If space is tight in your kitchen and a smaller dishwasher can handle your washing-up, a 45 cm model could be a good fit. If meals regularly fill a larger tub, consider a 60 cm model instead. Once you’ve settled on capacity, compare the Eco programme figures for models with similar capacities: energy, water, duration and noise. These figures alone won’t predict how much your household will use.
If meals regularly leave you with plates, cutlery, serving dishes and pans to wash, choose a capacity you can fill without having to run the dishwasher repeatedly. Check the basket layout too: the place-setting capacity doesn’t tell you everything about the space available for your utensils.
If the available width means you need to opt for a 45 cm model, check that its tub can hold the washing-up that builds up between cycles. UFC-Que Choisir says a 9-place-setting model may suit a small family, even if it needs to be run every day.
If you have an open-plan kitchen or run the dishwasher while you’re at home, compare noise emissions and the duration of the Eco programme. UFC-Que Choisir includes noise among its dishwasher assessment criteria.
Consider this if: there’s room for this width and the washing-up you accumulate calls for a larger tub. UFC-Que Choisir’s comparison puts the capacity of these models at between 12 and 15 place settings.
Bear in mind: it takes up more width than a 45 cm model; its size alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses per cycle.
Consider this if: space is limited and the amount of washing-up you produce is suited to a smaller tub. UFC-Que Choisir suggests that 9-place-setting models may be an option for a small family.
Bear in mind: depending on how much washing-up you produce, the space saving may mean running the dishwasher more often.
If you use your kitchen several times a week, start by choosing a capacity that suits the washing-up you produce between cycles. You can then use the energy label to compare appliances: according to ADEME and the European Commission, it shows figures including energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise.
| Criteria | What to check | Consumers concerned |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and cycle frequency | Place-setting capacity, dimensions and the space available in the baskets for dishes and pans. | If washing-up builds up between meals, I want a suitable tub so I don’t have to run the appliance frequently. Around 33% of consumers concerned would make capacity their priority. |
| Water and electricity | For models with similar capacities, compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 Eco cycles and litres per cycle. | For regular use, I want to compare water and electricity on a like-for-like basis without using the figures to estimate my bill. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Noise | Noise emissions in dB(A) and the noise class shown on the label. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to minimise disruption when a cycle is running while I’m at home. Around 20% of consumers would put noise first. |
| Duration and programmes | The Eco programme duration on the label and whether the model’s product details list the other programmes you want. | If I sometimes need the washing-up to be ready sooner, I want to know the Eco programme duration and what other programmes are available. For around 20% of consumers, this flexibility would come before the other criteria. |
There’s more to two dishwashers with different energy ratings than just the letter. As ADEME and the European Commission explain, the label also shows energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle, capacity, duration and noise.
Compare these figures for the specific models that suit the amount of washing-up you produce.
A narrower model frees up space, but its capacity may mean you need to run it more often if dishes and pans build up. UFC-Que Choisir notes this possibility for 9-place-setting appliances intended for a small family.
Consider how much washing-up you produce between cycles and check the space available for pans and dishes.
The energy figures on the label refer to the standard Eco programme. They don’t automatically apply to a quick or automatic programme.
Use the Eco programme duration to compare models, then check the other programmes separately if your schedule calls for them.
A dishwasher running close to your living area may be more disruptive than one in a separate kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir includes noise among its assessment criteria.
Compare the dB(A) figures and noise class, taking account of where the appliance will go and when you plan to run it.
These example models offer points of comparison for width, installation type and the information provided by manufacturers. They don’t represent each brand’s entire range.
The SMS4ECI28F is an example of a freestanding 60 cm Bosch dishwasher.
The WSFO3T223P is an example of Whirlpool’s freestanding 45 cm range.
The EES42210L is a fully integrated 45 cm Electrolux model.
The G 5790 SCVi SL is an example of a fully integrated 45 cm Miele dishwasher.
These 60 cm appliances are options to consider if you need a standard-sized tub for washing-up produced regularly. Choose between freestanding and integrated installation to suit the space available, then compare the capacity and Eco programme figures for the models you’re interested in.
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Consider this if you regularly have enough washing-up to fill a 14-place-setting tub and your kitchen is suitable for an integrated appliance.
The A rating appears in the name of this variant. Before choosing, check the dimensions required for installation, the compatible furniture door and the model’s Eco programme duration.
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This freestanding model is worth considering if you’re looking for a 14-place-setting capacity for regular loads.
Its name mentions seven cycles. Check their duration, the Eco programme figures and the dimensions before comparing it with other appliances.
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Its 14-place-setting capacity may suit regular loads if you have space for a freestanding 60 cm appliance.
The product name lists an E energy rating. To compare energy use, also check the model’s kWh per 100 Eco cycles and litres per cycle.
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This 13-place-setting model is worth considering if your kitchen can accommodate a 60 cm built-in appliance.
The C rating appears in its name. Check that it’s compatible with your cabinet space and furniture door, and compare the water, energy and Eco programme duration figures you need.
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Consider this for regular 14-place-setting loads if your kitchen is designed for a 60 cm integrated appliance.
The product name lists an E energy rating. Check that it’s compatible with your cabinet space and furniture door, then compare its energy use and Eco programme duration before choosing.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 Eco cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise information. ADEME and the European Commission present these figures as useful points of comparison; they aren’t enough to predict your household’s annual energy use.
No, width alone doesn’t tell you. Compare the labels for the specific models and take capacity into account: according to UFC-Que Choisir, a 9-place-setting appliance may suit a small family, but it might need to be run every day.
No. The standardised energy figures on the label refer to the Eco programme, and its duration is also shown there. If you sometimes need a different washing schedule, check the programmes available on each model separately rather than assuming the Eco cycle figures apply to them.
In France, old dishwashers are collected through the national waste electrical and electronic equipment scheme, as outlined by the ministry responsible for ecological transition. Before ordering, ask the seller what collection or take-back options are available for your purchase and location.