Built-in dishwashers

Built-in dishwashers are the most popular type of dishwasher as they are convenient to operate and easily fitted in your kitchen cabinets.

Portable dishwashers  

Unlike built-in dishwashers, portable dishwashers don't require any installation. They can be placed anywhere in the kitchen according to your space and convenience—ideal for small houses or apartments.

Drawer dishwashers

Drawer dishwasher can easily fit into the lower cabinets of your kitchen. But you can easily pull out the drawers whenever you need to use your dishwasher. They are also compact and easy to operate, but the only drawback is they require permanent installation.

Integrated vs Regular Controls

Integrated dishwashers are the newest, coolest dishwashers with controls on the top of the door. In other words, you don't see the control panel. However, it will cost $100-$200 more for an integrated model with the same features as a regular dishwasher with controls on the face.

Plastic vs Stainless Steel Tub 

They both hold water. The quality perception certainly favours stainless. Stainless is non-porous and germ and odour resistant, whereas plastic tubs need to be clean with citric acid a few times every year.

Choosing the right capacity

The capacity of the dishwasher may vary from model to model. It seems that all variant of the same size are alike but from inside the functionality may differ. Generally, it depends on the placement of jets inside the dishwasher and the spacing between each item. 

Drying

Drying has improved depending on what you buy. Look for dishwashers with auto-opening doors, which pop open at the end of the cycle to release moisture.

Custom Panels

Placing panels on a dishwasher is a great design idea. The dishwasher becomes seamless and indistinguishable from the actual cabinets. 

Racks

The better dishwashers will have an adjustable top rack and adjustable tines to accommodate bigger pots and pans. 

Soil Sensors

Soil sensors help to detect how greasy your dishes are so it can adjust the amount of water required to clean them.

Cycles

Pots & Pans: Extended wash cycle with regular heat

Normal: Cycle without the preheat of the above.

China / Crystal: Shorter wash at a lower temperature. 

Auto wash: Cycle uses a soil sensor to adjust the water use. 

Half-Load: Cycle for washing the top rack only

Sanitize: Heats the rinse part of the wash to remove bacteria. 

Noise Levels

Dishwashers used to be very noisy while running, but now there are many quiet-running dishwashers available on the market—the noise produced by dishwashers measured in decibels. The smaller the decibel amount, the quieter your dishwasher will be.