First, choose a size that suits your available space and the amount of washing up you need to do. Then compare models using their Eco programme figures for energy, water, duration, capacity and noise. A compact, freestanding or integrated appliance won’t necessarily use less or run more quietly simply because of its format. If you have very small loads or nowhere suitable to put a dishwasher, washing up by hand is another option to consider based on your habits.
If your dishwasher runs near your living space or at night, check its noise level in dB and its noise class before weighing up extra features. UFC-Que Choisir highlights how important noise can be when the dishwasher is in the same room as your living space.
For regular cycles, compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the Eco programme, then choose a capacity you can fill. ADEME recommends waiting until the appliance is full before running it.
A tabletop appliance, a slimline model or washing up by hand may suit different needs. Check the available space, place settings and how often you would realistically fill the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir highlights 6-place-setting tabletop models as a space-saving option.
Start with the space you have and the capacity you need. Then use the energy label to compare the consumption and noise levels of models that meet those requirements. According to ADEME and the European Commission, it shows details including kWh per 100 Eco cycles, litres per cycle, duration, capacity and noise emissions.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to, and why |
|---|---|---|
| Noise in your living space | The dB level and noise class of the specific model, rather than a marketing claim. | In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, being able to run a cycle without disturbing activities nearby may matter more than extra features; around 31% of consumers would make quiet operation their top priority. |
| Water and electricity | kWh per 100 Eco cycles and litres per cycle, considered alongside duration and capacity. | For regular washing, managing both water and electricity use matters more than looking at the energy rating letter alone; around 31% of consumers would put consumption at the top of their list. |
| Capacity and size | The dimensions, number of place settings and space needed for your usual dishes. | When space is limited, I want an appliance I can fill without having to run extra cycles for my plates and pans; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this balance between capacity and space. |
| Suitability for your kitchen | For an integrated model, the dimensions of the housing unit and the type of installation; otherwise, the space available and the amount of washing up. | In a fitted kitchen, the appliance needs to suit the cabinetry. If there’s no suitable space or you have very little washing up, washing by hand may still be an option. Around 13% of consumers would make this compatibility their top priority. |
Two appliances with the same rating can have different figures for water use, duration, capacity or noise. The letter alone won’t answer every question about how you’ll use the appliance.
Compare the Eco programme information on the labels of models with a format and capacity that suit you, as advised by ADEME and the European Commission’s energy labelling guidance.
In an open-plan kitchen, the dishwasher runs close to where people are talking or relaxing. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this proximity makes noise an important factor when choosing a model.
If you plan to run cycles near your living space or at night, compare the dB levels and noise classes of the models you’re considering.
A compact format is primarily a solution when space is limited. If it can’t hold all the washing up you accumulate between washes, you may need to run more cycles.
Estimate the amount you usually wash, then compare the number of place settings with the litres per cycle shown for each model. ADEME recommends running the dishwasher when it’s full.
These examples of ranges and models can help you identify the formats and figures to look at. The specifications of one model don’t apply to an entire brand.
The range includes slimline freestanding and integrated dishwashers.
Siemens offers integrated and fully integrated dishwasher ranges for fitted kitchens.
The G 5990 SCVi SL is an example of a 45 cm fully integrated dishwasher.
This selection includes tabletop models for smaller loads and a freestanding appliance for larger amounts of washing up. Before choosing, consider each model’s capacity in relation to how often you’ll fill it, and check the Eco programme figures on its label that matter to you.
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This tabletop model is designed for homes with limited space, with a stated capacity of 6 place settings.
The product title gives a noise level of 47 dB and an energy rating of D. If noise or energy use is important to you, check the Eco programme figures on the label for the exact model, along with its dimensions.
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This freestanding model may suit a home that regularly washes large loads and has a suitable space for it.
The product title gives a width of 60 cm, capacity of 14 place settings, noise level of 41 dB and energy rating of C. To compare its consumption with another format, check its label for kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration.
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This compact model is worth considering if you’re looking for an option for smaller amounts of washing up.
Check that its capacity and dimensions suit your usual loads. To compare water and energy use, and noise levels, with other models, use figures based on the same Eco programme rather than directly comparing figures given per cycle with those given per 100 cycles.
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This tabletop model is worth considering if space is limited and a stated capacity of 3 place settings is enough for the washing up between cycles.
The product title gives a noise level of 56.3 dB and an energy rating of C. If you plan to run it near your living space, check the noise level on the label for the exact model. Also compare its consumption figures based on the Eco programme.
Compare models suited to the same capacity, then look at the energy rating, kWh per 100 Eco cycles, litres per cycle, duration and noise together. ADEME and the European Commission present these as key energy labelling figures. Figures for a quick programme shouldn’t be compared directly with Eco figures for another appliance.
The consumption figures on the label are based on this reference programme, and the European Commission includes its duration among the details to compare. If you need to run cycles at specific times, check that the duration fits your routine rather than assuming a quick cycle will use the same amount of energy and water.
ADEME recommends not pre-rinsing dishes and waiting until the dishwasher is full before running a cycle. These habits complement comparing the litres per cycle shown for the appliances you’re considering.
Yes. The energy labelling information outlined by the European Commission also applies to integrated domestic dishwashers. When choosing a model, check its own water, energy and noise figures, then make sure its dimensions fit the space prepared for it.