Top-3 Quiet Dishwashers on the Market
- Cycles: 9
- Place settings: 15
- Sound rating: 48 dBA
- Cycles: 5
- Place settings: 15
- Sound rating: 47 dBA
Things to Consider
All dishwashers are defined by their sound range. They can have average, quieter, or quietest sound range. This, in turn, is determined by the sound rating measured in A-weighted decibels, or dBA, which describes the loudness of sound as perceived by the human air. This number is specified in most product descriptions.
Affordable dishwashers in the below-average sound range share quite a few key features, notably large capacity and improved wash systems. Efficiency is also an important spec to keep in mind, in particular annual energy consumption and additional certifications.
A suitably quiet dishwasher should succeed in balancing reasonable price and quiet operation, which narrows down the options to the models with the sound rating between 45 dBA and 48 dBA.
- Review of the Best Quiet Dishwashers
- GE GDT695SSJSS Quiet Dishwasher
- LG Electronics LDF5545BD Quiet Dishwasher
- Whirlpool WDT970SAHZ Quiet Dishwasher
- GE DDT595SSJSS Quiet Dishwasher
- Samsung DW80K5050UG Quiet Dishwasher
- KitchenAid KDPE234GPS Quiet Dishwasher
- Maytag MDB7959SHK Quiet Dishwasher
- Cosmo COS-DIS6502 Quiet Dishwasher
- GE Café CDT836P2MS1 Quiet Dishwasher
Review of the Best Quiet Dishwashers
- Cycles: 4
- Place settings: 16
- Sound rating: 45 dBA
- Exterior finish: Stainless steel
- Control type: Hidden electronic top control
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34 in x 23.75 in x 24 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Superior filtration
- Improved three-level racking
- Fan-assisted heated dry
- Effective hot wash options
- Extra spray jets for non-standard items
The GE GDT695SSJSS is a 600 series dishwasher with three flexible racks and a fine filtration system.
Black pearl nylon racks are fully extendable, provide a smooth glide as well as 16 place settings. The adjustable upper rack can be moved up or down by 2 inches to fit tall items. It further expands space with 2 utility shelves.
The lower rack features multi-position fold-down tines and a 3-piece silverware basket with cell covers to prevent cutlery from nesting.
The 3rd rack is located above the upper level and is suitable for long and flat items like cooking spatulas and knives.
There are 4 cycles and 10 options. The main cycles are AutoSense, Heavy, Normal, and Light, while the options include Wash Temp Boost, NSF-certified Sani, Heated Dry, Steam PreWash, Wash Zones (Upper and Lower), Bottle Jets, 12-hour Delay, Start/Reset, and Control Lock.
Wash Temp Boost improves the cleaning of heavily soiled dishes by raising the water temperature as well as the cycle time by 20-50 minutes. Another option for kitchenware with dried-on stains is the Steam PreWash that loosens all tough spots before the cycle. It can be used with with Heavy, AutoSense, and Normal cycles.
With the Wash Zone option, you can select either the Upper or Lower Zone to wash just one rack. Similar to Half Load options, the Wash Zone setting reduces cycle time and energy consumption.
In addition to the main wash system, this model utilizes dedicated Bottle Jets to reach deep inside tall items that can be hard to clean by hand. The filtration system is improved by the Piranha™ hard food disposer with removable filter that eliminates hard food particles and protects wash arms from clogging.
Enhanced by the stainless steel interior, the drying process is carried out by the hidden heating element with fan assistance. However, you can also turn off the Heated Dry option and let your dishes dry naturally.
This GE dishwasher is ENERGY STAR® certified, with the annual energy consumption of 270 kWh. The featured quiet sound package includes door insulation, outer wrap, quiet motor, and extra features like quiet water valve and tub collar trim, resulting in the quiet 45 dBA operation.
- Cycles: 9
- Place settings: 15
- Sound rating: 48 dBA
- Exterior finish: Black stainless steel
- Control type: Front touch controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 33.6 in x 23.75 in x 24.6 in
- Energy consumption: 258 kWh/yr
- Water factor: 2.8 gallons
- Extended dry options
- Low energy consumption
- Wash zone selection
- Total coverage spray arm system
The LG LDF5545BD is a multi-cycle dishwasher with energy-efficient operation and improved wash system.
There are 15 place settings, including the lower-level silverware basket and flexible space configurations. The EasyRack™ Plus system offers extra space with its height-adjustable upper rack, making it easier to load tall dishes.
The QuadWash® system uses four spray arms and multi-motion jets to ensure complete coverage and powerful cleaning.
There are 9 cycles: Auto, Heavy, Delicate, Normal, Turbo, Download Cycle, Machine Clean, Rinse, and Express.
Using soil sensors, the Auto cycle determines optimal parameters for each load. For delicate items, such as fine china and crystal, the best choice would be the aptly named Delicate cycle.
The Turbo cycle, aimed for heavily soiled items, is able to cut down on energy and water intake by reducing cycle time to an hour. Download Cycle allows you to apply a pre-adjusted cycle via Wi-Fi or NFC. All cycle codes and additional information can be accessed via the app.
For regular cleaning of the dishwasher’s interior, select the Machine Clean cycle that removes residual grime, grease, hard water residue and other soils. It’s recommended to add a cleaning agent like citric acid or white vinegar.
The 8 options include Dual Zone, Half Load, Energy Saver, High Temp, Extra Dry, Delay Start (up to 12 hrs), Control Lock, and Night Dry.
The Dual Zone option regulates the water pressure according to the needs of each level. It’s best to load lightly soiled items in the upper rack and heavily soiled cookware in the lower rack in order to get the best results. With this configuration, the upper spray arm uses softer sprays, while the lower spray arm directs more powerful sprays to remove hard spots.
The Night Dry option is designed to prevent the overnight condensation of your dishes by engaging the fan in small time increments, venting the steam from the tub.
This is an ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher, consuming only 258 kWh per year and 2.8 gallons per cycle per cubic foot.
Black stainless steel finish combines smooth controls located in the front panel that easily respond to your touch. Featuring the DirectDrive motor with fewer moving parts and LoDecibel™ sound package, this dishwasher operates at the quiet level of 48 dBA.
- Cycles: 5
- Place settings: 15
- Sound rating: 47 dBA
- Exterior finish: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel
- Control type: Electronic top control
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34.5 in x 23.875 in x 24.5 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Durable stainless steel design
- Spacious three-level racking
- Effective drying options
- Certified sanitation
The Whirlpool WDT970SAHZ is a built-in dishwasher with three racks and beautiful stainless steel design.
The flexible racking system is equipped with the adjustable and removable 3rd level rack, providing up to 15 place settings.
The 2-position upper rack is also removable, featuring 2 fold-down tines and a plastic cup shelf. The silverware basket can be placed in the lower rack or in door, freeing up space for more dishes.
There are 5 cycles: Sensor, Heavy, Normal, Soak & Clean, and 1-Hour Wash. The Sensor cycle uses integrated sensors to estimate soil levels and load size, adjusting cycle settings according to the specifications of each load.
The Soak & Clean cycle conducts an extensive pre-wash for dishes that can be hard to rinse by hand. It’s recommended to add a pre-wash detergent to improve the results of this cycle.
You can clean your dishes faster by selecting the 1-Hour Wash cycle that uses less water and energy, reducing the overall duration.
The main options include 24-hour Delay, Control Lock, Hi Temp Wash, Sani Rinse®, Heated Dry, and Extended Dry.
The Extended Dry setting extends the drying time and applies more heat to deliver drier dishes. It functions best with a rinse aid. Additionally, the NSF-certified Sani option is able to remove all common food bacteria from your dishes.
With its fingerprint-resistant stainless steel finish and integrated touch controls, this Whirlpool dishwasher makes a stylish and accessible addition to any kitchen setting.
In addition to being ENERGY STAR® certified, this model is also Kosher Consumer Friendly. This is a comfortably quiet dishwasher, running at 47 dBA.
- Cycles: 4
- Place settings: 16
- Sound rating: 48 dBA
- Exterior finish: Stainless steel
- Control type: Electronic top controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34 in x 23.75 in x 24 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Efficient hard food filtration
- Steam PreWash for tough stains
- Three racks expand space
- Durable stainless steel interior
The GE Adora DDT595SSJSS is a 500 series dishwasher with three-level racking and hot prewash options.
The three-level racking system provides up to 16 place settings. The towerless 3rd rack holds extra culinary items, including various flatware and utensils.
The deep-tiered upper rack can be removed or adjusted into 2 height positions, offering more space for tall items. The 2-handled lower rack features foldable tines and a 3-piece silverware basket that fits a wider selection of cutlery.
The Piranha™ hard food disposer with removable filter rotates its stainless steel blades at 3,600 RPM, eliminating hard food particles and preventing the wash system from clogging.
There are 4 main cycles and 10 additional options.
The cycles include AutoSense, Heavy, Normal, and Light, while the options are 12-hour Delay Start, Heated Dry, Wash Zones (Upper and Lower), NSF-certified Sani, Child Lock, Start/Reset, Wash TempBoost, and Steam PreWash.
Full stainless steel interior is not only durable and rust-resistant, but also highly sound-proof. The quiet sound package includes the quiet water valve, sealed toe kick, and tub collar trim. In combination with the single-speed motor, the system ensures a quiet run of 48 dBA.
This GE dishwasher is also ENERGY STAR® qualified, meeting energy consumption standards.
- Cycles: 6
- Place settings: 15
- Sound rating: 48 dBA
- Exterior finish: Black stainless steel
- Control type: Electronic top controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34 in x 23.75 in x 24 in
- Energy consumption: 265 kWh/yr
- Water factor: 3.5 gallons
- Express wash options
- Sanitary drying
- Low energy intake
- Certified sanitation and hot wash
The Samsung DW80K5050UG is a powerful dishwasher with flexible racking and smooth black stainless steel finish.
There are 15 place settings housed by 2 flexible racks. The height-adjustable upper rack features fold-down tines and foldable cup shelves. The fold-down tines in the lower rack can be removed, while the rack itself adds even more space with the spacious cutlery basket.
The main 6 cycles and 6 options include Auto, Normal, Heavy, Delicate, Express 60, Rinse Only, Storm Wash™, Delay Start, Half Load, NSF-certified Sanitize, Hi Temp Wash, Control Lock, and AutoRelease™ Dry.
The standout StormWash™ option allows you to effectively wash heavily soiled units like pots and pans in the same cycle as lighter items. The StormWash™ zone is located in the lower rack and marked by red guide lines so you can load the large dirty items correctly.
The AutoRelease™ Dry setting opens the door automatically 5 to 15 minutes before the end of the cycle to improve the natural drying performance, making it more hygienic.
The interior hardware also includes a hard food disposer for superior filtration, a digital leakage sensor for improved floor protection, and hidden heating element. On the exterior, the hidden touch control panel matches the sleek stainless steel finish.
With its stainless steel tub and door insulation, this Samsung dishwasher ensures quiet operation at 48 dBA. The energy-saving performance is ENERGY STAR® certified.
- Cycles: 5
- Place settings: 14
- Sound rating: 46 dBA
- Exterior finish: Black stainless steel
- Control type: Top touch controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34.875 in x 23.75 in x 24.5 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Three-level racking
- Fingerprint-resistant finish
- Heat and air drying
- Auto cycle with soil sensors
The KitchenAid KDPE234GPS is a built-in dishwasher with three racks and extended drying options.
The three-level racking system provides up to 14 place settings. The 2-position upper rack, mounted on smooth SatinGlide® Max Rails, can hold heavy loads, and the extended lower rack features a removable silverware basket.
The 3rd-level rack is perfect for holding flatware and various culinary utensils unfit for the lower-rack basket or other sections.
There are 5 cycles: ProWash™, Tough, Normal, Express Wash, and Rinse Only. Additional options include Heated Dry, Hi Temp Wash, Sani Rinse®, Extended ProDry, and 2-4-8 Hour Delay.
With the use of soil sensors, the ProWash™ cycle detects the load size, soil amount and its toughness, after which it adjusts water and energy settings to deliver the best possible cleaning for each specific load.
To get clean dishes faster, you can select the Express Wash that uses slightly more water and energy but cuts down on cycle time. It functions best with the additional Extended Dry option.
The Extended ProDry uses fan-generated hot air and rinse aid to provide fast and effective drying, including dishwasher-safe plastic items. The Extended Heat Dry, however, utilizes only the heating element and rinse aid, making the process more hygienic.
Durable stainless steel interior is matched with the stylish PrintShield™ stainless steel finish and smooth touch controls. This model is ENERGY STAR® certified and Kosher Consumer Friendly.
With the average operation of only 46 dBA, this KitchenAid dishwasher is one of the quietest units in the series.
- Cycles: 5
- Place settings: 14
- Sound rating: 47 dBA
- Exterior finish: Cast iron black stainless steel
- Control type: Top touch controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34.5 in x 23.875 in x 24.5 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Stainless steel food chopper with 4 blades
- Powerful motor pump
- Heavy duty wash cycles
- Hidden touch controls
- Cast iron finish design
The Maytag MDB7959SHK is built-in dishwasher with heavy duty capabilities and improved filtration.
Featuring one of the most powerful motors on the market, a dedicated wash system, and 4-blade stainless steel chopper, this unit is able to provide a balanced performance of wash quality and superior filtration.
There are 14 place settings, including 4 stemware holders and a cup shelf located in the upper rack. The rack itself is adjustable into 2 positions, and the extended lower rack offers more space with its cutlery basket that provides lids for optimal item spacing.
The 5 cycles are PowerBlast™, Auto, Normal, Quick, and Rinse. Other options include Hi Temp Wash, Sanitize, Extended Dry, Heated Dry, and 2-4-8 Hour Delay.
The notable PowerBlast™ cycle is designed to scrub the toughest food soils from all types of large cookware. The cycle duration is between 3 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours 45 minutes.
The Extended Heat Dry applies heat for a longer period of time to ensure the best drying results. Like the shorter Heated Dry option, it works best with the addition of rinse aid.
With its stainless steel finish and touch-responsive control panel, this Maytag dishwasher suits most modern kitchen designs while retaining accessibility. The cast iron finish is fingerprint-resistant and easy to clean.
This is a quiet dishwasher, operating at 47 dBA and meeting ENERGY STAR® requirements. It’s also NSF-certified and Kosher Consumer Friendly.
- Cycles: 6
- Place settings: 16
- Sound rating: 45 dBA
- Exterior finish: Fingerprint-resistant stainless steel
- Control type: Top touch controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 33.75 in x 23.9 in x 25.6 in
- Energy consumption: 249 kWh/yr
- Energy saving cycles
- A wide selection of wash options
- Three-level racking
- Quiet operation
- Hidden touch controls
The Cosmo COS-DIS6502 is a built-in dishwasher with three racks and energy-saving wash options.
With its three-level racking system, this model is able to house 16 place settings. The 3rd rack is designed for holding culinary items like knives, small lids, and various flatware.
The upper rack can be adjusted by height to achieve better clearance up to 10 inches. The lower rack clears items with the height between 11 inches and 13 inches.
There are 6 main cycles: Pots & Pans, Normal Wash, China Crystal, Quick Wash, Rinse Only, and Energy Saver.
Most notably, this model’s selection of energy-saving and delicate options—like China Crystal or Energy Saver— allows you to save water and time while washing lightly soiled loads and fragile items.
The additional options include Air Exchange, Steam Wash, Vortex Wash, Heating Dry, Sanitize, Hi Temp Wash, Start/Cancel, and 24-hour Delay Start.
With the Air Exchange option, the air inside the dishwasher will be exchanged every 6 hours to keep the interior space fresh.
The Vortex Wash uses a dedicated vortex wash arm to scrub heavily soiled items, specifically pots and pans with dried-on stains. All dirty items should be placed face-down in the lower rack, right over the wash arm.
By adding 30 minutes to any main cycle, the Steam Wash option pre-rinses the dishes with hot steam and loosens particularly hard stains.
The smart wash system of this Cosmo dishwasher includes dynamic wash arms, soil sensors, and multiple filter system. The filtration features four mesh filters that divide clean water from dirty water, keeping them in separate chambers.
Durable stainless steel interior enhances sound-proofing qualities, while the silver stainless steel finish is fingerprint-resistant and smudge-proof.
Integrated touch controls respond to the soft touch and are located in the top panel, improving the overall design. This ENERGY STAR® certified dishwasher is exceptionally quiet, operating at the sound level of 45 dBA.
- Cycles: 5
- Place settings: 16
- Sound rating: 45 dBA
- Exterior finish: Stainless steel
- Control type: Top touch controls
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 34 in x 23.75 in x 24 in
- Energy consumption: 270 kWh/yr
- Powerful multi-jet wash system
- Improved filtration
- Flexible interior capacity
- Superior drying
- Multi-level sound insulation
The GE Café™ CDT836P2MS1 is an 800 series dishwasher with advanced filtration and wash systems.
Providing up to 16 place settings, this GE Café features the adjustable upper rack with 2 stemware shelves and the extendable lower rack with multi-position fold-down tines and 3-piece silverware basket with cell covers.
The standout advanced wash system ensures complete interior coverage with over 140 spray jets, including side jets and dedicated bottle jets for tall items like vases and bottles.
Additionally, the Piranha™ hard food disposer with removable filter and quad-blade wash arms remove hard food particles and improve the cleaning process. The drying system features a 4-pass multi-wattage wash and dry element, allowing for fast and hygienic drying.
There are 5 cycles: Auto Sense, Heavy Wash, Light Wash, Normal Wash, and Rinse, with additional 10 options of Bottle Wash, Heated Dry, Pre Soak, NSF-certified Sani, Wash Zone (Upper and Lower), Wash TempBoost, Start/Reset, and 12-hour Delay Start.
Easy-to-operate top controls with LCD display and sleek stainless steel finish make for a stylish addition to any kitchen. This dishwasher is ENERGY STAR® and NSF certified.
Moreover, the sound package features superior outer wrap and door insulation as well as the quiet water valve, sealed toe kick, and tub collar trim. As a result, the average operational sound level of this dishwasher is only 45 dBA.
In Conclusion
How many dB is a quiet dishwasher?
Dishwashers quieter than average operate at the sound level below 52 dBA. Quieter sound range averages between 45 dBA and 48 dBA, while the quietest models offer sound packages with 45 dBA and below.
Is 55 decibels loud for a dishwasher?
While not explicitly loud, a 55 dBA dishwasher is rather audible. This sound rating is not disruptive, but some open plan kitchens may require quieter models.
Is 50 decibels loud for a dishwasher?
The sound rating of 50 dBA can be roughly equated to the sound of hushed conversation, making 50 dBA dishwashers relatively quiet. This sound rating can provide decent sound-proofing for open plan kitchens and households with children.
How can I make my dishwasher quieter?
Even quiet dishwashers can sometimes cause noise-related issues, though you can still further minimize the working sound level with some easy tricks. The simplest of these solutions features only a few steps:
- Disconnect the water source and the power source of the dishwasher.
- Unscrew the front panel. The screws can be accessed on the inside of the dishwasher’s door.
- Measure the length, width, and depth of the front panel. You need it as a size reference to buy required insulation, specifically sound-absorbent matting. The most important value to match is the depth as you can cut the width and length to size.
- Once you have acquired the insulation, secure it inside the front panel and screw the panel to the door.
Why has my dishwasher gotten louder?
Long usage can cause even quiet dishwashers to produce odd banging and buzzing sounds. This usually points to hardware issues, specifically the problems with the wash motor or pump. A defective or worn-down pump can be replaced, but some brands require expensive parts and high repair fees, so it may be more prudent to buy a new dishwasher instead.
