Best dishwashers 2024: freestanding and integrated models for spotless cleaning

A sinkful of dirty dishes is never a sight to behold, but the best dishwasher can – quite literally – take a load off your mind. Convenient and cost-effective, this time-saving appliance is one modern-day invention for which any busy parent is grateful, particularly for its ability to shorten a long list of chores.

Yet with most dishwashers looking alike and so many on the market, deciding which one to buy can be as draining as hand washing a stack of greasy pans and grimy plates. Kitchen appliances can be a pretty big investment initially too, so whether you’re after the top dishwasher or the best fridge freezer, you want to know you’re spending your money wisely.

The good news is that we’ve researched the very best appliances with the help of countless consumer reviews and Mumsnet users, who have come clean about this conscientious kitchen hero, having tried and tested all shapes, sizes and brands of dishwashers in their own homes. Rated on design, efficiency, capacity and value for money, there’s sure to be one in our selection to suit every household – whatever your budget or kitchen size.

From freestanding and integrated to eco-friendly and quiet, we dish the dirt on quality cleaning machines for all your crockery, cookware and cutlery. Here are the best dishwashers you can buy in 2024.

Revamping your whole kitchen? Don't miss our guides to the best toasters and kettles according to Mumsnetters.

What type of dishwasher should I get?

There are four main types of dishwasher and which one is right for you will very much depend upon your kitchen size and whether you wish to have the dishwasher blend into your kitchen or be visible, out on display.

Freestanding - Freestanding dishwashers are self-contained dishwashers that fit beneath your regular kitchen countertops. They don't require a fascia to match your kitchen cupboards, and as such, they are often cheaper and easier to install.

Integrated - Integrated dishwashers are designed to blend into your kitchen surroundings, fitting behind a fascia that matches your cupboard fronts. Integrated dishwashers have the benefit of creating a consistent, uniform look in your kitchen. However, the matching fascia will need to be purchased separately, so you’ll need to factor that into the overall cost.

Full-sized - With a capacity ranging from 10 - 14 place settings, these larger-sized dishwashers are ideal for medium to large families and can accommodate a wide range of plates, pans and cutlery, usually with a variety of shelf settings. If you are a small household, you may manage with a slimline dishwasher, but if you have the space, a larger machine can reduce washing up by having the additional capacity for pots, pans and chopping boards too.

Slimline - If your kitchen is more limited on space or you’d rather prioritise kitchen storage but still want to avoid being stuck at your kitchen sink for hours, a slimline dishwasher is a smaller, narrower unit, normally accommodating around nine place settings. Whilst they may need a bit more thought when loading to make the most of the available space, they can still offer an efficient dishwashing solution on a smaller scale.

What are the best dishwasher features to consider?

There are several factors to bear in mind when in the market for a new dishwasher:

• Size: The amount of space you have available will dictate whether you opt for a full-size, slimline or compact model.

• Capacity: Consider the number of people in your household and how often you’re likely to use the dishwasher and choose one that caters for the appropriate number of place settings.

• Reliability: There’s no sure-fire way of knowing how long an appliance will last or how reliable it’ll be, but reading as many reviews as possible and asking for recommendations from friends and family members is often the best method of finding a decent dishwasher.

• Features and programmes: Does the dishwasher do everything you want it to do? Does it have a good range of cycles? A simple machine will suffice for some users, while others will prefer an all-singing, all-dancing model. It’s worth remembering that the more complicated it is, the more there is to go wrong. Parents should also be on the lookout for any safety features, such as a child lock.

• Finish: If you opt for a freestanding model, choose one that pleases your eye, whether that be white, black or stainless steel.

• Noise level: Check the specifications for the dishwasher’s decibel level – the lower it is, the quieter it’ll be. Those with a rating in the early-40dBs or lower are so quiet that you’ll hardly know they’re in operation.

• Guarantee: Most models will come with a warranty, yet with many of them being for only two or three years, the likelihood of it being used is (hopefully) fairly slim.

• Budget: Dishwashers vary vastly in price, from a couple of hundred pounds to more than £1,000. Choose one to suit your budget and bear in mind that, if you pay double the price of a basic model, in theory it needs to last twice as long to be worth the outlay.

How efficient are dishwashers?

Most dishwasher brands have become more conscious of environmental issues in recent years, adding innovative features to reduce the amount of electricity and water their dishwashers consume; something which has become even more important to customers during a cost of living crisis.

The universally used energy efficiency scale was revised in March 2021, and appliances are now given an energy rating from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient. These ratings take into account both water consumption and energy use. Due to the amount of water used, dishwashers generally aren’t the most energy-efficient devices, so a machine with a C or D rating can generally be considered as good. You can get A rated dishwashers but they tend to come with a premium price tag.

Is hand washing cheaper than running a dishwasher?

As a general rule, washing by hand is cheaper than running a dishwasher. That said, not all of us want to spend hours at our kitchen sink.

According to the Energy Saving Trust, the average dishwasher typically costs between £50-100 a year to run (slightly less for a slimline) - around 8% of our electricity bill.

It’s cheaper to run your dishwasher during quiet times when electricity is cheaper (typically between 10pm and 8am) but you should avoid running appliances when you're in bed, as this could pose a fire hazard.

As a general rule, you should also wait until your dishwasher is full to run your dishwasher most efficiently (unless your machine offers an energy-saving half-load programme).

What size dishwasher should I get?

When considering which size dishwasher to buy, you should consider both the available kitchen space and the size of your family. For smaller, more compact living spaces, a slimline dishwasher can be a great option, saving valuable space that could be used for storage or other appliances.

For larger families, however, a slimline dishwasher has a more limited capacity which may mean you need to run it more regularly. It's important to find a balance that works for you and your family.

How to look after your dishwasher

While there’s no specific time frame for a dishwasher’s anticipated longevity, the average life expectancy is around 10 years. This will vary depending on how often the machine is used, its quality and whether or not it’s regularly maintained, cleaned and unclogged. Treated properly, dishwashers have been known to last a couple of decades – and sometimes more.

To keep your dishes sparkling clean, it’s crucial you clean your dishwasher too.

Clearing the filter weekly can prevent the build-up of food waste that can block or damage your machine. Around once a month (or when your dishwasher prompts you) you should also use a rinse aid and top-up dishwasher salt, which can prevent limescale and grease build-up, clear the pipes and ensure your dishwasher stays hygienic and clean.

Running an empty dishwasher with a dose of the best dishwasher cleaner every so often can also help freshen up your appliance and keep it smelling fresh.

How we chose our recommendations

Recommendations from real parents

To bring you our definitive list of the best dishwashers you can buy today, we first sought the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, getting their feedback on the dishwashers that they rate, recommend and use in their own kitchens.

We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, overpriced or performed badly when returning dishes to their former glory.

Expert opinions

Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those recommended by consumer champions such as Which.

Authentic consumer reviews

Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best dishwashers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Currys, AO.com and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.

About the author 

Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby, child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.  

After buying her first ever dishwasher in 2022, Lucy knows only too well the benefits that a clean and high-performing dishwasher can bring when juggling family life. Lucy's also written a numerous Mumsnet round-ups on highly-rated home buys, including the best slimline dishwashers, integrated dishwashers and dishwasher cleaners, so she's the resident MNHQ expert when it comes to sniffing out the top dishwashers for families.

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