Although a hefty financial investment, a dishwasher is one of the best appliances to add to your home. If you work long hours or are constantly busy, then a dishwasher is incredibly time-saving as it allows you to spend less time manually washing up.
Not only time-saving, dishwashers have been proven to use less water in their cleaning process than hand washing, so there’s plenty of incentive to pick out a good one.
With so many different models to choose from on the market however, and some even costing upwards of £1000, it can understandably be difficult to know which dishwasher is the right one for you and your household’s needs. Some dishwashers can even boast an array of additional features, such as Wi-Fi and app connectivity, making them smarter than ever before.
To help make the decision easier, we have tested multiple dishwashers across all price ranges and brands to conclude which ones are actually worth investing in. Our top picks don’t just include the most premium brands – we also highlight the ones that serve as the best integrated dishwasher, best on a budget and the best for tougher stains.
Our thorough testing process is conducted by our expert reviewers. To ensure a comprehensive review, we fill each dishwasher with a typical domestic load and test each wash cycle, including eco and auto.
From a technical level, we measure the amount of water and power used, cycle time and noise level. We calculate the running cost based on a current electricity price of 24.5p per kWh. From a more domestic perspective, we also note whether machines are easy to load, how much space they have and even whether they can successfully clean the dreaded breakfast nightmare – dried-on scrambled egg.
If you’re doing a full kitchen appliance upgrade then be sure to look through our best oven, best microwave and best coffee machine lists too.
Best dishwashers at a glance
- Best overall dishwasher: Hotpoint Hydroforce H8I HT59 LS UK – check price
- Best low-cost dishwasher: Candy CF 57CF0W – check price
- Best large dishwasher: Hotpoint H7FHP33UK – check price
- Best dishwasher for flexibility: Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN – check price
- Best value large dishwasher: Indesit DIO3T131FEUK – check price
- Best budget dishwasher: Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK – check price
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How we test
Every dishwasher is plumbed and run in first before we begin our testing. We fill each dishwasher with a typical domestic load of pots and plates, including wine glasses and plastics. We test the standard, main wash cycle and the Eco cycle on all machines, measuring the amount of water used, power used, time to completion and the noise during the fill and washing stages.
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Hotpoint Hydroforce H8I HT59 LS UK
The best overall dishwasher
Pros
- Loads of space
- Good Eco running costs
- Impressive third rack
- Excellent cleaning power
Cons
- A little expensive in its intensive wash
Not only does the Hotpoint Hydroforce H8I HT59 LS UK pack 10% extra usable space inside thanks to its Maxi Space tub, but it’s powerful and inexpensive to run too. As an integrated model you can’t do much better than this.
The Hydroforce H8I has three racks: a bottom rack for plates, middle rack and a top cutlery rack. Dive deeper and you’ll find there’s enough space for larger plates at the bottom and you can even fit up to six tall wine glasses on the middle rack. The top cutlery rack also offers space for more than just cutlery with a clever dip that’s designed to hold mugs and bowls.
Although its default setting is Eco mode which runs at 50°C, there are numerous options to choose from including Rapid Delicates, Auto, 3D Wash for especially dirty items, Half Load and Sani Rinse for sanitising items. You can also modify temperatures from 45°C up to 65°C.
We found that running the default Eco cycle cost just 16p each time, making it excellent value for an everyday appliance. Using the Auto mode with 3D Wash enabled costs 46p which, despite being quite a big leap, is only necessary for extra-soiled items.
For faster cleaning you can select Rapid mode which runs for between 30 and 40 minutes, depending on what you select. This mode is more expensive at 31p, so isn’t a great option for everyday use but ideal if you need to wash dishes quickly.
Once the dishwasher comes to the end of a wash, a motor gently pushes the door open to allow steam to escape and help the plates to air dry.
Full review: Hotpoint Hydroforce H8I HT59 LS UK
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Candy CF 57CF0W
The best low-cost dishwasher
Pros
- Helps those with a smart meter save money
- Solidy built
- Good standard wash performance
Cons
- Racks not that flexible
With 15 place settings making it one the biggest dishwashers available, an accompanying smart app and a thoughtful design – all at an affordable asking price – the Candy CF 57CF0W is a great-value dishwasher.
Though the CF 57CF0W certainly is a more budget-friendly option, it’s worth pointing out that it doesn’t look like a particularly “cheap” model and instead feels robust and well-made.
You’ll find all of its wash cycles listed on top of the door, which is a useful addition if you need to quickly check which mode to select. Choosing a cycle is as easy as using the controls on the front, plus there are buttons to run a half load and to turn off the automatic door opening system used to dry dishes at the end.
Inside are two racks and a lift-out cutlery basket. Though the top rack is height adjustable, we found adjusting it to be quite cumbersome in practice as doing so requires you to remove the rack entirely from the appliance.The lower rack also doesn’t offer quite as much flexibility as you’d find with rivals as only half of the right-hand tines fold down.
Those slight issues aside, both racks are spacious and can fit everything from large casserole dishes at the bottom to tall wine glasses at the top.
Pair the dishwasher with the hOn app and you can control it remotely and read a more in-depth description of what each cycle actually does. Perhaps most impressively, the app can connect to your smart meter to help you save money. Essentially, once you select a cycle, the app will set the dishwasher to start at a time when power is cheaper.
Overall, the Candy CF 57CF0W-80 performed well throughout our tests and handled most stained dishes well in Eco mode. However, when tackling tougher stains, we had to increase the power to the Auto cycle which adjusts the dishwasher’s temperature and water flow. This extra oomph comes at a cost though, as where Eco costs just under 30p a cycle, Auto mode costs over 54p.
If you need a new dishwasher but don’t want to splurge on an expensive model, compromise on smart features or pay a premium per cycle, then we’d seriously recommend the Candy CF 57CF0W.
Full review: Candy CF 57CF0W
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Hotpoint H7FHP33UK
The best large dishwasher
Pros
- Tonnes of space inside
- Quality stain removal
- Wide range of cleaning cycles
Cons
- Slightly expensive to run on intense cycles
The Hotpoint H7FHP33UK is perfect for larger families, thanks to its Maxi Space design, which provides 10% more space than a standard freestanding dishwasher.
Included are three racks which are flexible and can be adjusted accordingly to best suit the load. For example, the tines on the middle rack can be flipped up for stacking plates or flipped down to accommodate larger bowls.
When loading the middle rack we found that even our particularly tall wine glasses fit comfortably underneath the cutlery rack that sits at the top, which is a common nuisance with most standard-sized dishwashers.
Similarly the bottom rack has tines that are both spaced out at different intervals and are able to be folded down to accommodate larger dishes such as pots and pans.
Away from its design, the Hotpoint features a wide range of programs and boasts brilliant cleaning results. The default mode is Eco at 50°C, which we found is the most efficient programme, but there are also three Auto programs where the dishwasher cleverly detects the soiling level of the dishes and adjusts the program accordingly.
Other programs include a Rapid 30-minute wash, Delicate and Self-Clean. There’s even a useful Active Dry option which automatically opens the door once a wash has finished, releasing steam and helping to air dry the dishes.
We found that running the default Eco cycle costs 22p, which places the dishwasher as a mid-priced option to run. This cost jumps up to 48p when using the intensive Auto mode with 3D Zone Wash switched on, while the fast wash costs 17p, but is only suitable for lightly soiled items.
Those with big families or who just tend to entertain often will appreciate the amount of space the Hotpoint HF7HP33UK has to offer, however it’s definitely not the cheapest to run for its more intensive cycles.
Full review: Hotpoint H7FHP33UK
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN
The best dishwasher for flexibility
Pros
- Stylish
- Lots of cycles to choose from
- Flexible internal space
Cons
- Can be expensive to run
If you don’t have enough space for a full-sized dishwasher but don’t want to compromise on the performance, then the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN slimline is a perfect option.
All its controls are listed on the outside which includes an LCD that displays the selected mode, time remaining for a cycle and ways to select a desired mode.
There are a total of nine programs to choose from including an Eco 50°C, intensive clean, sanitising soak and self-clean. While the default Eco mode will work for most jobs, the Zone Wash 3D mode lets you select one of the two dedicated racks to wash for lighter loads.
Both of the racks are flexible with adjustable tines, fold down wine-glass holders (on the top rack), two adjustable holders (on the bottom rack) and a moveable cutlery basket which can be placed wherever.
To be expected with a slimline model, running the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN isn’t the most cost efficient option out there. Running the Auto Intense cycle cost approximately 38p whereas the Eco mode cost around 22p, with both cycles performing well and able to cope with dirty dishes. The 30-minute cycle costs just under 9p each time but is better suited for less-soiled items.
Although the Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN is a slimline dishwasher that offers more flexibility for smaller spaces, if you have a large family or simply want better value for money then we’d recommend going for a full-size dishwasher.
Full review: Hotpoint HSFO3T223WXUKN
Reviewer: David Ludlow
Indesit DIO3T131FEUK
Best value large dishwasher
Pros
- Third rack
- Sturdy design
- Good choice of wash cycles
Cons
- Can struggle to fit taller items in
The Indesit DIO3T131FEUK is a great value dishwasher that boasts space and performs well even across particularly dirty dishes.
A full-size integrated dishwasher, the Indesit DIO3T131FEUK has space for fourteen place settings and includes three generously proportioned racks, although they aren’t quite as flexible as other similar-sized models like the Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK.
The middle rack in particular is fairly inflexible, as its tines for small plates and utensils aren’t able to collapse and, although it is height adjustable, lowering it means plates underneath can get caught.
Otherwise, using the machine is simple with all the preset wash cycles listed on top of the DIO3T131FEUK’s door, which includes Eco 50°C, Auto Intensive 65°C, and a useful Push and Go option. The latter is designed for everyday use and runs a short cycles at 50°C.
To test the efficiency of the DIO3T131FEUK, we first ran its Eco mode and determined this costs a decent 24p per cycle. Although this isn’t the cheapest we’ve seen, cleaning performance was still generally good although tougher stains like dried egg did remain.
We then moved on to the Auto Intensive 65°C wash which although cost a pricier 38p to run, performed much better than the Eco mode and was able to make light work of dried-in stains.
If you need more cleaning prowess than Eco mode but not as much power as the Intensive wash, there’s the useful Auto Mixed mode that runs at 55°C and costs around 28p to run.
Overall, the Indesit DIO3T131FEUK boasts a solid selection of wash cycles for all types of messes, a roomy inside and isn’t too expensive to invest in nor run. If you need a large dishwasher that just gets the job done, then this is a hard one to beat.
Full review: Indesit DIO3T131FEUK
Reviewer: Joshkun Salih
Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK
Best budget dishwasher
Pros
- Lots of space
- Flexible racks
- Powerful cleaning
Cons
- A touch expensive to run a full intensive wash
Not only is the integrated Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK one of the easiest dishwashers we’ve reviewed to load, thanks to its Maxi Space tub which offers 10% more space than a standard appliance, but the racks are cleverly designed for flexibility and manoeuvrability too.
Its bottom rack has two rows of tines with different spacing, allowing you to load multiple plates and bowls comfortably. The row at the back is also split into two sections which can both fold down so pans and casserole dishes can sit flat.
Underneath the back section is the Hotpoint 3D Zone Wash arm, a separate sprayer which when enabled, offers a deeper clean for more heavily soiled dishes.
Then there’s the middle rack which, like most other dishwashers, can be height adjusted however the difference with the Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK is that moving the rack to its lower position still leaves room for most regular-sized plates on the bottom rack underneath.
Another useful feature comes with the top cutlery rack, which has dedicated sprayers to ensure a thorough clean. Not only that but the left or right sides can be slid away to leave a gap, which is especially useful if you’re washing wine glasses or other tall items.
All the cleaning modes are listed on the top of the door and include all the standard cycles you’d expect, such as Eco, Auto 65° and even a night mode. Each cycle also has additional selectable options including 3D Wash Zone for heavily soiled items and a half-wash option that reduces energy and water consumption.
We started our testing with the Eco programme and found this cost just 19p per cycle. This is especially impressive as we found cleaning performance to be excellent and able to handle even tough messes challenge with relative ease.
We then ran the Auto 65° cycle which costs around 37p however when the 3D Wash Zone is enabled, this pushes the cost up to 48p per cycle.
Finally, we ran the standard 50° Auto cycle which is designed for a deeper wash than the Eco mode can deliver and worked out that this cost a reasonable 26p.
For flexibility, space and performance all at a reasonable price, the Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK is a fantastic choice. Although it doesn’t boast fancy features like other dishwashers on this list, it is more than capable of getting the job done.
Full review: Hotpoint H7IHP42LUK
Reviewer: David Ludlow
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FAQs
There are a few varieties of dishwashers. The most common are freestanding dishwashers that are 60cm wide, though there are also slimline dishwashers that are just 45cm wide that are good for small flats. Integrated dishwashers come in similar sizes, but are designed to blend in with your kitchen cabinetry. There are also compact dishwashers that sit on the tabletop like a microwave, which are useful if you don’t have space for anything bigger.
Dishwasher capacity is measured by place setting – a single place setting consists of ten items of various sizes. A 60cm freestanding dishwasher typically takes 11 to 15 place settings. Slimline dishwashers typically hold 8 to 10 place settings and compact dishwashers around 8 to 10 place settings.
Another consideration is plate size. Not all dishwashers can take the largest plates, but some have adjustable racks to accommodate plates as big as 31.5cm in diameter. Check the maximum size a machine can take against your largest plates before buying.
This is a great feature to have. Fold down prongs make it much easier to load large pots and pans when you don’t have any plates to clean. Cheaper machines tend not to have them, but if you can afford one that does, then you won’t regret it.
Another useful feature is a dishwasher with a cutlery tray. This is dedicated tray at the top of the machine that means you have more space for pots and plates in the main part of the machine.
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