To choose a dishwasher that suits home-cooked meals, start by considering how much washing-up you produce and check that the size will fit the available space and connections. Then compare each model’s water use per eco cycle, energy use per 100 eco cycles and noise level shown on the label. The ADEME and European Commission highlight these factors, but none alone is enough to determine the right size.
If you often cook for several people, check that the racks can fit your plates, dishes and pans. Candy and Whirlpool product details give examples of stated capacities of 6 and 14 place settings. These figures are a useful guide, but you should also check the interior layout.
If you have limited worktop space or a narrow housing unit, compare the installation requirements for each size. Candy describes the CP 6E51LS as a tabletop model, while Electrolux describes the EES42210L as a 45 cm fully integrated dishwasher.
If the appliance will run near your living space or several times a week, compare the noise levels and consumption figures for the exact models you’re considering. The ADEME highlights water use, energy use and noise level as factors to consider when choosing.
If you cook regularly at home, first choose a capacity and installation type that suit the amount of washing-up you actually produce. Then compare usage figures on a like-for-like basis.
Choose this if: smaller loads will fit in the machine and space is limited. The Candy CP 6E51LS is a tabletop model with 6 place settings, measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm.
Bear in mind: a smaller capacity may mean running extra cycles or washing larger utensils separately.
Choose this if: you have a space with the necessary connections but no fitted housing unit. The Bosch SMS4HAW48E is an example of a standard 60 cm model.
Bear in mind: the appliance will take up the full width allocated to it, and its finish will remain visible.
Choose this if: your kitchen has a suitably sized housing unit and you want the appliance to blend in with your cabinets. The Electrolux EES42210L is a 45 cm fully integrated model with 9 place settings.
Bear in mind: this model is supplied without a furniture door. Check the door panel requirements and what’s included in the installation service.
Choose this if: your meals regularly fill the racks and you have room for a 60 cm appliance. The Whirlpool WFC3C34PX is an example of a 14-place-setting freestanding model.
Bear in mind: the number of place settings doesn’t guarantee that your dishes and pans will all fit at once, so check the rack layout.
| Feature | What to check before you buy | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and layout | Compare the stated number of place settings and the space available in the racks for larger utensils. | When I cook for several people, I want to fit the dishes and pans from the meal, not just reach the stated number of place settings. Around 33 % of consumers prioritise capacity and layout. |
| Installation and space | Measure the available space and check the housing unit, connections and, for a fully integrated model, the door panel and installation. | If my kitchen has limited worktop space or a specific-sized housing unit, I first check that the appliance can be installed there. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise installation and available space. |
| Water and energy | Compare litres per eco cycle and kWh per 100 eco cycles on the models’ labels. | If I run regular cycles, I want to compare consumption on a like-for-like basis rather than rely on a general impression. Around 25 % of consumers put water and electricity first. |
| Noise | Check the sound emissions in dB(A) for the exact model and consider where it will be installed. | If the appliance runs near a living space or at times when noise matters, I check the noise level before choosing. Around 17 % of consumers prioritise cycle noise. |
The European Commission explains that dishwasher labels show, among other things, energy use per 100 eco cycles, water use per cycle, programme duration and noise level. These figures apply to the eco programme and aren’t enough to calculate your household’s actual consumption.
The stated capacity alone doesn’t show how your dishes and pans will fit into the racks. If some utensils don’t fit, you may need to wash them by hand or run an extra cycle.
Compare the interior layout with the dishes you use for a typical meal, especially your bulkiest items.
The Electrolux EES42210L is supplied without a furniture door. Electrolux’s pre-installation guide explains that its service doesn’t include certain carpentry work or fitting the door panel.
Measure the housing unit, check that your door panel is compatible and confirm what’s included in the installation service.
The consumption figures on the label relate to the eco programme. They don’t necessarily reflect other programmes or your household’s actual usage.
Compare models using the eco programme figures, and take your usual cycles and programmes into account.
The range includes tabletop dishwashers for smaller loads and kitchens where space is limited.
The SMS4HAW48E is an example of a standard 60 cm freestanding dishwasher.
The EES42210L is an example of a slim fully integrated model designed for a compatible housing unit.
The WFC3C34PX is an example of a large-capacity freestanding model.
This selection includes 60 cm freestanding dishwashers and built-in models designed for larger household loads. If you’re choosing an integrated appliance, check that the housing unit matches the model’s installation dimensions.
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For meals that produce a large load, this 60 cm freestanding model offers a capacity of 14 place settings.
Whirlpool’s product details list a cutlery tray, 9,5 L per eco cycle, 75 kWh per 100 cycles and 41 dB(A).
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For a household that cooks substantial meals and has room for a 60 cm freestanding model, its stated capacity is 14 place settings.
The product details list 9,5 L per cycle, a noise level of 46 dB and six wash programmes.
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If your kitchen has a suitably sized housing unit, this 60 cm fully integrated model may suit a load of up to 14 place settings.
The product details list 54 kWh per 100 eco cycles, 9,4 L per eco cycle and 42 dB. Check the housing unit dimensions for the exact model before installation.
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For a household looking to integrate the appliance with its kitchen cabinets, this built-in model is listed with a capacity of 14 place settings.
The product details list a width of 59,8 cm, a depth of 55 cm, 11,5 L per cycle, 0,849 kWh per cycle and 48 dBA. Check the housing unit and connections before choosing.
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For meals that produce lots of washing-up, and a space that can accommodate a 60 cm freestanding model, this dishwasher is listed with a capacity of 14 place settings.
The product details list around 9,5 L per eco cycle and 41 dB. Compare these figures with those of other models on a like-for-like basis.
Measure the housing unit and check the installation diagram for the model, then check the connections and door panel. The Electrolux EES42210L is 45 cm wide and is supplied without a furniture door. Electrolux’s guide explains that certain carpentry and door-panel fitting work aren’t included in its stated service.
Compare models using the kWh per 100 eco cycles and litres per eco cycle, then take your usual programmes and how often you use the dishwasher into account. The European Commission also lists programme duration and noise level. The label alone doesn’t show your household’s actual consumption.
No. Use it as a guide, then check that the racks can fit the plates, dishes and pans you use after a typical meal. The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that all bulky items will fit at once.
According to official information from the French Ministry of the Economy, checked in October 2026, dishwashers are among the products covered by the repairability index. The legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or refurbished goods sold by a business to an individual. For new goods, the ministry specifies that defects are presumed to have existed at the time of purchase for two years.