BUYING GUIDE
Which dishwasher works best for your dishes and kitchen?
Compare cleaning and drying, basket flexibility, programme times, noise and installation, as well as water and electricity use.
THE SHORT ANSWER
A dishwasher should fit your pans and glasses, clean them well and leave them as dry as you need. Basket design and drying technology can change daily use more than an extra programme.
1. Kitchen fit and appliance type
Choose freestanding, fully integrated or semi-integrated installation. Check niche height, width and depth, furniture-door weight, hinge type and plinth clearance against the installation drawing. A narrow machine saves width but changes what fits in one load. Check hose reach, door-opening space and how you will see the controls or remaining time.
2. Baskets and real loading capacity
A place-setting count describes a standard load, not your pans and lunchboxes. Check adjustable upper-basket height, folding tines, glass supports and space for large plates. A cutlery drawer frees lower-basket space but may reduce room at the top; a basket is easy to lift out. Try your normal arrangement and make sure items do not obstruct the spray arms.
3. Cleaning, programmes and duration
Look for cleaning results on dried-on food as well as lightly soiled plates. Compare automatic, intensive, glass and quick programmes and check their loading limits. A shorter cycle may omit drying or suit only light soil. Consider how long you can wait between meals and whether the controls allow a straightforward delayed start without an app.
4. Drying technology and plastics
Cleaning and drying are separate jobs. Condensation drying can leave plastics wetter than ceramics; automatic door opening helps moisture escape, while mineral-assisted systems such as zeolite can improve drying. Compare actual plastic-drying results and cycle duration on the exact model. Check installation guidance for steam protection and clearance if the door opens automatically.
5. Noise, protection and maintenance
Compare stated noise for an open kitchen and check whether quiet modes take longer. Look for leak protection and accessible filters and spray arms. Check water-softener settings for your local water hardness, plus salt and rinse-aid requirements. Replacement baskets, door seals and local repair service are useful things to investigate before buying.
6. Efficiency and purchase price
Compare water per eco cycle and electricity per 100 eco cycles on the EU label, together with programme time. Real use varies with the programme and load. Include installation and detergent in your budget, then decide whether extra drying performance, flexible loading or quieter running is worth the price difference.
Before you buy
Sources & further reading
This is buying guidance, not a hands-on product test. Examples are illustrative; check the exact model and current retailer information.