Place settings: this should be prominently mentioned in the dishwasher’s specs. Capacities range from 12 place settings up to 16 on a full-size dishwasher. The place settings calculation should be around 10 items per person, including cutlery. Sensor wash: Found on dishwashers with built-in sensors, the program time, temperature and amount of water will adjust according to how dirty the dishes are. Design features to look for Automatic open -door drying: The door automatically opens at the end of a cycle to allow fresh air in and moist air out.

Anti-flood protection: a dishwasher with anti-flood protection should detect leaks, drain out the water and shut off before any major damage is done.For the smaller kitchen, we also have a range of slimline dishwashers to fill the gaps in those empty spaces. Slimline dishwashers are all the rage nowadays and will fit into the unlikeliest of spaces. No more will you have to waste your precious evenings and weekends washing dish after dish with elbow grease. Eco: Best for lightly soiled plates and cutlery, economy cycles take longer to complete but uses less water than other ones. The water is still hot too, at between 50 and 55C.

We have a range of full-size dishwashersthat are perfect for large households. These are extremely spacious and guaranteed to wash large loads thoroughly and efficiently. Salt and rinse aid indicators: These alerts tell you when it’s time to top up dishwasher salt and rinse aid – both essential for successful cleans.

Super dishwasher at right price

Now you know what cycles you’d like access to, it’s time to decide which additional features you want. Here are the ones we’d consider:

Auto wash: sensors that can detect how clean or dirty the water is and adjust the wash cycle accordingly. After a particularly busy day, the last thing you want to do is wash plate after plate. But leaving dirty dishes sitting on the kitchen worktop can make matters worse; not only does it look messy, but any residual food will also harden and become more difficult to clean. Likewise, if you have a large family (particularly one with hungry teenagers), then there’s no doubt that you go through a lot of washing up. In these cases, it often means investing in a lot of washing-up liquid. But why waste your precious time slaving away with a scrubbing brush, when you could invest in a dishwasher that will do all the hard work for you? If you want a dishwasher that fits the design of your kitchen, go for an integrated model. This will be installed within a kitchen unit and have a door that matches your cupboards. Generally, the control panel is hidden on the top lip of the door. Energy efficiencyAndy Trigg, director of whitegoodshelp.co.uk with 44 years in the white goods and domestic appliance industry, shares his recommendations of features to look out for when buying a new dishwasher.