The best dishwashers: our top five picks for getting dishes and glasses sparkling clean

Dishwasher

No matter whether your experience of doing the washing up has amounted to decades of expertly sluicing through piles of plates left by a mysteriously disappearing family (who just as mysteriously appear again when food materialises) or gingerly picking through suctioned-on bits of pasta in a student flat’s filthy sink, it’s no-one’s favourite chore. If you’re fed up of the drudgery, or have simply given up trying to pull off Marigolds as a legitimate fashion accessory, it’s time to invest in a dishwasher – and this is our pick of the best. But before you go ahead and add the snazziest-looking washer to your virtual cart, there are a few things you might want to consider in order to hunt down the best dishwasher for you.

While there’s obviously nothing as electricity-efficient as elbow grease, a dishwasher can use less water than a bowl of washing up – around six litres compared to hand-washing’s nine – and be cheaper to run than you might think. The way to clock this is through the energy rating, which we’ve listed for each of the units below. For new appliances, the rating typically runs from D to A+++, and some of our chosen models have achieved that top rating.

After that, it’s a case of getting down with the lingo concerning what kind of dishwasher you’re after. Fully integrated dishwashers can be concealed behind a cupboard door for a seamless look that fits in with the rest of your kitchen, while semi-integrated models go underneath the counter, but keep the control panel exposed for easy access. Some dishwashers’ worktops are also removable to give you a bit of wiggle room. If you opt for a freestanding one, you might want to consider style and opt to match it up with your fridge and freezer to save it looking like an eyesore.

A full-size dishwasher can usually take between 10 and 16 place settings, but if you simply don’t need that much capacity for the size of your household, or don’t have enough space in your kitchen to accommodate another bulky appliance, you can opt for a smaller compact, or even smaller slimline dishwasher instead.

1. Miele G 6860 SCVI Integrated Dishwasher

Outstanding Miele quality takes our top spot once again

Specifications

Best for: A thorough wash
Energy efficiency class: A+++
Type: Integrated

Reasons to buy

+
Impressive energy rating
+
Efficient and effective quick wash

Reasons to avoid

-
By far the most expensive on our list 

Our top pick is this fully integrated dishwasher by Miele, thanks to its superb A+++ energy rating and time-saving power wash, the latter’s goal being to clean and dry dishes in 58 minutes without compromising on the end result. Reviewers have been uniformly impressed, saying that they wouldn’t be without Miele for their reliability and range of features, including remote app control, auto 3-in-1 detergent detection, and 3D cutlery tray that corralls both glasses and smaller items with ease. 

2. Smeg DF6FABRD Retro Freestanding Dishwasher

A flexible freestanding dishwasher with gorgeous retro looks

Specifications

Best for: Retro style
Energy efficiency class: A+
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Looks fantastic
+
Super-fast quick cycle

Reasons to avoid

-
Some found cutlery basket too small 

The adjustable sections in this Smeg dishwasher make it a great bet for experimental cooks who frequently find themselves having to wash up odd combinations of differently-sized pots, pans and utensils (plus that lone glass from the wine that was meant to end up in the stock). The orbital wash system makes for maximum efficiency, meaning less water and fewer pennies wasted in the process, and its fastest cycle is just 27 minutes, around half that of the Miele’s quick wash. Oh, and as if we weren’t going to mention – it looks absolutely smashing in its glossy candy apple red finish.
 

3. Bosch SMS53M02GB Freestanding Dishwasher

Large loads? Not a problem with this family-size Bosch dishwasher.

Specifications

Best for: Family homes
Energy efficiency class: A++
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Very spacious
+
Automatic load size detector

Reasons to avoid

-
Small slots on cutlery basket 

With A++ economy, this full-sized freestanding dishwasher handles all manner of tasks without racking up the numbers on the meter. It’s ideal for bigger households and those with curious kiddos, as it’s spacious enough to carry all the remnants of a large family dinner (that is, 13 place settings) and boasts a child lock for extra safety mid-cycle, while automatic load size detection means no wasted water if the number of dishes is lower than usual. With five easy-to-use wash programmes, an adjustable top basket, large capacity, impressive energy rating and a budget price, this is a great all-round buy so long as the kitchen can accommodate it.
 

4. HOTPOINT ULTIMA LTF11M132C FULLY INTEGRATED STANDARD DISHWASHER

Short on time or pennies? This inexpensive and efficient dishwasher has you covered.

Specifications

Best for: Efficiency
Energy efficiency class: A+++
Type: Integrated

Reasons to buy

+
Superbly energy efficient
+
Non-restrictive interior layout

Reasons to avoid

-
No timer to see progress of wash modes 

While there’s simply no beating Miele’s ‘20 years tested’ promise for peace of mind, for over £1,000, it turns out you really can put a price on it. Luckily, you can get a lot of what our Miele model offers in a more cost-effective package thanks to this Hotpoint dishwasher. It boasts the same excellent A+++ energy efficiency rating, so it’ll save you more in the long run too, and reviewers loved that the interior layout allowed for lots of different types of dishes, its flexibility and capacity – allowing for up to  an impressive 14 place settings – making it great for medium to large households. 

5. Indesit DSR15B1 Dishwasher

Small on price, small in stature, but big on quality where it counts

Specifications

Best for: Slimline
Energy efficiency class: A+
Type: Freestanding

Reasons to buy

+
Slimline design
+
Excellent value

Reasons to avoid

-
Will be too small for some 

This freestanding slimline dishwasher might not be the most energy-efficient on our list with a mere A+ rating (perish the thought!) but for the budget price it simply can’t be beaten. It also comes in a choice of black, white or silver to suit most kitchens, and a slimline design that keeps it to a mere 45 centimetres wide means it’s ideal for diminutive diners. Reviewers who’ve tested it out in the field have commented that it’s the ideal size for a household of three, but depending on how involved your cooking is, you may find it a little small. Overall though, it’s superb value, and on the quieter sound too. 

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