If you are planning to buy a new dishwasher, then there are indeed a few things that you need to consider. Sure, the size, capacity, and features are important. However, what most people consider first is the price. After all, many of us are forced to work within a budget.
When it comes to buying a new dishwasher, the cost is often at the forefront of people’s minds. So, how much does a dishwasher cost? Well, there are a few things to consider here, all of which we want to discuss today.
First, let’s talk about the average cost of various dishwashers at various price points. We also want to talk about what you can expect of dishwashers at various price points. We’ll then take a closer look at the various factors that determine how much does a dishwasher cost.
Average Dishwasher Cost & What to Expect
The fact of the matter is that you can spend anywhere from $300 to $3,000 on a dishwasher, or even more. It really all depends on the brand, quality, and features.
Let’s take a look at how much you can expect to spend on a low-end, mid-range, and high-end dishwasher. Let’s also figure out what you can expect of the dishwashers at these price points.
Low End Dishwashers
First, we have low-end dishwashers. Some people might call these budget dishwashers or economy dishwashers. For a budget or economy dishwasher, you can expect to spend anywhere from $300 to $500.
Do keep in mind that you get what you pay for. Although you will obviously save money, the amount of features that these machines have are very limited.
These are extremely simple dishwashers that have a front facing interface. Generally speaking, although the exterior may be made out of stainless steel, they usually have a plastic interior.
That said, on your very low-end models, they may be made completely out of plastic. They’re not the most durable in the world, although they are cost effective.
These low-end models will usually only have two, three, or four wash cycle options at the very most. In terms of overall functionality, as far as basic dish washing goes, they should perform just fine.
That said, definitely don’t expect anything special out of them. If you have super dirty dishes with stuck-on food, these low-end dishwashers might not be able to get them completely clean.
Low-end dishwashers may also not be overly energy efficient. Although they might not cost much to purchase, due to low energy efficiency, they might cost you a lot more in the long run.
Something else to consider with these low-end dishwashers is that they are generally fairly noisy. It’s not something that you want to run during the nighttime.
Mid-Range Dishwashers
Next, we have mid-range dishwashers. Generally speaking, this is your average dishwasher that most people would go for. These are good dishwashers if you are working on a fairly tight budget, yet still want something that can perform adequately.
For a mid-range dishwasher, you can expect to spend anywhere from $500 to $1,000. This is the most common price point to buy a dishwasher at in the USA.
In terms of build quality, when compared to low-end dishwashers, they will usually be a bit better. The exterior of these units will usually always be made out of stainless steel. It’s durable, resistant, and it looks good too.
The big bonus with these mid-range machines, however, is that they usually also feature stainless steel interiors. It does depend on the exact model, but a stainless steel interior tub is pretty standard at this price point.
Having a stainless steel interior is very important because it helps to resist corrosion and the high temperatures produced in a dishwasher.
This kind of mid-range dishwasher is generally also a bit quieter than low-end options. They usually have a number of noise reducing features that help to keep them fairly quiet.
Moreover, these dishwashers also tend to be fairly energy efficient. It’s not very hard to find a mid-range dishwasher that has an Energy Star certification.
What can also be said about these midrange dishwashers is that they usually have more space on the inside. This is generally combined with more organizational capabilities.
Some may have two racks, whereas others may have three. Many of them also have height-adjustable racks so you can customize them to suit your needs.
Moreover, these midrange dishwashers usually have more washing cycles and options than low-end models. Here, you could expect around five or six wash cycle options.
A lot of the time, you can also expect them to have more advanced features such as sanitize options and sensor washing. However, whether or not they come with these high-end features is questionable. If you spend $1000, you are likely to get some of them, but at the lower end of the scale, probably not.
High End Dishwashers
We then have the high-end dishwashers. Most people would refer to these as luxury dishwashers. You can expect to spend at least $1000 on these. That said, some may cost $2000, $3000, or more. This really all depends on the brand name and the exact features that they come with.
For one, high-end dishwashers usually allow you to customize the exterior to match the existing decor in your home.
These units generally also have high-end digital control panels that are very easy to use. These control panels tend to be hidden from sight as well, to help with aesthetic purposes.
Moreover, usually both the inside and the outside are going to be made out of very high quality stainless steel. The stainless steel used for these high-end models is generally a bit higher in quality than that used for mid-range models.
This stainless steel is generally designed to be extremely corrosion and heat resistant. Moreover, the exterior may also be smudge and fingerprint resistant.
More often than not, these high-end dishwashers will also be extremely silent. They usually come with a multitude of features to help keep them as quiet as possible. They often produce 40 decibels of noise or less.
These units also tend to be very energy efficient. If you spend $1000 or more on a dishwasher, it better be Energy Star certified.
Of course, high-end dishwashers are also going to come with the most wash cycles and options. This is the kind of dishwasher that will usually come with various high-end wash options such as sanitizer mode, sensor washing mode, pots and pans mode, eco-wash, half load, and much more.
These generally come with very specific and customizable cycles. They will usually also have advanced drying functions to ensure that your dishes are always dry. These high-end models usually also have upgraded water nozzles and jets with excellent pressure and coverage.
Installation Costs – Professional vs DIY
Besides the initial purchase, you also need to consider how much it is going to cost you to install your dishwasher. Yes, you can go the DIY method and do it all for more or less free of cost. Although that said, if you aren’t a plumber, this really isn’t recommended. So, how much can you expect to spend on a professional dishwasher installation?
The average installation cost for a dishwasher in the USA is $190. You can expect the installation cost to range anywhere from $100 to $450. If you have an old dishwasher that requires disposing of, they may charge you a little more. However, if you need to create an entirely new installation, you can expect to spend at least $500.
With a totally new installation, there might be plumbing modifications and electrical modifications that need to be performed. You might also have to remove or replace cabinets.
You might also have to modify the floor beneath to support the weight of the dishwasher, as well as the plumbing and electrical needs. Yes, if you need to perform plumbing, electrical, and structural modifications, you can easily spend a few thousand dollars on the installation process.
Factors that Influence Dishwasher Cost
Before we call it a day, let’s take a quick look at the factors that determine how much a dishwasher costs.
- The overall size and capacity of the dishwasher in question is going to make a big difference. Obviously, a 30-inch dishwasher is going to be more expensive than a 24-inch dishwasher. A 24-inch dishwasher is going to be more expensive than an 18-inch dishwasher.
- The material that the unit in question is made of is also going to make a difference. Yes, stainless steel is more expensive, but it’s also more durable. Units that have more plastic on them are generally much more affordable.
- You do also need to consider the brand name. Obviously, some brand names are just considered to be higher end than others. These might end up costing you much more than machines from less known brand names, even though they do the exact same thing. Therefore, don’t spend a ton of money on a super popular brand name when it really doesn’t provide you with much more value.
- All of the various features that the machine in question comes with is going to make a difference as well. This generally comes down to the variety of wash cycles that the unit comes with, as well as various washing options. It also has to do with the drying technology that your dishwasher comes with.
Conclusion
There you have it folks, everything you need to know about how much an average dishwasher is going to cost you. Of course, what it all comes down to is that you usually get what you pay for.
Yes, a higher-end dishwasher is going to cost more, but it is a long-term investment. Investing slightly more into a better dishwasher will help save you a lot of trouble and money over the long run.