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Consumer Reports says Bosch, Miele, Thermador, Beko, and Midea are among the brands near the top for predicted dishwasher reliability. Its latest buying-guide text does not give a precise ordered top five, and the available information does not verify the least-reliable brands. Treat the ranking as a starting point: CR’s measure estimates the chance of problems in a brand’s new dishwashers during their first five years, while an individual model’s ratings are more useful for choosing what to buy.
What Consumer Reports’ reliability ranking measures
Consumer Reports’ 2025–2026 reliability analysis draws on reports from more than 66,000 members about more than 77,000 dishwashers across 27 brands. The machines were purchased new between 2015 and 2025. CR uses members’ reports of problems and breakdowns to predict whether a brand’s new dishwashers will develop problems during their first five years.
That is a brand-level estimate, not a guarantee about any particular appliance. The surveyed machines span years of changing designs and production, and CR notes that brand quality can shift over time. A result based on earlier purchases cannot establish that every current model will perform the same way.
Which brands are near the top—and what is known about the bottom
CR’s latest buying guide identifies Bosch, Miele, Thermador, Beko, and Midea among the brands near the top for predicted reliability. It does not present them as a definitive ranked top five, so the names are best read as a group rather than as first-through-fifth placements. Consumer Reports’ dishwasher brand reliability coverage is the relevant source for the comparison.
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The available CR buying-guide text does not identify the five least-reliable brands. There is not enough verified information here to name a bottom five or order the brands from worst upward.
How common were dishwasher problems?
In Consumer Reports’ 2025 reporting on the survey, about 21 percent of the dishwashers had broken down or stopped working as well as they should. Specific reported problems included:
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- Failure to clean properly: 9 percent.
- Failure to dry: 7 percent.
- Failure to drain: 7 percent.
These are survey results across the reported machines, not a forecast that a new dishwasher has a 21 percent chance of any one failure. The figures also show why reliability and cleaning performance should not be treated as the same thing: a machine can have a cleaning complaint without having broken down.
Why another reliability ranking may name a different brand
In its 2025 study, J.D. Power named KitchenAid highest in dishwasher reliability. Its study used a separate design and respondent group, including 12,755 appliance reliability responses and 1,419 service responses. That result should be attributed to J.D. Power rather than read as a direct contradiction of CR: the organizations do not use identical samples or methods.
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- 【6 Place Setting】- A perfect size(H438×W550×D500mm) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware, and a plate size of up to 10 inches diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
- 【Simple Installation】- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
- 【8 Washing Cycles】- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
- 【Heavy Program】- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 68℃, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
- 【Speed Program】- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with Energy Star compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.
Consumer Reports also publishes an overall brand-score framework that combines model lab performance, reliability and satisfaction survey data, ease of use, and price. Its 2026 leading overall brands include Bosch, Midea, LG, KitchenAid, and Miele. That is a broader score, not a reliability-only ranking, so it answers a different question.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use brand reliability when choosing a dishwasher
Start with the exact model
Consumer Reports says current model-level ratings are the best indication of how an individual dishwasher is likely to work. Check the particular model rather than assuming a strong brand result applies uniformly across its lineup.
Rank #4
- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea built-in dishwasher boasts a slim body that takes up minimal space and is easy to fit. It features a digital control panel with an LED display and has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate larger plates, pots, and pans up to 11 inches in height.
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of 22.6D x 17.6W x 32.4H with adjustable legs, this under sink dishwasher provides a spacious and flexible interior for maximum dishware loading.
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers six programs, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse washing programs. It also features Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize functions that meet all your daily needs. Note: ONLY use detergent specially for dishwasher because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems.
- Heated Dry : Smart dishwasher ensures the best drying performance. The extra drying function offers a thorough drying performance (except for the Rapid and Self-clean cycle) with no additional towel drying required.
- HI TEMP : The HYGIENE wash cycle maintains the water temperature at 136°F (58°C) max , which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes. It is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children's dinner sets.
Compare the features that affect daily use
For models that fit your space and installation needs, compare cleaning, drying, energy use, noise, and ease of use. Reliability matters, but so does whether the machine handles your dishes and household routine well.
Balance reliability against price
CR’s Adam Troy, who oversees its dishwasher brand reliability survey, said: “Our surveys found that brands that are more expensive don’t necessarily always show higher reliability,” CR reports. A higher price alone is not evidence of fewer problems; compare the model’s ratings and features with the price you are willing to pay.
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- POWERFUL CLEAN IN EVERY LOAD: Pacs dissolve during the wash cycle to help remove grease, stuck-on food, and everyday messes.
- EASY TO USE: No measuring and no mess. Simply place one pac into the dishwasher detergent dispenser and start the cycle.
What the rankings can—and cannot—tell you
- Useful for: narrowing a search to brands with stronger survey-based predictions, then comparing models.
- Not proof of: trouble-free ownership, superior cleaning, or the reliability of every model in a brand’s current range.
- Best next step: check the latest rating for the exact model and weigh its performance, usability, and price alongside the brand-level estimate.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
