A dishwasher is a dishwasher right?! Well, not quite. There are actually a number of distinct types of dishwasher; each with their own pros and cons. If you want to make sure you buy the right kind of dishwasher for your home, read this guide from Comet now…
The different types of dishwasher
Dishwashers for the home have been around since the late 1920s when German manufacturer Miele launched the first widely available model in 1929.
Since then, like many other home appliances, dishwashers have evolved. Today, it’s possible to buy dishwashers in a range of different types. Below, we’ve provided more information on each type, so you select the perfect one for your kitchen.
Freestanding dishwashers
Arguably the most popular type of dishwasher you’ll find in UK homes is the freestanding dishwasher.
As the name suggests, a freestanding dishwasher can be positioned virtually anywhere provided it has electricity and plumbing connections. A freestanding dishwasher doesn’t require a cabinet or kitchen unit and thus isn’t restricted to fitted kitchens. To put it another way, a freestanding dishwasher will be equally at home in a utility room or garage as it will be in a traditional kitchen.
Because they’re so popular, freestanding dishwashers are available with a truly vast range of features. Some of the most popular features that you’ll find on freestanding dishwashers include:
- Automatic dosing - whereby the dishwasher automatically selects the correct amount of detergent to use for a washing cycle.
- Drying - either a heated drying function or condensation drying.
- Intensive wash - an extra thorough washing cycle that’s designed to clean even stubbornly dirty dishes and bowls.
- Smart controls - a feature that lets you control the dishwasher via your smartphone or smart home voice assistant.
- Quiet performance - for extra quiet operation.
- Eco-friendly and/or water saving cycles.
Plus, you’ll find that freestanding dishwashers are available in a wide range of finishes, from clean bright whites, to sleek black, silver and many other colours and finishes in between.
Freestanding dishwashers are also available across a broad range of price points. For example, here at Comet you’ll find cheap dishwashers from under £300, all the way up to premium dishwashers that are more than £500 (correct at the time of writing, July 2023, and subject to change).
When exploring your options you’ll find that freestanding dishwashers are available in a range of widths and heights. In general, they are between 59 and 62 cm wide and from 84 to 86 cm high (but, always be sure to double-check the dimensions of your chosen dishwasher before purchasing).
In terms of capacity, the average freestanding dishwasher that is 60 cm wide will generally be able to hold between 120 and 150 items.
Finally, if you’re worried about those all-important energy bills, then you’ll be pleased to know that you can buy energy-efficient dishwashers and dishwashers with a variety of energy ratings.
The pros and cons of freestanding dishwashers
Are you wondering if a freestanding dishwasher could be the best choice for your home? Read the pros and cons of freestanding dishwashers below to help you make your decision.
Freestanding dishwasher pros
- A huge amount of choice with many features, finishes and prices available.
- As a freestanding dishwasher is not built-in to your kitchen units, you can take it with you when you move home.
- Freestanding dishwashers are easy to access for maintenance purposes.
Freestanding dishwasher cons
- Freestanding dishwashers don’t blend into fitted kitchens in the same way as other types of dishwashers.
Integrated dishwashers
The other most common type of dishwasher that you’ve probably encountered is integrated dishwashers. Also known as built-in dishwashers, integrated dishwashers are designed to be installed within integrated kitchens.
They tend to sit within a dedicated cavity and thus sit flush with the rest of your kitchen cabinets. In many cases, you can buy integrated dishwashers that have a panel attached to their door which further helps the washer to blend in with the rest of your kitchen.
Because of the way they are designed to blend in with the rest of a fitted kitchen, integrated dishwashers have their controls located on the inside ‘lip’ of the front panel. As such, to control the dishwasher (e.g. to start or set a cycle), you must first have the door open.
Like their freestanding siblings, integrated dishwashers are these days available with a wealth of features. These can include:
- Sensor guided washing - a feature whereby the dishwasher figures out what type of wash cycle is required for you.
- Adjustable racks - allowing you to fit items of varying sizes and dimensions into the dishwasher.
Integrated dishwashers tend to have standardised dimensions, being approximately 60 cm wide and around 82 cm high (although this is very much a generalisation. As we said earlier, always check the dimensions of your chosen washer prior to purchase).
As with freestanding dishwashers, integrated dishwashers are available in a variety of capacities. And, contrary to popular perception, integrated dishwashers can typically hold a similar volume of plates and utensils as other types of dishwashers.
Here at Comet, you’ll find plenty of integrated dishwashers that have a capacity of 14 place settings - which is the perfect volume for a household of four people.
Another common misconception around integrated dishwashers is that they’re more expensive than freestanding alternatives. This may have been true in the past, but it’s no longer the case. Here at Comet, we offer cheap integrated dishwashers from just under £300 through to premium integrated dishwashers at around the £600 price mark (correct at the time of writing, July 2023, and subject to change).
When it comes to energy-usage, integrated dishwashers have taken a big leap forward in recent years, and it’s now possible to buy highly economical and efficient integrated dishwashers. In fact, many include dedicated ‘eco-mode’ features.
The pros and cons of integrated dishwashers
As per other dishwashers, integrated dishwashers have both their pros and cons which we’ve outlined below.
Integrated dishwasher pros
- Integrated dishwashers blend seamlessly into fitted kitchens creating a stunning, stylish finish.
- They are often a tad quieter than freestanding models as they are fitted in and around kitchen cabinets which provide further noise insulation.
Integrated dishwasher cons
- Integrated dishwashers can be a little harder to move than freestanding models.
- The controls are not accessible once the dishwasher is in operation.
Semi-integrated dishwashers
Providing something akin to the ‘best of both worlds’, semi-integrated dishwashers offer the sleek integration of built-in dishwashers, but with the convenience and access of freestanding dishwashers.
As the name suggests, semi-integrated dishwashers are normally integrated into a fitted kitchen, sitting within a dedicated kitchen unit or recess.
However, in contrast to fully-integrated dishwashers, semi-integrated washers feature a standard ‘front’. In other words, they don’t blend in the same way as fully-integrated dishwashers do. Having said that though, it is possible to buy semi-integrated dishwashers that have a panel on the front just up to the control section - thus, most of the dishwasher blends in with the kitchen with only the control panel on display.
Semi-integrated dishwashers are available with many of the same features as other types of dishwashers, including smart features, eco-cycles, water-saving cycles, auto-dosing systems and more.
Size and capacity-wise, semi-integrated dishwashers are similar to integrated washers, being typically around 60 cm wide and 82 cm high. With regard to capacity, semi-integrated dishwashers are available that can take 14 place settings - which is enough for a four-person household.
Like their fully-integrated counterparts, semi-integrated dishwashers have become increasingly efficient in recent years (which is great news for your wallet and energy bills!). Many models now feature dedicated eco-wash cycles.
The pros and cons of semi-integrated dishwashers
Want to know if a semi-integrated dishwasher could be right for you? Then check out the pros and cons below.
Semi-integrated dishwasher pros
- Semi-integrated dishwashers offer both convenience and a sleek, tidy finish within your kitchen.
- You can see at-a-glance how long a cycle has to run.
Semi-integrated dishwasher cons
- Not quite as sleek and tidy as fully-integrated dishwashers.
Slimline dishwashers
If you’re tight on space and have a smaller kitchen in your home, but still want a dishwasher, then a slimline dishwasher could be the answer.
Whilst it’s possible to buy both freestanding and integrated slimline dishwashers, you’ll find that most of the models on the market are designed to be integrated into a fitted kitchen.
As their name suggests, slimline dishwashers have a narrower width than their full-size counterparts. To give you an idea of how slim, consider that slimline dishwashers are normally around 45 cm wide. This contrasts significantly with standard dishwashers that are usually 60 cm wide.
But, just because they’re slimmer doesn’t mean you have to lose out on features. Shop around, and you’ll discover that slimline dishwashers can be packed with just as many features as full-size washers. Think auto-dosing, eco-cycles, water-saving features, intensive cleaning zones, quick wash cycles and even smart features.
Put simply, you won’t be losing out by choosing a slimline dishwasher for your home.
The only area where you’ll have to make a sacrifice is capacity, as slimline dishwashers typically have capacity for only 12 place settings or less (although this isn’t an amount to be sniffed at!). To give you an idea of the difference in capacity, your average slimline dishwasher will be able to hold about 90 to 100 items compared to the 120 to 150 items you can usually fit in full-size dishwashers.
How much should you expect to pay for a slimline dishwasher? Here at Comet we have cheap slimline dishwashers starting from £270 (correct at the time of writing, July 2023, and subject to change).
As with the other dishwashers featured in this article, slimline dishwashers have become increasingly energy-efficient in recent years as manufacturers have sought to reduce the carbon footprint associated with their appliances.
The pros and cons of slimline dishwashers
What are the pros and cons of slimline dishwashers? Find out below…
Slimline dishwasher pros
- This is an obvious point, but slimline dishwashers take up less space, meaning you can have a dishwasher in an otherwise small kitchen.
- Slimline dishwashers typically have the same level of features and specifications as larger dishwashers.
Slimline dishwasher cons
- This is another obvious point, but slimline dishwashers have smaller capacities than their larger counterparts.
- Slimline dishwashers (depending on the exact model you buy) can be less energy efficient.
Table-top dishwashers
The final type of dishwasher that you’ll typically find on the UK market is table-top dishwashers.
Table-top dishwashers - also known as countertop dishwashers, compact dishwashers or portable dishwashers - are designed to sit on a kitchen counter or other similar flat surface. Having said that, it’s also possible to get compact dishwashers that can be integrated into kitchen units - these are just a bit less common.
Given their particularly compact dimensions (they’re often only 44 cm high and 55 cm wide), they’re ideal for use in flats, apartments or in commercial environments where space is at a premium (e.g. behind a public bar). In many cases, you’ll find that they’re only a little bigger than a microwave.
Table-top dishwashers are admittedly more basic appliances when it comes to features, however it’s not unusual to find countertop dishwashers with features such as:
- Intensive zones - sections of the washer where particularly dirty items can be intensively cleaned.
- Quiet wash - where the wash cycle is much quieter than normal (less than 48 dB).
- Low-water usage - keeping your water bills to a minimum.
As you’d expect from what is effectively a ‘half-size’ dishwasher, table-top dishwashers have small capacities. We’re talking approximately six place settings - enough for a one or two-person household (without having to continually fill and empty it). That equates to about 40 to 60 items depending on the exact model you purchase.
In terms of cost, table-top dishwashers are - by their very nature - cheaper than other, larger, dishwashers. You should expect to pay in the region of £250 or more for a table-top dishwasher.
The pros and cons of table-top dishwashers
Figure out if a table-top dishwasher could be your perfect match by checking out their pros and cons below.
Table-top dishwasher pros
- Ideal for kitchens where space is very tight.
- Great for non-kitchen applications such as bars.
Table-top dishwasher cons
- Can be difficult to fit larger items into table-top dishwashers.
- Are not always energy efficient.
Ready to buy?
We hope you’ve found our guide to the different types of dishwashers useful. If you’ve decided what type is best for you, then why not explore the huge range of dishwashers available at Comet now?
Not only will you find dishwashers from leading brands like Indesit, Hotpoint, and Russell Hobbs at some of the internet’s best prices, but we make it easy to spread the cost. With PayPal Credit or Klarna Pay in 3, you can buy your dishwasher and start enjoying it sooner.
Shop dishwashers at Comet now.
For more buying guides, advice and information, explore the Comet blog…
