3 water-efficient dishwashers for eco-conscious consumers

The Western half of the U.S. is currently going through a megadrought, and it seems to be the most severe dry spell the area has seen since the year 800.

Whenever there’s talk of drought, there’s talk of water usage and how to lessen your own, whether it means watering your garden less (or not at all) or finding other ways to cut back.

One way you can make a small difference by decreasing your water usage is by upgrading an older dishwasher to a newer, more efficient model. While this trade-up obviously won’t fix the drought problem on its own, it can help you save hundreds of gallons of water each year, which might put you ahead of the curve if water rations need to be implemented.

How much water does a dishwasher use?

During our lab testing, we’ve determined that a single standard-sized dishwasher uses roughly 989 gallons of water per year. Extreme use caps out at 1,729 gallons. That means the difference between the average dishwasher and a water-guzzler is 740 gallons each year.

For context, humans need to drink about 183 gallons of water per year, so a more efficient machine could save three people’s worth of drinking water each year—and that’s on the low end.

Currently, the most efficient dishwashers, such as Energy Star certified dishwasher models (which usually have reduced energy and water consumption), tend to fall under 700 gallons per year, saving you about 300 gallons per year compared to the average dishwasher, and over 1,000 gallons per year compared to the least efficient models. Now you’re saving over five people’s worth of drinking water each year.

We realize that consumers are only in the market for a dishwasher every 8 years or so, but if this is you and you live in an area experiencing ever-increasing drought, we recommend checking out these dishwasher models to keep your water usage low.

You’ll save over 100 gallons per year compared to the average dishwasher—at the very least—helping with both utility bills and the environment.

3 top water-efficient full-size dishwashers

Miele G 5266 SCVi

This 24-inch Miele is the ultimate eco-performer, featuring a freshwater wash system that minimizes water consumption (about 3 gallons per cycle on Normal)—the lowest annual usage (about 626 gallons/year) among current models. It’s Energy Star-rated Most Efficient and extremely energy-efficient (roughly 200 kWh/year). Despite the miserly water use, it delivers powerful cleaning and includes features like AutoOpen drying and a 3D MultiFlex third rack for utensils. With a whisper-quiet 42 dB operation, you’ll barely hear it run. The G 5266 SCVi is panel-ready (custom cabinet front) or available with a stainless panel for about $1,700–$1,900. It’s a premium choice, but owners praise its build quality and longevity (Miele dishwashers have a 20-year lifespan).

Miele G5266SCVI Dishwasher

$1,699.00

The Miele G 5266 SCVi SFP dishwasher is excellent; in fact, it's one of the best dishwashers we've tested to date. We love its sleek design, pocket handle, adjustable upper and third racks, and its strong cleaning power.

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Bosch 800 Series (SHP78CM5N)

Bosch’s 800 Series is a well-rounded 24-inch dishwasher known for efficiency and quietness. It uses about 3.2 gallons per cycle on a normal wash, placing it among the most water-efficient standard dishwashers. It’s Energy Star certified (approximately 269 kWh/year energy usage) and features Bosch’s advanced load-sensing to optimize water and energy use. Notable is the CrystalDry system (using zeolite minerals) for efficient drying. With a flexible third rack and 16 place setting capacity, it’s both efficient and spacious. Pricing is around $1,300–$1,550, depending on finish and sales.

Bosch 800 Series SHP78CM5N

$1,499.99

The Bosch SHP78CM5N 800 Series dishwasher delivers high-tech cleaning performance and unparalleled customization, making it our current pick for best dishwasher. In our lab tests, this Bosch got dishes 99.97% clean. It also delivers dry dishes every time, thanks to Bosch’s proprietary CrystalDry technology.

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KitchenAid KDTE204KPS

Quiet, efficient, and budget-friendly, this 24-inch top-control dishwasher from KitchenAid delivers outstanding water and energy efficiency, using just 3.2 gallons per cycle and approximately 270 kWh/year, while operating at a whisper-quiet 39 dBA—quieter than many premium models. It is Energy Star certified, features a stainless-steel tub, a third rack, and a sensor-driven “ProWash” cycle that optimizes for smaller or dirtier loads. Priced around $750, it’s a strong value for those who want performance and quiet operation without overspending.

KitchenAid KDTE204KPS

$749.99

This top-control KitchenAid dishwasher delivers outstanding water and energy efficiency, using just 3.2 gallons per cycle and approximately 270 kWh/year.

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