The Smeg DFFABBL Full Size Dishwasher is a premium, freestanding 60 cm model with Smeg’s trademark retro styling in gloss black. With space for 13 place settings, it’s aimed at busy households that want their dishwasher to look as good as it performs.
Behind the vintage design you get a modern B energy rating, relatively quiet 45 dB operation and a strong set of programmes, including an ultra-quick 27-minute wash. Owners clearly rate it highly, with an impressive 4.9 out of 5 from user reviews, suggesting it delivers on both cleaning and day-to-day usability.
This isn’t a budget buy – you’re paying for design as well as performance – but if you want a statement appliance that still does the hard work, it’s a compelling option.
The Smeg DFFABBL is ideal for medium-sized households who run the dishwasher most days and want something that can comfortably handle the regular family load. With 13 place settings, it will suit couples who entertain, families with children, or shared homes where plates and pans quickly stack up.
It’s a particularly good fit if you’re designing a stylish or retro-inspired kitchen and don’t want to compromise on looks. The bold black finish and rounded lines are made to be seen, not hidden behind a cupboard door, so it works well as a freestanding centrepiece.
Given its premium price tag, this model is best for buyers who are prepared to spend more for design, solid energy performance and a refined feature set, rather than those purely chasing the cheapest option. First-time buyers with a generous budget, upgraders from a basic model, and Smeg fans looking to match existing appliances will get the most from it.
If you live alone in a small flat and only run a wash occasionally, the capacity and cost may be overkill. But for households that value both aesthetics and everyday practicality, it hits a very sweet spot.
The 13-place-setting capacity gives you plenty of room for plates, bowls, glasses and a good amount of cookware, making it practical for families without feeling oversized for a standard 60 cm space.
The 27-minute quick wash is a real asset when you’ve forgotten to run a load or need items in a hurry. It’s ideal for lightly soiled dishes, breakfast sets or glassware before guests arrive.
A dedicated cutlery basket keeps knives, forks and spoons together and prevents them flying around during the wash, so everything comes out cleaner and is quicker to unload.
Drying is handled by residual heat, using warmth from the wash phase rather than energy-hungry heating elements. It’s an efficient, low-fuss approach that still leaves most everyday crockery cupboard-ready.
Noise is rated at 45 dB, which is pleasantly quiet for a full-size dishwasher. You can comfortably run it in an open-plan space without it dominating the room.
The strong B energy rating and low 9-litre water consumption per cycle mean running costs and environmental impact are kept sensible, especially for a machine this size.
A height-adjustable top basket gives welcome flexibility for fitting tall wine glasses one day and large pans or baking trays the next.
The price is firmly at the premium end of the market. A fair chunk of what you pay goes towards the iconic Smeg styling, so if you’re not bothered about looks, there are more affordable full-size dishwashers with similar core capabilities.
Cycle duration on standard eco-style programmes is long at around 265 minutes. That’s normal for efficient dishwashers, but if you prefer shorter, intensive everyday cycles, you may find yourself using quicker, less frugal options more often.
There’s a traditional cutlery basket rather than a separate cutlery drawer at the top. Many higher-end models now include a drawer for better organisation and extra space in the lower rack, so you may miss that if you’re used to it.
The residual heat drying system is efficient but not as aggressive as fan-assisted or door-opening systems. Plastics in particular may still need a quick towel dry before going straight into the cupboard.
Living with the Smeg DFFABBL feels straightforward and reassuringly solid. The front panel is clean and unfussy, and the LED display keeps you informed of programme choices and cycle progress without being overwhelming.
Loading is flexible thanks to the height-adjustable top basket. It’s easy to drop it down for chunky tumblers or raise it to slot in tall pots and oven trays below. Plates line up neatly in the lower rack, and the removable cutlery basket can be repositioned to free up more space when needed.
At 45 dB the machine hums away quietly in the background, making it suitable for open-plan kitchens or running overnight without disturbing bedrooms nearby. The delay timer lets you schedule washes for off-peak energy times or simply when it’s most convenient.
Residual heat drying means there’s no noisy fan at the end of the cycle, and the interior doesn’t feel overly hot when you open the door. Most crockery and glassware come out dry and ready to put away, with only the occasional plastic item holding onto a few droplets.
Maintenance is uncomplicated: as with most dishwashers, you’ll need to keep an eye on the filter and salt and rinse aid levels, but there’s no complex self-maintenance routine to manage. The Italian build and Smeg’s reputation also lend some confidence in day-to-day reliability.
Cleaning performance is the core strength of the Smeg DFFABBL. With a maximum wash temperature of 75 °C and up to seven temperature settings, it can tackle everything from delicate glassware to heavily soiled pans. The main cycles are designed to balance thorough cleaning with sensible energy and water use, using just 9 litres of water per programme.
You’re not short of programme choice. The machine offers a wide spread of options including Auto 45–65 °C, Crystal 45 °C for delicate glassware, Economy for everyday mixed loads, Express and quick wash modes when time is tight, a Hygiene cycle for items that need extra sanitisation, Intensive for baked-on food, a Mixed load setting, a Silent cycle for overnight runs, Soak for pre-rinsing stubborn dishes, and an UltraClean option for maximum thoroughness.
The 27-minute quick wash stands out as a genuinely useful real-world feature. It’s perfect for lightly soiled plates and glasses, giving you usable results when you need a fast turnaround without waiting hours for a full eco cycle.
In terms of energy and noise performance, the B energy rating is strong for a full-size machine, especially paired with 9-litre water consumption. The 45 dB noise level places it on the quieter side of typical dishwashers, making it easy to live with if your kitchen and living space are connected.
Convenience touches, such as the LED display, delay timer and adjustable top basket, round out the feature set. It doesn’t chase gimmicky smart features; instead, it focuses on good basic engineering and a comprehensive set of programmes that will cover almost every household scenario.
With a price hovering around the four-figure mark, the Smeg DFFABBL is clearly a premium appliance. Many full-size dishwashers cost significantly less, particularly if you’re willing to forgo designer looks or accept a more basic programme list.
Where this model justifies its price is in its combination of design, efficiency and versatility. You’re getting a distinctive black retro aesthetic, a very strong programme range, low 9-litre water consumption and a B energy rating, all wrapped up in a quiet and practical machine.
The excellent 4.9/5 user rating, supported by a solid number of reviews, suggests that owners feel they’ve had good value from it in everyday life. The 2-year manufacturer warranty is decent, though not exceptional at this price, so it’s worth factoring in whether you might want additional cover.
If you’re focused purely on the lowest cost per wash, you can find cheaper alternatives. But if you value style, solid performance and a quietly efficient operation, the Smeg DFFABBL offers reasonable value within the premium segment.
The Smeg DFFABBL Full Size Dishwasher is a stylish, well-rounded performer that backs up its head-turning looks with genuinely strong cleaning and a generous set of programmes. It’s quiet, energy efficient, and flexible enough to cope with everything from delicate glasses to stubborn oven dishes.
Its main drawbacks are the premium price and the long duration of the most efficient cycles. You’re also dealing with a traditional cutlery basket rather than a top drawer, and residual heat drying that may leave some plastics slightly damp.
If you’re building a design-led kitchen and want an appliance that feels as special as it looks, this Smeg model is an excellent choice for medium-sized households. Those who simply want the cheapest functional dishwasher may be better served elsewhere, but for buyers willing to invest in both style and performance, it’s a very strong option.
