Buying the best panel-ready dishwasher used to be a challenge.
Until recently, panel-ready dishwashers were hard to find due to Covid-related supply constraints.
Now, there are plenty of options, including advanced wash features like Bosch's PowerControl, SKS's PowerSteam, and Miele's AutoDos, which comes equipped with a PowerDisk automatic dispenser.
And let’s not forget about the flexibility of Fisher & Paykel.
The names may sound odd, but trust me, the features are worth considering. You’ll learn all about them in this article.
We’ll also share an important word of caution about installing a panel on a dishwasher.
Let’s start there.
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You want your dishwasher to blend seamlessly into your cabinets, so it looks like it’s part of the cabinetry.
Unfortunately, with American brands like KitchenAid and GE Profile, the dishwasher will often stick out from your cabinets.
You want your dishwasher to be indistinguishable from your cabinets—not like a dishwasher with a cabinet slapped onto it.
Bosch, SKS, Miele, and Fisher & Paykel offer dishwashers that are shallow enough to blend into the cabinetry.
Beko and Asko also don’t protrude.
Let me explain Miele dishwashers and why the G7186 is your best choice.
Miele now has two series: the more basic (yet still expensive) G 5000 and the better (and yes, more expensive) G 7000.
Let’s start with everyone’s favorite question: how noisy is it?
Quietness
All Miele dishwashers operate at or below the quietness threshold of 44 decibels.
However, their super-quiet model, the G 7966 ($3,699), runs at just 39 decibels.
Miele also has a Quiet mode that slows the motor down to reduce noise, but keep in mind—it can stretch your wash cycle to 4 hours.
In Quiet mode, the G7966 operates at 37 decibels.
By comparison, the G7186 (priced at $1,949) runs at 42 decibels and dips down to 40 decibels in Quiet mode.
Miele Wash System
Miele has the best wash system, with three full-wash arms.
Most brands, like Bosch, only have two, with a sprinkler head on the top. All of Miele's dishwashers offer three wash arms, whether you spend $1,199 or $3,699.
Racking
The higher-end models offer more adjustable racks.
Anything in orange is adjustable. The top rack is also designed to be more flexible.
Miele was one of the first brands to introduce a third rack for cutlery.
They offer both a traditional third rack and a 3D MultiFlex rack, which is divided into two sections.
The left-hand section can slide to the right, making room for tall items like wine glasses on the upper basket.
This feature is available on all G7000 models.
Drying
Miele’s drying system is excellent across all models.
Each dishwasher has one or two ports at the bottom to allow air in. The hotter air inside the dishwasher is attracted to the cooler air, which dissipates the moisture.
At the end of the wash cycle, the door automatically pops open to release heat and steam.
On most other brands, a thin layer of moisture can collect back on the glasses when the steam condenses after the cycle. Miele’s automatic door prevents that from happening.
The better G 7000 series models have two ports instead of one (like on the G5000), delivering cooler air to both sides for faster drying.
AutoDos
Starting with the G7186, Miele offers the world’s only automatic detergent dispenser, called AutoDos, priced at $1,949.
The AutoDos delivers the right amount of detergent at the right time during the wash and holds enough for 20 cycles.
Customers report that dishes come out incredibly clean with the AutoDos dispenser.
The G7186 SCVi isn’t Miele’s most expensive dishwasher, though.
The G7566 offers more cycles than the G71 series.
Their top-of-the-line model, the G7966, includes swipe controls (like your phone), brilliant interior lighting, additional wash programs like an intense zone, sensor controls, and a five-year warranty.
However, the G7186 still gives you good racking, the 3D third rack, quiet operation, plenty of cycles, and the AutoDos—for considerably less.
Pros: Miele is still the best combination of washing, drying, and racking.
Miele builds the most solidly constructed dishwashers you can buy.
The company still manufactures all its parts (except the rollers under the racks) in one German factory and ships worldwide.
Additionally, Miele has the best rack flexibility. They all flip up or detach to accommodate a wide variety of dishes.
The AutoDos actually works well. Hard to believe, right?
Cons: For the AutoDos, you’re paying $2,000 for the dishwasher.
That’s almost double the price of a regular dishwasher.
The G 5051 SCVI is still an excellent dishwasher.
You’ll get the same washing and drying system, but it doesn’t have the AutoDos, has a few fewer cycles, and the baskets aren’t as flexible.
Like Miele, Bosch requires a bit of an explanation. They offer the 100, 300, 500, 800, 800+, and Benchmark series.
The only series that doesn’t have a panel-ready option is the 500 series.
The 100 series is their most basic dishwasher, operating at 48 decibels and without a third rack. There are three different 100 Series models.
The 300 series is all stainless steel, with a heavier door and better racking.
The decibel level for the 300 series is just above the quietness threshold at 44.
Quietness
The SHV78CM3N in the 800 series operates below the quietness standard at 42 decibels.
Racking
Bosch has followed Miele’s lead with fold-down tines on the bottom rack to accommodate larger plates and dishes, along with their "RackMatic" nine-position adjustable rack.
You also get their top rack for silverware.
PowerControl
The SHV78CM3N in the 800 series is completely new this year, featuring an innovative system called PowerControl.
It’s that propeller-looking object on the bottom rack (yes, the scientific term).
PowerControl allows you to adjust the intensity of the spray for low, medium, and heavy settings.
With smart functionality, you can divide the lower rack into fourths, so you can wash china and baked lasagna dishes in the same cycle.
Bosch CrystalDry
The 800 series also features CrystalDry, the best drying system on this list. CrystalDry uses a volcanic element, Zeolite, to increase heat and absorb moisture.
With CrystalDry, even lightweight items like plastics come out dry. In our tests, the Bosch 800 Series was the best drying dishwasher.
Much like the Miele comparison, the Benchmark series is the more expensive version of the 800 series.
Benchmark models are quieter (note: you only need a silence rating of 44 decibels to be considered quiet), have better leak detection, feature a light inside the dishwasher, include a better silverware rack, and have easier-to-slide ball-bearing racks.
Pros: Bosch has always had good racking, but their washing and drying—especially for plastics—make this an excellent choice.
This Bosch dishwasher features handy cycles like Speed60 for a 60-minute wash and dry. You can even program a customized cycle into the dishwasher’s favorites setting.
Cons: The price is decent for a panel-ready dishwasher.
However, Miele offers better racking, particularly the top rack, where the silverware is locked in place and won’t scratch during the cycle.
Bosch has the edge in drying, but Miele still wins for washing.
The 300 Series is priced at $1,099, but you’ll lose the quietness—you will hear this dishwasher running.
It also doesn’t have the same drying capabilities, relying only on steam from the wash and Jet Dry.
You also miss out on the PowerControl wash system.
The 300 Series is still a good, but basic, dishwasher.
Read More: The Ultimate Bosch Dishwasher Comparison
Fisher & Paykel has 27 dishdrawer options. Yes, 27.
But, for panel-ready, you “only” have six dishwashers to choose from.
For panel-ready options, you’ll need to buy their better "9" or "11" series.
The difference between the 9 and 11 series includes a stainless-steel interior, extra flood protection, a soft-close drawer, smart functionality, and a few additional cycles like a 60-minute wash and glass care.
The difference between the two 11 series is the addition of a water softener. You’ll want that if you have well water.
In the 9 series, the choice comes down to a water softener and whether you prefer two equal-sized tall drawers or one tall drawer and one small drawer.
Note: The dishdrawer with one tall and one small drawer is ADA compliant.
Quietness
Fisher & Paykel meets the quietness standard at 44 decibels.
Racking
This one’s tricky.
Fisher & Paykel is a drawer-style dishwasher, and in our experience, people either love or hate how it loads.
I had one about a year ago and loved the top drawer—it was convenient, and I didn’t have to bend down.
But then again, it was just me, and I never really used the bottom drawer.
You should take a close look at this dishwasher before buying. The loading style is unique.
The Knock-to-Pause feature is also interesting. You knock on the front to pause the dishwasher, allowing you to toss in that last plate or glass.
The higher-end Miele and Gaggenau dishwashers have a knock-to-open feature, but knocking to pause might be even more useful.
Drying Capability
Fisher & Paykel uses straight condensation drying with a fan assist to move air and evaporate moisture.
Pros: Its uniqueness gives it an edgier style, which can be highly appealing for builders looking to create a distinctive design.
One big advantage is that it eliminates the need to bend down to reach the top dishwasher drawer, making it a convenient option.
It’s also a great choice for a galley kitchen or if you have an island nearby.
When the drawers are open, they don’t take up as much space as a traditional dishwasher with a fold-down door.
Cons: While it will wash your dishes, the drying isn’t as effective.
And like any unique appliance, make sure you can get it serviced before buying one.
You can opt for the Fisher & Paykel DD24DI9N with two equal-sized drawers for $1,799.
Read More: Fisher & Paykel Dishwashers: A Comparison Guide | Series, Styles, and Performance
SKS is a premium brand under the LG umbrella, and it’s worth considering if you’re in the market for a reliable, feature-packed dishwasher.
Most Reliable
You might assume Bosch and Miele are the most reliable dishwashers, but LG has been the top performer in recent years.
Based on over 37,000 service calls logged last year, LG is the most reliable.
This SKS dishwasher stands out not just for its quiet operation but also for its unique features. It was rated one of the most reliable in our testing:
Dishwasher Reliability for 2024
The following service rates are based on a sample of over 7,000 products sold in the last 12 months.
| Service Rates | |
| LG | 4% |
| Bosch | 5.9% |
| Thermador | 5.9% |
| Miele | 6.2% |
| LG Studio | 6.2% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 6.7% |
| GE Profile | 8.1% |
| Asko | 10.2% |
| Beko | 11.2% |
| Café Appliances | 19.4% |
| Grand Total | 6.9% |
Miele still holds the top spot for super-premium dishwashers, but overall, most brands in this category perform well.
Quietness
This SKS dishwasher runs at a respectable 44 decibels, which means it’s quiet enough to blend into the background of your home.
Washing
The SKS uses PowerSteam technology to clean your dishes.
Steam particles are gentle enough for delicate items like wine glasses but strong enough to tackle heavily soiled dishes.
Note: I sold an SKS to my neighbor, and the steam feature really works.
I baked a macaroni dish, and the dishwasher cleaned almost everything off. I only had to wipe off a small bit that was left.
Drying
The SKS dishwasher uses multiple steps for drying.
First, it uses steam to quickly evaporate water. Then, a heating element kicks in, circulating hot air to remove any remaining moisture.
When combined with rinse aid, this drying process is highly effective.
Racking
The interior of the SKS is very flexible.
This dishwasher features an adjustable middle rack and a third rack for extra space.
The bottom rack has fold-down tines, making it easy to fit larger pans.
Wi-Fi
This model is Wi-Fi enabled, so you can monitor or start your dishwasher remotely. You can also download additional wash cycles through your smartphone.
Paneled Door
The panel-ready door is designed to slide away from the dishwasher when opened, allowing for different height installations.
Pro Tip: The SKS is one of the shallowest dishwashers available, measuring only 21 13/16 inches deep.
Pros: This SKS model offers many standout features, including strong drying performance, one of the most flexible racking systems, and plenty of wash cycles.
Plus, it comes with a solid 3-year warranty.
Cons: The drying system is good, but it doesn’t quite match Bosch’s CrystalDry. Similarly, while the washing performance is solid, Miele still has the edge.
The LG Studio is a great alternative if you’re looking to save a bit.
You won’t get the same features, racking flexibility, or quietness (it’s rated at 45 decibels), but you still get steam cleaning. It’s a great price for a basic, reliable dishwasher.
When buying a panel-ready dishwasher, you want to choose brands that install flush with your cabinets for a seamless look.
Miele with AutoDos is the best in terms of racking, washing, and drying. However, you’ll need to spend over $2,000 for that level of performance.
Bosch with PowerControl offers great flexibility, allowing you to wash different types of dishes in the same load.
It also has the best drying system on the market. Although Miele has better racks, Bosch is almost $1,000 less.
Fisher & Paykel is definitely unique. You’ll appreciate not having to bend down with its drawer design.
SKS comes with strong features at a lower price point, plus it offers the best reliability.
So, what do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
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