How Heavy Is A Residential Dishwasher?

Since the 1970s, dishwashers have been increasing in popularity as household appliances, with over 75% of American homes having one dishwasher.

Due to their popularity, we’ve also seen an influx of manufacturers who are trying to create a niche for themselves by coming up with dishwasher models that appeal to residential consumers. One way they’ve done this is by reducing the weight of their dishwasher models.

On average, an empty freestanding residential dishwasher will weigh around 77 pounds, with the lightest dishwashers weighing just around 50 pounds. Portable countertop dishwashers, which are much smaller, have an average weight range of 35 to 60 pounds.

With all that said, the exact weight of a dishwasher will vary from model to model and brand to brand. In this guide, I’ll provide a quick description of the weight ratings of various top-rated dishwashers, and I’ll also explain why the weight of a dishwasher matters.

Built-in vs. Portable Freestanding vs. Portable Countertop Dishwasher

The three primary types of dishwashers are built-in, portable freestanding, and portable countertop dishwashers. In appearance, the first two are practically indistinguishable. So, let’s take a closer look at how the three differ.

Built-in Dishwashers

What makes a dishwasher “built-in” is the fact that you can anchor the machine to the sides of cabinets or underneath kitchen countertops. Because they can be fastened to a sturdy surface, they do not pose any risk of tipping or moving around when the spray arm is working at full blast.

Built-in dishwashers are considered to be in the middle in terms of size and height, as opposed to large portable freestanding and tiny portable countertop models. As such, they do not house as many place settings as portable freestanding, but their inner tubs are vastly larger than those found in portable countertops.

Portable Freestanding

A portable freestanding dishwasher is a dishwasher that you can place anywhere in your kitchen. You do not have to hardwire the machine as you typically would with a built-in dishwasher, which allows you to remove the front and back panels when necessary.

This is the largest type of residential dishwasher available, with many of them being able to wash over a dozen place settings in a single wash cycle. They also come fitted with larger motors and pumps, which help them blast debris off the surface of dishes placed inside their large tubs.

Portable Countertop

As the name suggests, portable countertop dishwashers are those that you can place on top of your kitchen counter. There are considerably smaller than built-in and portable freestanding models, but they are perfect for apartments and those without too many dishes at home.

Being the tiniest dishwasher type available, portable countertop dishwashers are significantly lighter than the others. However, in exchange for maximum portability, such a dishwasher will only typically wash up to 6 place settings at a time.

How Heavy Is a Residential Dishwasher?

There are 3 main residential dishwasher classes to choose from—built-in, portable freestanding, and portable countertop dishwashers.

Below, I’ll provide a rough breakdown of dishwasher weights based on classification.

Built-in Dishwasher Weights

Dishwasher Brand and Model	Weight (lbs.)
Bosch SHE3AR76UC	69
Fisher Paykel DD24DAX9	118.7
Frigidaire FFBD1831US	54
EdgeStar BIDW1801BL	55
GE GSM2200VWW	76
GE GSM2200	150
Whirlpool DU1010XTX	55
KitchenAid KUDS40CVWH	63
Electrolux EIDW6105GB	115
Cafe CDT805P2NS1	105
hOmeLabs HME030286N	73
SPT SD-9254W	54
Frigidaire FFCD2418U	74
Kalamera Built in Dishwasher	98.8

Portable Freestanding Dishwasher Weights

Dishwasher Brand and Model	Weight (lbs.)
Danby DDW1804EBSS	55.1
EdgeStar BIDW1802SS	52.9
SPT SD-9263SSA	114
SPT SD-9263W	118
COMFEE WQP4-2601	30.8

Portable Countertop Dishwasher Weights

Dishwasher Brand and Model	Weight (lbs.)
Farberware Professional FCD06ABBWHA	44.1
BLACK+DECKER BCD6W	46.2
COSTWAY Countertop Dishwasher	46
KAPAS Countertop Dishwasher	30
GASLAND Chef DW102WN	50.3

Why Does the Weight of a Dishwasher Matter?

Generally speaking, you only need to consider the weight of a dishwasher when you’re buying one. That is because you need to take into account how you are going to ship it to your home (if you’re shopping online) and where its final resting spot will be.

Heavier dishwashers—e.g., those that weigh over 80 pounds—can be difficult to lift by a single person. That is why I would wholeheartedly advise that you use a strapless trolley to move your dishwasher around, especially if you need to mount it inside your kitchen cabinets. But after everything is said and done, you only need to move the dishwasher when replacing it with a brand-new model.

As for portable countertop dishwasher models, they have a maximum weight of just around 60 pounds, which isn’t too difficult to lift around. Due to their lightweight, you can store them in cabinets whenever they’re not in use to make your kitchen appear a lot less cluttered.

Can I Place a Dishwasher in My Car?

Yes, you absolutely can. The only thing you need to consider is whether or not there’s enough trunk space in your car to accommodate your brand-new dishwasher.

Most trucks and SUVs will have enough space in the back for even the largest residential dishwashers. However, if your car cannot house an entire dishwasher, you might have to take a look at different delivery options and their fees.

Can I Transport a Dishwasher on Its Side?

If you purchased a dishwasher at a brick-and-mortar store, or if you bought one second-hand from Craigslist, then you should know how to properly transport it to your home. Fortunately, you don’t have to rent a trailer to take your dishwasher home, but you will have to know how to transport it in your car.

Dishwashers are completely safe to lay on their side. They don’t have parts like fridges that require standing upright to function, so laying a dishwasher on its side or back can be harmless. Just make sure you don’t lay it on its front since any bumps on the road can cause damage to the front panel, the door, or the latching mechanism.

Also, I would recommend filling your trunk with pillows or cushioning to ensure that the appliance doesn’t move around while you drive back home. In addition, never place anything on top of the dishwasher while transporting it in your vehicle. You should also remove the dishracks from the tub, just to be safe.

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