You might want a quiet dishwasher because your kitchen is open to the living room.
In the past, kitchens and dining rooms were separate, so noise wasn't much of an issue.
The main problem is people overpay for a silent dishwasher.
Sure, you need a quiet dishwasher, but the difference between a silence rating of 44 dB and a noiseless one at 38 dB is not that noticeable.
In some of the best dishwasher brands, that difference is well over $1,000.
In this article, you will see a list of the quietest dishwashers by brand and model number, including more affordable but equally quiet alternatives.
Let's get started.
Key Takeaway: If you buy a dishwasher strictly for its low noise level, you do not need a dishwasher with a sound level below 44 decibels.
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The Miele G 7966 SCVI series is 38 decibels, starting at $3,699, and it is the most expensive dishwasher on the market.
Miele has an automatic dispenser, dispensing the exact amount of detergent needed at the right time during the wash cycle.
It sounds like a gimmick, but it works.
This dishwasher has touch controls similar to swiping on your iPhone. It also features a knock-to-open door, and every dishwashing cycle known to humankind, along with a five-year warranty.
Miele has one of the best drying systems.
Two air intake ports located at the dishwasher's base allow cooler air to enter. This cooler air mixes with the hotter, steamier air and is dissipated as water.
The door also opens to release heat and steam to further speed up the drying process.
However, you can buy the automatic dispenser in less expensive but still quiet Miele dishwashers starting at $2,249.
Every Miele dishwasher is at or below the 44 dB quietness standard.
The new Benchmark is $500 less than last year and now has its CrystalDry system using a volcanic element to emit heat and absorb moisture.
Also, their new PowerControl spray arm will allow you to control the intensity of the spray from light, medium, and heavy.
Sound good?
The 800 Series at $1,349 is identical, except the Benchmark has better racks, a few extra cycles, and an interior light.
Beko is another company with a redesigned wash system.
Their 'CornerIntense' system, which washes in a square pattern to match the dishwasher's shape, ensures better coverage of corners.
This dishwasher has specialized sprays for bottles in the top rack and a spray for the filter, so you don't have to continually clean it.
Like the Miele dishwashers, the door opens to release steam and speed drying.
Beko is interesting. Their dishwashers are either 39 dB or 45 dB. Forty-five decibels is just over the quietness threshold.
KitchenAid can be a somewhat confusing brand, as their quietest dishwasher is one of their least featured models.
They offer several models with dB ratings ranging from 39 to 44 dB.
KitchenAid's high-end models, like the KDTM604KPS, are equipped with additional filtration systems, which raise the noise level to a still-quiet 44 dB.
The M series models have better drying capabilities, racks, and an additional wash arm for excellent cleaning performance.
Unlike other dishwashers, Samsung has a linear wash system that moves back and forth.
The Zone Booster feature located at the bottom left enables you to wash heavily soiled dishes along with those that have baked-on food.
Like many others, the door opens at the end of the cycle to speed drying.
Their StormWash dishwashers with the traditional wash arms are still quite 42 dB.
The Café CDT875P4NW2 is an interesting line from GE, allowing you to customize your appliance to be either stainless, white, or black, along with six handle styles.
The washer uses steam or says it does in the specifications. I don't see a steam generator like the LG dishwashers in the machine.
The Café does have special bottle and silverware washes, and their new drying system dries plastics (allegedly).
However, this Café dishwasher is not much different than the GE Profile versions, PDT785 and the PDT755, without the color options at $899-$1,299.
The LG Studio dishwasher is the best in its series.
This dishwasher has a noise level of 40 dB and numerous features, such as steam cycles, that effectively remove baked-on food from dishes.
While LG has established a reputation for producing top-quality refrigerators and laundry, the reliability of its dishwasher is the best based on our service calls.
SKS (Signature Kitchen Suite) is another LG brand with decent features and packages. They also employ steam technology in their dishwashers.
Of course, you can buy the more basic LG model, the LDTH7972S, with steam and 44 dB, at $999.
Asko was the first company to import quiet dishwashers into the United States in the 1980s.
They were Swedish, then Italian, and Slovenian, and now 95% are owned by Hisense, the Chinese appliance manufacturer.
Asko dishwashers are all metal with solid racks. All their models from the 30, 40, 50, and 60 series are at or below the 44-decibel level.
Cove is the dishwasher division of Sub-Zero and Wolf.
I was at the first concept meeting over 15 years ago. The dishwashers are designed and manufactured in the US.
Unfortunately, they launched during the pandemic and have availability issues.
Still, Cove is a solid dishwasher and a competitor to Miele for premium dishwashers.
You have the same CrystalDry and PowerControl options as the $1,799 Benchmark series but for $1,349.
A bit about Bosch, as there is a bit of confusion: The 500 series is still quiet at 44 dB. Like the Miele and other brands, the door opens to speed drying.
After that, the 100 and 300 series are 46-50 dB, so you will hear the dishwasher in an open kitchen.
The G 7366 SCVi SF is $2,299 and is 42 dB. It is technically quieter than the G 7966 SCVi at 38 dB but has the primary features for $1,000 less.
However, unlike any other dishwasher, Miele slows the motor for quieter operation, making its quietest cycle four hours long.
Still, they are different with some interesting features like their "AutoDos" 20-load automatic dispenser.
Miele's dishwasher also includes QuickIntense wash sprays with more pressure for a 58-minute wash and dry cycle.
For a lower-priced alternative, look at the Miele G 5000 series G 5056, G 5006, and G 5052 for 44 dB silence ratings starting at $1,199.
GE Profile offers three dishwasher models that operate at less than 44 dB.
Interestingly, despite having a grinder called "Piranha," they remain exceptionally quiet. GE Profile is the only dishwasher brand on the list with a grinder.
Also, this dishwasher has 100 separate sprays, including specialized jets for bottles and silverware.
The Fisher & Paykel DD24DCTX9 N is unique, having two drawers instead of a regular fold-down dishwasher.
You don't have to bend down to load the top drawer, so that's a plus. However, this design comes at a premium and may lack certain features.
It's also worth noting that all double-drawer models operate at 44 dB, while single-drawer models range from 43 to 46 dB.
Beko still has the CornerIntense models, all stainless steel with plenty of cycles.
You will hear it faintly at 45 dB, but the dishwasher is excellent with a value at $699.
You don't have to spend more than $899 on a quiet dishwasher.
Any dishwasher 44 dB and under will be quiet, so you won't hear it in the next room.
After 44 dB, focus on other features like the washing and drying system as well as the rack design.
Then, you should look at reliability.
A decibel (dB) rating of 60 will make it hard to converse in the kitchen.
For a better perspective, here are decibel ratings of some familiar sounds:
Better yet, here is what 39-, 44-, and 55-dB sound like in an actual kitchen:
It's important to note that no industry standard for measuring dB exists.
One brand may measure its dB rating during a standard wash cycle, while another could measure it during its China and crystal cycles.
Dishwasher noise levels are rated in decibels - the lower the decibel number, the quieter the dishwasher.
A difference of just a few decibels may not seem much, but a dishwasher with only one decibel more is 30 percent louder.
A dishwasher four decibels higher is twice as loud.
However, buying a dishwasher at 44 dB is quiet enough. You do not want to pay for quietness under 44 dB.
For example, a Miele 44 dB dishwasher is $1,099, a 42 dB Miele is $2,249, and a 38 dB Bosch is $3,699.
Dishwasher Silence Rating Factors:
The biggest feature of quiet dishwashers is the move away from grinders to filters.
The early Asko and Bosch dishwashers imported into the US in the 1990s all had filters, as well as Miele.
Back then, a dishwasher was just expected to clean your dishes.
Then, people started with the open kitchen design, merging the kitchen and living space, so noise or lack of it became an issue.
Most dishwasher models with grinders, like Whirlpool, Maytag, Frigidaire, Electrolux, Amana, and Hotpoint, exceed the 44-decibel threshold.
All quiet dishwashers are filtered except for the newer GE Profile and Café dishwashers.
KitchenAid, for example, became a quieter dishwasher by removing its disposer and adding a filter.
Their better M series is noisier at 44 dB by adding a water filter. It can be argued the disposer is better, so there is a trade-off in benefits except for one brand - GE Profile.
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