If you need a true built-in dishwasher for an 18-inch cabinet opening, the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS is the pick for a stainless look and a brand that has specialized in compact appliances for years, while the Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher is the best value if you want a white finish, six wash programs and a lower price. The Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher sits in the middle as a dependable all-rounder, and the COMFEE’ 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher is the choice when Energy Star and NSF certification are on your must-have list.
All four hold 8 place settings and use a stainless steel tub, so capacity is not the deciding factor here. What separates them is finish, certifications, program count and price, which runs from roughly $400 to about $550 across this group. Pick by the look of your kitchen and how much sanitizing performance matters to you, then confirm the cutout dimensions before you order.
Our top picks
Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea…
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of…
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers…
COMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher- Slimline Design with Large Capacity: This 18-in COMFEE'…
- 8 Place Settings: Measuring 22.6"D x 17.6"W x…
- 6 Wash Cycles + 3 Functions: This 18-inch…
Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place- Racks are suitable to fit 8 place settings…
- There are 6 washing programs to choose from-…
- The tub is made of stainless steel for…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea… 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of… 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers… | Check price |
| COMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | Slimline Design with Large Capacity: This 18-in COMFEE'… 8 Place Settings: Measuring 22.6"D x 17.6"W x… 6 Wash Cycles + 3 Functions: This 18-inch… | Check price |
| Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place | Racks are suitable to fit 8 place settings… There are 6 washing programs to choose from-… The tub is made of stainless steel for… | Check price |
 EdgeStar BIDW1802SS 18 Inch Wide 8 Place | Accommodates up to eight (8) place settings and… Six (6) Wash Cycles: Heavy, Normal, ECO, Glass,… At only 17.75 inches wide, using this unit… | Check price |
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Quick picks
- Best stainless option: EdgeStar BIDW1802SS, a compact-appliance specialist’s 18-inch built-in.
- Best budget pick: Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher, white finish with 6 washing programs.
- Best all-rounder: Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher, simple, mainstream brand, 8 place settings.
- Best for certified sanitizing: COMFEE’ 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher, Energy Star and NSF listed.
Comparison table
| Model | Width | Place settings | Tub | Certifications / notes | Typical price range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EdgeStar BIDW1802SS | 18 in | 8 | Stainless steel | Stainless exterior | About $500–$575 |
| Midea 18 Inch Built-in | 18 in | 8 | Stainless steel | Mainstream brand, wide parts network | About $450–$525 |
| COMFEE’ 18 Inch Built-in | 18 in | 8 (class typical) | Stainless steel | Energy Star and NSF | About $425–$475 |
| Honeywell 18 Inch | 18 in | 8 | Stainless steel | 6 programs, UL and Energy Star, white | About $375–$425 |
The four 18-inch built-ins, one by one
EdgeStar BIDW1802SS: best for a stainless kitchen
EdgeStar has built its name on compact and narrow appliances, and the BIDW1802SS is its 18-inch wide, 8 place setting built-in model. The stainless exterior matches a stainless range or refrigerator, which matters in a small kitchen where every appliance sits within a few feet of the others. It is the most expensive option in this group, usually landing a bit above $500.
Best for: condos, galley kitchens and remodels where the dishwasher needs to blend with other stainless appliances. Trade-offs: you pay a premium over the Honeywell for essentially the same capacity, and a stainless front shows fingerprints more than a white panel.
Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher: best all-rounder
Midea manufactures appliances for several well-known brands, and its own 18-inch built-in brings 8 place settings and a stainless steel tub at a mid-range price. A stainless tub retains heat better than plastic, which helps drying and resists staining and odors over time. For buyers who simply want a mainstream name and a predictable compact dishwasher, this is the safe middle choice.
Best for: small households that run a load every day or two and want a widely supported brand. Trade-offs: pricing often drifts close to the EdgeStar, so compare at the time you buy.
COMFEE’ 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher: best for sanitizing peace of mind
COMFEE’ is a Midea-owned brand, and its 18-inch built-in stands out in this lineup for listing both Energy Star and NSF certification. NSF/ANSI 184 certification means the sanitizing cycle has been verified to reduce bacteria on dishes, which is useful for families washing baby bottles or anyone who prefers a high-temperature sanitize option. Energy Star means lower water and electricity use than a non-certified model.
Best for: households with infants or anyone who wants a verified sanitize cycle. Trade-offs: check the exact program list on the listing before buying, as compact COMFEE’ models vary by version.
Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher: best value
The Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher packs 8 place settings, 6 washing programs, a stainless steel tub and UL plus Energy Star listings into the lowest price in this group, usually around $400. The white finish is the main styling difference; it suits white or cream cabinetry and older kitchens where a stainless front would stand out.
Best for: rentals, budget remodels and white kitchens. Trade-offs: white only, and the brand name is licensed rather than Honeywell manufacturing the appliance itself, so check the warranty provider.
How to choose an 18-inch built-in dishwasher
Measure the opening, not the old dishwasher
An “18-inch” dishwasher is built to slide into an opening that is 18 inches wide, so the actual unit is slightly narrower, usually around 17.5 to 17.75 inches. Measure the cabinet opening at the top, middle and bottom, and measure the height from floor to the underside of the countertop. Most compact built-ins fit a standard 34 to 35 inch counter height with adjustable leveling legs, and need roughly 22 to 24 inches of depth. If your floor was raised by new tile after the cabinets went in, the height may be tighter than you expect.
Plan the utilities
A built-in dishwasher needs three connections: a hot water supply line, a drain line to the sink drain or disposal, and a 120-volt electrical supply. Many installers and local codes call for a dedicated 15 or 20 amp circuit. If you are replacing an existing dishwasher, the hookups are already there; if you are converting a cabinet, budget for plumbing and electrical work, which can cost more than the gap between the cheapest and most expensive model here.
Capacity reality check
Eight place settings is the norm for 18-inch models, compared with 12 to 14 for a standard 24-inch dishwasher. In practice that suits one to three people running a load daily. If you cook big meals with large pots and sheet pans, an 18-inch model will feel tight; you may still be hand-washing the bulky items.
Tub material and drying
Every model in this roundup uses a stainless steel tub, which is the right call. Stainless holds heat after the final rinse and helps condensation drying, and it does not stain from tomato sauce the way plastic tubs can. For best drying, use rinse aid and open the door a few inches after the cycle ends.
Programs that actually matter
Six programs, as on the Honeywell, is plenty. The ones you will use most are a normal or auto cycle, a heavy cycle for pots, a quick cycle for lightly soiled loads, and an eco cycle that saves water and energy at the cost of a longer run time. A sanitize or high-temperature option is the extra worth paying for if you wash bottles or cutting boards.
Noise
Compact built-ins are usually louder than premium full-size dishwashers. In an open-plan apartment, look at the published decibel rating on the listing; anything around 49 dB or lower is quiet enough to run during the evening without raising the TV volume. If noise is a priority, run loads with the delay start or overnight.
Built-in vs. countertop or portable
If you rent or have no cabinet space to give up, a built-in is not your only choice. Countertop dishwashers hook up to the sink faucet and hold around 6 place settings, while portable rolling models offer 8 place settings without any permanent plumbing. A built-in is the better long-term answer when you own the home and can sacrifice an 18-inch base cabinet, because it frees counter space and connects permanently to the water and drain lines.
FAQ
Can an 18-inch dishwasher replace a 24-inch one?
Yes, but you will need a filler panel or a new 6-inch cabinet to close the gap. Many owners add a narrow pull-out cabinet for trays or spices.
Do I need a professional installer?
If you are swapping one built-in for another with existing hookups, a handy homeowner can usually do it. New installs that require a new circuit or drain should be handled by a licensed plumber and electrician.
Which is the best overall?
For most buyers, the EdgeStar BIDW1802SS is the best overall if you want stainless, and the Honeywell is the smart buy if you want white and the lowest price.
