They do clean dishes, but in general, they use far less water and energy than their U.S. counterparts. One way they save energy is by eliminating the food grinder and replacing it with a filter. No grinder also tends to make European dishwashers quieter. So basically, the U.S. versions get the job done and are lower maintenance, whereas the European versions are better looking and conserve resources. In financial terms, U.S. dishwashers are generally cheaper to buy but cost more in water and electric bills.
Euro dishwashers are more expensive to buy but cheaper to use.
That's a tall order, but as the two dishwasher schools converge, the products get better and better. There's always been that huge difference between U.S. and European dishwashers, says Carolyn Verweyst, Whirlpool's manager of marketing communications, but U.S. manufacturers are making design improvements to meet consumers' needs. Such improvements include reducing water usage, redesigning dish racks and sprayers for maximum coverage and beefing up insulation for quieter cycles. I can't imagine many people in this country spending that much on a dishwasher that requires them to rinse the dishes first. Just as Americans are finding ways to use less water and energy, so Europeans are making their units less high-maintenance.