Miele Dishwashers – Everything You Need to Know

Dishwashers occupy that odd middle-ground, they aren’t what most people would class as an essential home appliance but nowadays they aren’t exactly what people would call a luxury either. Sure some high-end dishwashers are more luxurious appliances but that doesn’t make them much different from luxury fridges or cookers does it?

Dishwashers can now be found to suit many different budgets from smaller basic modes to more expensive luxurious ones. You’ll also find dishwashers available from numerous different manufacturers and knowing who to choose isn’t always going to be easy. This brings me to the topic of this article namely Miele dishwashers.

Miele is a popular manufacturer in Europe but they haven’t quite garnered the attention of shoppers in the USA or UK. Their products are available but aren’t often seen but they do have a reputation for high-quality. So, let’s take a closer look at Miele and further investigate how good their dishwashers are?

Miele – A Brief History

So, what can we say about Miele then? Well, for one thing, it is quite old for an appliance manufacturer as it was set-up in 1899 in Germany. As an appliance manufacturer Miele produce a wide range of different appliance including most of the standard kitchen goods.

Their range of appliances includes freezers, ovens, cookers, fridges, coffee machines, and of course dishwashers. With such an expansive range of products available, you might think Miele would suffer from a quantity over quality approach. But this isn’t the case as you’ll find many high-quality products across the Miele range.

Miele’s very own corporate statement really showcases this belief which says they prioritise and promote: “long-term thinking and planning, continuity of values and goals, good relationships with customers and suppliers, as well as an employee-oriented corporate and leadership culture”

It certainly sounds impressive but how do Miele’s range of dishwashers actually fare? Well let’s leave the history of the manufacturer aside for now and take a closer look at the current range of appliances on offer from Miele to find out.

Miele dishwasher

The Miele Range of Dishwashers

Miele stands out for several reasons when compared to other dishwasher manufacturers but is their reputation for high-quality all smoke and mirrors? Well, thankfully when you investigate their dishwashers thoroughly you do discover there is a lot of truth to the claims.

One notable thing that will always stand out is that Miele proudly states their dishwashers can last for up to 20 years! This towers over the average estimates of 5 to 7 years that other manufacturers often give to their dishwashers. Miele also places a very strong importance on sustainability which has made them a popular choice for people who want to be more eco-friendly.

Many manufacturers across a variety of industries are really taking note of how important being green and eco-friendly is nowadays but Miele has been championing the cause for some time. They are even members of Global Impact, which is the UN’s official sustainability organisation. Miele is also a very strict tester when it comes to their dishwashers as well.

As a manufacturer, they have very high standards so carry out in-depth tests for all their appliances. When it comes to their dishwashers their tests might even seem like overkill to some people! Dishwasher doors are opened thousands of times to test durability and strength, thousands of wash cycles are carried out to gauge quality and speed and energy conservation is also frequently looked at.

Miele dishwashers are therefore also able to offer the highest tier of energy star ratings as well because of this. So, Miele certainly has very high standards when it comes to the design, build and quality testing of their dishwashers. But what does their range offer to consumers?

Do they focus solely on luxury appliances or can you find more budget-friendly dishwashers available? Well now that you know more about what goes into building and testing the appliances available from Miele let’s examine their range of dishwashers in more detail.

Five Very Unique Ranges Available

If the subtitle didn’t already give it away there are five different ranges/ series of dishwashers available from Miele. This is actually more than the average and each series is quite unique so let’s look at them in more detail.

Miele Futura Classic Plus

Despite what the rather extravagant name might imply this is actually only the entry-level dishwasher series available from Miele! So, what does it offer? Well even if it’s only the entry-level option it still offers a very high-quality cleaning and drying performance.

It also has a very large compartment with space for up to 16 place settings. The noise level might seem quite high at first glance at 46dB but this is still very quiet all things considered. However, because of their quality and long-lasting design, even the entry-level dishwashers from Miele are quite expensive.

It’s not the price of a luxury dishwasher (from Miele or any other manufacturer) but there are going to be cheaper entry-level dishwashers available out there. However, it could easily be argued that the quality of a Miele dishwasher is worth the extra price.

Miele Futura Crystal

Just above the entry-level Classic Plus series is the Futura Crystal range. There is a relatively high-jump in price when compared to the entry-level dishwashers but you do get a lot more features with a Futura Crystal dishwasher.

The additional features include a more advanced cutlery tray, FlexiCare baskets, a built-in water softening system, and sensor dry technology. The Futura Crystal dishwashers also feature exclusive washing cycles for China and Crystal goods.

These kinds of products are going to be more delicate so will require a gentler wash cycle. AutoOpen door technology is also included which will help promote a faster drying time. The Futura Crystal series is also a little bit quieter than the entry-level Classic Plus range. Although this is only by one decibel so it’s unlikely to be noticed by many people.

Miele Futura Dimension

The jump in price from the Crystal series to the Futura Dimension range isn’t overly large but what additional benefits do you get? Well let’s start with the smaller things first, the Dimension range is a little bit quieter although again only by a single decibel.

All the features previously mentioned in both the Classic Plus and Crystal series are included as well. Although the Futura Dimension range does offer auto-open drying technology as well. With this feature, your dishwasher door will open at the end of the cycle to help speed up the drying process.

New more advanced FlexiCare baskets are also included. The premium baskets offer a greater level of customisation so you can configure your dishwasher in more ways. Finally, the Dimension range also includes an efficient self-cleaning mode as well. It’s this additional mode that is likely going to win many people over.

Miele Futura Lumen

The Futura Lumen range is only a touch more expensive than the Dimension series on average. You get all the previously mentioned features but plenty of extras as well. Best of all, the Lumen as a rather large drop when it comes to the noise level.

The Lumen range offers very quiet running with reports varying a little when it comes to the exact sound level. At a minimum, it is around 39dB going to 42dB at the highest. Either way, this is going to be a very quiet dishwasher which is always going to be a positive.

Other additional features include high-quality interior lighting, this might seem like a small cosmetic difference but interior lighting can offer some great benefits. It will make operating your dishwasher much easier as you will be able to clearly see everything when unloading/ loading the dishwasher.

You will also be able to fully inspect the dishes you are cleaning without taking them out to ensure things are properly cleaned. The Lumen range also features Wi-Fi support for a range of Miele connected apps and from a purely design point of view, the Lumen series also offers a more modern, innovative handless design.

Miele Futura Diamond

The Futura Diamond range is the flagship/ premium range of dishwashers currently available from Miele. With the Diamond range of dishwashers, you’ll get all the previously mentioned features and plenty of additional ones on top.

You get a 5-year warranty as standard and will be able to enjoy a very quiet running speed. The noise level is measured at only 39dB equalling the quietest offerings from the Lumen range. But what extra features can you enjoy?

One of the most notable features of the Futura Diamond range is the AutoClose function which will automatically shut your dishwasher for you. This could be very helpful especially if you have accidentally failed to shut your dishwasher before and then ended up with a stockpile of dirty pots, pans, and cutlery.

But aside from AutoClose you also get access to the SensorWash feature. This is designed to offer a more efficient wash cycle to help clean away tough stains. You also like the Lumen range of dishwashers gets a 5-year warranty as standard. However, while the Futura Diamond range is very feature-packed it is very expensive so do take that into account.

Miele integrated dishwasher

The Miele Speciality

So, we’ve looked at the main five series of dishwashers available from Miele but there is one other offering I think we should talk about. This is the Miele speciality series, these dishwashers are designed for commercial usage and as such you are unlikely to find them available alongside the five ranges we’ve already looked at.

You’ll have to go to a specialist provider or Miele themselves to get a dishwasher in this range but what do they offer in regards to their features and specs? Well let’s take a look and find out, shall we? These dishwashers are designed for establishments like bars, cafes, business cafeterias, and other such establishments.

Because they are designed for speed and efficiency they require a lot more power to actually operate. The Miele dishwashers in this range require 240 volts to properly power up but they can wash dishes/ cutlery in as little as four minutes!

Feature-wise they might not offer everything you’d find in the Lumen or Diamond ranges but you’ll still find some variety. But commercial dishwashers aren’t really designed with this in mind because they are a specialist appliance they are primarily focused on offering a quick turnaround time while still maintaining high levels of cleaning efficiency.

Miele Dishwashers From A Design Perspective

The vast majority of consumers won’t just be looking at the specs of a dishwasher they will also want an appliance that looks nice. When it comes to dishwashers it might seem like there isn’t much really much on offer, they are all going to be some form of metal square or rectangle, aren’t they?

Well while I wouldn’t say there is a huge variety of different designs you might be surprised by what you can find. Miele dishwashers come in a range of different colours so if you want a more uniform look in your kitchen you will likely find a dishwasher from Miele that matches.

The common kitchen colours like steel, black, grey and the like are all available as well as some more unusual colours that are less commonly seen. Miele also supplies their dishwashers in two very distinct sizes a more compact 18 inches and a larger 24 inches. This makes their dishwashers compatible with both the standard American and European measurements.

Miele also offers a wide range of different control panels when it comes to their dishwashers as well. Some are designed to allow for greater customisation so you can set the controls however you want while others are much more basic and designed to make things as simple and easy as possible.

If the type of control panel your dishwasher has is important to you then you’ll find plenty of choice at Miele. But make sure you examine any dishwasher carefully to ensure you are getting the control panel/ features you want.

So, to sum up, what are my thoughts on Miele are they a revolutionary when it comes to dishwasher design? No, but they don’t need to be really. They offer a lot of versatility in their dishwasher design so if you have a particular look or style in mind then you will likely find something to your liking.

Miele Dishwashers – The Main Benefits

So, now we’ve looked at Miele’s history as a manufacturer and their offerings when it comes to dishwashers what are the tangible benefits of buying from Miele? They might not be the most popular choice but they do have a number of benefits that help them stand out amongst the competition.

Excellent Longevity

By far one of the biggest benefits of buying a Miele dishwasher is that they are designed to last for a very long time. Many are designed to last for up to two decades even with continuous use which is something very few other dishwashers can offer.

Most dishwashers will have an average lifespan of around 5 – 10 years but a Miele could last up to 20 years. So, if you want a dishwasher you can use for years to come then Miele is likely going to be one of your only options.

A Wide Variety

The current dishwasher range from Miele takes many different customers’ needs into account. Unlike some manufacturers, they haven’t focused on one select group or focused their efforts primarily on luxury or more basic budget-friendly appliances.

The Miele range of dishwashers takes everyone’s needs into account so no matter what kind of dishwasher you want you will likely find more than one option from Miele. Having plenty of choices is always going to be a good thing and Miele certainly has plenty to offer.

Quiet Operations

Many people are put off from getting a dishwasher because they are perceived to be very noisy machines. While this is an issue with some models there have been some big strides in making dishwashers quieter.

Miele has been able to harness this to offer quieter operation throughout its range of dishwashers. Yes, the more expensive models are quieter but even the entry-level option from Miele is still very quiet.

High-Quality Cleaning

This is arguably going to be the most important aspect when it comes to getting a dishwasher. After all, what good is a dishwasher if it doesn’t offer a high-level of cleaning? Thanks to their rigorous testing and reputation as a high-quality manufacturer the dishwashers across the Miele range offer excellent cleaning.

Durability/ Strength

Finally, the other main benefit worth talking about is that Miele has a very positive reputation when it comes to the strength of their dishwashers. After all, no one wants to invest in a dishwasher only to have it break down regularly do they?

This is an issue that is all too common with cheaper more basic dishwashers. The extra cost of buying a Miele will help ensure it is a strong and reliable appliance that you can use for years to come. The earlier mentioned 20-year lifespan you get with many Miele’s really shows how confident the manufacturer is in their strength and quality.

Why Aren’t Miele More Popular?

So, you might be thinking if all these positive things I have said are true and many people/ professional industry experts do have a positive opinion of Miele then why aren’t they more popular? Well, there could actually be a good reason for this.

The main reason Miele flies under the radar for many people is that they don’t always offer their products to general manufacturers. Miele is much more selective when it comes to choosing who can actually sell their products this is especially true outside of their home country in places like the United States.

That’s not to say that you won’t find Miele dishwashers (or their other appliances) available anywhere but they could be much harder to find. Miele believes that their products should only be sold by more experienced, qualified professionals and reputable independent dealers.

This does show that Miele places a greater level of importance on their reputation even if they are arguably making it more difficult for people to find and buy their appliances. This does also have the issue of making it more difficult for people to find professional reviews for Miele appliances.

Many appliance review publications and outlets focus primarily on mass-market products. Since Miele appliances are a bit of oddity finding reviews would have been quite difficult at one time. However, this issue has been somewhat alleviated due to the popularity of internet reviews these days.

Speaking of internet reviews if you head online now you’ll likely see many of the positive reviews for Miele products including their range of dishwashers. With this in mind and the changing face of the market, Miele could actually be a lot more popular in the years to come.

So Should You Buy A Miele Dishwasher?

Well this is what it all comes down to, isn’t it? When you take everything I’ve talked about into account should you buy a Miele dishwasher or not? Well, let’s look at the pros of a Miele dishwasher they offer high-quality construction, an array of features, a wide range of different options and the peace of mind in knowing you are buying from an experienced and reputable manufacturer.

The 20-year lifespan is also going to be a big plus for many as well! So, in short, there are a lot of reasons to opt for Miele if you want a dishwasher. But the main issue for many people is going to be the price. Yes, Miele offers a range of dishwashers including an entry-level appliance but even with the cheapest option, you are still going to be paying a lot more money than you would from some other manufactures.

Miele is very high-quality but it doesn’t come cheap but if you are looking for a more long-term investment and can afford it then Miele is certainly a great choice. And in many ways, it standouts as a manufacturer who places a lot of importance on build-quality to ensure its reputation is positive amongst consumers.

Author: Repair Aid®

Date published:

Browse categories

Problems with your appliance?

customer service

If your appliance is in need of a repair, please contact our friendly customer service team and we will assist you in any way we can.

Call for advice: 020 7183 6944

We look after the appliances you use every day

Reliable, Convenient, Professional

At Repair Aid, we make appliance repairs easy. Our expert technicians come to your home, ready to fix any eligible appliance, regardless of where or when you bought it. With our quick and efficient service, you can have your appliances running smoothly in no time.

Dishwashers - Help and Advice

For additional assistance with your appliance, explore our Help and Advice section. You'll find a wealth of helpful information and answers to common questions, ensuring you get the most out of your appliance.

Major Appliance Brands We Repair