5 Best Budget Dishwashers

Affordable doesn’t always mean cheap. If you’re on a tight budget but need to replace your dishwasher, you can opt to get an affordable unit that can handle all your dishwashing needs without breaking the bank.

Here at ApplianceGeeked, we’ve scoured the web for high-performing, budget-friendly dishwashers so you don’t have to. We’ve assessed and rated our top picks to make it easier for you to find the right match.

Here’s our roundup of the best budget dishwashers on the market.

How We Picked

• Cleaning Performance: One of the most important factors we looked for is strong cleaning performance. It can be attributed to a variety of factors, such as tub material, rack layout, wash programs, and filter quality. 

In assessing the dishwashers, we scrutinized such qualities and determined if they were capable of delivering consistent results. We also relied on reviews to gauge the satisfaction levels of users.

• Drying Performance: No matter their price, dishwashers have a common problem—drying. Thus, we carefully chose models capable of drying metal, ceramic, and glass items thoroughly.

We also gave bonus points to dishwashers that won’t deliver soaking-wet plastic containers.

• Features: Budget dishwashers usually have limited capabilities. To make sure you get the best bang for your buck, we rounded up the units that have useful easy-to-use features.

• Rack Flexibility: Versatility is a very important part of a dishwasher’s rack design. Without it, you will struggle to fit your dishes onto the racks—no matter how spacious they are.

We picked dishwashers with rack accessories that can easily be adjusted to fit a wide range of items.

• Noise Level: All dishwashers are rated for noise levels in decibels, which may range from 46 to 60 dBA. Budget dishwashers are usually louder than higher-priced models because they are often made of plastic tubs.

We carefully picked the dishwashers that won’t disturb the entire household or the neighbors. All of our picks don’t go over 55 dBA, which is a noticeable sound if you are close to the appliance.

• Reliability: To gauge the reliability of the dishwashers, we went over thousands of user reviews. We picked ones that had good warranties and strong track records.

Whirlpool WDF520PADM

Brand	Whirlpool
Model	WDF520PADM
Dimensions (HxWxD)	34 1/2” x 23 7/8” x 24 1/2”
Installation Type	Built-In
Place Settings	14 place settings
Noise Level	55 dBA
Number of Racks	2
Wash Programs	Normal, Heavy, 1 Hr Wash, Soak & Clean
Features	4-Hour Delay, Heated Dry, Hi Temp, Sani Rinse, Child Lock, Cycle Status Lights, Internal Water Filter, AccuSense Soil Sensor
Tub Material	Plastic
Warranty	1 year limited (Parts and Labor)

Our Overall Rating: 7.5/10

Whirlpool’s WDF520PADM is an affordable dishwasher with two spacious racks, a triple filtration system, a water filter, a water soil sensor, and an Energy Star certification. 

That’s what we love about this dishwasher—the variety of its features, all of which are very useful. 

We like that it has an internal water filter, which is an important feature to have if you reside in an area with hard water. It removes minerals and chemicals in the water before spraying it in your dishwasher. 

Since the tub is made out of plastic, it’s more likely to develop mold, bacteria, and foul smells because of mineral build-up. Softening the water can reduce the risk of build-ups, preventing damage to the tub and other components.

With a triple filtration system, this dishwasher can clean well without leaving any residue on the plates and water spots on the glasses. In terms of drying, it can dry glass better than plastic.

Even with two racks, it has 14 place settings because it has a cutlery basket attached to the door. The placement is convenient because it frees up space on the racks but the downside is that it can’t hold large serving spoons.

If you’re considering this dishwasher, you should keep Whirlpool’s stellar reliability record in mind. Over the years, it has consistently produced some of the best dishwashers on the market and earned strong ratings from its consumers.

As one of the most well-known brands out there, Whirlpool replacement parts and servicing should be readily available to you wherever you are in the world. The brand offers a 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor, which is pretty average.

Customer Reviews

“Dishwasher is Quiet though not silent 🙂 Cleans dishes well without leaving any water spots or residue. The only thing is Do Not to put any magnets on the front for they will leave marks if left on while running. As you can see in photo. Otherwise it has great cleaning power even on the 1-hour quick wash cycle!” – Bird, BestBuy

“This Whirlpool 24″ Tall Tub Built-in Dish Washer is a work horse. We have family of four and use this washer every other day. It holds a large quantity of dishes and washes them perfectly every time. This  Dishwasher is quiet and dries the dishes completely every time. I would recommend it highly.” – TheBadger, Best Buy

Bosch SHE3AEM2N

Brand	Bosch
Model	SHE3AEM2N
Dimensions (HxWxD)	33 7/8” x 23 9/16” x 22 9/16”
Installation Type	Built-In
Place Settings	14 place settings
Noise Level	50 dBA
Number of Racks	2
Wash Programs	Favorite, Normal, Speed60, Heavy
Features	PrecisionWash, 24/7 Overflow Protection System, PureDry, Quiet Operation, Home Connect
Tub Material	Stainless Steel with Polinox Base

Our Overall Rating: 7.7/10

Criteria	Score
Cleaning Performance	10/10
Drying Performance	5/10
Features	7/10
Rack Flexibility	8/10
Noise Level	9/10
Reliability	7/10

One of our favorite budget-friendly dishwashers is Bosch’s SHE3AEM2N. What we like the most about this model, other than its affordable price, is its strong cleaning performance. 

All four wash programs can deliver sparkling clean dishes every time. Even the Speed60 cycle, which Bosch recommends for freshly-soiled dishes, can remove the toughest stains in half the time of its default cycle. 

PureDry, a condensation drying technology, uses the residual heat from the cycle then uses it to whisk the moisture off the plates. We’re not as impressed with its drying performance because it struggles to fully dry the dishes, especially plastics.

On the other hand, we do think that it isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker. RinseAid can significantly improve the results, but you may have to settle with plastics that are a little damp.

However, if you have to wash, sanitize, and dry lots of baby-feeding items every day, it could be frustrating. You might be better off with a different budget dishwasher on our list.

We do like that it operates silently despite the plastic base of its tub, which is impressive for an affordable dishwasher. Even if you live in a small apartment, it won’t disturb you or your next-door neighbors.

Customer Reviews

“We got this dishwasher a month ago and have been very pleased. It is quiet and cleans well. The only reason I did not give 5 stars was the design of the lower rack. It is very difficult to place pots and pans. If there was one less row of plate spines on the front and left side of the lower rack, then cookware and larger items could be placed on their sides easily around the plates and smaller items.” – JoyB, Bosch

“I love Bosch dishwashers!! We are on our 2nd Bosch dishwasher and I cannot live without it! I did live without it while we experienced a kitchen demolition. And I washed dished by hand, which I do not mind, in our small bathroom sink. It got to be a long wait getting our demo complete in the kitchen. After 16 long months, we were reunited with a new Bosch dishwasher, and I am so happy. My husband and I now can reminisce about those difficult months during our renovation. One question I had for my husband before we finally moved into the new kitchen was “what do you miss most about our kitchen?”. His answer, one word, “dishwasher”. And that sums it up!” – Lala, Bosch

Comfee CDC22P1BBB

Brand	Comfee
Model	CDC22P1BBB
Dimensions (HxWxD)	17.2″ x 21.7” x 19.7”
Installation Type	Countertop
Place Settings	6 place settings
Noise Level	52 dBA
Number of Racks	1
Wash Programs	Heavy, Normal, Light, Baby Care, Glass, Speed, Rinse, and Function
Features	Child Safety Lock,
Tub Material	Stainless Steel

Our Overall Rating: 7.2/10

The Comfee CDC22P1BBB is a compact and portable countertop dishwasher, which can fit in college dorms or small apartments. It can also be a useful addition to motorhomes and RVs.

We added this countertop dishwasher to our list for three reasons: size, reliable cleaning ability, and ease of installation.

As a countertop dishwasher, it’s made to fit in the tiniest kitchens. Depending on your preferences and your space, you can have it installed on top of the counter or fitted in the cupboard.

The downside to having a mini dishwasher is that it doesn’t have a lot of space inside. Offering only 6 place settings, it can only accommodate a few dishes, plates, glasses, and cutlery.

Its interior is also not large enough to fit full-sized dinner plates and tall water bottles. Although it has a variety of rack accessories, it isn’t very flexible, which still limits what you can load inside.

On the other hand, it does clean pretty well. It can remove thick and sticky sauces without leaving any residue on the dishes.

However, it struggles to dry the dishes, especially plastic containers. You can use its Extra Dry program to extend the drying cycle and improve the results.

Another reason why we picked a countertop dishwasher is its hassle-free installation. It’s faster and easier if you connect this directly to a faucet using an adapter, but it’s inconvenient because you can’t use the sink until the dishwasher is done cleaning.

We still think the best way to connect it is through the supply line under the sink, similar to the built-in models.

Overall, we would recommend the Comffee CDC22P1BBB for small households with up to 3 members. Its compact size, affordable price, and cleaning ability are worth considering, especially if you have a limited budget and space.

Customer Reviews

“This thing is amazing! It has the power of a full-size dishwasher in a much smaller package. In 20 minutes it can wash an entire load of dishes without a problem, and they even include an adapter so it hooks straight up to your kitchen faucet.

In terms of efficiency, it’s great. It uses a few cups of water for an entire load of dishes, which would usually take gallons when washing by hand. We put it for 20 minutes as well so it doesn’t use up much electricity. If you put it for too long, it starts heating everything up which consumes more.

Overall, it saves us a lot of time and back pain. Just throw dishes in there, press a button and onto the next chore (sigh). Recommended 100%.” – A P, Amazon

“I ordered this one because the price was right at black friday, and it said it would fit 10″ plates. I hard plummed it and put it in a cabinet behind doors since I’m just renting I could not remove the cabinets to fit a regular-sized one. it works well for small stuff, but did not fit my 10″ square plates very well unless leaning at like 45 degrees which doesn’t really work with the design inside.” – BD, Amazon

GE GDF550PSRSS

Brand	General Electric
Model	GDF550PSRSS
Dimensions (HxWxD)	33” 3/8 x 23 ¾” x 24”
Installation Type	Built-In
Place Settings	14 place settings
Noise Level	52 dBA
Number of Racks	2
Wash Programs	Heavy, Normal, 1-Hour Wash, and Rinse
Features	AutoSense, Clean Sensor, Food Disposer, Water Leak Sensor, Control Lock, 1-12 Hr Delay, Sabbath Mode
Tub Material	Plastic

Our Overall Rating: 8.2/10

GE’s GDF550PSRSS dishwasher has earned a spot on our list because of its simple, user-friendly design, and affordable price. It has everything you need in a dishwasher—high wash performance, spacious racks, and efficient features.

What we like the most about the dishwasher is its Steam + Sanitization wash program. Instead of soaking the dishes for several minutes before popping them in the dishwasher, you can select this program to save time.

Steaming the dishes will loosen stubborn stains like dried-on oatmeal or burnt sugar from your pots and pans, making them easier to remove during the wash cycle. After, the dishwasher will sanitize your items to eliminate germs and bacteria.

In terms of drying, the results are a lot better if you use Rinse Aid. If you skip it, your dishes won’t dry completely, especially plastics.

You can choose the Dry Boost program to improve the results, but it takes at least two hours to finish. We think its plastic tub might have something to do with the lackluster drying performance.

Although we prefer stainless steel tubs over plastic ones because of their durability, we would still recommend the GDF550PSRSS because GE is a very reliable brand. 

GE is known for producing high-quality appliances at a fair price and we think this dishwasher is a great example of that.

Customer Reviews

“This dishwasher has everything I could want in heat, drying, and wash cycles. It does a great job on all my dishes and pots and pans. It also looks great in my kitchen!” – Ddenman, GE Appliances

“I give this dishwasher a grade of A+. It has A spacious interior with ample room for dishes, pots, and tall items. It is very quiet when it runs. What I like most about it is that my dishes are so clean that they actually gleam and my cookware is spotless. I wholeheartedly recommend this dishwasher to anyone who is looking for a machine with great features and reliable performance.” -Bobbie450, GE Appliances

Maytag MDB4949SKZ

Brand	Maytag
Model	MDB4949SKZ
Dimensions (HxWxD)	33.5” x 23.88” x 24.5”
Installation Type	Built-In
Place Settings	14
Noise Level	50 dBA
Number of Racks	2
Wash Programs	Auto, Normal, PowerBlast, Quick, and Rinse
Features	Dual Power Filtration, PowerBlast Cycle, Heated Dry, Leak Detect,
Tub Material	Stainless Steel

Our Overall Rating: 7.3/10

Affordable but durable, Maytag’s MDB4949SKZ is on our list because it’s made to last. It has a sturdy stainless steel tub, a reliable leak detection system, and a strong warranty.

We like that this dishwasher comes with a full stainless steel tub. By omitting the plastic base, which we see in a lot of budget dishwashers, this Maytag model can withstand the high heat that comes with constant usage, enabling it to last for many years.

The performance of the dishwasher is also better because of its construction. With a full stainless steel tub, it can retain heat better, allowing your dishes to dry thoroughly without increasing your energy consumption.

More importantly, the dishwasher cleans well thanks to its dual filtration system. Its PowerBlast cycle pairs intense heat with high-powered jets to get dirt off your dishes.

Although it’s very effective, it can take up to 4 hours to finish. Still, we would recommend it because the results are worth it.

Maytag is one of the most recommended brands for dishwashers for a good reason. Aside from manufacturing reliable, long-standing models, their dishwashers have a standard 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor.

The MDB4949SKZ is also covered by a 10-year limited parts warranty, specifically for its stainless steel tub, chopper blade, and racks.

Customer Reviews

“I had this dishwasher installed over a month ago and love it! The filtration system works like magic. I don’t scrape off the dishes, just load and wash. Everything come out sparkling clean and totally dry, even plastic. Baked on cheese, sticky rice, no problem. Highly recommend this dishwasher.” -McGI, Maytag

“The dishes are actually clean and dry at the end of a wash cycle. It almost seems like a dream. We also love how quiet our dishwasher is. This us our first Maytag which came highly recommended by friends after having so many problems with our previous non maytag dishwasher.” -Ktcottle, Maytag

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Here at ApplianceGeeked, we understand how important it is to find a good dishwasher that’s worth your hard-earned money. Our list of budget dishwashers should help you find a reliable unit that won’t break the bank.

If you don’t mind investing more for a smaller more accessible unit, we’ve rounded up the best single-drawer dishwashers(best single drawer dishwasher) in another guide. We also have a list of the best double-drawer dishwashers (best double drawer dishwashers) for a bigger option.