If you have a large family, then dishes are a never-ending chore. It seems like you just can’t keep up, but this just means that you need a dishwasher that can handle a larger load.
We know that a busy family doesn’t have a lot of time for comparison shopping, so we’ve done the hard work for you. What we discovered through our research is that both full-size and compact countertop dishwasher models can suit the needs of large families.
Keep reading to find the new dishwashers for large families that will transform your family life.
Best Dishwashers for Large Families
1. hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
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This compact and economical model still manages to clean six place settings at once. This makes it the quality dishwasher for a large family that is living in a relatively small space.
As a portable, mini dishwasher, this unit can be placed almost anywhere. It’s even possible to stow it away when not in use. This Energy Star-certified model has user-friendly controls and six wash cycles.
Measuring 17.2 by 19.6 by 21.6, this dishwasher can be placed just about anywhere. It uses only 3.1 gallons of water per cycle and is rated at a decibel level of 55.
People who recommend this model say that it’s a breeze to set up and that the dish rack has a smart configuration. Critics wish that this machine delivered a more powerful clean.
Pros
- Compact
- Still holds six place settings
- Uses an average of three gallons of water per cycle
Cons
- Not very powerful; be ready to pre-clean dishes
2. Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher
This economical countertop dishwasher deserves to be ranked among high-quality dishwashers. It features a sleek, white design and comes with a hose and faucet adapter for easy installation.
The dimensions of this compact unit are 21.65 by 19.69 by 17.24. It’s capable of washing six place settings at once, and its noise level is rated at 52 decibels. Using just three gallons of water for each load, this dishwasher has six different wash cycle settings.
Fans love how easy this unit is to set up and run. They even say that it does a good job of cleaning. Others remark that their eleven-inch dinner plates don’t fit in the tub.
Pros
- Quiet operation
- Six cleaning cycles
- Fits six place settings
Cons
- May not work with larger dinner plates
3. BLACK+DECKER BCD6W 6 Place Setting Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Black+Decker is a highly recognizable brand name, making this the high-end dishwasher for big families. We love its sleek, ultra-modern looks and its seven-wash programs. This model even has a delay start feature that works for up to 24 hours.
With dimensions of 21 by 21 by 17, this unit is diminutive enough to sit unobtrusively on most countertops while still being able to handle six place settings at once. Ten inches is the maximum diameter of plates that will fit into this model.
It’s rated at 60 decibels, which is a bit louder than most of the models here, and this may be its biggest drawback.
Most users say that this little dishwasher cleans remarkably well and is efficient with its use of water and energy, especially if you regularly clean the dishwasher to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.
Pros
- Small size
- Looks great
- Delivers a powerful clean
Cons
- Noisier than other models
4. EdgeStar DWP62SV 6 Place Setting Energy Star Rated Portable Countertop Dishwasher
With its capacity for six place settings, this budget-friendly dishwasher also is a convenient choice because it’s small enough to fit on your counter. The 52.3-decibel rating is pretty attractive too.
The manufacturer boasts that this dishwasher can hold dinner plates that are up to 10.5 inches in diameter. Its dimensions are 21 by 19 by 17, and in a normal wash cycle, it uses just 2.85 gallons of water.
With an economical price and sleek good looks, you’ll love having this dishwasher in your kitchen. While it can simply be hooked up to the faucet, some users have mounted this unit under the counter and plumbed it to the waterline. That makes this an especially versatile choice.
While many people praise this appliance for being easy to operate, others wish that it was more powerful.
Pros
- Compact size
- Holds six place settings
- Easy to operate
Cons
- Not powerful enough for stuck-on food
5. SPT Compact Countertop Dishwasher
With its rather utilitarian looks, this countertop dishwasher isn’t going to win any beauty contests. Still, it is an incredibly affordable choice and one that should please people who need to balance budget and performance.
This unit will accommodate plates of just over ten inches in diameter. Six place settings can be put in the dishwasher for each cycle.
Using just 2.85 gallons of water for each cycle, this model can be programmed to follow six different washing cycles. It’s rated at 55 decibels, making it competitive with many of the quietest models listed here.
This unit even has a delay start feature that may be set for two, four, six, or eight hours. With dimensions of 21 by 19 by 17, this dishwasher should fit on most counters.
Most people are really happy with the way this dishwasher cleans. However, there appear to be longevity issues after about 15 months.
Pros
- Works well
- Dishes come out sparkling
- Fits dinner plates that are just over ten inches in diameter
Cons
- May have longevity issues
6. Fisher Paykel DD24SAX9 24″ Drawers Full Console Dishwasher in Stainless Steel
This is a sleek and beautiful, stainless steel, large-capacity dishwasher. It’s pretty expensive for a compact, countertop model, but its looks and performance may make it worthwhile to the right buyer.
With dimensions of 22.6 by 23.6 by 16.1, this model is a bit larger than some of the other compact dishwashers that are listed here, so be certain to measure carefully before ordering.
It’s great that this model can hold seven place settings at once, and we love the 45-degree rating. If you want a dishwasher that’s unobtrusive sound-wise, then this is the way to go.
This model has six option cycles for washing, and a full control console makes it easy to use.
Most people who have purchased this dishwasher remark that it is quiet and performs well. However, there seems to be an issue with the front panel arriving dented. This may be a problem with the packaging at the warehouse.
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Holds seven place settings
- Super quiet
Cons
- The front panel may arrive with a dent
7. Frigidaire FFCD2418US 24 Inch Built-In Dishwasher with 5 Wash Cycles
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This attractive appliance from Frigidaire is the built-in dishwasher for a big family because it can hold as many as 14 place settings at one time. If you have more than 14 family members eating at your house regularly, then maybe you just need to get a second Frigidaire!
This is a built-in dishwasher that will conveniently fit beneath any standard counter. It features a 110 V plug, so installation is a breeze. Equipped with a self-cleaning filtration system, this dishwasher is great at getting rid of food particles.
Plus, with five cleaning cycles, you can always choose the right cycle for getting even the toughest stuck-on food.
Rated at 55dBA noise level, this is a pretty quiet appliance. People who own it also love that the door stays in place when it’s opened rather than just falling all the way down. Another huge plus is the choice to wash at a high temperature of 140 degrees or to sanitize at 155 degrees.
Nonetheless, some consumers warn that their dishwasher was received with dents in the door, so check for this before installation.
Pros
- Lots of cleaning cycle options
- Stay-put door
- Room for 14 place settings
Cons
- The door may arrive dented
8. Bosch SHS863WD5N 300 Series Built In Dishwasher with 5 Wash Cycles
Bosch is a high-end appliance manufacturer. Accordingly, it should come as no surprise that this model is the 24-inch dishwasher for a large family.
This built-in dishwasher has a stainless steel interior and tines that flex so that even your most delicate dishes and glassware are securely held in place. Able to hold a total of 16 place settings at once, this dishwasher is the ultimate choice for large families.
It has five wash cycles and five wash options, each of which can easily be selected using the control panel on the upper edge of the door.
Containing a flexible third rack with fold-down sides, it’s easy to see how you can get so many dishes in this model. Additionally, the decibel rating of 44 is tough to beat. This is one powerful but quiet machine.
Most consumers say that this Bosch model cleans well and delivers quiet operation. However, more than one critic says that the dishwasher doesn’t dry very well.
Pros
- Handles 16 place settings
- Quiet operation
- Excellent rack configuration
Cons
- Doesn’t dry dishes well
Factors to Consider
Perhaps the most critical consideration when choosing a dishwasher is how many place settings it will hold. Most compact countertop dishwashers hold a maximum of about six place settings.
However, full-size dishwashers may be able to hold 16-place settings. Accordingly, you’ll want to make a choice based on how many place settings you want to wash at a time.
Size is another crucial factor. Most full-size dishwashers readily fit into the space beneath the counter provided by the home’s manufacturer.
Nonetheless, some kitchens aren’t equipped with such a space, and some of those kitchens are tiny. If you still want the convenience of owning a dishwasher, then it’s wise to consider a more compact model that fits right on the countertop.
Energy efficiency also makes a big difference to most consumers. The more energy-efficient a dishwasher is, the less water and electricity it will use.
This translates to money saved for the homeowner, and it’s also a more environmentally-friendly choice. Look for dishwashers with an Energy Star label to ensure that you’re getting an energy-efficient model.
When it comes to dishwashers, consumers are concerned about noise levels. Most of these appliances are pretty quiet when compared with older dishwashers.
Still, ratings can vary from a low of about 44 decibels up to a high of about 60 decibels. People who are sensitive to sound want a model that produces about 44 decibels of noise.
Anything over 50 is considered at least somewhat noisy, about on par with an ordinary conversation. However, many people are perfectly comfortable with that noise level in a kitchen appliance.
Finally, consider the wash cycles and options. How long are the cycles? How powerful is the intensity? How hot is the water temperature? Having more cycles isn’t necessarily better. What counts is having cycles that will be useful.
Summary
If you have a large family and find that you need to run even a full-size dishwasher two or more times each day, then we recommend the Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher.
It’s hard to beat its 16-place setting capacity. Plus, it delivers a powerful clean, and with a rating of 44 decibels, likely, you won’t often hear this dishwasher when it’s running. It might cost a bit more upfront, but for large families, there aren’t many better options.
If you don’t have the space for a full-size dishwasher, then we recommend the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W. It may be a bit noisier than some models, but its sleek good looks, and powerful performance more than make up for this slight drawback.
