Dishwasher Buying Guide
There are quite a few things to bear in mind when you set out choosing a new dishwasher for your home: size, height, programs, energy efficiency, noise level and so much more. Browse through our Dishwasher Buying Guide and learn about the hidden talents and features. You might also like to have a look at our online tool "Product Advisor" to find out which dishwasher meets your and your kitchen's needs best. Since the foundation of NEFF in 1877, our high quality approach has been exemplified by "Made in Germany", such as our dishwasher production site in Dillingen an der Donau. The key features of our appliances are their high quality, they are easy to handle, have pivotal designs and it is simple to integrate them in your kitchen.
- What should I keep in mind when I look for a new appliance?
- Which dishwasher size is right for me?
- What is right for me, a fully-, semi- integrated or built-under-appliance?
- Where can I put my dishwasher?
- How do I install and set up my dishwasher?
- Cutlery basket or cutlery drawer?
- Rack Matic for convenient loading at any time
- NEFF dishwashers are as flexible as life
- What are the latest extra features?
- What are the latest display functions?
- Which different dishwasher functions and programs do exist?
- How to clean my dishwasher?
What should I keep in mind when I look for a new appliance?
I would like to replace my old dishwasher, what should I keep in mind? Where can I purchase the right decor for the dishwasher's door? The most important thing is that the new dishwasher fits into the cut-out of your kitchen unit. Choose a dishwasher whose dimensions correspond to those of your previous model. You'll be able to adjust the height to a certain extent by extending/shortening the dishwasher's feet. Find the dishwasher that becomes a true kitchen-mate for you. What is important? Energy efficiency and water usage? We've improved both features significantly. Flexible baskets and cutlery drawers, zeolith drying, and start time programming turn the dishwasher into an appliance that meets your personal needs. We've also worked on the noise, and as result, our Silence Program offers 40db - while doing the dishes. Buying a new dishwasher is also a great opportunity to connect the appliance to Aqua Stop, because...one never knows when you might be happy you have it. A new dishwasher might also be the right opportunity to switch to a new set-up in your kitchen: built-under appliances are fully integrated in your kitchen, and the corresponding door can be easily added, simply get in touch with your kitchen manufacturer. Decorative doors might be an alternative and can be found in specialised shops.
Where can I put my dishwasher?
Who says dishwashers have to be on the ground? Well, we certainly wouldn't. As NEFF dishwashers can be installed high up, it is worth a thought when you plan your dream kitchen. We believe that the height of the dishwasher should adapt to your height – and not the other way round. And if you don't like bending over, then, give it a go. As rule of thumb we recommend a distance of 40-50 cm between the floor and the bottom line of the dishwasher, and obviously, you should be able to reach the upper basket easily.
How to install a dishwasher on a high level?
For high installations, you attach the dishwasher to the side of your kitchen cabinet.
Some say it’s the key to comfort, for us it’s the answer to your high end expectations.
Vario Hinge attaches your furniture front to the door of the fully integrated dishwasher, regardless if it’s on the floor or in a high cabinet. The twist comes alive once you open the door: Vario Hinge smoothly lifts the furniture front above the plinth and base. The magic? The lower part of the front passes by and combines aesthetics with comfort.
How do I install and set up my dishwasher?
Double-check the availability of these three necessary connections: water inlet, water outlet and a socket.
- Turn off the main water tap connect the fresh water hose to the corresponding valve underneath the sink
- Connect the waste water hose to the drain of the sink
- Plug in the cable
- Turn on the main water tap
Is there a leak somewhere?
If you are sure that everything is neat and dry and the hoses are tightly connected, you can start the first load.
Detailed information on connecting NEFF dishwashers is also available online, search for "instructions".
Cutlery basket or cutlery drawer?
- Cutlery basket: The flexible basket has seperate cutlery compartments and a convenient handle.
- Cutlery drawer: A cutlery drawer is also good for washing small items like espresso cups and ladles.
Rack Matic for convenient loading at any time
Rack Matic allows the top basket to be raised or lowered into three different positions, even when fully loaded. With this, it becomes easy as pie to simply adjust the basket and add those last minute wine glasses at the end of the night. The top basket can also run on an angle, using two different heights.
NEFF dishwashers are as flexible as life
Flex Baskets
- Flex 1 Baskets with Retrofit Baskets: Our Flex 1 Baskets with Retrofit come with two foldable flip tines in the top and bottom basket for easier stacking of different items – including large dishes or cookware. It is up to you if you place your cutlery, kitchen utensils, and sharp knives in your Flex Cutlery Drawer or if you choose the optional Flex 3rd Basket with its sliding element for extra cups and bowls. The higher frame in the bottom basket gives solid support to tall items like chopping boards.
- Flex 2 Baskets with Retrofit: Flex 2 Baskets invite you to create tailor-made space on every level. Simply turn the third level into a versatile top floor: choose either the optional Flex 3rd Basket with its sliding element for extra cups and bowls or select our Flex Cutlery Drawer for cutlery. Flexible baskets turn loading all your dishes, glasses and pots into a happy affair with the flexibility to adapt the space for your needs.
- Flex 3 Baskets with Retrofit: Create convenient space in a split second and turn the third level into your versatile top floor: Choose either the optional Flex 3rd Basket with its sliding element for extra cups and bowls or select our Flex Cutlery Drawer for cutlery. Your tableware fits beautifully in the bottom basket with 8 foldable flip tines and in the top basket with 6 foldable flip tines. Soft silicone sliding protectors take great care of your glasses in the top basket, and a higher frame in the bottom basket gives solid support to tall items like chopping boards. Enjoy the basket's smooth glide on its ball-bearing wheels as well as handy basket-stoppers on the front wheels that prevent the basket from being pulled over the door.
Flex Baskets
Flex 3rd Basket: Sometimes all we need is a bit more space, even if it's temporary. Move the sliding element to the left and make space for glasses, bowls, and so much more in your Flex 3rd Basket, and enjoy extra room for other dishes in the top and bottom baskets. Clever waves ensure that everything stays put, while your big knives are best left in the (removable) knife inlay. Additional protection blocks utensils from sliding out. Your Flex 3rd Basket can be easily swapped with your Flex Cutlery Drawer.
Flex Baskets
Flex Cutlery Drawer: Imagine a flexible buddy in the top tier of your dishwasher – and now picture our Flex Cutlery Drawer. It handily clicks into place whenever you need a tailor-made place for your forks, knives, and kitchen utensils.
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What are the latest extra features?
Key features
- Gap Illumination: Invite your eyes to follow the light bar on the side of your fully integrated high-built dishwasher: if Gap Illumination is on, the dishwasher is running. And if you open the door and pause the cycle, the light starts blinking. Vario Hinge completes the design by lifting the furniture front above the plinth and base to give your high built-in appliances a sleek look.
- Favourite: Sometimes we know exactly what we want - and having it saved makes life even easier. Choose a program, option, or combination on your dishwasher and save it as "Favourite", either via your Home Connect app or directly on the dishwasher. Start your preferred selection with a single push and enjoy a few extra me-moments.
- Door Open Assist: A gentle push is enough – Door Open Assist invites you to open the door of your dishwasher without ever fiddling with a handle. Light pressure is enough to open the front a gap wide and let you take it from there. Our smooth assistant is a harmonious match for furniture fronts without handles and kitchen designs without frills.
- Zeolith Drying: Doesn’t Zeolith sound like an intriguing secret? The truth is even more fascinating: Minerals naturally absorb moisture and turn it into heat - on any surface. Forget still-wet dishes, damp non-glass items or proper drops on a lid. Zeolith creates heat as long as there is moisture. Take out shiny, clean and dry dishes that don’t need to be tweaked but stir up new creativity for your next cooking adventure.
- Chef 70°: The crust on the oven dish is of the stubborn kind? So is our Chef 70°C program. Leave the dirty load to our pro and relax: Chef 70°C is taking over. The NEFF exclusive program addresses dried-on starch or protein remains on pots, cutlery, casserole dishes and un-sensitive tableware with the right amount of attention. For shining results without much ado.
What are the latest display functions?
Floor Projection Displays
- Time Light: A few things in life are simply meant to be clear. Your dishwasher’s Time Light is pivotal among these everyday clarifiers: our smart little helper projects the remaining time as well as the ongoing process of the program on any type of kitchen floor. No more guessing and puzzling, clear-cut numbers turn the remaining hours and minutes into feel-good moments. Time Light is available for fully integrated dishwashers and washing machines.
- Info Light: Enjoy a bright choice for more convenience at home. Your dishwasher’s Info Light is one of these handy clarifiers: our smart little helper projects a red light onto the floor that showcases clearly that this dishwasher is in operation. Info Light is available for fully integrated dishwashers.
- Home Connect: Home Connect joins your dishwasher to your smart home network. Thanks to this interoperability, you can enjoy new flexibility with remote services, and if you like you can start your dishwasher via voice command. Or you might relax into the comfort of hearing music, watching the lights blink, or changing the colour when the dishes are sparkling again. In other words, your dishwasher is passionately connected to your digital convenience – both inside and outside the kitchen.
Which different dishwasher functions and programs do exist?
Functions & Programs
- Open Dry - Bye-bye routine: No more need to manually open the door of your dishwasher to allow the load to cool off. Open Dry takes care of that by opening the door automatically during the drying phase. The advantage? Your dishes aren't just sparkling clean, they're also cool whenever you feel like unloading your shiny gems.
- Extra Speed: It’s far from being a paradox: slow down by speeding up. Depending on the selected program you can reduce the running time of your dishwasher’s program to up to 66%. Make more of your quality time and enjoy optimum cleaning and drying results - while Extra Speed takes care of the load up to three times faster.
- Vario Speed Plus: It’s far from being a paradox: slow down by speeding up. Depending on the selected program you can reduce the running time of your dishwasher’s program to up to 66%. Make more of your quality time and enjoy optimum cleaning and drying results - while Vario Speed Plus takes care of the load up to three times faster.
- 1 hour Program: One hour can be such as bliss. Enjoy the indispensable program for every household: ‘1 hour’ is your dishwasher’s short answer to quick cleaning results. No need to stack your dinner or party dishes for hours, simply load the dishwasher again: clean and dry dishes in only 60 minutes. Spend more quality time with family and friends while enjoying food and tales on your favourite tableware.
- Silence: It’s the details that make the real difference: choose our 'Silence' program for extra reduced sounds whenever you wish for peace and calm. Our reduced spray pressure is gentle to your ears but not to food stains. The program is taking care of your tableware with up to 3 dB less noise.
- Aqua Stop: Let’s get this straight: Our ‘Aqua Stop guarantee’ in case of water damage is in addition to our appliance warranty, provided that the appliance is correctly installed and connected with Aqua Stop according to our instructions. The safety system stops leaks by closing the safety valve right next to the tap. Just the way you would expect your NEFF appliance to react: on time and on task.
How to clean my dishwasher?
We can offer a variety of different cleaning and care products to regularly clean and maintain your NEFF dishwasher. They are specifically formulated to help the appliance to perform at its peak and improve its lifetime.
Dishwashers, washing machines, range hoods or coffee machines - every appliance needs specialist care to be and perform at their best. Call 0800 245 700 to find out more about our Cleaning and Care products.