Buying a Miele dishwasher is not easy between the confusing model numbers and the vast amount of new products they recently introduced.
In fact, over the last two years, Miele has introduced two completely new series, the G5000 and G7000, with better and often unique unique features.
As confusing as the changes were, they were timely because of their biggest competition, KitchenAid and Bosch, dramatically improved their lineups as well.
In this article, you’ll learn Miele’s best features, including reliability based on 48,392 real service calls logged by a service department just last year.
Then the differences between the models and the best models to consider.
At the end, we’ll compare Miele to the new Bosch and KitchenAid dishwashers.
Table of Contents
Best Features
All Miele’s have a third rack for silverware. You’ll like this feature because you can fit more on the bottom rack without the silverware basket.
The better Miele series have the 3-D cutlery rack. You can swivel this out for taller glasses on the top rack or fit smaller dishes on the right side.
Miele is one of the only dishwashers with the top, middle, and bottom wash arms. Most brands will have two wash arms with the spigot on the top like Bosch or smaller arms like KitchenAid. Three arms are important with the third rack because it washes silverware better.
Miele is also one of the only dishwashers with a real drying cycle. It allows the colder air outside into the inside of the dishwasher. Steam is attracted to the colder side and is fully dissipated as water.
The best G7000 dishwashers feature two ports at the bottom for even faster drying.
All Miele dishwashers except the most basic G5000 series model, all will pop open at the end of this cycle to allow steam to escape. This also speeds drying.
Miele’s Double WaterProof system automatically shuts off the water supply if the dishwasher starts to leak. Many dishwashers have some leak protection, but Miele’s is better.
One of my friends had an upstairs neighbor with a water leak. It leaked through their unit to her unit below, as well as the other units on the side. That’s an insurance claim nobody wants.
Miele is the best at leak protection, along with the Bosch AquaStop.
European dishwashers like Miele and Bosch and Beko fit within a 24-inch cabinet so it doesn’t protrude. The dishwasher becomes indistinguishable from the cabinet itself.
The American brands like GE, Whirlpool, and KitchenAid will protrude so it will look like a dishwasher with a panel stuck on it.
Dishwasher Differences
Miele has multiple dishwashers series and models. The difference between Miele dishwashers within the same series is having regular front controls versus integrated controls or ones just designed for your cabinet panel.
Although the model numbers are confusing, the series are the first letters like G71, G73 or G75.
The overly complicated numbers after that refer to the style: Top, front or paneled.
The top rack is fully adjustable in all Miele dishwashers. However, the better dishwashers have adjustable racks within the rack itself to accommodate almost anything.
The third rack also changes to their 3D, so the left side folds under to accommodate wine glasses below. The right side drops to fit cups and smaller plates.
Miele dishwashers range from 38 to 44 decibels. Quiet dishwashers are measured at 44 decibels and less, so all Miele’s fit the quietness standard.
However, to achieve the lower 38 decibels, the motor slows, resulting in a four hour cycle.
Miele has the port on the bottom. The better machines have two to circulate air to the side for faster drying.
You can control your dishwasher from your phone in the top two Miele series including turning the dishwasher on and off or changing cycles.
You can also see time remaining and receive a text when the cycles are complete.
The cycles span from basic to customize like hood filters and stove grates as you step to the best models.
You can open the two best G7000 series dishwashers by knocking twice in the door. It’s probably not the top of your list for features, but you do not need a handle on these models. With better cabinets, handless is a nice touch.
Miele’s automatic detergent dispenser is designed to handle 20 loads and guarantees the right amount of detergent is released at the right time.
I thought this was an overblown feature.
However, clients reported cleaner dishes because the detergents released at the right time in the cycle. AutoDos is available in their top three models, the G73, 75 and 79 series.
Now that you know how to buy a Miele, let’s look at the best models.
Best Miele Dishwashers Models
The G5056VISFP is the top control version of the least expensive series, the G5006.
This series is now officially quiet at 44 decibels. Like all Miele’s, it features the QuickIntenseWash, a 58-minute wash and dry cycle for normally soiled dishes using added temperature.
The G5266 adds the 3-D MultiFlex top rack. It can be slid in a few different positions to accommodate more on the rack below on the left side and dishes on the right side.
You have better drying with the AutoOpen cycle with the door popping open at the end of the cycle. It releases steam and heat.
It’s a great feature, especially if you wash at night. That steam doesn’t become residual moisture on your glasses.
This series is also a bit quieter at 42 decibels.
The G7000 series has sensor-driven cycles and options. Miele’s sensors recognize the water soil level to adjust time and temperature in the washer and dry cycles.
In the Miele G71 series dishwasher, it has new cycles, racks and silence rating.
The Intense Zone is a newer cycle to scour the dishes on the bottom rack.
This dishwasher is now 43 decibels, just a bit noisier than the previous less expensive model, but still below the quietness threshold of 44 decibels.
The G7366VISF is also 44 decibels. You can use their extra quiet cycle down to 39 decibels. However, it’s a four hour cycle slowing the motor down.
The racks are a bit better. You do have some customized cycles for your stove grates and hood filters as well.
Most importantly, the G73 series is the first models with the auto dose.
Lastly, this dishwasher is Wi-Fi enabled. You to turn the dishwasher on and off remotely, see time remaining, and how much detergent is in your dispenser right on your phone.
This series is 42 decibels or 38 decibels if you select the extra quiet cycle. This dishwasher also has the Knock2Open if you’re looking for a handleless design.
You also have better “Flexline” racks and more cycles as well.
The 75 series also features an LED light inside if you’re unloading your dishwasher in the middle of the night.
Competition
At this time, Bosch has been affected by COVID-19. Many of their dishwashers below $1,000 are out of stock.
At $1,279 to $1,399, this dishwasher is a good consideration.
Bosch now uses the volcanic elements zeolite to increase heat and absorb moisture. It works.
The $1,299 to $1,699 Miele’s will all have more usable cycles along with a better wash system.
Their clean air drying is good along with the auto opening door feature, but zeolite works better on plastics.
From $1,499 up, Miele has a better dishwasher, especially with its new dispenser.
In terms of reliability, Miele is now over 2% better than Bosch.
KitchenAid has two series. Their less expensive dishwasher, in the 200 series, is 39 decibels with decent cycles at $999.
However, KitchenAid’s M series dishwashers are new at $1,299 and have four wash levels, including the largest third rack.
Their drying includes an intake and fan to dry the dishes. It’s similar to Miele, at least in principle.
KitchenAid is a good dishwasher to consider for under $1,299. Their two better units at $1,499 and $1,899 don’t add much for cycles.
Miele has better cycles and features starting at $1,499.
KitchenAid is technically a little bit more reliable than Miele, but most of their dishwashers were sold with less features.
Takeaways
Miele has excellent dishwashers, especially over $1,499, where most brands stop. They offer solid package of racking features as well as washing and drying capability.
You should know the dispenser works and is not a gimmick. Then again, neither are the features of the new Bosch or KitchenAid dishwashers.
Still at $1,199 and above, you should consider a Miele dishwasher. It is the most comprehensive package of washing, drying, cycles, racking, waterproofing, and reliability.