Our Top Picks at a Glance
Best Budget Dishwasher: Montpellier MDWBID6053 60cm Integrated — £299
Best Overall: Montpellier MDWBID6064 60cm Integrated — £349
Best Slimline (45cm): Montpellier MDWBID4553 45cm Integrated — £299
Best Mid-Range: CDA CDI6210 60cm Integrated — £469
Best Slimline Mid-Range: CDA CDI4251 45cm Slimline Integrated — £449
Best Premium: SMEG Fully Integrated 14 Place Settings — £675
Best Luxury: SMEG 50s Retro Style Built-In — £960
How We Chose These Dishwashers
Every dishwasher in this guide is one we stock and stand behind at Core Appliances. We selected models across a range of price points from three trusted brands — Montpellier, CDA and SMEG — based on capacity, energy efficiency, noise levels, build quality and value for money.
We did not include every dishwasher we sell. We picked the models that represent the best option in each category, whether you are on a tight budget, need a slimline unit for a small kitchen, or want a premium machine that will last 10+ years.
All prices are correct at time of writing and include VAT. Every model comes with a full manufacturer warranty and fast UK delivery.
Best Budget Dishwasher: Montpellier MDWBID6053 (£299)
The Montpellier MDWBID6053 is a full-size 60cm integrated dishwasher that delivers solid performance at the lowest price in our range. It handles a standard family load comfortably and fits behind a standard kitchen door panel for a seamless built-in look.
At £299, this is the dishwasher to buy if you want reliable daily performance without spending more than you need to. It covers all the essential wash programmes and handles everything from lightly soiled glasses to baked-on roasting trays.
Who it is best for: First-time buyers, landlords furnishing rental properties, anyone replacing a broken dishwasher on a budget.
View the Montpellier MDWBID6053 at Core Appliances
Best Overall Dishwasher: Montpellier MDWBID6064 (£349)
The MDWBID6064 is our top recommendation for most UK households. For just £50 more than the budget pick, you get a 14 place setting capacity — enough for a family of four to load a full day's dishes in a single cycle. That extra capacity means fewer wash cycles per week, which saves water, energy and time.
The larger drum also fits oversized items like baking trays and large pans more easily, so you spend less time hand-washing things that will not fit.
At £349, this is the sweet spot between price and performance. It is the dishwasher we recommend most often.
Who it is best for: Families of 3-5, couples who cook frequently, anyone who wants the best value per place setting.
View the Montpellier MDWBID6064 at Core Appliances
Best Slimline Dishwasher (45cm): Montpellier MDWBID4553 (£299)
If your kitchen does not have space for a full-size 60cm dishwasher, a slimline 45cm model is the answer. The Montpellier MDWBID4553 fits into a 45cm housing unit — 15cm narrower than a standard dishwasher — while still handling 9-10 place settings per cycle.
Slimline dishwashers are ideal for galley kitchens, small flats and kitchens where worktop space is limited. The narrower footprint means you can fit a dishwasher where one would not normally go, without sacrificing the convenience of machine washing.
At £299, it costs the same as the full-size budget pick, which makes it excellent value for a slimline unit.
Who it is best for: Couples, small households, compact kitchens, anyone with a 45cm housing unit to fill.
View the Montpellier MDWBID4553 at Core Appliances
Best Mid-Range Dishwasher: CDA CDI6210 (£469)
The CDA CDI6210 steps up in both capacity and features. With 15 place settings, it has the largest drum in this guide — enough to handle a full day of family cooking including pots, pans and baking sheets in a single load.
CDA appliances are designed in Britain and built for the UK market. The CDI6210 includes a wider range of wash programmes, adjustable upper basket heights for fitting tall items, and improved drying performance compared to budget models.
The jump from £349 to £469 gets you more capacity, better drying, and a brand with strong UK after-sales support. If you can stretch the budget, this is a noticeable upgrade from the Montpellier models.
Who it is best for: Larger families of 4+, households that entertain regularly, anyone who values British-designed appliances with strong support.
View the CDA CDI6210 at Core Appliances
Best Slimline Mid-Range: CDA CDI4251 (£449)
If you need a slimline 45cm dishwasher but want better build quality and features than the budget option, the CDA CDI4251 is the upgrade. It fits the same 45cm housing unit but offers improved wash performance, quieter operation and a wider selection of programmes.
The price premium over the Montpellier slimline (£449 vs £299) is significant, but you get a more refined machine with better long-term reliability. For a kitchen where the dishwasher runs daily, the CDA build quality justifies the extra investment.
Who it is best for: Small households who want a premium slimline machine, quality-conscious buyers with limited kitchen space.
View the CDA CDI4251 at Core Appliances
Best Premium Dishwasher: SMEG Fully Integrated 14 Place Settings (£675)
SMEG dishwashers are built to a higher standard than most consumer brands. The fully integrated 14 place setting model delivers excellent wash and dry results, quiet operation and a build quality that is noticeably better than budget alternatives.
At £675, this is a serious investment — but SMEG appliances are designed to last. The brand has a strong reputation for durability across its range, and the integrated design means it disappears completely behind your kitchen door panel.
SMEG also offer models at £449 (13 place settings) and £790 (14 place settings with additional features) if you want to adjust the spec up or down within the brand.
Who it is best for: Quality-conscious buyers, kitchen renovators who want premium appliances throughout, anyone who prioritises longevity and quiet operation.
View the SMEG Integrated Dishwasher at Core Appliances
Best Luxury Dishwasher: SMEG 50s Retro Style Built-In (£960)
The SMEG 50s Retro range is iconic. If your kitchen has a retro or mid-century design, this dishwasher matches the rest of the SMEG 50s Retro collection — fridges, kettles, toasters and stand mixers. Available in black or cream, it makes a design statement while delivering SMEG's premium wash performance.
At £960, this is not the dishwasher you buy for value. You buy it because it looks exceptional and completes a specific kitchen aesthetic. The wash performance matches SMEG's standard integrated range — the premium is entirely for the retro styling.
Who it is best for: Design-led kitchen buyers, anyone with other SMEG 50s Retro appliances, renovation projects with a higher budget.
View the SMEG 50s Retro Dishwasher at Core Appliances
What to Look for When Buying a Dishwasher
Size and Capacity
Most dishwashers are either 60cm (full-size, 12-15 place settings) or 45cm (slimline, 9-10 place settings). A place setting is one person's worth of crockery, cutlery and glasses. For a family of four, aim for at least 12 place settings — 14 is better because it allows room for pots and pans.
Check the internal dimensions of your kitchen housing unit before ordering. Standard housing units are 60cm wide, but measure yours to be sure. If you are unsure about sizing, read our guide on how to measure for kitchen appliances correctly.
Energy Rating
Dishwashers are rated from A to G on the new EU energy label (introduced in 2021). Most modern dishwashers sit between C and E on this scale — a C rating does not mean the dishwasher is inefficient, it means the new scale is much stricter than the old A+++ system.
According to the Energy Saving Trust, a typical dishwasher cycle costs between 15p and 30p in electricity depending on the programme and energy rating. Running a dishwasher once daily at an average of 20p per cycle costs around £73 per year. A more efficient model can save £15-25 per year compared to a less efficient one — the savings add up over the 10-year average lifespan.
Noise Level
Dishwasher noise is measured in decibels (dB). For context: 40 dB is the level of a quiet library, 50 dB is a normal conversation, 60 dB is a busy restaurant.
Most dishwashers operate between 42 dB and 52 dB. If your kitchen is open-plan or adjacent to a living area, look for a model under 46 dB — you will be able to run it while watching television or having a conversation without it being intrusive.
Key Features Worth Paying For
A half-load option reduces water and energy use when you only have a partial load — useful for smaller households. A delay start timer lets you set the dishwasher to run overnight on an off-peak electricity tariff, saving money. Adjustable upper baskets let you fit taller items in the lower basket when needed.
Features You Can Skip
Wi-Fi connectivity, interior lighting and third-rack cutlery trays are nice-to-have features but rarely justify a significant price increase. Focus on capacity, energy rating and noise level first.
Integrated vs Freestanding: Which Should You Choose?
Every dishwasher in this guide is integrated (built-in), which is the most popular choice for fitted kitchens. An integrated dishwasher sits behind a kitchen door panel that matches the rest of your cabinets — you cannot tell it is a dishwasher from the outside.
Freestanding dishwashers have their own front panel and can be placed anywhere with a water connection and drain. They are more flexible but do not blend into a fitted kitchen.
If you are fitting a new kitchen or replacing an existing integrated dishwasher, stay integrated. If you need a dishwasher in a utility room, garage conversion or rental property where aesthetics matter less, a freestanding model gives you more placement options.
For a full breakdown of the differences, read our guide on built-in vs freestanding kitchen appliances.
FAQ
What dishwasher do experts recommend for UK homes?
Is it cheaper to use a dishwasher or wash by hand?
A dishwasher uses less water than hand washing in most cases. According to the Energy Saving Trust, hand washing a full load of dishes uses around 50-60 litres of hot water. A modern dishwasher uses 9-12 litres per cycle. When you factor in the energy to heat 50+ litres of water, a dishwasher is typically cheaper per load.
How long should a dishwasher last?
The average dishwasher lifespan in the UK is 10-12 years. Premium brands like SMEG and Miele tend to last longer than budget brands, partly due to better build quality and more durable components. Regular maintenance — cleaning the filter monthly and running an empty hot wash with dishwasher cleaner every few months — extends the lifespan significantly.
Are slimline dishwashers as good as full-size?
Slimline (45cm) dishwashers wash just as effectively as full-size (60cm) models. The only difference is capacity — 9-10 place settings versus 12-15. If you have a small kitchen and a household of 1-3 people, a slimline dishwasher handles your daily load comfortably. For larger families, a full-size model avoids running the dishwasher twice a day.
What is the best energy rating for a dishwasher?
On the current energy label (A to G), the best dishwashers on the market achieve a C or D rating. Very few consumer dishwashers achieve an A or B under the new scale. A D-rated dishwasher is not inefficient — the new scale is deliberately strict. Focus on comparing models within the same price range rather than chasing the highest possible rating.
Do I need to rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher?
No. Modern dishwashers are designed to handle food residue. Scrape large food scraps into the bin, but do not pre-rinse under the tap. Pre-rinsing wastes water and actually reduces cleaning performance because the detergent needs food particles to activate properly. Load scraped dishes directly into the machine.