A wash cycle uses between 10 and 15 litres of water in most dishwashers. That's considerably less than many households assume. The exact figure depends on the model, the programme selected, and how full the machine is.
Countertop dishwashers need even less water: depending on the model, 4 to 6 litres per cycle is often enough. How these figures differ in detail, and which wash programme actually saves the most water, is covered in the overview below.
How Much Water Does a Dishwasher Use?
A dishwasher's water use depends on the type of appliance, how old it is, and the wash programme selected. Modern built-in dishwashers use, on average, around 10 to 15 litres of water per cycle on the normal programme. Older models can use considerably more, especially if they lack modern water- and energy-efficiency technology.
Countertop dishwashers need noticeably less water than large built-in machines, thanks to their compact size and smaller load capacity. Depending on the model, water use usually falls between 4 and 6 litres per cycle.
For single people and couples who don't need a large built-in dishwasher, a countertop dishwasher offers a water-saving alternative that also takes up far less space.
Which Dishwasher Programme Saves the Most Water?
A faster programme doesn't automatically use less water. The three most common programmes differ significantly in water use, temperature, and run time.
Eco Programme: Less Water, Longer Run Time
A dishwasher's eco programme uses the least water, typically around 8 to 10 litres per cycle, but takes considerably longer to run. Depending on the model, an eco cycle often takes 3 to 4 hours, compared with roughly 2 hours for the normal programme.
The reason lies in the lower temperature. While standard programmes typically run at around 55 to 65°C, the eco programme often uses only 45 to 50°C. The machine compensates for this lower temperature with a longer soak time, allowing grease and food residue to loosen without needing extra water.
If you're not in a hurry, the eco programme is generally the one that saves the most water. For everyday use and dishes you don't need back straight away, it's usually the most sensible choice.
Intensive Programme: More Water for Tougher Stains
The intensive programme is designed for heavily soiled dishes, pots, or baked-on residue. Using around 15 to 18 litres, it's often one of the more water-hungry programmes and runs at temperatures of up to 70°C.
The higher water use comes from additional rinse cycles and a more thorough pre-wash, needed to loosen burnt-on or particularly greasy residue. For everyday use, this programme usually isn't necessary. It's worth using mainly for baking trays, pots, or heavily soiled dishes after cooking.
Quick Programme: Not Always More Efficient
A common misconception is that a shorter programme automatically uses less water. In practice, the quick programme, at around 10 to 12 litres, often uses a similar amount of water to the normal programme on many machines, since the shorter run time mainly comes from cutting down the wash and soak phases.
For lightly soiled dishes, the quick programme is handy when you need them back soon. For heavily soiled plates or dried-on food, the intensive programme is usually the better choice.
What Does a Dishwasher's Water Use Cost?
The water costs involved in running a dishwasher are relatively modest, though the exact figure varies quite a bit across the EU depending on local water pricing, which can differ several-fold between countries and even between regions within the same country.
As a rough guide, a built-in dishwasher using 12 litres per cycle, run daily, typically works out at somewhere between €10 and €25 a year in water costs alone, depending on where you live. A countertop dishwasher using 5 litres per cycle, run under the same conditions, usually costs a few euros a year, roughly a third to half of what a built-in machine costs in water.
On top of that comes the electricity cost of heating the water, which depends on the programme selected, the energy efficiency class, and local electricity prices. Taken together, a modern dishwasher is still generally cheaper to run than washing up daily by hand with hot water, which typically uses considerably more water and energy.
How to Reduce Your Dishwasher's Water Use
A few simple habits can noticeably cut water use without affecting how clean your dishes come out.
Load the Machine Fully
Water use per cycle stays largely the same whether the machine is half full or fully loaded. That's why it's worth running the dishwasher as full as possible each time. Anyone who regularly runs it half-empty ends up using considerably more water than necessary over the course of a week.
Choose the Eco Programme
For normally soiled dishes, the eco programme is usually enough. The longer run time barely matters if the machine runs overnight or while you're out. Compared with shorter programmes, the eco programme typically uses less water and energy.
Clean the Filter and Spray Arms Regularly
A blocked filter or spray arms reduce cleaning performance and can mean programmes need to be repeated more often or more intensive settings used. A regular clean of the dishwasher keeps the appliance running efficiently and water use low.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dishwasher Water Use
How much water does a countertop dishwasher use?
Countertop dishwashers use around 4 to 6 litres of water per cycle, depending on the model. The HAVA R09 uses 5 litres per cycle while offering room for 3 place settings, making it a good fit for single people, couples, and small households looking to combine low water use with enough capacity. Built-in dishwashers, by comparison, typically use around 10 to 15 litres per cycle.
How much water does a dishwasher save compared to washing up by hand?
Washing up by hand typically uses around 15 to 30 litres of water per session, depending on habits. A modern dishwasher usually needs 10 to 15 litres, and a countertop dishwasher as little as 4 to 6 litres. Energy use and cost also play a role in this comparison. Our guide Dishwasher vs. Hand Washing breaks this down in more detail.
Which dishwasher uses the least water?
Water use doesn't just depend on litres per cycle, but also on the appliance's capacity. Modern countertop dishwashers use around 4 to 6 litres of water per cycle, making them a particularly efficient option for small households. Among built-in dishwashers, modern models in energy efficiency class D typically use 8 to 10 litres on the eco programme.
Is a dishwasher worth it for 1-2 people?
Yes. For single people and couples, a compact dishwasher such as a countertop model is often the more sensible choice than a large built-in appliance. These compact dishwashers use around 4 to 6 litres of water per cycle and offer enough room, with 2 to 3 place settings, for the amount of washing-up in a small household.
Summary
A dishwasher uses considerably less water than many households assume. Modern built-in machines use around 10 to 15 litres per cycle, while countertop dishwashers typically manage with 4 to 6 litres. Both options therefore use far less water than washing up by hand.
To keep water use as low as possible, run the machine fully loaded, favour the eco programme, and clean the filter and spray arms regularly. For single people and couples with little washing-up, a countertop dishwasher like the HAVA R09 offers a particularly water-efficient solution. It needs just 5 litres per cycle and takes up considerably less space than a large built-in machine.
