November 29th, 2024 | 7 min. read
Learn how to find the perfect dishwasher with our Dishwasher Buying Guide
After a long day at work, the last thing you want to come home to is a sink full of dirty dishes.
Without a working dishwasher, you're stuck washing them by hand.
You call the 1-800 number for factory service or a local repair company, only to find there that you’ll have to wait 30 to 90 days for someone to fix it.
This may sound like a nightmare, but its long service wait times make it a daily reality for many people.
Now for the good news: dishwashers are generally reliable, with only 9.9% needing service in the first year.
In this article, we'll cover the most reliable dishwasher brands, backed by over 33,000 service calls logged by our team in the past 12 months.
We'll also highlight popular models and include video reviews for you to consider.
Let's get started.
Why Reliability Is So Important Especially Now
I am convinced that the worst job at an appliance company is the parts purchasing manager.
They must deal with tons of back ordered (industry jargon for unavailable) parts on an ongoing basis.
Let's say your local service agent quotes you a 14-day wait until a technician can repair your dishwasher.
If the technician brings the wrong part to fix your dishwasher or the part is unavailable, you will have to wait another 30—to 60-day wait until the new part arrives and the technician can return.
Buying a reliable dishwasher will save you that inconvenience and added expense.
Service is never discussed in this industry for good reasons.
It's just plain bad. Now, let's show you how to avoid it.
Looking for answers about Dishwashers?
Short on time? Download our free Dishwasher Buying Guide.
How Dishwasher Reliability is Calculated
We calculate reliability by dividing the number of dishwashers serviced by the number sold over a 12-month, which gives us a service rate percentage.
We then compare this percentage across brands to rank their reliability.
The Most Reliable Dishwasher Brands for 2025
The following service rates are based on a minimum of 100 products sold and a total sample of over 5,000 products within 12 months.
| Service Rates | |
| LG | 4.7% |
| Thermador | 6.9% |
| KitchenAid | 7.4% |
| Bosch | 9.5% |
| Miele | 10.1% |
| Bosch Benchmark | 10.9% |
| GE Profile | 11.6% |
| Beko | 17.7% |
| Café Appliances | 20.3% |
| Fisher & Paykel | 21.5% |
| Grand Total | 9.9% |
LG: 4.7%
2023 Service Rate: 4% Service Rate
Over the last three years, LG has been the most reliable dishwasher brand.
Their service rate has slightly increased from 4% to 4.7% this year.
LG manufactures more of its dishwasher components, such as motors and other key parts, than any other manufacturer—except for Miele.
LG's dishwashers feature a new wash arm technology called QuadWash. This technology uses oblong wash arms with high-pressure jets to clean dishes from every angle.
In addition, their dishwashers include steam functionality.
Steam is a unique feature for LG. It loosens baked-on food from your dishes—like my kid's macaroni and cheese.
My neighbor has an LG dishwasher, and yes, I tested it—with the macaroni, which I overcooked.
LG uses a Dynamic drying system, which consists of a fan that circulates hot air produced by a heating element.
At the end of the dry cycle, the door opens to prevent moisture from re-depositing the dishes.
You can afford a quiet 44-decibel steam dishwasher for $899 to $999.
LG is not well known for dishwashers but is well worth considering for its reliability and features at a more affordable price.
Earlier Service Rates:
- 2023: 4%
- 2022 -3.5%
- 2021 - 1.7%
- 2019 - 6.2%
- 2018 - 5.1%
- 2017 -19.1%
Thermador: 6.9%
2023 Service Rate: 5.9%
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Bosch and Thermador are part of the BSH family and offer essentially the same dishwasher, depending on the model you consider.
You might think that the premium Thermador models would have far more features than Bosch, but that's not the case.
Thermador dishwashers are the most basic Bosch models with one advantage:
They are free under Thermador's One-Two-Free rebate program when you buy a range, cooktop, or wall oven.
Thermador used to offer great features, like their "Star Speed" 20-minute wash and dry cycle.
It even worked well, but those dishwashers were discontinued during the supply chain issues of 2020-2022.
The current Thermador dishwashers are decent, but for now, they are just more basic Bosch models.
Earlier Service Rates:
- 2023: 5.9%
- 2022 - 5.9%
- 2021 - 3.6%
- 2019 -14.5%
- 2018 - 17.3%
- 2017 - 12.2%
KitchenAid: 7.4%
2023 service Rate: 6.2%
KitchenAid has evolved into two series, with their M series featuring a new wash system, improved drying, and redesigned racks.
The best KitchenAid dishwashers to consider are the 200 Series Dishwasher (KDTE204KPS) and the 600 Series Dishwasher (KDTM604KPS).
We didn't sell as many KitchenAid units last year, and looking ahead, we likely won't be rating KitchenAid or other Whirlpool products in the coming years.
They will focus more on big-box stores, while we will shift our focus to Bosch, Miele, LG, and GE.
KitchenAid is still a solid dishwasher option, but plenty of other great brands and models exist.
Earlier Service Rates:
- 2023: 6.2%
- 2022: 5.5%
- 2021 - 11%
- 2020– 13.1%
- 2019 – 16.3%
Bosch: 9.5%
2023 Service Rate: 5.9%
The first company to address the demand for a quiet, well-featured, and affordable dishwasher was Bosch back in the early 1990s.
People wanted quiet dishwashers as kitchens and living rooms merged into one large, open space.
As a result, noise levels became an important factor to consider.
A dishwasher that operates at 44 dB or lower is considered quiet.
Pro Tip: An increase of 10 decibels doubles the dishwasher's noise.
Bosch has historically been one of the most reliable dishwasher brands.
In 2020-2022, finding a Bosch dishwasher below $1,000 was a challenge.
Now, you can buy all Bosch dishwashers, from their basic 100 Series to their top-of-the-line Benchmark Series.
Bosch continues to innovate with their new CrystalDry drying system and PowerControl spray arm in their 800 and Benchmark Series.
The 500 Series features AutoAir drying, which automatically opens the door at the end of the cycle to speed up the drying process.
Earlier Service Rates:
- 2023: 5.9%
- 2022: 5.4%
- 2021: 10.1%
- 2020: 12.8%
- 2019: 11.1%
- 2018: 11.1%
- 2017: 10.4%
Miele: 10.1%
2023 Service Rate: 6.2%
Miele introduced their new dishwasher series just months before the pandemic, and much like Bosch, they were unable to ship due to a heavy backlog.
Many people believe Miele has excellent reliability with a 0% service rate, but no brand can honestly claim that.
However, Miele is the best when it comes to dishwasher rack design, features, and washing systems.
Their drying performance is a close second to Bosch.
Miele dishwashers are an excellent choice for washing fine china and crystal.
Miele manufactures almost all of its components in its German factory. The only parts not produced in-house are the rollers under the baskets.
They are also the only company with a 20-load detergent dispenser dispensing the exact amount of detergent needed at the right time.
We've tested it, and it works.
The best Miele dishwashers are the G7176SCVISF, G5056SCVISFP, and G5266CVISF.
Earlier Service Rates:
- 2023: 6.2%
- 2022: 6.7%
- 2021: 8.9%
- 2020: 8.2%
- 2019: 20.5%
- 2018: 14.4%
- 2017: 6.0%
GE Profile: 11.6%
2023 Service Rate: 8.1%
GE was the winner in 2020-2022 simply by having available dishwashers.
Give them credit for completely redesigning their dishwashers and maintaining availability during that time.
The GE Profile dishwasher is popular for its Microban surfaces, which resist germs, its bottle and silverware wash features, and its quiet 42-decibel operation.
The price is affordable, ranging from $899 to $1,049, depending on when you buy it.
Earlier Service Rate:
- 2023: 8.1%
- 2022: 7.1%
- 2021: 12.2%
- 2020: 10.5%
What Are the Main Dishwasher Problems?
Some issues are installation-related, so make sure your installer knows what they are doing.
The most common dishwasher issues based on service calls last year were:
- Unit Not Draining
- Starts, but won't cycles through
- The on/off button is not working
Should You Buy an Extended Warranty?
Dishwashers are generally reliable, so it depends on how you feel about insurance.
Oddly enough, many builders purchase five-year warranties so that we can handle the issues after they've finished the project.
It's up to you, but whatever your choice, read this next line:
An extended warranty is not worth your future aggravation if the company lacks service.
You must ensure that your warranty is backed by actual service.
Most aren't.
How Long Does a Dishwasher Last?
Nobody knows for sure.
Well, one guy has a better handle on service than most: Paul Macdonald, the former President and a member of the Service Hall of Fame (yes, there's a place for that).
He served as a short-term consultant at Yale for seven years. Here's his take:
"Dishwashers can last anywhere from 7-12 years, depending on the usage.
To extend their life, clean the filter monthly, looking for any foreign obstacles in the sump pump area.
Also, don't overload the dishwasher; use the manufacturer's recommended detergent.
Water hardness plays a large part in the washing results and can impact the machine's inner workings and how much detergent to use.
Many companies claim 20 years of life, but sadly, I wouldn't expect that."
When Should You Replace a Dishwasher
You should replace your dishwasher when the service price exceeds 35% of the purchase price.
Remember, the average installation, including delivery and removal, costs about $300.
Which Brand Has the Best Dishwasher Service?
That depends on where you live.
The best dishwasher brands to buy, based on service and parts availability, include Bosch, Thermador, and GE, along with Café Appliances, GE Profile, and Monogram.
You should also consider the service experience. Only 3% of retailers have a service department with more than one or two technicians.
Additionally, as of this writing, most manufacturers either don't have a service department or are severely understaffed.
Read More: Why Your New Appliance Will Not Be Repaired
Which Dishwasher Should You Buy Based on Reliability?
It depends on what features you want and your budget.
For 2025, availability will not be an issue.
Many people opt for the more popular dishwasher brands like Bosch, Miele, GE, or KitchenAid, but LG has a lower service rate and is often at a lower price.
Remember, even reliable products break, so ensure you have access to available appliance services.
Additional Resources
Have questions on dishwashers? Then get the Yale Dishwasher Buying Guide with features, specs, and detailed profiles of every major brand like Miele, Bosch, KitchenAid, Beko, and more. Over 1 million people have read a Yale Guide.
Related Articles:
- How to Buy a Dishwasher: The Ultimate Guide
- Why Your New Appliance Will Not Be Repaired
- Should You Buy A Third-Party Warranty?
- Best Dishwasher Deals
- Best Panel-Ready Dishwashers
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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.
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.
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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.
