8 dishwasher features, trends and colors of 2025
Your dishwasher helps with cleanup after meal prep so you’re prepared to make even more on-the-go breakfasts and after-school snacks. Understanding the current trends and features of dishwashers can help you find the option that best helps you care for your family.
Use this guide to explore dishwasher trends, common features and popular colors for 2025.
What is the latest trend in dishwasher styles?
Kitchens with a seamless look continue to trend in 2025, and dishwashers designed to cohesively integrate into your kitchen design are increasingly popular. Models that utilize hidden controls, built-in design and stainless steel finishes offer not only functionality but also contemporary style.
Top control, or fully-integrated, dishwashers are a popular choice for streamlined kitchens. With the control panel tucked out of sight on the top edge of the door, these models offer a clean, uninterrupted front that can blend easily into surrounding spaces. Some are panel-ready, allowing you to customize the exterior to match your cabinetry for a fully built-in look. Beyond aesthetics, the hidden controls help reduce the chance of accidental bumps mid-cycle and are easy to wipe clean. Top control dishwashers also tend to offer more smart features, adding convenience to their stylish design.
Shop Whirlpool® Top Control and Panel-Ready Dishwashers
Whirlpool brand offers select dishwashers featuring built-in, hidden controls designed to match the style of your kitchen while providing the features you rely on to help keep meal time on track. Panel-ready options on select models give you the flexibility to customize the exterior of your dishwasher to blend seamlessly with your cabinetry for a cohesive, built-in look.
8 dishwasher features to look for
When you’re shopping for a new dishwasher, look for features that make life easier, like adjustable racks or Quick Wash Cycles.
Explore these features found on select Whirlpool® Dishwashers to help you on your shopping journey.
1. Adjustable dishwasher racks
Dishwashers with adjustable racks help you tailor your dishwashing experience to fit your needs. This offers flexibility in your cleaning routine, allowing you to accommodate a variety of dish sizes and pieces of cookware.
Select Whirlpool® Dishwashers offer an Adjustable 2nd Rack that can raise or lower to make room for taller items like water bottles or large pieces of cookware, keeping your post-meal cleaning routine flexible to your needs.
2. Sensor cycles
Leave the guesswork of cycle selection in the past with sensor cycles. Soil sensors detect the level of food residue, grease and grime that’s on your dishes to provide a custom wash cycle for each soil level. Whirlpool® Dishwashers with Sensor Cycle automatically help you get the right wash and dry settings for each load with two sensors that measure temperature and soil level during prewash and the wash cycle.
3. Quiet cleaning
Whether you’re looking for an appliance to run quietly during a family party or just want one less loud noise in a house full of kids and pets, consider replacing your current model with a quiet dishwasher. Quiet dishwashers are insulated and made with materials that help muffle the sound of the mechanics, and quiet pump systems reduce the sound of rushing water.
The Whirlpool® Quiet Dishwasher helps to keep your kitchen quiet during cleanup with a dishwasher sound level of just 55 dBA.
4. Cleaning cycles
Outside of the standard Normal and Heavy Duty Cycles, look for dishwashers with cycles that add an extra level of convenience. Cycles that feature a powerful rinse action, sanitizing temperatures or extended drying times cater to your needs and help ensure an optimal clean for your family’s dishes.
You can skip scrubbing and pre-rinsing with select Whirlpool® Dishwashers with the Boost Cycle. This cycle uses more water, time and heat than the Normal Cycle and takes less time than the Heavy Cycle so you can target tough messes that need a little extra effort.
5. Heated dry
There’s nothing more frustrating than having to wipe your dishes dry before putting them back into the cabinet. To skip that extra step, opt for a dishwasher with a Heated Dry Cycle or fan drying. The Heated Dry Option on select Whirlpool® Dishwashers lets you use a clean, dry dish straight from the dishwasher thanks to added heat for drying.
6. Large capacity
If you have a big family or your home is the hub for after-school homework sessions and Friday night hangouts, you may need a dishwasher with more storage capabilities. Tall tub dishwashers provide more interior capacity than standard models without increasing the appliance’s footprint.
7. Third-level racks
Third rack dishwashers typically offer larger capacity and flexible loading options to help you fit more dishes and run fewer loads. Whirlpool® Dishwashers with the 3rd Rack provide extra space for hard-to-fit items like coffee mugs, cereal bowls, baking utensils and measuring cups. Some Whirlpool® 3rd Rack Dishwashers also come with an Adjustable 2nd Rack, like this one from Whirlpool brand, to help you make room for taller items like water bottles.
8. Inclusive features
Some dishwashers are equipped with inclusive features that help make everyday tasks more accessible, allowing more people to confidently handle household chores and participate in daily routines.
The Spin&Load Rack is the most inclusive lower rack design on the market. The 360° spinning lower rack helps make it easier for people to access the dishwasher. Designed to fit Whirlpool® Dishwashers1, the Spin&Load Rack is easy to use and install. Simply roll out your existing rack, and set your Spin&Load Rack on the door with the beveled corners facing forward. Roll back your new rack and you're ready to tackle your dishes.
Shop Whirlpool® Dishwashers with convenient features
Whirlpool® Dishwashers offer the cleaning performance and flexibility your kitchen needs, with features designed to deliver dry, ready-to-use dishes when you need them. Select models offer an Auto Open Air Dry that lets fresh air in after the dry cycle for dry dishes, even plastics, right from the rack. Other models feature Total Coverage Wash for targeted, corner to corner cleaning on all racks, including the largest capacity 3rd Rack equipped with 13 spray jets, so dishes come out clean the first time.2
Which dishwasher colors are popular?
The stainless steel finish has been a consistently popular option for the last few decades, thanks in large part to its sleek and modern feel. However, black and white finishes can also be easily incorporated into a variety of design motifs, as they both act as a neutral.
Stainless steel: Stainless steel appliances can complement a range of styles, from ultra-modern to traditional, while bringing an upscale, elegant feel to your kitchen. Although they may require frequent cleaning in busy spaces, their neutral look can help tie your whole design together for years to come.
White: White has been a staple appliance color for decades, offering a bright, soft hue that can lighten up your kitchen. It pairs well with pale-toned cabinets, dark ceilings or even mixed appliance colors, and is often a more economical choice. Keep in mind that fingerprints and smudges may show more easily, requiring frequent cleaning.
Black: For a modern and sophisticated style, black appliances can elevate your kitchen’s design. They create bold contrast against white cabinets or a cohesive, streamlined look with dark cabinetry. In larger kitchens, black appliances can help prevent the space from feeling too open or empty, and smudges and splatters are often less noticeable than on lighter finishes.
Whether you want sleek and shiny Fingerprint Resistant stainless steel, impactful and powerful black or timeless white, Whirlpool® Dishwashers come in the finish you need to match your kitchen.
Explore Whirlpool® Dishwashers to match your kitchen style
Whirlpool® Dishwashers help you stay on top of dish duty with the features you need to get dishes, silverware and cookware clean and ready for your next family meal. Available in popular finishes like stainless steel, white and black, you can find a look that complements your kitchen—whether you're going for modern sophistication, classic brightness or versatile, upscale style.
Was this article helpful? Pass it on
Explore more with Whirlpool brand
home heartbeat
Ready for more tips, home hacks and appliance guides?
1. Designed to fit all 24" Whirlpool Corporation dishwashers manufactured after 2018.
2. Based on usable volume
