How to Buy a Dishwasher

If you are wanting to spend your evenings and weekends doing more of the things you love, incorporating a dishwasher into your kitchen is the perfect solution. As well as helping you save valuable time and water, dishwashers help to keep your kitchen clean and clutter-free. When choosing a dishwasher, it is important to consider your lifestyle and the design of your kitchen as well as the features and technologies that can deliver fantastic results and convenience. To help you during the decision-making process, we have put together a guide on points to consider when buying a dishwasher, along with some suggested models.

Freestanding or Integrated

The best place to start when choosing a dishwasher is considering whether you would benefit from a freestanding or integrated model. Freestanding dishwashers are a versatile option, with models featuring hard-wearing laminate tops offering the choice of being used as worktop space. Since the appliance is not built-in, it can be easily relocated if preferred or simply re-installed in a new kitchen if you move home. On the other hand, semi and fully integrated dishwashers can be matched to the cabinetry of your kitchen or concealed behind matching furniture, for a seamless design.

Size

Another important point to consider early on when choosing your dishwasher is the size of the appliance that you require. For large families and busy kitchens, XXL models may be most beneficial. Miele XXL dishwashers offer an extra 4cm of additional interior height, providing you with increased versatility and various loading options for stemware, large coffee mugs and bulky dishes. For smaller kitchens and households where space is at a premium, models that are 45cm wide such as Miele’s Slimline range of dishwashers may be more suitable, providing you top of the range features and technology in a more convenient, compact size and saving you valuable space.

Features and Technologies

From features that deliver fast results to functionalities that allow you to programme your wash in advance, there are many options available for you to choose from to achieve the best cleaning with added ease.

Energy and Water Efficiency

Keep in mind models that can help you reduce your water and energy consumption. All Miele 60cm dishwashers are rated A for energy efficiency, and use less than seven litres of fresh water in a single wash – significantly less than filling your kitchen sink and rinsing pots and pans, plates and cutlery. Features such as automatic load recognition can also help you keep energy consumption down, automatically detecting the amount of crockery in the wash cabinet and adjusting the use of water and electricity accordingly. Additionally, eco programmes can ensure that less water is used and dishes are washed at lower temperatures, whilst delay start functions can instruct your machine to run during off-peak times when the lowest electricity tariff is available.

Noise Levels

If you spend considerable amounts of time in your kitchen or use it for entertaining, it is vital to also consider noise levels – particularly in small or open-plan kitchens, where noise can easily fill the space. Miele dishwashers operate at particularly quiet noise levels that do not disrupt a normal conversation, whilst consistently delivering excellent results.

Fast Result

For clean cutlery and crockery ready to be used again fast, consider a dishwasher featuring a quick wash function, such as Miele’s QuickPowerWash programme. Alongside the use of Miele’s perfectly matched tabs, this programme achieves the best possible cleaning and drying results in less than one hour.

Flexible Loading

For further ease and versatility, consider trays that offer adjustable sections to suit different load situations, helping you avoid having to do multiple washes. Miele’s Patented 3D Cutlery Tray features hinged rows of spikes in the centre allowing more space for larger cutlery items such as salad serves or bread knives. Additionally, features such as Miele’s FlexAssist markings can help you identify at a glance which elements can be repositioned in order to adjust the basket to your needs. Small symbols such as a cup or a wine glass on the coloured elements point out how the area can be used.

Gentle Washing

For delicate glassware, keep in mind programmes that will deliver gentle cleaning and drying. Soft water will clean crockery thoroughly but it can have an aggressive effect on glass. To counter this, look out for functions such as Miele’s Perfect GlassCare to ensure glasses are washed gently, so you can enjoy them for many years to come.

Peace of Mind

To ensure an uninterrupted wash and keep curious hands from using your dishwasher, consider a model that features a child safety lock.

Ultimate Ease

For ultimate ease and convenience, look out for models that feature LED lighting that illuminates the interior with brilliant light when the dishwasher is opened, allowing you to make use of your appliance at any time of day.

Our recommended models:

First Home – Miele G 5811 SC Front Active Plus Dishwasher

Part of our freestanding dishwasher range, this 60 cm model brings high-end convenience and flexibility to a first home. With space for up to 14 place settings and a versatile 3D MultiFlex tray for cutlery and smaller utensils, it handles everything from everyday plates to cooking pots. QuickPowerWash completes a full wash in roughly 58 minutes, while AutoOpen drying ensures dishes and glassware come out dry and ready to use — great for busy mornings and minimal fuss. Its EcoPower and fresh-water technology use as little as 6 L per Automatic wash, and with an A-rating for energy efficiency it keeps running costs and environmental impact low - a big plus when managing a new household budget. Thoughtful touches like Comfort baskets, a delay-start timer, and a clean-steel finish that resists fingerprints make it a reliable, easy-to-live-with choice for a first home kitchen.

Compact Living – Miele G 5740 SC SL 45cm Dishwasher

Part of our 45cm slimline range, this freestanding dishwasher in Brilliant White is designed for compact kitchens without compromising on performance. It's also Quiet Mark approved, as it operates at noise levels considerably quieter than a normal conversation. QuickPowerWash delivers exceptional cleaning in under an hour, while the ExtraComfort baskets and MultiFlex tray offer flexible loading for dishes, glasses and cutlery. AutoOpen drying ensures perfectly dry results at the end of each cycle, and automatic load recognition adjusts water and energy use to suit the contents, helping you run each wash as efficiently as possible.

Family Friendly - Miele G 7760 SCVi Dishwasher

Part of our full-size, fully integrated range, this A rated dishwasher is ideal for busy family kitchens thanks to its capacious load capacity and home-automation convenience. With room for up to 14 place settings and flexible basket design, it can handle everything from daily dinnerware to pots, pans and lunchboxes after a large meal. Automatic detergent dispensing via AutoDos with PowerDisk removes the need to measure out detergent - great when juggling family dinners and school lunches. The QuickPowerWash programme delivers a full wash in around 58 minutes for normal loads, while AutoOpen drying ensures dishes come out clean and dry, ready for the next use. It’s been Quiet Mark approved, operating at a whisper-quiet 41 dB, making it an excellent choice for open-plan kitchens and busy households alike. Bonus family-friendly touches such as BrilliantLight interior illumination and compatibility with the Miele@home smart home system make this model a reliable, low-hassle solution if you run frequent, heavy dish cycles.

Larger Households - MieleG 7985 SCVi XXL AutoDos K2O Dishwasher

Part of our fully integrated XXL lineup, this dishwasher is built for larger households where you need space, flexibility, and reliable performance for heavy use. With room for up to 14 place settings and a versatile 3D MultiFlex cutlery tray plus XL Assist, it easily accommodates everyday dishes and bulky items like pots, pans, tall glasses and large serving dishes. Automatic detergent dispensing via AutoDos with PowerDisk removes the need to measure out detergent - a real time-saver when tackling large, frequent loads. The QuickPowerWash programme can complete most normal loads in 58 minutes, while AutoOpen drying and SensorDry ensure dishes, including plastics and delicate glassware, come out completely dry and ready to use. With a Quiet Mark approval and low noise (around 41 dB), it stays unobtrusive even in open-plan living areas - perfect if you’re running dishes while people are cooking, eating or relaxing nearby.