We test how effective the fan is on its lowest setting, the most common setting for nighttime. Too strong is not ideal and too weak is useless.

Our score is based on how easy it is to use the fan controls, to reverse the fan direction, to move from one speed setting to another, and to follow the installation instructions.

Our priority is testing the models you'll see in stores and major online retailers. To do this, we check current market data to see what's most popular. We'll also test models that a lot of members have requested.

Our experts lab-test important criteria, including washing performance, drying performance, energy efficiency and more. Our test is based partly on the current Australian standard and partly on the IEC Draft standard.

Unlike other product review sites, we don't accept free test models from manufacturers. This allows us to be independent and review without interference. Instead, we buy products anonymously from a variety of retailers, then bring them into our labs. This means we get what you'd get, and can be sure the model hasn't been potentially 'tweaked' for better performance.

Our expert testers – Petr Velouch, Shafi Noor and Sean Lim – have many years of experience in the dishwasher lab, and some of them sit on industry standards committees, both national and international.