What is a third-rack dishwasher, and do I need one?

Modern dishwashers look very different from the ones your parents or grandparents had. Exposed heating elements and loud built-in food disposals have largely disappeared, replaced by quieter, more efficient designs. One of the biggest design changes in 21st-century dishwashers is the addition of a third rack—a slim sliding tray above the upper rack that adds usable space and flexibility without increasing the dishwasher’s footprint.

Some third racks are adjustable, with sections that fold up or slide to the side, making it easier to accommodate taller items in the middle rack. You can find them in both budget and premium models.

Since their introduction in the mid-2000s (although Miele reportedly patented one in the late 1980s), third racks have evolved from shallow trays to deeper trays, meaning that many of them now have room for small bowls, wide spatulas, and deep soup ladles, as well as long, flat kitchen utensils.

If you have questions about third racks, or why you might want to invest in a dishwasher that has one, keep reading.

Key benefits

Your third rack can help you make better use of your dishwasher in several ways.

• Cleaner silverware: Since silverware doesn’t “nest” in the third rack the way it can in the cutlery basket, it should come out cleaner. Some models even have special jets for the third rack.
• Saves space: Putting your flatware in the third rack enables you to remove the cutlery basket that takes up space in the lower rack, making more room for cookie sheets and serving platters without obstructing the water jets.
• Offers dedicated space for awkward dishes: Small ramekins, measuring spoons, and Tupperware lids finally have a good place to go.
• Reduces bending for the user: Third racks can reduce bending and make loading easier for people with mobility issues, broadening its appeal beyond just capacity.
• Saves a little money: Because more items can fit into a single load, some households may be able to run fewer cycles over time, potentially saving water and energy.

Some disadvantages

Before you commit to a third rack dishwasher, know that there can be a few drawbacks.

• Not all third racks clean equally well: On lower-end models without dedicated spray jets, items placed on the third rack may not clean as thoroughly as those on the main racks.
• Too shallow means it's not useful: Some dishwashers come with a shallow tray third rack that just isn't as useful as slightly deeper ones, because they can't hold, say, ramekins or ladles.
• Takes too long to load: If you’re used to dropping handfuls of silverware from the sink into the cutlery basket, it may take you longer to load a third rack. However, unloading from the third rack can be faster, though, especially if you organize your cutlery by type.
• Takes space away from the upper rack: The third rack takes up space inside the dishwasher’s tub, meaning you have less of it in the upper rack for taller items like wine glasses, water bottles, and pots. You may have to lower the middle rack (if it’s adjustable) to load tall items.
• Adds cost to purchase price: Although third racks are standard on an increasing number of dishwashers, you might end up spending a bit more for one.

How to make the most of the third rack

You can simply use a third rack, or you can maximize a third rack. Here's how to do it:

• Load utensils flat and separate to improve water exposure. (Or, pop them into the dedicated holders present in some higher-end third racks.)
• Place long tools like spatulas and ladles horizontally to avoid blocking spray arms and dedicated spray jets.
• Remove or adjust the rack when washing taller items in the middle/upper rack.
• Clean the third rack edges monthly to prevent buildup and maintain smooth sliding.

Who benefits most from using a dishwasher with a third rack?

Anyone can benefit from a dishwasher with a third rack, but there are scenarios where some people can benefit more . These include families that use lots of cooking utensils and cutlery on a daily basis, folks who frequently host dinners, and households with small kitchens that need to maximize every bit of dishwasher space.

Are third racks worth it?

For most households, yes—especially if you regularly wash utensils, cooking tools, or small items that don’t fit neatly elsewhere. However, if you rarely max out your dishwasher’s capacity, a third rack may be nice to have rather than essential.

So, which dishwashers have a third rack?

In our testing, brands like Bosch and KitchenAid consistently offer some of the most thoughtfully designed third racks. Samsung includes third racks with adjustable height or removable sections, and LG is known for space-maximizing designs that include third racks.

The majority of the dishwashers on our Best Dishwashers buying guide feature third racks, but if you really want to drill down, check out our guide to the best third-rack dishwashers.