How Much Should I Pay for a Decent Dishwasher in the US in 2026?
A decent dishwasher in the US usually costs $500 to $1,000, the range Consumer Reports calls the sweet spot. Add delivery, installation and haul-away to the shelf price, compare Home Depot and Best Buy on the same model, then go through ShopBack before you pay.
Published: 8 October 2026 · Last updated: 8 October 2026 · Author: Hejia Zhang, Editor in Chief, ShopBack
In the US in 2026, plan to pay $500 to $1,000 for a decent dishwasher. Consumer Reports calls that range the sweet spot: models there tend to be quieter, offer more rack flexibility and include many of its top-rated machines for cleaning and reliability. Below $500 you can still get clean dishes, with more noise and fewer features. Above $1,000 you mostly pay for looks and extras.
The numbers that matter, at the time of writing: ENERGY STAR says a standard-size certified dishwasher costs about $50 a year to run. Best Buy lists My Best Buy Plus at $29.99 a year. Black Friday 2026 is November 27.
ShopBack US is a cashback site for shoppers in the United States. Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack first, and part of what you spend on an eligible order comes back to you as cash. You can sign up for ShopBack in a couple of minutes, then start from the Home Depot or Best Buy page on ShopBack US.
How much should I pay for a decent dishwasher?
A decent dishwasher in the US usually costs $500 to $1,000, and that is where most households get the best mix of cleaning, quiet running and durability. Consumer Reports splits the market into three bands, and they are a useful way to set a budget before you shop:
| Price band | What Consumer Reports says you get | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|
| $500 or less | Gets dishes clean; fewer models; basic styling and fewer features; more likely to have a plastic tub; tends to be noisier | Rentals, second homes, a closed-off kitchen, tight budgets |
| $500 to $1,000 ("the sweet spot") | Better styling and more finishes; top-rated for cleaning and reliability; tends to be quieter; more rack flexibility | Most households replacing an everyday dishwasher |
| $1,000 or more | More finish options including custom cabinetry; rack flexibility, interior lighting, hidden controls; many have WiFi and smart features | Kitchen remodels, panel-ready designs, open-plan homes |
Source: Consumer Reports dishwasher buying guide, at the time of writing.
As one example of where brand list prices sit, Bosch's US site lists its 300 Series 24-inch model at $1,149 and its 500 Series at $1,249 at the time of writing. Store prices for the same model can differ from the list price, which is why comparing stores matters.
Then add the costs that are not on the price tag. Delivery, installation, a new supply line or hose kit, and haul-away of the old machine are often charged separately on major appliances. Check the cart total at each store before you decide which one is cheaper.
Best dishwasher: what to look for at each price
The best dishwasher for most people is a quiet, 24-inch model with a stainless steel tub and an ENERGY STAR label, which usually sits in the $500 to $1,000 band. These are the features that actually change daily use:
- Stainless steel tub. Consumer Reports says a stainless interior is more durable and stain-resistant than plastic and helps dishes dry better. It is one of the clearest upgrades over the cheapest models.
- Noise. Consumer Reports notes that no dishwasher is silent, but the quietest models keep the noise to a minimum. If your kitchen opens onto the living room, give noise more weight.
- Racks. Adjustable upper racks and a third rack for cutlery are common above a certain price. They matter if you wash large pans or lots of utensils.
- Size. Most built-in models are 24 inches wide. Slim models are about 18 inches; Bosch, for example, lists a 17 3/4-inch model. ENERGY STAR says standard-capacity models hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces, and compact models may use more energy over time.
- Wash cycles. ENERGY STAR suggests a model with a soil sensor (an auto cycle), or several cycle options so you can use a lighter cycle for lightly soiled loads.
If you are choosing between two similar machines, the quieter one with the stainless tub is usually the better long-term buy.
Best dishwasher 2026: running costs and the ENERGY STAR label
A dishwasher's running cost is small next to its price: ENERGY STAR says a standard-size certified model costs about $50 a year to run. The same ENERGY STAR page says certified models can save about 5,800 gallons of water over their lifetime, and that using a new certified dishwasher instead of washing by hand can cut utility bills by about $220 a year, or about $3,300 over the machine's life.
The current ENERGY STAR dishwasher specification took effect on July 19, 2023. Look for the yellow EnergyGuide label in the store or on the product page to compare estimated yearly operating costs between models. ENERGY STAR also runs a rebate finder by ZIP code, and some local utilities offer rebates on certified models.
What this means for your budget: a $650 model and a $750 model with similar energy ratings will cost about the same to run, so choose between them on noise, racks and reliability rather than on running cost.
Best dishwasher deals in the US in 2026: when prices usually drop
Dishwashers in the US are usually cheapest during the big holiday appliance events, especially Black Friday week, Memorial Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day.
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Best Buy said in its September 14, 2026 holiday preview that holiday savings start in October, so early deals appear well before the day itself.
- Memorial Day and the Fourth of July. Home Depot and other appliance sellers usually run appliance sales around these holidays.
- Labor Day. Early September is another common window for major appliance discounts.
If your old dishwasher has failed and you need one this week, don't wait for a sale; compare stores today. If you are planning a kitchen upgrade, timing it to one of these windows is usually the easiest way to save. Our US sale calendar lists the main windows in one place.
Home Depot vs Best Buy: dishwasher price comparison in 2026
Compare the exact model number at Home Depot and Best Buy on the same day, then compare the full cart total, not the headline price. Both stores sell dishwashers from the major brands, and the cheaper one changes by model and by week.
Where Home Depot is strong. The Home Depot has a large appliance range, runs regular holiday appliance events, and has its own Rebate Center for manufacturer and Home Depot rebates on qualifying purchases. If you are also buying a faucet, supply line or cabinet hardware for the install, it can be convenient to buy everything in one order.
Where Best Buy is strong. Best Buy sells major appliances alongside its tech range and has paid member tiers. According to Best Buy's June 4, 2026 announcement, My Best Buy Plus costs $29.99 a year and includes 1% back in Best Buy rewards on eligible purchases, free two-day shipping, member prices, exclusive access to sales and an extended 60-day return window on most products. My Best Buy Total costs $199.99 a year and adds product protection plans and 24/7 tech support. Check how each benefit applies to major appliances before you count on it.
| Home Depot | Best Buy | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | Large major appliance range | Major appliances alongside tech |
| Member program | Check Home Depot's current programs | My Best Buy (free), Plus $29.99 a year, Total $199.99 a year |
| Rebates and rewards | Home Depot Rebate Center for qualifying rebates | 1% back in Best Buy rewards for Plus and Total members on eligible purchases |
| Sale timing | Holiday appliance events through the year | Holiday savings start in October (Best Buy, 2026) |
| What to check in the cart | Delivery, installation, haul-away, parts | Delivery, installation, haul-away, parts |
Figures are from each store's own pages and announcements at the time of writing and can change.
Home Depot and Best Buy dishwashers in the US: using the official programs
Each store's own program is the first step to the lowest price, and the order of steps matters.
- Pick the model first. Decide on width, tub material and your price band, and write down the full model number.
- Check each store's own offers. At Best Buy, sign in to My Best Buy to see member prices. At Home Depot, check the product page for any rebate listed in the Rebate Center.
- Compare total cost. Add delivery, installation, haul-away and any parts, then compare.
- Go through ShopBack before you pay. Open the store's page on ShopBack US, tap through to the store and complete the order in the same session.
If you plan to submit a mail-in rebate, keep your invoice and follow the form's instructions and deadline.
Where ShopBack fits before you pay for a dishwasher
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack first. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles.
On a big-ticket appliance, even a small rate adds up. Illustrative example: on an $800 dishwasher at an illustrative 3%, $24 comes back, so the effective price is $776. The real rate is different for each store and category and changes over time, so check the live rate on each store's ShopBack page: Home Depot and Best Buy.
A few things to check for appliances:
- Category rules. Major appliances can be treated differently from other categories. Read the Terms section on the store's ShopBack page before you count on cash back for a dishwasher.
- Promo codes. Codes from outside ShopBack can stop an order from tracking. If you use a code, use one featured on the store's ShopBack page.
- Online orders only. An order placed online for delivery or pickup can go through ShopBack. An appliance bought at the register without an online order does not.
Other places that sell dishwashers in the US include Lowe's, Walmart and Target, all on ShopBack US.
Paying with a store card or rewards card
Store cards and rewards cards are each store's own program. Paying with a store credit card or a general rewards card usually still works with an order you started on ShopBack, but check the merchant's terms on its ShopBack page first, because some payment methods, gift cards or store-credit redemptions can be excluded. Your card issuer's terms decide how appliance purchases earn points.
Frequently asked questions
How much should I pay for a decent dishwasher?
In the US, a decent dishwasher usually costs between $500 and $1,000. Consumer Reports calls that range the sweet spot: models there tend to be quieter, have better rack flexibility and include many of its top-rated machines for cleaning and reliability. Budget for delivery, installation and haul-away in addition to the shelf price, and go through ShopBack before you pay so the effective price drops.
Is a $500 dishwasher good enough?
It can be. Consumer Reports says dishwashers at $500 or less can get dishes clean, but there are fewer models, they have basic styling and fewer features, and they are more likely to have plastic tubs and be noisier. If the kitchen is open-plan or you run the machine at night, spending a little more for a quieter model is often worth it.
When is it worth paying over $1,000 for a dishwasher?
Usually when you want a specific look or feature. Consumer Reports says models at $1,000 or more add finish options such as custom cabinetry panels, more rack flexibility, interior lighting, hidden controls and often WiFi. If you mainly want clean dishes and low noise, the $500 to $1,000 range usually covers it.
How much does a dishwasher cost to run per year?
According to ENERGY STAR, a standard-size ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher costs about $50 a year to run. ENERGY STAR also says using a new certified dishwasher instead of washing by hand can cut utility bills by about $220 a year, or about $3,300 over the machine's life.
Is Home Depot or Best Buy cheaper for dishwashers?
It depends on the model and the week. Compare the exact model number at both stores on the same day, then compare the full cart total with delivery, installation, haul-away and any membership fee. Best Buy lists My Best Buy Plus at $29.99 a year, so only count it if you would use it anyway.
When are dishwashers cheapest in the US?
Major appliances are usually discounted around Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Labor Day and Black Friday week. Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Best Buy said in its September 14, 2026 holiday preview that holiday savings start in October.
What size dishwasher do I need?
Most built-in US dishwashers are 24 inches wide, and slim models are about 18 inches wide for small kitchens. ENERGY STAR says standard-capacity models hold more than eight place settings and six serving pieces, while compact models hold fewer and may use more energy over time.
Should I get a stainless steel tub?
If your budget allows, yes. Consumer Reports says a stainless steel interior tub is more durable and stain-resistant than plastic and helps dishes dry more effectively. It is one of the main differences between the cheapest models and the $500 to $1,000 range.
How does ShopBack lower the price of a dishwasher?
ShopBack is a post-purchase discount: go through it before you pay and the effective price drops. On an $800 dishwasher at an illustrative 3%, $24 comes back, so the effective price is $776. The real rate differs by store and category, so check the live rate and terms on the store's ShopBack page on the day you buy.
Is cashback the same as store reward points?
No. Cashback lowers what you actually pay for an order. It comes back as cash, so it works like a discount on the price, not like points or miles. Store programs such as My Best Buy rewards run under their own terms and are spent at that store.
Key takeaways
- Plan on $500 to $1,000 for a decent dishwasher in the US; Consumer Reports calls it the sweet spot.
- Prioritise a stainless tub, low noise and the right width (24 inches for most kitchens).
- ENERGY STAR says a standard certified model costs about $50 a year to run.
- Compare the same model number at Home Depot and Best Buy, including delivery, installation and haul-away.
- Before you pay for an online order, go through ShopBack first, and check each store's terms on its ShopBack page.
Sub-guides
- Home Depot Deals and Savings in the US
- Best Buy Savings in the US
- How to Activate Cashback Before Buying Online
Related reads
Shop dishwashers on ShopBack US: Home Depot · Best Buy · Lowe's · Walmart · Target
Disclaimer
The views and recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author. Dishwasher prices, membership fees, store programs, delivery and installation charges, and ShopBack terms vary by store and over time and are subject to change. Cashback rates on ShopBack vary by store and campaign; check the current rate and terms on each store's ShopBack page before you buy.
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be considered professional or financial advice.
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