A dishwasher is suitable for everyday use if its capacity matches the amount of washing-up that builds up between cycles and your kitchen has the necessary connections. Start by choosing a size that fits the space: a freestanding model doesn’t need a furniture door, an integrated model requires a suitably sized housing unit, and a compact model takes up less room but has a smaller capacity. Then compare capacity, the consumption figures on the energy label, the Eco programme duration and the noise level.
If your meals mean plates, cutlery and cooking utensils pile up every day, look at the basket layout as well as the stated place-setting capacity. Being able to fit everything in between cycles matters more than a discreet built-in finish.
If floor or cupboard space is limited, a slimline or compact appliance may be worth considering. However, check that it can fit your usual dishes, that you have a suitable surface or space for it, and that the chosen model can be connected.
In a living area, noise during the cycle deserves particular attention. For a fitted kitchen, measure the housing unit too, and confirm the requirements for fitting the furniture door and what work is included in the installation.
Whether you’re buying your first dishwasher or replacing an old one, start with the format your kitchen can accommodate, then compare its capacity with your mealtime routine. Freestanding, integrated and compact models suit different spaces.
Consider it if: you have floor space and the necessary connections, and don’t need a furniture door.
Bear in mind: the appliance will be visible. If you want to place it under a worktop, check whether its top panel can be removed.
Consider it if: you have a suitably sized housing unit and want the appliance to match your kitchen furniture.
Bear in mind: confirm the furniture door and any adaptation work before ordering. The control panel remains visible on a semi-integrated model.
Consider it if: your kitchen has neither a housing unit nor floor space, and you have a relatively small amount of washing-up between cycles.
Bear in mind: capacity is lower. The Candy CP 6E51LS, for example, is rated for 6 place settings and needs a direct water supply connection.
| Criteria | What to check | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and mealtime routine | Number of place settings, room for dishes and saucepans, and adjustable baskets. | When washing-up builds up after meals, I want to load it all without running several cycles. Around 29% of consumers would make capacity their main requirement. |
| Fitting the appliance in your kitchen | Available space, door clearance, and access to water, drainage and electricity. | In a small or already fitted kitchen, I need to be able to install and connect the appliance without discovering too late that it won’t fit. Feasibility is said to be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Running costs | kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and the Eco programme duration; allow separately for services and maintenance. | If the dishwasher runs regularly, I want to compare its consumption and the costs involved in installation and maintenance. Around 24% of consumers would prioritise keeping these costs under control. |
| Noise and integration | Noise level in dB, noise class and the appliance’s position in relation to your living area. | With an open-plan kitchen, I don’t want a cycle to disrupt activities in the living room; how well it matches the kitchen furniture may matter too. Noise or appearance would be the main consideration for around 18% of consumers. |
When comparing appliances, ADEME and the European Commission highlight the information on the energy label, including water per cycle, energy use per 100 cycles, capacity and noise. These figures don’t replace checking the available space or the dishes you actually load.
A slimline or compact model may hold the washing-up from a small household, but may not leave enough room for frying pans and dishes. Que Choisir says 45 cm models can suit a small family, sometimes with a daily cycle.
Take note of the washing-up you produce over one or two days, then check the layout and adjustability of the baskets on the model you’re considering.
Connecting an appliance doesn’t necessarily include adapting the housing unit or fitting a furniture door. Electrolux, for example, says its installers don’t carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work.
Measure the housing unit and ask which work and furniture door are included in the service on offer.
Changes to the connections or kitchen panels may require a separate service.
This description doesn’t tell you how noisy a specific model will be in an open-plan kitchen. The energy label gives a noise level in dB and a noise class.
Compare both figures for appliances that suit your space, rather than relying on their marketing descriptions alone.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is separate from an optional commercial warranty.
Before taking out an extended warranty, read its exclusions, what it covers and who is responsible for providing the service.
These ranges give you a starting point for comparing formats; dimensions and features vary by model.
Bosch’s range includes freestanding, integrated, slimline and compact appliances.
Miele offers freestanding and integrated models, including options for fitted kitchens.
The French range includes freestanding, semi-integrated and fully integrated models.
Whirlpool offers freestanding and integrated appliances in 45 or 60 cm formats.
Candy offers standard, slimline and compact worktop models, among others.
These Joybuy models are mainly freestanding, with one fully integrated appliance for a kitchen with a suitably sized housing unit. Check their capacity and installation type against your available space before comparing consumption and noise figures.
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A freestanding model to consider if your everyday washing-up calls for a capacity of 14 place settings.
The product name lists 7 cycles. Check the dimensions and connections before choosing where to put it.
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This freestanding model is for households looking for a capacity of 14 place settings in a stated 60 cm format.
The product name lists an E energy class. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check all the available dimensions, even if the product information mentions a removable top panel.
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This freestanding model may suit a daily load of 14 place settings, provided you confirm there’s enough space.
Check the width particularly carefully before ordering: the product title states 60 cm, while the dimensions table lists 67.5 cm.
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This freestanding model has a stated capacity of 14 place settings and is designed for a space that can accommodate its 60 cm width.
Its name lists 41 dB and a C energy class. Also check the available height and connections, especially if you plan to install it under a worktop.
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Consider this model for a fitted kitchen, after checking the housing unit, furniture door and connections.
Its name lists a width of 60 cm and a B energy class. To compare noise, distinguish the stated general figure of 44 dB(A) from the 42 dBA associated with the Extra Silence programme.
No. The result depends on your washing-up habits and how many cycles you run. Que Choisir says a dishwasher generally uses less than 15 L per cycle, compared with at least 30 L for washing up by hand. When choosing a model, compare the litres per cycle shown on the energy label and how often you expect to use the appliance.
Check that you have access to a water supply, drainage and electricity, and a stable space where the appliance can be levelled. If an installation service is offered, ask what it covers. Electrolux, for example, says its installers don’t carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work.
Compare their kWh per 100 cycles and litres of water per cycle on the energy label, while also considering capacity and the Eco programme duration. The information provided by ADEME and the European Commission gives you a common basis for comparison; installation, washing products and maintenance should be considered separately.
No. In France, the statutory legal guarantee of conformity applies to the relevant goods sold by a professional to an individual; a commercial warranty is separate and provides additional cover under its own terms. Before taking out an extended warranty, compare exactly what it covers and excludes with your statutory rights.