While usually a significant investment, the best dishwashers can save you time, effort and even reduce your energy bills in the long run.
For households looking to cut down on water usage, using one of these appliances is an efficient alternative to handwashing, which accounts for around four per cent of domestic waste use in England and Wales. And with the average annual combined water bill at £639, a dishwasher can also contribute to cost savings over time.
To guide you through this major purchase, we’ve consulted industry experts from John Lewis and Partners, AO and Currys as well as independent advisors from UK Whitegoods.
Our recommendations are based on trusted advice and recommendations from experts to help you choose the best dishwasher for your home. If you’re looking to make your money go further, discover our guide to the latest dishwasher deals for added savings.
Best dishwashers at a glance
- Best integrated dishwasher: Haier I-PRO SHINE SERIES 6 – Biovitae Collection XS 4A4M4BB-80, £799
- Best slimline dishwasher: Hotpoint HP3FC10BS7A0SUK Slimline Dishwasher, £579
- Best integrated slimline dishwasher: Neff N50 S875HKX32G, £549
- Best freestanding dishwasher: HISENSE HS673A90BXUK Full-size WiFi-enabled Dishwasher, £499
- Best budget dishwasher: Kenwood KDW60W25 Full-size Dishwasher, £279
- Best Bosch dishwasher: Bosch Series 8 SMD8YCX04G Integrated Dishwasher with PerfectDry, £999
- Best Miele dishwasher: Miele G7650 SCVi Integrated Dishwasher, £1399
- Best dishwasher under £300: Beko DVN04X20W Freestanding Dishwasher, £279
How we chose the best dishwasher
Finding a new dishwasher can be a tricky task, especially if you’re not able to head into a store to look at one yourself. This guide was carefully curated by talking to some of the UK’s popular appliance giants to discuss their buying trends, specifically in the dishwasher department. I spoke with AO, John Lewis & Partners and Curry’s, and each brand let me in on their dishwasher secrets and top recommendations, as tried and tested by them – and highly rated by their shoppers. I used this information to configure a detailed list of what I’ve deduced to be the best dishwashers on the market in 2026. I compared dishwasher specifications and ratings, while always considering budget and energy use. As well as this, I spoke with industry experts to query all our unanswered dishwasher woes – what really is the best time to run a dishwasher? Have I been running mine at night for absolutely no reason at all?
The experts I spoke to were:
- AO.com’s appliance expert, Jade Golding-Gault
- Lauren Clark, trading director at AO
- Gwil Snook, dishwasher expert at AO
- Emma Krystena McDermott, dishwasher expert at AO
- Laura Comfort, Head of Category at Currys
- Heather Andrews, Large Electricals Buyer at John Lewis & Partners
- Ian Palmer Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General
- Andy Trigg, director of whitegoodshelp.co.uk
- Mark Davidson, appliance engineer at Pimlico Plumbers
- Mark Reeves, director of Glotech Domestic Appliance Repairs
Jump to section:
Best dishwashers to buy in 2026
Haier I-PRO SHINE SERIES 6 4A4M4BB-80 Fully Integrated Full Size Dishwasher
Available from AO (£649), Hughes (£649)
Best integrated dishwasher
Energy rating: A
Top features:
- 14 place settings
- Noise level: 44dB
- Key feature: AI
Pros:
- Super energy-efficient
- Wi-Fi connected – controllable via your phone
- Two drawers and a cutlery rack
Cons:
This Haier integrated dishwasher packs several wow-worthy features to fit seamlessly into your decor and handle the post-dinnertime bustle in your kitchen. “The Haier I-PRO SHINE SERIES 6 is a great choice if you want a dishwasher that takes the guesswork out of wash cycles,” claims Jade from AO. “The AI Wash technology monitors each load and automatically selects the right settings, so you can simply load it up and press start without worrying about which programme to choose,” she adds. Not only for convenience, but this special AI-powered setting also claims to save energy and time – it automatically detects how dirty your crockery is and adjusts its water and wash settings accordingly. You can even control it via your phone, while this specific model claims to kill up to 99.99% of bacteria at only 45C thanks to its Biovitae LED light system – plus its H-shaped spray arm moves in both directions and boasts intense jets to give your dishes a thorough clean.
The only thing letting it down? Its hefty £650 price tag, which is understandable, but this obviously won’t fit everyone’s budget.
Available from:
Hotpoint HP3FC10BS7A0SUK Slimline Dishwasher
Available from AO (£449), Currys (£449)
Best slimline dishwasher
Energy rating: C
Top features:
- 10 place settings
- Noise level: 42dB
- Key feature: 3D Zone Wash technology
Pros:
- 30-minute half-load option
- Adjustable cutlery basket means you can still wash large pots, etc
- Salt indicator
Cons:
- No time remaining indicator
- Only one colour option
A mini but mighty choice for smaller kitchens, “the adjustable basket makes a bigger difference than you might expect, allowing you to easily make room for all types of dishes and glassware, including tall wine glasses and larger pans,” raves Jade from AO.com about this Hotpoint model. What’s its superpower? “Its 3D Zone Wash technology increases water pressure in selected areas to tackle stubborn dirt and heavily soiled dishes, making it particularly useful for cleaning pots and pans after cooking,” claims Laura from Currys. “At just 45cm wide, it’s well suited to smaller kitchens, while its 30-minute Rapid Wash programme is handy when you need to quickly clean a smaller load of lightly soiled dishes,” she adds.
At this price tag, it doesn’t offer any super fancy features other than 3D Zone Wash technology, but it does boast 10 preset programmes, including an eco and sanitising mode. FYI: there’s no time remaining indicator, which might be a huge disadvantage for some. Also, it only comes in silver.
Available from:
Neff N50 S875HKX32G
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£549), AO (£549), Appliances Direct (£549)
Best integrated slimline dishwasher
Energy rating: D
Top features:
- 10 place settings
- Noise level: 44dB
- Key feature: Home Connect
Pros:
- Wi-Fi control
- DosageAssist detergent dispenser
- Affordable price considering its features
Cons:
- Middling energy efficiency rating
One of the best things about this Neff dishwasher, other than its intuitiveness, is that you can control it via your phone – for the £550 price tag, this is impressive. You can turn it on, schedule it to turn on, or even check its status on the app, which adds a whole load of convenience to an otherwise busy day. And the convenience doesn’t end there: “Your dishwasher’s Info Light is one of these handy clarifiers: our smart little helper projects a red light onto the floor that showcases clearly that this dishwasher is in operation,” claims Heather from John Lewis. Plus, DosageAssist means it’ll even dispense your detergent; you need only fill it and turn it on – it will automatically dispense, depending on the load size and its dirtiness. Genius!
Its only downside? It’s a slimline, which might not be the size that you need – or your family might require a larger dishwasher. However, as slimline dishwashers go, this one still manages to offer space for 10 place settings, while its top basket can sit at three different levels, so it should be able to fit pretty much any piece of cookware.
Available from:
HISENSE HS673A90BXUK Full-size WiFi-enabled Dishwasher
Available from Currys (£479)
Best freestanding dishwasher
Energy rating: A
Top features:
- 16 place settings
- Noise level: 40dB
- Key feature: A energy rating
Pros:
- Great energy rating
- Three colour choices
- Wi-Fi control
- 15-minute quick wash
Cons:
- No auto detergent dispenser
“The HISENSE HS673A90BXUK Full-size WiFi-enabled Dishwasher makes light work of cleaning up after family meals, with enough room for 16 place settings,” claims Laura from Currys. One feature that makes this dishwasher stand out is how economical it is. “Its 15-minute Quick Wash is particularly useful when you need to quickly clean lightly soiled plates or glasses, whether you’re hosting guests or getting ready for the next meal,” she says. “It also boasts an A energy efficiency rating, helping to keep running costs down,” she adds. Better yet? It boasts low water usage at 9.4 litres, too, so if you’re looking to keep household bills down, this is the dishwasher for you. Even more convenient? It offers Wi-Fi control, so that you can turn on your dishwasher from your bed.
The only slight downside is its lack of detergent dispenser feature – most other smart dishwashers automatically dispense detergent for you, making it another thing you needn’t worry about.
Available from:
Kenwood KDW60W25 Full-size Dishwasher
Available from Currys (£269)
Best budget dishwasher
Energy rating: A
Top features:
- 14 place settings
- Noise level: 49dB
- Key feature: Soil-Sensing program
Pros:
- Rinse aid & salt indicators
- Auto open drying
- Great features for less than £300
Cons:
At less than £300, this Kenwood dishwasher is a great buy since it offers space for 14 place settings and there are eight wash programmes to choose from. “Its Soil-Sensing programme automatically detects how dirty your dishes are and adjusts the wash accordingly, taking the guesswork out of choosing the right cycle and only using what’s needed for each load,” says Laura from Currys. This is arguably its smartest feature, which is impressive considering its low price. The Soil Sensing programme will help you save money and energy on every single wash. Plus, there’s a 30-minute half load setting, too. For added convenience, it alerts you when it needs rinse aid and salt, while it automatically opens to naturally air dry, too.
The only thing we could possibly moan about is its white colourway – this is the only option, so if you’re looking for something to seamlessly fit into your kitchen, this may not be it.
Available from:
Bosch Series 8 SMD8YCX04G Integrated Dishwasher with PerfectDry
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£999)
Best Bosch dishwasher
Energy rating: A
Top features:
- 14 place settings
- Noise level: 40dB
- Key feature: Programme Assistant
Pros:
- Energy efficient
- VarioDrawer for extra stacking space
- Wi-Fi control
- DosageAssist detergent dispenser
Cons:
This A-rated Bosch dishwasher oozes convenience from its Wi-Fi control, which lets you turn your dishwasher on from anywhere, to its VarioDrawer which means that your cutlery is stored away from your dishes, making more room for plates and pans. “The sleek and versatile Vario Drawer offers a convenient storage solution for all your kitchen essentials,” claims Heather from John Lewis. “With its adjustable compartments, you can easily organise cutlery, utensils and even small pots and pans. The Vario Drawer’s smooth gliding mechanism ensures effortless access,” she adds. It even offers 8 settings in total and SpeedPerfect+ washes in half the time. Satisfying? It even opens just by touching its front.
It already features all of the bells and whistles, but our only minor gripe is the fact that it’s integrated, which might not be suitable for all kitchens.
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Miele G7650 SCVi Integrated Dishwasher
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£1,399)
Best Miele dishwasher
Energy rating: A
Top features:
- 14 place settings
- Noise level: 42dB
- Key feature: AutoDos
Pros:
- Voice control
- Great energy rating
- Lots of quick programmes
Cons:
This Miele dishwasher is among the best on the market simply because it’s jam-packed with features that you never even knew that you needed in a dishwasher. You can even control it via your voice thanks to Alexa and Google Control. It offers 14 place settings and a huge number of programmes, while a special Express button can reduce the length of all of these programmes by up to 50%. The best part? It’s wrapped in an A energy rating, so you needn’t worry about your bills rising. Convenience-wise, it scores top marks thanks to DosageAssist technology as Heather Andrews, Large Electricals Buyer at John Lewis, raves about it, “no need to add detergent; this programme dispenses the correct amount of granulate from the PowerDisk for you,” she claims.
As it happens, because it’s filled with so many special add-ons, this dishwasher does sit at a high price tag. Understandably, this isn’t going to fit everyone’s budget but if you are looking to invest in the best Miele dishwasher, this is it.
Available from:
Beko DVN04X20W Freestanding Dishwasher
Available from John Lewis & Partners (£279), Argos (£279)
Best dishwasher under £300
Energy rating: E
Top features:
- 13 place settings
- Noise level: 49dB
- Key feature: Low water & energy usage
Pros:
- Sliding cutlery basket
- Half load option
- Salt & rinse aid indicators
Cons:
Sitting at a very budget-friendly price of £279, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with this dishwasher if you’re after something that’s economical; plus it’s an ideal size for families and it’s super reliable. It even offers a sliding cutlery basket to make more room for those awkward pieces of cookware. And for this price, it alarms you when salt and rinse aid is required. “The Half Load function really makes a difference to how someone would use this day-to-day,” adds Heather from John Lewis. Otherwise, its Mini 30 setting means you can wash a full load of lightly soiled dishes in half an hour. Game changer! For dirtier dishes, Quick&Shine takes less than an hour for a full load. So, there’s no need to wait hours for it to finish.
The only downside? It’s arguably not the best-looking dishwasher around, and it only comes in one colourway – white – which may be an issue for certain kitchens.
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Other dishwashers recommended:
Best dishwasher brands
There’s no best dishwasher brand as ultimately, the best option is the one that suits both your budget and your household size. “Bosch is well-known for reliability, quiet operation and consistently strong cleaning performance, making it a popular choice for busy families,” claims Jade from AO. “Meanwhile, brands like Hotpoint and Beko are recognised for offering practical, user-friendly features at competitive price points,” she adds.
There’s more to think about than brands, though, as Ian from Domestic & General assures us that all dishwashers require maintenance to work to their full ability, whether they’re top-brand or a budget alternative. “Filters need cleaning, spray arms need checking and, depending on the machine and local water hardness, salt, rinse aid and descaling also matter,” he claims. “These are straightforward jobs, but if ignored, performance can drop and components can end up working overtime.” So, it’s as much about maintaining your appliance as it is about choosing a good brand dishwasher when it comes to performance of your machine and ultimately, the longevity that it can offer.
Best place to buy a dishwasher
“Ultimately, the most important thing is finding the right product and level of service for your individual needs,” says AO.com’s appliance expert, Jade Golding-Gault. This will hugely depend on the time of year that you’re investing in a dishwasher and if there are any special sales or promotions, whether that’s direct or via an appliance store. Don’t forget about the extra add-ons that you might need, too, such as installation, delivery and even removal of your old appliance, should you have one that needs recycling. It’s worth considering that some manufacturers, when buying direct, don’t offer these specific services. Hence, most people tend to buy from a dedicated store such as AO, John Lewis or Curry’s. It’s worth comparing all the options and checking things like delivery prices against one another, between stores, before pressing pay.
Best time to use a dishwasher
There are lots of ways to make the use of your dishwasher even more economical than when comparing it to hand washing. “Aside from taking advantage of cheaper off-peak electricity tariffs, there isn’t a specific best time of day to run a dishwasher. Modern dishwashers are designed to deliver the same cleaning performance whether they’re used in the morning, afternoon or overnight,“ claims Jade from AO. So long as your new dishwasher has a half-decent energy rating, the time of day that it’s run won’t make a huge difference month-to-month. “The biggest factors are using the right programme, not overloading it and regular maintenance,” says Ian Palmer Smith, appliance repair expert at Domestic & General.
Which dishwasher should I buy?
When it comes to choosing a dishwasher, Lauren Clark, trading director of AO 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,” 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 programmes should I look for?
Andy Trigg, director of whitegoodshelp.co.uk – with over 45 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 per cent 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).
AO‘s dishwasher expert Gwil Snook also suggests looking out for automatic washing technology. “This creates shortcuts to your favourite programmes and can help you start a full wash and dry cycle with just a touch of a button, which can save you a lot of time and effort.”
How to pick an eco-friendly dishwasher
As climate change and economic uncertainty continue to 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 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 AO’s dishwasher expert Emma Krystena McDermott: “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.”
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.
Understanding 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 energy class system on these labels takes 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 label focuses on the eco functions of each dishwasher which generally have longer duration times, but should be more efficient.
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. “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.”
According to the Energy Saving Trust, washing the dishes by hand accounts for four per cent of domestic waste use. Using a dishwasher, on the other hand, takes up just one per cent.
Small actions like fully loading your dishwasher before turning it on and scraping excess food from your plates will also 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
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 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
How to clean a dishwasher
Just as you wouldn’t wash your dishes, cups and cutlery in a bowl of dirty suds, it’s important to clean your dishwasher regularly to ensure it’s performing as it should. You’ll also save yourself the trouble of washing items twice when they have leftover residue stuck to them, which in turn can reduce energy and water usage.
It’s a good idea to give your dishwasher a thorough clean once every three months, but you can keep on top of tasks like flushing out the filter and topping up your rinse aid and salt at least once a month – depending on the hardness of your water and how often you use it.
For a more intense clean, we advise removing the dishwasher racks, cutlery basket, spray arms, and filter (usually located at the base) first, then washing these in hot, soapy water to remove food debris. To clean the inside of the dishwasher, use a sponge and some more hot, soapy water to wipe everything down.
Topping up the rinse aid will help to rinse the water off your dishes and glasses and give them a sparkling finish. You’ll also want to ensure your dishwasher has enough salt to remove the hardness from the water, which you can buy from Amazon and other major supermarkets.
Once you’ve assembled all the parts back together, add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the top rack and run a regular wash cycle to neutralise any odours. Be mindful that white vinegar can cause damage to the seal around your dishwasher over time, so while it’s effective, we advise doing this sparingly.
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’ll 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.
“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 “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.
Is it worth getting a tabletop dishwasher?
Sometimes called ‘compact dishwashers’, tabletop dishwashers can be a useful solution if you have accessibility needs, a small kitchen, or a mobile home.
Most come with all the sections you’d expect to find in a traditional full-sized dishwasher, including cup shelves and a removable cutlery basket. Others also come with clever features that can identify how much water and energy you need per cycle, depending on the size of the load and how heavily soiled the dishes are.
According to UK Whitegoods, however, most tabletop dishwasher brands offer little to no post-purchase support, and availability of spare parts is often rare. If you’ve found a model you’d like to buy, it’s worth checking what’s available with the manufacturer or retailer first, and you can find further advice on spare parts and repairs on the UK Whitegoods website.
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 printed circuit board (PCB) behind.
- Don’t put washing-up liquid into the dishwasher: it foams up and can cause damage.
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