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Tips on buying the best dishwasher for you
The Which? experts provide no-nonsense advice on choosing and buying the best dishwasher to suit your needs.
Which? video guide to buying a dishwasher
Can’t decide between a freestanding or integrated dishwasher? Not sure whether a full-size or slimline model would be best for your family? Watch the Which? dishwasher video buying guide for a wealth of expert tips on choosing the best dishwasher for your needs.
Choosing the best dishwasher for your household
Which size and type of dishwasher should I choose?
When you’re choosing a dishwasher, one of the first things to think about is the size. Full-sized models can hold around 12 place settings, compared with eight to ten for slimline dishwashers. If you don’t have much space in your kitchen, consider a compact tabletop model. They’re slightly bigger than a large microwave and can hold four to six place settings.
Most dishwashers are freestanding, but if you have a fitted kitchen you might go for an integrated dishwasher that coordinates with your cabinets.
Best dishwasher brands
The last thing you want is for your dishwasher to break down, so we give full-sized, slimline, compact and integrated dishwashers a reliability score based on the experiences of thousands of owners, and we tell you which models performed poorly in our tests with the Which? Don't Buy dishwashers.
Find out whether Bosch dishwashers are more popular than Hotpoint models, and whether Miele scores more highly than Whirlpool. You can also find out which dishwasher brands owners would recommend to a friend.
Energy-efficient dishwashers
Which? has tested more than 130 dishwashers, and each one is scored on how much energy and water it consumes during a main and eco program.
Surprisingly, the standard program on some dishwashers may be more economical than the eco program on another, so check the Which? ratings. Which? Best Buy dishwashers perform well on both programs – and what’s more, they’ll get your dishes sparkling clean.
- Energy-efficient dishwashers
- How to be greener with your dishwasher
- Compare Which? ratings for energy and water efficiency of dishwashers
How does a dishwasher compare with washing up by hand?
Washing up by hand can be a quick and easy way to clean your dishes. But it won’t always save water when compared with using a dishwasher. The eco program on one of the Which? Best Buy dishwashers uses just 12.1 litres of water for a full load of 97 items – only slightly more than a standard washing up bowl.
By using the intensive program for your really dirty pots and pans, you won’t have to soak them first, which will save water. Plus, your dishwasher can wash dishes at much higher temperatures than you can handle when washing by hand, so they'll be cleaner.
What dishwasher programs should I look out for?
The type and number of programs varies between dishwashers, and while most of us might only use the main and eco programs, there are other options and features which might be useful.
Some models include special programs for all-in-one dishwasher tablets. It's important to select these if using combination tablets to make sure they work correctly. Intensive programs are designed to clean extremely dirty pots and pans, while a delicates program could be useful if you want to wash fine china or glassware.
Which? tests more thoroughly than any other organisation
Which? dishwasher tests are extensive and independent, so you can be confident our Best Buys will give great results.
We test how well each dishwasher tackles dried-on food
The Which? dishwasher tests are unique: each machine is filled with up to 127 plates, bowls and cups, which we stain with dried meat, eggs, spinach, oat flakes, tomato juice, tea and milk then leave to dry for two hours before testing how well the dishwasher cleans them.
