If several meals regularly leave your sink full, start by choosing a capacity you can make good use of and an installation type that suits your kitchen. A compact model may suit smaller loads and limited space, while a standard appliance can handle larger volumes. If you can easily wash a small amount of crockery after each meal, washing up by hand remains a sensible option.
If meals regularly leave plates, cutlery and utensils to wash, compare the usable capacity with how often you’ll be able to fill the machine. ADEME recommends waiting until the dishwasher is full before starting a cycle.
If worktop and floor space are limited, a countertop model or a slimline appliance may be worth considering. UFC-Que Choisir points out that capacity, location and installation requirements also matter when choosing.
To assess the total cost beyond the appliance itself, factor in installation, water, electricity and maintenance. UFC-Que Choisir recommends taking these expenses into account, while ADEME says the energy label and repairability index can help guide your choice.
Choose this if: you’re short on space and your loads will fit in a small tub.
Bear in mind: a smaller capacity may mean running several cycles or washing some dishes by hand. Check the space available and the model’s connection requirements too.
Choose this if: you have enough space and often build up a load of plates, utensils and dishes.
Bear in mind: a larger tub takes up more room. Check that your usual load will make good use of its capacity.
Choose this if: your kitchen is designed to accommodate the model’s integration type, dimensions and door panel.
Bear in mind: check the housing, door panel and any installation costs before you order.
Consider this if: you have only a small amount of washing-up and can easily do it after each meal.
Weigh this up: you avoid the cost of buying, installing and maintaining an appliance, but the time and water you use will depend on your habits.
| What matters | What to check before buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and cleaning | Compare the place settings and basket layout; check the results for the programmes you’ll use. | After meals that leave lots of plates and dishes to wash, I want to avoid running extra cycles and make sure my utensils fit in the tub. Around 28% of consumers prioritise capacity and cleaning performance for large loads. |
| Space and installation type | Measure the space and check access to the water supply, waste outlet and a socket. For a built-in model, check the housing and door panel. | In a small kitchen, I’m looking for an appliance that fits without getting in the way of other activities. Around 22% of consumers prioritise the space it takes up and installation requirements. |
| Total cost | Check delivery and installation costs, the energy label figures for the Eco programme and the repairability index. | If I want to keep costs under control over time, I compare installation costs and consumables with the cost of running cycles. Around 22% of consumers put total cost first. |
| Suitability for smaller loads | Think about the washing-up you usually have and how often you could make good use of the machine’s capacity. | When I have only a small amount of washing-up after each meal, I want to know whether an appliance would actually be practical for everyday use. Around 17% of consumers prioritise this check before buying. |
| Noise | Compare the noise level listed for each model and think about when you’ll run cycles. | If the kitchen opens onto the living area, I take noise into account during the times we’re at home. Around 11% of consumers make quiet operation their top priority. |
This figure alone won’t tell you whether the baskets can fit your saucepans, salad bowls or large dishes.
Check the available height and basket layout against the crockery you use often.
A poorly suited tub may mean running extra cycles or washing some dishes by hand.
The European energy label includes figures such as electricity use per 100 cycles and water use per cycle, measured using the Eco programme. These figures don’t automatically reflect the consumption of other programmes.
Compare appliances on the same basis, then check the programmes you plan to use separately.
As UFC-Que Choisir points out, the cost of a dishwasher can also include installation, water, electricity, detergents and maintenance.
Ask what’s included in delivery and installation, then estimate your costs based on how often you’ll run cycles and the type of home you live in.
A fully integrated appliance may need a suitable housing unit and door panel. For example, Electrolux states that the door panel is not supplied with the KEQC7211L.
Before ordering, confirm the integration type, dimensions, required door panel and installation services.
Depending on your kitchen, you may also need to budget for a door panel or installation work.
The Candy Rapidò CP 6E51LS is an example of a countertop dishwasher advertised as holding 6 place settings.
The BDFS15030W is an example of a slimline freestanding model advertised as holding 10 place settings.
The W8FHS61BS is an example of a 60 cm freestanding model advertised as holding 15 place settings.
The KEQC7211L is an example of a 60 cm fully integrated dishwasher advertised as holding 13 place settings.
Bosch Home Appliances France offers compact, freestanding and built-in types, each with installation requirements specific to the model.
This selection includes compact countertop dishwashers, standard freestanding models and built-in appliances, so you can compare types based on capacity and your kitchen layout.
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A countertop model advertised as holding 6 place settings may suit you if your usual loads are small.
6 place settings; 7 programmes; digital display; 24-hour delay start; automatic opening and drying; 47 dB; energy class D.
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A 60 cm freestanding model may be worth considering if your kitchen has enough space and you regularly fill a tub of this size.
14 place settings; 60 cm; grey finish; energy class E.
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This 60 cm freestanding model may suit you if you have the space for its advertised capacity of 14 place settings.
14 place settings; 60 cm; stainless steel finish; energy class C.
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Only consider a 60 cm built-in model if your kitchen and its housing unit are designed for this type of installation.
13 place settings; 60 cm; built-in; energy class B.
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A 60 cm freestanding model may suit you if you’re looking for an advertised capacity of 14 place settings and have enough space.
14 place settings; 60 cm; 41 dB; white finish; energy class C.
Compare the figures on the European energy label on a like-for-like basis: electricity use per 100 cycles and water use per cycle for the Eco programme. Then look separately at the programmes you plan to use, as the Eco figures don’t automatically reflect their energy and water use.
Measure the space and check the instructions for your model’s water supply, waste outlet and electrical connection requirements. Bosch recommends plugging its appliances directly into a mains socket, without an extension lead or multi-socket adaptor. Follow the instructions for the model you buy.
No. ADEME advises against pre-rinsing dishes and recommends waiting until the machine is full before starting a cycle. For routine maintenance, follow the instructions; Bosch, for example, recommends cleaning the filter in its appliances regularly.
The repairability index applies to dishwashers in France and is scored out of 10. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, the durability index has replaced it for some other product categories, but not for dishwashers.
In France, buying goods online generally gives you a withdrawal period of at least 14 days. Before ordering a large appliance, check the terms that apply and whether you’ll have to pay any return costs.