Energy Star estimates it uses 240 kWh in a year and 3.2 gallons of water per cycle. The Bosch has some innovative features like an adjustable rack for fitting large dishes and WiFi connectivity for app and voice control with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
Best dishwasher for water efficiency
If you’re looking to save water with a standard dishwasher, the LG LDPN454** is a good bet. Using just 2.9 gallons of water per cycle, it’s the most water-efficient dishwasher on our list. (On Energy Star, you can find standard dishwashers that use just 2.3 gallons per cycle, though you may need to look harder to find them in stores. If you include compact dishwashers, you can find models that use just 1.59 gallons per cycle.)
The LG LDPN454** receives positive reviews, averaging 4.2 and 4.3 stars at Lowes and Best Buy. Home Depot customers rate it lower — a 3.8 star average — including a string of complaints about the machine’s drying feature. It’s not WiFi compatible.
Best energy-efficient small dishwasher
If you’ve got a small space or small dishwashing needs, your most energy-efficient, widely available dishwasher is the Comfee CDC22P****. It uses just 155 kWhs of electricity per year and just two gallons of water per cycle. This Comfee dishwasher is a small countertop model, holding six place settings.
Comfee’s countertop model has eight washing cycles and can finish a load in just 45 minutes. As a rule, fewer reviews are available for these small dishwashers, so it’s hard to draw conclusions from them, though the Comfee CDC22P**** has a 4.2 star average out of more than 1,000 reviews on Amazon.
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Comparing energy-efficient dishwashers
| Brand | Model | Superlative | Annual Energy Use | Per Cycle Water Use | Capacity (place settings) | Average retail rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miele | G 5892 SCVi SL | Most efficient | 200 kWh | 3.2 gallons | 10 | |
| Fisher & Paykel | DD24DTX6PX1 | Most efficient | 202 kWh | 3.1 gallons | 14 | |
| Edgestar | BIDW1802** | Most efficient | 234 kWh | 3.1 gallons | 8 | 4.19; 4; 4.4 |
| Frigidaire | FFCD2413**** | Most popular | 240 kWh | 3.2 gallons | 12 | 4; 4 |
| Bosch | SHP65CM** | Most popular | 240 kWh | 3.2 gallons | 13 | 4.6; 4.4 |
| LG | LDPN454 | Most water efficient | 238 kWh | 2.9 gallons | 15 | 4.2; 3.8; 4.3 |
| Comfee | CDC22P | Most efficient compact dishwasher | 155 kWh | 2 gallons | 6 | 4.2 |
Finding the Best Dishwasher: Features and Shopping Considerations
Here are the dishwasher features you should consider when shopping.
Capacity
Dishwasher capacity is often measured in place settings. Recommendations vary, but a typical family will need a dishwasher with a capacity of 10 place settings or more.
According to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, one place setting includes a bowl, two plates (large and small), a saucer, a coffee cup, a drinking glass, a knife, two forks, and two teaspoons.
Energy efficiency
The less energy your dishwasher uses, the less you’ll pay to run it over the year. Picking an Energy Star dishwasher is an easy way to find an energy-efficient one.
Drying method
Drying method can affect how much energy your dishwasher will use and your user experience. Drying methods that use a heating element typically use more energy.
Self-cleaning filter
Dishwashers have filters that capture the food and grime they wash away. A self-cleaning filter does what you’d expect — it cleans itself. If you have a filter that requires manual cleaning, you’ll have to remember to clean it.
Soil sensing
Many new dishwashers can sense when dishes are dirty and adjust their washing cycle accordingly.
Third rack
Some dishwashers will have a smaller third rack to fit even more dishes.
Tub material
The interior of dishwashers can be made of plastic, stainless steel, or a combination of both. Plastic interiors can be cheaper but quicker to harbor bad smells, especially if they aren’t thoroughly dried out after use.
WiFi connection
Some dishwashers are WiFi enabled, which may allow you to monitor or control them from an app. You might also gain access to additional cycles or aesthetic features, like interior lighting options. Features vary by dishwasher, so evaluate whether the specific benefits are worth it to you before paying a premium for smart functionality.
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Drying Methods
Dishwashers will often dry your dishes, too. The drying method you use will affect your energy consumption. In general, using a setting that employs a heating element will use more energy.
Air dry
Some dishwashers will circulate air through their interior after washing to aid drying. Since no heating element is involved, it can be a more energy-efficient option.
Automatic door release
Some people crack open the dishwasher door after washing to dry the dishes. Dishwashers with automatic door release will pop open the door on their own.
Condensation dry
Because steel cools faster than most dishes, dishwashers with stainless steel tubs can dry your dishes using the principles of condensation. These use hot water at the end to warm up the dishes. Water will evaporate from the warm dishes, condense on the cooler steel elements, run to the bottom, and drain away, leaving the dishes dry.
Fan-assisted dry
Dishwashers that have fan-assisted drying use a heating element and fans to dry dishes faster.
Heated dry
Heating elements in the dishwasher help evaporate the water on the dishes.
Mineral dry
Some dishwashers (mostly from Bosch) use a mineral crystal that collects moisture and heats up when it does. That warm air is circulated through the dishwasher to dry dishes better.
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Best Dishwasher Brands
If you want to widen your search, here are some of the most highly-regarded dishwasher brands, according to expert reviewers. To find these brands, we surveyed online review sites, scored each brand by the number of times it was selected for best lists, and ranked them here. We gave extra weight to reviewers who conducted hands-on testing.
Bosch
Bosch appears on dishwasher best lists more than any other brand and is also a leader when it comes to energy efficiency and innovation. Bosch is one of two manufacturers that offer mineral drying technology, according to Energy Star.
Bosch has 24 models that meet Energy Star standards, including two on the Most Efficient of 2024 list.
Miele
Miele received the second-highest score from our survey of online best lists. Reviewers mentioned the convenience and efficiency of the detergent auto-dosing feature available on some models and its overall performance.
The German manufacturer has 50 dishwashers with Energy Star certification, including 20 on the Most Efficient of 2024 list (one-third of the entire list).
LG
LG tied Samsung with the third-highest score after our canvass of online reviewers. Online reviewers liked the brand’s lower price points and smart capabilities, which you can access through the ThinQ app. (Smart features may not be available on all machines.)
LG has 21 dishwashers rated by Energy Star.
Samsung
Reviewers like Samsung’s energy efficiency, quiet operating volume, and smart control. If you have a smart home that uses Samsung SmartThings, a Wifi-connected dishwasher from the same company should integrate smoothly. (Not all Samsung dishwashers have the same features.)
Samsung has 16 dishwashers rated by Energy Star, including two on the list of Most Efficient of 2024 list.
How We Picked the Best Dishwashers and Dishwasher Brands
To find our picks for individual dishwashers we started with Energy Star. We then compared highly efficient models to find the best option for the average person by balancing availability, customer reviews, and available features. We made picks for categories that cover a variety of use cases and budgets.
To find the best brands, we surveyed dishwasher best lists from around the internet. We cast a wide net, scoring brands on the number of times they were picked as best, giving extra weight when they were named best overall or chosen by reviewers with hands-on testing as part of their process. The highest rated brands after scoring became our picks for best dishwasher brand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a good dishwasher?
The best dishwasher for you is the one that fits your needs. You’ll need to consider price, capacity, energy efficiency, water use, size, and whether there are smart features you’d like to use.
How long should a dishwasher last?
Common estimates come in at 10-15 years. Consider the warranties manufacturers offer with their dishwashers when you buy one and conduct maintenance, like cleaning filters, as recommended.
How much should you pay for a dishwasher?
Dishwashers range from a few hundred dollars to more than two thousand. Consumer Reports says for $500-$1,000 you can get a dishwasher that looks good and performs well without getting into luxury machines.
What type of dishwasher tub is best?
Dishwasher interiors typically come in stainless steel, plastic, or a mixture of both. Plastic interiors typically cost less but can hold odors more than stainless steel.
How do I check that a dishwasher is energy efficient?
The quickest way is to look for Energy Star certification. You can also look at the EnergyGuide label, which will tell you how much energy an appliance will use in a year of normal use and how much it will cost using an average price of electricity.
Andrew BlokWriter and EditorAndrew has worked as a journalist and writer for four years, over half of those dedicated to covering solar. He currently lives in Tucson, AZ, where you might run into him walking his dog and birding while dodging the heat. He has degrees in English education and journalism.
