Which is bigger, dishwasher or microwave oven?

Dishwasher is 2.7× microwave oven on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.

How do dishwashers and microwave ovens compare on typical lifespan?

Dishwasher: 7–13 yr. Microwave oven: 6–11 yr. Dishwasher is somewhat greater than microwave oven on typical lifespan — about 1.1×.

How do dishwashers and microwave ovens compare on typical cost?

Dishwasher: 350–1,800 $. Microwave oven: 60–600 $. Dishwasher is 4.6× microwave oven on typical cost.

Dishwasher vs Microwave oven

Dishwasher vs microwave oven

Dishwasher is larger on weight

Dishwasher is 2.7× microwave oven on weight.

A dishwasher and a microwave oven can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
	Dishwasher	Microwave oven
Weight	28–58 kg	9–36 kg
Typical lifespan	7–13 yr	6–11 yr
Typical cost	350–1,800 $	60–600 $
Power draw	900–1,800 W	900–1,800 W

What the numbers say

Dishwasher is 2.7× microwave oven on weight.
Dishwasher is somewhat greater than microwave oven on typical lifespan — about 1.1×.
Dishwasher is 4.6× microwave oven on typical cost.
Microwave oven is somewhat greater than dishwasher on power draw — about 1.2×.

Weight compared.

Dishwasher 28–58 kg

Microwave oven 9–36 kg

Dishwasher

A built-in cabinet that washes dishes with heated water and detergent on a timed cycle.

Microwave oven

A countertop or built-in oven that heats food with 2.45 GHz microwaves from a magnetron.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, dishwasher or microwave oven?: Dishwasher is 2.7× microwave oven on weight. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do dishwashers and microwave ovens compare on typical lifespan?: Dishwasher: 7–13 yr. Microwave oven: 6–11 yr. Dishwasher is somewhat greater than microwave oven on typical lifespan — about 1.1×.
How do dishwashers and microwave ovens compare on typical cost?: Dishwasher: 350–1,800 $. Microwave oven: 60–600 $. Dishwasher is 4.6× microwave oven on typical cost.

Sources

Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place
ENERGY STAR Product Specifications — US Environmental Protection Agency (Public domain (US Government))
Residential Energy Consumption Survey — US Energy Information Administration (Public domain (US Government))

How these figures are compiled and checked