Why Miele Put a Camera Inside Its Latest Dishwasher

It seems the public wants fewer cameras, not more, but that hasn’t stopped the large appliance industry. While a fridge or oven camera almost certainly presents less of a privacy risk than a Flock surveillance unit — hey, it’s right there in the name — one could argue they’ve gone overboard.

Sensors and lenses have crept into nearly every other kitchen machine, met with a range of consumer sentiment. Smart ovens and connected refrigerators aren’t new, but a camera-equipped dishwasher? When I heard that Miele snuck one inside its latest model, the Diamond G8 unveiled at IFA 2026 in Berlin, I was suspicious. After a rep walked me through the new machine’s novel smart features, the reasoning came somewhat into focus.

An AI-powered camera recognizes dish types to help pick a cycle

The small camera, fixed to the back of the dishwasher door, gets a clear shot of the dishwasher’s interior. It uses that view to take inventory of what’s inside, recognizing dozens of common kitchen items and tailoring the wash cycle and detergent volume accordingly.

Got portable bottles or reusable straws in the dedicated slots? The dishwasher’s brain recognizes them and makes sure those items get the spritz they need. Load it up with pots and pans, and the camera identifies them, triggering a more intensive cycle so everything comes out clean. A smaller load prompts a lighter cycle, so you’re not wasting hot water or soap.

The camera also determines how full the dishwasher is. Command the G8 to start when it reaches, say, 80% capacity, and it’ll monitor the load and automatically begin a cycle once it hits that threshold. 

One of my favorite features has nothing to do with the camera

The G8 Diamond takes advantage of fluctuations in electricity prices throughout the day. Tell it to run when electricity is cheapest, and the dishwasher waits for those lower-cost hours before starting its cycle. It’s a small detail, but it points to where Miele – and kitchen appliances more broadly – seem to be headed: machines that don’t just perform a task, but figure out the best and most efficient way to do it.

Miele’s newly unveiled machine has other AI-powered features that encourage efficiency and performance.  The G8 features careful water and energy monitoring, which you can track through Miele’s app. It also includes a smart detergent-dispensing system, first introduced by the brand in 2018, and a beefed-up hot-air drying system that Miele says gets dishes bone-dry every time.

Miele plans to roll out the Diamond G8 in the European market later this year as it considers a North American strategy, according to a spokesperson.

A retail price is still under wraps, but I expect it to land in the super-premium zone. For a top-performing dishwasher you can buy today, see our list of the best models in 2026.

Editors’ note: David Watsky’s travel costs for the IFA conference were covered by IFA. The judgments and opinions of CNET are our own.

David Watsky

Managing Editor / Home and Kitchen

David lives in Brooklyn where he’s spent more than a decade covering all things edible, including meal kit services, food subscriptions, kitchen tools and cooking tips.

David earned his BA from Northeastern and has toiled in nearly every aspect of the food business, including as a line cook in Rhode Island where he once made a steak sandwich for Lamar Odom.

Right now he’s likely somewhere stress-testing a blender or tinkering with a toaster. Anything with sesame is his all-time favorite food this week.

See full bio