If you’ve ever stared at your dishwasher thinking, “Is this saving me money or quietly rinsing my energy bill?”, you’re absolutely not alone. Most of us grew up hearing that dishwashers were a bit of a luxury — something you used when you couldn’t face the washing-up after spaghetti bolognese night.
But here’s the real twist…
A dishwasher is often cheaper to run than washing dishes by hand.
Yes. Genuinely. Even with today’s energy prices.
And when you actually break down the numbers, it starts to make sense.
Let’s dig into what a cycle really costs — in plain English — and how you can squeeze every penny of value out of your dishwasher.
The Real Cost: 14p to 39p Per Cycle
Most UK dishwashers cost somewhere between:
- 14p–19p per cycle on ECO
- 25p–39p for Standard or Intensive cycles
That’s based on an electricity price of around 28p per kWh, which is about average on a standard variable tariff.
Of course, the cycle you choose, the age of your machine, and your tariff all affect the exact number — but those ranges are a solid benchmark for most households.
Why Dishwashers Are So Cheap to Run
Dishwashers look like complicated appliances with lots of magic going on inside, but the running cost mostly comes down to one thing:
Heat.
About 90% of the energy goes into heating water.
The motors, spray arms, sensors, pump… all that barely costs anything.
That’s why ECO mode is so cheap:
- Lower temperatures
- Longer soaking
- Gentle, efficient cleaning
- Minimal electricity use
It’s slow, but it’s cheap — and honestly, it usually gives the best cleaning results.
Is It Really Cheaper Than Handwashing? Yes. Usually by a Lot.
This is the part that always blows people’s minds.
A typical washing-up session in the UK uses:
- 10–15 litres of hot water
- More if you keep topping up (which everyone does)
- Hot water that needs to be heated by your boiler
Depending on your boiler’s efficiency, a full wash-up costs roughly:
➡️ 45p–70p each time
Meanwhile, your dishwasher uses:
- 8–10 litres of water
- Lower temperatures on ECO
- Less detergent per plate
- Around 14–19p of electric
In short:
Your sink is the expensive one — not the dishwasher.
The dishwasher also wins on hygiene, convenience, and water efficiency.
A Real-Life Example From My Own Kitchen
To test this properly, I did two nights of identical meals and identical plate chaos.
Night 1 — Handwashing
- Filled the sink twice
- Boiled the kettle once (because apparently every UK kitchen requires it)
- Spent 15–20 minutes scrubbing and drying
Estimated cost: 54p
Night 2 — Dishwasher
- Scraped plates
- Loaded everything
- Hit ECO
- Walked away and made a cup of tea
Estimated cost: 17p
And yes — the dishwasher won on cleanliness too.
Where Dishwashers Differ: The Cycle Types
Here’s a quick breakdown:
| Cycle Type | Typical Energy Use | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Eco | 0.5–0.7 kWh | 14–19p |
| Auto / Standard | 1.0–1.3 kWh | 28–36p |
| Intensive | 1.3–1.5 kWh | 36–42p |
| Express / Quick Wash | 0.6–0.8 kWh | 17–23p, but weaker cleaning |
If in doubt:
Use ECO.
It’s cheaper and gentler on glassware.
Recommended Dishwashers (Affordable & Efficient)
If your model is old, noisy, or inefficient, an upgrade can immediately cut running costs.
Here are UK-friendly options with solid efficiency, quiet motors, and proven reliability:
⭐ Bosch Serie 2 Full-Size Dishwasher (SMS2HVW66G)
Reliable, affordable, and extremely efficient on ECO mode.
View on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09ZPV5N9M
⭐ Hotpoint HFC 3C26 W UK Dishwasher
Great cleaning performance and low running costs for the price.
View on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QV33G8F
⭐ COMFEE’ Freestanding Slimline Dishwasher
Perfect for smaller kitchens, low energy use, and budget-friendly.
View on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08CVT1V9K
These modern models use almost half the electricity of older dishwashers — especially those over 10 years old.
How Your Loading Technique Affects Cost
Be honest:
Are you a professional-level dishwasher loader or do you just… throw everything in and pray?
The more plates you cram in properly, the fewer cycles you run per week — and that alone can save £40–£60 a year.
General rule:
- Bowls facing inward ✔
- Plates all in a row ✔
- No blocking the spray arm ✔
- No stacking like Jenga ❌
Should You Pre-Rinse? No. Never. Stop.
Modern dishwasher tablets are activated by food residue.
If you rinse plates first, two things happen:
- You waste hot water
- Your tablets work less effectively
Just scrape into the bin and pop everything straight in.
Yearly Cost of Running a Dishwasher
If you run 5 ECO loads per week, here’s what you’ll spend:
- 14p per cycle → about £36 per year
- 39p per cycle → about £101 per year
Even at the top end, it’s still cheaper than a full tank of petrol.
🔥 Author Insight
Some people unwind with yoga. I, apparently, unwind by calculating dishwasher running costs at 10pm. But honestly? Once you realise your dishwasher is cheaper than washing up by hand, it becomes less of an appliance and more of a personal finance hero. If you’ve ever judged yours for being slow on ECO mode — consider this its redemption arc.
How to Make Your Dishwasher Even Cheaper to Run
Here are real changes that actually save money:
✔ Use ECO for 80% of washes
Massive savings, same results.
✔ Turn off heated drying
Open the door slightly and the dishes dry for free.
✔ Clean the filter weekly
A clogged filter makes your dishwasher work harder.
✔ Run full loads
This alone saves around £20–£50 per year.
✔ Use cheaper all-in-one tablets
These ones are excellent:
Finish Power All-in-One Tablets (100 pack)
View on Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N5I4Z9R
When It’s Worth Replacing Your Dishwasher
Consider upgrading if yours:
- Is over 10–12 years old
- Uses 12+ litres of water per wash
- Sounds like a helicopter taking off
- Struggles to remove dried-on food
Modern machines are dramatically cheaper to run. The most efficient models can pay for themselves within a couple of years.
More Smart Kitchen Savings You’ll Love
If you enjoy learning how everyday appliances really impact your bills, you’ll love these guides. For something more fun and automated, check out Wake Up to Boiled Kettles & Bacon Smells – Build a Fully Automated Morning Routine With Smart Kitchen Tech, where we show you how simple gadgets can prep breakfast before you’re even out of bed.
And if you’re curious about the true cost of modern cooking, How Much Does It Really Cost to Run an Air Fryer Per 15 Minutes in the UK? breaks down the numbers so you can cook cheaper without sacrificing convenience.
Conclusion: So What Does It Really Cost?
A dishwasher costs:
👉 14p–39p per cycle, depending on cycle and model
👉 Usually half the cost of handwashing
👉 Cheaper to run long-term, especially on ECO mode
👉 One of the most efficient appliances in a UK kitchen
If anyone tries to argue that handwashing is cheaper, you can confidently reply:
“Actually, the dishwasher costs less — and I’ve done the maths.”
Then load your plates properly and let the machine earn its keep.
Product Recap List
Dishwashers
Detergent Tablets
Cook smarter and save energy with our Smart Kitchen & Appliances Hub covering low-energy kettles, air fryers, and clever kitchen gadgets for affordable meals.
For accurate UK energy prices and appliance usage information, see official guidance from Ofgem, which regularly updates national electricity cost averages and consumer energy data.
Written by Andy M. — helping UK homeowners find low-cost, high-impact ways to run their homes more efficiently.