GE Profile. We have had one in the $600-700 range for several years and it works fine. None of the fussy stuff you see about the Meile and Bosch models here. Just does the job.

I have owned Whirlpool, GE, Asko and Meile. After having a whole kitchen of GE appliances I will never buy another GE appliance. The "Pot Scrubber" rated #1 by consumer reports never worked well and I have replace all GE appliances. Then I had an Asko which I originally liked however it only lasted 7 years before it self destructed and the company would not make good on any credit. I have owned Whirlpool which cleaned well however it was fairly noisy. My favorite dishwasher is my Meile. I bought it off the floor in the $800 range and it is well worth it. VERY quiet, washes like a dream. I have finely found the one. Also in your price range might be Kitchen Aid. My sister in law has one and likes it. For discounted appliances try a Sears appliance outlet or a floor model. Good luck

KitchenAid makes a good dw and you do not have to buy the top of the line to get a good one. I just paid $775 and it has everything I need: KUDSO3CTSS.

The absolute worst dw I ever owned was a GE - yes, the year it was rated #1 by Consumer Reports. Bleh. It never got the dishes clean, it had a plastic interior, and after a few horrifying years, I replaced it with a KA. I'll never make that mistake again and I wish I had taken it with me when I moved. I do have a 20 year old Whirlpool, which is perfectly adequate, but we are remodeling. Whirlpool owns KA but the interior of the KA and the loading flexibility can't be beat.

Kenmore models came in first and second in the most recent Consumers Reports tests, and have above average reliability.

Kenmore Elites with the stainless steel interior are KitchenAid sibblings. I have had mine since last May and it is excellent and holds a ton!! It's as flexible, if not moreso, than the comparable KitchenAids.

The Sears guy tells me Whirlpool makes Kenmore. Is Whirlpool better quality? Am I right in assuming quality falls off as you go "down" the brands (Kitchen Aid --> Whirlpool --> Kenmore)? I've never had a Kenmore I've been happy with: dishwasher, fridge, vacuum, sewing machine ... of course all from 20-30 years ago, but the memory lingers and I tend to condemn all Kenmore as the junk end :-( I need to be convinced and Consumer Reports hasn't done it.

I feel at the mercy of the salespeople -- most of whom don't know what I'm talking about when I ask about wash levels, decibels, Sani-temp or half loads -- or even the kind of soundproofing. One brand has a metal "shell" that is supposed to make it quieter; according to the saleslady those "blankets" don't matter. ARRRGH! What am I looking for in a dishwasher with good sound insulation?

I am just about to decide between a low level Bosch and a KA, going to Lowes to kick them a bit. The Bossch would definitely fall into your price range - and people have had good experience.

twogreysandamutt,

I believe that all three units you mention roll down the same assembly lines, using the same major parts. Yes, there are differences, but they are minor, things like handles, different rack designs, or slight cycle differences, which is just a slight change in software.

According to Consumers Report, all DW, except Asko and F&P have about the same reliability. Note that LG and Samsung are not mentioned in the reliability reports, since they have been selling them here for only a few years.

If you don't need a stainless steel interior, but still want all the bells and whistles, check out the Whirlpool GU2700. I was going to buy the KA KUDSO3CTSS, but couldn't justify paying $200 more for a machine with less features than the GU2700. I ordered the Whirlpool but have not yet taken delivery of it. So, if you need/want the stainless steel interior and need to stay near your budget, the KA KUDSO3CTSS is the machine to get; if you don't mind a plastic interior and want to stay under budget, the Whirlpool GU2700 series is the machine to get.

Here is a link that might be useful: Whirlpool GU2700 Dishwasher

Thanks, stubaby. As that has what I'm looking for, I will take the information with me when I go to the store. I found one similar but made by Frigidaire. I'm looking for quiet, which the Frigidaire is. (Only place I've ever seen stoves and dishwashers hooked up and actually running -- great idea if you want to sell appliances. But, what you see in the store doesn't tell you about reliability. Any negative or positive experiences with Frigidaire?

On a funny note, I thought I found a super deal on a Jenn Air dishwasher. Turns out it was a Jenn-Air door on a Maytag dishwasher.

I'd advie against teh Frigidaire and the Maytag/Jenn-Air.

I had a Frigidaire and look what happened.......

Here is a link that might be useful: It burned a hole through the tub, scroll down!

Check out www.fixitnow.com

This site is run by a appliance repair man with lots of input from other repairmen (women)

The only dishwasher he recommends is the Miele. He states the rest are all junk including the Bosch which is really a mid level product masquerading as high end.

I'm sure that statement will get a reaction!