How many watts does a dishwasher use?

By Tom Calder · Figures checked 4 November 2026 · Costs at 26.32p per kWh (Ofgem cap, 1 October to 31 December 2026)

In short

A dishwasher is rated at about 2,400W, but draws that only while heating water. A full Eco cycle of about 4 hours uses 0.75 to 0.94 kWh on Bosch’s energy labels, about 20p to 25p a cycle at 26.32p per kWh.

A kettle coming to the boil beside a microwave and slow cooker in a warmly lit kitchen on a rainy evening

The numbers

Running watts: 2,400W; Connection rating of three Bosch models: 2,400W. It draws near that only while heating water.
Amps at 230V (most): 10.4A
Energy per Eco cycle: 0.75 to 0.94 kWh; Energy label kWh per 100 Eco cycles ÷ 100: Bosch SMS6ZCI00G 75 kWh, SMS2ITW08G 92 kWh, SMS2HVW66G 94 kWh.
Cost per Eco cycle: 20p to 25p
Cost per hour at full power: 63p
On a 1kWh power station: Too much for the units around 1kWh we list (1,500W to 2,000W output)
On a 2kWh power station: 1.6 to 2 Eco cycles (only 5 of the 6 units around 2kWh we list can supply 2,400W)

Costs use 26.32p per kWh, the Ofgem price cap's average Direct Debit electricity unit rate for 1 October to 31 December 2026. Your own rate is on your bill; on a fixed or time-of-use tariff it will differ.

How it’s used, and what that costs

Bosch labels the SMS6ZCI00G at 75 kWh per 100 Eco cycles (3 hours 55 minutes each), the SMS2ITW08G at 92 kWh (4 hours 30) and the SMS2HVW66G at 94 kWh (3 hours 45). The Eco programme is long because it uses lower temperatures and more soaking, which is where the saving comes from.

Quicker or hotter programmes are not covered by the label figure, and a hot programme can use more.

The honest bit

Running it only when full is the simple saving: the Energy Saving Trust counts one fewer run a week among its money-saving tips (see how to lower your electricity bill).

In a power cut: how long a power station would run it

A 1kWh power station: too much for the units around 1kWh we list (1,500W to 2,000W output). A 2kWh power station: 1.6 to 2 Eco cycles (only 5 of the 6 units around 2kWh we list can supply 2,400W). These use the same planning method as our power station pages: capacity × 90% usable depth × 85% inverter efficiency, divided by the load plus about 10W the unit uses itself (BLUETTI’s UK formula). Counts of uses leave out the unit’s own draw, so treat them as a little generous.

Output matters as much as capacity. The 7 units around 1kWh we list supply 1,500W to 2,000W continuously, and the 6 around 2kWh supply 2,200W to 3,000W, so check a unit’s rated output covers 2,400W before you rely on it.

To size one for everything you’d want to keep running, use the sizer on our power stations comparison.