The best dishwasher under $800 depends on what matters most in your kitchen: cleaning, drying, quiet operation, capacity, or fit. Three models worth checking are the Bosch 300 Series SHE43C75N, Whirlpool WDP540HAMZ, and LG LDFC2423. They are shortlist leads—not a definitive head-to-head ranking—and prices and local availability can change. Before buying, confirm the exact model, dimensions, installation requirements, finish, and current price.
Best dishwashers under $800 to put on your shortlist
Published recommendations point to different strengths rather than one clear winner. Compare the models against your household’s needs, then verify current specifications and pricing for the exact model you can buy.
| Model | What the cited source says | What to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch 300 Series SHE43C75N | Consumer Reports’ 2026 report describes it as a less expensive alternative to a premium Bosch Benchmark model, at about $800. The report rates its cleaning very good and its drying decent. The price is a reported snapshot, not a live offer. Consumer Reports’ 2026 dishwasher report | Current price, availability, dimensions, and whether its drying performance meets your expectations. |
| Whirlpool WDP540HAMZ | Tom’s Guide’s 2026 guide names it as its budget choice. Its comparison table lists 12 place settings, two racks, 55 dB, and 270 kWh. These are editorially reported specifications, not a substitute for the current manufacturer listing. Tom’s Guide’s 2026 dishwasher guide | Current manufacturer specifications, price, dimensions, and local stock. |
| LG LDFC2423 | LG’s U.S. product page says Consumer Reports rated the model best dishwasher for $500 or less. This is LG’s summary of Consumer Reports’ recommendation, not an independently detailed test result on that page. LG says prices, promotions, and availability vary. LG’s U.S. product page | Current model suffix, price, availability, and independent test details. |
How to choose: compare performance, fit, and running costs
A price ceiling alone cannot tell you which dishwasher is best for your home. Compare the factors that affect everyday use, and avoid treating a strong score in one area as proof of strength in another.
Cleaning and drying
Cleaning and drying are separate performance questions. Consumer Reports says its model ratings assess both, along with noise and energy efficiency. Its washing tests use baked-on food; for drying, it inspects ceramic, glass, and plastic items. The Bosch SHE43C75N’s reported very-good cleaning and merely decent drying illustrates why it is useful to check each result separately. Consumer Reports’ testing and rating context
#1 Best Overall
- Our best dishwasher detergent for up to 100% Food Residue Removal
- Only Cascade Platinum Plus contains 2X* the Dawn grease fighting power and 2X* the scrubbing power to power through dried on food *Cleaning ingredients vs Cascade Complete ActionPacs
- Removes visible and invisible residues for virtually spotfree and shiny dishes
- 40% larger liquid top for even more* cleaning power that still fits in your dishwasher detergent dispenser *vs Cascade Platinum ActionPacs
- Running the dishwasher daily saves water* Save up to 20 gallons of water per dishwasher load *ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use 4 gallons per cycle. Running the tap for 11 minutes handwashing uses up to 24 gallons of water.
Noise and capacity
Match published noise and capacity specifications to your kitchen layout and typical loads. A dishwasher near a dining or living area may make quiet operation a higher priority; a household with frequent large loads may care more about usable capacity and rack flexibility. Treat specifications such as the Whirlpool’s reported 55 dB and 12 place settings as a starting point, then check the current product information.
Fit and installation
Measure the opening and compare it with the exact model’s dimensions before ordering. Many built-in dishwashers are roughly 24 inches wide and 35 inches high, but compact models and local configurations vary. Also confirm installation requirements and whether delivery or installation is included in the price you are comparing.
Rank #2
- 1. GREASE FIGHTING POWER: Cascade dishwasher pods dissolve fast to release the grease fighting power of Dawn
- 2. SPOTFREE CLEAN DISHES: Get virtually spotfree sparkling clean dishes from even the toughest messes with these dishwasher detergent pods, a must-have among your cleaning supplies
- 3. WATER SAVING: Running the dishwasher daily saves water*. *ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers use less than 4 gallons per cycle. Running the tap for 11 minutes while handwashing uses up to 24 gallons of water
- 4. 1 RECOMMENDED BRAND: More dishwasher brands in North America recommend Cascade based on co-marketing agreements vs. other automatic dishwasher detergent brands
- 5. CONVENIENT AND RESPONSIBLE: Convenient, premeasured ActionPac with no finicky plastic wrapping. Phosphate free, making it a responsible choice among household essentials and cleaning products
Energy and water use
Use the yellow EnergyGuide label to compare a model’s estimated energy use and annual operating cost with similar dishwashers. ENERGY STAR also advises choosing a size suited to your home and considering an auto-sensing cycle or multiple cycle options. ENERGY STAR’s general estimate is that “A standard-size ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher costs about $50 per year to run and can save you about 5,800 gallons of water over its lifetime.” Actual costs and savings depend on the household, utility rates, and use. ENERGY STAR dishwasher buying guidance
ENERGY STAR’s current dishwasher criteria took effect July 19, 2023. They set maximum energy and water use by size category:
Rank #3
- 【6 Place Setting】- A perfect size(H438×W550×D500mm) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware, and a plate size of up to 10 inches diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
- 【Simple Installation】- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
- 【8 Washing Cycles】- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
- 【Heavy Program】- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 68℃, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
- 【Speed Program】- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with Energy Star compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.
| Category | Capacity definition | Maximum energy use | Maximum water use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | At least 8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces | 240 kWh/year | 3.2 gallons per cycle |
| Compact | Fewer than 8 place settings plus 6 serving pieces | 155 kWh/year | 2.0 gallons per cycle |
These are ENERGY STAR certification limits, not a guarantee of a specific model’s annual bill. Check the product’s label and rating information when comparing candidates. ENERGY STAR dishwasher specifications
Ease of use and reliability
Consumer Reports includes ease of use in its model-level assessment, considering factors such as controls, racks, and helpful features. Its reliability context is different: the organization says its brand-level measures draw on a survey of members about 77,011 dishwasher purchases made from 2015 through 2025, informing predicted first-five-year reliability and owner satisfaction. Brand scores are not model-specific, so they should not be treated as a guarantee about any of the three models above. Consumer Reports’ 2026 report and methodology
Rank #4
- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea built-in dishwasher boasts a slim body that takes up minimal space and is easy to fit. It features a digital control panel with an LED display and has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate larger plates, pots, and pans up to 11 inches in height.
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of 22.6D x 17.6W x 32.4H with adjustable legs, this under sink dishwasher provides a spacious and flexible interior for maximum dishware loading.
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers six programs, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse washing programs. It also features Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize functions that meet all your daily needs. Note: ONLY use detergent specially for dishwasher because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems.
- Heated Dry : Smart dishwasher ensures the best drying performance. The extra drying function offers a thorough drying performance (except for the Rapid and Self-clean cycle) with no additional towel drying required.
- HI TEMP : The HYGIENE wash cycle maintains the water temperature at 136°F (58°C) max , which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes. It is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children's dinner sets.
Which dishwasher should I buy for under $800?
Start with the trade-off you are least willing to make. If the Bosch’s reported cleaning result is appealing, decide whether its reported drying performance is acceptable. If you are considering the Whirlpool, confirm its current specifications and compare its noise and capacity with your kitchen and load habits. If you are considering the LG, verify the current model suffix and price, and look for independent test details before relying on LG’s summary of the recommendation.
Then make the purchase decision against your measured opening, installation needs, EnergyGuide label, and local delivered price. A model that fits the budget but does not fit the opening or suit your routine is not a practical upgrade.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Quick Recap
Best Value
- FRESH SCENT DISHWASHER PACS: Leaves dishes clean and smelling fresh after every cycle.
- 2-IN-1 GREASE-FIGHTING FORMULA: Combines powerful dishwasher detergent with built-in rinse aid to help break down grease and food residue for sparkling clean dishes.
- NO PRE-RINSE NEEDED: Designed to tackle tough food messes without pre-rinsing, saving time and water.
- POWERFUL CLEAN IN EVERY LOAD: Pacs dissolve during the wash cycle to help remove grease, stuck-on food, and everyday messes.
- EASY TO USE: No measuring and no mess. Simply place one pac into the dishwasher detergent dispenser and start the cycle.
Check before you order
- Measure the opening and verify the exact model’s dimensions and installation requirements.
- Check current price, finish, stock, delivery, and installation locally; published prices and availability are not guarantees.
- Compare cleaning and drying separately, then weigh noise, capacity, rack usability, and energy and water estimates.
- Confirm model numbers and suffixes against current listings so specifications and recommendations refer to the dishwasher you are actually buying.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
