Dishwashers have become a household essential for many of us over recent decades. Loading all our dirty plates, cups, and pans into a dishwasher and seeing them come out sparkling clean a couple of hours later is something that never gets old. They save the tedious job of washing the dishes by hand, and did you know that a well-loaded dishwasher can use around nine times less water than it would take to wash everything in it by hand? This makes it a win-win appliance.

If you are in the market for a new dishwasher, read on for our top tips on what to look for in a new appliance.

Integrated or freestanding?

One of the first questions you should ask yourself is whether you would prefer an integrated dishwasher or a freestanding dishwasher, which may depend on your kitchen design. An integrated dishwasher will be neatly tucked behind a matching kitchen unit door, giving a seamless and tidy look to your kitchen. A freestanding dishwasher, on the other hand, will be easier to move if needed.

A semi integrated dishwasher from an appliance specialist such as https://www.wellingtonshomeelectrical.co.uk/dishwashers/freestanding-dishwashers/dishwashers-2  can be a great solution for kitchens of any size.

Consider your typical usage

At the outset, it can be worth considering roughly how many dishes you are likely to need to wash. A slimline dishwasher is a great space saver in small kitchens but holds fewer items than a standard-sized dishwasher.

You may also want to give some thought to the energy rating. A-rated dishwashers are the most energy efficient, meaning they use less power to perform the job. You will find this guide from consumer champion Which? helpful when it comes to deciding on new appliances:

If you have an open-plan living space, it may be worth considering a quiet dishwasher. You might also want to consider a smart dishwasher. Relatively new to the market, smart dishwashers, once loaded, can be controlled from an app or even from a voice-activated smart home tool such as Alexa.