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Rinse & Rack

PRODUCT GUIDE

Best quiet dishwashers

For an open kitchen, shortlist machines with low published dBA ratings, then check drying, rack fit and installation. A quiet specification is useful, but it should not outweigh a dishwasher that handles your daily load better.

Mary Hauser’s illustrated avatarBy Mary HauserFounder & editor
Open dishwasher in a bright green-and-oak kitchen

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CHOOSE FOR YOUR ROUTINE

Products worth a closer look.

01KitchenAid KDFS324SPSOur pick for mugs and bowls

KitchenAidKDFS324SPS

02Bosch SHP78CM5NOur drying upgrade

BoschSHP78CM5N

03LG LDPH7972SOur flexible-rack alternative

LGLDPH7972S

04Bosch SHP65DM5NOur pick for most households

BoschSHP65DM5N

Useful models to compare

Bosch SHP65CM5N, LG LDPH7972S and KitchenAid KDFS324SPS offer different combinations of drying and rack design in the quieter built-in category. Bosch lists the SHP65CM5N at 44 dBA; LG lists 42 dBA for LDPH7972S, while KitchenAid identifies the exact KDFS324SPS as 41 dBA. These are manufacturer ratings rather than measurements made by Rinse & Rack.

Treat a small numerical difference as a starting point for comparison. Pumps, water movement and end signals can sound different even when the overall ratings are close. Your floor, cabinetry and distance from the appliance also affect what you hear.

Choose around the room

If people sit beside the kitchen during a wash, noise is a stronger priority than in a separate utility area. A visible running indicator can be helpful on a very quiet machine. If you mainly run loads while working elsewhere, spending more for the lowest number may deliver less value than a better rack layout.

Ask a showroom whether a comparable installed machine can be demonstrated. A demonstration is not a controlled comparison, but it can reveal sounds you find distracting.

Installation still matters

Leveling, secure mounting and correctly positioned hoses belong in the installation check. Loose cutlery or a spray arm striking a pan can introduce noise unrelated to the published rating. Diagnose a new rattling or grinding sound rather than assuming it is normal.

Our buying approach is to choose a suitably quiet group first, then settle the decision using loading, drying and total installed cost. Avoid paying for a one-number advantage while compromising the features you use every day.

The product assessments.

01Our pick for mugs and bowls
KitchenAid KDFS324SPS
Built-in41 dBA

Built-in

KitchenAid KDFS324SPS

A deeper washing third rack makes this a useful candidate for households loading mugs, small bowls and utensils alongside everyday dishes.

We would compare this KitchenAid when loading many mugs and small bowls makes an ordinary flat utensil tray less useful. The purchase should be decided by the dishes you can fit, not by a jet-count comparison alone.

Bring measurements for the items that are awkward in your existing dishwasher. Test the upper and middle rack combination together: improving space on one level is not worthwhile if the dinner plates or pitcher below no longer fit.

Why consider it

  • Third rack has dedicated washing jets
  • Adjustable middle rack
  • Front controls and pocket handle

Consider before buying

  • Automatic door opening needs aisle clearance
  • Enhanced drying options affect the routine and cycle time
  • Installation connections can add to the purchase cost
Specifications, contents & buying checks
Width
23 15/16 in
Height
33 5/8 in nominal; confirm installation opening
Depth
24 1/2 in
Noise
41 dBA
Capacity
Three racks; verify usable fit with your dishes
Drying
ProDry / ProDry Max and automatic door-opening option
Electrical
120 V / 60 Hz; installation manual specifies 15 A or 20 A fused supply
Third rack
Third Level Jet Rack

Contents & use

  • Installation instructions identify a supplied drain hose and moisture barrier tape for automatic-door models.
  • Confirm the power-cord or hardwire kit and water-supply connection parts in the installed quote; do not assume all are included.

Before you buy

  • Use the full KDFS324SPS model number: its US rating is 41 dBA.
  • Try your mugs and bowls in the upper rack before buying.
  • Confirm opening dimensions and countertop moisture protection with the installer.
Buy on Amazon ↗Read the full assessment →
02Our drying upgrade
Bosch SHP78CM5N
Built-in42 dBA

Built-in

Bosch SHP78CM5N

Choose this 800 Series when drying features and adjustable loading justify the step up.

This is our upgrade recommendation for shoppers whose dishwasher contains a regular mix of plates, glass and plastic containers. The extra drying system is the meaningful distinction from the 500 Series.

Reviewed reports strong cleaning and drying from its tests of this exact model, while noting sensitive controls. Those are Reviewed’s findings, not tests performed by Rinse & Rack.

Why consider it

  • CrystalDry drying system
  • Targetable lower-rack wash zones
  • Adjustable loading

Consider before buying

  • Some functions are app-only
  • No built-in water softener
  • Installation extras can add cost
Specifications, contents & buying checks
Width
23 9/16 in
Height
33 7/8 in minimum
Depth
23 3/4 in
Noise
42 dBA
Capacity
16 place settings
Drying
CrystalDry
Electrical
120 V / 60 Hz; 12 A appliance rating
Third rack
Flexible third rack

Contents & use

  • Three-prong power cord, drain hose and toe-kick.
  • Supply hose and hardwire junction box are optional.

Before you buy

  • Compare the exact SHP model, not a different handle variant.
  • Check access to Home Connect if app-only options matter.
  • Ask for the complete installed price.
Buy on Amazon ↗Read the full assessment →
03Our flexible-rack alternative
LG LDPH7972S
Built-in42 dBA

Built-in

LG LDPH7972S

A steam-equipped alternative with adjustable racks and an interior light.

This LG is worth considering if loading flexibility is your first priority. Before buying, try a representative mix of your own dishes against the rack layout.

TrueSteam and Dynamic Heat Dry are LG features, not evidence that every load will emerge spotless and dry. Loading, detergent and the chosen program still matter.

Why consider it

  • Adjustable third rack
  • Folding tines
  • Interior light

Consider before buying

  • Some cycles use the app
  • Handle clearance matters
  • Long motor warranty does not cover the whole machine for that period
Specifications, contents & buying checks
Width
23 3/4 in
Height
33 5/8 in minimum
Depth
24 5/8 in including handle
Noise
42 dBA
Capacity
15 place settings
Drying
Dynamic Heat Dry
Electrical
120 V / 60 Hz; 15 A circuit per manual
Third rack
Height-adjustable

Contents & use

  • Installation manual lists two brackets, four wood screws and a hose clamp.
  • Supply hose and electrical connection materials require installer/seller confirmation.

Before you buy

  • Match LDPH7972S exactly; LDTH7972S is another variant.
  • Review the full warranty, including labor.
  • Confirm inlet hose and electrical connection package.
Buy on Amazon ↗Read the full assessment →
04Our pick for most households
Bosch SHP65DM5N
Built-in44 dBA

Built-in

Bosch SHP65DM5N

Our research-based starting point for a standard kitchen: AutoAir drying, a third rack and a focused Zone Wash area.

For a conventional 24-inch opening, the current Zone Wash 500 Series is our research-based starting recommendation. It combines an adjustable upper rack, a utensil tray and automatic door-opening drying.

AutoAir releases the door during drying. That makes its installation position worth considering in a narrow walkway or a home where a partly open door would be inconvenient.

Why consider it

  • Automatic drying-door release
  • Adjustable upper rack and separate utensil tray
  • Zone Wash focus area and Deep Clean cycle

Consider before buying

  • Some extra options require Home Connect
  • No integrated water softener
  • Door opens during AutoAir drying
Specifications, contents & buying checks
Width
23 9/16 in
Height
33 7/8 in minimum
Depth
23 3/4 in
Noise
44 dBA
Capacity
16 place settings
Drying
AutoAir
Electrical
120 V / 60 Hz; 12 A appliance rating
Third rack
Standard third rack

Contents & use

  • Power cord, pre-connected drain hose and toe-kick; cabinet protective guard shown in specification.
  • Water supply kit and hardwire junction box are optional extras.

Before you buy

  • Allow room for the automatic door opening.
  • Check cabinet moisture protection and the installation manual.
  • Compare the installed quote with the 800 Series before buying.
Buy on Amazon ↗Read the full assessment →

Good questions.

Does the lowest dBA model always sound best?

No. The rating does not describe every intermittent sound, your kitchen’s acoustics or an individual installation. Compare noise alongside the features and layout you need.

YOUR NEXT USEFUL STEP

Keep exploring

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