HAVA R09 at a glance
- Water supply
- 5 L tank; faucet supply is optional.
- Loading evidence
- HAVA’s Q&A lists 10.2-inch round plates upright or 10.6 inches angled; check the review’s source conflict.
- Installation check
- Both published heights exceed 18 inches. Top filling and drainage still need space.
- Daily routine
- The built-in softener adds hardness settings and salt upkeep when used; it is not evidence of better cleaning.
Research summary, not a hands-on test. Manufacturer source · Detailed source checks · Compare the six-model reference.
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.
Research editor: Nicholas Bauer, Founder & Research Editor · Manufacturer sources reviewed October 6, 2026
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.
Is the HAVA R09 upgrade useful in your kitchen?
A feature is worth paying for when it addresses a task or problem you actually have. These checks narrow that decision without assuming better cleaning.
- First: establish your water hardness
- The manual softener guide (printed page 13) has H1–H7 hardness bands and calls dishwasher-salt use optional. Use your water supplier’s information or a suitable test to choose the setting. A visible water mark alone cannot identify the correct band.
- Second: value the feature together with its upkeep
- The softener adds a reason to compare the R09 with the R01, along with salt checks and refills when you use it. If your water is already soft or treated, decide whether the scheduling controls still justify the current price difference.
- Third: check whether it solves your actual loading problem
- The R09 manual lists three place settings, but HAVA’s model Q&A publishes the same round-plate diameter ceilings as the R01: 10.2 inches upright or 10.6 angled. More stated place settings do not establish a larger-plate advantage.
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.
Questions to settle before ordering
Does the softener replace dishwasher detergent?
No. Dishwasher salt belongs in the softener reservoir and does a different job. Detergent still goes in its designated dispenser. Follow the manual’s salt setup steps rather than substituting table salt.
Is the R09 an upgrade for 11- or 12-inch dinner plates?
Not on the evidence we have. The model Q&A states smaller ceilings, while HAVA’s general FAQ mentions 11 inches angled. Resolve that conflict for your exact load; neither source establishes a 12-inch fit.
Does the child lock physically lock the door?
Do not assume so. The manual describes disabling control-button operation. Treat it as a control lock when comparing features, and follow the manual’s supervision and operation instructions.
