If you are here, you have finally decided to be done with your kitchen sink to wash dirty dishes and get yourself a dishwasher. If you are like most people, you hate washing dishes. It takes most of our time and effort. While a dishwasher would not eliminate the need to use the sink, it would ensure that sink's use is kept to a minimum.
The problem with dishwashers is that they can get a little expensive. It can be a little hard to find the best affordable dishwasher. However, we have scoured the internet and brought you a list of the best dishwashers for under $400.
Now that you have decided to buy a dishwasher, you need to know what you are looking for. Buying the best dishwasher may get a little complicated. There are numerous brand names, features, and utilities that you need to consider. As with any electrical appliance, a lot of thought and consideration goes into buying the perfect dishwasher. So, we will first guide you on how to buy a dishwasher.
We have selected our top five picks for the best dishwasher under $400 based on overall value for money. We have ensured that we pick dishwashers that offer the most bang for the buck and are of good quality. You can find the review of these products later in the article but first, let us look at the dishwasher buying guide.
Dishwasher Buying Guide
Types of Dishwasher
The first thing that you should ask yourself is what type of dishwasher you need. You can find dishwashers in a variety of sizes and styles. Most dishwashers fall under the following types: countertop, slimline, freestanding, and integrated.
Countertop Dishwasher
Countertop dishwashers are placed on the kitchen counter. These dishwashers are generally the most budget-friendly option out there. Their installation is also easier than the other type of dishwashers. However, they have limited capacity. So you might end up running dishwasher cycles three to four times to get all the dishes done.
Integrated Dishwasher
Integrated dishwashers are built-in within the kitchen and designed to match the kitchen decor. Generally, a built-in dishwasher has the highest capacity and looks good. However, they are costly to purchase and install. Installing them might also mean that you may need to modify your kitchen.
Free-Standing Dishwasher
Like any other appliance, freestanding dishwashers can be placed on the kitchen floor. They generally have a large capacity and are easier to install. However, these dishwashers are more expensive as compared to countertop models.
Slimline Dishwashers
Those who are short on space may prefer slimline dishwashers. These can be integrated or freestanding. These dishwashers have more capacity per the space they occupy. Slime-line dishwashers are generally more expensive as compared to others.
Capacity
When you decide on the type of dishwasher you want to buy, you also determine its capacity to some extent. Yet, the same category of dishwashers can have different capacities. If you have a large family that often eats together, look for a dishwasher that fits more dishes in a single cycle. You can also consider dishwashers with flexible racks to accommodate different cutleries.
Cycles
Under the $400 budget, you can find dishwashers with at least three dishwashing cycles. However, you can even find six cycles in some of the dishwashers. The standard is four cycles; if the number of programs is not important to you, stick to the basics. Most budget dishwashers that offer fancy features compromise on the overall quality and build of the product. The most important program setting you should be looking for is rinse and speed. This program saves utility bills by letting you clean various load configurations and providing rinse aid.
Drying Performance
Dishwashers that have a heated fan-assisted drying option give the best drying performance. However, these dishwashers are a little hard to come by under the $400 range. If you are on a tight budget, you should be looking for boosted ventilation drying option. It is found in mid to low-range dishwashers and is very effective. You can also do good with simple circulation drying, which takes a little more time to dry but does its job well.
Background Noise
The background noise made by dishwashers varies greatly. Some dishwashers have uneven background noise, which is sometimes loud and sometimes soft. You would want to look for a comparatively quieter dishwasher with consistent background noise. It will help you spend your time in the kitchen in peace. These dishwashers are a little expensive but can be found under the $400 range.
Materials
Being on a tight budget does not mean that you would have to compromise on quality. Most dishwashers within the $400 range are primarily made up of stainless steel material. These dishwashers will also feature stainless steel tubs and cutlery baskets. Yet, you may have to make some compromises here and there. Just ensure that these compromises are not the major ones and do not affect the longevity of the dishwasher.
Efficiency
All good dishwashers are efficient and help you reduce your electricity bills. Wherever possible, you should look for Energy Star-compliant dishwashers. These are the most efficient dishwashers. It also helps to check the energy consumption rate of the dishwasher, which is measured in Kilowatt-hours (kWh). The lower this unit, the more efficient the dishwasher is.
How We Chose Our Top Picks
The best value dishwashers under the $400 range were all countertops. So, we began by selecting all countertop models under the $400 range. Next, we narrowed down products based on their value for money. We only chose the ones that gave the best bang for your buck. At the high end of this budget, we looked for the best quality dishwashers with the most features. At the lowest end, we looked for dishwashers that nailed the basics.
Finally, we narrowed down our list based on customer reviews. We selected the ones with the best ratings and overall customer experience. We were left with five dishwashers that we have reviewed below.
1. COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher
Why We Like It
If your budget is just under $350, the Comfee countertop dishwasher is the best dishwasher you can get. This dishwasher does not require any installation. It has a 5 L built-in water tank, and you can add water to it manually. However, if you wish, you can attach it to a water faucet to make it more convenient to operate.
While this dishwasher occupies only a little space, it can wash more than 30- 10" items in a single cycle. This capacity is impressive, given that it is a countertop model. This dishwasher is ideal for apartments and Rv.
The dishwasher features three drying modes. The best among them is the Air refresh that dries all the items quickly. It also features a Rapid Fruit Wash function that thoroughly washes fruits within seconds.
One of the best things about this dishwasher is that it is perfect at what it does. It removes stuck-on food particles with the help of its upwards and downward stream that reaches every corner of the dishwasher.
This dishwasher uses only 1/3rd of the water used while hand washing dishes. This ability makes it eco-friendly as it saves an enormous amount of water. The dishwasher comes with a see-through panel so that you can look at your dishes while they are cleaning. It also features an LED display that provides all the vital information you need to know.
The dishwasher comes with stainless steel tub interior. It is made with superior-quality materials and will last you for several years. It is a good budget portable dishwasher that gives you the best cleaning and drying experience.
What You Should Know
Some customers complain that this dishwasher starts making a whirring sound after some use. This seems to be a manufacturing fault, but the dishwasher keeps working fine. It is a good dishwasher for your money if you can deal with the sound.
2. Farberware Countertop Dishwasher
Why We Like It
Farberware countertop dishwasher is the best dishwasher under $400. Before anything else, we would like to comment on how great it looks. It has a sleek and beautiful design. The lid has a large opening handle that looks great. It has a glass front window and an LED display which gives all the vital information you need to know about your dishwasher.
It is easy to install this dishwasher. It comes with a quick installation assembly and a guide that is easy to follow. If you follow the directions properly, installing will take less than 30 minutes.
The dishwasher comes with six cleaning programs. Some dishwashers that cost a lot more than this one do not have this many cleaning programs. The dishwasher also comes with a heat-assisted drying feature named Extra-Drying Function. This function uses heat to dry dishes after rinsing them.
One of the best features of this dishwasher is self-cleaning. This feature cleans the dishwasher itself and ensures that your dishwasher is free from any bacterial buildup. The dryer also features a child lock that allows you to lock its button.
This dishwasher comes with a stainless steel cutlery basket. The interior is of stainless steel. So, you get the best quality dishwasher within a budget.
What You Should Know
This dishwasher comes with a six-plate setting. This is normal for compact dishwashers, but it is not the best. If you have a large family that often eats together, this might not be your best choice. You might run this dishwasher several times to clean all your dishes. If this is something that you do not mind, this dishwasher is the best you can get under $400.
3. SPT SD-2213W Energy Star Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Why We Like It
No list of affordable dishwashers is complete without the SPT dishwasher. It is perfect for small apartments, RVs, and office kitchens. It is one of the most compact dishwashers on this list. It has a height of 17.2", which means that it can easily fit between most countertops and cabinets. We are amazed that it can fit up to six plates at a time.
The dishwasher has a quick connect feature that lets you quickly attach it to the sink tap. It does not require any installation, so you can get it started almost as soon as you unbox it. One of the best things about this dishwasher is that it features seven wash cycles. Some dishwashers that cost a lot more than this do not come with this many settings. One of the best things about this dishwasher is its delayed start setting. This setting lets you set the dishwasher up and opt for it to start after either two, four, six, or eight hours. It also features a water supply warning indicator which indicates when the faucet is off.
This dishwasher is Energy star certified, which means that it gives you effective cleaning without bumping up your electricity bills. This feature is one of the reasons why this dishwasher is so popular.
What You Should Know
This is a compact dishwasher, so we do not mind its six-place setting. What we do mind is that it is unable to fit standard-size plates. You would have to tilt standard plates to fit in this dishwasher. This compromises its efficiency and makes it a little hard to use. We would only recommend this dishwasher to a small family. This dishwasher might not be for you if you have a large family.
4. SPT SD-2224DS Energy Star Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Why We Like It
If you liked the previous SPT Energy star compact countertop dishwasher but felt that six wash cycles were insufficient, you will love the SPT SD-2224DS. It is identical to the SD-2213 with only a few exceptions. The first is that it comes with seven washing cycles. These cycles are heavy, normal, light, mini party, rinse, speed, and soak. It is also slightly taller than its brother but accommodates the same plate settings. However, the taller size means that all your plates can fit easily without tilting them.
It features a quick connection and lets you connect the dishwasher to a faucet instantly. It comes with all the accessories you will need to connect with a faucet and get it up and running. The faucet adapter connects with all standard-sized aerator openings. This dishwasher comes with the same delayed start setting you saw in the previous dishwasher. It is a good dishwasher for those who have compact space and want the best for their buck.
What You Should Know
The faucet adapter may not be the perfect fit for your faucet. Although it comes in a standard size, some faucets will not fit perfectly with the adapter. If this happens, the water might leak, and the dishwasher will end up using a lot of water. Before purchasing this dishwasher, ensure that the faucet adapter and your faucet are compatible.
5. RCA RDW3208 Countertop Dishwasher
Why We Like It
The RCA RDW3208 countertop dishwasher is one of the best affordable dishwashers. It removes food stains effortlessly and makes cleaning dishes feel like a breeze. It features a recessed handle for easy opening and a sleek look. One of the best things about this dishwasher is that it is one of the quietest electronic appliances you will come across. It also has a low water consumption as it only consumes 3.43 gallons of water during a normal cycle.
It is a budget dishwasher, but that does not mean its quality is compromised. It has a stainless steel interior that does not catch stains easily. The dishwasher has a good build quality and
will last you for several years. It is also one of the most compact dishwashers. However, it has a 6-place setting which is good considering its overall size.
This dishwasher comes in an overall white finish. We like the way it looks, as it feels a lot more premium than it is. This dishwasher has an overall height of 17.24", which means that it can fit between most countertops and cabinets. This dishwasher has a 600-volt heating element which is a pleasant surprise considering that it costs less than $250.
It is very easy to install this dishwasher. All you need to do is to connect it to the faucet using the connector assembly it comes with. If you follow the guidelines properly, you can get it connected and running within minutes after unboxing. The dishwasher also features an LED display showing all the vital information you need.
What You Should Know
The dishwasher does not have a see-through window. Given its price, this does not seem like a major disadvantage. However, f you are a fan of see-through windows, this dishwasher might not be the best choice for you. In that case, you would have to increase your budget and spend more dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions about Dishwashers under $400
We've answered the most frequently asked questions about dishwashers under $400 to answer any questions you may have before making a purchase.
What is the most common problem with a dishwasher?
The most common problem with a dishwasher is that it doesn't clean the dishes. This can be caused by several factors, including:
- A dirty dishwasher filter.
- A dishwasher that isn't loaded correctly.
- Dishwashing detergent that hasn't been diluted properly.
- Water pressure that's too low.
- A dishwasher that's not cleaned regularly.
Is it worth fixing a dishwasher?
Yes, it is worth fixing a dishwasher. A dishwasher can be a very helpful appliance in the kitchen, and it is typically not too difficult to fix when something goes wrong with it. In most cases, the problem can be solved by checking and cleaning the dishwasher's filters or by replacing a broken part.
If you can fix the dishwasher yourself, it can save you a lot of money on repairs. However, if you are not comfortable fixing the dishwasher yourself or if the problem is too complex for you to fix, then it is best to call a professional repairman. By repairing the dishwasher yourself, you can usually get the machine working like new again and avoid having to spend money on
What is the average cost of installing a dishwasher?
The average cost to install a dishwasher ranges from $150 to $550, depending on the complexity of the installation. For example, if your dishwasher needs to be connected to the water supply and the drainage pipe, the installation cost will be higher than if your dishwasher simply needs to be plugged into an outlet.
If you're considering installing a dishwasher yourself, read the manufacturer's instructions carefully. Many dishwashers come with detailed installation instructions that include step-by-step photos or diagrams. If you're uncomfortable installing a dishwasher yourself, hiring a professional installer is best.
What features should I look for when buying a dishwasher?
When looking to buy a dishwasher, there are a few features you should look for. The most important factor is the size of the dishwasher. You want to make sure that it can fit all of your dishes. Another important factor is the type of dishwasher. There are two main types: standard and compact. A standard dishwasher is larger and has more features than a compact dishwasher. The final factor to consider is the price. Dishwashers range in price from around $200 to $1,000.
What is the average lifespan of a dishwasher?
The average lifespan of a dishwasher is about 8-10 years. However, the more often it is used, its lifespan will be shorter.
Do countertop dishwashers clean dishes well?
Most countertop dishwashers clean dishes well. They have a small footprint and are easy to use, making them ideal for small kitchens. Some models even come with a built-in water heater, which means you can wash dishes even when there's no hot water available.
What Option of Dishwashers Under $400 Is Best For You?
We hope that this article has given you some clarity and helped you narrow down your decision. When it comes down to it, all of the dishwashers we presented can be great options - it just comes down to personal preference.
Thanks for reading!
Here is the list of items reviewed:
1. COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher
2. Farberware Countertop Dishwasher
3. SPT SD-2213W Energy Star Compact Countertop Dishwasher
