Which? reviews: Dishwashers

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Find the best appliance for your budget with our dishwasher reviews. We've put the best-selling brands under scrutiny to see which can tackle dried-on food and drying glassware with equal aplomb. 

It can pay dividends to have a think about what you want from a dishwasher before you hit the shops. 

Think realistically about whether you should choose a full-sized or slimline model, or if you'd prefer your dishwasher to be freestanding or built-in. 

If you live alone, for example, there's not much point having a full-sized dishwasher with enough space for 12-15 place settings! 

Below, we explain more about the features of dishwashers.

 
 
 

Dishwasher indicator lights

It's useful if the dishwasher has lights to warn you when the rinse aid or salt need topping up.

The most convenient are models that have these on the outside of the machine (or the rim of the door for built- in models).

Dishwashers need rinse aid to speed drying and prevent water marks, and dishwasher salt, to soften hard water. Without them, you could risk damaging the machine, but you don't need to use them each time.

When you install your dishwasher, you'll need to adjust the water hardness level setting depending on the hardness of the water in your area.

 
 
 

Dishwasher additional features

Child-safety lock

Dishwashers use strong chemical detergents and scaldingly hot water, yet few models have child-safety locks to stop the door being opened while the machine is cleaning.

Delayed start

Many models have a function where you can set your machine to run after a delay of a number of hours. This can be useful if you have an energy tariff such as Economy 7, which gives cheaper power overnight.Some models don't have a delayed start option but will work with an ordinary timer plug.

Flexible racks and baskets

The better models have adjustable or removable lower baskets and a height-adjustable upper basket.

This means you can fit large plates or saucepans in the lower basket, for example, at the expense of space in the upper one. Alternatively, you can fit tall glasses in the top basket, and have less space below.

 
 
 

Types of dishwasher control

Hidden dishwasher controls

Some models have hidden controls, which sit along the top edge of the door. These are concealed when the door is closed, giving a sleek and contemporary exterior.

Front-facing dishwasher control panels

Front-facing control panels also come in different designs. Buttons, such as those pictured, may be raised or flush to the surface, and some machines have electronic touch pads. LCD displays showing details of the cycle are also common.

 
 
 

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