The best smart dishwashers of 2026

On Bosch, Siemens and Neff dishwashers, E15 normally means the leak protection has triggered because water has reached the base pan. Causes include a leaking hose or seal, or foam from dish soap used by mistake. Switch off the power and turn off the water supply. Bosch advises contacting its customer service from there. Other brands may use the E15 code for something else entirely.

Check the energy figure: the EU energy label on European models shows kWh per 100 Eco cycles, so divide by 100. A label of 75 kWh/100 cycles means 0.75 kWh per Eco wash, or about 7.5¢ at an example rate of 10¢ per kWh. Canada's EnerGuide label gives estimated kWh per year instead, which is handy for comparing models. Intensive and quick programs use more. Running it only when full, on Eco, is the simplest saving.

Fire safety advice is generally against it: London Fire Brigade, for example, recommends not leaving dishwashers, washing machines or dryers running overnight or while you're out. With time-of-use rates, use delay start so the cycle runs while you're awake, for example at the end of the off-peak window in the early morning, or check whether your rate plan has cheaper daytime periods. Keep the filter clean and make sure you have a working smoke alarm.

Go full-size: a 60 cm (24 in.) machine with 13 or 14 place settings lets a family of four run one full load a day. Compact 45 cm (18 in.) models, usually 9 or 10 place settings, suit one or two people or a narrow kitchen. A family using a compact model runs more cycles, which wipes out part of the energy saving. If it's panel-ready, measure the cabinet opening and the toe-kick height before ordering.

Only if you'll use remote start, finish alerts or scheduling around off-peak rates; otherwise a well-rated standard model washes just as well. The app can also download extra programs, show energy use and help diagnose faults. Remote start usually has to be enabled on the machine before you leave. All programs still work without Wi-Fi, so the smart features are a convenience, not a requirement.