Dishwasher Sizes: Everything You Need to Know

A high-quality dishwasher can dramatically reduce your water bill and free up time you might otherwise spend handwashing dishes and cookware. If you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, one of the most important things to consider is its size.

We broke down different dishwasher sizes to help you determine what option is best for your home. 

What Are the Most Common Dishwasher Sizes?

The most common dishwasher dimensions are 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 35 inches high. Many modern homes have cabinets specifically built to accommodate this size dishwasher.

Oher size options are available if you have a smaller space. Compact dishwashers for apartments, dorm rooms, or other small kitchens are usually around 17–18 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 35 inches tall. 

If you think you’ll wash more dishes than the average person, you can look for oversized dishwashers. These vary in size but typically run between 30 and 42 inches wide, with industry-standard depth and height dimensions. 

How Do I Know If a Dishwasher Will Fit?

The easiest way to know if a new appliance like a dishwasher will fit is to measure your space with a tape measure. 

Start by measuring the height. Take measurements from the floor to the bottom of the counter on the left, right, and middle. If each side is around 35 inches, your space will fit most standard dishwashers. 

Next, measure the width of the cabinet opening from the right edge to the left edge. Dishwashers vary significantly in width, so don’t panic if your space is too small or too big to fit a typical 24-inch wide dishwasher. 

Finally, measure depth. Hold your tape measure at the back of the wall of your kitchen cabinet space’s opening and extend it to the front of that space to calculate the area’s depth.

You’ll also need to account for the closed dishwasher door to extend past the cabinets and leave enough room to open it for loading and unloading. 

What To Know About Dishwashers

Many dishwashers are available in standard sizes and all serve the same purpose. However, they come with various different features to improve efficiency. You can also choose the finish, style, noise level, and more. 

Here are the top things to keep in mind before making a purchase.  

Price

The bigger your dishwasher is, the more expensive it will likely be. You can buy a small dishwasher for only a couple hundred dollars, but it may have less power and require extensive prerinsing and possibly even post-rinsing. Most standard dishwashers cost $800–$1,200. Heavy-duty models cost more. 

Features

There are various unique dishwasher features. Some of the most common are adjustable racks, self-cleaning filters, quick washes, child locks, and options for delayed start, heated dry, and smart-home integration. Look for an Energy Star-certified dishwasher to ensure optimal efficiency.

Noise Level

Dishwashers can be noisy, so check the decibel level (dBA) before buying. Dishwashers with a dBa below 44 are relatively quiet, and machines below 38 dBa are extremely quiet. The average dishwasher has a dBA rating of around 52. 

Our Top Dishwasher Picks

Now that you know what to look for, here are some of the top dishwashers based on our in-house research:

• Best Dishwasher Brand: Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher
• Best Dishwasher for Families: Samsung 24-inch Top Control Dishwasher
• Best Standard Dishwasher: KitchenAid Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
• Best Value Dishwasher: Samsung DW50T6060US Dishwasher
• Best Countertop Dishwasher: Costway Portable Countertop Dishwasher
• Best Portable Dishwasher: BLACK+DECKER 18-inch Portable Dishwasher

Compare Top-Rated Dishwashers

Best Dishwasher Brand: Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher

This heavy-duty dishwasher is from a reputable brand and has various useful bonus features, including a third rack, sanitizing cycle, and front controls. It also has numerous customization options, including nine possible rack positions and three height adjustment levels. It comes with Leak Protection technology that protects your floors from water damage. 

Pros and Cons

Good for: Customers looking for a reputable brand and large capacity.

What Customers Are Saying

Reviewers liked this dishwasher’s quiet operation, brightly lit controls, and fast-washing cycles. Some felt it didn’t dry as well as they were expecting, and others claimed it broke easily. 

Best Dishwasher for Families: Samsung 24-inch Top Control Dishwasher

This dishwasher has smart controls, whisper-quiet cleaning, and a linear wash system that helps it stand out from competitors. It operates at only 39 dBA and uses Zone Booster technology to give tough-to-clean pots and pans an additional water stream during cycles. It’s also Wi-Fi-capable, meaning you can control it directly from your smartphone.

Pros and Cons

Good for: Large families who need to wash a high amount of dishes nightly. 

What Customers Are Saying

Customers were impressed with this dishwasher’s high capacity, quiet operation, and stylish design. Some had issues with it leaking and the automatic release feature not working properly.

Best Standard Dishwasher: KitchenAid Top Control Built-In Dishwasher

This heavy-duty dishwasher has a flexible third rack and enough space to wash 16 place settings, making it a great choice for people who use a lot of dishes. Its PrintShield finish resists fingerprints and smudges to keep the dishwasher looking new. The controls are tucked away at the top to blend in better with your kitchen’s style.

Pros and Cons

What Customers Are Saying

This dishwasher earned rave reviews for its large capacity and adjustable racks. Several others also liked its sturdy, durable build. However, some customers felt it was overly loud, and others said it took too long to dry.

Best Value: Samsung DW50T6060US Dishwasher

This slim dishwasher is reasonably priced without sacrificing features or washing capability. It’s Energy Star-certified, washes quickly and efficiently, and can fit in a small space. It features convenient top controls and two large racks. Plus, it includes a five-year warranty. 

Pros and Cons

Good for: Single people or couples who want a high-performing dishwasher but don’t need a super large capacity. 

What Customers Are Saying

Customers liked that this dishwasher ran quietly, fit into tight spaces, and had lots of available space on each rack. Others felt that it was difficult to install and that it rusted easily.

Best Countertop Dishwasher: Costway Portable Countertop Dishwasher

This small countertop dishwasher is a good opinion if you live in a small space but still want a dishwasher. It can wash up to two place settings without taking up too much space and has smooth wheels that make it easy to move on your counter. Additionally, it has an inner light so you can see the progress of your dishes, as well as an LED timer display.

Pros and Cons

Good for: Customers with limited space who want a countertop model to wash a small amount of dishes. 

What Customers Are Saying

Customers liked that this product cleaned dishes efficiently, was easy to use, and was easily portable. Others found that it used an excess amount of electricity, and some had problems with it being overly bulky.

Best Portable Dishwasher: BLACK+DECKER 18-Inch Portable Dishwasher

This portable dishwasher comes on wheels, so you can move it around your kitchen or RV. It has six wash cycles, push-button control, an LED display, an adjustable top rack, and a child safety function. Another great feature is its quick-connect assembly that includes a 59-inch hose.

Pros and Cons

Good for: Those looking for a portable dishwasher they can bring with them while traveling or camping in an RV. 

What Customers Are Saying

Customers liked that this dishwasher had a low noise level, was easy to set up, and had a bright display. However, some customers reported issues with leaking, and others said it arrived damaged.

FAQ About Dishwasher Sizes

What is a standard dishwasher size?

The standard size for most built-in dishwashers is 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 35 inches high. 

How much space is needed for a dishwasher?

The amount of space you need for a dishwasher depends on what type you’re shopping for. For built-in dishwashers, ensure your cabinet can accommodate the size by measuring the space. Portable and countertop dishwashers depend on where you want to place them in your home and how much counter or kitchen space you’re working with. 

Do all dishwashers have the same dimensions?

No, dishwashers have various dimensions. While 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep, and 35 inches high are the standard dimensions, dishwashers can be larger or smaller. Always check the dimensions carefully before buying. 

Are all dishwashers 600mm wide?

Six-hundred millimeters translates to about 23.6 inches wide, which is the standard size of most dishwashers. However, dishwashers do come in other sizes.

Who This Dishwasher Guide Is For

This guide is for customers looking for a new dishwasher who are unsure how dishwasher sizes are determined and what size to buy for their home. It’s also for customers in the market for a new dishwasher who are looking for high-quality product recommendations of various sizes. 

How We Selected the Best Dishwashers

To provide our readers with the best dishwasher recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to guide our selection process.

Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of dishwashers with a significant number of verified-buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers. 

Expert Insights: Through our years of experience, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to building accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.

Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature-set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.

Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team

This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. 

The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published numerous tool reviews, from cordless drills and impact drivers to tape measures and laser levels.

Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.

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