Credit:
Reviewed / Kyle Hamilton
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
Credit:
Reviewed / Kyle Hamilton
Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.
Learn more about our product testing
The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N is a near-perfect dishwasher. It scrubbed out every stain we threw at it, in record time, and has great smart features. Read More
4.7
The G 5266 blows most other dishwashers out of the water. If your budget can accommodate its premium price, it's one of the best models you can buy. Read More
This premium dishwasher model keeps the outstanding performance seen in the 800 Series and adds features like an interior light and water softener. Read More
A high-performing dishwasher with extra features that make it easy to use. Read More
Here at Reviewed, we've spent thousands of hours studying, testing, and writing about dishwashers. Who doesn't love an appliance that saves you from having to hand-scrub burnt-on casserole?
When the wash cycle is over, though, nobody likes to hand-dry wet dishes before putting them away. If you're looking to buy the best dishwasher that dries dishes, you've come to the right place. We've pulled together a list of dishwashers that truly dry dishes after a wash cycle. Not only do these models rank high in our list of the best dishwashers we’ve tested, they also earned top marks in our drying tests.
At no surprise to our lab staff, the best dishwasher that dries dishes is the Bosch SHP78CM5N (available at Lowe's for $1,349.00) , not only because of its efficient CrystalDry technology, but also its excellent cleaning and high-end aesthetics.
PowerControl-driven cleaning performance
EasyGlide racks
Customizable cycles through Home Connect
Some options only available through app
Effective Heavy Duty cycle
Dries dishes completely
Foldable tines and repositionable racks
Dishes got less clean towards the center of the bottom rack
Third rack
Adjustable tines
Lots of features
Cleaning power was low for its price
Good cleaning power
Customizable racks
Smart features via Home Connect
Normal cycle can be inconsistent
While you can buy a budget dishwasher for under $600, if you're looking for a dishwasher that dries your dishes you'll likely have to spend a bit more: A common problem with cheaper dishwashers is that dishes often come out wet.
Between the price and hassle of getting a new large appliance installed, picking the right dishwasher is a decision you want to get right the first time. Here are some important factors to keep in mind while shopping for a dishwasher that dries dishes.
Old dishwashers with heated coils at the bottom are remembered for turning out each dish sparkling clean, dry, and hot to the touch. As safety and energy-efficiency became higher priorities, the oven-like coils were replaced with other drying methods—often less effective ones.
There are a few drying methods that dishwashers employ to try to get dishes dry, to varying degrees.
Evaporation, condensation, and fan-assisted methods are all safer and more energy-efficient options for eliminating moisture, but they also struggle to completely dry dishes, especially plastics.
Dishwashers have a harder time drying plastics (such as reusable storage containers, sports bottles, baby bottles, etc.).
Plastics do not retain heat the same way ceramic, metal, and glass do, so while residual heat from the hot water of the dishwasher cycle can heat harder materials enough to evaporate away water droplets, plastics do not share that ability.
Additionally, most plastics are light enough that they can be tossed around by the water jets, so even though you placed your Tupperware containers upside down on the upper rack, there's still a chance they will end up right side up and filled with water that splashes onto other items.
Other than buying one of the dishwashers on this list, you can use rinse aid, which will make it easier for your dishwasher to dry all of your dishes.
Despite its name, rinse aid has very little to do with rinsing and everything to do with drying. Rinse aid's hydrophobic properties make it more difficult for water to collect and stay on your dishes; most water slides off, leaving the dishes free of excess moisture and water spots.
Fun fact: Dishwashers use less water than hand-washing.
The amount of water a dishwasher uses varies greatly on type and cycle selected. Normal cycles on compact models can use as little as 2.5 gallons, but larger entry-level models can use up to 5 gallons.
Part of our lab testing involves measuring exactly how much water and electricity are used during wash cycles. Under the assumption of 208 cycles per year (4 per week), of which 25% are fast, 50% are normal, and 25% are heavy, we're able to approximate a dishwasher's annual resource usage.
The Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N, our current pick for best dishwasher, uses 750 gallons per year. The budget-friendly Beko DUT25401X uses slightly less: 731 gallons per year. Interestingly, our upgrade pick, the Miele G 5266 SCVi uses the least amount of water: just 626 gallons per year.
There is a correlation between a dishwasher's price and its overall quality, but we've tested a ton of models that are overpriced and underperform. Paying more is no guarantee that the product will perform better.
As a general rule, though, a higher price should indicate the following:
Better quality cleaning
More features, such as zone washing and mineral-enhanced drying
Better build quality
A longer lifespan
Here at Reviewed, we developed a standardized dishwasher testing and review process that ensures all our results are directly comparable, allowing us to determine which models excel and which ones lag behind their peers.
In addition to the extensive battery of cleaning tests we run, we look at a dishwasher’s ability to dry dishes after each wash cycle. Customers expect their dishes to be dry before they put them away, and nobody wants to have to manually towel them off.
Learn more about how we test dishwashers.
For more tips, product reviews, and ideas related to dishwashers, check out these articles on Reviewed.com and beyond:
How dishwashers dry dishes, and why some work better than others: This feature explains the different methods dishwashers use to dry dishes, and what to look for in a dishwasher if drying ability is high on your list of must-haves.
How Do Dishwashers Work? Everything You Want To Know: An in-depth breakdown of dishwasher mechanics—from spray arms and filtration systems to drying technologies like CrystalDry with zeolite. This article also offers expert tips on cycle choices and maximizing performance.
Your dishwasher is gross—here's how to clean it: In this article, you’ll learn what components of a dishwasher need to be cleaned, why it’s important, and how to do it easily.
The Best Bosch Dishwashers: Bosch makes dishwashers that clean well, dry effectively, and do it all quietly. We curated a list of just our favorite Bosch dishwashers.
A dishwasher is the easiest appliance to buy online—here's why: Buying an appliance online isn’t always an easy thing to do, but with dishwashers it can be. This feature explains the different types of dishwashers you may consider, and why making that choice online makes sense.
The Best Third Rack Dishwashers We've Tested: The third rack has become a differentiating feature to look for when buying a dishwasher, and this list bubbles up the top dishwashers we’ve tested with excellent third rack features.
What Actually Happens Inside a Dishwasher: A foundational piece that demystifies the internal functions of a dishwasher—highlighting its tub, spray systems, heating elements, and how these parts work together to get dishes clean and dry.
Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Leigh Harrington has 25 years experience as a writer and editor for myriad print and digital publications.
At Reviewed, Harrington manages Reviewed's overall content, including areas of focus like home improvement, cleaning, gardening, cooking, smart home, organization, and parenting. She focuses on developing and editing consumer ed content, product reviews and buying guides, but she also writes, too.
Harrington is also an experienced travel writer, and has authored books including Fodor's Boston, 100 Things to Do in Boston Before You Die, and Colorful Cities Boston, an adult coloring book. She was a respected, longtime regional editorial director at Where travel guide, and has written for other publications including the US News & World Report, USA Today, Boston Herald, Newport Life, Exhale magazine, Huffington Post, and many more. www.leighharrington.com
Freelance Editor, Kitchen & Appliances. Danielle has a B.S. from Syracuse University and a AAS in Culinary Arts from Newbury College. Previously, Danielle was a Test Cook and Associate Editor at America's Test Kitchen, as well as a freelance recipe developer and food writer. She’s the mom of two boys and loves making pizza on Friday nights.
Our team is here to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and experts obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
Shoot us an email
4.4
