AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher review: "I can rely on this dishwasher to get everything clean"

Price on writing: £550 | Buy now from AO

How I tested

I tested the AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher over the course of six months in my home, using it to keep on top of cleaning crockery, cutlery, pots and pans for my family of four. Taking detailed notes on user-friendliness, cleanliness and results on a variety of materials, I tested each of the dishwasher's programmes and features.

Read next: Best dishwashers

My verdict

The AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher is a great dishwasher. I needed a slimline to fit in my larder, and it comfortably fits everything I need it to for my family of four. Before this one, I'd always had budget dishwashers and I could really notice the difference in the AEG. It has a good range of cycle lengths, super-efficient cleaning and I could trust my glassware to come out clean and scratch-free.

The dishwasher holds 10 place settings, which is pretty much the best you can expect from a 45cm model, so it feels roomy enough for everyday family use, running it once or twice a day.

Feature-wise it’s impressively well kitted out too – you get a good mix of programmes including a quick wash, an eco option, and an auto setting that adjusts depending on how dirty things are. It’s especially good if you’ve got lots of glasses, as it has gentle holders designed to stop them wobbling about. The cutlery drawer is also a nice upgrade from the usual basket, as it means cutlery gets clean without fail, although it does make loading a bit more time consuming than shoving it all in a basket. Overall, it feels like a premium slimline option that doesn’t skimp on practicality.

What's the AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher like to use day-to-day?

I run the dishwasher once or twice a day, depending on how much washing up there is to get through. The dishwasher has a range of cycles, from a 30-minute quick wash to an Eco cycle that takes just over four hours. I've assessed the different cycles in more detail later in the review.

Unless I'm in a rush, I tend to use the Eco cycle, which is what the dishwasher defaults to. The door automatically opens during the drying stage of the cycle, so for the last hour or so it's open, which I like as it means I can grab a mug, in the knowledge that I'm not interrupting an active part of the cleaning cycle.

I can rely on this dishwasher to get everything clean. The type of thing my old dishwashers would really struggle with, like pesto, the AEG 7000 takes in its stride. The only thing it doesn't seem to deal with that well is plastic chopping boards, which tend to come out with some food residue still on them.

The dishwasher is nice and quiet, and even comes with a 'Silent' feature to reduce noise even further for open-plan kitchens or those who are particularly sensitive to noise.

How well does the AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher clean?

When I use the 4-hour Eco cycle, I can depend on everything getting spotlessly clean. However, I tested all the cycle lengths and found varied results.

• 160 minute: very impressed with this cycle, all plates, cups and cutlery clean

• 90-minute: almost perfect, but there was some yoghurt left in a jar

• 30-minute: impressive for a quick wash, but baked-on food was not completely removed and would need soaking/pre-washing for best results.

The self-cleaning cycle on this AEG is called Machine Care. Instead of washing dishes, it runs an empty high-temperature cycle designed to flush out grease, limescale and any hidden gunk that can build up over time (especially if you mostly use cooler eco washes). AEG recommends using it regularly with a dishwasher cleaning product – about once every couple of months – to stop smells developing and to keep everything running efficiently. It’s one of those features you don’t think about until you really appreciate having it!

Is the AEG 7000 GlassCare Dishwasher good value for money?

For the price, this AEG sits firmly in that mid-to-premium slimline bracket, and you’re certainly getting more than you would with a basic budget model. Cheaper slimline dishwashers (from brands like Beko) tend to cover the essentials but usually come with fewer special features and simpler interiors, even if they still offer handy quick programmes.

At around £549, the AEG costs a bit more, but you’re paying for thoughtful extras like its GlassCare system for delicate items and a cutlery drawer that increases capacity and cleans more efficiently. Compared with similarly priced rivals like Bosch Series 4 models, it holds its own well: both offer 10 place settings and more premium features, though Bosch tends to add smart connectivity on some versions. If you go more expensive still, you may start seeing quieter motors, more advanced drying options or more app-based controls, but for many people this AEG hits a really good sweet spot between cost and everyday practicality.

About the author

Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She researches and reviews the products Mumsnetters swear by, with a particular focus on laundry essentials like steam irons, clothes steamers and washing lines.

From a highly recommended retractable washing line to the best quiet fans money can buy, and Mumsnet's favourite dehumidifier to the steam generator iron that'll cut your ironing time in half, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the very best products on the market.