Find Out Why Consumer Reports Is Calling This Dishwasher One Of The Worst Kitchen Appliances

Many people rely on Consumer Reports to help them find appliances worth purchasing, from the best air fryers for 2026 to top-rated refrigerators. Consumer Reports is a trusted source for people looking to make important purchases, as the non-profit organization (that does not accept advertising) performs independent testing and research aimed at helping consumers make smart purchases that fit their needs. The organization also advocates for improved product quality and consumer safety.

On the flip side, some people use the organization's expertise to filter out the worst products, so they can avoid buying them, such as when Consumer Reports' data shows the worst homeowners' insurance companies. When a product earns an unusually low score, it stands out, as was the case with the Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW dishwasher ($299 at Lowe's). The Hotpoint model received the lowest score among the 127 24-inch dishwashers reviewed by Consumer Reports. This model ranked just behind the Hotpoint HDF310PGRWW ($369 at Lowe's), which was 126th on the Consumer Reports list. These were the only two Hotpoint-branded dishwashers included in the review.

In its review of the Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW, Consumer Reports gave it extremely low scores in areas like upper rack wash performance, ease of use, and noise generation. The only category in which the model scored above average was energy efficiency. However, even in the area, dozens of dishwashers received a higher score than the Hotpoint design. Given its consistently low scores, it is often cited as a dishwasher model consumers may want to avoid.

Consumer Reports raises money by selling subscriptions to consumers for the information and reports it provides. The organization reportedly has 6 million subscribers, according to The Street. To gain information on products, Consumer Reports sends a survey and questionnaire to its member subscribers, asking them detailed questions about the performance of products they own, ranging from insurance providers to appliances to cars. These responses help determine reliability and owner satisfaction scores. Additionally, Consumer Reports purchases products itself and tests them in a variety of categories. It determines how they perform and how reliable they are when creating the ratings.

In its surveys related to the Hotpoint HDF330PGRWW dishwasher, Consumer Reports found no performance categories where the brand ranked above average. Some struggles include offering no option to adjust the upper rack, no feature that lets you delay or schedule the start time, and no ability to see how much time remains in the cycle. Consumer Reports did say the model had good cycle times, even when operating with a full load of dishes containing significant soil and food particles. Consumer Reports members who responded to the survey said its reliability through at least five years of ownership was above average. Among the 27 dishwasher brands surveyed, it ranked lowest for owner satisfaction.

The history of Hotpoint dates back to 1911, when it was founded as Hotpoint Electric Heating Company. Hotpoint manufactures a range of appliances, including refrigerators, ranges, microwaves, and dishwashers. Many different retailers sell Hotpoint appliances, including some locally and regionally based retailers as well as national brands like Best Buy and Lowe's. Today, Hotpoint is considered a value-based brand.

The Hotpoint brand is available in both the Americas and Europe. GE Appliances manages and owns Hotpoint products in the United States, Canada, and other areas. In Europe, Hotpoint products were historically sold under Whirlpool. That changed after Arcelik acquired part of Whirlpool's European business, leading to the creation of Beko Europe B.V.

Customer reviews on Lowe's website show mixed feedback, with about 63% of reviewers recommending the model. The model has a 3.7-star rating, with more than 2,600 reviews posted, and 20% of reviewers gave it one star. One reviewer says the dishwasher required five service calls in the first 15 months of owning it. "On top of two control boards ... the racks started rusting out after a few months," the reviewer said. "The tub is thin plastic and will not get hot enough or wash long enough to properly break down the detergent or get anything clean."