A dishwasher does more than just clean the dishes, it saves you time, giving you more time to spend with your family and friends instead of elbow deep in soapy water.
Research also suggests if loaded properly, a full dishwasher can also save you money, and help the environment by using less water compared to filling a sink with soapy water every time you need to clean up after dinner.
With this in mind, why skimp on what should be an essential part of any modern kitchen?
Below we have rounded up the best high end dishwashers on the market so that you can get back to spending time entertaining guests or spending quality time with your kids rather than stood at your sink scrubbing.
We have also included a handy buyers guide and FAQ to help you find the best high end dishwasher for your needs.
In a Rush?
Has your dishwasher just died, just moved into a new home, or having a big dinner party coming up this weekend? then here’s our top pick to make sure you can get back to entertaining your guests, without having to worry about the clean up.
In our opinion the best of the bunch is the Bosh Benchmark SHE88PZ65N.
Feature rich and with unrivaled cleaning power, and performance the SHE88PZ65N sets the standard, or Benchmark, in what a high end dishwasher should be.
In tests the Benchmark removed almost 100 per cent of baked on food including tough stains like burned sugar and cheese, and left everything in the machine, even plastic items, bone dry thanks to Bosh’s incredible CrystalDry technology, which heats the inside of the dishwasher to higher temperatures without needing to use more energy.
Whats more its incredibly quiet running at only 40dB. If you ask us you simply can’t do better than the Bosh.
Top 5 Best High End Dishwasher
OUR TOP PICK
Summary
Bosh has a reputation for making some of the best dishwashers on the market and the SHE88PZN is no different.
The Benchmark has an impressive feature set and has all the bells and whistles you would expect from a high-end dishwasher including adjustable racks, a digital display, and a hidden control panel.
While it has an impressive array of extras, where the Benchmark really shines is in its performance, the only other machines that come close to it are other Bosh dishwashers, and can produce perfectly clean dishes even in a heavy cycle, removing baked-on cheese, burnt sugar, and caked-on spinach with no trouble at all.
The SHE88PZ65N also runs at only 40db, making it so quiet you could easily have a conversation while its running and not be interrupted, as such it’s a dishwasher that can proudly boast of being whisper quiet.
One recurring problem with most dishwashers is their inability to dry plastic. However, thanks to Bosh’s revolutionary CrystalDry technology, the Benchmark is capable of producing a lot of heat at a fraction of the power consumption of competing dishwashers.
As a result, you can be sure that all of your dishes, including your Tupperware, will be bone dry the end of a cycle.
The Benchmark also includes two adjustable racks which are ideal for if you need to clean larger items like vases, or large bowls, it also has a handy third rack designed specifically for cleaning tongs, spatulas, and other large cooking utensils.
As its name implies the SHE88PZ65N sets the benchmark for what a high end dishwasher should be, and if you have the budget, one we highly recommend.
Pros
Spotless cleaning
Effortlessly tackles baked-on food
Can dry plastic
Large adjustable rack
Very quiet
Cons
Longer than average cycle times
EDITORS CHOICE
Summary
The next high end dishwasher on our list is the Thermador Sapphire DWHD770WFM.
The Sapphire perfectly mixes form and function, blending sleek and elegant design with superior cleaning power into a luxury dishwasher which is well worth the price of admission.
The DWHD770FM boasts a sleek stainless steel design, a solid handle, and a bevy of extra features including blue interior lighting, a cycle timer which projects onto the floor, and the ability to remotely control and monitor the dishwasher via the Home Connect App.
The controls are also incredibly intuitive, with an easy to use control panel, and the ability to open the door either via a push or pull.
The Sapphire backs up its good looks, with superb performance, and in tests gave near-perfect stain removal and dish drying in two and a half hours, with the toughest stains reduced to mere specks and the utensils in the top rack sparkling. This is without using the Stardry feature which guarantees all of your dishes will be bone dry and table-ready.
The DWHD770WFM also features three highly adjustable drawers, which glide effortlessly, and include a myriad of features including adjustable tines which allow you to either raise them for loads of smaller items or flatten them when you need to wash bulkier items.
The middle rack can also be adjusted to accommodate taller items and also includes a stemware rack that stops delicate items such as wine glasses from knocking into each other during the wash cycle.
It does all of this while outputting only 40db of noise meaning that its ideal for open plan homes and apartments.
The only downside is that the Sapphire is not the most efficient of dishwashers requiring both more power and water to create it’s admittedly impressive results. This is by no means a dealbreaker, but something to keep in mind.
With a full feature set, great rack customization options, elegant design, and excellent cleaning the Sapphire is a luxury dishwasher in every sense of the word.
Pros
Excellent Cleaning and performance
Intuitive controls
Fully customizable drawers
Cons
Not as energy-efficient as the competition.
BEST VALUE
Summary
Next, on our list is the Miele EcoFlex Futura Lumen.
The Lumen is a stylish machine with plenty of great features and interesting tricks up its sleeve.
The first is the aptly named Knock2Open, if you decide to place the Lumen within a cabinet you don’t need to order a handle, instead, you simply knock twice on the top of the door and the machine will open.
Also at the end of a cycle, the door will automatically crack open a few inches to release moist air which helps your dishes dry faster.
The Lumen is also very economical thanks to what Mille has dubbed ‘EcoTech Heat Storage’. Basically a hot water tank which uses hot water from the current cycle to help heat water the next time the machine is used, as well as a heat exchanger which helps dry dishes while using less energy.
The Lumen can also get your dishes clean in just under an hour using its QuickIntenseWash program. In tests this was able to get dishes clean in just under an hour using Miele’s own detergent tabs.
These can be pricy to buy, however, the machine does come with a year’s supply, and using them you can be sure the machine is working to the best of its abilities.
On the cleaning front the Lumen excels, not only being quick, but also quiet, running at only 38-40 db, the sound of a quiet conversation.
When running a normal cycle the Lumen does an admirable job of cleaning off most common food residues including milk, egg, and spinach, and the dishes dishes came out bone dry.
The machines three drawers also are incredibly flexible and allow for tines to be raised and lowered in order to accommodate larger items, and also features a rubber lined rack specifically designed to protect wine glasses and other stemware, during washing.
The Lumen is an impressive machine, both in performance and features. With superb cleaning, excellent design, and some great additional features the Lumen is a machine you can happily knock on wood for.
Pros
Econmonical and energy efficient
Great cleaning performance
Fun extras
Cons
Works best with Mile detergent tabs
RUNNER UP
Summary
Next up is the GE Profile PDT775SBNTS
The Profile is a sleek and stylish dishwasher, with superior cleaning power which will stand out in any kitchen.
The machine also has a range of features which ensure your dishes come out clean and dry every time.
It does this using a series of high powered water jets specifically designed to tackle tough stains on tricky to clean items. These include deep clean silverware jets which blast the silverware basket and four dedicated bottle jets on the upper rack to help clean hard to reach areas with a shower of steaming hot water.
Meanwhile the integrated Pirahna Hard Food Disposer pulverises large food particles with a stainless steel blade running at 3,600 RPM to ensure the wash arms remain clean and clog free.
Every cycle is also started with a steam prewash which losens food particles removing the need for prewashing or soaking, while each ends with a high- temperature rince which sanitizes dishes removing 99.99 percent of bacteria.
It does all of this while running at an ultra quiet 42dB making it perfect for kitchens where the family like to gather.
The Profile can also connect to wifi and monitored via a companion app on your phone. Letting you check the cycle status, and rinse aid levels as well as automatically reorder detergent so you never run out.
With some superb features, excellent cleaning, and whisper quiet operation the Profile is a solid dishwasher, though the slate black finish may not be for everyone.
Pros
Great cleaning power
Whisper quiet
Special jets for hard to clean items
Cons
Slate finish may not be to your taste
RUNNER UP
Summary
The last high end dishwasher on our list is the Cafe CDT845P4NW2.
The Cafe features great performance and a classy, sleek design, available in several different tasteful finishes to match your kitchen.
Behind the brushed brone and matt white exterior is a machine which provides superb cleaning thanks to having more than 90 jets, and lower cleaning arms which bathe your dishes in water.
This is coupled with a high powered ultra dry system guarantees plates, and even plastics are table ready every time, and a presteam cycle which eliminates the need to presoak plates with baked on food such as cheese or spinach.
The cafe also includes adjustable upper racks and foldable tines to help you fit in larger items such as baking trays and soup pots.
It is also economical thanks to the innovative Wash Zones cycle which saves water and time by only cleaning dishes in the upper or lower rack, and quiet out putting at only 45dB..
The Cafe is a great dishwasher which provides excellent cleaning and great customisation options while offering a bevy of finishes to suit any modern kitchen.
Pros
More than 90 cleaning jets
Adjustable racks and tines
Available in several different finishes
Econmonical half load
Cons
Load efficiency not the best
Best High End Dishwasher Buying Guide
If your dishwasher just died, or you have just moved into a new place chances are that you are looking for a new dishwasher.
Here is our handy guide which will tell you what factors to consider when choosing a high end dishwasher to help you get the best possible machine for your money.
Performance
No one wants to spend more than a thousand dollars on a dishwasher only to find half your dishes still covered in crumbs and sopping wet once the cycle is over.
A dishwashers performance is based on three things, its ability to remove stains, dry dishes to a table ready standard, and how noisy it is while its working.
When looking at a dishwasher it can be prudent to look at online reviews or ask the salesman about a dishwasher’s cleaning performance.
Its also worth noting that not all dishwashers dry dishes properly, plastics in particular can often times need a wipe with a towl once the cycle is finished. Therefore it is important to look for a washer with a heated drying option if you want to ensure your dishes are bone dry and table ready everytime.
With more people living in open plan spaces these day the noise a machine makes is also an important factor. No one wants to have to turn up the TV in the living area or leave the room to have a conversation while the dishwasher runs, so its best to try and find a washer which is as quiet as possibly. Ideally you’ll want a machine which has a lower sound rating, ideally around the 40dB mark.
It’s also waorht noting that as a rule of thumb dishwashers with a stainless steel tub are generally quieter than those with a plastic one.
Cycle Options
One thing people often overlook when picking a new washing machine is their additional features and cycle types.
However, these extra features can prove to be incredibly useful especially if you like to throw parties or have a growing family.
Special cycles can include delicate/china cycles, which enable the machine to take better care of your more fragile dishes and wine glasses, as well as sanitize settings which can help you quickly and effectively cleanse baby bottles.
Some settings can also improve economy by only washing a half load.
Great racks
Another thing to think about is how easy the draws glide in and out and how customizabile the dishwashers racks are.
Basically the more options here the better. Being able to fold down tines, and adjust the height of racks give you more flexibility on the kinds of crockery you can fit in your dishwasher.
While other extras such as stemware racks help to keep your wine glasses from crashing into each other during washing.
Many newer, high end dishwashers also include a third narrow tray residing above the top rack, often with its own wash arm.
These are typically designed to wash cutlery without the need for a basket, or larger utensils like spatulas, and ladles, and, depending on their depth, can also be used to clean small bowls. They are also ideal for cleaning pacifiers.
Economy
Another thing to check is how economical the dishwasher is. It goes with out saying that models which use less power and water are not only better for the environment, but also cheaper to run.
Make sure to check the Energy Star rating of the dishwasher, as with most things, the higher the rating the more economical it is, and the lower your utility bills will be.
Touch panel controls
Many modern dishwashers now come with a touch panel. While they look more futuristic and are much sleeker than traditional buttons, its well worth trying out the touch panel of the dishwasher you are looking to buy before hand as not all touch panels are created equally.
Some being so delicate they’ll start the machine if you so much as brush against it, while others require several jabs before they do what you want. What’s wrong with traditional buttons?
Funky finishes
Llike most apiliances dishwashers come in a variety of finishes, from matt black, to classic white, and stainless steel.
While most are panel ready and give you the option to install a cover which matches your cupboards and hides the machine. It is worth noting that machines in more exciting colours and finishes than the standard black, white or steel often attract a higher price tag for what is essentially the same machine.