Budget Dishwashers

Cheaper dishwashers are noisier, have fewer features

Reviews reveal that consumers don't have to dole out big money for solid dishwasher performance. In fact, professional tests indicate that nearly all dishwashers that cost more than $500 -- and a few below this price point -- clean as well as their expensive counterparts.

The Kenmore 13742 (*Est. $525), for example, performs well in tests and is fairly quiet at 58 decibels (about as loud as the slightly more expensive Maytag MDB8959AWW), but it skips a stainless-steel tub. This Kenmore dishwasher is Energy Star-rated and includes a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor. It has an adjustable and removable upper rack, a self-cleaning filter, automatic temperature control, food disposer and a delay-wash option. The rotating spray jets eliminate the need for soaking or scrubbing very dirty dishes, and there's an extra-hot rinse feature. Other conveniences include adjustable tines and a large flatware basket. The Kenmore 13742 dishwasher is available in four colors: white, black, bisque and stainless steel (which costs an extra $100). However, we found quite a few complaints from owners reporting that this dishwasher simply does not get dishes very clean. Some owners have also had problems with parts failing or breaking. User reviews are more mixed at ConsumerReports.org than they are at Sears.com, where comments are mostly positive.

Interestingly, we found better user reviews for a less expensive Kenmore dishwasher, the Kenmore SmartWash 13892 (*Est. $425). Altogether there are about 100 user reviews for this model posted to Sears.com (about 30 reviews for the white version of this dishwasher, and another 60 or so for other colors), and a high average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. This white dishwasher, (which also comes in black and stainless steel for $100 more) looks nicer than a lot of inexpensive dishwashers, with hidden controls that allow for a seamless look.

The Kenmore SmartWash 13892 dishwasher meets Energy Star criteria and has a heated drying cycle, a self-cleaning filter, a food disposer, fold-down tines and a sanitary rinse cycle. The wash tub is plastic, and there's no gentle cycle for china or delicate glassware. Owners posting reviews at Sears.com say it is quiet enough, and does a good job getting dishes clean. This model isn't included in the latest round of comparison tests at Consumer Reports. We did read a few isolated reports of early breakdowns for this dishwasher, and a few owners say it doesn't dry that well.

Experts say many inexpensive dishwashers are so-called builder's grade models that you'll sometimes see advertised for less than $200. These units spray water from the bottom only and do not get dishes as clean as regular dishwashers do. They also tend to be noisier, because they aren't as well insulated. Contractors and landlords seem to like the Whirlpool DU850SWPQ (*Est. $320), because it's an improvement over builder's grade dishwashers, with three wash levels instead of one. Although it doesn't get the best scores for washing ability, it is Energy Star-rated and easy to load. Dirtier dishes may need a pre-rinse before loading in the dishwasher, something that's no longer necessary on even slightly more expensive models. However, if you plan on light duty and don't plan on washing heavily soiled pots and pans, the Whirlpool is a good no-frills choice. It includes a one-year limited warranty on parts and labor.

Portable dishwashers

If you're not replacing an existing built-in dishwasher or planning a new kitchen, a portable dishwasher might be a worthwhile choice. These units connect to the kitchen tap for their water supply -- an adapter is usually required -- and roll out of the way when not in use. Dirty water drains out through a second hose. Portable dishwashers are not generally designed for the high end of the market, and don't expect all the bells and whistles. However, consumers should look for the same marks of quality found in a built-in dishwasher.

There are several portable dishwashers on the market, ranging from very small countertop units to larger models that are almost as large as built-in dishwashers. None of these is included in professional tests, but some have a substantial number of owner reviews. The most popular models -- including the Danby DDW1805W -- were discontinued recently. No portable dishwasher stands out. Historically, Danby made the highest-rated portable dishwashers, but current Danby portable dishwashers have few reviews so far.