Dishwashers
We've tested compact and standard dishwashers to find out which are the best at washing and drying.
We've tested compact and standard dishwashers to find out which are the best at washing and drying.
We've tested compact and standard dishwashers to find out which are the best at washing and drying.
Size: A lot of 12- to 15-place models fit roughly the same-sized under bench space (82-85cm height, 60cm width and 55cm to 65cm depth). If you are replacing an existing dishwasher, check the fit before you order. Some models come with a worktop that must be removed before building in. Check the ventilation space requirements. If you’re looking for a dishwasher to squeeze into a small space, a compact or slimline model might be right for you.
Capacity: The dishwashers in our test database come in sizes up to 15 place settings. Overfilling a dishwasher with extra crockery and cutlery reduces wash performance.
Adjustable top basket: Essential if you want to wash champagne flutes or other tall wine glasses, or wash very large plates in the lower basket. Some models let you lower one side of the basket, so you can wash tall glasses and large plates at the same time.
Removable or folding tines allow large or awkwardly shaped objects to fit in the baskets. Watch out for short tines – plates can fall over onto each other and prevent a good wash.
Take along a few pieces of your everyday dinnerware such as a large plate, a deep bowl and a long-stemmed glass. See how they fit – check that the baskets can close and the spray arms can spin without hitting anything.
Anti-nesting grids: Fitted over the cutlery basket to prevent cutlery bunching together. Removable grids are more versatile and easier to use.
Cutlery tray: Here's an innovation in some models you'll either love or hate. Critics find it time consuming and fiddly to load, because each piece of cutlery has to go in its own slot – the right way round. And it can prevent tall glasses from fitting, unless the tray is removed.
Our test found there was no performance advantage with a cutlery tray. A basket may be offered as an alternative or in addition to a tray.
Additional features to consider when you're choosing a dishwasher.
Most dishwashers come with a single water connection, and manufacturers usually recommend you hook it up to cold water.
You might be tempted to save money by connecting to your hot water if it comes from a wetback, heat pump or solar unit. But before you do that check the maximum water-inlet temperature (see the test results). Also make sure you have a suitable tempering valve on your hot-water system.
If you have a standard electric hot-water cylinder, allowing your dishwasher to heat its own water will be fractionally cheaper than using the cylinder’s.
Using a cold connection also gives you the full flexibility of all the cycle options on your machine.
It's hard to work out how old a dishwasher might be. It's also not easy to find out how much water and energy an older model uses.
The Energy Rating Label has a scale of stars to show how energy efficient a model is, compared to other models of the same size/capacity.
More stars = more energy efficient.
The energy consumption figure is in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and you can use this figure and the cost (tariff) from your latest power bill to calculate how much this model will cost to run. The MBIE-reported national average cost of a kWh in New Zealand is 29¢.
Lower kWh = cheaper to run.
Dishwasher annual energy consumption in kWh is based on standards testing and assumes 365 uses a year.
You should only compare star ratings of dishwashers with the same or similar capacities.
For information on energy ratings and how to use them, see our Energy Rating Labels explained article.
We've tested 39 dishwashers.
Find the right one for you.
This site uses cookies to help us understand how visitors engage with our website. By using Consumer NZ, you accept our use of cookies.
Get even more Consumer NZ news and invitations to share your voice on important issues straight to your inbox.
By subscribing you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy. You can opt out at anytime.