These days it’s difficult to determine what makes a good dishwasher. They are very similar and most features have become pretty standard. After recently going through the process of replacing my circa 1970’s dishwasher, I think I have some helpful tips on what to look for and what to look out for when shopping for your next dishwasher.

• Measure everything carefully, and don’t forget the length of the door when it is fully open. If you have anything in front of the dishwasher (an island in our case). It might hinder the door from fully opening. Many of the newer deep tub dishwasher have a single long door with an extra long swing.
• Don’t get too caught up in the wash cycles. Most of the extra gentle (china, crystal, etc.) are just gimmicks to get you to pay a little extra. You only really need normal, heavy duty, and maybe ‘smart’ wash cycles.
• Look for a dishwasher that has a flexible interior layout and adjustable racks. You will be surprised at how handy it can be to move the racks up or down to accommodate large pans and tall stemware.
• Try to find a dishwasher with not only good energy ratings, but also pay attention to the quiet rating. The quiet models have extra insulation and noise baffles that stop the sound so much so that it is hard to tell when they are running.
• Finally, consider the placement of the controls. The model I selected has hidden controls in the top lip of the door. These give the dishwasher a very clean and modern appearance and a set of LEDs show the progress of the dishwasher’s cycle.

Prices range from $300 at the low end to over $1500 for the top of the line model. The best bet is to find something in the middle of the range that has the features you like the most.