16 best dishwashers for spotless crockery, tested on our dirtiest plates and pans

Score: 92/100

As the lower-priced sibling of the model above, this dishwasher dropped just one point in our tests compared to Miele's more premium version. The eco cycle’s cleaning performance stood out, achieving spotless dishes – though it did leave them a little damp. The normal and intensive cycles shifted stubborn foods easily too, and left our plates very dry.

It earned full marks for water and energy efficiency, costing just 18p for an eco cycle and 26p for a normal cycle (remarkably similar to the 5851). Aside from a cutlery drawer with a slightly smaller capacity, we found very little difference between this Miele and our winner – and we’d say this is the better value model.

Score: 91/100

This freestanding dishwasher is much easier to install and maintain than an integrated model, plus it’s more affordable than the two models above. It put in an excellent performance in our tests – the normal wash shifted almost all the stains we’d added while costing an efficient 26p per cycle. The eco programme was similarly effective at a thrifty 18p per cycle.

This model also had the edge over the integrated Bosch Series 4 below when it came to tougher jobs. Its intensive cycle did a great job on our heavily burnt pans – and even this more powerful programme cost a reasonable 35p to run. It dried well, too, and our testers found it straightforward to load, with smooth-running baskets and responsive controls. Just note that although the upper rack can be lowered, wine glasses are too tall for it – but overall, this is a great all-rounder.

Score: 90/100

As our best dishwasher under £500, this integrated Bosch scored just one point less than its freestanding sibling above but is more affordable. We were impressed by its everyday cleaning performance, with the eco cycle a particular highlight – it washed and dried very well while costing around 22p per cycle. The normal wash was fairly economical, too, at roughly 28p. The intensive programme was less consistent, occasionally spreading burnt egg speckles around the load.

As well as app control, this dishwasher comes with a few well-considered features – for instance, the brand’s VarioHinge lets the cabinet door slide as it opens, helping it clear low plinths and making the dishwasher easier to integrate into awkward kitchen layouts. It also has an adjustable basket (though our wine glasses were still too tall) as well as a light that projects on to the floor so you know it’s running. It’s an excellent mid-range integrated model that’s well-designed and easy to use.

Score: 90/100

Though not as cheap as others we've tested, this mid-range model from Hoover offers great value for money. The normal and eco wash seriously impressed our testers, shifting almost all stains save for a few tricky dried porridge spots. We recommend sticking to the economy wash if you can, which costs just 20p to run and scores full marks for both water and electricity usage.

It can hold up to 16 place settings, making it one of the largest capacities we’ve tested – a great pick for big households. A removable cutlery basket, foldable sections and height-adjustable racks offer lots of versatility when you’re stacking it. Plus, the instructions come with plenty of tips on how to load everything properly to get the best results. This dishwasher also connects to the hOn app, which can suggest the best programmes for saving energy.

Score: 89/100

This is great freestanding dishwasher, and it will set you back a lot less than other WiFi connected models on our list. So, if you want smart tech at a lower price, this is a savvy pick. Our experts found it quiet and efficient – its eco cycle used 0.76 kWh and 11 litres of water, equating to a cost of about 23p. It also has a child lock – helpful if you have any inquisitive hands in your kitchen.

When it comes to stacking dishes, its racks are adjustable, giving you some flexibility, although testers noted that the cutlery basket fills up quickly. Crucially, it was a reliable cleaner across all three cycles we tried in the lab – there was the occasional speck of food residue, but most dishes scrubbed up nicely. It also did a stellar drying job, so you can empty it and put items straight back to use if needed.

Score: 88/100

This Bosch dishwasher delivered an excellent performance at a significantly lower price point compared to the premium models. Its cleaning was particularly strong on the normal cycle, which was also very efficient, costing 31p to run. The economy and intensive washes were solid too, while the quick cycle achieved great results on a half load in just one hour.

Drying performance seems to be the main compromise with this model, with all cycles leaving many items wet at the end – but it’s not a big issue if you don’t mind letting your plates air-dry for a while. Our testers also appreciated the easy-to-load layout, smooth-running baskets, and intuitive controls.

This model is missing some premium features such as a top cutlery tray for sharp items (there’s only a cutlery basket), but it does have a handy countdown timer. A great value pick.

Score: 87/100

This integrated dishwasher from New Zealand brand Fisher & Paykel delivered a strong all-round performance in our tests, particularly on its normal and eco cycles, where it left our crockery and cutlery impressively clean. It’s roomy too, holding up to 16 place settings, and its adjustable racks, sturdy baskets and top cutlery tray make loading straightforward. We also liked the responsive controls and clear instructions.

Eco mode was particularly efficient, costing an average of 23p per cycle, though drying wasn’t quite as consistent here as it was on the normal and intensive settings. Glassware occasionally needed extra attention and connecting to the app could be clearer, but overall, this is a very well-designed and capable dishwasher.

Score: 86/100

This dishwasher stood out for its economy wash, dropping just one point on test and producing gleaming results. This cycle is water and energy efficient too, costing just 21p to run.

We were treated to sparkling glassware across every cycle and the intensive programme did an excellent job with our pans; there was no trace of rice or scrambled egg. Some burnt-on pasta sauce did withstand the wash though.

We liked the versatile set-up; there’s an easy-to-load cutlery basket and drawer, with the latter ideal for larger utensils. The top tray is also adjustable and both trays boast collapsible racks.

The sleek design will suit if you own other Smeg appliances, and our tester also found it quiet in use.

Score: 84/100

With room for 14 place settings and three drawers, this integrated dishwasher has plenty of room – but still fits into a standard sized bay. Testers liked the way it shines a light on the floor so you can easily see that it’s running, and were fans of the soil level sensor, which adjusts the length of the cycle to suit the crockery that’s being cleaned.

The extra features and capacity don't dim this dishwasher's cleaning power; food residue was banished from most items across all three cycles our experts trialled. The intensive cycle in particular did a stellar job of lifting even the most stubborn burnt-on stains from our dishes. To save energy, stick to the efficient eco wash, which costs just 21p to run. Overall, this is a great integrated model that won't break the bank.

Score: 82/100

This freestanding dishwasher offers good value for money, especially if you plan to use its eco programme regularly – it removed almost all our dried-on stains and cost around 19p per cycle, putting its eco running costs in line with much pricier models. Its normal programme was less efficient at around 33p per wash, while the intensive cycle cost around 39p and was better suited to everyday grime than the toughest burnt-on cookware.

Note that we couldn’t quite fit the advertised 14 place settings inside (12 would be more realistic), but we were able to comfortably fit tall wine glasses in. Testers liked that the door automatically opens to help moisture escape, too. The controls take a little getting used to, but overall, it’s a capable dishwasher, with very strong eco performance.

Score: 81/100

This dishwasher impressed our testers with its ability to shift burnt-on food from pans on the intensive cycle, something most models struggle with. This could be down to the dual spray arms and high-pressure water jets, which are designed to provide a more powerful clean.

Just take note – although the normal and intensive washes performed well, they both used a lot of energy and water, costing 40p and 43p respectively to run. So, unless you have heavily soiled dishes, we recommend sticking to the eco wash, which is remarkably efficient at just 16p per cycle.

This is also a great dishwasher for smart homes, as it can be controlled with Alexa and Google Home (want to speak to your dishwasher? Now you can), or via the helpful app.

Score: 80/100

This budget dishwasher put in a very respectable performance in our tests, though predictably, there are some tradeoffs for the price. It’s not the most energy or water efficient, costing on average 27p for an eco cycle and 37p for normal. Our testers also found the layout difficult to load efficiently, and couldn't fit the recommended 13 place settings – 11 was more realistic. The meaning of the cycle icons in the control panel was often unclear, too.

But despite these design issues, it did a great job of cleaning everyday dishes, leaving our grubby plates almost entirely clean except for some tricky dried-on porridge. We like the smooth-running baskets, and the top one is adjustable to accommodate tall glasses if needed.

The intensive wash struggled with our heavily soiled items, however, so it may be best for use with regular plates instead of saucepans and baking dishes. Overall, it’s a good pick at an outstanding price.

Score: 79/100

This is the most affordable full-size dishwasher we’ve tested to date, and while it makes a few compromises, it delivers solid results for the price. Its cleaning performance was generally good across all cycles – the eco programme proved the most reliable for everyday use. Running costs were high though, even on the eco setting, which cost 33p a cycle – nearly double that of our winning models’ eco programmes.

Its drying performance was mixed, with some dishes emerging wet from the normal and eco cycles, although our dishes dried well on the intensive programme. Our testers also would have liked a clearer interface – the icons are a little faint, and some programme names are unclear. The baskets run smoothly though, and you can adjust the top rack to make space for tall glasses. It’s a no-frills, budget-friendly dishwasher that gets the basics right.

Score: 77/100

This dishwasher claims to be ultra-hygienic, thanks to an LED system that sanitises your crockery without the need for high heat – great for baby bottles, pet bowls and generally preventing smells. It’s a very sleek freestanding model, with in-door controls and a countdown timer that shines onto the floor.

In the lab, cleaning and drying performance was solid, though a little inconsistent at times. The intensive cycle struggled with burnt-on foods, making this dishwasher best suited for lighter everyday soiling.

The 59-minute quick programme was a standout, delivering cleaning comparable to that of a standard cycle while using less water and energy to run (it cost 31p on test). While the intensive cycle and normal cycle were costly to run (51p and 43p respectively), the eco cycle stood out for its efficiency, costing just 20p on average. It’s a solid dishwasher overall and may be worth the price if sanitisation is a big concern for you.

Score: 76/100

This dishwasher is a straightforward, budget-friendly choice. The eco cycle was a highlight, giving good cleaning results across the board, whereas the normal and intensive programmes tackled everyday messes competently, but left some stubborn stains and dampness. All three cycles were quite expensive to run, costing 46p for a normal cycle, 27p for an eco cycle and and 48p for intensive.

Our experts appreciated the responsive controls, clear instructions, and easy-load baskets that can accommodate tall glasses. That said, the lack of a progress indicator and slightly confusing dial markings were a little frustrating, and drying performance wasn’t consistent across all cycles. Overall, though, it’s a solid option for those on a budget.