Buying the best budget dishwashers can be a difficult task because there are too many models to choose from. However, by listing out the most important criteria to consider, you can save time and make the right decision. Today, we want to show you what a good budget dishwasher should be like.
Here are the best budget dishwashers you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall (Countertop Dishwashers): Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA
- Best For Apartment Dwellers (Countertop Dishwashers): Danby DDW621WDB
- Best For Single (Countertop Dishwashers): hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
- Best Overall (Built-In Dishwashers): Frigidaire FFCD2418US
- Energy-Efficient (Built-In Dishwashers): SD-9254W: Energy Star 18″
- Ultra-Quiet (Built-In Dishwashers): GE GSD2100VWW
| 6 Best Budget Dishwashers | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA
| |
Best For Apartment Dwellers | Danby DDW621WDB
| |
Best For Single | hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
| |
Best Overall | Frigidaire FFCD2418US
| |
Energy-Efficient | SD-9254W: Energy Star 18″
| |
Ultra-Quiet | GE GSD2100VWW
| |
Best Overall (Countertop Dishwashers): Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA
- Spacious and easy to load/unload - a six-place setting capacity, a cutlery basket, and folding-down rack shelves
- Controllable and easy to use - 7 washing programs, an extra-drying function, and LED digital control
- Safe – child lock function
- Versatile – work well on powder, liquid, and pod detergents
- The cord is short
For those families of two and their house has a moderately large kitchen, this option is a perfect solution for your dirty cookware.
It gives you a six-place setting capacity that can hold nicely dishes up to 10” D, besides, there is a cutlery basket and folding-down rack shelves for easy loading.
You’ve got 7 washing programs to choose from along with an extra-drying function which adds heat to the final rinse for drying result enhancement. We’re glad that at this incredibly low price, it still offers an easy-to-use LED digital control and child lock.
Plus, it is able to work well with all kinds of dishwashing detergents, from pods to liquid and powder.
Note: The extra-drying function doesn’t work on the self-clean and the speed 45 min program.
| Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches |
No of Place Settings | 6 |
Noise Level | 62db |
Highlight Features | a six-place setting capacity, a cutlery basket, and folding-down rack shelves 7 washing programs, an extra-drying function, and LED digital control child lock function work well on powder, liquid, and pod detergents |
If you’re in need of a multifunctional, durable, and affordable dishwasher, Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA is the best-overall candidate.
Best For Apartment Dwellers (Countertop Dishwashers): Danby DDW621WDB
- Ultra-quiet to not disturb your neighbors or other family members – noise level of 52 decibels
- Energy-saving - electricity consumption of only 203 KWh/year
- Hands-free capacity – timer
- Fit any apartment kitchen décor – elegant all-white design
- The little pictures don't describe what the cycles are very well
- The program indicator area is difficult to figure out
This option has a same-same measurement plus 6-place settings as the Farberware above but as it creates lower noise (only 52 dB), we find it to be suitable for small apartment dwellers.
It’s also an energy-saving unit, featuring electricity consumption of only 203 KWh/year.
The elegant all-white design makes it versatile enough to fit any kitchen décor.
Making it stand out from other counterparts at the same price point is its timer, with four options – 2, 4, 6, and 8 hours. It comes in handy for busy people. Just place dirty cookware in the machine then set it and leave it.
| Danby DDW621WDB Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21.65” W x 19.69” D x 17.24” H |
No of Place Settings | 6 |
Noise Level | 52db |
Capacity | 3.09 gallons |
Highlight Features | noise level of 52 decibels electricity consumption of only 203 KWh/year timer function elegant all-white design |
If you’re finding a suitable dishwasher for apartment dwellers, this is it.
Best For Single (Countertop Dishwashers): hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
- Water- and energy-saving – Energy Star certified
- Compact and easy to install - measured by 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches & no tools required for assembly
- Convenient to use - a delay button light, basic control panel, and detergent indicator light
- No heater
- Unable to clean stubborn stains
The hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher is the best bet for those who live alone and need something that helps you with dish-cleaning chores in the most water- and energy-saving way.
It is also compact and space-saving, measured by 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches but offering up to 6 standard places setting capacity. It has a delay button light, which is convenient if you want to add some extra dirty cookware into the running machine.
The control panel is quite basic, which is perfect for low-tech people or beginners. It even has an indicator light that will shine bright whenever the rinse aid dispenser runs out.
Installation isn’t a big matter with this thanks to its simple construction, straightforward instructions, and all needed tools are already included in the package.
| hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches |
No of Place Settings | 6 |
Capacity | 3.1 gallons |
Highlight Features | Energy Star certified measured by 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches & no tools required for assembly a delay button light, basic control panel, and detergent indicator light |
Designed for singles, the hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher is easy to assemble, use, and control.
Best Overall (Built-In Dishwashers): Frigidaire FFCD2418US
- Able to clean off the stubbornest food stains - multiple cleaning options, including a heavy wash
- Eliminate wasted food particles efficiently when cleaning - filtration system
- Reliable and energy-saving - NSF and Energy Star certified
- Light rubbery smell in dishwasher
Out of many candidates, Frigidaire FFCD2418US appears to be the most satisfying performer.
It can clean off the stubbornest food stains on your cookware while eliminating wasted food particles efficiently when cleaning. That’s a big thank you to the handy filtration system and the multiple cleaning options, including a heavy wash.
The capacity of this budget dishwasher is 14-place settings and it has a stay-put door for easy loading/unloading.
Use it with peace in mind because the machine is NSF and Energy Star certified. The noise level is also low, around 55 decibels. Ah, it has a 4-hour delay.
| Frigidaire FFCD2418US Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 36 x 25 x 24 inches |
No of Place Settings | 14 |
Noise Level | 55 dBA |
Capacity | 14 Place Settings |
Highlight Features | multiple cleaning options, including a heavy wash filtration system NSF and Energy Star certified |
Quiet, spacious, and giving the most thorough cleaning performance, Frigidaire FFCD2418US is the best overall built-in dishwasher in our list for 2020.
Energy-Efficient (Built-In Dishwashers): SD-9254W: Energy Star 18″
- Energy-efficient and reliable - Energy Star certified & annual energy consumption of 234 KWh/year
- Functional - a 4-9-gallon capacity and 6 washing programs along with a heating function
- Not aesthetic
SD-9254W features the most modest measurement out of the three and is Energy Star certified so it’s obviously the most energy-efficient in this category.
For your information, its annual energy consumption is 234 KWh/year.
Despite its petite design, the machine is still functional, offering a 4-9-gallon capacity and 6 washing programs along with a heating function.
| SD-9254W: Energy Star 18″ Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 17.6 x 22.6 x 32.4 inches |
No of Place Settings | 6 |
Noise Level | 52 dB |
Capacity | 4.9 Gallons |
Highlight Features | Energy Star certified annual energy consumption of 234 KWh/year a 4-9-gallon capacity and 6 washing programs along with a heating function backed by a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor. |
Searching for the most energy-efficient yet functional built-in dishwasher without flattening your wallet, try this.
Ultra-Quiet (Built-In Dishwashers): GE GSD2100VWW
- Spacious - 12-place setting capacity
- Quiet – noise level of 64 decibels
- The manual control knob always works
- The lid does not open completely
- Cycles take a long time to complete
Compared among dishwashers with 12-place setting capacity at this price point, we find GE GSD2100VWW to be the quietest.
Measured by 34 H x 24 W x 25 3/4 D and elegant all-white design, it fits any corner in your kitchen and matches perfectly almost décor styles. Knob control and a clear description of each function setting make it ideal for low-tech people.
The cleaning performance is impressive. No wasted food particles or stains left on the dishware after cleaning.
| GE GSD2100VWW Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 34 H x 24 W x 25 3/4 D |
No of Place Settings | 12 |
Noise Level | 64 dBA |
Capacity | 12-place setting capacity |
Highlight Features | 12-place setting capacity noise level of 64 decibels manual control knob |
If you’re looking for an ultra-quiet dishwasher at a budget-friendly price tag, we highly recommend this option.
How To Choose The Best Budget Dishwasher?
Washing and drying performance
This is the most important factor to consider when you shop for a dishwasher. You should check if a dishwasher has enough wash cycles and options for all soiling types and levels.
It’s best to go with a quick wash cycle and Sensor Wash that lets you adjust the wash duration based on the number of dishes and soil levels. You should also choose a dishwasher that has spray arrangements and quality nozzles for the best quality care.
The drying performance is as important as washing performance. The most effective drying method that you should opt for is condensation drying. It cools down the walls around the dishes to remove the moisture from them.
Quietness
A modern dishwasher features longer wash cycles, meaning it takes longer to wash dishes, so it’s crucial that you aren’t annoyed by its operation.
The noise level of a dishwasher is from 38 dB to over 60 dB.
Keep in mind that a noise level lower than 50 dB is good, and the best is below 45 dB. You shouldn’t go with a dishwasher whose noise level is higher than this range.
Dishwasher Tub material
A dishwasher tub can be made from stainless or plastic. Stainless tubs are much more hygienic than plastic ones and they are non-porous. If you choose a plastic tub, you will have to clean it regularly to avoid odors.
Which Brands Make The Best Budget Dishwasher?
Farberware
Since 1900, this brand has done a good job of making kitchen tasks easier. Its products are trusted for their value, dependability, and convenience.
Danby
This brand takes pride in every design it created for products. With 65 years of experience in the industry, it offers innovative dishwashers that fit your space and offer great features.
hOmeLabs
This is another well-known brand for household appliances, including dishwashers. Here, you will find great products made with a customer-centered mind to meets all your needs.
Frigidaire
No matter what product you want, you will find it here. This brand not only offers a wide range of appliances but its products are aimed to fit your home and lifestyle.
GE
If you’re into smart home solutions, this is your go-to brand. Its products offer a range of features to clean your dishes and you can control them through an accompanying app for convenience.
FAQs
Does the dishwasher’s price matter?
In some way, the price matters, because more costly dishwashers tend to offer more and better features than cheap ones. For example, an expensive dishwasher has a sanitize feature that heats the water to high temperatures to kill germs on your dishes.
Are expensive dishwashers better?
Not necessarily, some costly dishwashers clean dishes better than cheap ones, but not always. However, it’s safe to say that expensive dishwashers offer more features.
What is the average life expectancy of a dishwasher?
A dishwasher has an average lifespan of 6 to 10 years.
Is it worth repairing a 10 year old dishwasher?
No, we wouldn’t recommend that. A 10-year-old dishwasher should be replaced.
Are old dishwashers better than new ones?
This depends on your preference. Older dishwashers tend to last longer and tolerate more before losing its performance. On the other hand, newer models are more energy-efficient.
Conclusion
We hope that this detailed guide on choosing the best budget dishwashers has helped you figured out what to look for in a good, affordable appliance. Keep in mind that despite a low price, the cleaning and drying performance must be considered very carefully.
