Nobody likes washing up. Fortunately, the best dishwashers clean everything quickly, quietly and without fuss. However, choosing the best dishwasher isn’t easy. Ranging from a few hundred quid to over two thousand pounds, there are 100s to choose from.
To help you buy the best dishwasher, Verum has checked owner opinions, scrutinised specifications and crunched test results. The top models clean & dry everything quickly and quietly. This sounds obvious, but choose the wrong machine and you will quickly find out what a bad dishwasher is like!
Availability remains a problem in 2023. With various parts in short supply, good dishwashers sell out fast.
The Best Freestanding Dishwashers in 2023
Verum makes comparisons based on four core measurements – cleaning, drying, capacity & internal flexibility. Plus, key environmental aspects, running cost, build quality and noise. A quiet dishwasher will make a big difference to your kitchen. These seven factors define the best freestanding dishwasher within each price category.
Alternatively, if you’re looking for an integrated model that’s hidden behind a fitted kitchen door then, take look at the best-integrated dishwashers.
All the recommended models below are freestanding, full-size, 60cm width machines. If space is an issue, choose the best slimline dishwasher.
If plates are piling up & you want the best freestanding dishwasher fast, read on for recommendations ranging from around £300 to a grand…
Budget Freestanding Dishwasher
Indesit DFE1B19X
This Indesit dishwasher will get your dishes clean & it’s excellent value. Plus, it receives a top ‘A’ grade for drying the dishes. This rating is usually associated with more expensive models.
You will probably find this Indesit dishwasher, quieter than your old machine. However, if you want a super quiet machine, then take a look at the models below. A few decibels make a big difference.
Cutlery tray or Basket?
Many new models use a cutlery tray rather than a basket. However, this can result in limited internal height on some machines. This translates to tall glasses & large plates not fitting in the same wash. What’s important is that this model from Indesit has a cutlery basket & plenty of room on both the top & bottom shelves.
If you’d rather avoid spending a fortune on a new dishwasher, buy the Indesit DFE1B19X – it’s a great dishwasher and it’s super affordable.
SPECIFICATION: WATER USAGE: 13l | ENERGY RATING: Old A+ / New F | PLACE SETTINGS: 13 | CUTLERY: Basket | DRYING RATING: A | NOISE: 49dB | QUICK WASH 28 mins | WARRANTY 1 Year
Indesit Stainless Steel | Verdict Price £290
See Best Price at AO.com
Large Freestanding Dishwasher
Samsung DW60M6050FS
There’s a lot to like about this Samsung dishwasher. With a bigger than average, 14 plate setting capacity, variable height racks and a host of additional features, it ticks all the boxes and outperforms numerous more expensive models.
As you’d expect from Samsung, this dishwasher does a good job of cleaning the dishes and to follow that, it has the top ‘A’ rating for drying. Nifty features include a quick wash (30 minutes), half load, a timer and the option to crank up the rinse temperature to 70 degrees – killing off any residual bacteria.
Everyone has different plates, pans & glasses. To fit everything in, the internal design needs to be flexible. This means that you can customise the racks to best fit your crockery. The cutlery tray can be adjusted to accommodate bigger items and the glass rack moves up & down by 5cm. This is great for big plates or high glasses, but not both, simultaneously! As with all dishwashers, the internal height is limited by the need for it to fit under your worktop – when you increase the height available on one rack, the other decreases & vice versa. In most cases, you’ll find what works for you.
This Samsung dishwasher is super quiet, with noise levels similar to more expensive models. In fact, overall it compares admirably to many top-end models available in the shops and online.
For around £500, the Samsung DW60M6050FS is an excellent dishwasher and comes highly recommended.
SPECIFICATION: WATER USAGE: 10.5l | ENERGY RATING: Old A++ / New E | PLACE SETTINGS: 14 | CUTLERY: Tray | DRYING RATING: A | NOISE: 44dB | QUICK WASH: 60 mins | WARRANTY: 1 Year
Samsung (silver) | Verdict Price £550
See Best Price at AO.com
Best Bosch Dishwasher
Serie 4 SMS4HAW40G
Is your old dishwasher a Bosch? If so, the chances are you will want a new Bosch machine to replace it. Most Bosch owners have good reason to trust the brand.
This Serie 4 machine hits a real sweet spot in the Bosch range – a good specification coupled with a great price. Important to note is this model has a cutlery basket rather than a tray.
This Bosch cleans 13 place settings in one go and comes with tried and tested features, that add genuine functionality. The quick wash cycle cleans everything (ready for the next load) in 60 minutes and the variable height racks can be adjusted to clean anything and everything.
In addition to an ‘A’ grade for getting everything clean, this Bosch dishwasher is rated ‘A’ for getting dishes dry. The temperature is increased, during the final rinse, which helps to evaporate any water drops leaving dishes super dry. This is especially evident on plastics, which some lesser machines struggle to dry.
If you want a top-rated Bosch dishwasher without spending a fortune – this is it.
SPECIFICATION: WATER USAGE: 10.5l | ENERGY RATING: Old A++ / New D | PLACE SETTINGS: 13 | CUTLERY: Basket | DRYING RATING: A | NOISE: 46dB | QUICK WASH: 60 mins | WARRANTY: 1 Year
Bosch Serie 4 | Verdict Price £550
Get the Best Price at AO.com
Quiet Freestanding Dishwasher
Siemens IQ500
The Siemens IQ500 stands out for its near-silent operation. Built to last with a five-year warranty, it performs brilliantly and comes with all the latest technology.
The Siemens & Bosch brands are both parts of the BSH Group. This means both brands benefit from shared research & development. The technology benefits along with economies of scale, clearly aid in the development of great products like the IQ500 dishwasher.
Everyone has different plates, pans and glasses. And this Siemens dishwasher is flexible enough to accommodate numerous configurations. The top basket is easily adjusted (three positions) to suit what you’re loading. Within the basket, there are further settings allowing quick and easy tweaks. There’s even a special tray for wine and champagne glasses.
Along with the special racks, the IQ500 has a specialised, low-temperature, gentle wash and an extended, cool, drying cycle. This means you can wash your glassware with gleaming, long-lasting results. Another clever feature gives the option to allow for delicate washing on the top rack and intensive high-pressure cleaning for pans and like on the lower rack.
The IQ500 is whisper quiet. You will only know it’s on by checking the front panel or consulting the App on your phone. The benefits of dishwasher remote monitoring via a phone seems to divide opinion. Some households find it useful & others don’t. Either way, this dishwasher is easy to control via the door panel or by using your phone. It will even tell you when you’re running low on dishwasher tablets!
The Siemens IQ500 is an excellent dishwasher. It will accommodate all your plates and pans, take care of your glasses and clean everything brilliantly. The entire cycle is whisper quiet and everything comes out not only clean but also dry.
With impressive specifications, excellent test results and first-class user feedback the Siemens IQ500 is a great investment.
SPECIFICATION: WATER USAGE: 9.5l | ENERGY RATING: Old A+++ / New C | PLACE SETTINGS: 14 | CUTLERY: Tray | DRYING RATING: A | NOISE: 42db | QUICK WASH: 29 mins | WARRANTY: 5 Year
Siemens IQ500 | Verdict price £890
Get the Best Price at AO.com
Ultimate Dishwasher
Miele G5222SCCLST
Miele dishwashers are expensive. However, they have a reputation to justify the price tag.
Miele state that all their products are tested to the equivalent of 20 years of use, but perhaps of greater significance is that owners experience the same. The general consensus is that a Miele dishwasher will last twice as long compared to most other brands.
If you can afford the initial outlay, this may well prove to be a great investment. Over time you will save money, benefit from a top-notch dishwasher & do your bit for the environment.
As you’d expect, the Miele performs brilliantly. It has an A+++ (old) / C (new) rating meaning that it uses less water and electricity than most dishwashers (again saving you money). Owners rave about great cleaning results. The top A-rated drying works well and once the dishwasher has completed its cycle, the door automatically pops open a few centimetres. This feature circulates air around your dishes to make sure everything is completely dry.
Good programme options allow you to get the right results, every time. Special glassware and intense cycles give spotless results on every load and a clever ‘express’ button can significantly cut programme times. Press this magic button and you can get your dishes back clean in half the time!
This Miele dishwasher is super quiet. Sound level and intensity are measured in Decibels. This non-linear scale means a dishwasher rated at 45 dB makes approximately half the noise, as one rated at 55 dB. Let’s face it, nobody needs to hear the dishes being cleaned!
It’s possible to spend thousands on a new dishwasher, but if you’re looking at the top end, this Miele washing machine does everything it should, brilliantly.
Yes, it costs a few quid more, but if you want the best, this Miele is a good investment and an amazing dishwasher.
SPECIFICATION: WATER USAGE: 8.9l | ENERGY RATING: Old A+++ / New C | PLACE SETTINGS: 14 | CUTLERY: Tray | DRYING RATING: A | NOISE: 45dB | QUICK WASH: 58 mins | WARRANTY: 2 Year
Miele | Verdict Price £999
See Best Price at Appliance Direct
What Else Do I Need to Know?
Which dishwasher brand is the best?
Bosch sells more dishwashers in the UK than any other manufacturer. While this doesn’t automatically rank them as the most reliable brand, it’s a good indicator that they’re doing something right. Especially as there’s a lack of robust available data to accurately determine, over time, which brand is best. Also of interest is the anecdotal evidence, that Bosch dishwasher owners go on to replace their old machine with a new Bosch model. Also important to note is that Neff, Siemens & Bosch are all part of the BSH Group.
Most dishwasher manufacturers offer a one-year warranty. Miele & Siemens are the exceptions. Although expensive, Miele state that every product is tested for the equivalent of 20 years of use. Take a closer look at a Miele dishwasher & it’s clear that they’re built to last. That said, register your Siemens dishwasher & you get a 5-year warranty.
Regardless of the warranty, your new dishwasher should last seven-plus years and while brand reputation and warranty help guide buying decisions, looking after your new dishwasher will make a big difference.
7 tips to make your dishwasher last longer and work better
Looking after your dishwasher isn’t difficult or time-consuming. Here are 7 tips that will keep your new dishwasher working perfectly, for longer…
- Scrape the plate (don’t bother rinsing) – Clearing plates of any leftovers makes a big difference. Bones, pips and any other solid items can damage filters, pumps etc. However, rinsing isn’t necessary. Washing your plates before they go into the dishwasher, is an unnecessary chore that will increase your water bill!
- Clean the filter – Follow the manufacturer’s instructions, but do it often.
- Check the spray arms – The spray holes can occasionally get blocked. If this happens, carefully remove the obstruction.
- Look after the door seals – Keeping the door seals clean & gunk free will mean the rubber lasts longer and remains effective. A good wipe with a non-abrasive cloth, at the same time you clean the filter, will do the job.
- Use dishwasher salt – The dishes will come out cleaner and the internal components will last longer.
- Use rinses aid – However good the all-in-one tablets are, you should still use rinse aid. Dishes will dry better and have fewer watermarks.
- Use your dishwasher to wash dishes! – Don’t use your dishwasher to clean car parts, candlesticks (the wax will ruin your machine) or anything that’s not food-related.
A good dishwasher is a great investment. It will save you time & effort, get your dishes cleaner and shrink your bills. Plus, it’s kinder on the environment than hand washing dishes. Whichever Verum recommendation you choose, you won’t be disappointed.
What’s the Quietest Dishwasher?
Noise is measured in decibels. To give you a gauge, all the dishwashers recommended by Verum range from 40db to 50db. The decibel scale isn’t linear. As an approximate guide, 50db is approximately double the intensity or loudness of 40db.
Choose a Verum recommended dishwasher, and it will almost certainly be quieter than your old model. Spend more, if you want a quieter machine.
BEST DEALS TODAY…
BUDGET BUY
Indesit | Verdict price £290
Buy Now from AO.com
BEST BUY
Bosch Serie 4 | Verdict price £550
Buy Now from AO.com
ULTIMATE
Miele | Verdict price £999
Buy Now from Appliance Direct
UK VERDICT 2023
The Bosch Serie 4 wins the overall Verum Best Buy. Quick, quiet, reliable & affordable – it ticks the right boxes.
The Indesit at under £300 is great value for money and is the standout choice for anyone on a budget.
At the premium end, although the Siemens model uses all the latest technology, the Miele is our top choice. It performs brilliantly & is built like a tank.
S H A R E
