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You’re on a tight budget and your dishwasher just went kaput. What are you supposed to do? Well, thankfully, there are affordable options out there if you know where to look. We want to save you the hassle, so we compiled this guide to the best dishwashers under $500.

We know you have a lot on your plate. So instead of searching the internet high and low, you can do all of your research right here. We’ll tell you what’s hot, and why each entry is a solid investment. To get you started, let’s take a quick look at a couple of our top picks.

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The Frigidaire FFCD2418UB took the top spot as the best overall. This attractive unit is well-made, with a lightweight body and plenty of storage. It comes equipped with 5 was cycles for easy cleaning.

GE’s GSD2100VWW was close behind with the best dishwasher for the budget-minded. This affordable entry is easy to use thanks to its simplistic controls. It provides you with 12 place settings, making it a great choice for smaller families.

Top 10 Best Dishwashers under $500

Now let’s move on to the main reviews. Here, we’ll give you important details and specifications on each entry to help you better determine which one is right for you.


1. Frigidaire FFCD2418UB Review - Best Overall

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  • Attractive design
  • Easy to load
  • Affordable
  • Well-built
  • Occasionally noisy
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For less than $500, you can own one of the classiest dishwashers among our rankings. This sleek and stylish unit comes with 14 place settings. There’s plenty of room for loading, and cleaning is a breeze.

There are 5 wash cycles, and the control interface on the front of the dishwasher is very user-friendly. We had no trouble loading it up and setting wash modes.

It comes equipped with a handy self-cleaning filter, leaving you with less maintenance and upkeep. The sound level is about average, only getting loud on occasion.

We’re big fans of the stay-put door. This comes in quite handy when loading and unloading dishes. It works well and goes a long way in adding to the unit’s ease-of-use.

Features

  • Full-console controls
  • 36 x 25 x 24 inches
  • Built-in installation
  • 14-place capacity
  • 60 pounds

Ease of Use

You’ll love how easy this dishwasher is to operate. The controls on the face of the unit are clearly labeled and easy to read.


2. GE GSD2100VWW Review - Most Budget-Friendly

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  • Great for renters
  • Simple controls
  • Budget-friendly
  • Easy to install
  • Limited features
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This built-in dishwasher is a great buy for those who are on a tight budget. It sports a traditional white body that should fit nicely in any kitchen.

You get a total of 12 place settings, making this unit a good fit for single persons or smaller families.

Installation is very straightforward. You should have no trouble getting it up and running. It’s a little on the heavy side, but nothing 1 or 2 people can’t handle.

The controls are awfully limited, but effective nonetheless. If you’re a first-time renter or homeowner, this machine will make a great companion.

Features

  • 34 x 25.75 x 24 inches
  • Built-in front controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 12-place capacity
  • 90 pounds

Ease of Use

A simple dial system controls the settings and modes. If you’ve never used a dishwasher, this unit will be right up your alley.


3. GE GDF510PGMWW Review - Best Value

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  • Lockable controls
  • Good capacity
  • Easy to install
  • Sleek design
  • Limited features
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GE delivers a solid contender that is well-priced and easy to use. We like the simplified yet effective control interface. It’s not overly complicated and works surprisingly well.

You’re getting a traditional white theme with the GDF510PGMWW. It looks sleek and blends in well with other appliances.

Fourteen place settings are at your disposal, providing plenty of room for dishes, silverware, and cookware.

We appreciate the lightweight design that GE went with here. It goes a long way in making this dishwasher a cinch to install.

Features

  • 34 x 23.75 x 24 inches
  • Built-in front controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 14-place capacity
  • 58 pounds

Ease of Use

Installation is easy, and so is the operation of this unit. The controls are limited, but they work well and are effective in their use.


4. Avanti DW1831D0WE Review - Best for Apartments

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  • Perfect for apartments
  • Excellent cleaning
  • Easy to install
  • Lightweight
  • Small capacity
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This uniquely slim dishwasher is perfect for small apartment kitchens. It has a limited capacity and features, but it works well and is a walk in the park to use.

It has 8 place settings, making this a good buy for single renters. There’s nothing to fancy here, but it’s effective in its operation.

Even more impressive is its control panel. A streamlined user interface on the front of the unit is designed for simplicity and user-friendliness.

The basic white design goes well in just about any kitchen setting. Sure it’s not the classiest appliance out there. But the real draw is its excellent operation.

Features

  • 22.5 x 17.8 x 32.5 inches
  • Full-console controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 8-place capacity
  • 55 pounds

Ease of Use

Installation is straight and to the point. And when using the DW1831D0WE, you get 6 different wash cycles to work with for effortless operation.


5. Frigidaire FBD2400KS Review - Best Build-Quality

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  • Easy installation
  • Good capacity
  • Durable
  • Quiet
  • Only 2 wash cycles
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Looking for something with a bit more character? Frigidaire’s FBD2400KS sports a stainless steel body that stands out from the rest.

We appreciate the fine craftsmanship that went into this appliance. It’s a reliable unit that is sure to provide you with years of service.

It’s pretty limited in its controls and operation. But what it does, it does well. Dishes are clean, and washing them is a cinch.

You get 12 place settings, making it easy to get whole loads done at once. There are only 2 wash cycles, however. This limits how you can wash your dishes.

Features

  • 24 x 24 x 35 inches
  • Full-panel controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 12-place capacity
  • 68 pounds

Ease of Use

Although it is limited in its controls, this also makes it incredibly easy to operate. It is very quiet when in use, too. If you have a little one who naps throughout the day, this is a great choice.


6. GE GIDDS-118576 Review - Best Budget Runner-Up

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  • Quality construction
  • Attractive design
  • Easy installation
  • Great cleaning
  • Limited controls
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GE delivers a sleek black unit that looks absolutely stunning. It’s very similar to Frigidaire’s model from #5. It features simplistic controls that work well, albeit limiting its performance.

We love the high durability of this dishwasher. It’s built to last and feels solid and sturdy. If you’ve been burned by cheap appliances in the past, you will appreciate what GE brings to the table.

You get 12 place settings at the ready, making it easy to knock out whole loads at one time. Installation is effortless, too. If you have trouble with installing appliances, you’ll like how straightforward this model is.

You get 5 wash cycles that perform a 4-level cleaning. Each setting works well and gets dishes spotless.

Features

  • 27.25 x 24.5 x 35.4 inches
  • Dial/rocker controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 12-place capacity
  • 64 pounds

Ease of Use

While the wash cycles are effective, there’s not a whole lot more you can do with this unit. Its controls are rather basic, limiting you from customizable washing.


7. Hotpoint HDA2100HBB Review - Best for Beginners

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  • Quick installation
  • Easy to operate
  • Plenty of cycles
  • Good capacity
  • Limited options
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Hotpoint’s HDA2100HBB is a basic dishwasher that doesn’t offer anything you haven’t seen before. Its simplicity makes it pretty limited in what it can do for you. But this is what makes it such a good buy for beginners.

Those who aren’t familiar with dishwashers will appreciate the quaint features and functions. A single dial on the front of the unit controls your wash cycles.

You get 6 in all, with dishes getting plenty cleaned in the process. There’s nothing more you need to worry about when using this appliance. Just set it and forget about it.

There are 12 place settings provided, giving you enough room for smaller families. We were able to take care of all the dishes after a dinner with 4 people.

Features

  • Full-console controls
  • 36 x 28 x 26 inches
  • Built-in installation
  • 12-place capacity
  • 64 pounds

Ease of Use

This user-friendly unit is about as easy as it gets. The basic controls means less features to worry about. While this is a plus for beginners, experienced users will pine for more options.


8. SPT SD-9254W Review - Best Features

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  • Great interface
  • Easy to use
  • Lightweight
  • Heat mode
  • Small capacity
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As basic in design as this unit is, we were mighty impressed with the features it has on board. Not only will the SD-9254W wash your dishes clean as a whistle, it dries them, too.

If you’re often busy and don’t have time to mess with dishes, you’ll want to give this dishwasher some serious consideration.

It comes equipped with 6 washing cycles, from light glasses to heavy cookware. The full heating cycle works like a charm, ensuring there’s less work for you.

The downside here is that it’s limited on space. The 49-gallon capacity means you’ll be playing Tetris with your dishes more often than not.

Features

  • 17.6 x 22.6 x 32.4 inches
  • 4.9-gallon capacity
  • Full-panel controls
  • Built-in installation
  • 54 pounds

Ease of Use

Controls are streamlined and easy to understand. Each setting works really well. You’ll likely be spending more time loading this small dishwasher than you will using it.


9. HomeLabs Compact Review - Best Countertop Dishwasher

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  • Simple installation
  • Excellent quality
  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Limited capacity
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If you’re limited on space and in need of a little help with your dishes, this is the unit for you. HomeLabs delivers a solid entry that works surprisingly well.

You simply set it on your countertop and it’s your to command. You get 6 place settings in this compact appliance. We found it to be spacious for what it is.

We like the build-quality, too. Nothing feels cheap or flimsy. It’s a solid contender that is worthy of your attention.

We absolutely love the control interface that HomeLabs went with here. The buttons feel great and are very responsive.

Best of all, dishes are left clean and spotless. It’s an impressive unit that is sure to provide you with plenty of use.

Features

  • 21.6 x 19.6 x 17.2 inches
  • Countertop installation
  • Stainless steel interior
  • 6-place capacity
  • 44 pounds

Ease of Use

Installation is a cakewalk, as no tools are needed. You get quick-connect hoses that hook up instantly with your kitchen faucet.


10. SPT SD-9263W Review - Best Portable Dishwasher

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  • Excellent cleaning
  • A breeze to install
  • Lightweight
  • Versatile
  • Limited capacity
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Sometimes, you need a dishwasher that can be moved around. Perhaps you own a small shop that needs a way to wash your dishes. SPT’s SD-9263W is the perfect solution to your needs.

Its 8 place settings limit it on how many dishes can be loaded at one time. But it’s designed for quick use, so we can’t knock it too much.

There are casters mounted to the bottom that makes this machine a breeze to move around the jobsite or home. It’s perfect for bringing out only when you need it.

It sports a rapid-wash feature that cleans your dishes in just 90 minutes flat. And a stainless steel interior ensures you’re getting a unit that can withstand frequent use.

We really like the user interface on the SD-9263W, as well. It’s straight and to the point. We found each setting to work as intended, making this one a winner.

Features

  • 23.63 x 17.64 x 35.63 inches
  • Full-panel controls
  • 8-place capacity
  • 60 pounds
  • Portable

Ease of Use

Sure, it’s small. But it works really well and is very user-friendly. Even better, installation is made easy thanks to its highly-portable design.