Skip to main content

Best 18-Inch Dishwashers (2022 Update)

July 6th, 2022 | 6 min. read

By Steve Sheinkopf

Learn how to find the perfect dishwasher with our Dishwasher Buying Guide
Start Here
Best 18-Inch Dishwashers

Our Top Picks:

 

Contrary to what you might think, you have some decent dishwasher options.

At least that was what I wrote in 2020.

Throw in the word "available" in front of the best 18-inch dishwashers, and now you only have two choices.

However, if you are just starting to plan a kitchen project that’s a year out, you have more choices.

This article will cover your best options if you need a dishwasher now or later based on features and reliability.

Ultimately, you will better understand the best 18-inch dishwasher for your kitchen or pantry.

I also included a section on kitchen design and why a smaller 18-inch dishwasher is better than a smaller stove or refrigerator.

Let's get started.

Looking for answers about Dishwashers?

Short on time? Download our free Dishwasher Buying Guide.

Start Here

 

Most Important Factors to Consider When Choosing a Dishwasher

Dishwasher Reliability

When choosing a dishwasher, look at the racks, best drying methods, and the fastest cycle times.

However, the first, most crucial factor you should consider is reliability.

Dishwasher Reliability December 2020 to October 2021

The following service rates are based on a minimum of 90 units and a sample of over 8,000 pieces.

  Service Rates
LG 1.7%
Thermador 3.6%
Whirlpool 4.1%
JennAir 5.3%
KitchenAid 5.5%
Miele 8.9%
Fisher & Paykel 9.9%
Bosch 10.1%
Beko 10.3%
Café Appliances 10.7%
GE Profile 12.2%
Asko 12.5%
Samsung 18.5%
Grand Total  12.8%

This table requires some explanation:

The dishwashers in this article are all more reliable than the average. KitchenAid and JennAir don't produce an 18-inch dishwasher.

You won't find an available LG or Whirlpool 18-inch dishwasher.

Dishwashers are reliable, but you should know who can fix your appliances before buying them.

A reliable product still breaks down on occasion. This industry is notorious for its lack of available service technicians.

Read More: Most Reliable Dishwashers

Dishwasher Quietness

I always thought a dishwasher should just wash dishes, but that is assumed since most do.

Quietness is the most asked question in dishwasher purchases - especially if your kitchen is open to your living room.

Forty-four decibels (a measure of sound) is the threshold of quietness for a dishwasher.

Bosch and Miele meet that standard, but the Monogram and the Beko are slightly off at 46 and 48 decibels (dB).

Listen to the video below showcasing 39, 44, 50, and 55-decibel dishwasher sound levels.

Best 18-Inch Dishwashers (2022 Update)

Most Available: Beko DIS25842 - $879

In Stainless Steel: Beko DDS25842X - $929

Beko-DIS25842-and--DDS25842X-Dishwashers

Beko has been one of the most successful companies since the pandemic in 2020.

Availability has been one of the reasons. You can buy one and have it delivered the same week rather than wait six months to a year for Miele or Bosch.

Beko has a competitive dishwasher, especially if you're placing a panel on the front at $879. It's roughly $370 cheaper than any other dishwasher on this list.

The features like three spray arms heated dry, and an adjustable top rack are also worthwhile. You even have the third rack for silverware.

However, it is louder than 48 dB.

Also, Beko uses condensation dry or the heat from the wash, plus JetDry, and time. It works well on dishes but not as well on less-dense items like plastics.

Best Overall: Bosch SPX68U55UC - $1,149

Panel-Ready: Bosch SPV68B53UC - $1,249

Bosch-SPX68U55UC-and-SPV68B53UC-Dishwashers

Bosch is an excellent line of dishwashers. Their 18-inch product is no exception.

It also features a third rack for silverware. You will have more room for your pots and pans on the bottom rack.

You may need that room in a smaller dishwasher, and the third rack eliminates the basket on the bottom rack.

There are plenty of cycles in a Bosch, although you do not have a crystal cycle.

You also have Wi-Fi through the HomeConnect app, so you can see the time remaining on the cycle through an app on your phone.

You can also turn the dishwasher on or off remotely as well. Smart functionality is not as important in a dishwasher as a stove. A quiet dishwasher will save you from opening the dishwasher before the cycle is over.

Bosch also offers condensation dry only. They call it PureDry since the dishwasher heats hotter, so the coolness of the steel pulls away the water from the dishes.

Their 800 series normally include the better CrystalDry using volcanic elements to absorb moisture and emit heat.

However, CrystalDry is not available in this dishwasher.

Best Premium: Miele G 5892 SCVi SL - $1,999

Miele-G-5892-SCVi-SL-Dishwasher

The G 5892 SCVi SL is a great dishwasher and the best of Miele's two models ranging from $1,,299 to this one at $1,999.

Miele also has a unique drying system. The dishwasher lets air into the exterior of the side wall. The steam on the inside becomes attracted to the side and dissipates as water.

If you exercise outside on a cold day, the steam emanating from your head is attracted to the cold similarly.

They incorporate important features you would not normally know. Their double insulated pump cuts the chances of leaking.

It could be an important feature if you're buying this for the 34th floor of your condo in downtown Boston (Bosch does have the AquaStop, and Beko has an overfill sensor, but Miele is a bit better).

In washing, you have three larger arms to spray a bigger radius in the dishwasher.

Like Bosch, you have the third rack with better cycles like Crystal and a faster QuickIntense Wash of 58 minutes for normally soiled dishes.

Best Service Network: Monogram ZDT165SIL11 ($1,500) and Profile PDT145SSLSS ($799)

Monogram-ZDT165SIL11-and-Profile-PDT145SSLSS

I included two GE lines in this article because the Monogram is available, and GE has its own service network.

You may be reading this outside Boston. Most dealers do not have their own service, so you will have problems with Beko, Miele, and Bosch in certain parts of the country.

The Monogram is a bit expensive for the features at $1,500. It is slightly over the quietness standard at 46 decibels, but they have a grinder at the bottom.

With a grinder, you don't have to clean a filter at the bottom like the others.

Monogram also has many cycles and options, including a slightly better heated dry.

Profile is not as available with fewer cycles and options. It's also 47 dB and uses condensation drying. However, it is almost 50% cheaper than the Monogram at $829.

Key Takeaways

First, you have good choices, yet only two are available.

For a panel-ready dishwasher, Beko is $300 less than other major brands. It's a good all-around dishwasher as well in stainless around $930.

Miele is the best for washing, drying, rack configuration, and unique features. However, it's expensive.

Bosch is another excellent all-around dishwasher and is the quietest on this list at 44 dB. You have a third rack and decent features as well.

Monogram is available with more features than the Beko. It's your only other available choice for an 18-inch dishwasher, at least in Boston.

Dishwashers are reliable, but you will need service. Inquire before you buy.

Why You Should Consider an 18-Inch Dishwasher in a Smaller Kitchen

GE-Profile-18-inch-dishwasherProfile 18-Inch Dishwasher

 

Well, I can't give you choices, so I may as well make you feel better about buying an 18-inch dishwasher.

If you have a small kitchen or need space, an 18-inch dishwasher is an excellent consideration. Unlike smaller stoves or refrigerators, you still have decent brands and options.

You also do not lose that much internal space in an 18-inch versus 24-inch dishwasher, so it is a much better option than other smaller appliances for functionality.

Small Cooking Appliances

You do not have the brand selection with small cooking appliances. Only Viking, BlueStar, and Beko manufacture more upscale products in gas, but you pay more for fewer features.

Electric has even fewer choices and no provisions for induction. You can't buy a self-cleaning 24-inch range in gas or electric.

You can buy a cooktop and wall oven with features, but it's over $2,000 for the setup.

Small Refrigerators

When you cut down the size of a refrigerator, you decrease your ability to store wider dishes.

Most refrigerator cabinet sizes are 36 inches for a normal house. Thirty inches is the standard in a smaller apartment.

Cutting to 24-inch sizes limits your options as well.

If you're just planning your small kitchen, your best appliance to narrow is a dishwasher versus a smaller range or refrigerator.

Dishwashers

FAQs

Answers to the most commonly asked questions about dishwashers.

What size is a standard dishwasher?

How long should a dishwasher last?

What are the best dishwasher brands?

Should I install a dishwasher myself?

Additional Resources

For more information about dishwashers, including 18-inch dishwashers, read The Yale Dishwasher Buyers Guide Dishwasher Buying Guide. Over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.

Related Articles:

Looking for answers about Dishwashers?

Choosing a new dishwasher can be a confusing and time-consuming experience. We've taken the pain out of the decision process with our Dishwasher Buying Guide.

Start Here

Why Should You Trust Us?

It seems that every appliance review has nothing but glowing comments about almost every product, yet you read customer reviews and they are almost universally bad.

We are here to fill in the disconnect. We'll give you the best features, and the drawbacks as well, including reliability based on over 37,000 calls performed by our service team just last year. Our goal is to give you ALL the information so you know what's right for you.

Please consider subscribing or adding to the conversation in the comments below. We appreciate you stopping by.

Steve Sheinkopf

Steve Sheinkopf is the third-generation CEO of Yale Appliance and a lifelong Bostonian. He has over 38 years of experience in the appliance industry, and he is a trusted source of information for consumers on how to buy and repair appliances.

Steve has also been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Consumer Reports, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg Radio, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur, for his knowledge of how to buy appliances and appliance repair.

Steve is passionate about helping consumers find the best appliances for their needs, and he is always happy to answer questions and provide advice. He is a valuable resource for consumers who are looking for information on appliance buying, repair, and maintenance.

Despite being the worst goalie in history, Steve is a fan of the Bruins and college hockey, loves to read, and is a Peloton biker. The love of his life is his daughter, Sophie.

A Note About Pricing

Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.