Best Dishwashers for $1,000 or Less

Quieter performance: If you hang out (or sleep) near your kitchen, it can be worth upgrading to a dishwasher that runs quietly. Plenty of models in the $500 to $1,000 price range earn our top rating for noise. A model with an excellent rating “is very difficult to hear,” according to Larry Ciufo, CR’s head of dishwasher testing. “You can stand next to it and not hear a thing.”

Better drying: Most dishwashers have no trouble with ceramic or metal items. But the top performers can almost completely dry plastic, even when their door isn’t opened promptly to let steam escape at the end of a cycle.

A stainless steel tub: The metal walls actually contribute to quieter performance and better drying. They’re also much better than plastic tubs at resisting the chalky, unsightly limescale stains that sometimes build up over time, especially if you have a hard (mineral-rich) water supply.

More rack space and adjustments: A bunch of dishwashers in this price range come with a third rack. This low-profile tray sits at the very top of the tub and can hold utensils and other small or relatively flat items, freeing up extra space for the bigger dishes on the bottom and middle racks. Height-adjustable upper (or middle) racks are also pretty standard at this price, as are multiple sets of folding tines.

Powerful fast-wash cycles: Even cheap dishwashers usually have a quick cycle for lightly soiled dishes. But some midrange models have cycles that can thoroughly wash (and sort of dry) a load in an hour or less, as long as there’s not too much dried-on gunk. (They’re less efficient than the standard Normal, Auto, or Sensor settings.)

A higher-end look: A stainless steel finish is the norm in this price range. Nish Suvarnakar, CR’s senior market analyst for dishwashers, says that you can also find black stainless and “panel ready” (customizable-front) models in this price range. “Dishwashers with bar handles rather than pocket handles are becoming more common at this price, too,” Suvarnakar says. That design is usually paired with integrated control panels, also known as hidden or top-mount controls, which offer a cleaner look.

Note that like most types of major appliances, retailers are having a hard time keeping dishwashers in stock, and the shortages are likely to persist next year. “Given the uncertainty of the consumer goods market due to persistent supply-chain issues and labor and parts shortages, we recommend being more flexible with nonessential features,” Suvarnakar says.