If you're buying a new dishwasher, the three general rules are: compare, compare, and compare. Years ago, dishwashers were considered a commodity. Today, however, there is a great deal of variation in terms of price, capabilities, convenience, and special features.

Here are some tips for choosing the right dishwasher:

• If your kitchen is where family and guests congregate, or if it's an open kitchen that's part of a larger room, you'll probably want a dishwasher that's quiet. All modern dishwashers are quieter than they were a generation ago, but there's still considerable difference among models.
• If you usually run small loads, you might consider an in-sink dishwasher, which completes a cycle in about half the time of an ordinary model.
• If you're tired of hand-washing fine crystal and china, you can find models that will wash the most delicate pieces.
• Consider how the dishwasher will fit into the d?cor of your kitchen. Do you want a traditional-looking dishwasher, or the stainless steel look, or bright colors, or a dishwasher that can be paneled to match the rest of your kitchen cabinetry?
• All dishwashers display their rates of energy consumption (i.e., water, electricity). Get the most energy-efficient model you can find that will do what you need it to do.
• Some models have a "soil sensor" feature, which reduces the wash cycle (saving energy and water) if it senses that the dishes are clean.
• If you have a very small kitchen, consider a smaller portable model that can sit on your countertop.
• Don't buy too many options. If your needs are simple, and you run your dishwasher on the same program every time, don't spend your money on a multi-programmable model with all the bells and whistles. But if you need a lot of special features, get them--or you still may end up doing a lot of dishes by hand.