Below is a list of general considerations which could apply to pretty much any new appliance, but are always well worth bearing in mind when buying a new dishwasher. If money is no object, you’ll find the process a whole lot easier – just buy an expensive Bosch and ‘job done’. If however, like most of us, you aren’t that lucky, then some compromises will always be involved “this one washes better, but it makes a noise like a jumbo jet taking off. This one is nice and quiet but costs £100 more” etc, etc.
The good news is you can now get great ‘all-round’ performers for under £300 which is a budget most people are comfortable with. If you want to spend more on a top brand, or some other feature that is a ‘must have’ for you, then there are plenty of makes and models to choose from. We’ll do our best to explain the options so you can make an informed (and quick) choice and get on with your life. For additional buying tips please see our dishwasher buying guide here.
To read more just click on the headings below to expand each section.
Cost
For most people cost is going to be a major consideration when purchasing a new dishwasher. You want to buy something that will meet your needs, look great and last for years without bankrupting yourself in the process. Prices range, at the time of writing, from £185 for a slimline Beko model to more than £2000 for an all-singing-all-dancing Miele. The majority of machines will set you back between £200 and £800 and you can get some really great models in that price range. You’ll pay a little more for an integrated (built in) machine than for a freestanding one. Slimline (narrow) dishwashers are cheaper than their standard-sized counterparts but not as much as half price (which might seem logical as they are almost half the size). Semi-integrated machines also tend to come at a bit of a premium (possibly because the cheaper manufacturers don’t tend to make them).
The key is to make sure that you get the best product you possibly can for your budget and that is where we’ll try to help. We aim to make recommendations taking into account ‘typical’ budgets that people tend to have. The vast majority of people will spend less than £500 on a new machine so we tend to focus our attention on the £200-£500 range.
Reliability & Longevity
The good news is that machines are getting better all the time and, as long as you choose wisely in the first place, you can reasonably expect 5-10 years hassle-free service from most decent machines. Does this mean you can’t buy a cheap dishwasher? No, not at all. There are some budget models, especially from Beko, that have excellent feedback from buyers who say they’ve been going strong for years. Will a more expensive machine last longer? Well, the old saying that “you get what you pay for” is never completely redundant. If you spend £500 on a Bosch or similar you can be pretty confident that the machine will last.
But what about breakdowns? Well, the simple fact is that any machine can experience problems, sometimes it’s just the way it goes. The key from a buyer’s point of view is one, to check the warranty – the longer the better obviously! And two, to make sure that you choose a brand that has generally received positive feedback over the years. As we tend to focus our reviews on the best-selling and top rated machines on the market at any one time, you can be pretty confident that we won’t show you any models that will turn out to be lemons.
Manufacturer's Warranty
Running Cost
Dimensions
The dimensions of standard sized UK dishwasher are 85 cm high, 60 cm wide and 55-60 cm deep. The dimensions of a slimline model are the same except for the width which is normally 45 cm.
If you’re replacing an existing machine you can be pretty confident your new one will fit as long as you make sure you get the depth right. Bear in mind that the pipework is located at the back of the unit so, when you measure you need to take into account any obstructions which will stop the machine being pushed fully back into the available space.
If you’re buying a machine for the first time or are having a whole new kitchen fitted you (or your builders) will need to make sure you have enough room for the unit. Height shouldn’t be an issue as the majority of kitchens worktops are fitted at 87 cm high leaving you a couple of centimetres to spare. Width and depth are the measurements you’ll really need to pay attention to. This is especially true if you’re planning on an integrated model as the depth must be adequate or the fascia panel won’t line up with the other units which will ruin the nice clean lines of your kitchen.
Delivery / Shipping
When you’ve made up your mind which machine you want to buy you’ll need to decide on a retailer that offers the best prices and also delivers quickly for free (or at least for a reasonable price). We recommend AO.com as they have a choice of free delivery (your order will take 2 or 3 days to arrive), next day delivery at cost of £9.99 or even same day delivery for an extra £19.99 (if you really, really can’t bear the thought of washing up even one more plate by hand).
Disconnecting an existing dishwasher
If you’re a little more hands-on and fancy disconnecting your existing machine yourself it’s not hard to do. Please see the video below for step-by-step instructions
Installation
The key questions are
Our advice would be as follows
1. If you’re replacing an existing unit
2. If you’re installing a freestanding unit for the first time
3. If you’re replacing an integrated model
4. If you’re fitting a new integrated model
DIY Instructions
If, on the other hand, you fancy giving it a go yourself check out this video below for simple step-by-step instructions (there are plenty more on YouTube if this one isn’t quite right for your needs).
Removing Old Units / Recycling
We recommend buying your new machine from a retailer who will also (for a small charge) take away the old unit and dispose of it in a way that complies with the govt regulations. AO.com for example charge £9.99 to recycle your old machine which seems like a reasonable price to pay to avoid the hassle of doing it yourself. That said, if you want to save the money, most local refuse centres will accept old appliances, you just need to make sure you drop them off in the correct place rather than putting them in with general waste. Local councils do also offer a service where they will collect unwanted electrical appliances from you but they may (and probably will) charge a fee for doings so.
Value for Money
Our aim is to list all the best-selling and top rated UK dishwashers on the market in 2021 and then make recommendations of what I would buy given various budgets and criteria (ie Do you want a freestanding or an integrated model? Slimline or standard width?). You’re then of course welcome to do as much, or as little, further research as you like but at least I’ll hopefully have pointed you in the right direction.
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