Dishwasher vs handwashing: which is the most efficient method?

Our in-depth testing has found that dishwashers, on average, use almost 80% less water per full wash than washing up by hand.

Switch to eco mode and a dishwasher uses even less water. Even a relatively inefficient model still trounces handwashing in terms of water use.

Read on to find out how much water and energy a dishwasher uses compared to handwashing, and if it’s the cheaper, more efficient method.  

Key summary 

• Dishwashers can clean up to 16 place settings in a single cycle, using significantly less water compared to handwashing
• A single place setting includes more items than you might think: a cup, saucer, three plates, a bowl, glass and cutlery
• Modern dishwashers are designed to be energy efficient and the eco modes use less energy compared to handwashing multiple place settings.

In need of an upgrade? Discover the best dishwashers according to our rigorous tests

Does a dishwasher or handwashing use more water? 

There really is no debate – dishwashers use less water than handwashing per place setting. 

A single place setting, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, includes a cup, saucer, dinner plate, side plate, fruit bowl, glass, dinner fork, salad fork, knife and two teaspoons.

When washing up by hand, we estimate you can clean around two place settings with one washing-up bowl (with an average capacity of nine litres) before the water becomes dirty or cold and you need to empty and refill it. That's 4.5 litres of water per place setting, whereas recently tested dishwashers (including a mix of efficient and not-so-frugal models), use under one litre. 

So if you had to wash a lot of dishes, for example, 14 place settings, we estimate washing by hand would use 63 litres of water, compared to just under 13 litres if you use a dishwasher’s main program. That's 80% less water per place setting, on average. Switch to eco mode and it's 84% less water.

Dishwashers can wash more dishes in a single cycle than can usually be cleaned in two washing-up bowls full of water:

• Full-sized: Up to 16 place settings 
• Slimline: Eight to 11 place settings
• Compact: Four to six place settings

We also test washing-up liquids. Discover the best washing up liquids for tackling grease and grime

Is it cheaper to wash up by hand or use a dishwasher? 

Dishwashers mostly use energy to heat water – and it’s generally the cheaper and more energy efficient method. However, if you have fewer dishes, it could be cheaper to wash them by hand. 

Dishwashers on average use around 1.12kWh of energy per wash, which costs roughly 29.2p*. How much energy is used to heat up water for your washing-up bowl will depend on the heater. If you have a gas-heated water tank, it isn't an easy comparison (a bit like apples and pears), but gas is typically cheaper than electricity. If using an electric immersion heater that's 3kW, it will cost roughly 11p* to heat up a nine-litre washing-up bowl.

While that seems cheaper than the dishwasher, remember that it will only wash two place settings. If you tried to handwash 14 place settings, for example, it could cost you around 77p*. In this case, you’re better off using a dishwasher. 

*Based on the July 2026 energy price cap of 26.11p per kWh

We measure how much energy and water each appliance uses to find the most energy-efficient dishwashers

Which is better for the environment, the dishwasher or handwashing? 

According to our Life Cycle Analysis data, the largest environmental impact of a dishwasher across its lifetime is energy use at 67%, while the manufacturing process accounts for 17%. That’s why many manufacturers are designing dishwashers with dedicated eco modes to help consumers lower their energy use and bills, while reducing the long-term impact on the environment. 

Some recently tested dishwashers are skipping the main wash all together, so we test these models based on the eco program alone. You can also filter our dishwasher reviews using the Eco Buy filter, to find out which ones have a proven lower impact on the environment, while still providing exceptional cleaning.

You might expect the manufacturing process to be the most significant contributor to a dishwasher’s lifetime environmental impact, but as you can see from the table above, the use phase accounts for 85% (energy and water use, detergent, dishwasher salt and rinse aid). While 17% isn’t insignificant, long-term energy use has much more of an impact.

Is it better to hand wash dishes or use a dishwasher?

We’d argue that it’s more efficient to use a dishwasher, because it washes more dishes in a single cycle, and uses less water and energy to do so. But, of course, that isn’t always the case, for example, if you’re in a single household. 

The following factors also come into play: 

Number of place settings

Medium to large households may be better off using a dishwasher, because it can handle more dishes in a single load, reducing the energy and water you would use by handwashing. But smaller households, such as single people or couples, could save energy by handwashing – it all depends on how many dishes you have. 

Efficiency of dishwasher 

Modern dishwashers come with energy-saving features, such as eco modes and automatically switching off after the cycle ends. It’s important to compare annual running costs before you buy a new dishwasher as this will give you an idea of how efficient it is.

Use our running cost tool to find the dishwasher that will cost the most and the least over its lifetime. Our dishwasher reviews also rate energy and water use for both the main and eco programs. 

Energy source  

Your energy source also comes into play. Gas is generally cheaper compared to electric, but there are renewable sources too, such as solar. An air-source heat pump, for instance, converts outdoor heat into power – it can heat your water (for both handwashing and your dishwasher) to save you costs over time. 

Find out more about heating your home with renewable energy. 

Dishwashers vs handwashing: Your questions, answered

What about dishwasher tablet costs compared to washing-up liquid? 

Washing-up liquid is considerably cheaper to use compared to dishwasher tablets. The most expensive dishwasher tablets we’ve tested cost 33p per wash, while the cheapest cost just 10p. On the other hand, our highest-priced washing up liquid costs 4.8p per 10ml (around two teaspoons), while the cheapest we’ve tested costs 1.2p per 10ml. 

While a dishwasher also requires salt and rinse aid, larger households can make long-term cost savings in energy and water, which more than makes up for these additional costs. 

What about the cost of buying and repairing a dishwasher?

Dishwashers definitely have a higher upfront cost compared to a washing-up bowl. We found our most expensive Eco Buy dishwasher costs nearly £1,300, while our cheapest is just shy of £250. It’s important to remember that price doesn’t factor into cleaning performance. A budget dishwasher can do an excellent job at cleaning and drying dishes, while keeping annual running costs low. 

If a dishwasher develops a fault, there’s also repair costs to consider. Fortunately, most manufacturers offer a warranty and you can usually buy spare parts to repair it instead of buying a new dishwasher. 

What about the items that don't go in the dishwasher and you need to handwash anyway?

Some items, such as kitchen knives, non-stick pans, delicate glassware or fine china can only be handwashed. You may also find it necessary to handwash oven trays with baked-on grease, or pots and pans to save space for other dishes in your dishwasher. 

Discover the surprising items you can and can't put in the dishwasher.

Do dishwashers use energy when drying? 

Dishwashers use energy to heat water and dry dishes. Some models also increase the heat towards the end of the cycle to speed up drying, which can use significantly more energy.

When testing dishwashers, we rate the energy efficiency of the entire cycle. Some dishwashers also have extra-dry cycles, but we don’t test these because they’re not part of the main or eco wash.