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Best cheap dishwashers 2025: top picks under £300 and £500

Bag a bargain dishwasher with our pick of the best cheap machines we've tested, including Best Buys for just under £300, and plenty of Great Value models
Andrew LaughlinPrincipal researcher & writer
integrated dishwasher

Our testing has shown that price is no indicator of quality – in fact, our most expensive Don’t Buy dishwasher costs just over £1,000, while our cheapest Best Buy dishwasher will set you back under £300. 

Our Great Value recommendations aren't always also Best Buys, but they have still performed well in our lab, and always are affordable to buy. 

Here we highlight the best budget machines from our tests, and take a look at the features you might be missing out on by opting for a cheap dishwasher. 

Not sure what type of dishwasher you need? Read more about the pros and cons of each type in our guide to the best dishwashers

Best cheap freestanding dishwasher

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Cheap dishwashers to avoid

There are some great dishwasher bargains to be had, but we’ve also found plenty of cheap options that simply aren’t worth the money. These Don't Buys will leave you stuck at the sink rewashing grubby crockery and cutlery by hand, or reaching for a tea towel when unloading wet dishes. 

What do you miss out on by going for a cheap dishwasher?

Cheaper dishwashers often have fewer programs. This has no effect on how well the dishwasher cleans or dries, but it does limit your choices. 

For example, some expensive dishwashers have a 'silent' wash, which reduces the noise made by the machine during the rinsing and washing cycles. This makes it ideal to use when you have friends round, or on a timer overnight.

Other programs that are often missed out on basic dishwashers include:

  • Delicate wash: uses a lower temperature for glassware and china
  • Higher temperature wash: for an extra hygienic clean, often recommended for items like baby bottles
  • Two zone wash: where the top or bottom rack will get a more intense wash, so you can wash a baking tray in the same load as glassware

Occasionally very cheap dishwashers even scrimp on the display. This means you won’t be able to check how long you have left before the cycle completes.

To see more of the budget dishwashers we recommend, go to our dishwasher reviews and use the Great Value filter

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