Dishwashers – what to consider when buying a new one.

In terms of features and functions, a dishwasher that's integrated and a freestanding dishwasher are near equals. The main differences are on a visual level.

An integrated dishwasher is built in to your kitchen. It's fully or partially covered with a front panel in the same look as your kitchen cabinets.
The plus: A built-in dishwasher is essentially hidden, for a seamless, attractive look.

A freestanding dishwasher is an appliance that can be flexibly placed wherever you've space. Some models can also be installed in a niche under the kitchen worktop.
The plus: If you move homes, it's easier to take with you than an integrated dishwasher.

Standard, slimline, mini or taller: the size of dishwasher you need depends on the space available in your kitchen as well as your household size.

Standard dishwasher
Plenty of space for plates, pots, cups and co. The right choice if you've a standard-size niche in your kitchen. Suits families with plenty of washing up to do, as well as singles or couples who like to entertain.

Always carefully measure from the floor to the bottom edge of your worktop before buying!

Maybe your heart is set on a stainless steel dishwasher to match your stainless steel fridge. Or perhaps you want a white dishwasher to fit your white kitchen.

Freestanding dishwashers come in a range of finishes to suit your personal preferences and the look of your kitchen.

An energy-efficient dishwasher with an A+++ rating reduces your energy and water consumption. The bottom line: you save money long term. And do something good for the planet.

Here's a quick guide to navigating the energy labels:

• A+++ The highest efficiency rating. Choose a dishwasher with this label to reduce your electricity bill, and your carbon footprint.
• A++ These appliances consume less water and electricity than A+ models, but they are not the most energy-efficient choice. Invest in an A+++ dishwasher – it'll likely pay off long term.
• A+ dishwashers can consume significantly more electricity and water than an A+++ one.

When selecting a new dishwasher, you want to know that installation will go off without a hitch. Installing it yourself is certainly doable. For ultimate peace of mind, you can always leave the task to a professional. So you can start using your appliance in next to no time.

Pro tip: Curious how much it costs to hire an installer to do the work? Avoid unpleasant surprises: ask for a quote first. Reach out to the Bosch customer service team anytime with installation questions.

Which dishwasher is quiet? A glance at the energy label reveals the answer – in decibels. However, the right noise level for you comes down to personal preferences and the floor plan of your home.

Pro tip: If you have an eat-in kitchen or open floor plan, carefully consider a dishwasher's noise level. A very quiet dishwasher clocks in at around 40 decibels – like soft music playing in the background. Closed-off kitchen? Noise is perhaps lower on your priority list.

Let's peak inside the dishwasher. Things might have changed a little since you last bought one – at least when it comes to racks and cutlery.

Today you have the choice of:

• Two racks – plus a separate cutlery basket for forks, knives, and spoons
• Three racks – the top one is for cutlery, large utensils and espresso cups

Pro tip: Out of habit, you might opt for the same rack system your current dishwasher has – and that's fine! If you're undecided, go for three racks and add a cutlery basket as an accessory.

If you're looking for a big upgrade from your old dishwasher, take a closer look at some of the latest innovations on the market.

Tired of wet dishes?
Choose a Bosch dishwasher with PerfectDry with Zeolith technology. It converts moisture into hot air, which blows through the dishwasher's interior, drying all dishes. So you can go directly from rack to cupboard every time – even plastic dishes, cups, and co.