For a household of five that runs the dishwasher frequently, start by checking that the racks can accommodate the dishes you usually use. Then compare water and electricity consumption, the eco programme duration and noise levels for each model. Place settings alone don’t guarantee that your everyday load will fit in the machine: your mealtime habits and the interior layout matter too.
If dishes from five people are piling up, check the stated capacity and how much room there is for plates, glasses and larger utensils. One review published on Dealabs describes a dishwasher being used at least once a day in a household of five, but that doesn’t mean every household has the same needs.
If you’ll be using your appliance frequently, compare the water and electricity figures for the exact models you’re considering, taking into account the programmes you plan to use. ADEME notes that the energy label provides information on these figures, as well as the duration of the eco programme.
If the appliance will be running while you’re in the kitchen or a neighbouring room, it’s worth comparing noise levels. Check the decibel rating and noise class on the label rather than relying on the word ‘quiet’ alone.
To narrow down your options, start with your usual load, then check energy and water consumption and cycle times before considering noise and after-sales support.
| Criterion | What to check | Who’s most likely to prioritise it |
|---|---|---|
| Fit your usual load | Compare the stated capacity with your plates, glasses and larger utensils. Make sure the spray arms can rotate freely. | If I need to fit dishes and utensils for five people between washes, I look at the rack layout first. Around 29 % of consumers prioritise a family-sized load. |
| Keep water and electricity use in check | Compare kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the exact models, taking their capacity into account. | If the appliance runs often, I want to compare the consumption figures for the cycles I’ll actually use. Around 23 % of consumers put managing water and electricity use first. |
| Have clean dishes when you need them | Check the eco programme duration and delay-start options. Consult the manual for the conditions that apply to short programmes. | If I need certain utensils again soon, I check programme durations before choosing. Around 18 % of consumers prioritise having dishes ready between uses. |
| Keep noise to a minimum in your living space | Compare the noise level in decibels and the noise class on the label, then consider when you plan to run the cycles. | If my kitchen opens onto my living space, I pay attention to how noisy the cycles are. Around 18 % of consumers make quiet operation their priority. |
| Plan for maintenance and after-sales support | Check the repairability index, the seller’s terms and the instructions in the manual. | When choosing an appliance I can maintain and have repaired, I also check the after-sales information. Around 12 % of consumers prioritise maintenance and repairability. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you everything about the shape of your load. Your cooking habits and the rack layout matter too, and a load shouldn’t block the spray arms.
Before choosing between two capacities, compare the racks with the items you usually wash.
A poorly arranged load may mean you have to wash some items separately.
A short cycle doesn’t necessarily use less energy or water. Bosch explains that, for normally soiled dishes, its eco programme uses a longer wash with gradual heating to optimise water and energy use.
Compare the figures for the programmes you’ll use and check the conditions in the model’s manual.
What’s included with the appliance can affect installation. Electrolux states that the semi-integrated EEM69300IX dishwasher is supplied without a furniture door.
Check what’s included for delivery and installation, as well as the care products recommended in the manual.
For the EEM69300IX, allow for a furniture door if you want to complete its semi-integrated installation.
The repairability index gives an indication of how easy an appliance is to repair, taking factors such as documentation, ease of dismantling and spare parts into account. It doesn’t guarantee that the appliance won’t break down or that it will last for a specific length of time.
Use the index as one factor when considering after-sales support, alongside the applicable warranty terms.
The BDFN36560XC is a 60 cm freestanding model rated for 15 place settings. It’s worth considering if you’re looking for a high stated capacity.
The EEM69300IX is a 60 cm semi-integrated model rated for 15 place settings, with a visible control panel.
The SMS6ECW15F is an example of a freestanding model rated for 15 place settings, with Max Flex baskets.
These Joybuy models include freestanding and integrated dishwashers rated for 13 or 14 place settings. Compare the installation type and specifications listed for each model with your kitchen and usual load.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a fully integrated model for frequent family-sized loads.
60 cm, 14 place settings and a C energy rating, according to the product name. You’ll need a compatible housing unit and installation. The eco programme is listed as taking 240 minutes.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model rated for family-sized loads.
60 cm, 14 place settings, stainless steel finish and a C energy rating, according to the product name.
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Worth considering if you prefer a freestanding dishwasher for family-sized loads.
60 cm, 14 place settings, stainless steel finish and a C energy rating, according to the product name.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model rated for 14 place settings.
60 cm, grey finish and an E energy rating, according to the product name.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for an integrated model rated for 13 place settings, with adjustable racks.
60 cm and a C energy rating, according to the product name. You’ll need a compatible housing unit and installation.
Not necessarily : this figure doesn’t guarantee that your everyday load will fit in the appliance. Your mealtime habits and rack layout matter too. Check there’s enough space for your dishes and that the spray arms can rotate freely.
Multiply the kWh per 100 cycles by your number of cycles per year, then divide by 100; multiply the litres per cycle by the same number of cycles. For the EEM69300IX, the stated figures of 86 kWh per 100 cycles and 11 litres per cycle work out at 313,9 kWh and 4 015 litres for 365 cycles. This calculation uses the stated figures and doesn’t measure your household’s actual consumption.
No. Bosch explains that, for normally soiled dishes, its eco programme uses a longer wash with gradual heating to optimise water and energy use. Compare the programme’s consumption rather than looking at its duration alone.
Compare the capacity, consumption figures, eco programme duration and noise level, among other things. The European Commission says that the current dishwasher energy scale runs from A to G; ADEME also recommends checking the specifications that match how you’ll use the appliance.
No. The Ministry of the Economy says that the repairability index applies to dishwashers and gives an indication of how repairable they are, based on criteria including documentation, ease of dismantling and spare parts. It doesn’t guarantee that the appliance won’t break down or that it will last for a specific length of time.