The 5 Fastest Residential Dishwashers

Waiting for a dishwasher to provide you with a clean load of dishes doesn't have to take forever. There are modern dishwashers that have much quicker wash cycles than many older models. Most fast dishwashers have adjustable settings so you can run your dishes through on a shorter cycle if speed is more important than a thorough clean. If you want clean dishes in the least amount of time possible, then a few models are worth investigating to find the fastest home dishwasher within your budget.

This Thermador model features a speed cycle called "Star Speed," as well as an ultra-efficient drying cycle called "Star Dry." After an initial 20 minutes of preheating, the Thermador Star Sapphire dishwasher can wash and completely dry (really — no need to follow up with a towel) a full load in 20 minutes. It can speed wash and dry up to five loads back-to-back. This convenience comes at a price, however, as the Thermador Star retails for $2,799.

Siemens has a line of dishwashers designed specifically to provide customers with a fast washing time. The SpeedMatic dishwasher has a setting designed to complete a load in 29 minutes. To achieve the high wash speeds, you need to use the 45-C program. The fast speed comes with a slight compromise in terms of cleaning efficiency — Siemens recommends that you run only a half load if you want perfectly clean dishes in the 29 minutes.

Bosch dishwashers that are equipped with the "Speed Perfect" system are much faster than older Bosch dishwashers. Also called the Bosch dishwasher Express Wash cycle, Speed Perfect is a special mode designed to wash the dishes in a much shorter time than the regular settings. The amount of time saved varies, depending on the exact model and the selected rinse/dry programs, but Bosch promises time savings as great as 50 percent when dishes are washed on this setting. Putting a half load in can reduce times even more.

When the Arcelik dishwasher was released in 2006, the company touted it as the fastest dishwasher in the world. Years later, the dishwasher's quickest cycle is still one of the fastest around. When it's put on the "Super-Mini" cycle, the Arcelik dishwasher can clean six complete place settings in only 20 minutes. Twice as many dishes can also be cleaned in a cycle that completes in 58 minutes.

Homeowners can achieve faster wash times by installing a professional-grade dishwasher. This is something that people who like to cook a great deal or who live in very large households should consider. Once you enter the professional range of dishwashers in normal residential sizes, you have access to a number of appliances that can complete a load in much shorter times than the other available options. For example, Miele has a professional model that can clean dishes in 10 minutes.