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The lower rack of a dishwasher is filled with four white plates Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Best Affordable Dishwashers of 2024

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The lower rack of a dishwasher is filled with four white plates Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

Learn more about our product testing
1
Editor's Choice Product image of Beko DUT25401X
Best Overall

Beko DUT25401X

4.5
Check Price at AJ Madison

The Beko DUT25401X is that it pairs an excellent, energy-efficient performance with an incredibly low price tag—a great value. Read More

Pros

  • Excellent performance
  • One of the highest-value dishwashers for its price

Cons

  • Hard-to-push control panel
2
Product image of Sharp SDW6757ES

Sharp SDW6757ES

4.3
Check Price at AJ Madison

The Sharp SDW6757ES is a powerful dishwasher for its current price. We love how smoothly its racks glide and how you can adjust the middle rack. Read More

Pros

  • Powerful Heavy Duty cycle
  • Third rack, adjustable middle rack
  • Racks slide smoothly

Cons

  • None that we could find
3
Product image of Maytag MDB4949SKZ

Maytag MDB4949SKZ

4.1
Check Price at Best Buy

The Maytag MDB4949SKZ is an average dishwasher with some helpful features, like sanitize rinse and heated dry. Read More

Pros

  • Auto and Normal cycles scrub out most stains
  • Gets dishes dry
  • Sanitizing rinse cycle

Cons

  • Cleaning performance is low compared to peers
  • Lacks customization
4
Product image of Samsung DW80R2031US

Samsung DW80R2031US

4.0
Check Price at Samsung

The Samsung DW80R2031US has an adjustable upper rack, steam/sanitize modes, and powerful cleaning, all for a price that won't break the bank. Read More

Pros

  • Cleans well
  • Adjustable upper rack with stemware holders

Cons

  • Has minor issues with redeposit
5
Product image of GE GDP645SYNFS

GE GDP645SYNFS

3.9
Check Price at Best Buy

If you don’t mind long cycle times, the affordable GE GDP645SYNFS dishwasher has to offer. Read More

Pros

  • Includes steam options and bottle jets
  • Offers Dry Boost setting
  • Top mounted control panel

Cons

  • Dry Boost leads to three hour cycle time
  • Best Overall Beko DUT25401X
  • Other Affordable Dishwashers We Tested
  • How We Tested Affordable Dishwashers
  • What You Should Know About Buying a Dishwasher:
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

A thrifty shopper knows there’s always a balance to be struck between cost and performance: The sweet spot in between is where you get the most value.

With a bigger budget, you can buy a dishwasher with all the bells and whistles, but having a smaller budget doesn't mean you have to put up with inferior stain removal. You can skip the high-end features and still find an affordable dishwasher that does a great job cleaning dishes.

Here at Reviewed, we care about consumers finding great value, which is why we brought top-rated budget dishwashers into our labs to find which ones are worth purchasing and which should be avoided.

After testing the best affordable dishwashers, we found that the Beko DUT25401X (available at AJ Madison) offers the most value for its price by a large margin. It gets dishes spotless, but it won't clean out your bank account.

Editor's Note: Appliances purchases are a large investment of both money and time. We’ve not only compiled lists of the best dishwashers to shop, but also the best places to buy in-stock appliances right now and the best times of year to buy appliances to take advantage of sales and new releases.

A spatula lays upside down on the side rack of a dishwasher
Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

The Beko DUT25401X dishwasher features convenient racks that flip down for larger kitchen utensils.

Best Overall
Beko DUT25401X
  • Dimensions: 33.9” x 23.6” x 22.4” (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 14 place settings
  • Noise level: 48 dBA
  • Energy Star certified: Yes

The Beko DUT25401X offers excellent, energy-efficient performance and an incredibly low price tag.

During testing of its stain removal abilities, the DUT25401X hit slightly above average on its Normal cycle and slightly below average on its Quick cycle. When it came to this dishwasher’s Heavy cycle, it had a near-perfect score. It also performed well in drying tests, with every plate and glass coming out bone dry during its Normal cycle.

The DUT25401X uses far less energy and water than average in the three cycles we tested. In fact, Energy Star gives it its official certification and rates it one of its Most Efficient 2022 models.

We love the upper rack of the Beko DUT25401X for its usability. It features different tines for multiple dishes and offers an angled height adjustment. There are also two height-adjustable shelves/wine racks and an attached mini third rack.

There were some things about the DUT25401X we didn’t like, though. While the control panel’s LED display is easy to read, the power buttons are poorly designed. Also, it takes effort to push to make desired cycle selections. Still, the DUT25401X offers top-tier performance at a budget price.

Read our full review of the Beko DUT25401X dishwasher

Pros

  • Excellent performance

  • One of the highest-value dishwashers for its price

Cons

  • Hard-to-push control panel

Buy now at AJ Madison

Other Affordable Dishwashers We Tested

Product image of Sharp SDW6757ES
Sharp SDW6757ES
  • Dimensions: 33.88" x 23.88" x 26.47" (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 14 place settings
  • Noise level: 45 dBA
  • Energy Star certified: No

If you're looking for a slightly higher-end experience with a mid-range price, the Sharp SDW6757ES is an excellent option.

The cleaning power is amazing on its Heavy Duty cycle, and its Normal and Quick Wash weren't bad either. We really the racks on this dishwasher, which slide super smoothly. In addition to a third rack, this dishwasher's middle rack is adjustable to accommodate bulkier items. We also love the interior light, which makes loading and unloading easier.

Read our full review of the Sharp SDW6757ES dishwasher

Pros

  • Powerful Heavy Duty cycle

  • Third rack, adjustable middle rack

  • Racks slide smoothly

Cons

  • None that we could find

$899.99 from AJ Madison
Product image of Maytag MDB4949SKZ
Maytag MDB4949SKZ
  • Dimensions: 33.63" x 23.88" x 24.5" (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 14 place settings
  • Noise level: 50 dBA
  • Energy Star certified: No

Though it originally debuted at $800, the Maytag MDB4949SKZ is now available for about $550, which is a much more appropriate price point for what it offers.

You won't be disappointed in this dishwasher's Auto cycle, which cleared away over 97% of our test stains.

Where this dishwasher stands out is its Heated Dry mode, which was able to get an entire load of dishes completely dry after a wash cycle. Many affordable dishwashers struggle in particular with completely drying dishes. This Maytag is one of the better affordable options for anyone who hates wet dishes.

Read our full review of the Maytag MDB4949SKZ dishwasher

Pros

  • Auto and Normal cycles scrub out most stains

  • Gets dishes dry

  • Sanitizing rinse cycle

Cons

  • Cleaning performance is low compared to peers

  • Lacks customization

$549.99 from Best Buy
Product image of Samsung DW80R2031US
Samsung DW80R2031US
  • Dimensions: 35.1" x 23.8" x 24.6" (H x W x D)
  • Capacity: 14 place settings
  • Noise level: 55 dBA
  • Energy Star certified: Yes

The Samsung DW80R2031US is an effective dishwasher that won’t hurt your wallet.

With the stemware holders in the upper rack, an automatic leak sensor, and a heated dry option, you’re getting some really useful features at an affordable price.

While both the Normal and Heavy cycles had relatively long cycle times (two-plus and three-plus hours, respectively), the DW80R2031US was able to easily remove difficult, baked-on stains.

The dishwasher itself is pretty basic, but if you don’t need a lot of extra bells and whistles, you’ll appreciate the cleaning power and functionality of the Samsung DW80R2031US.

Read our full review of the Samsung DW80R2031US dishwasher

Pros

  • Cleans well

  • Adjustable upper rack with stemware holders

Cons

  • Has minor issues with redeposit

$2,589.00 from Samsung
Product image of GE GDP645SYNFS
GE GDP645SYNFS
  • Dimensions: 23.75" x 34" x 24" (W x H x D)
  • Capacity: 16 place settings
  • Noise level: 48 dBA
  • Energy Star certified: Yes

Complete with a pocket handle and top-mounted control panel, the GE GDP645SYNFS dishwasher will net you some neat features without blowing holes in your budget. With steam options, a drying system consisting of a heating element and a fan, and bottle jets, this dishwasher is versatile enough to tackle most food stains.

The GDP645SYNFS did a great job of removing food soil, and with Dry Boost, all of our test dishes—whether they were ceramic or plastic—got 100% dry. However, Dry Boost is not a default setting, and without it, most of the dishes come out pretty wet. In our tests, when we added Dry Boost, it extended the Normal cycle time to about three hours.

If you don’t mind the long cycle times, though, you’ll appreciate all that the affordable GE GDP645SYNFS has to offer.

Read our full review of the GE GDP645SYNFS dishwasher

Pros

  • Includes steam options and bottle jets

  • Offers Dry Boost setting

  • Top mounted control panel

Cons

  • Dry Boost leads to three hour cycle time

$229.99 from Best Buy

How We Tested Affordable Dishwashers

The Testers

Hi there! As Reviewed's appliance testing team, we've spent many years putting major appliances through their paces. We use both a controlled lab environment with standardized testing and also use the product just like you would in your own home. All this means that we have a great sense for what appliances are bargains at their price points, and which appliances have really useful extra features.

The Tests

A person measures food stains on a white bowl with a measuring tape
Credit: Reviewed

At the end of each wash cycle, we determine how much stain has been removed from each dish. Ideally, each dish is 100% clean.

Whether testing high-end dishwashers or models that cost less than $500, we focus on three major things: performance, features, and usability.

Performance

When considering a dishwasher’s performance, we look at stain removal prowess, cycle time, drying abilities, and redeposit, the term for when water jets remove food particles from dishes only to have the bits get stuck on other dishes.

No one wants to spend hundreds of dollars on a dishwasher that can't get your dishes clean. That’s why we test each dishwasher on the three main cycles—normal, heavy, and quick wash. We loaded dishes stained with tough-to-remove food particles—milk, spinach, egg, oatmeal, meat, and more. After each cycle, we determine how much stain has been removed from the dishes.

Features and Usability

When assessing features and usability, we look at the various cycles, cycle options, and dishwasher specs and determine how useful they are and how easy they are to use.


What You Should Know About Buying a Dishwasher:

People on a budget shouldn’t have to settle for a “cheap dishwasher.” There are plenty of dishwashers that are both affordable and clean dishes well, but there are some other things to consider, as well.

Cost

The price of a dishwasher depends on a number of factors, including features and finish. When testing dishwashers at every price point, we consider value. Consumers can find a pretty powerful bang for their buck when shopping for affordable dishwashers. For instance, there are some budget-friendly dishwashers that clean dishes as well as models that cost twice or three times as much.

Features

With affordable dishwashers, you shouldn’t expect the same number of features that you would find in the high-end dishwashers. Still, models in the lower price bracket can still have some of the features that you would find in the best dishwashers on the market.

For instance, most of the affordable dishwashers that we tested had either stainless steel tubs or hybrid stainless steel, not the plastic ones you would expect from a more affordable model. Typically, dishwashers with stainless steel tubs dry dishes better and are quieter than models with plastic tubs.

Additionally, all of the dishwashers we tested are Energy-Star certified. For people who are interested in how much water and energy dishwashers use, be sure to check out the Energy Star rating for a dishwasher to give you an idea of what you can expect your utility bills to look like.

To meet Energy Star requirements, some manufacturers have eliminated dishwasher heating elements, which in turn can impact drying abilities, especially with plastic items like Tupperware. Instead, manufacturers use different ways to dry dishes.

Whether it's accomplished with rinse aid, a built-in heater, a built-in fan, or another method, people should be able to expect their dishes to be dry, as well as clean. That’s why we penalize dishwashers when dishes come out wet during our testing.

Finish and Design

Buying a budget dishwasher doesn’t mean that you have to totally sacrifice finish and design.

The dishwashers we tested came in a number of finishes, including stainless steel. While you should be able to find a dishwasher that matches your kitchen setup and your other appliances, be ready to pay more money for any finish more sophisticated than black, white, and stainless steel.

While some of the dishwashers that we reviewed had control panels on their fronts, others were more sleek in their design, opting for top controls instead.

Built-in dishwasher vs. countertop or portable dishwasher

People who can’t afford a full-size, built-in dishwasher may want to consider a countertop or portable model.

The best countertop dishwashers cost less and take up less space than full-size units, which are about 24 inches wide. Because they’re smaller, however, they don’t wash as many place settings at one time. Portable and countertop models also don’t require additional plumbing beyond access to your kitchen faucet.


Meet the testers

Mark Brezinski

Mark Brezinski

Senior Writer

@markbrezinski

Mark Brezinski works on the Home Team, reviewing refrigerators, minifridges, dishwashers, washing machines, dryers, air conditioners, air purifiers, and fans.

See all of Mark Brezinski's reviews
Jonathan Chan

Jonathan Chan

Senior Manager of Lab Operations

@Jonfromthelab1

Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.

See all of Jonathan Chan's reviews
Julia MacDougall

Julia MacDougall

Senior Scientist

@reviewed

Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.

See all of Julia MacDougall's reviews

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