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With these kitchen magicians, you can finally stop pre-rinsing!

We updated this guide in September 2022 to include newly tested dishwashers from GE and Beko and to ensure all products tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab were in stock, available and accurately priced.

While all the appliances in your kitchen work hard, your dishwasher has an incredibly difficult job to do. It has to take your loads of dirty dishes, crusty cookware and spotty glassware and turn them sparkling clean and dry without breakage, warping or other damage. When it's not up to the job, it's a daily annoyance of pre-washing (and re-washing!) and drying items you could have more quickly washed by hand. If you're doing the work for your dishwasher, in spite of loading it correctly, cleaning it regularly and using the best dishwasher detergent, that's when you know it's time for a new one.

At the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab, we continually test new full-size dishwashers and countertop dishwashers as they come to market to find which ones perform best and are easiest to use. We have a bank of six dishwasher test stations in our Lab and machines are constantly moving in and out. In the last five or so years, we've tested over 35 dishwashers. Every machine is tested exactly the same way for more reliable results. In our cleaning tests, we meticulously soil plates, bowls, cups and saucers, glassware, cookware and more, and our methods are adapted from industry-standard protocols. We also make sure to calculate how many items each dishwasher holds, assess water and energy use and determine how easy the racks are to load and unload and monitor how thorough the drying cycle is — all to uncover how they stack up against the issues consumers find most frustrating about dishwashers. In our last test, we spent four months (and over 374 hours) testing 17 dishwashers.

Keep reading for more details on our top recommended dishwashers. After our picks, you'll find more information about how we test dishwashers, what you hsould consider while shopping and answers to some frequently asked questions about getting the most out of your dishwasher.

Miele dishwashers always top our tests for performance and ease of use, and this model with its hidden top controls is no exception. It's not only stylish but, more importantly, it's a real workhorse when it comes to cleaning, plus its innovative features make it easy to use. The AutoDos system works with Miele’s PowerDisk, which dispenses the correct amount of powder detergent for the cycle and lasts for up to 20 washes – no need to stop to add detergent with every run. If you prefer, you can bypass AutoDos altogether and add your regular detergent to each load cycle. The dishwasher is very easy to load with its adjustable racks and shelves, fold-down tines and padded stemware grips. The top 3D cutlery tray not only keeps flatware from nesting for better cleaning but it's deep enough to hold small bowls, utensils and ramekins. It also slides from side to side to provide more headroom for tall stemware in the rack below, a helpful feature we first saw in an older model we still use in the GH Cleaning Lab.

While many dishwashers offer their own versions of a speed cycle, our testing proved Miele's QuickIntenseWash to be outstanding, cleaning a very heavily-soiled load in under one hour. We tested this cycle on a previous model and when we used it in combination with Miele's own detergent, it blasted through the baked-on, burned-on deposits on our casseroles and cookware so quickly and so well, that we were truly amazed.

While it may seem like a steep investment up front, Miele dishwashers are energy efficient so you'll save money over time compared to less efficient models. Equipped with an EcoStart feature, it allows you to program the dishwasher to run when utility rates are lowest. There's also EcoTech Heat Exchanger that captures heat already in the dishwasher and transfers it to the incoming water, so it isn't wasted. And the dishwasher is smart, too. It works remotely with the Miele app which we found easy to use and program. We think it's pretty clear why it earned our Good Housekeeping Seal.

Frigidaire appliances always impress us in our GH Cleaning Lab tests for their cleaning performance and value, and we like how easy they are to use. And with a 4.3-star average rating from more than 1,900 reviews, consumers agree that this Gallery dishwasher is a steal. At an affordable price, you get a machine that not only cleans and dries well but comes with lots of high-end extras, too. The control panel is hidden for a sleek look, it's very clear and easy to use and it includes a "favorite cycle" that, once programmed, selects your preferred options with one touch. This dishwasher offers you the option to wash half loads in the upper rack for greater energy savings when you don't have a full load.

Nice perks at this price include a stainless steel interior and fingerprint-resistant stainless steel front, cushioned stemware holders, adjustable water pressure for the type and soil of the load, an NSF-certified sanitize option and a light beam that projects on the floor to let you know when the cycle's complete. What keeps this model so reasonably priced is its lack of a top-level flatware tray and no WiFi capabilities. It's also not as quiet as some. But none of those misses affect its great cleaning abilities.

LG dishwashers clean so well that our Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen uses this same model and always gives it a real workout. In our Cleaning Lab tests, we got great cleaning results on our very heavily soiled loads, though we wish the cycles were a bit speedier. This innovative model has four lower spray arms compared to most models, which have two — hence the name QuadWash. They spin and pivot with the pressure of the water, so they better direct the spray toward the corners to reach the full surface of every dish and glass. Unique to LG is its TrueSteam technology that fills the tub with steam in the pre-wash and main wash portions of the cycle for better cleaning of crusty, baked-on soils and to help eliminate water spots — we found that the feature worked in our tests. Easy to load, this model includes both a top-tier tray and a separate flatware basket in the bottom rack. We like that it has a heating element for better drying.

The LG's Smart Diagnosis app allows you to download extra cycles onto the machine, and it's made to problem-solve in the event of any issues, like if your dishwasher won't start. It will also alert you via smartphone, Alexa or Google Assistant when the cycle is complete.

GE's UltraFresh front-loading washing machines bring in fresh air and incorporate Microban to keep bacteria from growing on the most susceptible parts, and GE has now introduced that technology to its dishwashers. We think this is brilliant! On the UltraFresh dishwasher, the handles, controls, filter, flatware basket and more are treated with Microban to help keep these high-touch areas clean and germ-free. In addition, between cycles, it circulates fresh air and water to help keep the dishwasher clean and odor-free.

In our recent test, this GE model aced our cleaning performance evaluations and was quiet and easy to use and load. Bottle jets and dedicated jets beneath the flatware basket assure that these hard-to-clean items emerge their cleanest. We particularly like the space between the tines that makes it easier to load curved or deep plates. The discreet front display told us when the cycle was finished and everything was clean.

Cleaning your dishwasher's filter, while important, is something many forget to do. Beko checked that off your to-do list by putting water jets inside the filter well. All you need to do is select the option on the control panel when you want the fine mesh filter cleaned, and it's done. We've never seen this innovative feature before and can't figure out why someone hadn't thought of it sooner. This, combined with its CornerIntense square spray pattern for better coverage and cleaning helped make Beko a winner in our 2022 Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards.

Beko is a new name in the US appliance market and from what we've seen so far, we are impressed. It completely cleaned our burned, charred cookware items with ease. When it came to capacity, we fit in our full test load plus an additional nine glasses and one extra dinner plate. It's super quiet, so there's a light that shines on the floor to let you know what stage it's in — red when it's running and green when it's done. The only hiccup we could find was that the controls needed a firm touch to engage but with practice, it got easier.

When we test dishwashers, we assess the capacity and flexibility of all the racks, trays and baskets and evaluate how easy each dishwasher is to use, load and program. Prior to testing the cleaning performance of various cycles, we uniformly soil cookware (pictured) and 10 five-piece settings of dishes, glassware and flatware to test how well each machine removes baked-on, dried-on, burned-on mac and cheese, hamburger, oatmeal, egg yolk, milk and more. Between staining, drying and cleaning each load, we spend at least 7 hours testing just one cycle, not counting the time it takes to examine each piece once the cycle is done. We test multiple cycles on each machine.

We follow the manufacturer’s loading guidelines and use the same detergent in each machine to wash our dirty loads. Post-cleaning, we examine and score every item for any specks of soil that remain and check the glasses for spots and leftover film in a special lightbox (pictured). A weighted cleaning score is calculated for each cycle and the scores are averaged to get an overall cleaning score for each dishwasher. We also assess and rate each appliance for energy efficiency, loudness and how easy they are to load, unload and program.

Thankfully, deciding which new dishwasher to buy is not as complicated a process as it can be with other appliances. Virtually all machines are a standard 24-inches wide and will fit into the space your current one now occupies. Here's what else to keep in mind:

✔️ Dishwasher cycles: When buying a new dishwasher, you’ll want the basics (and probably some bells and whistles, too):

✔️ Dishwasher racks: As you’ll soon find out, not all dishwasher racks (a.k.a where you place your dirty dishes) are created equal. Here are features we recommend considering:

✔️Features: Folding shelves are great for double stacking cups and mini serving dishes and folding tines make room for large bowls and cookware. Stemware holders are a life-saver if you wash lots of wine glasses, and a third-tier flatware or utensil shelf means you can skip the flatware basket in the lower rack for extra room down below.

✔️Dishwasher tub: The two most popular materials used inside the dishwasher are stainless steel and plastic. Both can be durable, but our vote here goes to stainless steel. Once reserved only for the most expensive models, stainless steel tubs are common on virtually all but the most inexpensive machines these days. Stainless steel retains heat, stays clean and lasts forever.

✔️Dishwasher door: This decision is purely a matter of personal preference. Here's what you'll see when you hit the stores:

✔️Energy efficiency: All dishwashers carry Energy Guide labels, so you can compare models for how much energy they use and approximately how much they will cost you per year to run. For a dishwasher, energy use is almost entirely tied to water use. The less water it uses, the less energy it consumes. All new dishwashers use less water per cycle than those made 10 or more years ago and can be considered efficient, especially since they have to pass federal energy efficiency standard tests. Manufacturers usually do all their required energy testing on the normal or auto cycle and calculate the cost based on an average number of cycles. So, if you do more loads than average or use other cycles, you'll likely use more water. Energy Star-certified models are even more efficient than the federal standards require. And the costs are figured on water from an electric water heater, so if your water is heated by gas your yearly cost to run the dishwasher may be less than what's shown on the guide label.

✔️ Loudness: Dishwashers are one of the few appliances where manufacturers disclose the decibel level of the model based on standard testing (check on the manufacturer's website if you can't find it in-store). The quietest models are around 40 dB or below.

Gone are the days when any appliance lasted 20, 30 or even 40 years. Today's dishwashers have an average lifespan of about 10 years. And as long as it is installed correctly and you take care of it by loading it correctly and keeping it clean and maintained, those 10+ years should be trouble-free. However, warranties exist for a reason. Sometimes things do go wrong. Most appliance manufacturers offer at least a one-year full warranty, meaning that both parts and labor are covered for any repairs within the first year. If you need repair, it's always best to use a manufacturer-authorized repair service. They have access to the correct parts and the most up-to-date information from your model's manufacturer. Using an unauthorized repair service, especially on a new machine, can be problematic and leave you without recourse if something goes wrong. At the very least, you may have to fork over the cost of another service call to reassess the situation.

After the first year of the warranty expires, some manufacturers offer limited five-year (or more) warranties on parts (not labor), like the electronic controls and dish racks should they be defective. Some offer lifetime warranties for the stainless steel door and tub if they should rust through. Always check the warranty terms for any model you are considering. Before the first year full warranty is up, we recommend using the appliance often and trying as many cycles and options as you can to make all works to your satisfaction.

Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 4o years of experience evaluating cleaning products and appliances for Good Housekeeping, including dishwashers and dishwasher detergents. She has attended and presented at many industry events related to dishwashing, writes the monthly "Inside the GH Cleaning Lab" column where she responds to reader questions on a variety of topics, including dishwashing, and has authored several Good Housekeeping cleaning and home care advice books. She regularly interacts with appliance and detergent manufacturers to stay on top of the latest technologies. Some of the most frequently asked questions Carolyn answers are about how to properly load a dishwasher and whether pre-rinsing is really necessary (often to settle the all-too-common marital and family spats). In Carolyn's opinion, dishes aren't worth fighting over!