In our home, we’re always looking for ways to make domestic chores easier. While having a dishwasher is a huge help, it’s annoying when the dishes come out soaking wet.
Want to skip the extra step of hand-drying your dishes? Then you need one of the best drying dishwashers on the market. These will use drying technology to ensure the dishes are bone dry. That way, you can put them away immediately after the cycle is finished.
To make this list, we spent hours researching real customer reviews, expert advice, and dozens of products. We did the hard work, so you can sit back, relax and read through our seven choices.
- FreeFlex third rack
- 44 decibel sound
- Clean water wash system
- Adjustable racks and tines
- LoDecibel™ operation
- Four quadWash arms
- RackMatic Design for adjusting racks
- 4-part leak prevention system
- Sensor wash cycle detects soil levels
- StormWash technology ensures deep clean
- 42 decibels quiet
- 6 cycles, 6 controls
- Bottle wash jets
- Wash zones provide deeper clean
- Hard food disposer prevents clogs
- High temperature wash cycle
- Soil sensor adjusts the cycle
- Extra counter space
- Piranha hard food disposer
- Active flood protect sensor
- Straightforward usability
The Best Drying Dishwashers of 2024
To create our list of the seven best drying dishwashers, we’ve studied real customer reviews, expert advice, and product descriptions. We also looked at each product’s drying mechanism, material, and noise level, among other details.
Here are seven dishwashers that will actually dry your dishes.
KitchenAid Top Control Built-In Dishwasher
Best Built-In Dishwasher
For a built-in dishwasher that will fit seamlessly into your free space under the counter, we recommend this top-control dishwasher.
Not only is this KitchenAid dishwasher sleek and powerful, but it has ProDry technology. This heated drying cycle uses a fan-enabled system and drying bars to ensure every item in the dishwasher is free of moisture.
If you’re still unsatisfied, enable the extended ProDry option, which adds an extra 15-minute drying cycle at the end.
What We Like
FreeFlex Third Rack
An extra rack is always a bonus, in our opinion. But it’s even better when it really provides a ton of extra space.
The FreeFlex third rack is large enough to fit six-inch glasses, mugs, and bowls. It has its own rotating wash jets to ensure the items in this rack are clean. Plus, it has a drying bar to make sure the items are dry.
44 Decibel Sound
We love a quiet dishwasher, and with 44 decibels, this is a super quiet appliance. Run your dishwasher overnight, while you’re working or during a party — and nobody will know.
Clean Water Wash System
For the cleanliness of cycles, this dishwasher uses a clean water wash system. Microfiltration constantly removes food particles during all stages of the cycle to circulate clean water over the dishes instead. You never need to worry about crumbs, gunk, and food being redeposited back into your dishwasher.
Automatic ProWash Cycle
If you don’t know which cycle to choose, let this appliance decide for you. The ProWash cycle measures the soil levels throughout the entire cycle, adapting the temperature as it goes. This ensures your dishes are 100 percent clean, saving you energy where possible.
What We Don't Like
Expensive Price
One of the major complaints about this dishwasher is that it’s very expensive. It’s similar to one of the older KitchenAid dishwashers, with slightly upgraded parts but a vast price difference. You’re really forking out a little extra cash for the brand name.
No Interior Lights
You’d think for such an expensive product, there would be interior lights to highlight some of the ongoings inside the dishwasher. Keep in mind that there is no interior lighting system. If this is important to you, we recommend looking at other options.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated drying |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Noise | 44 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Five, plus three control options |
| Capacity | 16 place settings |
Our Ratings
LG Top Control Smart Dishwasher
Best for Stain Removal
Sick of stains on your dishwasher? In your dishwasher? All over your dishes? The LG Studio dishwasher can kick that problem right out of the park.
Firstly, it has TrueSteam® technology for up to 60 percent fewer water spots. It also uses Dynamic Dry to ensure your dishes are thoroughly dry. If you live in a hard water area and are tired of water stains, this dishwasher is for you.
As for the exterior, this dishwasher has a PrintProof finish. So fingerprints and other marks either don’t appear or are extremely easy to remove.
What We Like
Adjustable Racks and Tines
Not a big fan of how the racks are positioned? Adjust them. You can adjust all three racks.
The top two can be height adjusted so you can fit in particular dishes or utensils. And the middle and bottom racks have adjustable tines, so you can fit more in your dishwasher than ever before!
The tines are also adjustable, so you can fold them to fit uniquely sized items.
LoDecibel™ Operation
This dishwasher is quiet. At only 46 decibels, this appliance won’t interrupt you while you’re listening to music, hosting guests, or trying to nap next door.
Smart, Wi-Fi Operated, Controls
You can now control your dishwasher through your phone. The SmartThinQ® technology lets you turn on your dishwasher and remotely set your cycles.
If you’re lying in bed, or are on the bus to work, check the app and begin the dishwasher. Plus, the SmartDiagnosis™ technology helps troubleshoot issues from the app. You can also control the appliance with Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Four QuadWash Arms
Most dishwashers have one or two spray arms, but this one has four! This ensures a more in-depth clean of all your dishes, coming in from multiple angles. This is great for taller or deeper items, too.
What We Don't Like
Nine Cycle Options, Plus Extras
If you want something straightforward to use, this dishwasher might confuse you. With nine cycle options, it’s hard to know exactly which one to use. Plus, there are eight extra customizable options, like extra-dry and dual-zone, to make the experience even more complicated.
Some people like the cycle options, but many people just like a few options when it comes to dishwashers.
The Parts Feel Lightweight
When loading heavy dishes into a dishwasher, you need reliability. Unfortunately, customers find that the racks and tines on this are lightweight. Even a little pressure can make the tines fold in on themselves, which makes loading the dishwasher quite tricky.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Condensation and heated drying |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Noise | 46 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Nine plus eight extra options |
| Capacity | 15 place settings |
Our Ratings
Bosch 300 Series Stainless Steel
Best for Large Families
Dishwashers are a super handy appliance for large families. The Bosch 300 Series stainless steel dishwasher has 16 place settings. We think it’s a grand choice for an entire day’s worth of dishes for every family member or cleaning up after dinner.
As for drying your dishes, it uses a heated drying system. You can add an extra dry to ensure the dishes are dry enough to be put away. Even when you use the Speed 60 option, the dishes are dry at the end.
What We Like
RackMatic® Design
For larger families, sometimes many place settings just aren’t enough. This is especially true when you cook from scratch and have tall cutting boards and mixing bowls.
Thankfully, with this dishwasher, you can adjust all three racks into three different places. In total, there are nine adjustable options for the racks in this dishwasher.
24/7 Aquastop® Prevents Leaks
This dishwasher has a four-part leak prevention system. It uses sensors to detect leaks and stop them before they have done any damage. This works 24/7, even if you’re not home.
We don’t think you’ll have leaks with this dishwasher. But if you do, your floors are safe.
Self Cleaning Filter
This dishwasher has a self-cleaning filter, so you don’t have to check it after every wash. This cuts down maintenance efforts significantly.
Sensor Wash Cycle
This dishwasher has a water soil sensor to detect how dirty the water is during the cycle. It then adjusts the energy and water usage as needed, saving energy and money.
What We Don't Like
Doesn’t Dry Plastic Items
Many dishwashers struggle to dry plastic items, but some brands have found a technology that works. Unfortunately, this Bosch dishwasher isn’t quite there yet. So your plastic tubs and bottles will still be clinging to moisture.
Strong Odor Upon Opening
Many customers complain about the odor of this dishwasher. Some say it smells like plastic; others say it smells like petroleum.
Although it’s a stainless steel dishwasher, it still has plastic parts, which may be causing the smell. Usually, these smells fade over time, but with this dishwasher, even after a deep clean, that doesn’t seem to be the case.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated drying |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Noise | 44 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Four, plus sanitization setting |
| Capacity | 16 place settings |
Our Ratings
Samsung StormWash 24
Quietest Drying Dishwasher
If you want a whisper-quiet dishwasher that cleans and dries your dishes thoroughly, we recommend a Samsung dishwasher. At only 42 decibels, you’ll hardly notice this dishwasher is running at all. The sound-reduction system ensures it’s quiet throughout the whole cycle, even during the main wash.
As for drying your dishes, it uses condensation drying and heated drying so you can decide which one to go for. It also has an automatic release door that cracks open at the end of the cycle to remove any leftover moisture.
What We Like
StormWash Technology
This super-clever technology is one of a kind. It ensures the deepest cleaning of your dishes, prioritizing hard-to-reach spots. The spray arms move in every direction to ensure the water is angled into every inch of the dishwasher.
Third Rack and 15 Place Settings
This dishwasher is super spacious, with room for 15-place settings. But what’s even cooler is the third rack.
It’s very large, with enough space for all kinds of utensils. Just slide the drawer out from the top of the dishwasher, lay your utensils flat, and enjoy a deep clean.
Six Cycles, Six Controls
With six cycle options, you can choose from various useful options. These cycles are: Auto, Normal, Heavy, Delicate, Express 60, and Rinse Only.
You can customize cycles by playing around with the other six controls: Half-Load Wash, StormWash™, Hi-Temp Wash, Sanitize, Delay Start, and Control Lock. This flexibility ensures you can program your dishwasher specifically for your dishes.
AutoRelease Door
You might not need this feature, but you’ll grow to love it. At the end of the cycle, the door will automatically pop open for further drying. This provides exceptional results, so you never have to look out a dish towel again.
What We Don't Like
Trouble Placing Tall Items
The racks are adjustable, so you can adjust the top racks to make room for tall items on the bottom. However, if you have lots of tall items that you’d usually place on both racks, you’ll struggle with this.
The third rack takes away some space at the top of the dishwasher, so you can’t have tall water bottles at the bottom and tall glasses at the top. It just won’t fit. You can remove the top rack, though, to troubleshoot this issue.
Shallow Third Rack
The third rack, designed for utensils, is quite shallow. Certain larger items, like spatulas and ladles, will not fit without bumping the spinning arm. Therefore, they won’t clean properly.
You’ll need to lay these flat on the top rack as you would in a normal dishwasher.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated and condensation drying |
| Material | Stainless steel |
| Noise | 42 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Six, plus six control options |
| Capacity | 15 place settings |
Our Ratings
GE Built-In Dishwasher
Best Smart Drying Dishwasher
Technology is constantly changing, and many dishwashers are now Wi-Fi enabled. These smart dishwashers are very handy. Once you install your Wi-Fi adapter, you can control the GE Built-In Dishwasher with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
As for its drying functions, this dishwasher has a heated dry boost function. This ensures dishes that are three times dryer than standard drying cycles.
What We Like
Bottle Wash Jets
We always wash tall glasses and bottles by hand because the dishwasher just doesn’t do an adequate job. But with this dishwasher, you no longer need to do so!
It has four bottle wash jets to ensure a deep clean in tall dishes, such as glasses and bottles. These are situated for top rack items only.
Wash Zones
Many dishwashers have a half-load option, but this one is true to its word. It uses wash zones, so when you fill the cycle half-full, it doesn’t waste unnecessary water for both racks.
Just program which rack you’ve filled, start the half-load and let the dishwasher work its magic. As for full coverage, the dishwasher has three pressurized wash zones to ensure a deep cleaning of every item.
Hard Food Disposer Prevents Clogs
This dishwasher has a built-in food disposer. So if you’ve left a few food scraps on your dishes, you don’t have to worry about clogs. The dishwasher uses stainless steel blades to blend up food scraps and drain them away, so your dishes and the dishwasher are super clean.
Steam PreWash Feature
No need to pre-rinse or soak dishes again. If you have tough food and stains on your dishes, activate the steam prewash, which will loosen stubborn food before the cycle.
What We Don't Like
Not Super Quiet
If you want something whisper-quiet, you may want to look elsewhere. This dishwasher comes in at 50 decibels which isn’t loud by any means, but it’s still noticeable. We can compare it to the sound of a quiet office with a little chitter-chatter.
Cheap Construction
Customers tend to say that the construction feels cheap. This dishwasher uses a plastic tub which isn’t as durable as stainless steel. The rubber seam around the frame can easily fall off. And the door latch doesn’t feel sturdy.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated drying |
| Material | Plastic |
| Noise | 50 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Four, plus sanitize and heat dry |
| Capacity | 15 place settings |
Our Ratings
Whirlpool Tall Tub Portable Dishwasher
Best Portable Dishwasher
Not everyone has room for a standard dishwasher. If you have a small kitchen, live in dorms, or are in an RV, you may need a portable dishwasher. But you shouldn’t have to sacrifice dry dishes when you choose this type of dishwasher.
That’s where the Whirlpool dishwasher comes in. It’s on wheels but still has a heated dry cycle to help deliver bone-dry dishes. This option works best with rinse aid, so keep that in mind.
What We Like
High-Temperature Wash Cycle
A high-temperature wash cycle is super important, in our opinion. It uses extremely hot water to help kill bacteria and germs on your dishes. We recommend this for all kinds of dishes, especially baby bottles, to give them a deep clean.
Soil Sensor Adjusts the Cycle
When you use the normal cycle, for everyday messes, the soil sensor kicks in. It determines how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the cycle to clean them accordingly. This saves energy when necessary.
Extra Counter Space
Small kitchens can be a pain, especially if you’re a keen cook! Running out of counter space is inconvenient.
But this portable dishwasher has an installed countertop to provide more storage or prep space. So not only do you save time on dishes, but you also get extra space!
Simple but Classy Design
If you’re not too fussed about all the bells and whistles, this is a nice simple choice for you. With a user-friendly front panel, this is a breeze to use. There aren’t too many confusing cycles to battle with.
What We Don't Like
Long Cycles
For a portable dishwasher, the cycles are quite long, matching that of regular dishwashers.
The heavy cycle can take up to three and a half hours! The normal cycle can take up to two hours and 50 minutes. And the drying cycle is an extra 52 minutes.
So even if you use the one-hour wash, you could be looking at a total of nearly two hours for dishes to wash and dry.
Plastic Interior Won’t Dry as Well
The tall tub is made of plastic. This isn’t a drawback for many people, especially since the heated dry cycle does a decent job. But plastic does cling to moisture more efficiently, it’s not as durable, and it’s not as easy to clean.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated drying |
| Material | Plastic |
| Noise | 64 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Three, plus heated dry and high temperature |
| Capacity | 12 place settings |
Our Ratings
HotPoint Front Control 60dBA Dishwasher
Best Budget Choice
We recommend the Hotpoint Built-In dishwasher if you’re on a tight budget. It’s one of the most affordable dishwashers on the market, but it still does a great job drying your dishes. It uses heated drying to achieve that since the interior is made from plastic, not stainless steel.
Crack the door at the end of the cycle for even better results. Either way, HotPoint assures that you’ll have clean and dry dishes after every cycle.
What We Like
Piranha Hard Food Disposer
Hate scraping and rising plates? Us, too. While it’s never necessary to rinse plates with a quality dishwasher, now you can minimally scrape your plates, too.
If you leave some food residue behind, no problem. The hard food disposer in this dishwasher will grind up and drain the food away without causing clogs in the filter.
Load It All Up
You get 12 place settings with this dishwasher which is great for families! If you have large items, you can fit them all in easily, too. The top rack can be removed, so if you have tall chopping boards or large pots, pack them in with no issues.
Active Flood Protect Sensor
You no longer need to worry about leaks with this dishwasher. With Active Flood Protect technology, this dishwasher can sense a leak before it happens. When the water level rises, it will pump it out and switch off, so no water ends up on your floors.
Straightforward Usability
If you don’t want something too complicated, this might tick your boxes. With only two cycle options, you can choose between everyday washing or heavy-duty washing.
What We Don't Like
Only Two Options
While minimal cycles are a pro for some, it’s a disadvantage for others. Many people like options. With only two cycles to choose from, this might not suit some of your dishwasher loads.
60 Decibels Loud
At 60 decibels, this is louder than some of our other options. You can compare this to general conversation or background music. It’s definitely noticeable, and if you’re trying to nap next door, this might get on your nerves.
Product Specs
| Drying Mechanism | Heated drying |
| Material | Plastic |
| Noise | 60 decibels |
| Cycle Options | Two |
| Capacity | 12 place settings |
Our Ratings
| Product | Best | Drying Mechanism | Material | Noise | Cycle Options | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KitchenAid Top Control Dishwasher | Built-In Dishwasher | Heated drying | Stainless steel | 44 db | 5, plus 3 control options | 16 place |
| LG Top Control Smart Dishwasher | For Stain Removal | Condensation and heated drying | Stainless steel | 46 db | 9, plus 8 extra options | 15 place |
| Bosch 300 Series Stainless Steel | For Large Families | Heated drying | Stainless steel | 44 db | 4, plus sanitization setting | 16 place |
| Samsung StormWash 24 | Quietest Drying Dishwasher | Heated & condensation drying | Stainless steel | 42 db | 6, plus 6 control options | 15 place |
| GE Built-In Dishwasher | Smart Drying Dishwasher | Heated drying | Plastic | 50 db | 4, plus sanitize & heat dry | 15 place |
| Whirlpool Tall Tub Portable Dishwasher | Portable Dishwasher | Heated drying | Plastic | 64 db | 3, plus heated dry & high temp | 12 place |
| HotPoint Front Control Dishwasher | Budget Choice | Heated drying | Plastic | 60 db | 2 | 12 place |
How Do Dishes Dry in the Dishwasher?
Dishwashers dry their dishes using either of these methods: condensation dry or heated dry.
Condensation Dry
This is the most energy-efficient way for dishwashers to dry your dishes. These dishwashers don’t use a heating element or a fan to wash the dishes.
Instead, the final rinse uses extremely hot water. This means the dishes are hotter than the dishwasher’s interior. So the stainless steel tub begins to cool down before the dishes, and this pulls condensation off the dishes onto the dishwasher walls. The water trickles down and is then drained away.
Keep In Mind
Heated Dry
The heated dry cycle uses an electrical heating element to create hot air. It’s pumped through the dishwasher during the heating cycle to dry the dishes. Inside the dishwasher, you’ll find a small exhaust fan that pulls the moisture off the dishes and through the vents.
Drying Tip
How To Choose The Best Drying Dishwasher
In the market for a drying dishwasher? Consider these important factors before investing in your new appliance.
Drying Mechanism
Choose between a condensation-drying dishwasher or one with a heated dry cycle. You may even find some dishwashers use both methods. Keep in mind that heated drying is more effective, but condensation drying saves energy and money.
Material
Stainless steel dishwashers are much better for drying your dishes since moisture clings to plastic much easier. We recommend choosing a stainless steel tub when buying a drying dishwasher, but we have a few quality plastic recommendations.
Noise
Nobody wants a noisy dishwasher. Thankfully, there are some seriously quiet drying dishwashers on the market.
Noise levels are ranked by decibels. The lower this number, the quieter the dishwasher. Our recomendations range from 40 decibels to 64.
Cycle Options
Having a drying option is excellent, but washing options are important, too. Consider how many washing cycles the dishwasher has and what other features it may have. This could include sanitization cycles, steam washing, rapid cycles, and more.
Capacity
Finally, consider the capacity of the dishwasher. This is measured in place settings. If you have a big family or you’re living alone, this changes the requirements you may have for your dishwasher.
Our recommendations range from 12 to 16 place settings, so they’re all good for families.
FAQs
Why Are My Dishes Still Dirty After the Dishwasher?
If your dishes are coming out unclean, this could be down to a few factors, including:
- You aren’t using quality dishwasher detergent.
- The filter is clogged.
- The drain is clogged.
- Your dishwasher is too full.
- The dishwasher tablet got jammed in the drawer and didn’t get released.
- Something was blocking the spray arm from spinning properly.
- The water wasn’t hot enough to dissolve the detergent.
- You didn’t load the dishwasher correctly.
- You need to use a rinse aid.
Why Don’t My Plastics Dry in the Dishwasher?
Plastics cling to moisture. They love it!
This is because plastic doesn’t get as hot, so it can’t naturally evaporate the water droplets. Even with a drying dishwasher, you may struggle to dry plastic.
We always place plastic items on a drying rack after the dishwashing cycle for 30 minutes. This helps them air dry before putting them away.
Why Do New Dishwashers Not Dry?
If your new dishwasher has plastic on the racks, you may find it’s not fully dry at the end of the cycle. New dishwashers use more plastic nowadays, so consider this before choosing yours.
If the dishwasher has a condensation drying feature and uses a lot of plastic, it will be nearly impossible to dry thoroughly.
Should You Leave the Dishwasher Door Open To Dry?
Yes. This is a simple but effective way to air-dry your dishes after the cycle.
Of course, wait until the very end of the cycle before doing this. Once the cycle ends, crack the door and wait around 30 minutes.
How Do I Add a Drying Agent to My Dishwasher?
To add a drying agent to your dishwasher, fill the rinse aid dispenser with a quality product like Lemi Shine. It also acts as a hard water stain remover.
