New donor–π–acceptor dyes functionalised with a bodipy or indolium acceptor are described, which have an excellent spectral response in the red region and generate record photocurrent in tandem dye-sensitized solar cells. Our cationic acceptor dye, CAD3, generated a cathodic photocurrent density of 8.2 mA cm−2, the highest reported for a NiO p-type solar cell to date.