How we analyse and score
We compare models using technical specifications, manuals, available energy labels and buyer reviews. Our analysis considers installation type, capacity, interior layout, declared consumption, noise levels and available features.
What we mean by “analysis”
We do not physically test dishwashers. Our analyses rely on public sources and buyer feedback, which do not replace independent measurements. An advertised feature does not prove its effectiveness in everyday use; we highlight missing or contradictory information when we identify it.
A manufacturer's claimed specification is not measured performance, and a customer review is not a test result. We keep these three types of evidence separate, both on the page and in our calculations.
Our evidence trail
- 1Exact modelThe full model name, variant and market. We never combine data from two versions of the same product.
- 2Published dataManufacturer specifications and retailer listings for the exact model, recorded on a specific date.
- 3Comparison across our catalogueEach value is compared with every other model on the same metric.
- 4Verdict in contextWho the model suits, and when to choose another.
Missing data stays missing. We never guess it, replace it with an average or count it as zero.
How to compare dishwashers
These criteria are fixed across the category and applied in the same order to every model. This lets you compare two analyses line by line, instead of reading two reviews that cover different things.
- Place settings higher is better · couverts
- Noise level lower is better · db
- Eco program electricity consumption lower is better · kwh/100 cycles
- Eco program water consumption lower is better · l/cycle
- Eco program duration lower is better · min
- Number of programs higher is better · programmes
- Equipmentdocumented features tracked for this category: the more there are, the higher the score
A criterion is only scored if its specification is documented for the model. Across the site's 38 scored analyses: Place settings out of 35, Noise level out of 34, Eco program electricity consumption out of 37, Eco program water consumption out of 31, Eco program duration out of 33, Number of programs out of 27, Equipment out of 18.
That's why each product page shows between 3 and 6 scores. Under “Our scores explained”, each page lists any criteria left unscored and explains why.
A model is not penalised for a feature it never promised. It is assessed in the context of its price and intended users, using criteria relevant to its category.
How the score is calculated
The score out of 10 is the average of individual scores, one for each criterion in the table above. Each score reflects more than an impression: it shows themodel's ranking across the entire catalogueon that metric. That's why each row includes supporting figures, such as “210 min, ahead of 80% of models in the catalogue”. You can cross-check them.
When our data does not cover a criterion for a particular model, the row makes this clear: it is presented as anassessment based on published specifications, rather than a measurement. The page clearly distinguishes between the two.
What we never do:
- fill in a missing specification with a guess;
- score two models using different approaches;
- declare an overall winner based on results that depend on user needs;
- publish a score when there is too little data to support it.
A score reflects our assessment at a given time. It is relative to the catalogue: whenever we update scores, every product is reassessed against the current catalogue, so scores can change as new models are added. Scores last updated: 4 November 2026.
A real example: Beko BDIN18441
Here is the calculation for the “Eco program electricity consumption” score for Beko BDIN18441, exactly as shown on its product page, one of the best-documented analyses on the site.
Eco program electricity consumption: 7.7/10
Two model counts: the rank and average include product pages on this site scored for the criterion; the calculation compares the model with all catalogue models whose specification is verified, with or without a product page. A score assigned at publication may remain without a verified specification, so the first count can sometimes be higher.
Beko BDIN18441 scores 7.7/10 on this criterion. Across the 37 product pages on the site with a score for this criterion, the average is 8: below average, Rank 20 out of 37.
| Shared baseline: last place in the ranking | 6.5 |
|---|---|
| Eco program electricity consumption: 75 kWh/100 cycles ; 13 perform worse, 23 perform better, 6 are tied (including this model), among the 42 catalogue models with this specification verified | +1.2 |
| Eco program electricity consumption score | 7.7/10 |
Calculation: (13 + 6 ÷ 2) ÷ 42 = 38.1% of the ranking; 6.5 + 38.1% × 3.1 = 7.7/10, rounded to one decimal place.
Complete or partial documentation
Next to the overall score, each product page shows whether the category's 5 key specifications are confirmed by a verified source (an archived retailer page or manufacturer documentation): Place settings, Noise level, Eco program electricity consumption, Eco program water consumption, Eco program duration. It shows “Documentation: complete” when all are confirmed, or “partial” otherwise, with missing details shown on hover. In the specifications table, any of these 5 specifications that are not confirmed are marked “unverified”; other rows in the table are not covered by this check.
Partial documentation does not lower the score: a criterion with an unconfirmed value is not scored and is excluded from the average. The only exception is a score assigned when the analysis was published, which is retained while the product page has fewer than 3 verified criteria; the page's “Our scores explained” section highlights this.
Currently, 27 product pages have complete documentation and 11 have partial documentation.
Our sources and how we weigh them
- Manufacturer documentationOfficial pages, manuals and specification sheets. We use these to identify the manufacturer's claims. Those claims are always presented as such.
- Retailer listingsThese confirm the exact model, included accessories and recorded price for the target market. A limited-time offer is never presented as a permanent price.
- Customer feedbackWe look for recurring themes, rather than isolated comments, taking into account reviews covering different variants and the sample size.
- Published specialist analysesWe use these to check claims against observations. We don't copy their verdicts or average their scores.
When sources disagree, we highlight this rather than force a conclusion.
Prices
We don't display prices next to retailer links. A price checked once soon becomes outdated, and an incorrect figure next to a buy button lets down the reader it was meant to help. Prices shown in our comparison tables and filters help place a model within its range and let you sort by budget: the price that applies is the one displayed by the retailer when you buy.
Independence and affiliate links
No brand pays to feature in our picks or improve its score. Some retailer links are affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission,at no extra cost to you.
Whether we earn a commission, and how much, plays no part in our criteria. Affiliate income funds the site; it does not determine our rankings.
Updates and corrections
We update a review when the model changes, when information proves incorrect, or when new models change its standing in our catalogue. The last updated date is shown on every page.
This site's content is written and checked by Romain Brunel. Spotted an error, outdated information or a missing model? Let us know and we'll update the page.
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