Dishwasher Buying Guide

When you wash dishes by hand, you’re restricted by both the water temperature and the power of washing up liquid as both must come into contact with your hands without discomfort. By contrast dishwashers use water heated up to 70°C which is much more effective at removing bacteria, and dishwasher detergents contain powerful ingredients to target stains and food residue. Some dishwashers feature specific hygiene programmes, like Bosch’s HygienePlus, which rinses dishes with water heated to 70°C - perfect for households with small children or allergy sufferers.

How long your dishwasher lasts will depend on how well you take care of it. On average, these appliances work for between 6 and 16 years. Your dishwasher’s lifespan will also depend on the quality of the machine you choose, so it’s worth doing some research into the best options out there.

Suppose you’re installing your dishwasher in a fitted kitchen. In that case, you might favour an integrated model to blend in with your units. Fully integrated appliances with features like Bosch’s TimeLight enable you to check progress without opening the door. Bosch OpenAssist lets you open the door by just pressing on the panel. Integrated dishwashers can also look streamlined since they occupy a cupboard area or a gap beneath a worktop.

Freestanding dishwashers don’t need a fascia panel, which means they’re quick to install, with all controls easily accessible on the front. They can be placed anywhere with a water connection and drainage point, which means you won’t need to worry about having a dedicated area built into your kitchen. Many Bosch models feature intuitive control panels, so it’s easy to get the correct settings and track progress.

Spoilt for choice? What about a semi-integrated dishwasher? These appliances strike an excellent balance between the pros and cons of integrated and freestanding alternatives. Semi-integrated dishwashers are installed into your kitchen cupboards, but the controls are left visible. That means you can enjoy a streamlined aesthetic with only a tiny panel defining your dishwasher, and you won’t need to design your kitchen totally around the appliance.

When we talk about place settings concerning dishwashers, we mean a standard 10 items of crockery and cutlery. This includes a dinner plate, soup plate, dessert plate, tumbler, teacup and saucer, knife, fork, soup spoon, dessert spoon, and teaspoon. The number of place settings a dishwasher can hold is a way to think about its capacity. Full-sized dishwashers can usually contain between 12 and 15 place settings.

The dishwasher size you choose will depend on how much space you have available. Suppose you have ample space for an integrated or freestanding dishwasher. In that case, you might like to choose a full-size appliance to get the most out of your area. Full-sized dishwashers are 60cm wide and an ideal choice for busy households with lots of dishes and pans to clean.

If you’re working with a smaller kitchen, a slimline dishwasher won’t take up too much space that could be used for storage. Slimline dishwashers are 45cm wide and can be built-in for a seamless aesthetic.

Alternatively, a compact dishwasher is a good option if you don’t have much space or many dishes to take care of. These are available in various sizes, usually similar in width to a standard dishwasher, but offering reduced height to fit into smaller spaces.

Dishwashers come in two main sizes: 45cm wide (slimline) and 60cm wide (standard), so you have a choice of options depending on your kitchen or utility space. Always measure the size of the space before purchasing a dishwasher and if you do need a slimline (45cm) model, check for versatile stacking options like Bosch’s VarioFlex drawers to make sure you get the most from the space available. And if you simply don’t have room for a dishwasher under your worktop, consider a compact counter-top dishwasher.

Thanks to advanced technology, energy-efficient dishwashers use less water and electricity, and you will still get sparkling results. When you use less water, you can enjoy reduced household costs every month. Check out the EU energy label on our dishwashers to see which machines are not only better for the environment but will help you save money on your regular bills. Innovations like Bosch’s LoadSensor detect when you’re washing a smaller load to ensure only the necessary amount of water and electricity is used.

When you choose a washing machine with good EU energy ratings, you can enjoy clean dishes using less water and energy. Dishwashers can save water by cleaning your kitchen items efficiently, which means they can be better for the environment than hand-washing. To protect the planet even more, only use your dishwasher on a full load and choose a high-performance model that works well at lower temperatures.

There are quick wash programmes available on most dishwashers, but many of these can leave dishes damp. Advanced programmes like Bosch VarioSpeed Plus can wash and dry a full load of dishes perfectly clean, by reducing rinse time by up to 66%. Simply select the VarioSpeed Plus option when you need dishes quickly.

Bosch recommends large and tall items go in the bottom rack with their dirty surfaces facing the centre and any openings facing downwards. The top rack should be reserved for smaller items, such as cups and glasses. It’s recommended that your utensils are placed on the highest shelf when washing, but because you can have too many after cooking a large meal it’s important to look for a machine that offers top shelf flexibility.

Bosch’s unique retractable VarioDrawer with third level offers even greater flexibility, so you can make the most of your dishwasher space and still get everything cleaned perfectly.

There are many low-noise dishwashers available, but it’s important to check that these can still perform to a high level. Noise levels are important especially if you entertain in the kitchen. Look for dishwashers offering noise ratings of around 40-45db(A), and for special programmes like Bosch’s SuperSilence Plus, which reduces noise to only 38db(A).