Best dishwasher buying guide 2023: expert-recommended models

In 2020, we surveyed more than 1,000 households to find out what dishwashers people currently own, why they chose them, what features they find most useful and whether they would buy them again. But a lot has happened since that survey.

The cost-of-living crisis is having a huge impact on how people in the UK shop for and use home appliances, particularly as energy bills rise. March 2021 also brought with it a change in EU legislation around the energy-rating classification of select white goods, just as Brexit took effect. The UK has adopted the new system that saw the previous A+++ ranges scrapped in favour of a simpler A-G for now, but may go further in the future.

To help you navigate making such an investment purchase, we've spoken to domestic white goods experts from Quiet Mark, AO.com, Currys.co.uk, and Appliances Direct and independent advisors from UK Whitegoods to bring you trusted advice and recommended dishwasher suggestions, and help you make an informed decision about what dishwasher to spend your money on.

Discover some of the best dishwasher brands and find the right dishwasher for your household and budget, with the BBC Good Food dishwasher buying guide.

Our reviews experts test hundreds of products a year to bring you impartial advice on the products worth your money. Discover how we test products or visit our reviews section to find 400+ round-ups of everything from the best dishwasher tablets and best microwaves to the best slow cookers and best food processors.

Skip to section:

• Best dishwashers at a glance
• Best dishwashers
• Which dishwasher should I buy?
• How to pick an eco-friendly dishwasher
• Which dishwasher mistakes can cost you more money?
• Understanding the new efficiency ratings
• How much does a dishwasher cost to run?
• What size dishwasher do I need?
• Top tips for looking after your dishwasher

Best dishwashers at a glance

• Best energy-efficient dishwasher: Bosch Serie 6 SMS6TCI00E dishwasher, £749
• Best energy-efficient integrated dishwasher: Samsung DW6A8060BB fully integrated WiFi-enabled dishwasher, £859
• Best energy-efficient freestanding dishwasher: Beko BDFN36640CX full-size dishwasher, £429
• Best value dishwasher: Electra C1760WE dishwasher, £219
• Best all-round freestanding dishwasher: Siemens iQ300 freestanding dishwasher SN23EC14CG, £744
• Best integrated dishwasher: Hisense HV661D60UK fully integrated dishwasher, £398.98
• Best semi-integrated dishwasher: Fisher & Paykel DD60DDFHX9 DishDraw dishwasher, £1429
• Best slimline dishwasher: Hisense HS520E40WUK slimline dishwasher, £269
• Best slimline integrated dishwasher: Indesit fully integrated dishwasher, £341.98
• Best slimline freestanding dishwasher: Beko DVS04X20W slimline dishwasher, £249
• Best eco dishwasher: Bosch Serie 6 SMS6EDI02G freestanding dishwasher, £711
• Best affordable smart integrated dishwasher: Neff N30 integrated dishwasher S1531TX02G, £429
• Best budget integrated dishwasher: Candy standard dishwasher CD17LS38S, £269
• Best dishwasher for medium families: Samsung Series 6 Standard dishwasher DW60M6050FW, £529

Best dishwashers to buy in 2023

Bosch Serie 6 SMS6TCI00E Standard Dishwasher | A

Best energy-efficient dishwasher

Top features:

• 14 place settings
• WiFi-enabled
• Quick-wash programme
• Clever quick-dry technology
• Able to detect and prevent leaks

Cycle options: Six

Great for medium households, this dishwasher has a coveted A rating – and that's not the only impressive thing about it. It has a versatile design, too; you can easily move the top basket up and down depending on your needs, or remove it completely to make room for bigger items.

TheVarioDrawer offers a more flexible way of storing cutlery than the standard basket you find in most dishwashers, allowing more space for larger pots and pans.

On the technology side, it's WiFi-enabled and can be controlled via Bosch's Home Connect app, where you'll find extra programmes to download and save.

The function that allows you to save your favourite cycles (rather than scrolling through a menu) is a nice touch, and there's also a Silence programme that runs on eco mode – ideal if you want to reduce noise and energy simultaneously. It cuts off the water supply if a leak is detected, too, so you can more easily prevent flooding.

Samsung DW6OA8O6OBB integrated WiFi-enabled dishwasher | B

Best energy-efficient integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 14 place settings
• WiFi-enabled
• Great for medium households
• Half-load setting to reduce energy and water waste
• Flexible interior

Cycle options: Seven

This Samsung dishwasher is a versatile choice for medium-sized households, offering both flexible storage and easy height adjustment. Its eco credentials, however, are the standout. Even under the new energy rating classification system it scores a B, and its half-load option enables lower energy usage when you have fewer dishes to clean.

With 14 place settings and seven programmes, it also has some pretty impressive technology, including voice controls and an auto-door option that allows dishes to dry more quickly. There's an app, too, which you can use to download more functions, plus a speed boost setting that reduces timings for each programme.

Beko BDFN3664OCX full-size dishwasher | C

Best energy-efficient freestanding dishwasher

Top features:

• 16 place settings
• Ideal for larger households
• 30-minute quick-wash programme
• Self-dry function
• Adjustable baskets

Cycle options: Six

With 16 place settings, this large-capacity dishwasher still manages to be both water- and energy-efficient. There are programmes for when you're in a hurry – including the quick-wash setting that can clean a full load in just 30 minutes. The hotter HygieneIntense function, which claims to kill up to 99.9% of bacteria, is also impressive and a nice safety feature.

Flexibility-wise it scores highly, with an adjustable upper basket and folding plate that allows more room for large dishes and pans. The cutlery tray is at the very top, offering up more space elsewhere, and there's a self-dry function that lets air into the dishwasher after the programme has finished. Another nice touch is the bright interior light, so you can easily check what's inside without having to pull an entire drawer out.

Electra C1760WE standard dishwasher | E

Best value dishwasher

Top features:

• 12 place settings
• Ideal for smaller households
• Half-load function
• Residual heat function for quick drying
• 30-minute quick-wash programme

Cycle options: Five

Great value to us means high performance at a low price – and that's exactly what you get with this Electra dishwasher. With 12 place settings and a robust stainless steel exterior, what it lacks in smart technology it more than makes up for in superior cleaning results.

The residual heat drying function also removes moisture from inside after the programme has finished, which means you shouldn't need to reach for a tea towel while you're unloading.

There's a half-load function, too, plus an eco-wash programme, intensive cycle and quick wash that takes just 30 minutes.

Siemens iQ300 freestanding dishwasher SN23EC14CG | C

Best all-round freestanding dishwasher

Top features:

• 13 place settings
• WiFi enabled and voice control compatible
• varioSpeed to shorten the run time of cycles
• Two-year warranty (10-year warranty on specific internal parts)
• Favourites button to save preferred functions

Cycle options: Six

Smart home compatibility can feel a touch extravagant when you're used to traditional appliances, big or small. However, you no longer have to pay above and beyond for these modern additions which generally give you additional flexibility over the control and programming of your wash cycles.

This Siemens iQ300 can be connected to home WiFi, voice activated and controlled remotely from your smartphone through the brand's app. It'll also keep track of how many dishwasher tablets you have left.

An unusual and useful feature of this machine is the varioSpeedPlus option to shorten the run-time of its cycles by turning on a flush turbo at any point. For particularly grimy dishes on the the lower rack, the intensiveZone program will increase the strength of the water spraying pressure.

Hisense HV661D60UK fully integrated dishwasher | D

Best integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 16 place settings
• 15-minute quick wash program
• Cutlery tray
• Two-year manufacturer warranty

Cycle options: Five

Able to wash up to 16 sets of dinner and side plates, cutlery, bowls and cups at the same time, this integrated model by Hisense is a practical choice for busy households, also designed to accommodate awkwardly sized utensils and features a cutlery tray at the top, negating the need for a basket.

The internal layout can be reconfigured to accommodate cooking pots and pans alongside plates. A 15-minute wash cycle is on offer if you need plates in a hurry. Its door automatically pings open to release steam once finished and allow any lingering moisture from damp cups and plates to dissipate.

Fisher & Paykel DD60DDFHX9 DishDraw dishwasher | E

Best semi-integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 12 place settings
• Dual drawer design
• Child lock
• Flexible racking for fitting larger dishes
• Independent drawer usage
• Quiet Mark Certified

Cycle options: Six

Love them or hate them, drawer dishwashers give you the option to set one half running while you load the other and choose a different wash cycle for each half depending on the contents. Grimy dishes in one, delicate glassware in another.

QuietMark certified, this model by Fisher & Paykel runs at a 45dBA level to ensure its functions don't disturb what's going on in the kitchen.

Capacity-wise, it's much smaller than your average machine: offering space to wash six place settings at a time, making it best suited for smaller households. Each drawer contains a cutlery basket and has a handy child lock in case of curious cupboard openers.

Hisense HS52OE4OWUK slimline dishwasher | E

Best slimline dishwasher

Top features:

• 11 place settings
• Good for smaller households
• Quiet performance
• Low water usage
• Self-cleaning functionality
• Third cutlery tray available

Cycle options: Six

Slimline dishwashers are ideal for flats or smaller houses, but this Hisense gadget goes the extra mile with its surprisingly large capacity and quiet performance.

With 11 place settings and a flexible interior, it has a nifty third cutlery tray and time-remaining indicator. There's also adjustable water softener, so those in hard-water areas shouldn't need to add extra limescale protection.

It has low-water usage at just nine litres per cycle, too, and the self-cleaning filter and rinsing system mean you won't need to clean the dishwasher as often. The two-year guarantee is another nice bonus, providing great value for a decent price.

Indesit 10-place setting fully-integrated dishwasher | F

Best slimline integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 10 place settings
• Great for small households
• Quiet performance
• 40-minute quick-clean cycle
• Half-load option

Cycle options: Five

If you're limited on space and want a dishwasher that slots easily into your kitchen, an integrated slimline model will help you achieve that seamless look. At 45cm across, this Indesit dishwasher fits neatly into tighter spaces, and because it's more compact than a regular-sized dishwasher, it typically uses less water and energy, too.

It's also quiet, which is handy if you live in an open-plan space, and its rapid cleaning cycle produces gleaming results in just 40 minutes. With 10 place settings, it's great for smaller households, plus there's a handy half-load option if you can't quite fill it to full capacity. There are five programmes to choose from, including an eco setting. The 10-year parts warranty offers excellent value as well.

Beko DVSO4X2OW slimline dishwasher | E

Best slimline freestanding dishwasher

Top features:

• Great for smaller households
• 10 place settings
• 30-minute quick-wash setting
• Half-load function
• Flexible functions, including a removable cutlery basket

Cycle options: Four

Versatile and surprisingly spacious, this dishwasher from Beko comes with folding cup racks and a removable sliding cutlery basket, which is ideal if you need more room for larger dishes and pans.

It has 10 place settings, so offers ample capacity for smaller households, plus a half-load function for those days when you have fewer dishes and glasses to clean. There's four programmes to choose from: eco, intensive, quick and shine, and mini – the latter of which blasts lightly soiled items in just 30 minutes.

The delayed timer is a handy cost-saving feature, too, as you can set the dishwasher to run later at night when energy tariffs are lower.

Bosch Serie 6 freestanding dishwasher SMS6ED102G | C

Best eco dishwasher

Top features:

• 13 place settings
• Home Connect for remote control or voice activation
• Silence programme
• Extra Clean Zone
• Two-year warranty

Cycle options: Six

With the new energy rating classification systems in place, this Bosch still boasts a positive C rating. It's a smart-home-compatible model, able to be linked to your home WiFi, be controlled remotely through a smartphone app and activated by voice from inside your home through devices like Amazon Alexa.

It's possible to save your favourite cycle to a pre-set for quick selection and delay switch-on for three, six or 24 hours. For particularly stubborn dirt, the machine's Extra Clean Zone in the upper basket offers stronger water flow to tackle sticky residues like dried porridge.

Clever additions like anti-slip grippers and cup shelves should help stop your contents from sliding. There's also a silence programme adapted from an eco 50C cycle for running when you don't want all the noise.

Neff N30 integrated dishwasher S1531TX02G | E

Best affordable smart integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 12 place settings
• Two-year warranty
• Info Light when running
• Smart capabilities

Cycle options: Five

This N30 model by Neff sits at the more affordable end of the price spectrum for a smart-home-compatible dishwasher, able to be voice activated and controlled remotely by smartphone.

However, sometimes it's the simple things that make life easier, like handy Info Lights projected onto the floor to show when the dishwasher is running.

It lacks a separate cutlery tray, offering a basket instead. However, a Chef 70C program is on offer for blasting sticky, starchy remnants with a high heat. It's also possible to save a favourite wash cycles for quick starting.

Miele G7360 integrated SCVi dishwasher | C

Best smart dishwasher

Top features

• Smart capabilities
• Separate cutlery tray

Cycle options: 10

Where this dishwasher stands out is in its energy efficiency rating and smart capabilities. This is a modern piece of kit for your kitchen and that is reflected in the price.

This model can be monitored and controlled through the WiFiConnect app on your phone, or voice controlled through pairing with an Amazon Alexa. You would be able to order new detergent rings through the same portal.

There are 10 washing programmes to choose from including a 45C-65C automatic wash that will adjust the wash according to how dirty the contents is. Four additional programmes will allow you to have even greater control over how your dishes are cleaned.

For example, enabling the IntenseZone feature will make the wash more intense for cleaning extra dirty pots and pans in the lowest basket, while ExtraDry boosts the drying stage of the cycle.

Candy standard dishwasher CD17LS38S | F

Best budget integrated dishwasher

Top features:

• 13 place settings
• 29-minute quick wash
• One Touch connectivity through smartphone
• One-year manufacturer warranty.

Cycle options: Five

If it's an integrated dishwasher to do the basics well while offering some modern remote capabilities you're after, this Candy model could be an affordable option to consider.

You forfeit some of the bells and whistles of more expensive models, like a separate cutlery tray, half-load wash programme and adjustable plate spikes.

However, the top basket is height-adjustable which offers flexibility to accommodate larger plates or chunky cookware, and it boasts A-rated drying capabilities, along with wireless compatibility with NFC-compatible Android smartphones for remote control. The 13-place setting capacity makes it a practical size for larger households, too.

Samsung DW60M6050FW | E

Best dishwasher for medium families

Top features

• 14 place settings
• High efficiency rating
• 30-minute quick wash
• Independent cutlery tray

Cycle options: seven

The Samsung DW60M6050FW dishwasher features a hygiene rinsing function that increases the temperature of the final rinse to 70C to give your dishes a more hygienic, thorough clean – two reasons why this dishwasher is one to consider for medium families.

A child-proof lock on its door is another feature that makes this Samsung family friendly, alongside the general versatility of the baskets within. Tall plates and pots can be accommodated within by moving the upper basket up and down. The plate spikes can be adjusted in angle to best support the load.

If there are only a few bits and bobs to wash, Samsung gives you the option to run a half-load/zone wash which auto adjusts water and energy to the quantity inside. A delay timer gives you the option to set this machine to run overnight when tariffs are lower.

Dishwasher buyer’s guide: BBC Good Food Survey of the best dishwasher brands

In 2020, we rallied the BBC Good Food community with a survey distributed across our website, newsletter and social media channels to establish your favourite dishwasher brands, usage and purchase drivers, and received 1,264 responses.

BBC Good Food dishwasher survey: key findings

80% of BBC Good Food’s online audience own a dishwasher, 51% of whom said they use it about once a day. A very small minority said they use it once a week or less often (5%). 63% of respondents have owned their dishwasher for over three years and 12% have used theirs for 10 years or more.

When choosing a dishwasher, the top two most important factors by a clear margin are value for money and high energy rating. Water usage and product guarantee were the next important factors in people's decision making.

People valued the brand's legacy in their selection criteria. 29% of recipients chose their brand based on it being known for quality – playing an even more important role than whether the machine was the best fit for the kitchen/washing area or its reviews.

Responses also suggest that people are more open to paying for a high-quality dishwasher from a reputable brand than they were concerned about whether the brand was cheap.

Which dishwasher should I buy?

When it comes to choosing a dishwasher, Lauren Clark, Trading Director of AO.com says to carefully consider what features are important to your household, such as:

• What energy efficiency you'd prefer
• How many table settings you'll need it to wash
• How flexible you need the shelving to be

Some dishwashers are more adaptable for switching between stacking pots and pans, and lots of glassware.

"We're looking at all the same features as the buyer at home when choosing which dishwashers to stock at AO.com," Lauren says.

The following are also factors to consider:

• The quality of the appliance
• How much energy it uses
• How easy it is to use
• How good it looks in the kitchen

What type of dishwasher do I need?

Depending on the design of your kitchen, dishwashers can be installed differently to best fit the space available. There are three main types:

Integrated: integrated dishwashers sit under your kitchen counters and are entirely hidden by a furniture door that matches the rest of your kitchen.

Semi-integrated: the dishwasher is also placed under a countertop but the machine’s panel and door is on show.

Freestanding: these can stand alone wherever you place them and are finished on all sides.

What dishwasher features and programs should I look for?

Andy Trigg, director of whitegoodshelp.co.uk with 44 years in the white goods and domestic appliance industry, shares his recommendations of features to look out for when buying a new dishwasher.

• Place settings: this should be prominently mentioned in the dishwasher’s specs. Capacities range from 12 place settings up to 16 on a full-size dishwasher. The place settings calculation should be around 10 items per person, including cutlery.
• Anti-flood protection: a dishwasher with anti-flood protection should detect leaks, drain out the water and shut off before any major damage is done.
• Child lock: with all dishwashers, as soon as the door is pulled open the dishwasher stops working. You can usually just see the spray arms slowly come to a halt. However, the dishwasher could potentially be full of very hot water, plus there is access to sharp knives. So, it might be desirable to have a dishwasher with a child lock system.
• Adjustable top rack: some top racks move up and down to accommodate extra large dishes or pans.
• Hot fill option: some dishwashers can be connected to the hot water supply instead of cold. This may or may not be something that you are aware of as a possibility. Dishwashers are normally plumbed in with only a cold water supply, so if you wanted to use hot water instead you would need to have extra plumbing fitted.
• Quiet Mark symbol: if a dishwasher is advertised and promoted as being quiet, then it should be fairly safe to rely on that.
• Eco setting: a longer wash cycle that uses less energy.
• Auto wash: sensors that can detect how clean or dirty the water is and adjust the wash cycle accordingly.
• Time remaining display: while not always 100% accurate, they do usually give a reasonable estimate of the time remaining. It's extremely useful if you don’t want to leave a dishwasher running when leaving the house or going to bed (never leave a dishwasher running when no one is around).

How to pick an eco-friendly dishwasher

As climate change and the cost-of-living crisis dominate the news, many households are seeking out more eco-friendly appliances to cut down on energy and water usage.

When it comes to dishwashers, experts at Currys and AO.com advise looking for a machine with an eco setting. This can help you reduce energy and water use quickly, particularly if your dishes only need a light wash.

Look at the energy rating, too, says Emma Krystena McDermott from AO.com: "Choosing a dishwasher with a good energy-efficiency rating will use less electricity and save money. You should also compare the annual water consumption – this is usually based on an average cycle."

"Finding a dishwasher that works for your specific household and lifestyle is another good way to ensure you won't waste energy or water," says Joe Close, dishwasher expert from Appliances Direct.

If you're going to be producing lots of dirty dishes and glasses throughout the day, it's much more eco-friendly to run a larger dishwasher once than a smaller dishwasher several times, adds Currys. Similarly, you shouldn't buy a dishwasher that's bigger than your needs, as it will be at its most efficient when run at full capacity.

Which dishwasher mistakes can cost you more money?

"Using incorrect settings when shorter or less energy-consuming settings are more suitable" is one of the biggest mistakes most households make, says Joe Close from Appliances Direct.

UK White Goods' Kenneth Watt echoes this: "Lots of people use the wrong cycle, detergent and programme, and when the machine doesn't do the job effectively, they just put it back on again, which wastes energy, time and money."

"Learning how to use your dishwasher efficiently in terms of load, detergent and general use will prove more effective in the way of savings," he adds. "There are also guides on the UK White Goods' website that show you how to run your machine correctly, and even getting halfway there can make a monumental difference."

Keep your dishwasher as clean as possible, too, says Joe Close. "This stops dirt building up, which can cause problems down the line. Hand-washing items such as oily pans instead of putting them in the dishwasher can also prevent your appliance from working overtime and clogging up drains."

Understanding the new efficiency ratings

Legislation by both the UK Government and the European Commission dictates that all dishwashers sold in the UK and EU must have a label showing their energy efficiency rating.

As of March 2021, the former classification system of some large white goods from A+++ (most efficient) to G (least efficient) was dropped in favour of a simpler of A-G grading system, thereby making room for brands to make technological improvements around sustainability at the top.

As a result, many dishwashers which previously boasted A+++ ratings now loiter around the C-E area; a move that's hoped will re-ignite competition between manufacturers when it comes to sustainability.

The new energy class system on these labels take into account the following information:

• Energy consumption of an eco wash
• Power consumption when the dishwasher is not switched on
• Power consumption when in standby mode
• Standby mode duration
• Capacity of the dishwasher
• Programme type

Insights on the machine’s noise emissions, drying performance and water consumption per standard cycle should also be included, according to UK legislation. This new label focuses on the eco functions of each dishwasher which generally have longer duration times, but should be more efficient.

In terms of Brexit's impact on white goods in the UK, "much has yet to be seen," says UK White Goods' Kenneth Watt. "Spares can be an issue and things are slower into the UK. Prices are up due to Brexit and the pandemic, raw material shortages and so forth, so it’s hard to unpick what’s the fault of what for now."

Which is cheaper – washing-up or using a dishwasher?

"Modern, energy-efficient dishwashers are a great way to save water usage in your home," says Lauren Clark of AO.com. "It’s a common myth that they use more water than hand-washing, and the higher temperatures used means that they are also far more effective at killing bacteria."

Using data by Carbon Footprint, Peter Earl of Compare the Market presents the average yearly running cost of a 1.44kWh dishwasher against those of other energy-guzzling household appliances.

Costing £19.44, the dishwasher sits just in front of a kettle at £16.90 and behind an electric oven at £21.08.

"On average, the majority of modern dishwashers use 11-13 litres of water per cycle," writes Earl. "Hand-washing, on the other hand, can call for up to nine times that amount."

Small actions like fully loading your dishwasher before turning it on and scraping excess food from your plates will help improve the efficiency of your dishwasher’s water and energy consumption.

How much water does a dishwasher use?

Our survey revealed that a dishwasher’s water consumption was a top-five deciding factor for participants when it came to buying their dishwasher. Andy Trigg shares a simple rule of thumb to follow.

"Dishwashers with the highest energy ratings tend to use the least water. This is likely to be because a dishwasher using less water will also use less energy to heat up."

"The annual water consumption quoted for dishwashers is based on 280 wash cycles a year," Trigg tells us. "That works out as 5.38 wash cycles per week. So if you use your dishwasher more or less than that, your costs will vary accordingly."

Having checked the annual water consumption figures of 50 dishwashers from various brands with a range of place settings, Trigg found that the amount of water used by a dishwasher doesn’t always correlate to its capacity. He recommends, instead, using the energy rating as a more accurate guide of a dishwasher’s water efficiency.

Annual water consumption of a dishwasher:

A: lowest 2,492 litres – highest 2,800 litres
B: lowest 2,520 litres – highest 3,360 litres
C: lowest 2,880 litres – highest 3,360 litres

How do you know if your dishwasher is quiet?

A noisy dishwasher could become quite intrusive if, for example, you have an open plan kitchen/living area. You will find details of a machine’s airborne acoustic noise emissions rating and class on the machine’s energy label in dB(A).

"The new energy label has not changed the noise assessment of appliances," says Simon Gosling, CMO at at Quiet Mark. "Along with the decibel level, it now shows an A-D rating, with models in 'A' being amongst the quietest and 'D' being some of the loudest, but this compares all dishwashers together. At Quiet Mark we compare freestanding models separately from built-in models to ensure we can certify the quietest in each category."

An independent scheme, Quiet Mark tests dishwashers every year to certify the quietest 10-20% across sub-categories and re-evaluates them annually to reflect and include the advances in performance of new models coming onto the market.

"The dB sound output from dishwasher models currently on the market this year range between 39dB right up to 54dB," says Gosling. "The difference of 15dB may not look much on paper but as the decibel scale is logarithmic, 10dB is a doubling of the subjective volume, so this means the models at the louder end of the scale would sound more than twice as loud at the quietest ones"

The following noise emission classes relate to the decibels generated during the average wash cycle.

Dishwasher noise emission rating data*:

A: n<39
B: 39 - 45
C: 45 - 51
D: 51<n

*data taken from the European Parliament Commission Delegated Regulation with regard to the energy labelling of household dishwashers, 2019.

Cutlery tray vs. cutlery basket?

It’s common for dishwashers to have small cutlery baskets that sit in the bottom layer during washes. Others have a slim tray that pulls out like a drawer and sits right at the top of the machine for laying cutlery down in.

Cutlery trays allow for extra washing room between each piece and offer more flexibility for utensils such as spatulas, tongs and sharp knives to also be washed safely. Sometimes, large dishwashers have both. A separate cutlery tray leaves you with additional room for plates in the lowest dishwasher rack.

What is a smart dishwasher?

Smart dishwashers connect via WiFi to an app on your phone, allowing you to control them remotely through that app. You no longer have to pay through the nose for them but Andy Trigg suggests approaching these with an air of caution.

"Think carefully before paying extra for smart features," says Trigg. "You should never run a dishwasher when no one is present in the house. They are a potential fire risk. If you can see that there are genuinely useful (and not just novel) functions on a smart dishwasher then you will no doubt be happy to pay extra for one."

What size dishwasher do I need?

A dishwasher’s size comes down to two factors: its physical dimensions and the number of items or place settings it can hold. Measure the space you have available for a dishwasher and compare that to the standard dimensions of these three common types.

Recommended dishwasher dimensions:

Full-size: 120-150 items / 60cm wide / 4+ people
Slimline: 90-100 items / 45cm wide / 2-4 people
Compact: 40-60 items / 55cm wide / 2 people

The best dishwasher brands

Our 2020 survey of over 1,000 BBC Good Food readers revealed that Bosch was by far the most popular dishwasher brand, with a quarter of BBC Good Food’s online audience owning one by the brand.

Nine in 10 said they would also buy the dishwasher again (4% said they would not). The next most popular dishwasher brands were Beko and Hotpoint, with 9% and 8% respectively owning their dishwashers.

Using the results of this survey, suggested models from Quiet Mark Technical Manager, Richard Wilkinson, AO trading director, Lauren Clark, Currys PC World white goods specialist, Karl Beasant, and advice from Kenneth Watt of UK White Goods, we bring you a selection of highly rated dishwasher models from top brands to consider for your household.

How much does a dishwasher cost to run?

You will often find annual running costs provided in dishwasher product descriptions, which comes in useful when deciding what dishwasher to buy. However, many reviews and product retailers quote the energy usage of dishwashers in pound sterling rather than kilowatt hours. When comparing the running costs of dishwashers, take these with a pinch of salt and remember that as energy prices change, so will the annual running costs of the dishwasher.

If you look for a dishwasher with a high energy rating, you will likely save more on energy bills over the long term.

How long should a dishwasher last?

How often the machine is used and how well it’s cared for can both affect the lifespan of a dishwasher. A smart investment can often last 10 years.

‘Dishwashers are relatively reliable,’ says Trigg. ‘Compared to something like a washing machine they have very few parts. They don't do as much physical work either. Usually only on once a day, and essentially they are just heating up water and swishing it around, which isn't particularly hard work. So dishwashers can last a very long time.’

When should you replace a dishwasher?

‘If your dishwasher is still functioning but you feel like the dishes aren’t coming out as clean as they should be, or that the cycles take too long for your family’s requirements, it may be worth looking into replacing it,’ says Lauren Clark of AO.com.

‘Drainage issues are a common problem people experience with their machines,’ says Mark Davidson, appliance engineer with Pimlico Plumbers. ‘This happens for two main reasons; people don’t scrape their plates before they put them in the dishwasher’ and ‘the other is broken glass, where items have smashed in the wash and the tiny shards have got stuck when draining the machine'.

If you’re having issues with your current appliance, we recommend checking the product’s warranty or checking in with the manufacturer to see if your existing dishwasher could be repaired before you replace it.

‘Running a regular cleaning cycle and cleaning out the filters will certainly help it to last longer,’ adds Clark.

Top tips for looking after your dishwasher

Mark Reeves, director of Glotech Domestic Appliance Repairs, shares his top tips for taking care of your dishwasher.

• Clean your filters regularly: modern dishwasher filters are designed to be really efficient with energy and water, so are more sensitive than older ones.
• Keep your dishwasher salt topped up: salt is used to clean the water softener, so without it the dishwasher will get scaled up, causing elements to burn out.
• Be gentle with your control panel: make sure you don’t press the buttons too hard as it can bend the PCB [printed circuit board] behind.
• Don’t put washing-up liquid into the dishwasher: it foams up and can cause damage.

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