A dishwasher is a truly invaluable appliance in any modern household, and a tall tub dishwasher brings even more cleaning capacity to the same space. Having a tall tub makes it much easier to effectively load your dishwasher and get every corner of your dishes clean with improved spray arm configurations, among other benefits. What is a tall tub dishwasher, then, and why should you purchase one for your home? Read on for an explanation of what constitutes a tall tub dishwasher, its perks, and an assortment of top models from the experts at Appliances Connection.
What Is a Tall Tub Dishwasher?
A tall tub dishwasher is a unit which is designed to maximize interior space while maintaining standard external dimensions. Typically, they are 35 in. tall: the same as a standard unit. This means you won't have to do an extensive kitchen remodel to install one. Be aware that you may need slightly more clearance in front of the door than with a standard dishwasher, though: the door is slightly taller, and therefore it will need more room to open.
Design Perks
Tall tub dishwashers come with a huge variety of features. While many of these are available with standard tubs, the extra working space that you get with a tall tub lets manufacturers really play around with what is possible.
While a third rack for cutlery isn't always common in standard dishwashers, tall tub dishwashers nearly always provide them. This prevents your silverware from nesting and sticking together during wash cycles, and it allows you to place larger, more unwieldy pots and pans on the bottom rack. This improvement in interior customization carries over to the little details. Many tall tub dishwashers have extra-wide tines, which makes placement of bulky items a breeze. Look out for units that let you fold half of these tines over, further improving the possibilities.
With the increased interior space you get with a tall tub, you can expect to find a greater selection of spray arm configurations. Having a larger tub means needing to increase water coverage, after all. Keep an eye out for Beko's CornerIntense™ spray arms that swivel around multiple points, maximizing the flow of water. Some tall tub dishwashers come with bottle jets or similar features as well, allowing you to wash items of any shape.
Because the motors of tall tub dishwashers tend to be compact, they tend to be quieter than their standard counterparts as well.
Our Expert Picks
If you’d like a tall tub dishwasher of your own but are not sure where to start looking, here’s a couple of top models handpicked by the experts at Appliances Connection!
Top Rated Tall Tub Dishwasher - Bertazzoni DW24XT
This 24-in. built-in dishwasher comes with six wash cycles and room for up to 16 place settings. It offers quiet,45 dBA operation for your convenience, along with a flexible top cutlery drawer and an adjustable third rack that allows you to arrange things however is most useful.
This dishwasher includes a number of handy features and the latest in technology, including fully integrated controls and a delay-start feature that allows you to set the unit to start at whatever time works best for you. It also comes with a hard food disposer, Quick Wash cycle, and a soil sensor for maximized cleaning.
Quietest Tall Tub Dishwasher - JennAir JDPSS246LL
This 24-in. built-in unit from the RISE series offers six wash cycles and space for up to 15 place settings. Its 38-dBA operation is the lowest in the industry, allowing you to enjoy exceptionally quiet operation.
As a TriFecta™ dishwasher, this unit offers three-stage filtration, pressurized wash arms, and alternating wash action in two wash zones for truly impressive results every time. In addition, its condensation drying system dries your dishes in record time. You can also take advantage of the delay start feature, which allows you to set the dishwasher to begin washing at whatever time you deem convenient.
Finally, another standout feature on this Energy Star-rated unit is its enhanced cinematic interior lighting, which clearly illuminates the stainless steel tub.
Best Panel Ready Dishwasher - Blomberg DWT51600FBI
This 24-in. panel-ready dishwasher accommodates up to 14 place settings and offers six different wash programs for your convenience. Its top electronic touch controls are simple to use, and its quiet, 48 dBA operation makes running the unit a pleasure.
The advanced technology on this dishwasher includes its half-load function, which allows you to wash only the upper or lower basket when needed, and its all-in-1 tablet function, which maximizes efficiency when using detergent packets or tablets. The unit is also ENERGY STAR rated, thanks to the multiple ways in which it conserves energy and water.
Largest Capacity Tall Tub Dishwasher - Asko DBI675IXXLS
This 24-in. built-in pocket handle dishwasher from the 50 Series offers room for up to 17 place settings, along with 11 different wash cycles. Its 40 dBA noise level makes for quiet operation, and its ENERGY STAR certification promises lower utility bills for you.
You can count on this unit's AquaLevel sensor to keep just the right amount of water in the machine based on the cycle you've chosen, and its Aqua Safe™ technology helps prevent leaks. In addition, the dishwasher's 8Steel™ construction offers great durability, thanks to its emphasis on steel over plastic. What's more, the Kid Safe™ feature allows you to lock the buttons on the control panel to prevent interference by small hands.
Best Smart Tall Tub Dishwasher - GE Profile PDT755SYRFS
This 24-in. smart built-in dishwasher holds up to 16 place settings and comes with five wash cycles. Its 42 dBA noise level makes for quiet operation, and its Wi-Fi integration allows you to operate it from anywhere using the SmartHQ app.
This unit's Microban™ antimicrobial technology maximizes sanitation at high-use touch points, and its UltraFresh system helps prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria. Cleaning is also enhanced through 40 deep clean silverware jets, which blast your silverware basket from the bottom for the best cleaning available, and four bottle wash jets help you clean your taller items as well.
Finally, you can enjoy Dry Boost™ with Fan Assist to get your dishes up to three times drier than with traditional heated dry cycles.
Best Tall Tub Dishwasher with Hard Food Disposer - Frigidaire FFID2426TS
One of our favorite tall tub dishwashers is this one from Frigidaire. In addition to fitting 14 place settings into a standard-sized cutout, it uses DishSense™ technology to automatically adjust the cycle time based on the soil level of your dishes. Frigidaire has also added an OrbitClean® spray arm wash system to this dishwasher, increasing the appliance's cleaning coverage. If you hate scraping dishes clean before loading them in for a cycle, you’ll be happy to know this unit includes a stainless steel food disposer which pulverizes food particles so they don’t clog the wash arms.
Best ENERGY STAR® Dishwasher - Bosch SHEM3AY55N
Another tall tub dishwasher option is this German-engineered model from Bosch's 100 Series. It's extremely customizable: not only does it have a utility rack for oddly shaped items, but its removable silverware basket can be placed anywhere inside the cavity. No matter how you arrange your items, the PrecisionWash® system continuously monitors your dishes with intelligent sensors so every item is targeted as needed. It also comes with a 24/7 Overflow Protection System® that pumps excess water from the tub even when the dishwasher isn't actively running.
Related Questions
How long should a dishwasher last?
In general, a dishwasher should last about 10 years. You can extend the life of your appliance by keeping it clean and well-maintained.
Are tall tub dishwashers hard to install?
Because they don't have a kick plate, tall tub dishwashers can be more difficult to install, maintain, and repair than standard units. However, the additional space and features provided by the tall tub may make this investment well worth it for you.
Are all dishwashers the same height?
Standard dishwashers have a height of 35 in. tall. This includes tall tub dishwasher types. Before you install a new dishwasher, you will want to get exact measurements of the cavity to ensure that your new unit will fit, however.