These Consumer Reports-tested models skimp on price but not on performance
Cheap dishwashers may have only very basic features, but they can still perform impressively well.
By Liam McCabe and Molly Bradley
It’s always smart to be cost-conscious when you’re buying a major appliance like a dishwasher, but these days there’s particularly strong incentive to choose cheap. With inflation rates still high, it’s hard to justify spending a lot on any given appliance when everything else you need is more expensive, too.
For dishwashers, inflation means some of CR’s top-rated machines have moved out of reach if you’re looking to spend $500 or less — but there are still a number of strong options. Dishwashers at this price tend to come with only basic features and usually have plastic tubs, which don’t resist stains as well as stainless steel tubs. Consumer Reports’ tests have also found that these dishwashers are relatively noisy.
But if you’re just looking for a machine that gets dishes clean, “you can still find a dishwasher that might be right for you,” says Larry Ciufo, who oversees CR’s dishwasher tests. We found five that cost $500 or less and that wash and dry quite well, and some even have a few extra features that you’d typically only find on more expensive models.
How Consumer Reports Tests Dishwashers
We purchase all the dishwashers we test. These include lower-priced dishwashers (like those in this article) and expensive ones (such as those from Miele, Thermador, and Viking), plus many in between. This breadth of price enables us to track whether the priciest dishwashers are, in fact, the best dishwashers.
We spend 28 hours evaluating each dishwasher in our lab. Our testers load each model with 10 place settings of white ceramic dishes with baked-on food, then run it on the normal cycle or its equivalent. When the cycle is complete, we use a photo-imaging machine to determine precisely how clean each dish is.
We also test how well each machine dries plastic. (Plastic is more difficult to dry than metal, glass, and ceramic materials because it cools faster and doesn’t allow water to evaporate as easily.) We record cycle time and energy and water use. And we judge noise levels.
To learn more about what you should consider when shopping for a dishwasher, take a look at our dishwasher buying guide. There, we discuss what you can reasonably expect from dishwashers in different price categories, whether it’s under $500, between $500 and $1,000, or more than $1,000.
Below, CR members can read on for ratings and reviews of the best dishwashers that still usually cost less than $500. Those with a little more wiggle room might consider additional models in our comprehensive dishwasher ratings chart. It includes more than 120 rigorously tested models from 20 brands, and you can filter them according to features that meet your needs.
5 Best Dishwashers for $500 or Less
These dishwashers are the least expensive models that still perform reasonably well in our lab tests. They’re slim on features and far from quiet, but some have strong points that may suit your needs.
Midea MDT24H3AST
CR’s take: This Midea model proved to be a strong dishwasher in our lab tests, successfully cleaning a full load of heavily soiled dishes in a normal wash cycle, though it wasn’t quite as good at drying plastic as other dishwashers. But this machine has excellent energy efficiency, and it also scored respectably for noise, which is rarer to find in dishwashers in this price range. Plus, features like its third rack, stainless steel interior, and hidden controls give it a higher-end feel.
Ikea LAGAN [80462167]
CR’s take: While it doesn’t have a soil sensor, Ikea’s Lagan dishwasher is a capable machine when it comes to washing dishes, and it’s particularly good at drying plastic, so you won’t be unloading dripping dishes. It also earned a stellar score in our energy-efficiency tests. It’s fairly noisy, though, and its cycle is a little longer than most at 160 minutes. It’s a solid option if you don’t need any bells or whistles and if you don’t live too far from an Ikea location.
Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW
CR’s take: This dishwasher from Hotpoint (manufactured by GE) is as basic as it gets, and its particularly low price reflects that. Despite a lack of features—plastic interior, fixed racks, no soil sensor or display to show you time remaining on a cycle—its washing performance is quite good, and its cycle is shorter than the others on this list at 135 minutes. It’s an especially noisy machine, though, which could be bothersome if any bedrooms are near the kitchen in your home. But if you’re on a tight budget, its low price and good energy efficiency are hard to beat.
Frigidaire FFCD2413US
CR’s take: This Frigidaire model showed strong performance in both our washing and drying tests, and it also has very good energy efficiency. That said, it is fairly noisy, and it’s worth noting that the brand’s owner satisfaction rating, based on our member surveys, leaves a lot to be desired. While it’s a pretty basic model in many ways—plastic interior, no soil sensor or adjustable racks—it does have a delayed-start option and a self-cleaning filter, which is unusual for a dishwasher this cheap, and it offers three cycle options, too. You can also choose from three exterior finishes.
Hisense HUI6220XCUS
CR’s take: This Hisense dishwasher washed very well in our tests, and it dried decently. Where it really excels is in its energy efficiency, and features like its adjustable upper rack and its stainless steel interior make it a particularly strong contender among dishwashers in this price range. Its noisiness is a drawback, though, and its cycle runs long at 170 minutes. But with a soil sensor, a delayed-start option, and hidden controls, this basic dishwasher may feel a little more luxe than it is.
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