The Best Dishwasher To Make Washing Up Easy

The best dishwashers can be the saving grace of a busy household, especially if you're always on the move and need some extra help in the kitchen. We've popped together a guide to the best dishwashers available right now – so you can put your feet up and let an appliance do all the work.

If you cannot commit precious time to the arduous task of handwashing dishes, then a freestanding or integrated dishwasher may be precisely what you're looking for. Not only are they easy to use, but dishwashers are easy to maintain.

When it comes to choosing which dishwasher to suit your household, you'll need to consider if you're limited in space, then countertop and slimline dishwasher models are readily available. If you're looking for something well-designed and a reliable model, a well-known brand like Bosch dishwasher might suit you best.

Best Dishwashers At A Glance

• Best overall dishwasher: Bosch Series 6 SMS6ZCW00G Full-Size Dishwasher – View on Currys
• Best integrated dishwasher: Bosch Serie 4 SMV4HCX40G Fully Integrated Dishwasher – View on Currys
• Best high-end freestanding dishwasher: Miele G5210SC Full-Size Dishwasher – View on Currys

We've covered features across a different range of dishwasher brands and all budgets and calculated the average running costs, along with the best customer ratings, to bring you the best dishwashers to buy this year.

Best Dishwasher For Your Kitchen

OUR VERDICT: Which Is The Best Dishwasher?

A Modern Kitchen has chosen the Bosch Serie 6 Freestanding and Series 4 Integrated Dishwasher as the best dishwashers you can buy. Both are great all-rounders with a fab range of programmes, innovative features, and promising reviews from existing buyers. At under £710 each, they're both reasonably priced and promise value for money with a two-year guarantee. Need more guidance? We have a fabulous dishwasher buyer's guide.

Types Of Dishwashers:

Full-size dishwashers

Full-size dishwashers are about 60cm wide. They are spacious and typically hold approximately 12 place settings, which is around 150 items. This is the best option for large households as it will mean that you don't have to run your machine multiple times a day.

Slimline models

Slimline dishwasher models should fit into a 45cm-wide space. These are perfect for smaller kitchens. Although you may be thinking it will not hold much, many of the slimline dishwashers on the market can still fit in a lot. However, if you have a large household, you might find that a slimline may not suit your needs. Always check the specifications for the capacity.

Integrated

If you like your kitchen to look sleek and uniform, then you may want to opt for an integrated dishwasher. These machines are installed within a kitchen unit and have a door that matches your cupboards.

Countertop dishwashers

As the name suggests, these dishwashers go on top of your counter. This is great for people who do not have the space for an under-counter machine. However, they will take up some of your kitchen side space. Typically they are the smallest type of dishwasher.

What To Look For When Choosing The Best Dishwasher

It's best to keep in mind the dishwasher for you, your lifestyle, and your kitchen. Dishwashers have upped their game in recent years, boasting a whole host of programmes and features. All of this is designed to make your life that much easier. If you're focused on getting a dishwasher with the latest tech, keep an eye on "Programmes" in our round-up.

Secondly, quality is something to look out for. How long does your chosen dishwasher tend to last? Keep up with customer reviews and make sure to get a guarantee. It goes without saying that it's worthwhile paying an extra £100 to get a few more years out of your dishwasher. Often, cheaper models don't last long, but you can still find a budget dishwasher to suit your home.

If you're on a budget, the priority is going to be the price you pay for a dishwasher. The prices of dishwashers vary; some can be around £300, and premium models can climb up to £1,000. We've included dishwashers of all price ranges to help you find the best for your hard-earned money.

How Much Do Dishwashers Cost Us To Run?

It's no secret that the UK is heading for a recession. So, we all need to be tightening our belts. In light of this, we've put together a little no-nonsense guide to running costs.

Energy ratings have an impact on how much energy is used each time you use an appliance in your home. As for ratings, they range from A to G, with those ranging from A-C being the most energy-efficient.

But, if you came for some numbers and figures, we've done a little maths for you.

Dishwashers run on electricity and can use around 1.8kW per cycle. According to official figures, the unit cost of electricity will be, on average: 34p per kW. But this depends on your supplier.

Therefore, this means it'll cost around 50p to run for a cycle. If a household switched on the dishwasher for a cycle, one day a week, the bill would be around £3.50.

For more information, we'd recommend this article from NimbleFins on the 'Average Cost of Electricity per kWh in the UK 2023'.

FAQs

Do I Need Salt For My Dishwasher?

To achieve good results, manufacturers tell us that dishwashers require very soft water. So, if you live in an area of hard water, dishwasher salt is very important to keep your dishwasher running. Don't know where it goes? The salt compartment is usually at the bottom of the machine, near the filter. Make sure to keep it topped up. Luckily, most appliances will let you know if you're short.

All-in-one dishwasher tablets may contain some dishwasher salt for cleaning, but it is recommended to use the real thing for the best results, especially in an area of very hard water. Rinse-Aid is great to have on hand; it prevents water spots and helps the drying process.

Are Dishwashers Bad For The Environment?

Of course, like everything else, dishwashers contribute to carbon gas emissions. They use about four gallons of water and around 1.8kW per cycle. But, you can find dishwashers with good energy ratings and eco-cycles to make sure to maximise cleanliness - all whilst using the smallest amount of energy.

We'd also recommend using eco-friendly and biodegradable dishwasher pods if you're looking to be as kind to the environment as possible. Here is some advice, courtesy of Blueland, for keeping your dishwasher cycles eco:

Run the dishwasher only when fully loaded, and don't use settings like half loads and pots and pans (they waste two more gallons of water on average).

Scrape your plates into the compost before washing or loading them into a machine (compost is better than trash since food that breaks down in landfills can release methane gas).

Choose an eco-setting or lower temperature, if available.

When it comes to buying a new dishwasher, check for energy efficiency, running costs, and CO2 emissions, and consider the longevity of a machine.

Why not try Blueland's Dishwasher Tablets, which come naked, with no PVA (plastic)?

Piper Huxley is a Homes, Gardens and Wellness Product Writer for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in cookware. When she's not cooking up a storm in the kitchen, Piper is re-watching a TV show or listening to a podcast.