The Best Energy-Efficient Dishwashers
See our Dishwashers Ethical Ratings Table to compare brands
Ethical issues to consider in your search for an energy-efficient dishwasher
Did you know that using an energy-efficient dishwasher can actually be more environmentally-friendly than doing the dishes by hand? According to Which? dishwashers are more efficient than hand washing. (Big sigh of relief there!) Recent data from Statista shows that roughly 49% of UK households now own a dishwasher, compared to only 25% in the early 2000s. The rise in popularity of dishwashers means it is even more important to consider the ethics of the dishwasher brand you are purchasing from.
Additionally, it is crucial to choose an energy-efficient dishwasher to minimise your impact on the environment. (There’s also the bonus of saving yourself money on your energy bills!) This article explores the ethics of the UK’s leading dishwasher brands. It guides you through which dishwasher brands to avoid and how to identify the best energy-efficient dishwasher.
How do I know if I have an energy-efficient dishwasher?
The best way to find an energy-efficient dishwasher is to compare the energy labels of different dishwashers. Energy ratings rank products from A-G (under the new energy label system).
Check out our Ethical Dishwashers Ratings Table. This table gives you an in-depth run down of all the information you need, so you don’t need to do any of the research yourself! By comparing brands in the green and red sections of our table, you can decide which dishwasher brands to avoid and find the most ethical brand to purchase an energy-efficient dishwasher from.
Our research: dishwasher brands to avoid
The Good Shopping Guide’s independent research reveals that there are many unethical dishwasher companies. We have identified issues with human rights and environmental concerns. We have identified some examples of dishwasher brands to avoid, due to their unethical practices.
According to our latest research, Samsung is the least ethical dishwasher brand currently on the market. Samsung scores just 29. This is significantly lower than any other brand. Samsung is unfortunately involved in a range of controversial activities and is involved in the defence sector. Samsung also has poor environmental practices, and has committed human rights abuses.
In 2019, Business & Human Rights Resource Centre reported on a case in which 6 workers were killed and another 25 injured, due to a collision at a Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard in South Korea. South Korean civil society organisations alleged that only a few of the victims and the families of deceased workers had received compensation.
Samsung has a poor human rights record, reflected in this case. We therefore recommend you add Samsung to your list of dishwasher brands to avoid in your search for an energy-efficient dishwasher.
Fossil fuels and dishwashers
Other poor scoring dishwasher brands include Beko, Blomberg and Grundig, which are owned by Koç Holding A.Ş, a Turkish conglomerate which operates across a wide range of industries. Koç is heavily involved in the Energy sector and owns several companies that are involved in activities such as the production of natural gas, oil refining and the supply of oil tankers. As a result, Beko, Blomberg and Grundig receive a bottom rating in the Fossil Fuels category.
Our advice: Energy-efficient dishwasher options, eco-friendly dishwasher tablets, and additional tips
Miele receives the highest score in our Ethical Dishwashers Ratings Table, as the company was found to have a clean record on human rights abuses and environmental practices. However, there are other ethical brands in the green section of our table that may have a good energy-efficient dishwasher option.
Think about the dishwasher tablets you are using, as it is important to opt for eco-friendly dishwasher tablets to reduce your environmental impact. Eco-friendly dishwasher tablets do not contain as many chemicals as typical dishwasher tablets. This makes them less polluting to water systems.
Eco-friendly dishwasher tablets are much better for the environment. They pose less risk to marine life and ecosystems. Look out for eco-friendly dishwasher tablets that do not come in plastic packaging.
Some extra tips!
Ensure your dishwasher is filled to its maximum capacity, so you can wash as many items as possible and save water. If your dishwasher has an eco-setting, make sure you use it! Although this may take a little longer, eco settings are much more efficient. Finally, don’t rinse your dishes before loading the dishwasher! This will significantly increase your overall water usage and is often not necessary if you have a good quality dishwasher.
Finally, why not buy a second-hand dishwasher? This saves on the environmental costs of manufacturing a new product and is likely to be cheaper than a brand-new dishwasher.
See our Ethical Dishwashers Ratings Table to compare brands
Our team of researchers have created detailed articles for the thousands of brands that appear on our Ethical Ratings Tables. Click on any brand name to read more of this detailed and exclusive research on brands’ ethics and sustainability policies and business practices.
Miele, Amica, CDA, Kenwood, Logik, Smeg, Swan, AEG, Belling, Electrolux, Montpellier, Prima, Stoves, Zanussi, Beko, Blomberg, Grundig, Hisense, Hotpoint, Indesit, Whirpool, Bosch, Gaggenau, Neff, Siemens, Baumatic, Candy, Fisher & Paykel, Hoover, LG and Samsung.