How to choose a dishwasher for your home

choosing a dishwasher If washing dishes has become a chore, equally divided between all family members, but for some reason the woman still has to wash more, then it's time to buy a dishwasher.

It will free you from worrying about who will wash the dishes today and save you a ton of time, which you can use to relax after work. But how to choose your iron "helper," what to pay attention to, and how to be satisfied without relying on spontaneous choices or salesperson's advice—that's what you'll learn in our article.

Choosing the type of dishwasher

The best way to start choosing a dishwasher is to determine which type is best for you. There are three types:

fully integrated machines;
partially built-in;
not built-in or freestanding.

In this case, the choice of dishwasher depends on your kitchen. If the renovation is complete, the cabinetry is ready, and you haven't even considered making space for a built-in dishwasher, then you might consider a freestanding dishwasher with a height of 45 or 60 cm. If space allows, choose a floor-standing model, and if kitchen space is limited, a countertop model is an option. As a last resort, you will have to modernize the furniture a little and install a 45 cm built-in dishwasher under the sink or in a cabinet.

If renovations are just in the works, built-in appliances measuring 45 or 60 cm are ideal. They'll be concealed behind cabinetry and won't disrupt the overall design. And this is considered stylish and fashionable these days.

Let's decide on the dimensions

compact dishwasher Once you've decided on the type of dishwasher, decide on its size, and it's best to do both at the same time. Machines of all types fall into one of three groups based on their size:

small or compact - the average width of such models is 45 cm, depth 55 cm, height 55 cm, but there are also slightly smaller models.
narrow models – the dimensions of such models vary within the range of 45 cm in width, 60 cm in depth and 82 cm in height;
Full-size models are considered standard and have dimensions of 60 cm in width, 60 cm in depth and 82 cm in height.

Please note! The dimensions of some models may differ from the average by a few millimeters to several centimeters. Therefore, it's important to know exactly how much space in your kitchen you can allocate for your new appliance.

Choosing a brand

Now let's move on to choosing a washing machine. This isn't easy, as there are so many dishwasher manufacturers. However, each has its own unique features. The most popular dishwashers are those of the following brands: Bosch, Siemens, Electrolux, Candy, Beko, Hotpoint-Ariston, AEG, Miele, Gorenie, Whirpool.

Bosch dishwashers are the most popular on the domestic market. The manufacturer offers over 50 models, varying in design, size, and technical specifications. These range from simple models with minimal features to high-end models equipped with the latest sensors. Bosch dishwashers are considered reliable.

Siemens dishwashers aren't much different from Bosch, but their lineup primarily consists of compact and full-size models. It was their machines that introduced infrared technology, which detects water hardness.

Electrolux dishwashers offer excellent value for money, but when choosing a model, consider the country in which it was assembled. It's best if it's not China.

Please note! It's very difficult to give any brand advice, as some consumers already have an opinion about a particular brand, preferring it over others, no matter what others say.

German dishwashers from Miele and AEG can be considered the most reliable; only the best components are used in production, but the price for such models will be high. Miele dishwashers can even be reprogrammed, allowing you to customize temperature and water flow settings. AEG features a multi-stage water hardness and spray adjustment system.

Candy's compact dishwashers are the most popular. Candy also offers a model that combines a cooktop, oven, and a 4-place dishwasher, which may appeal to those with very small kitchens. You can read more about dishwasher brands in the article. Which brand of dishwasher should I buy?.

Analyzing technical specifications

And finally, the most important thing is a review of washing machines based on their technical specifications. There aren't many, but each has its own significance. The first thing to consider is capacity, which depends on the dimensions. The smallest dishwashers are designed for 6 place settings. Narrow models can accommodate 9-11 sets, full-size models on average 13-15 sets, and elite models up to 17.

The second point is the dishwasher's efficiency. Most dishwashers have an energy efficiency rating of A, while premium models have an energy efficiency rating of A++ or A+++. Water consumption per wash cycle also varies: full-size, less expensive models use an average of 12-14 liters of water, while slimline models use around 11 liters. As for more expensive dishwashers, thanks to built-in sensors that detect water turbidity, consumption can be as low as 7-8 liters. For example, the Miele G 6410 SCi dishwasher will wash 14 place settings using 7 liters of water.

The next thing to consider when choosing a 60 or 45 cm dishwasher is the number of programs and additional features. It's important to understand that the more features, the more expensive the machine and the more complex its electronics. Most machines have 4-5 programs and 3-4 temperature settings.And this, as practice shows, is quite sufficient; other programs are usually not used, although there are models with up to 10 modes.

Users consider noise level an important characteristic. Few can get used to the rattling and banging noise in the kitchen, and for some, it can even interfere with sleep. Mid-priced machines have noise levels of 45-52 dB, which users say is no louder than a washing machine; some don't even notice the noise.

Elite-class dishwashers have an average noise level of 44 dB, but the price of such machines is no less than $600, and the machine from the Italian manufacturer Smeg has a stated noise level of $39.

Ask the seller about the availability of a water leakage protection system; this will protect you and your neighbors from flooding. Bosch and Siemens dishwashers feature the Aqua-Stop system, AEG and Electrolux dishwashers feature the Aqua-Control system, and Miele dishwashers feature the Waterproof system. The most important thing is that this protection is complete and magnetic. The presence of child protection will also indicate reliability, but if you don’t have one and want a built-in machine, then in principle you can do without such protection.

In addition, according to statistics from retail stores, customers are often interested in the following features:

Delayed start to run the wash at night;
sound signal about the end of washing or a light beam on the floor;
indication of remaining time;
the presence of rinse aid and salt indicators that will notify the user when it is necessary to add or refill the product;
the presence of a compartment for a tablet.

Users advise choosing dishwashers with the listed features rather than those without them.

And finally, drying. The fastest is turbo drying, which is performed by an internal dryer. Machines with this type of drying system are the most expensive. Condensation drying is the most common and economical, and is achieved by using the heat generated when the water is heated during the final rinse. However, some users note that after washing, marks and sometimes even droplets of water may remain on the dishes.

We study ratings and reviews

Once you've decided on a dishwasher brand and model, don't rush. To make a confident choice, you can consult various ratings and reviews from real dishwasher users. They'll explain all the nuances that arise during operation and offer helpful advice.

Ratings most often provide information on the most popular models and can be compiled by both sales departments and service center technicians. This can be 60 cm dishwasher ratings or 45 cm dishwashers, rating of reliable and high-quality machines.

In conclusion, we offer some more tips on how to choose the right dishwasher, whether it's a 60 or 45 cm dishwasher:

Pay attention to the material the machine parts are made of. The more plastic parts there are, the higher the chance that they will break. The dish trays, sprayer and other internal parts should be made of stainless steel;
look at how the door closes and opens; ideally, you shouldn’t have to apply excessive force, and the door should lock when opening;

Please note: When opening a fully built-in model, don't be surprised if the door doesn't lock. This means you'll need to hang the front panel first to ensure the locking mechanism engages.
the dishwasher should be well-adjustable in height and stand firmly;
If you plan to use your dishwasher daily and wash a variety of dishes, you should choose a medium-sized dishwasher with a maximum range of functions. For a small family of 2-3 people, it is better to choose a compact model; for larger families, it is better to choose a dishwasher of 60 or 45 cm.

So, as you can see, choosing a dishwasher isn't an easy task. Sometimes it's difficult to find the perfect option that fits your budget and features. Try browsing online stores, researching the models available, and then look for one in a physical store. We hope our tips will help you avoid making the wrong choice.