Best UK Dishwasher for Less Than £300
Although the average price of a dishwasher these days is around £350, there are still some great options to be picked up for an affordable price.
On most appliance sites such as Curry’s and Amazon, there are tons of dishwashers under £300 with many of the same features as the expensive models.
With a cheaper dishwasher, there may be some compromise on the material, such as plastic instead of stainless steel.
However, most dishwashers are covered with a cupboard door or matching unit, so the material of the dishwasher will be hidden anyway.
Here at Clean and Tidy Living, we know there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for everybody.
No two households are the same, so neither are their requirements when it comes to appliances.
This article includes dishwasher reviews for our top 5 choices in varying categories, so you can find the best dishwasher under £300 that works for your household.
Beneath our dishwasher reviews, we’ve put together a handy buyers guide to help clear up some of the confusion when it comes to buying a new appliance.
This post covers:
- The top 5 best dishwashers under £300 in the UK
- How to Choose the Best Dishwasher
- What Are the Different Types of Dishwasher?
- How to Maintain a Dishwasher
Related: What Are The Best Quiet Dishwashers in the UK
| Please note: All of these dishwashers were under £300 at the time of writing, and although we try and stay up to date with our recommendations prices may fluctuate without us realising. |
If you’re in a rush, here are our top 5 recommendations for dishwashers less than £300:
1. BEKO DFN05310W – Best Freestanding Dishwasher Under £300 UK
2. BEKO DFS04010B – Best Slimline Dishwasher Under £300
3. KENWOOD KDW45X20 – Best Quiet Dishwasher For Open Plan Living
4. INDESIT DIF 16B1 – Best Integrated Dishwasher Under £300
What Is The Best Dishwasher Under £300
1. BEKO DFN05310W – Best Freestanding Dishwasher Under £300 UK
The Beko DFN05310 in white is a straightforward, neatly designed dishwasher.
It is a freestanding appliance which means it will be on display at all times, but it’s versatile design will suit most kitchen designs from traditional to modern.
In-line with its theme of simplicity, there is no digital display on this Beko dishwasher.
If you’re looking for a basic, ‘gets the job done’ appliance with no bells and whistles for under £300, we think this Beko appliance is a perfect choice.
We especially love its quick 30-minute cycle that’s ideal for turning over dishes in between courses at parties.
| The Beko DFN05310W is a great dishwasher for a busy medium-sized household who require a quick setting to get jobs done quickly. |
Dimensions: Full-size, 13 Place Settings, 850 x 598 x 600 mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 44.9kg
Energy Efficiency: A+
Type: Freestanding
Colour: White
Special Features:
Pros
Cons
After researching this dishwasher we think it’s the best option for medium-sized households who want an easy to use, reliable dishwasher.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this appliance to households with modern kitchens because the design of this Beko DFN05310W isn’t the sleekest.
For more information including reviews and price comparisons, click the button below.
2. BEKO DFS04010B – Best Slimline Dishwasher Under £300
The BEKO DFS04010B is a slimline dishwasher in a modern black colour that would work well in most kitchen designs and colour schemes.
We love the simplistic functionality and reliability of this Beko dishwasher.
This appliance has a 30-minute cycle to get the dishes done quickly, which is perfect for busy family life.
Since it’s a freestanding machine with a weight of just 37kg, this washing machine can easily be moved around with families who aren’t likely to stay put.
Small appliances are a great way to get all the mod cons into a flat or small house without taking up too much space.
For more small appliance reviews, take a look at our Clean and Tidy Living post What Are The Best Small Tumble Dryers For Flats In The UK.
| The Beko DFS04010B features a modern design in a nice compact size sufficient for small to medium families. |
Dimensions: Slimline, 10 Place Settings, 850 x 448 x 600 mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 37kg
Energy Efficiency: A+
Type: Freestanding
Colour: Black
Special Features:
Pros
Cons
We think this Beko appliance is the best option for a small to medium-sized family who wants an affordable dishwasher that doesn’t compromise on the appearance.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this appliance to medium-large families because of its 10 place setting capacity.
For more information including reviews and price comparisons, click the button below.
3. KENWOOD KDW45X20 – Best Quiet Dishwasher For Open Plan Living
This Kenwood KDW45X20 is popular because of its near-silent cycles and pleasing design.
We think that if you’re looking for a stylish, stainless steel appliance that doesn’t break the bank then this Kenwood dishwasher is an ideal choice.
We also love that the control panel is on the inside of the dishwasher due to being a fully-integrated appliance.
The cutlery slots in the dishwasher are slightly small, but we think that’s a pretty minimal compromise for such an elegant and functional machine.
| The KENWOOD KDW45X20 features a crisp stainless steel design and is quiet enough for use in modern open plan living, without taking up too much room. |
Dimensions: Slimline, 10 Place Settings, 850 x 448 x 598 mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 41.1 kg
Energy Efficiency: A++
Type: Freestanding
Colour: Inox, Stainless Steel
Special Features:
Pros
Cons
After researching this Kenwood dishwasher we think it’s the best option for medium-sized families in modern, open-plan homes or flats because of it’s very quiet cycles and beautiful modern design.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this appliance to large families because 10 place settings probably aren’t enough for daily usage.
Having said that, a dishwasher with fewer place settings will likely always be completely full for each cycle which reduces overall water usage and improves energy efficiency.
For more information including reviews and price comparisons, click the button below.
4. INDESIT DIF 16B1 – Best Integrated Dishwasher Under £300
The INDESIT DIF 16B1 is a fully integrated dishwasher that blends seamlessly into the surrounding units with the control panel hidden on the inside.
We like the Fast Eco Cycle which reduces the water and time spent on an eco cycle without compromising on the performance. The Fast Eco Cycle cuts wash times by up to 25%.
Although it’s a full-size dishwasher that fits up to 13 place settings, the bottom drawer can only hold trays and plates up to a 26.5cm diameter.
Anything taller than this can stop the wash blades from spinning, so we recommend measuring your dinner plates before investing in this dishwasher.
| Simple and functional fully integrated dishwasher for those who want an affordable appliance that can be covered to match the kitchen units, without spending a fortune. |
Dimensions: Full-size, 13 Place Settings, 820 x 595 x 590 mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 35.5 kg
Energy Efficiency: A+
Type: Integrated
Special Features:
Pros
Cons
After researching this dishwasher we think it’s the best option for large families looking for an affordable fully integrated dishwasher.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this appliance to families with large plates and baking trays as they may not fit on the bottom shelf of the dishwasher and you could have to replace your entire set.
For more information including reviews and price comparisons, click the button below.
5. SHARP QW-DX26F41A – Best A+++ Dishwasher Under £300
If this SHARP QW-DX26F41A dishwasher was more affordable we would probably recommend this dishwasher as our number one choice for under £300.
However, since it’s just a penny under £300 at the time of writing we can assume the price will fluctuate and not stay under budget.
The reason we like this dishwasher so much is because of its 13 place setting capacity, it’s A+++ energy efficiency and it’s modern dark stainless steel design.
This Sharp dishwasher also has the most programs out of our top 5.
One drawback of this freestanding dishwasher is that the quick wash is quite long at 50 minutes.
| A dark stainless steel freestanding dishwasher with high energy efficiency to save money on household bills without compromising on appearance. |
Dimensions: Full-size, 13 Place Settings, 850 x 598 x 598 mm (H x W x D)
Weight: 46 kg
Energy Efficiency: A+++
Type: Freestanding
Colour: Dark, Stainless Steel
Special Features:
- Auto Intensive
- Dual ProWash
- Eco
- Hygiene
- MiniJet 14
- Prewash
- Quick 30
- Quick 50
- Steam Wash
Pros
- Very energy efficient to save on bills
- Loads of programs
- Big enough for large families
- High cleaning performance
Cons
- The bottom shelf is quite short so plates might be too tall for the wash blades to turn
- The shortest cycle is longer than other dishwashers (50 minutes)
After researching this Sharp appliance we think it’s the best option for large families looking for a neat and modern dishwasher that’s highly energy efficient.
However, we wouldn’t recommend this appliance to small families because 13 place settings will probably be too many, and when the dishwasher isn’t full for a cycle this uses up unnecessary water and therefore costs more money.
For more information including reviews and price comparisons, click the button below.
How to Choose the Best Dishwasher
Dishwasher Sizes
Dishwashers have unusual sizing standards.
Instead of measuring capacity in Litres or kilos like most appliances, dishwashers measure their size in place settings.
This generally spans from a low end of 8 to a larger capacity of 16 place settings and varies depending on the type of dishwasher.
Lifestyle Euronics explains a place setting as, “A place setting consists of a dinner plate, dessert plate, single glass, soup bowl, teacup with saucer, and an assortment of cutlery.”
The three dishwasher sizes are:
Full-size dishwashers are the largest model at an average width of 60cm with the capacity to fit between 9 and 16 place settings.
Slimline dishwashers are slightly smaller at 45cm and will usually fit between 8-10 place settings.
Compact dishwashers are smaller than a slimline or full-size dishwasher and usually sit on top of the counter instead of underneath it. They can normally hold about 4-6 place settings so are ideal for a single-occupancy household.
Dishwasher Features
Energy Efficiency
An appliances energy efficiency refers to the environment but can also have an impact on household bills.
Dishwasher energy ratings follow EU standards and go from A+++ to D.
However, to achieve the best energy efficiency the dishwasher should be full before use.
If you’re interested in energy efficiency, take a look at our Ultimate Washing Machine Temperature Guide.
Larger, more expensive dishwashers tend to have the best energy efficiency, however, these are unfortunately more expensive.
This extra investment in a more energy-efficient appliance could pay itself back over the years with the lower cost per cycle.
You can read more about how to read dishwasher energy efficiency labels on Beko’s website.
Noise Level
Some people are put off by having or using a dishwasher because of the noise typically associated with them, especially in open plan living.
Most modern dishwashers have very low noise emission.
According to wikiHow:
“A loud dishwasher can be annoying in a kitchen where a conversation is taking place.
Check the decibel level if you are concerned about noise. A decibel level of 45 or under will be almost silent.
A decibel level of 50 is equal to the volume of a normal conversation. 44 decibels is the ideal level.”
In order to ensure you’re choosing a quiet dishwasher, opt for a model at 44 decibels or below.
It’s also possible to add additional insulation around the dishwasher to reduce the sound of a noisy dishwasher.
What Are the Types of Dishwasher?
Freestanding
A freestanding dishwasher is a readily complete appliance with finished sides and front.
Because they’re a standalone unit, freestanding dishwashers can be placed anywhere in the home as long as there’s sufficient access to water and drainage.
Buying a freestanding dishwasher means it can easily be moved between room or to different houses and is easier to pull out and repair when things go wrong.
There’s also the added advantage of being able to free up space in the kitchen for extra storage.
However, they aren’t as attractive as an integrated dishwasher because they’re always visible and can spoil the seamlessness of modern kitchen designs.
Built-In or (Fully) Integrated
Nowadays, kitchens are made with a fully or semi-integrated dishwasher that isn’t immediately obvious when you enter the room.
An integrated dishwasher is covered by a panel that matches the kitchen units, with the controls on the inside of the door.
Integrated dishwashers are perfect for modern kitchens, but not for a guest wondering where to put their used spoon.
If you’re planning on moving house a lot, then integrated dishwashers tend to be permanent features and therefore aren’t the best choice.
Since you can’t see any of the controls when the dishwasher is closed, built-in dishwashers will usually project a small light or countdown timer onto the floor so you know that it’s on.
Semi-integrated
A semi-integrated dishwasher is a happy medium between the fully-integrated dishwasher and its freestanding counterpart.
Semi-integrated dishwashers maintain the appearance of a modern kitchen by having their front panel covered in the same material as surrounding units.
However, instead of being completely invisible, there is a control panel at the top of the unit so it’s still recognisable as a dishwasher.
Semi-integrated dishwashers are usually a permanent fixture in a kitchen so is probably not the best choice for people planning on moving a lot.
The only real difference between semi-integrated and fully integrated dishwashers is whether or not the control panel is on show.
What Is The Best Dishwasher Under £300 UK 2022 – Final Thoughts
There are plenty of options out there for dishwashers in an affordable price range.
However, we found that most of the highly-rated dishwashers under £300 were freestanding, which tends to go against the typical trends of most kitchens being built today.
We also found that most of the appliances for less than £300 were slim-line, which is fine for small to medium families but not great for larger households.
In this post, we tried to find a mix of freestanding and integrated as well as full-size and slimline dishwashers so that there’s a range of options to suit varying requirements.
No two households are the same, so here at Clean and Tidy Living, we try to provide a range of options to help our readers find the best dishwasher under £300 for their needs.
We hope you’ve enjoyed our top 5 recommendations and our small buyer’s guide.
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- What Does The Half Load Setting Mean On A Dishwasher?
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- Best Washing Machine Under £300 In The UK Right Now
- Best Vacuum Cleaner Under £200 In The UK
- Do Dishwashers Use a Lot of Electricity?