7 Best Dishwashers Under $500 — Plus 2 More That Made a Splash

Getting dishes clean in a dishwasher is no luxury: It's actually more eco-friendly than washing dishes by hand. Even budget-priced dishwashers are loaded with features. And almost every model, regardless of price, dispenses with the grime. How quietly they run, how well they're designed, and how durable they prove is another matter. Cheapism.com sifted through scores of user and expert reviews to find the best dishwashers for $500 or less. Although all are targets of some grousing about drying and occasional lapses in performance, for the price they deliver solid value and, in some cases, some pretty sleek designs. Most are available in white, black, and stainless steel (the latter finish usually costs a bit more) and boast hidden controls for a clean look that blends seamlessly into any kitchen. We also identified a pricier dishwasher that's super-quiet and another that opens like a drawer.

Editor's Note: Listed prices were accurate as of mid-October 2017, but dishwasher prices tend to fluctuate from one week to the next, sometimes by more than $100. Special discounts sweeten many of these deals.

Good Dishwasher Under $500 for Smaller Loads
Price: $399 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:

- Three wash arms; triple filtration system to help remove food particles.
- Heated-dry and sanitizing options.
- Integrated top controls add sleekness and give this budget model a more "expensive" look.

Cons:

- Oversize mugs don't fit in the top rack.
- Holds smaller loads than the competition.
- A bit louder than the competition.
- Filter must be manually cleaned.

Takeaway: A good basic dishwasher, the Amana ADB1500AD comes with all the necessary features and delivers on performance. This model is best suited for smaller households, although the tall tub design partially compensates for the smaller size.(maximum 12 full place settings).

Good Dishwasher Under $500 for Larger Loads
Price: $398 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:

- Three wash arms plus silverware jets.
- Customizable racks; the silverware basket sits in the rack or on the door.
- Very quiet at 51 dBA.
- Steam pre-wash; hard-food disposer.
- Heated-dry, sanitizing, and half-load options.

Cons:

- No short or quick wash.
- Soap dispenser stops opening, some users report.
- Some grousing about durability.

Takeaway: The GE GDT545PGJ cleans well, reviewers say. Practical features, plus a large load capacity (up to 16 full place settings) are worth a few extra points. Still, some reviewers who have replaced older GE models with this one say the quality has slipped a bit.

Good Feature-Rich Dishwasher Under $500
Price: $398 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:

- Proprietary spray arm disburses water widely.
- Adjustable upper rack; fold-down tines on both racks.
- Hard-food disposer.
- Heated dry option; super-fast 34-minute cycle.
- In addition to the standard white, black, and stainless steel options, a black stainless exterior adds flair (and some extra cost).

Cons:

- Durability problems with the motherboard, miscellaneous parts, and leaks, some reviewers report.

Takeaway: A wide variety of wash cycles, including china/crystal and rinse only, and adjustable racks are welcome features on the Frigidaire Gallery FGID2466Q. Users are satisfied with the results, but the need for service calls dims some of the enthusiasm.

Best Front-Control Dishwasher Under $500
Price: $448 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:

- Stainless steel tub; three spray arms.
- Very quiet at 50 dBA.
- Adjustable top rack and tines; removable plate support in bottom rack.
- Two-piece silverware basket.
- Leak sensor; hard-food disposer.
- Half-load and sanitizing options.

Cons:

- Tines for glassware are too short, some users say.
- Tall plates can block the soap dispenser, according to some owners.

Takeaway: Lots of loading flexibility endears the Samsung DW80J3020U to users, and thorough cleaning seals the deal. This model also offers other appreciated features, including a hard-food chopper and a half-load option.

Best Top-Control Dishwasher Under $500
Price: $399 | Buy it from Home Depot

Pros:

- Very quiet at 51 dBA.
- Adjustable upper rack with folding tines.
- Special spray directed at the silverware basket.
- Three wash arms.
- Heated-dry and sanitizing options.

Cons:

- Minor griping by users about ineffective drying.
- Filter must be cleaned by hand.
- Some reports about limited durability.

Takeaway: The flexible design of the Whirlpool WDT720PAD is its main selling point. Users wax on about the adjustable upper rack and the option of placing the silverware basket in the door or bottom rack. For the price, this model is feature-rich and quiet.

Best Dishwasher Under $500 Overall
Price: $495 | Buy it from Best Buy

Pros:

- Stainless steel tub; tiered upper rack.
- Three wash arms.
- Very quiet at 50 dBA.
- High-temperature/high-pressure wash cycle, heated/high-temperature dry, and sanitizing option.
- Full-length silverware basket.
- 10-year limited warranty on parts.

Cons:

- Rack tines don't adjust.
- Several reports about problems with electronic controls.

Takeaway: The Maytag MDB4949SD boasts many features found in mid-range dishwashers despite its budget price tag. There's no need for pre-rinsing with this machine, users crow, and dishes come out spanking clean.

Best Portable Dishwasher Under $500
Price: $475 | Buy it on Amazon

Pros:

- Adjustable upper rack.
- Stainless steel tub.
- Quieter than some standard dishwashers at 55 dBA.
- Cycles equivalent to a full-size dishwasher.

Cons:

- Sink attachment may leak without some fiddling around, users report.
- No heated dry.

Takeaway: No cabinet space for a built-in unit? The SPT SD-9241 is a neat solution. This 18-inch model wheels around, holds up to eight place settings, and is as effective and energy-efficient as the best standard-size dishwashers.

Worth a Little Extra: Super-Quiet Dishwasher
Price: $540 | Buy it from Best Buy

Pros:

- Extremely quiet at 46 dBA.
- Stainless steel tub; three wash arms.
- Adjustable racks and tines; cup and utensil shelves; versatile silverware basket.
- Sanitizing and half-load options.
- Sprinkler for extra-tall items.
- Overflow protection system.

Cons:

- Tines on the lower rack are too close together for thick plates, some users report.
- Doesn't dry as well as expected.

Takeaway: This particular model may sit at the lower end of the Bosch lineup, but the Ascenta SHX5AV5 is as quiet and energy-efficient as they come. Experts commend the washing ability, as do consumers, who note that it removes even caked-on food.

Bonus: Drawer Dishwasher
Price: $749 | Buy it from Lowe's

Pros:

- Compact size designed for half-load washes.
- Easy to open and close.
- Fold-down tines; adjustable rack for cups and wine glasses; flexible silverware basket.
- Super-quiet at 44 dBA.
- Boasts a whopping 15 wash programs, including eco, rinse, delicate, and sanitizing options.
- ADA compliant.

Cons:

- Larger detergent tablets might not dissolve completely.
- Some durability issues after a few years, reviewers report.

Takeaway: Drawer dishwashers may be the next hot trend. Space-efficient and ADA compliant, the Fisher & Paykel DD24SCT is a worthy example of innovative designs that also are practical and get the job done with ease.