A dishwasher is a 10-year purchase you run nightly, so we scored seven on the two things owners actually judge — how clean and dry the dishes come out — plus noise and longevity. Our top pick is the Bosch 800 Series, with an SR Score of 89, because its zeolite CrystalDry system is the clear leader for drying plastics and it runs very quietly, all at a sane price. If budget is no object and you want the best wash and a 20-year build, the Miele G 7000 (88) is the runner-up.
The ranking
| Rank | Model | Best for | Price | SR Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bosch 800 Series (SHV78/SHP78) | Best drying + quiet | ~$1,300 | 89 |
| 2 | Miele G 7000 (G 7316) | Best wash + longevity | ~$1,800+ | 88 |
| 3 | Bosch 500 Series | Value Bosch | ~$900 | 87 |
| 4 | LG Studio SDWD24P3 | Steam value | ~$1,099 | 85 |
| 5 | KitchenAid KDTM404 | Flexible racks, quiet | ~$1,000 | 84 |
| 6 | LG QuadWash | Mid-range cleaning | ~$800 | 83 |
| 7 | Bosch 300 Series | Budget entry | ~$750 | 82 |
Methodology
The Home Score v2026 rubric weights five criteria that sum to 100:
- Wash & dry performance (30) — cleaning across loads, drying (especially plastics).
- Value for money (25) — performance and reliability per dollar.
- Durability (20) — build quality, expected lifespan, brand reliability.
- Quiet & features (15) — decibel rating, racks, dosing, cycles.
- Reputation & reviews (10) — lab testing and owner ratings.
Wash and dry lead because that is the entire job. Re-weight toward Value and the Bosch 500 and LG QuadWash climb; toward Durability and the Miele wins outright.
Bosch 800 Series
The drying and quiet champion. The zeolite CrystalDry system absorbs moisture and releases heat to dry even plastics better than $3,800 machines, and it runs very quietly with a flexible third rack. Around $1,300. The best all-around value at the top.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 28/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Durability | 18/20 |
| Quiet & features | 14/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: Miele out-washes it slightly, and the third-rack layout takes practice to load well.
Miele G 7000 (G 7316)
The performance and longevity king. It out-washes even the Bosch 800 thanks to AutoDos detergent dosing and an advanced cleaning system, with CleanAir drying, about 38 dBA operation, and a build rated for a roughly 20-year lifespan. Around $1,800 and up.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 29/30 |
| Value for money | 19/25 |
| Durability | 20/20 |
| Quiet & features | 15/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: the most expensive pick here, and AutoDos pushes Miele’s own detergent cartridges.
Bosch 500 Series
The value Bosch. Most of the 800’s cleaning and quiet at a lower price, with AutoAir drying instead of zeolite — around $900. Best for someone who wants Bosch quality without top-tier drying.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 24/25 |
| Durability | 18/20 |
| Quiet & features | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 9/10 |
Trade-off: AutoAir drying leaves more moisture on plastics than the 800’s zeolite.
LG Studio SDWD24P3
The steam-clean value pick. Reliable cleaning with steam-boosted wash performance at a lower price than the German flagships — around $1,099. Best for strong cleaning on a mid budget.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 26/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Durability | 16/20 |
| Quiet & features | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: drying trails Bosch’s zeolite, and long-term reliability is a notch below Bosch/Miele.
KitchenAid KDTM404
The flexible-rack pick. The most adjustable racks, larger usable space, and among the quietest models under $1,000 — around $1,000. Best for awkward loads and big dishes.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 22/25 |
| Durability | 16/20 |
| Quiet & features | 13/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: drying and reliability trail the German brands.
LG QuadWash
The mid-range cleaner. Dual spray arms (QuadWash) for thorough coverage and steam options at around $800. Best for solid cleaning on a tighter budget.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 25/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Durability | 15/20 |
| Quiet & features | 12/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: louder than premium models and weaker drying.
Bosch 300 Series
The budget Bosch entry. Bosch build quality and quiet operation at the entry price, with PureDry instead of zeolite — around $750. Best cheapest path into a Bosch.
| Criterion | Score |
|---|---|
| Wash & dry performance | 24/30 |
| Value for money | 23/25 |
| Durability | 17/20 |
| Quiet & features | 11/15 |
| Reputation & reviews | 8/10 |
Trade-off: weaker drying and fewer rack features than the 500 and 800.
Verification
- Bosch 800 Series — zeolite CrystalDry drying lead and pricing verified on Consumer Reports and Yale Appliance.
- Miele G 7000 (G 7316) — AutoDos, CleanAir, 38 dBA, ~20-year lifespan verified on Yale Appliance and miele.com.
- Bosch 500 Series — AutoAir drying and pricing verified on bosch-home.com and Yale Appliance.
- LG Studio SDWD24P3 — steam wash and $1,099 price verified on Yale Appliance and lg.com.
- KitchenAid KDTM404 — flexible racks and quiet operation verified on kitchenaid.com and Yale Appliance.
- LG QuadWash — dual spray arms and pricing verified on lg.com.
- Bosch 300 Series — entry pricing and PureDry verified on bosch-home.com.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the best dishwasher in 2026?
- The Bosch 800 Series leads for most kitchens — its zeolite CrystalDry system is the clear leader for drying plastics, and it runs very quietly. The Miele G 7000 out-washes and out-lasts it for a higher price, and LG offers strong steam cleaning for less.
- Why is Bosch's drying so good?
- The 800 Series uses zeolite minerals that absorb moisture and release heat, turning humidity into dry air. It dries plastics better than even far more expensive machines, which is why it tops drying tests.
- Is Miele worth the premium?
- If you want the best washing and a machine built for a roughly 20-year lifespan with commercial-grade parts, AutoDos detergent dosing, and near-silent operation, yes. For most households, the Bosch 800 delivers most of that for far less.
- How quiet should a dishwasher be?
- Anything at or below 44 dBA is quiet; the best models reach 38-42 dBA and are barely audible. The Miele G 7316 runs about 38 dBA. If you have an open-plan kitchen, weight the noise score heavily.
- What is the best value price band for dishwashers?
- Mid-range models from about $800 to $1,200 offer the best balance of cleaning, drying, quiet operation, and reliability. Spending more buys longevity and refinement; spending less usually costs you drying and noise.