A value shopper strives to find the right balance between price and performance. If you’re on the hunt for new kitchen appliances, a larger budget will certainly help you find a product with all the bells and whistles, but searching for a budget-friendly appliance doesn’t mean you have to settle for an inferior product.
More specifically, we wanted to highlight some of the best budget dishwashers available in-store and online at Don’s Appliances. If the stack of dirty dishes is getting the best of you, it is possible to find a dishwasher with superior cleaning power at a reasonable price, without having to forgo time- and energy-saving features.
Follow along as we explore cost-effective dishwashers, along with buying considerations and recommended products.
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What To Look For in a Budget Dishwasher
Cycle Options: If you’re spending hard-earned money on a new dishwasher, you want it to come equipped with the right cycles to effectively clean your dishes. If you have a large family or host holiday gatherings, you’ll benefit from a selection of customizable cycle options. Sanitize, steam, and delicate wash cycles will suit any type of cookware and help direct the location and temperature of the water.
You can find these features on affordable dishwasher brands such as Frigidaire and GE, but if you’re looking for an even more cost-effective washer, try an entry-level model with only the three main cycles: Normal, Heavy-Duty, and Quick Wash.
Drying Power: Certain dishwashers won’t dry your dishes completely, and if you wash a lot of plastic dishes, food containers, or sports bottles, you may be left to towel dry most of these dishes. To solve this problem, you can look for dishwashers with an Extra-Dry option or a heated dry setting. However, dishwashers that feature a heated drying option (versus just venting the hot air) are more expensive because this function can require additional hardware in the dishwasher itself.
Third Rack: If you mainly wash plates, utensils, and glasses, you may not need to spend the extra scrap on a dishwasher with this adjustable feature. But, if you require the additional loading space, a third rack will allow you to fit cutlery, ladles, spatulas, small bowls, utensils, and more, freeing up valuable space on the lower racks for larger items like pots, pans, and serving trays.
Energy Efficiency: Consider what you value more — the upfront cost of your dishwasher or your operating cost over time. The idea of using less water and energy may be appealing to those who are financially and environmentally conscious, so keep an eye out for the Energy Star rating on select dishwasher models. Your initial purchase price might be slightly more than a standard machine, but your energy use will be less year over year.
Noise: Dishwashers with a lower sound rating may also come with a slightly higher price tag, but generally speaking, all stainless-steel tubs are quieter than dishwashers with plastic tubs. So, if an ultra-quiet dishwasher with a 37 dBA sound rating isn’t in your budget, you can still invest in a stainless-steel washtub that won’t keep you awake during each wash cycle.
Control Panel and Finish: The exterior of your dishwasher can also determine how much you have to pay. Hidden controls will keep your appliance looking clean and prevent your kids from touching the buttons, while fingerprint-resistant finishes will prevent smudges and smears. However, panel-ready installation and sophisticated finishes will drive up the price of your dishwasher. If you aren’t looking for any frills, then stick with a simple white, black, or stainless-steel finish.
Best Budget Dishwashers in Pittsburgh
Whirlpool 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher in Monochromatic Stainless Steel (WDF520PADM)
When you’re looking for a reliable dishwasher at a reasonable price, Whirlpool is a brand you can trust. Clean all your family’s dishes with this Energy Star certified dishwasher that includes an in-door silverware basket to free up bottom rack space. The 1-Hour Wash Cycle on this dishwasher cleans plates, pans, and glasses fast, while Cycle Memory saves the last cycle you chose so it’s ready to run with your next cleaning.
Beyond that, the AccuSense soil sensor determines how dirty dishes are and adjusts the cycle as needed to make sure dishes come out clean, and the Triple Filtration System removes food particles and other soils, providing outstanding cleaning while using less water and energy.
Bosch 300 Series 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher (SHEM63W55N)
Bosch manufactures high-performing dishwashers to fit almost any budget. With this 24-inch model, you can take advantage of the flexible 3rd rack that holds silverware at just the right angle to clean perfectly and free up space in the bottom rack where silverware would otherwise be loaded. The rack’s V-shape also accommodates large utensils and ramekins in the center, while enabling the middle rack below to hold tall wine glasses on the sides. It’s an ingenious design that offers 30 percent more loading area compared to a Bosch dishwasher with just two racks.
RackMatic, an adjustable middle rack, is invented for flexibility and offers nine different rack positions. You can lower it to fit large plates or stemware above or raise the rack to fit tall pots below. And labeled the Quietest Dishwasher Brand in the U.S., Bosch dishwashers are known for their near-silent operation. This 300 Series model runs at just 44 dBA, which is the equivalent of a quiet library.
Samsung 24-Inch Built-In Dishwasher in Stainless Steel (DW80N3030US)
This Samsung 24-inch dishwasher with easy-to-use digital touch controls offers the flexibility of a 3rd rack to easily access and clean more utensils and culinary tools. The upper rack is height adjustable, so it can easily accommodate dishes of various shapes and sizes. The interior door is made from stainless steel making it more durable and hygienic than plastic.
Additional features include:
- Recessed handle
- 4 wash cycles including Heavy-Duty wash
- 51 dBA noise level
- 15 place setting capacity
- Digital Leak Sensor
- Energy Star certification and ADA compliant
GE 24-Inch Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher (GDT530PSPSS)
GE is known for making some of the most dependable, cost-effective appliances for decades. If you’re considering a new dishwasher, GE will drastically improve your experience in the kitchen. This 24-inch model loosens tough soils before the cycle begins, virtually eliminating the need for soaking or pre-rinsing dishes. Plus, a high-temperature rinse sanitizes and reduces 99.999 percent of bacteria found on dishes.
To ensure consistently clean items, the Piranha Hard Food Disposer rotates at 3,600 RPM to pulverize food particles and help prevent large particles from clogging the wash arms. A quick and efficient 1-Hour wash allows for a quality clean when you’re short on time, all while DryBoost gets hard-to-dry items up to three times drier than heated dry cycles
Maytag 24-Inch Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel Built-In Dishwasher (MDB4949SKZ)
With the power and precision of a Maytag dishwasher, you can skip the soaking and scrubbing thanks to Dual Power filtration, a dishwasher filtration system that disintegrates any food in its path. Maytag dishwashers with Heated Dry reduce excess moisture so dishes come out dry, while a full stainless-steel tub is tough enough to resist cracking and staining for years. Plus, as an Energy Star certified model, this dishwasher will help save money on utility bills.
The PowerBlast cycle scours away stubborn foods like egg yolk, peanut butter, and even dried-on oatmeal. High-pressure jets, increased water temperatures, and hot steam work together to clear food off dishes — so all you have to do is load them in. And while the cycle is running, the End-of-Cycle indicator lets you know exactly when the wash is finished and when the Steam Sanitize option is in use.
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Shop Budget Dishwashers at Don’s Appliances
When shopping for a new dishwasher, your budget is one of the most important things to consider. Establishing a price limit before you shop is the best way to narrow down your choices and find exactly what you need.
If you’re ready to upgrade your dishwasher and improve your cleaning efficiency, Don’s Appliances is your home for the best budget-friendly dishwashers in the area. With the largest selection of dishwashing appliances in the greater Pittsburgh region, we carry the brands you need to conquer the dirtiest of dishes.
Shop with us online, give us a call at your preferred store location, or visit one of the 10 Don’s Appliances destinations near you to find the dishwasher you’ve been searching for.