The answer before the details
This HAVA R09 review focuses on its built-in water softener and the upkeep it adds. Shortlist it if that feature suits your water and routine, then resolve installation measurements and plate-size conflicts. We have not tested cleaning or drying performance.
Worth a closer look if hard water shapes your buying decision
The HAVA R09 combines a manually filled tank with a built-in water softener. That makes it worth investigating when you want to keep the supply tap free and hard-water upkeep matters to you. The softener is a documented feature, not proof that this machine outcleans every alternative.
Why it makes the shortlist
A 5-liter tank, adjustable softener settings, delayed start and a control lock give you practical choices for a small-kitchen routine.
What you take on
Filling and draining still need a plan. Using the softener adds salt checks, and the body is taller than an 18-inch opening.
This is a research review based on the US listing and manufacturer documentation. We have not tested cleaning, drying, sound or durability.
The softener is the reason to compare it with the R01
HAVA describes the softener as a way to address minerals associated with limescale and watermarks. Its manual provides settings for different water-hardness bands. Check your water supplier’s information or an appropriate water test before choosing a setting; a cloudy glass alone does not establish your hardness level.
The manual labels dishwasher-salt use optional. If you use the softener, follow its setup and refill instructions and watch the salt indicator. It specifies dishwasher salt, not kitchen salt. Salt goes into the softener; it does not replace detergent in the detergent dispenser.
Our take: this feature deserves more weight when hard-water maintenance is a known concern. If your water is already soft or treated, decide whether you still want the other R09 features before paying a premium. We have not measured any reduction in deposits or detergent use.
Measure for the routine, not just the closed box
A small dimension discrepancy to resolve
The manual’s product-size table gives 16.86 × 16.75 × 18.05 inches. HAVA’s product page lists 16.9 × 16.9 × 18.1 inches. These are body measurements, not installation clearances. Neither height fits a fixed 18-inch opening.
If your space is close, obtain the current US drawing before ordering. The R09 is not included in our automatic fit results.
Tank mode avoids occupying the supply faucet, but you still need to reach the top fill opening and route the drain safely. Picture a pitcher in your hand beneath the cabinet, then allow for the door opening and unloading a rack. The manual also describes a faucet-supply option; connection compatibility must be checked separately.
Use our setup checklist to plan the spot. A drain hose reaching the sink is not enough if the connection, routing or support fails the installation instructions.
What changes in an everyday load?
The manual lists three place settings. That gives a category to compare, not a promise that three people’s pans, lunch containers and dinnerware fit together. Follow the loading diagram and leave the spray arms free. Our loading worksheet helps you start with the dishes you actually want to stop washing by hand.
| Feature | What to consider |
|---|---|
| 5-liter tank | Plan comfortable top-fill access; a water-supply connection is optional. |
| 1–18-hour delayed start | Useful for arranging when a cycle begins; it does not make washing faster. |
| Child lock | The manual describes disabling control-button operation. Do not assume it physically locks the door. |
| Drying mode | Allow for drying after the wash. Program duration is not necessarily ready-to-put-away time. |
The manual separates seven wash selections from Dry. Amazon’s listing uses an eight-program headline. We treat those as different counting conventions, not eight distinct wash cycles.
Its detergent instructions permit pods, liquid or powder made for automatic dishwashers. Amounts vary by program: the manual lists 8 g for Normal and 11 g for ECO, for example. Follow the supplied manual and detergent label rather than assuming every single-dose pod matches those amounts. See our model-by-model detergent guide.
Should you choose the R09?
Put it on your shortlist if you want tank filling, can accommodate the actual setup, and have a reason to value the water softener or scheduling controls. Those features can make the purchase more relevant to your routine without needing a claim that it is the “best” dishwasher.
Compare before upgrading if the R01 already meets your needs. Read our HAVA R01 vs R09 comparison and compare current offers. A lower purchase price can matter more than a feature you will not use; a useful softener can matter more than a small price difference.
At Amazon, look for the HAVA listing identifying TDJR09, ASIN B0DMS6821R. Check the selected product, seller, delivered price and returns before buying. We link the R09 separately from the R01.
Still comparing water setups? Browse all six researched models →
Sources and limits
- HAVA R09 manual: printed pages 6–8 (installation, water and specifications), 9–12 (loading, detergent, programs and controls), 13 (softener).
- HAVA R09 product page: body measurements checked against the manual.
- Amazon ASIN B0DMS6821R: HAVA store link and TDJR09 identification verified October 5, 2026.
Our buying recommendations interpret these documents. They are not measured performance results. Lifestyle photography illustrates the kitchen routine; it is not a photograph of the R09.