Quiet

Short cycle.
I can't think of the last time I used the regular cycle. "Short" cycle is long enough and everything comes out clean.

As others have mentioned, the quietness is key. Although that is more about which model you choose, and not so much an "option". Anyway, we went with Miele few yrs ago and still love it.

For the options, we really are glad we got the Cutlery Utensil rack, instead of the standard "basket". Really nice to spread out all the forks/knives/spoons and ensure they don't cover each other up.

Anonymous wrote:The third rack was a game changer for us. It may be that is standard now, but we didn't have one in our previous dishwasher and neither do most other people we know. Love it - can fit so much more stuff.

Same here. Love the third rack.

Cycle delay so we can set it to run right after dinner, but it will run at night. This way any dishes we find later in the evening can make it in.

Third rack, quiet, reliability, speed.

Used to have a Bosch. Now have a new LG

Anonymous wrote:The third rack was a game changer for us. It may be that is standard now, but we didn't have one in our previous dishwasher and neither do most other people we know. Love it - can fit so much more stuff.

I could take or leave the third rack. We use it but don't NEED it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Quietness

+1. All I care about.

+2. We have open floorplan so a loud dishwasher would be really annoying! We have a very quiet Bosch and can't hear the dishwasher running if we are more than 5 feet away. It's amazing. Guests frequently comment about how quiet it is.

The third rack was a game changer for us. It may be that is standard now, but we didn't have one in our previous dishwasher and neither do most other people we know. Love it - can fit so much more stuff.

Cleaning well

Anonymous wrote:Quietness

+1. All I care about.

Quietness

Anonymous wrote:The Jets in the back to clean a lasagna baked on type pan. Also which ever one else you choose, pay attention to whether the short cycle is the efficient or less efficient one. Not intuitive but my longer cycle saves water and electricity. Depends on the brand.

I think it’s a general rule that the longer cycles are more efficient, but a short cycle is so useful. I use the regular cycle most of the timr but I adored the 28 minute cycle I had in a previous house for party clean up, etc. Or I could run a load while cooking dinner if I knew there wouldn’t be room for everything. The fastest cycle in my current house is an hour and it’s not a huge deal but I will definitely be looking for shorter if/when I have to buy a new dishwasher some day.

The Jets in the back to clean a lasagna baked on type pan. Also which ever one else you choose, pay attention to whether the short cycle is the efficient or less efficient one. Not intuitive but my longer cycle saves water and electricity. Depends on the brand.

The length of the shortest cycle and how loud it is are the only things I care about.

We have a basic model, and don't know if the bells and whistles which can double the price are worth it.

What optional features do you value most?