Dishwasher-overwhelmed with the choices

[BuddhaAtSea]

I need a new dishwasher, mine’s just been serviced and the parts would cost more than a brand new one.
I live alone, so it goes on every 2-3 days maybe.
Free standing and in white, all the cabinets are white.
Don’t need lots of fancy options, price £3-400?
what would you recommend? I’m genuinely bewildered and overwhelmed, been spending most of today getting lost in a world of bloody dishwashers!
Thank you!

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For more advice on choosing the right appliance for your home, we have guides to the best dishwashers, best integrated dishwashers, and best slimline dishwashers.

If you’re short on time, however, here’s a summary of the dishwasher brands Mumsnetters are recommending on this thread:

🫧 Best integrated: Bosch Series 6 SMV6ZCX10G Wifi Connected Fully Integrated Standard Dishwasher, £749

🫧 Best freestanding: Bosch Series 6 Freestanding Dishwasher, £699

🫧 Best value: Beko DVN04X20W Full Size Dishwasher, £249

🫧 Best for smart features: NEFF N50 S155HVX00G Wifi Connected Fully Integrated Standard Dishwasher

We hope you find these useful
MNHQ

I always go for Bosch appliances. They serve me well.

Probably won't help, but we recently replaced our dishwasher. When buying we just assumed it would have a pre wash, but got it home to find it hasn't ! A real pain, so if you use the prewash function, it's worth checking !!!

My top tip is to get on ewoth the cutlery drawer at the front!

I agree with cutlery drawer at front - not as a separate tray at the top!

I can't help with models, but I already know what I'll be checking when I buy my next one.

Take at least 3 of your dinner plates, cereal bowls and glasses and make sure they stack properly.

Cutlery basket at the front, no top rack.

Needs a quick wash, pre wash, regular and eco wash.

Never used the prewash function, what does it actually do? I had a Miele, pressed Eco or normal or intensive, depending on what I had in it and job was a good one. (Having said that, I think it has a prewash, just never occurred to me to use 🤯

I love the cutlery rack on top and it was one of my main criteria- ensures everything gets clean, and makes it so much easier to put away after clean if you sort by forks, knives, etc when putting in.

another vote for Bosch, though.

Wait, a pre-wash? Why do you need to wash dishes that you're about to wash? Am I doing it all wrong?

Not a Samsung. I hate ours - I have to re wash at least a third of what comes out.

Get a Bosch

We only ever use the quick cycle.

We have a Bosch with a cutlery tray and love it . A cutlery tray rather than a basket was one of my ‘must haves’ when we bought our new one .

Dishwasher engineer told me not to use the pre wash, as it shouldn’t be needed. And if it is needed, it apparently makes the food more likely to just stick to the dishes.

And also that after you fill up the salt, you should run the quickest wash, as any leftover salt in the bottom of the dishwasher when you fill up the salt thing might damage the parts and reduce the life of the dishwasher.

I really like the cutlery drawer on the tops it frees up space in the dishwasher. I wasn’t sure about it at first. But when I needed to replace my dishwasher I would only consider dishwashers with cutlery drawers on top again.

We have a Bosch.

But Bosch doesn't seem to have quick (30 mins) cycles?

Bosch.
love the cutlery drawer at the top!

Bosch or Siemens as they are more easily repairable - according to my appliance repair man. Cheaper brands come with sealed in units that you can't get to to repair.

I always go for Bosch domestic appliances. I've always got on best with them and they are in your price range.

Mine does, although I don't use that one.

I usually go for a Bosch or neff. Choose something mid range.

I was told that the cheapest model is built down to the price. Priciest has programmes you will never use.

Most models have an adjustable top rack which works for most plates unless yours are extra large. Also choose the regular cutlery box not a tray at the top.

If you see anything offering a two year warranty even better.

I read Which Magazine and those brands along with Miele (very expensive) are always near the top. Saves me a lot of time just looking at the two brands models. Price runner? helps you find which retailer is cheapest.

Just go for rack layout
had £159 curry’s own to £550 Bosch never noticed a difference never use fancy steam programs

I’ve had two Bosch’s and they were both rubbish. A colleague at work did too and don’t rate them - things came out dirty so often!
I now have an AEG and it’s amazing.

Not a Samsung. I hate ours - I have to re wash at least a third of what comes out.

Yoi either need salt in the bottom
or you need to clean the rotary arms
Or rince aid

We have a Neff and I much prefer the cutlery drawer at the top as it takes much less space than baskets. I didn't really know pre-wash was a thing but I'd look for eco and a quick wash. Also a fast dry function for the shorter washes.

I never put salt or rinse aid in, just the dishwashing tablets. I feel I have a lot to learn on this thread.

It all depends on how you use it - different things appeal to different people!

I was adamant we were getting a Bosch when our trusty Bosch broke after 15 years. But when I went to look at them, the quality had gone downhill considerably. The inside felt cheap and flimsy, and the tines on the top layer were all fixed (rather than foldable) which was a big no-no for me.

Some people love a cutlery tray at the top, but that was one thing I knew I didn't want - I took a plate and a wine glass to Currys, and there wasn't one dishwasher there that would fit both of those things in if there was a cutlery tray. In the end we got one with a tray, but it's removable and also has the basket on the bottom level, so we just use that (and wash our plates and glasses happily!).

The only thing I miss about my old dishwasher is the 30 min programme. I used it very rarely, but it was handy if I was cooking a lot of things (having people round for dinner, for example) or a big baking session and wanted things back quickly. We have a 1hr programme which I'm used to now. The main programme is very energy efficient and is long, but it goes on after dinner so it's fine.

I went for a Beko in the end - one of their high-end ones (but much less than a mid-range Bosch) and I'm very happy with it. It has sturdy baskets, Folding tines on upper and lower levels, a really good 'intense' setting which is great for baked-on stuff like casseroles, and is very quiet. It has a 10 year guarantee on parts which was a bonus too.