Best Energy-Efficient Dishwasher 2026: Energy Star Models That Cut Water and Power Bills
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Last updated October 31, 2026
The EdgeStar BIDW1802SS is our pick for the best energy-efficient dishwasher for 2026 if you have a compact kitchen: it holds 8 place settings in a 17-5/8" wide body, runs at a quiet 52 dB, and adds a leak sensor and a rinse aid compartment to help dishes dry more quickly. Its main limit is that 8 place settings will feel small for a large household.
Every pick is an 18-inch built-in, the size that fits small kitchens, ADUs and office kitchenettes. The number that matters most is kWh/year: 240 or less earns the blue ENERGY STAR mark, 225 or less reaches Most Efficient, and the federal minimum for a standard model is 307.
The best energy-efficient dishwashers of 2026
EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher
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SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher
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Frigidaire FFBD1831US dishwasher
See on AmazonModel comparison
| Model | Price | Rating | Noise level | Voltage | Weight | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| | EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher | $539.00 as of 10/31 See on Amazon | ★ 4.2 (800+ ratings) | 52 dB | 120 V | 62.8 lb | Buyers fitting an 18-inch cabinet cavity who want leak protection get a sensor that shuts off water flow automatically. |
| | SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher | $488.75 as of 10/31 See on Amazon | ★ 4.2 (150+ ratings) | 52 dB | not stated | not stated | DIY installers who want the hardware in the box get top-mount brackets, inlet and drain hoses, and a cutlery basket included. |
| | Frigidaire FFBD1831US dishwasher | $803.00 as of 10/31 See on Amazon | ★ 4.2 (150+ ratings) | 52 dBA | 120 V | 54 lb | Households needing accessibility compliance get an ADA compliant, NSF certified sanitize cycle in a space-saving 18-inch built-in. |
 | Comfee' CDF18A2BST dishwasher | $448.98 as of 10/31 See on Amazon | ★ 4.3 (40+ ratings) | 52 dB | 120 V | 54.7 lb | Budget buyers wanting an efficient 18-inch built-in at the entry tier get an ECO cycle, heated dry and delay start. |
 | Midea MDF18A1AST dishwasher | $498.97 as of 10/31 See on Amazon | ★ 4.0 (550+ ratings) | 52 dB | 120 V | 54.6 lb | Compact-kitchen owners wanting a plain 18-inch stainless built-in get heated dry and a sanitize option without extra features to learn. |
What Energy Star actually certifies on a dishwasher
Two labels sit on a dishwasher, and they do different jobs. The blue ENERGY STAR mark is a certification: the model has met a threshold set by the program. The yellow EnergyGuide label is a required disclosure: it shows the estimated yearly electricity use and cost, plus the cost range of similar models. A model can carry the yellow label without the blue mark.
The thresholds are plain facts of the category. A standard-size certified model uses 240 kWh/year or less and 3.2 gallons per cycle or less. A compact certified model uses 155 kWh/year or less and 2.0 gallons per cycle or less. The federal minimum for a standard model is 307 kWh/year and 5.0 gallons per cycle. The annual figure assumes 215 cycles a year, and standby energy is included in that number.
The Most Efficient tier is a step above certification. It covers standard-size models only, at 225 kWh/year or less, and it is not available for compact or 18-inch models.
The yellow label gives estimated yearly electricity use and cost and a cost range for similar models. Dishwasher labels uniquely show two cost estimates: one assuming an electric water heater, one assuming natural gas. The cost is a national-average estimate, so your actual cost depends on local rates and how often you run the machine.
A certified model can still cost more to run than a less efficient one if its size or capacity makes you run it more often. A small tub run daily can use more over a year than a larger tub run every other day. Certification measures the machine per cycle, not your household's habits.
Why cycle choice changes efficiency more than the machine
The rating is based on the normal or eco cycle, so the savings live in using it. Eco and normal run longer at a lower temperature with less water. Heavy adds heat, water and time. Quick saves time but typically uses more heat and water per minute of washing and cleans less well, so it is not the efficient choice.
A longer, cooler cycle usually beats a short, hot one on energy, because heating water is the dominant cost. The machine spends more minutes washing but less energy heating.
A soil sensor adjusts water and time to how dirty the load is, and it is present on the large majority of certified models. It is what lets a light cycle actually be light. A booster heater lets the machine raise water to the sanitizing temperature itself, so the household water heater can sit lower.
Cutting the energy your dishwasher spends on drying
Heated dry is one of the biggest single additions to a cycle's energy use, and high-temperature wash options add more. The lower-energy drying routes are air dry, condensation dry, fan-assisted dry, automatic door release and mineral or zeolite drying. Zeolite beads absorb moisture and release heat, saving roughly 0.2 kWh per cycle, and they regenerate during the next wash.
Select air dry or the lowest dry setting, crack the door after the final rinse, and use rinse aid so water sheets off and dishes dry without heat. A stainless steel tub holds heat better and dries faster than plastic, which matters when you are trying to dry without heat.
Loading and scraping habits that cut water and energy
Scrape, don't rinse. Pre-rinsing under a hot tap wastes hot water and energy and is unnecessary on a machine with a soil sensor. Load properly: face soiled surfaces toward the spray, don't nest items, and keep the spray arms clear. A well-loaded light cycle cleans where a badly loaded one needs a heavy cycle.
Run full loads, less often. The per-cycle figures only pay off when each cycle is full; two half loads cost roughly twice one full load. Use the delay or timer to run at off-peak rates where the utility offers them, and check the ENERGY STAR Rebate Finder by ZIP for local incentives.
When an efficient dishwasher pays back its extra cost
To estimate the saving, take the kWh/year and gallons per cycle of the model you are considering and compare them with your current machine's figures, or with the federal minimum if you don't know them. Multiply the difference by your electricity and water rates and your annual cycle count.
The gap between a best-available model and a less efficient one in combined utility cost is modest, and the gap between a certified model and a less efficient one is smaller still; both widen with higher local rates and more cycles a year. An efficient model is worth its premium if it costs no more than roughly that much extra.
High local electricity rates, hard water (which needs more heat and detergent), a large household running many cycles, and an old machine near the end of its life all shorten the payback. The payback is only the utility bill; the case for buying efficient also rests on water use and on the machine being the right size for the household.
Our picks by budget
The Comfee' CDF18A2BST is our budget pick because it brings an ECO program, heated dry and delay start at the lowest tier on the page.
The Midea MDF18A1AST is our mid-range pick because it is ENERGY STAR 7.0 certified and adds a digital LED display and a stainless tub and interior.
The Frigidaire FFBD1831US is our premium pick because it is ADA compliant, has NSF-certified sanitize and an Economy cycle, and comes in a stainless steel finish.
Budget
Mid-range
High-end
Which energy-efficient dishwasher for which buyer
Matching the machine to how you load and run it matters as much as the label.
Small kitchen or ADU
The EdgeStar BIDW1802SS uses 234 kWh/year with 8 place settings and has a stainless steel tub, so it keeps running costs low in a compact space.
Current-spec certification and a display
The Midea MDF18A1AST is ENERGY STAR 7.0 certified and has a digital LED display and an eco option among its six programs.
Accessible install or NSF sanitize
The Frigidaire FFBD1831US is ADA compliant and has NSF-certified sanitize, with an Economy cycle for everyday loads.
Many cycles a week
The SPT SD-9254SSA uses 234 kWh/year and has automatic detergent and rinse aid dispensers, which keep each cycle consistent when you run the machine often.
Renter or replacing a dying machine
The Comfee' CDF18A2BST is the budget entry with an ECO program and heated dry you can leave off, so the payback math is easiest to justify.
Our verdict on the best energy-efficient dishwasher
The EdgeStar BIDW1802SS wins on this topic because it uses 234 kWh/year with 8 place settings, has a stainless steel tub and rinse aid compartment for drying without heat, and offers a delay for off-peak running. The SPT SD-9254SSA is the runner-up at the same annual figure with automatic dispensers, and the Comfee' CDF18A2BST is the value pick with an ECO program at the entry tier.
Buy the smallest machine that fits your household's full load, run the eco cycle, air dry, and scrape rather than rinse. The formula and the payback math in the informational part let you put your own rates on the label.
Detailed model analysis
Each pick is an 18-inch built-in, and its annual kWh figure is the number that decides the yearly bill.
EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher
The EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher earns its lead on power use. It is rated at 234 kWh/year and holds 8 place settings in a body 17-5/8 in wide, 22-7/16 in deep and 32-1/2 in high.
A leak sensor shuts off the water flow automatically when a leak is detected, which protects your home from water damage. A control panel lock also prevents accidental starts.
You get 6 wash cycles, a sanitary rinse and a Heated Dry option, plus delay start up to 24 hours. Two spray arms work across two racks, and noise is 52 dB.
Rinse aid is sold separately, and Heated Dry is not available on the Rinse cycle. At 62.8 lb, it is also about 8 lb heavier than any other model here, which matters when you carry it into place.
Capacity tops out at 8 place settings, with a 1 year manufacturer warranty. For a stated ENERGY STAR mark, consider the SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher or the Midea MDF18A1AST dishwasher.
It suits buyers fitting an 18-inch cavity who want leak protection and a low annual power figure.
- Brand: EdgeStar
- Capacity: 8 place settings
- Voltage: 120 V
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Wash cycles: 6
- Weight: 62.8 lb
SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher
The SPT SD-9254SSA is an ENERGY STAR certified 18-inch built-in rated 234 kWh per year, matching the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS. That certification is where the year-round savings on your bills come from.
It holds 8 place settings, against 7 for the Frigidaire FFBD1831US, and runs 6 wash programs. Heated drying and a time delay start are included.
Automatic dispensers release detergent and rinse agent. Two pull-out dish racks and a cutlery basket organize the load in a stainless steel tub.
It weighs 54 lb, 8.8 lb less than the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS. The box includes an inlet hose, a drain hose, top-mount brackets, a user manual and a 3 ft power cable.
Noise is 52 dB, so it brings no quiet edge. Capacity stops at 8 place settings, and the warranty is 1 year limited.
It suits DIY installers who want an ENERGY STAR 18-inch built-in with the hardware included.
- Brand: SPT
- Width: 17.6 in
- Dimensions: 22.6 in deep, 17.6 in wide and 32.4 in high
- Place settings: 8
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Energy use: 234 kWh per year
Frigidaire FFBD1831US dishwasher
The Frigidaire FFBD1831US dishwasher is the pick for accessibility and sanitizing. It is ADA compliant, Energy Star certified and NSF Certified Sanitize, three credentials that matter if you need more than a low power figure.
Five cycles cover the usual jobs: Delicate, Economy, Intensive, Normal and Rinse. Dual spray arms do the washing, and the tub is stainless steel. Controls sit on a full front panel.
At 54 lb it ties the SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher as the lightest here, so it is easier to carry than the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher. Noise is 52 dBA.
Capacity is 7 place settings, one fewer than the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher, SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher and Midea MDF18A1AST dishwasher each hold.
Heated Dry and delay start are not among its features, and both appear on the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS dishwasher, SPT SD-9254SSA dishwasher and Comfee' CDF18A2BST dishwasher.
It suits households that need an ADA compliant, NSF Certified Sanitize 18-inch built-in. It ships with just the power cord, and the warranty is 1 year limited.
- Brand: Frigidaire
- Noise level: 52 dBA
- Voltage: 120 V
- Weight: 54 lb
- Installation: Built-in
- Interior material: Stainless steel
Comfee' CDF18A2BST dishwasher
The Comfee' CDF18A2BST is an Energy Star and NSF certified 18-inch built-in with 6 washing programs: ECO, Heavy, Normal, Delicate, Quick and Rinse. ECO suits everyday loads when you want to keep power use down.
The Quick program has a 1 hour wash for days when you need clean dishes fast. Options include Heated Dry, a delay start timer, a child lock and a Hi Temp option.
The child lock stops little hands from changing a running cycle. Cup shelves, an adjustable top rack and a cutlery basket help you arrange the load.
It is the same size as the SPT SD-9254SSA and the Midea MDF18A1AST. It weighs 54.7 lb, uses push button controls and runs at 52 dB.
It is recommended for everyday dishware and glassware, pots and pans, baby bottles and children's dinnerware.
Only a cutlery basket is included, while the SPT SD-9254SSA also comes with hoses and top-mount brackets. The warranty is 1 year from the manufacturer. It suits buyers who want an efficient 18-inch built-in.
- Brand: Comfee'
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Dimensions: 22.6 in deep, 17.6 in wide and 32.4 in high
- Weight: 54.7 lb
- Voltage: 120 V
- Wash cycles: 6
Midea MDF18A1AST dishwasher
The Midea MDF18A1AST is Energy Star 7.0 certified. It holds 8 place settings and runs 6 wash programs, including Delicate, Economy, Heavy, Normal and Rapid. The slim build suits small kitchens, apartments and RVs.
Three extra functions are heated dry, a HI TEMP wash that uses high temperature water, and a sanitize function. Heated dry helps finish drying, while HI TEMP gives a thorough clean with hotter water.
An LED digital display and push button controls keep operation simple, and the handle is integrated. The stainless steel tub weighs in at 54.6 lb overall, and noise is 52 dB.
It handles everyday dishware and glassware, pots and pans, and heavily soiled items such as baby bottles. Delay start is not among its features, while the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS, SPT SD-9254SSA and Comfee' CDF18A2BST all offer it.
The box holds the dishwasher and a user manual, and the warranty is 1 year from the manufacturer. It suits owners of compact kitchens who want a plain 18-inch stainless dishwasher with heated dry and a sanitize option.
- Brand: Midea
- Voltage: 120 V
- Noise level: 52 dB
- Dimensions: 22.6 in deep, 17.6 in wide and 32.4 in high
- Weight: 54.6 lb
- Wash cycles: 6
Frequently asked questions
The label, the certification and the cycle you choose decide what you pay to run a dishwasher.
What kWh/year should I look for in a dishwasher?
Aim for 240 kWh/year or less to earn the blue mark, and know that 225 kWh/year or less reaches Most Efficient, a tier reserved for standard-size models. The most frugal machines sold today land near 200 kWh/year, and compact 18-inch models are certified at 155 kWh/year or less.
Is the kWh/year number printed on the yellow EnergyGuide label?
Yes. The yearly kWh figure is printed on the yellow EnergyGuide label, next to the estimated yearly cost and the cost range of similar models. The label's estimate is a national average, so your own bill depends on local electricity rates and how many loads you run each week.
What's the difference between ENERGY STAR and the EnergyGuide label?
ENERGY STAR is a certification against a threshold. The EnergyGuide label is a required disclosure of estimated use and cost.
Do 18-inch dishwashers use less energy than 24-inch ones?
Per cycle, often yes. Over a year, a small tub run more often can use more than a larger tub run full, so match size to household.
How much does an efficient dishwasher cost to run per year?
Multiply the model's annual kWh figure by your local electricity rate, then adjust for how many loads you run each week. A machine rated at 240 kWh/year costs more to run where electricity rates are high and less where they are low, and five loads a week scales that figure up.
Is it cheaper to hand-wash dishes?
No, for a full load. A certified machine uses about 3 gallons against up to 27 for hand washing, and less than half the energy.
Does eco mode clean as well as the normal cycle?
It runs longer at a lower temperature. With a soil sensor and a properly loaded, scraped load it cleans well, and it is the cycle the rating is based on.
Does a soil sensor come on every energy efficient dishwasher?
No. The large majority of certified models have one, but not all of them, so check the feature list before you buy. A booster heater is the other feature worth looking for, since it lets the machine reach sanitizing temperature on its own and lets your household water heater sit lower.