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Integrated or freestanding? Slimline or full-sized? Whatever type of dishwasher you want, our Best Buy recommendations will help you pick a model that you can rely on.
We’ll also tell you which dishwashers to avoid. The worst models that we’ve tested are a hassle to use, they guzzle energy and water – and they leave your dishes dirty and still soaking wet.
Check all our dishwasher reviews to find the model that's right for your home
Here’s our pick of the top Best Buy dishwashers, including full-sized and slimline models that have aced our in-depth tests.
We put more than 60 new dishwashers a year through rigorous testing to see how well they clean and dry your dishes, how easy they are to load – and how much they will add to your energy bills.
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Every single dishwasher that we test has been purchased by us in the same way that you would buy a new dishwasher. We don't accept free samples from manufacturers, so we are completely unbiased in our verdicts.
During testing, all dishwashers go through the same assessment process to check how their wash cycles tackle a range of food waste, including dried-on spinach, porridge and egg.
As loading a dishwasher can be a constant source of arguments, our tests reveal the models that will help ease household hassle, and the ones that will further inflame domestic dust-ups.
Browse our dishwasher reviews and you will see models that have gone through the same robust, rigorous and real-world programme of in-depth testing.
We go further than anyone else to unearth the top performers that are worth your money, and expose the poor quality models that aren't up to the job of cleaning your dishes.
Read more about how we test dishwashers.
As a dishwasher expert, I know from assessing more than 60 dishwashers a year what differentiates a good model from a bad one. Our testing is robust, repeatable and reflects how you use a dishwasher in real life.
These are the most common, mainly because you can put one anywhere with access to a drain and a plug socket. The door is designed to remain fully visible.
Pros
Cons
Designed to be incorporated into a built-in kitchen, these are entirely hidden behind a cabinet door.
Pros
Cons
Although quite rare, semi-integrated dishwashers combine the functionality of a freestanding model with the streamlined look of an integrated dishwasher.
Pros
Cons
Dishwashers come in three different sizes: full-sized, slimline and compact. If you're fitting a new dishwasher into an existing kitchen, you'll need to measure the width of the space you plan to put it in.
You're better off going for a full-sized dishwasher if you have the space. Slimline dishwashers can sometimes be trickier to load, and our lab tests reveal that they use about the same amount of energy and water as a full-sized model – meaning that, per item, they’re actually less economical.
Width: Approximately 60cm.
Pros: They can wash at least 120 items at once, and are generally more efficient with water and energy.
Cons: They might be too big for small kitchens. Households that don't use much crockery could struggle to make up a full load, and running the dishwasher when it isn't full wastes water and electricity.
Capacity: 120-150 items.
The smallest full-sized machines have room for 12 place settings – each place setting is made up of 10 items, so that's 120 plates and pieces of cutlery as well as pots and pans in total.
The biggest dishwashers can squeeze in more than 150 items, so they’re capable of coping with the washing-up after a large dinner party or family get-together.
Width: Approximately 45cm.
Pros: A great option if you're short on space.
Cons: Not as energy- or water-efficient, per item, as a full-sized machine.
Capacity: 90-100 items.
Slimline dishwashers are 15cm narrower than full-sized models, but are still capable of washing nine or 10 place settings.
Discover the best slimline dishwashers according to our tests
Width: Approximately 55cm.
Pros: A good choice if you don’t use many dishes or are tight on space. With a table-top model, you don't have to bend down to load the dishwasher.
Cons: Often quite expensive and usually a lot less energy-efficient than full-sized or slimline models. It can be tricky to fit large items inside.
Capacity: 40-60 items.
Compact models can be either integrated or table-top.
They're slightly bigger than a large microwave oven or a big drawer. They can only hold between four and six place settings, and use more water and energy per item than slimline and full-sized machines.
Read how to buy the best compact dishwasher
Based on the latest energy price cap level, valid from July 2024, the most expensive full-sized dishwasher to run will cost you £87.89 a year, while the cheapest model will add only around £45.25 a year to your bills.
Use our running cost tool below to find the dishwasher that will cost the most and the least over its lifetime. Use the search bar to find a specific model or brand.
Dishwashers have an official rating for energy efficiency, but this doesn't guarantee you're getting the most efficient machine. That’s where our expert tests can help.
When we test dishwashers, we base it on real-life scenarios, using the programs you use most often. We calculate the energy running costs a machine uses and find significant differences between the best and worst, regardless of the energy label.
In terms of water use, full-sized machines use just half a litre per place setting. Slimline models tend to be less economical, but the most efficient we've tested still used less than a litre per place setting – far less than the amount you'd use when washing by hand. Find out more about this in Dishwasher vs hand washing: which is the most efficient method?
Our Eco Buy dishwashers perform well in our cleaning tests, while also being efficient and long-lasting. Buying an Eco Buy could save you as much as £45 a year in energy costs, which equates to several hundred pounds over the dishwasher's lifetime.
Learn more about running costs and energy labels in our guide to the most energy-efficient dishwashers
Adjustable upper racks You can lower or raise the height to fit in large items such as pots, pans or long-stemmed wine glasses. Roller systems allow you to adjust the rack height. However, you will need to remove and then replace the basket, which isn’t always easy, and you won’t be able to do it if the rack is loaded.
Anti-flood protection If something goes wrong, float switches detect water in the base of the machine and stop it from filling further, while an aqua stop prevents flooding if the hose that fills the dishwasher splits or leaks.
Automatic sensor wash This measures how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the temperature and length of the wash accordingly. It's frequently found on more expensive models.
Built-in wi-fi or smart features Wi-fi-connected dishwashers can be paired with an app on your smartphone and monitored or controlled remotely. An increasing number of dishwashers have smart capabilities, but consider how much you’ll use them before spending more.
Child safety lock This is a reasonably common feature that prevents unwanted changes being made to settings while the dishwasher is in use. In some cases, the child-safety lock also stops the door being opened while the machine is mid-cycle.
Cutlery tray Some dishwashers have a third rack, at the top of the machine, instead of a cutlery basket. These can be fiddly to use, but they also free up the space that would have been taken up by a basket.
Delay start Most dishwashers have a delay timer, which lets you set the wash program to come on later. This is handy if you like to time your dishwasher so that your plates are warm for dinner, for example.
Delicate program Suitable especially for delicate glassware such as wine glasses.
Fold-down prongs These make loading large items easier. Look for dishwashers with this feature in both the upper and lower racks, as well as prongs with different spacing options.
Half-load This setting lets you wash only half the dishwasher's usual capacity – check the manual for guidance on how to use it. While this program uses less energy, it's only 10-25% less than a full load, despite washing half the volume of dishes.
Intensive program Some dishwashers have a program specially designed for items such as pots and pans that have baked- or dried-on food residue. These typically operate at a higher temperature than the main program.
Large spray head These can be used on extremely dirty items, such as roasting trays. Removing the lower spray arm and attaching the large spray head concentrates the water in one direction.
Night mode Reduces the noise level when you want you want your machine to run quietly – for example, overnight so you can take advantage of lower energy tariffs.
Second cutlery basket Some dishwashers have a basket as well as a tray, or even two baskets, giving you the option for extra flexibility when loading.
Smart dishwashers connect to your home wi-fi network and pair with an app on your smartphone or tablet. They used to be more expensive – usually more than £600 – but recently we've seen smart models available for less than £300.
Most allow you to start your dishwasher remotely, but some also let you automatically order more detergent on a timer and download new programs. This should give you greater flexibility, but we're not convinced it's worth paying more for.
Security and software support policies determine how long a smart dishwasher brand plans to update the device with new features and security patches, to guard against emerging cyberthreats.
We estimate the lifetime of a dishwasher – the average time we’d expect one to last before it breaks down or deteriorates significantly – is 13 years. This is based on robust analysis of recent product surveys; it's a conservative estimate, so we’re confident that the genuine average is more than this.
We reached out to the biggest brands to find out more about support policies, and many are falling well short of this.
Other brands, including AEG and Candy, didn't provide us with specific support periods for their smart dishwashers.
For further information, read our guide to smart devices and security
Even the most well-known and reputable dishwasher manufacturers can end up producing bad models, which is why it’s important to read our individual dishwasher reviews.
If you want an overall impression of how the different manufacturers compare, our annual survey of thousands of dishwasher owners reveals which brands have the happiest customers and produces the most reliable machines.
Find out which dishwasher brand is the most reliable
Whether you're shopping online or in-store, make sure you pay attention to the shop's returns policy in case there's an issue.
Popular online retailers that stock dishwashers:
Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best homeware and DIY shops
If your dishwasher develops a problem, you can try a number of things to try and fix it. Read our guide to common dishwasher faults and how to fix them.
However, some more critical issues might require the help of a professional, such as major problems with the water pump or electrics.
Repairing will not only save you money but also reduce the environmental cost of recycling and producing a new one.
Find a qualified Which? Trusted Trader you can rely on.
Some problems might be so expensive to fix that it's simply not worth the cost to keep your dishwasher going. In this instance, you might need to upgrade to a new model.
Many appliance retailers offer to remove your old dishwasher when installing the new one, although sometimes you do have to pay for this.
Another option (which might not cost anything) is council pick-up. Many councils let you dispose of one large item per year for free, charging for any more in that year. For more information, search your local council website for large item collection.
You could take your machine to a local recycling centre. Every item that has a plug, a charger or batteries, or it carries a crossed-out wheelie bin logo, can be recycled. If it's still in working condition, you might want to sell it second-hand (more on that below).
Find your nearest recycling location using Recycle Now .
Read 5 things I'd never do as a dishwasher expert or watch the viral video on Instagram
