The Best Third-rack Dishwashers of 2026

Dishwasher technology probably isn’t something you think about very often, but it has continuously improved over the past decade. One of the biggest improvements has come in the way the interior space of a dishwasher is used and organized. The best dishwashers on the market not only do an excellent job of cleaning dishes but also offer the best organization for loading dishes, flatware, utensils, and more.

Adding a third rack is one of the ways that dishwasher manufacturers have increased usable space and improved organization in dishwashers. The third rack utilizes the thin space above what is traditionally considered the top rack, and it is suited to holding flatware, cooking utensils, and small items that could easily slip through the other racks. Some manufacturers have also added dedicated jets to the third rack.

When you zero in on the specific features of the third rack, a few dishwashers stand out. The KitchenAid KDTM404KPS (available at Lowe's for $1,349.00) has a unique third rack with dedicated jets that rotate for superior cleaning. All the dishwashers on this list feature top racks that increase functionality and enhance cleaning.

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Other Third-Rack Dishwashers We Evaluated

What To Consider When Buying A Dishwasher With A Third Rack

Who would use this?

If you have a dishwasher, you may benefit from one with a third rack. While it’s probably not worth changing out a dishwasher that’s still in good working condition, when it’s time to upgrade, it is worth looking for a model that features this extra rack.

Many dishwashers that don’t include a third rack just don’t make efficient use of all the space inside the tub, which means you may need to do more dishes by hand or run loads more frequently—all of which can add to your water and energy bills, not to mention time spent in the kitchen.

Key features

• Third rack: From extra space to uniquely adjustable sections and dedicated spray jets—a third rack has become essential in modern dishwashers. It just makes sense to use all that space at the top of the dishwasher. Advancements in engineering continue to improve the usability and cleaning power of the third rack.

• Ergonomic design elements: The height of the third rack can help alleviate strain during loading and unloading, especially if you use it for silverware. This ergonomic design means less bending and reaching to load and unload a basket on the lower rack, a must for anyone with mobility concerns.

• Enhanced cleaning: A third rack adds space and allows you to spread out items, which can alleviate crowding and lead to improved cleaning. Many companies have also added innovative spray arms and nozzles to the third rack, which enhances cleaning performance.

Care, maintenance, and warranty

It’s important to take care of your dishwasher to keep it running as expected for the duration of its lifespan. Be sure to clean your dishwasher quarterly, and clean the dishwasher filter weekly to monthly, depending on how frequently you run your dishwasher.

Pay attention to any performance concerns with your dishwasher, and address them before the warranty runs out. The industry standard warranty is one year of coverage for parts and service, with some manufacturers extending that for all or certain parts of the dishwasher, such as the circuitry panel.

Also, be aware that some manufacturers may claim their products last for decades but don't necessarily offer a warranty to match. Miele, for example, claims its products last for 20 years, but only offers a 2-year warranty.

FAQ: What To Know About Third Rack Dishwashers

What is a third-rack dishwasher for?

Third racks allow people to efficiently use the vertical space in their dishwashers by fitting items above the upper rack, including silverware and oversized utensils.

Most third racks can also accommodate smaller bowls and ramekins. By washing utensils in the third rack, you may eliminate the need for the cutlery basket and create more usable space on the bottom rack for platters and dishwasher-safe pots and pans.

What are the benefits of using a third rack?

As mentioned above, the third rack makes more efficient use of the space in the dishwasher tub and offers optimized space for bulky utensils, cutlery, and small dishes that don’t fit well elsewhere. New technology has also brought enhanced cleaning and cycle capabilities to the third rack with dedicated spray jets and zones for specialized cycles.

What’s the best way to load a third rack?

When loading your dishwasher, oversized utensils, such as mixing spoons, spatulas, and ladles, can be placed in a single layer on the flat portions of the third rack. If the third rack has angled sides, this area is often good for small bowls, cup lids, and miscellaneous items that would fall through the center rack.

Most of the dishwashers with third racks that we reviewed have dedicated slots for silverware that prevent “nesting.” Some third racks even have deep enough areas for small glasses that slide onto dedicated tines. If your third rack has tines for cups and small bowls, don’t overload the tray.

Why You Should Trust Our Expertise

When it comes to rating the best dishwashers with a third rack, we’ve done all the dirty work—pun intended. First, our editors research the best brands and models on the market to get an idea of what’s special, what’s different, and which dishwashers have a reputation for cleaning well.

Then, we put many of the dishwashers through a repeatable battery of precise tests. Testing dishwashers is a dirty job filled with cheese-crusted casserole pans and spinach puree-painted plates, but we are happy to do it. We evaluate each dishwasher on three major factors: performance, features, and user experience.

What Other Reviewers Are Saying About the Best Dishwasher With A Third Rack

Some reviewers specifically call out the third rack, while others factor it into their overall dishwasher rankings. Either way, we’ve done some research for you to help you sort through all the opinions out there.

• Wirecutter: Wirecutter’s list of the best dishwashers they’ve tested also includes the Maytag MDB8959SKZ and the Café CDT888P2VS1. These reviews call out both dishwashers’ excellent cleaning capabilities and impressive usability features.
  
• Consumer Reports: While the Consumer Reports team doesn’t specifically call out a best third-rack dishwasher, they consistently rate Bosch at the top of all their dishwasher lists, and all the models feature a third rack, including their top pick, the Bosch Benchmark SHP9PCM5N.
• Appliance Factory: The experts at Appliance Factory made a video to spotlight the features of their favorite dishwasher with a third rack, and it aligns with our top choice, the KitchenAid KDTM404KPS.

What Owners Are Saying About Our Best Third Rack Dishwashers

User comments around the topic of best dishwashers with a third rack are similar to those about dishwashers as a whole—diverse. We’re pulling these user reviews from sources like The Home Depot, Reddit, and Costco.

• Reddit r/Appliances: Over at Reddit’s Appliances subreddit, a user requested recommendations for the best dishwasher with a third rack and Bosch appears most frequently in the comments. Miele and KitchenAid are also highly recommended by the responders.
• The Home Depot: Customers at The Home Depot who purchased the Maytag MDB8959SKZ give it an average of 4.6/5 stars.
• Costco: The list of third-rack dishwashers at Costco leads with the Bosch 800, which has an average 4.5/5-star customer rating, with many users praising it for the third rack along with its stellar cleaning abilities.
  

Read More About Dishwashers on Reviewed

For more tips, product reviews, and ideas related to dishwashers, check out these articles on Reviewed.com and beyond:

What Is a Third‑Rack Dishwasher, and Why Should I Want One?: This foundational feature explores the evolution and practical benefits of third racks—improved space use, better silverware drying, storage for odd-shaped items, and how modern designs accommodate taller items by being adjustable or removable.

Do you really need to rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?: The feature explains how dishwashers remove food stains from dishes, and why it’s more water-efficient to leave the cleaning to the dishwasher.

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 Quiet Dishwashers We've Tested: If your home has an open layout you may be in the market for a particularly quiet dishwasher. This list features the quietest dishwashers we’ve tested.