Best budget dishwashers 2024: efficient cleaning under £500
Looking for a dishwasher that won’t break the bank? We’ve rounded up the best budget dishwashers as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Apr 2, 2024
After a hectic family dinner, tackling a sink full of dirty cups, plates and cutlery is unlikely to be high up on your wishlist. For many of us, however, the perceived high investment of buying the best dishwasher is enough to keep us washing the dishes by hand.
If you’re sick of spending your evenings standing at the kitchen sink, you’ll be pleased to know that these days, it is entirely possible to find dishwashers at a budget-friendly price. While you’re unlikely to get premium brands such as Miele for under £500, many leading brands offer entry-level appliances that offer excellent value for money. Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of them include many of the features found on more expensive appliances, such as flexible shelving, quick wash cycles and floor light indicators to show when the dishwasher is in use.
To help you choose the best cheap dishwasher for your home, we’ve tapped into the tried-and-tested reviews of Mumsnet users, gathering their feedback on budget-priced freestanding and integrated dishwasher brands that they’ve used in their own homes and would happily recommend to others. Through combining this research with analysis of wider consumer feedback on retailer sites and the views of consumer champions, we’re confident we’ve found the best budget dishwashers to suit every kitchen - providing fast and efficient cleaning without the eye-watering price tag.
Looking for more Mumsnetter-approved ways to spruce up your kitchen? See our guides to the best glass cleaner and oven cleaner.
30-minute quick cycle
Good range of programmes including eco cycle
Adjustable basket heights
Floor light indicator to show when it is turned on
No residual heat drying features
Some reviewers found the fitting instructions hard to follow
Unable to see how long is left on the cycle during use
Price on writing: £369 | Dimensions: H81.8 x W59.8 x D55.0 cm | Energy rating: D | Type: Fully integrated | Capacity: 14 place settings | No of programmes: Six | Warranty: Two years
When it comes to value for money, Beko kitchen appliances are highly regarded amongst Mumsnet users and the Beko BDIN16430 dishwasher is no exception. Despite its affordable price tag, this feature-rich dishwasher doesn’t scrimp on functionality, with a spacious design and a range of six time and energy-saving programmes that can suit even the busiest of lifestyles.
A fully integrated design, it may take a little patience during installation, however, this flexible dishwasher can accommodate up to 14 place settings, making it ideal for larger families. The shelves can easily be tailored to the contents, with three different height settings to help fit larger pots, pans, and plates.
We love the half-load function which uses less energy and water consumption when the shelves are a little more sparse. There’s also a handy LED spot that shines onto the floor mid-cycle, serving as a visual reminder when your dishwasher is in use.
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Indesit D2FHK26UK Freestanding Start Delay Dishwasher
Intuitive and simple to use
Delay start timer
30-minute quick wash
Height-adjustable top basket
Impressive performance for a basic model
Relatively quiet
Not the most energy efficient
Drying performance could be better
Price on writing: £289 | Dimensions: H85 x W60 x D59cm | Energy rating: E | Type: Freestanding | Capacity: 14 place settings | No of programmes: Six | Warranty: One year
With a bargain price of less than £300, this Indesit freestanding dishwasher makes a really affordable addition to your kitchen.
Intuitive to use, reviewers praised this dishwasher for its choice of easy-to-operate programmes, including an automatic Push and Go cycle and a 30-minute quick wash that’ll have your plates and cutlery clean and ready to use again in next to no time.
While it’s not the most energy-efficient dishwasher on our list, it offers impressive performance, with reviewers praising its ability to remove even dried-on food debris without the need to pre-rinse. Thanks to the adjustable shelving and flexible interior, you can also easily accommodate larger items without sacrificing space for your plates, cups and cutlery.
We also love the time delay function, allowing you to conveniently set the dishwasher cycles around your schedule.
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Bosch Series 4 SMV4HTX27G Fully Integrated Dishwasher
InfoLight indicates when the dishwasher is switched on
Syncs to the Home Connect app
VarioDrawer to maximise space
Height adjustable baskets
Extra dry programme
60-minute quick wash
Smaller number of place settings than some
Energy efficiency could be better
Price on writing: £469 | Dimensions: H87.5 x W60 x D55cm | Energy rating: E | Type: Fully integrated | Capacity: 12 place settings | No of programmes: Six | Warranty: Two years
Bosch dishwashers come highly rated by both Mumsnet users and online reviewers, praised for their quality construction, high performance and reliability. Despite being one of their cheaper models (with a smaller capacity than some), this Bosch Series 4 integrated dishwasher has many of the impressive features you’d expect to find in a more costly model.
With 12 place settings, it’s better suited to small households, but with flexible loading and height adjustable racks, it can easily be adjusted to accommodate taller stemmed glasses and larger dinner plates. As well as the traditional cutlery basket, the Vario Drawer at the top also helps maximise space, and it's large enough to house a range of cutlery and smaller utensils, freeing up space on the shelves below.
There are six programmes to choose from on the Bosch Series 4 SMV4HTX27G, including a convenient 60-minute quick wash, an extra dry cycle and even a silence programme, which has ultra-low running volumes for the days when you’re working from home. We love the info light that projects onto the floor during use, while a glance at the Home Connect app on your phone can confirm how long is left on the cycle.
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30-minute quick wash
Benefits of an integrated design but with visible controls
Height adjustable baskets
Dries efficiently with heat created during the wash
Eco programme to save water and energy
Not the most energy-efficient choice
No time remaining indicator
Price on writing: £399 | Dimensions: H82 x W59.8 x D55.5cm | Energy rating: F | Type: Semi-integrated | Capacity: 13 place settings | No of programmes: Five | Warranty: One year
If you love the overall aesthetic of an integrated dishwasher but struggle with the non-visible controls, this semi-integrated Hotpoint dishwasher offers the best of both worlds, coordinating with your kitchen while providing easy access to set up and start your wash cycles.
With 13 place settings and height-adjustable baskets, it makes a practical choice for medium-sized households. Whilst it’s not the most energy-efficient dishwasher overall, we love the eco cycle, which saves water and energy by running at low pressure over a longer period.
When you’re a little more pressed for time, the quick wash programme takes just 30 minutes, using heat generated during the cycle to ensure the contents come out clean, dry and ready for your next meal without needing time on your dish rack.
Beko Pro DIS16R10 Slimline Fully Integrated Dishwasher
30-minute quick wash
Flexible upper basket and folding plate supports
Accommodates up to 10 place settings
Low running volume
Adjustable prongs and shelf height
Slimline less suited to larger families
Installation instructions could be improved
Price on writing: £329 | Dimensions: H81.8 x W44.8 x D55 cm | Energy rating: E | Type: Slimline fully integrated dishwasher | Capacity: 10 place settings | No of programmes: Six | Warranty: Two years
If you’re a small household or have a bijou kitchen that may struggle to accommodate a full-sized appliance, a slimline dishwasher can be a great solution. Offering excellent value for money, you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit in this compact model thanks to its adjustable prongs and shelf heights that can accommodate up to 10 place settings, including large or irregular shaped dishes.
While it’s not the easiest dishwasher to install (with reviewers stating the instructions could be clearer) Mumsnet users rate Beko dishwashers for their affordability, reliability and cleaning performance. We love the quick programme on the Beko DIS16R10, helping you tidy up from dinner at impressive speeds, while the intelligent auto programme automatically adjusts the settings depending on how dirty your dishes are.
Just like its full-sized equivalent, the Beko DIS16R10 uses residual heat to leave your dishes dry and ready to use, so they won’t even need a wipe with your favourite tea towel.
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Beko HygieneShield™ BDEN38640FG Standard Dishwasher
Quiet running volume (44dB)
Large capacity
Good efficiency rating
Hygiene Intense programme that removes 99% of bacteria
45-minute quick wash
Aqua Intense spray arm performs well on stubborn, dried-on food
More expensive than other Beko dishwashers
Price on writing: £429 | Dimensions: H85.0 x W59.8 x D60 cm | Energy rating: C | Type: Freestanding | Capacity: 16 place settings | No of programmes: Eight | Warranty: One year, plus 10 year manufacturer motor warranty
When it comes to energy efficiency and water consumption, not all dishwashers are created equal. While it will set you back a little more than other high-performing Beko dishwashers, the Beko HygieneShield™ BDEN38640FG Dishwasher comes with an impressive C energy rating and a range of time and energy-saving programmes.
While the eco programme is the most efficient to run, we also love the 45-minute quick wash programme for when you’re short on time, and the Hygiene Intense programme, which kills up to 99% of bacteria. Thanks to the extra Aqua Intense spray arm, this Beko can even tackle even stubborn, dried-on food without the need to pre-rinse - saving you time, energy and water in the process.
What features to look for in the best budget dishwasher
Buying a cheap dishwasher doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on features and functionality. Here are some factors you may want to consider when choosing an affordable appliance:
Space maximisation: Regardless of the number of place settings, making the most of the available space is key to ensuring effective performance. Not all dishwashers have flexible loading options, with the best affordable dishwashers offering height-adjustable shelves, moveable racks or space-saving drawers to help you maximise and tailor the space to your contents.
Programmes and cycle length: Does the dishwasher offer faster cycles for when you’re short on time? Are there cycles that can tackle heavily soiled pots and pans? It’s worth considering both the range and overall length of the programmes, including eco programmes which can save energy and water consumption.
Drying features: Does the dishwasher offer a drying programme or use residual heat to dry the contents? If not, you may find plates and cutlery need a quick wipe-over before loading them away.
Light indicators: If you’re opting for an integrated dishwasher, a light indicator can be useful to prevent you from opening the door mid-cycle. The best budget dishwashers tend to include a red or white spot that projects onto the floor below. However, cheap appliances don’t generally project the time remaining. If that’s high up on your wishlist you may need to invest a little more or opt for a dishwasher with smart connectivity such as the Bosch Series 4 above.
Noise level: You should consider the dishwasher’s decibel level – the lower it is, the quieter it’ll be during use. Those with a rating in the early-40dBs are best suited to open-plan kitchen spaces.
How much do dishwashers cost to run?
How much your dishwasher costs to run will depend on several factors, including the size and wattage of the appliance, the programmes you use and how often you tend to use it.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, dishwashers typically cost between £40 to £80 (35 to 65kgCO₂e) a year to run (or slightly less for a slimline model). Research by Which? also found that dishwashers are on average four times more energy efficient than washing by hand, while WaterUK advises that the average modern dishwasher uses 14 litres of water per cycle or 10 litres per cycle on an eco setting.
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Are dishwashers energy efficient?
The energy efficiency scale for household appliances was revised in March 2021; energy ratings are now ranked from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient score. Due to the high volume of water used, dishwashers aren’t particularly energy efficient overall, with a rating of C or D on the energy efficiency scale being considered as good. It’s not uncommon to find dishwashers with an E or even an F rating, particularly on budget appliances, as more efficient dishwashers usually come at a premium price.
Over recent years, however, dishwasher brands have worked hard to combat energy and water consumption. To reduce the overall energy consumption of your dishwasher, it is recommended you use the eco cycles wherever possible, which although take longer, use less energy and water than the ‘auto’ and quick cycles.
Does my dishwasher need salt?
Adding salt to your dishwasher can prevent the build-up of limescale, which can affect the overall performance and longevity of your dishwasher.
Whether you need it depends on the hardness of your water. If you live in a hard water area (where your water has a higher mineral content), it’s important to invest in some dishwasher salt to keep your dishwasher running effectively. For areas with softer water, all-in-one dishwasher tablets may be sufficient without the need to add additional salt.
What is the best budget dishwasher?
The Beko BDIN16430 Integrated Dishwasher is our top-pick budget dishwasher. While it’s not the cheapest on the market, this full-sized integrated Beko dishwasher offers excellent cleaning performance and has a wide range of programmes including eco cycles and speedy cycles for when you’re short on time.
With 14 place settings and flexible shelves, it’s convenient and easy to load, even with non-standard plate sizes, while the handy light indicator helps prevent you from accidentally opening it mid-cycle.
How we chose the best affordable dishwashers
Real recommendations from parents
To bring you our definitive list of the best budget dishwashers, we first sought the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, getting their feedback on the affordable dishwashers that they rate, recommend and use in their own kitchens.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted appliances that they felt were poor quality, overpriced or performed badly when returning dishes to their former glory.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning dishwashers or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by consumer champions and home tech experts.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best budget dishwashers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Currys, AO and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in family and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
A regular user of her own slimline dishwasher, Lucy knows only too well the benefits that a clean and high-performing dishwasher can bring when juggling family life. Always keen to sniff out a bargain, Lucy loves looking for budget-friendly appliances and has also written several Mumsnet dishwasher round-ups including the best slimline dishwashers, integrated dishwashers and dishwasher cleaners.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
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