Your dishwasher may seem to be getting louder by the day. Over time, the motor, pump assembly, and other parts wear out and cause vibrations that result in louder operation. On top of that, older dishwashers just don't have the design features to compete with new models when it comes to noise. There are dishwashers available today that are literally whisper-quiet!
Aside from fantastic features, better performance, and larger capacities, most brands offer models with quiet to nearly silent operation. Do you have an open floor plan or floor materials that tend to reverberate and carry sounds across your kitchen? Is your home small enough that it's difficult to move out of earshot of a loud dishwasher? If your dishwasher runs loud, it can be difficult to even have a conversation in your kitchen while it's running.
You shouldn't have to wear ear protection for clean dishes! That's why we've put together a list of the top 10 quietest dishwasher models on the market that tend to get the best reviews from customers. They're available at a variety of price points and from a wide range of brands. They aren't listed in any particular order. Be sure to consider these models during your research about new dishwashers (and feel free to check out our dishwasher buying guide for even more information). These models are Energy Star rated and often come with great premium features like stainless steel interior tubs, adjustable racks, third racks, and precision wash zones. Let's take a look!
Table of Contents
Models marked with a * retail for under $1,000.
3 Quick Tips for Buying a New (Quiet) Dishwasher
Understand decibel levels. Here are the basics of what you need to know (read our dishwasher decibel levels article for more in-depth information):
60 decibels is the sound level at which the average conversation takes place. Older dishwashers made before 2010 or so can easily be 60 dB or louder!
A 10-decibel decrease = a 50% reduction in noise level. So, 50 decibels is half as quiet as 60 decibels.
Around 35-40 decibels is considered "whisper quiet." Dishwashers around 38-40 decibels typically retail for around $1,200 or more.
Keep an eye out for holiday sales, rebates, and promos. Whisper-quiet dishwashers tend to retail at over $1,000, but during certain holiday sales, you can find some models at 20% or even up to 40% off! Rebates and package deals can help as well if you aren't able to wait for a promotional period.
Don't forget about other features, too! Options like adjustable upper racks, third racks to boost capacity, Sanitize cycles, and other features can make your life a little easier.
Check out our video on choosing the best dishwasher for your home!
1. Bosch SHEM63W55N - 44 dB - $999
First up on our list is a dishwasher under $1,000. At 44 dB, the Bosch SHEM63W55N is library-quiet, and they've made this front control model available in black at $849 as well as stainless steel at $999. You won't have to wait until bedtime to run your Bosch dishwasher because it is whisper quiet!
Doing the dishes is easy with Bosch PrecisionWash - as intelligent sensors continually check the progress of your dishes throughout the cycle while precision spray arms provide a powerful clean for your items, you don't need to thoroughly rinse your dishes before putting them in your dishwasher. You just simply start your dishwasher and wait for the cycle to finish! It also has Speed60 cycle that will take your dishes from dirty to dry in roughly an hour. In comparison to other models with only two racks, you get more loading capacity and flexibility with this model's 3rd rack where you can fit your flatware and large utensils.
If you're interested in a cheaper but still quiet dishwasher, as well as a front control design, check out this Bosch model!
Features:
5 Cycles: Heavy, Auto, Normal, Speed60, Rinse
5 Options: Delay, Half Load, Sanitize, Extra Dry
Adjustable upper rack
Third Rack
Click here to read over 1,655 real customer reviews of this product!
2. GE GDT665SSNSS - 46 dB - $998
Next is the GE GDT665SSNSS, a 46-decibel top control dishwasher with a bar handle. It's available in multiple colors - in black or in white at $948, in stainless steel or in fingerprint resistant slate at $998, and in fingerprint resistant black slate at $1,098. If you want to get the stainless steel color, you won't have to spend more than $1,000 on this quiet dishwasher!
This model features GE's Dry Boost™ with Fan Assist, which can dry hard-to-dry items up to three times better than heated dry cycles. Other helpful features include a height-adjustable upper rack, a full third rack for your extra flatware, fold down tines, a water filtration system with Piranha Hard Food Disposer, four bottle jets, a Steam option, and a Sani option that reduces 99.999% of bacteria found on dishes. There's also a one-hour wash that allows you to clean your dishes even if you're short on time!
All in all, this GE dishwasher has a lot to offer! GE covers this model for one year parts and labor.
Features:
5 Cycles: 1 Hour Wash, Auto Sense, Heavy, Light, Normal
11 Options: Delay Start 1-12 Hr, Bottle Jets, Sani, Steam, Child Lock, Dry Boost, Heated Dry, Sabbath Mode, Start/Reset, Wash TempBoost, Wash Zone Lower Only/Upper Only
Dry Boost™ with Fan Assist
Steam + Sani
Click here to read over 1030 real customer reviews of this product!
3. Maytag MDB8959SKZ - 47 dB - $999
Maytag rocketed into the game with this show-stopping dishwasher. The Maytag MDB8959SKZ is new for 2020, boasting a third level rack with a specialized wash zone and room for mugs and bowls. It comes with a 10-year warranty on the motor and other select parts. This model prices at $999 in fingerprint resistant stainless steel, black or white.
(Pictured below: The impressive capacity of Maytag's third rack! A more fully featured third rack is available on select KitchenAid dishwashers as well.)
Maytag introduced the PowerBlast cycle to help break down stubborn baked-on food on all dishes and cookware. PowerBlast is an estimated 3.5-hour wash cycle, but has a great trade-off: you won't need to soak that pan or dish overnight. A Leak Detect system monitors the flow of water and will drain the tub and alert you if something isn't working right.
This model also has a hard food disposer to grind up excess debris, something that's been vanishing from dishwashers in recent years, now combined with a microfiltration system. Maytag sound rates this product at 47 dB, which is quieter than a brewing coffee maker. (Read more about Maytag dishwashers here.)
Features:
4 Cycles: PowerBlast®, Auto, Normal, Quick, Rinse Only
5 Options: High Temp Wash, Sani Rinse, Short Heated Dry, Long Heated Dry, 1-8 Hour Delay
Third level rack with dedicated wash zone and room for mugs and bowls
Dual Power Filtration - Hard food disposer plus microfiltration
10-year warranty on the motor
Leak Detect system
4. Bosch SHPM78Z55N - 42 dB - $1,299
Next up in our quietest dishwashers review is the 800 series Bosch SHPM78Z55N, available at a price point of $1,299 and loaded with great features. It has a pocket handle with hidden top controls to seamlessly integrate with any kitchen. It's available in stainless steel. This model is noticeably quieter at 42 dB, and you'll only know it's working because of the InfoLight® that beams on the floor.
Getting a smarter clean every time is easy, thanks to PrecisionWash®. While the Precision spray arms target difficult food soils, its sanitize option removes 99.9% of bacteria for your peace of mind. The one-hour Speed60 cycle gets your dishes dried quickly. A new-for-2019 feature is CrystalDry, which uses a mineral called Zeolite to speed up drying by 60% (including notoriously hard-to-dry plastics) without increasing energy usage. Zeolite releases heat when exposed to moisture, so when the CrystalDry option activates, this nontoxic lab-created mineral will help dry your dishes. It lasts for the life of the machine and is a great alternative to energy-sucking electric drying!
Bosch offers one year parts and labor, five years on the electronics & racks, and a lifetime warranty against stainless steel rust-through of the inner liner and stainless steel door. If you'd prefer a bar handle look, check out the Bosch SHXM78Z55N.
Bosch typically has tighter spacing between the tines than models from American-focused brands like KitchenAid and Maytag. This is something to check out in the store - if you have thicker plates or stoneware, Bosch racks might not be a great fit for you!
Features:
6 Cycles: Speed 60, Auto, Heavy, Eco, Normal, Rinse
4 Options: 24 Hr Delay Start, Half Load, Delicate, Sanitize, Crystal Dry
Flexible third rack
Height-adjustable upper rack with ball-bearing glides
CrystalDry speeds up drying by 60% without increasing energy usage
AquaStop 24/7 leak protection
Click here to read over 885 real customer reviews of this product!
5. Whirlpool WDTA80SAKZ - 41 dB - $1,179
Another quiet dishwasher is the Whirlpool WDTA80SAKZ, which is available in fingerprint resistant stainless steel at $1,179 MSRP, and is for special order. It has a tower bar handle and hidden top controls for a seamless look. It operates at just 41 decibels, so it's significantly quieter than your old clunker or even the other models mentioned in this blog post.
You get a 3rd rack with this dishwasher where you can store extra silverware and flat utensils. This model also features Triple Wash spray, so you can have targeted wash action in all three racks. The second rack is adjustable, so you can also fit baking pans and even a blender jar on it. Also, the 3-piece silverware basket can be moved or separated, so you get more flexibility and can make room in the lower rack for larger items.
This Whirlpool model will be ideal for you if you want a less expensive one that is substantially quieter and if you want to load more.
Features:
5 Cycles: Sensor, Heavy, Normal, Quick Wash, Soak & Clean
5 Options: Hi temp Wash, Sani Rinse, Heated Dry, Extended Dry,1-24 Hour Delay
3rd rack with extra wash action
Adjustable 2nd rack and 3-piece silverware basket
6. KitchenAid KDTE204KPS - 39 dB - $1,149
The KitchenAid KDTE204KPS is a new option among quiet dishwashers. It has KitchenAid's PrintShield finish in stainless steel and black stainless steel, and other color options are black and white. It features a commercial-inspired bar handle and has concealed controls. At about $1,149 before sales and rebates, it's one of KitchenAid's cheaper dishwashers while still offering a whisper-quiet operation. In fact, this 39-decibel dishwasher provides the quietest cleaning from KitchenAid!
Wash cycles and options are pretty basic, but cover all of your bases with some bonuses like Sani Rinse, which kills 99.9999% of food soil bacteria with a high-heat final rinse, and the Extended Heat Dry option that provides excellent drying performance. It comes with a third level rack, an adjustable middle rack that moves smoothly on ball bearing glides, and a stainless steel interior.
If you're looking for a quiet dishwasher with great wash performance and flexible racking, this KitchenAid model could be a great choice. (Click here to read more about KitchenAid dishwashers!) You can also find it with front controls and a pocket handle to blend in with any suite of appliances!
Features:
5 Cycles: ProWash™, Tough, Normal, Express Wash, Rinse Only
5 Options: 2-4-8 Hour Delay, Sani-Rinse, Heat Dry, Extended Heat Dry, Hi-Temp Wash
Third level rack and adjustable middle rack
KitchenAid KDTE204KPS - $1,149
7. Samsung DW80R9950US - 39 dB - $1,199
The category of "truly whisper quiet dishwasher" used to be exclusive to Bosch and KitchenAid, but Samsung has broken into the tough 39-40 decibel range with the Samsung DW80R9950US! It's available in fingerprint resistant stainless steel, black stainless, or Samsung's new Tuscan stainless steel.
The racks feature ball-bearing glides, so they move in and out easily. Red accents on the racks indicate adjustable areas like tine angles and rack height, so you don't have to fumble around for the right button or latch. This high-end model comes with the AutoRelease Door, which pops open at the end of the wash cycle to vent moisture for improved drying performance. Wi-Fi connectivity allows you to remotely monitor and control this dishwasher with your smartphone, so you can check on the progress of a cycle, start the dishwasher, and more.
The exterior design features a modern pocket handle with an integrated LED digital display to show the cycle time remaining, solving one drawback of the hidden top control style (not being able to see how much time is left for the wash cycle). Samsung's warranty covers one year all parts and labor and five years on printed circuit board and nylon racks.
Features:
7 Cycles: Auto, Normal, Heavy, Delicate, Express 60, Rinse Only, Self Clean
8 Options: Half-Load Wash (Lower Rack), Zone Booster™ (Left), Speed Booster, Hi-Temp Wash, Sanitize, 1-24H Delay Start, Control Lock, Smart Control (Wi-Fi App)
AutoRelease door
Third rack and height-adjustable upper rack
Wi-Fi connectivity
Zone Booster
Click here to read over 480 real customer reviews of this product!
8. GE Profile PDT715SYNFS - 45 dB - $1,148
Next is the GE Profile PDT715SYNFS, retailing at $1,148 in fingerprint resistant stainless steel or fingerprint resistant slate, and at $1,248 in fingerprint resistant black stainless steel. This model will definitely look good in your kitchen with its bar handle and hidden top controls. It operates at just 45 decibels, so you wouldn't have to worry much about noise when you're running this dishwasher.
GE offers bottle wash jets that are perfect for water bottles, jars, pitchers, and other tall or oddly shaped items. In addition to these four Bottle Jets, dedicated silverware jets ensure that your silverware is always spotless. You'll also find a removable third rack and an adjustable upper rack.
Dry Boost with Fan Assist can help dry items like plastics up to three times better than heated dry cycles! This model also features Active Flood Protect, similar to Bosch's AquaStop. When a sensor under the filter inside the tub detects water, it activates an advanced pump system. A drain pan underneath the dishwasher protects your flooring. Use the Steam Presoak option to loosen baked-on foods, and the NSF-certified Sani cycle to blast away germs and bacteria.
If you're looking for a richly featured dishwasher, GE Profile has really knocked it out of the park with this model! It comes with a one year parts and labor warranty.
Features:
5 Cycles: 1 Hour Wash, Auto Sense, Heavy, Light, Normal
11 Options: Bottle Jets, Child Lock, Delay Start 1-12 Hr., Dry Boost, Heated Dry, Sabbath Mode, Sani, Start/Reset, Steam PreWash, Wash TempBoost, Wash Zone Lower Only/Upper Only
Dry Boost with Fan Assist
Water Leak Sensor
Third rack and adjustable upper rack
Click here to read over 2,530 real customer reviews of this product!
GE Profile PDT715SYNFS - $1,148
9. Bosch SHXM88Z75N - 40 dB - $1,499
As of this writing, the quietest models from Bosch outside of their premium Benchmark series are 40 decibels. At this upper price range, you'll find quieter operation but otherwise similar features to the rest of the 800 series. This model offers the MyWay third rack, which has the largest loading capacity in the industry, as well as AquaStop leak protection. The dishwasher will sense if a leak occurs and will cease operation and pump out the water.
Bosch's EuroTub design ensures that this dishwasher installs perfectly flush with your cabinetry. The upper rack adjusts to three different heights for as many as 9 possible rack positions, and folding tines let you make room for pots and pans (read more about dishwasher racks here). New for 2019, the CrystalDry option speeds up drying by 60% - it adds about 30 minutes to the cycle but is excellent for drying notoriously drippy plastics! A mineral called Zeolite releases heat when exposed to moisture. It's nontoxic and lasts the lifetime of your dishwasher.
Bosch offers one year parts and labor, five years on the electronics and racks, and a lifetime warranty against stainless steel rust-through of the inner liner and stainless steel door. If you'd prefer a pocket handle look, check out the Bosch SHPM88Z75N.
If you have thicker plates or stoneware, you should know that Bosch typically has tighter spacing between the tines than models from American-focused brands like KitchenAid and Maytag. Check this out in the store if possible!
Features:
6 Cycles: Heavy, Auto, Eco, Normal, Speed60, Rinse
6 Options: 24 Hr Delay Start, Half Load, Delicate, Sanitize, Crystal Dry, Extra Scrub, Eco
CrystalDry speeds up drying by 60% without increasing energy usage
MyWay third rack and Rackmatic three-position adjustable upper rack
AquaStop 24/7 leak protection
Click here to read over 485 real customer reviews of this product!
10. KitchenAid KDTM404KPS - 44 dB - $1,349
Another quiet dishwasher from KitchenAid is the 44 decibel KitchenAid KDTM404KPS, available in PrintProof stainless steel at $1,349 or in black stainless steel at $1,449. This dishwasher takes capacity to the next level with the FreeFlex third rack, which can fit glasses and bowls as well as silverware and cooking tools.
Within the middle and lower racks, you'll find adjustable rows of fold down tines to make rooms for large items like serving bowls and roasting pans. The middle rack is height adjustable, so you can fit large items in the middle rack or bottom rack. The FreeFlex rack is the only third rack on the market currently that has its own dedicated wash jets and also comes with a removable utensil tray so unloading is even easier.
See KitchenAid's wash action from the inside!
Their Advanced Clean Water Wash system continuously filters food particles from the wash water and doesn't require routine maintenance (the filter is self-cleaning). This popular model has also gone on sale occasionally for under $900, too! If you're looking for a quiet dishwasher with tons of capacity, you should definitely consider this model.
Features:
5 Cycles: ProWash, Tough, Normal, Express Wash, Rinse Only
7 Options: Hi Temp Wash, Sani Rinse, Heated Dry, Extended Heat Dry, 2-4-8 Hour Delay
Free Flex third rack and adjustable upper rack with ball bearing rails
KitchenAid KDTM404KPS - $1,349
We hope you enjoyed our countdown of the 10 quietest dishwasher models on the market. Now, you can head out shopping and see which model fits your needs. We hope you found this post informative. Please leave us a comment below - We'd love to hear from you!
Editor's Note: This blog was originally published in February of 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy as of the publication date noted above.