When choosing a dishwasher for your first kitchen, check that you have room for it and the right connections before deciding on a model. Then match its capacity to the amount of washing-up your household produces. A freestanding model suits a separate space, an integrated one needs a compatible cabinet niche, and a compact model fits a smaller space but handles fewer place settings per cycle. If you rarely have washing-up to do, washing by hand may be more practical than installing an appliance you’ll seldom use.
If meals regularly leave you with a full load, check the capacity in place settings and how the racks are arranged before looking at extra features. Compare the energy and water consumption figures for the Eco programme too.
Whether it’s going under a worktop, in a cabinet niche or on a worktop, the actual dimensions and connections determine which sizes will fit. A product category alone can’t confirm that a model will fit in your kitchen.
In an open-plan living space, it’s worth checking the stated noise level carefully, as Que Choisir points out. And if you’d only use the appliance occasionally, consider whether washing by hand already meets your needs.
First decide which formats will fit your kitchen and whether you’ll keep washing by hand. Then compare the appliances that suit the amount of washing-up you produce.
Consider this if: you have a separate space and the necessary connections, without a cabinet niche intended to house the appliance.
Bear in mind: the appliance will be visible. Whether it can be installed under a worktop depends on the model’s dimensions and instructions.
Consider this if: you have a cabinet niche and want the appliance to blend in with your kitchen units.
Bear in mind: the niche must match the installation diagram for the model you choose, which gives you less flexibility on size.
Consider this if: space is limited and you only have a small amount of washing-up per cycle. Que Choisir notes that some models hold 6 place settings and sit on a worktop.
Bear in mind: a smaller capacity may mean running more cycles if washing-up builds up; you’ll also need to check the connections.
Consider this if: you don’t have much washing-up or there’s no suitable space with the right connections. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends considering how often you expect to use an appliance before buying one.
Bear in mind: you’ll still be washing up yourself. For a comparable amount of washing-up done regularly, Que Choisir says a dishwasher can use less water than traditional hand-washing.
| Criterion | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and daily load | Compare the stated place settings, rack layout and the amount of washing-up you usually have. | When washing-up builds up every day, I want to load the appliance without having to run several cycles. Around 36% of consumers put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Space and connections | Measure the space’s width, height and depth. Check the water supply, drainage and electricity, as well as the installation diagram for integrated models. | In a kitchen that’s already been designed, my first priority is finding an appliance that fits and can be connected. Around 29% of consumers prioritise this compatibility. |
| Energy and water use, and noise | Check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level. Compare models with similar formats and capacities. | If my kitchen opens onto the living space, noise matters, along with the water and energy used over time. Around 21% of consumers prioritise energy or water use, or a quieter appliance. |
| How often you’ll use it | Think about how much washing-up you produce and how often you could fill and run the appliance. | If I don’t have much washing-up, I want to know whether I’d use the appliance enough to justify giving it space in my kitchen. This is the main question for around 14% of consumers. |
A stated width doesn’t tell you whether there’s enough height under your worktop, or whether an integrated appliance will fit its cabinet niche. Bosch, for example, lists freestanding models in widths of 45 and 60 cm, but the installation dimensions vary by model.
Measure the width, height and depth, then compare them with the dimensions and installation diagram for the model you’re considering.
If your kitchen unit isn’t suitable, you may need to modify it.
A dishwasher also needs to connect to the water supply, drainage and electricity. Bosch advises following the installation instructions for the specific model.
Check where the connections are before buying and read the instructions. If you’re unsure whether they’re compatible, ask someone to assess the installation.
The letter alone doesn’t tell you how much water a cycle uses, how noisy the appliance is or how long the Eco programme takes. ADEME and the European Commission show these details separately on the energy label.
Compare the figures for appliances with similar capacities and formats, taking into account how often you’ll use yours.
If you don’t have much washing-up, an appliance may be less useful in practice, whatever its specifications. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends considering how useful you expect a product to be before buying it.
Estimate how much washing-up you produce and how often you could run a cycle before choosing a model over washing by hand.
These range and model examples can help you identify what to look for. Always check the specifications for the exact model you’re considering.
A brand to explore when dimensions and installation type are key to your choice.
A freestanding model to consider if its stated capacity and small-load options matter to you.
A range to browse when comparing freestanding and integrated configurations, as well as their stated noise levels.
These models include freestanding options for regular washing-up, as well as a tabletop model for smaller loads. First choose a capacity that suits your needs, then check the dimensions and connections before settling on a particular model.
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Worth considering if your household regularly produces washing-up and you have space for a freestanding appliance.
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Worth considering if you regularly have washing-up and the stated noise level also matters in your kitchen.
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Consider this model if you need a stated capacity of 14 place settings for your household’s regular washing-up.
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Worth considering for regular washing-up, as long as you confirm it will fit in the space available.
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Worth considering if limited space and smaller loads make a tabletop appliance the right choice for you.
Check the water supply, drainage and electricity at the intended location. Dimensions alone aren’t enough: make sure your kitchen layout also meets the installation requirements for the model.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, water used per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and stated noise level. ADEME and the European Commission show these details on the label. Where possible, compare appliances with similar capacities and formats.
According to the European Commission, the Eco programme is the reference used for the consumption and duration figures shown on dishwasher energy labels. So, if you need to plan your cycles, pay as much attention to its stated duration as to its water and energy figures.
Washing by hand is worth considering if you rarely have washing-up and wouldn’t use an appliance often. The French Ministry for Ecological Transition recommends thinking about how useful you expect an appliance to be. On the other hand, Que Choisir says that a dishwasher used regularly for a comparable amount of washing-up can use less water than traditional hand-washing.