How Many Watts Does a Dishwasher Use?

Quick Answer: Typical Dishwasher Wattage

Most full-size residential dishwashers in the U.S. use between 1,200 and 2,400 watts, with an average around 1,800W while running a cycle. Several recent analyses put the “typical” dishwasher at about 1,800W, or 1.8 kWh for a one-hour cycle.
For example:

• Perch Energy: dishwashers typically use 1,200–2,400W, average 1,800W. Source
• Direct Energy: a 1,200W dishwasher running for 1 hour uses 1.2 kWh per load. Source
• Schneider Electric and other guides also cite ~1,800W and 1.8 kWh per hour-long cycle. Source

Typical dishwasher wattage by type

How Dishwashers Use Power

A dishwasher doesn’t pull its full wattage for the entire time it’s on. Different parts of the cycle use different amounts of power:

• Electric heating element to heat water and dry dishes (biggest power draw).
• Pump and motor to circulate water and spin spray arms (hundreds of watts). A 2025 analysis pegs the pump/motor at about 400–600W during wash cycles. Source
• Electronics and sensors (minimal power in comparison).

Energy use by cycle type (approximate)

Here’s how much energy a typical modern dishwasher uses per cycle, based on independent testing and 2025 analyses:

These ranges align with U.S. Department of Energy and ENERGY STAR tests, which rate dishwashers using annual kWh and standardized cycle assumptions. See the official ENERGY STAR criteria here: ENERGY STAR Dishwasher Key Product Criteria .

kWh per Cycle and per Year

Instead of just thinking in watts, it’s more useful to think in kWh per cycle and kWh per year.

ENERGY STAR data shows:

• ENERGY STAR certified dishwashers generally use < 270 kWh/year.
• The most efficient models can use as little as ~199 kWh/year. Source
• Ratings assume about 215 cycles per year (roughly 4 loads per week).

Annual kWh and cost for different dishwasher scenarios

Using those benchmarks, plus a “heavy-use” scenario (daily cycles on a less efficient machine), we can estimate energy use and cost. For electricity prices, we’ll use:

• Low: Nevada average ~11.95¢/kWh
• U.S. average: ~18.07¢/kWh in late 2025
• High: California ~32.41¢/kWh in mid-2025

These figures are based on Choose Energy’s state rate report (EIA data) and a June 2025 analysis of California rates by EcoFlow .

Even in high-rate states, an efficient dishwasher’s electricity cost is usually a single-digit number per month. The real difference shows up with older or non-efficient units used daily.

How Much Does It Cost to Run a Dishwasher per Load?

Once you know your kWh per cycle and local rate, the math is straightforward:

Cost per load = kWh per cycle × price per kWh

Example cost per load at common energy prices

Dishwasher vs. Other Household Appliances

Dishwashers feel “expensive” because they draw a lot of power at once, but they don’t run very long. Here’s how they compare to other major appliances on an annual basis:

So while dishwashers do pull a lot of instant watts, their total annual energy use is often similar to (or lower than) a refrigerator, especially if you have a modern ENERGY STAR model.

What Affects Dishwasher Energy Use?

Several factors can push your real-world wattage and kWh per load up or down:

• Water temperature: The hotter the water, the harder the heating element works.
• Heated dry vs. air dry: Turning off heated dry can cut a noticeable chunk of energy use.
• Cycle choice: Heavy or sanitize cycles use more power than eco or normal cycles.
• Load size: Running the dishwasher half-empty wastes energy per plate.
• Age & efficiency rating: Older, non-ENERGY-STAR models can use much more kWh per year.
• Water heater type: Some dishwashers rely heavily on your home’s water heater; others heat water themselves.

How to Find Your Dishwasher’s Wattage

1. Check the nameplate label

Look inside the door frame, on the side of the door, or behind the kick plate for a label showing volts and amps. If wattage isn’t listed, use:

Watts = Volts × Amps

2. Read the EnergyGuide or ENERGY STAR label

Yellow EnergyGuide labels show estimated annual kWh. Divide by the number of cycles per year to back into kWh per load:

kWh per load ≈ Annual kWh ÷ Annual cycles

3. Use a plug-in power meter (for plug-in units)

For countertop dishwashers that plug into a wall outlet, a home energy monitor can measure actual kWh per cycle. This is more accurate than relying on nameplate wattage alone.

Can a UDPOWER Portable Power Station Run a Dishwasher?

For most built-in full-size dishwashers, the honest answer is: not realistically, at least not for full cycles. That’s because:

• Typical built-in dishwashers draw 1,500–2,400W.
• They are usually hard-wired or use dedicated circuits.
• Portable power stations are designed for plug-in loads, not direct connection to home wiring.

However, in off-grid setups, RVs, or small apartments using compact or countertop dishwashers that plug into an outlet, a high-output portable power station can sometimes help for short, efficient cycles — as long as you stay within its continuous watt rating.

UDPOWER models

According to official specs on udpwr.com:

• UDPOWER C200 – 192Wh LiFePO₄ battery, 200W inverter, about 5.4 lbs. C200 product page

• UDPOWER C400 – 256Wh LiFePO₄ battery, 400W output, hand-sized body and built-in jump starter. C400 listing

• UDPOWER C600 – 596Wh capacity, 600W rated / 1,200W max output, around 12.3 lbs. C600 product page

• UDPOWER S1200 – 1,190Wh LiFePO₄ battery, 1,200W rated output with up to 1,800W surge, about 26 lbs. S1200 product page

Since most dishwashers average around 1,800W, only the S1200 is even in the conversation for powering a plug-in, energy-efficient or compact dishwasher, and only if:

• The dishwasher’s labeled wattage is at or below 1,200W (continuous).
• Its startup surge stays within the 1,800W surge rating.
• You are using a proper plug-in (not hard-wired) connection and following all safety guidelines.

Example: theoretical runtime for a 1,200W compact dishwasher on S1200

If you had a compact dishwasher that truly maxes at 1,200W, the S1200’s usable capacity (after inverter losses) is roughly:

Usable Wh ≈ 1,190 Wh × 0.85 ≈ 1,011 Wh

At a continuous 1,200W load, that’s roughly:

Runtime ≈ 1,011 Wh ÷ 1,200 W ≈ 0.84 hours ≈ 50 minutes

That’s enough for a short, efficient cycle, not for multiple long “heavy” cycles. In reality, power draw fluctuates, and you should leave margin to avoid overloading the inverter.

FAQs

Do dishwashers use a lot of electricity?

Dishwashers use a high amount of power while running (often 1,500–2,400W), but only for a limited time per day. Over a full year, an ENERGY STAR model might use ~199–270 kWh, which is only a few dollars per month in many states.

Is it cheaper to run a full dishwasher or wash by hand?

Modern dishwashers often win. They tend to use far less water than handwashing, and carefully designed eco cycles keep energy use low. The main savings come from water and water-heating energy, not just the dishwasher’s own wattage.

Will “air dry” really save energy?

Yes. Heated dry uses the electric heating element, which is one of the biggest loads in the machine. Turning on air dry or simply cracking the door at the end of a cycle can reduce kWh per load noticeably.

What’s more important: watts or ENERGY STAR rating?

For long-term cost, the ENERGY STAR rating and annual kWh are much more helpful than the instantaneous watt number. A model with slightly lower wattage but poor efficiency might still use more kWh per cycle than a well-designed, higher-wattage ENERGY STAR unit.

Can I use a portable power station to run my full-size dishwasher regularly?

For most households, no. Full-size dishwashers draw too much power for smaller stations and will drain even a large model quickly. Portable power stations like the UDPOWER S1200 are best used to keep critical loads like lights, a refrigerator, Wi-Fi, and a few small appliances running during an outage, not to replace the grid for daily dishwashing.