Best dishwashers 2024: Which? Best Buys and expert advice

Whether you need an integrated, freestanding, slimline or full-sized model, our best dishwasher recommendations will help you find a reliable appliance. 

We’ll also tell you which models to avoid. The worst we’ve tested are a hassle to use, and waste energy and water while leaving your dishes dirty. 

We put more than 60 dishwashers through rigorous testing every year to ensure you get the best performance and value.

Check all our dishwasher reviews to find the model that's right for your home

Best dishwashers for 2024

Here’s our pick of the top Best Buy dishwashers, including full-sized and slimline models that have aced our in-depth tests.

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Dishwasher reviews by type

• Freestanding dishwasher reviews
• Integrated dishwasher reviews
• Slimline freestanding dishwasher reviews
• Slimline integrated dishwasher reviews

Dishwashers by price

• Dishwashers under £300
• Dishwashers under £500
• Dishwashers under £700
• Dishwashers £800 or more 

Why you can trust our dishwasher reviews

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. 

Find out more about how we test dishwashers

Freestanding, integrated or semi-integrated dishwasher?

Freestanding dishwashers

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

• A large range of models available to suit different budgets. 
• They're not built into your kitchen units, so you could take your dishwasher with you if you move. 
• Easier to pull out and remove for maintenance.

Cons

• They don't blend into your kitchen in the way an integrated model does, although you could find one in a colour that suits your decor.

Integrated dishwashers

Designed to be incorporated into a built-in kitchen, these are entirely hidden behind a cabinet door.

Pros

• They completely blend into your kitchen, giving it a streamlined look.

Cons

• Often more expensive than freestanding models. 
• The controls and display aren't visible at a glance, so you'll need to open the door to check them (although some models project the time remaining on to the floor).

Semi-integrated dishwashers

Although quite rare, semi-integrated dishwashers combine the functionality of a freestanding model with the streamlined look of an integrated dishwasher.

Pros

• They blend into your kitchen, mostly hidden behind a cabinet door.
• With most models, you can see at a glance how long is left on the current program.

Cons

• Often more expensive than either a freestanding or an integrated model.
• Choice of models is limited.

Full-sized, slimline or compact dishwasher? 

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.

Full-sized dishwashers

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. 

Slimline dishwashers

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

Compact or table-top dishwashers

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 

How much will a dishwasher cost to run?

Based on the latest energy price cap level, valid from October 2024, the most expensive full-sized dishwasher to run will add £96.30 a year to your bills, while the cheapest full-size model will add only £47.45 a year. 

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, energy labels and Eco Buys in our guide to the most energy-efficient dishwashers

Dishwasher features and programs to look for

• 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.

What is a smart dishwasher?

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.

Which smart dishwasher brands give security support for longest?

Security update policies determine the minimum time in which a smart dishwasher brand will protect the appliance and app 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.

• Miele will support dishwashers with security updates for 10 years after the end of production. It might release critical updates even longer that this.
• BSH, the manufacturer of Bosch, Siemens and Neff dishwashers, also supports smart appliances for at least 10 years after the last model has been sold.
• AEG offers support for five years from when the dishwasher was launched - you'll need to know this date to calculate how long support is left.
• Samsung and LG both support smart dishwashers for at least five years from launch.
• Haier Group (including Hoover and Candy) will support products for two years from when they were purchased.
• Beko and Grundig only give guaranteed support for the same period as the warranty, which can be as little as one year as standard (although some Grundig machines can have longer).

For further information, read our guide to smart devices and security

What are the best dishwasher brands?

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.

We use the data to rank dishwasher brands by their reliability rating – you may be surprised to see where popular brands such as Zanussi and Whirlpool are placed.

Find out which brand of dishwasher is the most reliable.

Where to buy a dishwasher

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:

• AO.com has dishwashers from a huge selection of brands. Expect to spend at least £199.
• Currys has a varied selection from major brands including AEG, Beko, Hisense and Indesit. Prices range from around £200 and to £1,500 for premium Miele dishwashers. Currys has a recycling service for your old dishwasher.
• John Lewis stocks a range of dishwashers starting from around £250.

Find out which retailers are rated highly by Which? members with our expert guide on the best tech and appliance shops 2024

Repair or replace your dishwasher? 

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.

Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable appliance repair service near you:

How to dispose of a dishwasher

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

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