Modern dishwashers these days have all sorts of features that allow you to customize your wash. Do you have china that you want to machine wash? Put the machine on a gentle setting. Do you have a couple of huge pots full of cooked food? Put it on a harder setting.

And now, when you can have a solid dishwasher for anywhere from $200 to $1800, what reason is there not to buy a dishwasher? Some people say that space is at a premium. Well, with smaller units, and even portable units, your kitchen can afford to find a little extra space.

You can buy dishwashers at Sears, Menards, Target, ABC Warehouse, or any number of major appliance outlets. You can also shop online and have them shipped to you for a fee.

Most quality dishwashers come with a 3-year warranty on most key parts and a 20-year warranty on the casing and tub. You can often buy a 5-year warranty, which is highly recommended. You never know which machines will break down; reviews always vary. A Bosch or a KitchenAid can be a lemon for one person, but a savior for another.

When shopping for a dishwasher, keep water efficiency in mind. Up to 80% of a dishwasher’s power goes into heating the water through the heating elements. Older models used to use 10 gallons of water per wash. Now the standard is about 8 gallons. Check the size of the spray arm holes: the smaller, the more powerful they spray. This will save you money on your electricity bill. Also ask about the energy efficiency rating. It should appear on the label.

Thicker insulation around the dishwasher tub will make the unit quieter. Check this out before you buy.

Most dishwashers range from $350 to $600. You can also get one for as low as $200 or as high as $1800. Just remember that cheap doesn’t necessarily mean cheap, and expensive doesn’t necessarily denote quality. Cheaper units tend to have fewer whistles and bells, and fewer dishwashing options. Many people like these for their simplicity and easy maintenance.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, some dishwashers can cost between $1,000 and $2,000. Typically, these more expensive models simply have more features, such as timers, antibacterial cycles, delicate and heavy duty settings, etc. This can be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on how you want to look at it. It’s your choice.