Searching for the best dishwasher is sometimes like trying to find the end of a rainbow. There are hundreds of models to choose from, and it seems like the more you look, the more confusing and elusive your goal becomes. To help narrow down your search, why not start with the best brands first, and then work your way down the list? According to J.D. Power & Associate’s 2009 Home Appliance Study, the top 5 dishwasher brands for overall customer satisfaction are Kenmore Elite, Bosch, Maytag, KitchenAid, and LG.
Our overall dishwasher ratings are based on composite scores for cleaning, drying, loading, capacity, style, noise, and efficiency. After analyzing over 200 dishwashers, we narrowed the list down to what we truly believe are the top 5 best-performing dishwashers under $500.
1. GE GLD4406RBB
- Rating: 8.9 of 10 “Very Good”
- MSRP: $449
- Size: 24″ Built-In
- Style: Black-on-Black, Visible Controls, Plastic Interior
- Cleaning: 6 Wash Levels, NSF Sanitary Rinse, Spray Jets, Steam
- Loading: Tall Tub, 15 Place Settings, Removable Racks
- Efficiency: Energy Star, 324 kWh Electric, 5.5 gal Water, 57 dbA Noise
2. GE GLD4406RWW
- Rating: 8.9 of 10 “Very Good”
- MSRP: $449
- Size: 24″ Built-In
- Style: White-on-White, Visible Controls, Plastic Interior
- Cleaning: 6 Wash Levels, NSF Sanitary Rinse, Spray Jets, Steam
- Loading: Tall Tub, 15 Place Settings, Removable Racks
- Efficiency: Energy Star, 324 kWh Electric, 5.5 gal Water, 57 dbA Noise
3. Maytag MDB4629AWS
- Rating: 8.3 of 10 “Very Good”
- MSRP: $429
- Size: 24″ Built-In
- Style: Stainless Steel, Visible Controls, Plastic Interior
- Cleaning: 5 Wash Levels, NSF Sanitary Rinse, Spray Jets, 5 Cycles
- Loading: Standard Tub, 15 Place Settings, Standard Racks
- Efficiency: Energy Star, 312 kWh Electric, 4.8 gal Water, 67 dbA Noise
4. Frigidaire FGBD2431KF
- Rating: 8.2 of 10 “Very Good”
- MSRP: $449
- Size: 24″ Built-In
- Style: Stainless Steel, Visible Controls, Plastic Interior
- Cleaning: 5 Wash Levels, NSF Sanitary Rinse, 3 Spray Arms, 4 Cycles
- Loading: Tall Tub, 14 Place Settings, Standard Racks
- Efficiency: Energy Star, 320 kWh Electric, 5.3 gal Water, 55 dbA Noise
5. Maytag MDB4709AWB
- Rating: 8.2 of 10 “Very Good”
- MSRP: $449
- Size: 24″ Built-In
- Style: Black-on-Black, Visible Controls, Plastic Interior
- Cleaning: 5 Wash Levels, NSF Sanitary Rinse, Spray Jets, 4 Cycles
- Loading: Tall Tub, 14 Place Settings, Removable Racks
- Efficiency: Energy Star, 302 kWh Electric, 4.3 gal Water, 61 dbA Noise
