If your meals regularly produce enough washing-up to fill an appliance, and you have space to install one, first choose between a standard, 45 cm or compact model based on the space available and the items you need to wash. A compact model is best suited to smaller loads. If installation or filling the machine is a problem, hand-washing remains an option, but don't assume it will always use less water or energy.
If plates and utensils regularly pile up, estimate the load you need to wash before choosing a capacity. ADEME recommends waiting until a dishwasher is full before starting a cycle, so how often you can fill it matters just as much as its stated place-setting capacity.
A 45 cm model or a compact appliance may be worth considering if a standard-size model won't fit. Be sure to check the installation dimensions and the space inside for your saucepans and dishes, not just the external width.
In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, compare the noise level in decibels and the noise class shown on the label. This information can help you choose an appliance that suits the times you plan to run a cycle.
First decide whether an appliance can be installed and filled at a pace that works for you. Then compare the features of the models you could consider.
Worth considering: your meals regularly produce a full load and you have a suitable space with the required connections; a 45 cm model is an option if width is limited.
Things to consider: with a slimline model, you may need to pay more attention to how you arrange the racks if you have large oven dishes.
Worth considering: there is no suitable space for an under-counter appliance in your kitchen and your washing-up loads are modest.
Things to consider: a small tub may mean running several cycles if your saucepans and dishes from a meal won't fit together.
Worth sticking with: you can't install an appliance, or you would rarely produce enough washing-up to fill one.
Things to consider: this option avoids taking up space with an appliance, but you'll still have to wash up after meals; how much it uses depends on your washing habits.
| Priority | What to check | How it fits my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Measure the space, access route and, for an integrated model, the cabinet recess and door fixing. Check the manual for the water inlet and drainage requirements. | Can my kitchen accommodate and connect the appliance without making it awkward to use every day? |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated place settings, space for oven dishes and the rack layout. Check whether the racks can be adjusted on the model you're considering. | I want to fit the dishes from a meal, including my saucepans, without having to run several cycles. |
| Water and energy | Compare litres per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles using the same label information. Check which programme the figures relate to: according to ADEME, consumption varies depending on factors including the model and programme. | The figures matter to me, but I also need to be able to wait until the appliance is full before starting it, as ADEME recommends. |
| Cycle duration | Check the duration of the Eco cycle on the label, then consult the manual for any other programmes you're considering. Don't assume Eco figures apply to a different cycle. | Can an Eco cycle fit in between my meals, or will I often need to use another programme? |
| Noise | Compare the dB level and noise class shown on the label for the models you're considering. | If I run the dishwasher while people are using the living area, its noise level becomes an important factor in my choice. |
This figure alone won't tell you whether your saucepans, serving bowls and larger utensils will fit in the racks.
Measure your bulkiest items and check the rack layout of the exact model before you order.
The figures on the label and the way a quick programme performs don't necessarily describe the same cycle. Duration also matters if you wash up between meals.
Check the Eco duration on the label and consult the manual for the programmes you expect to use.
A smaller tub may not fit both your everyday dishes and your oven dishes at the same time.
Compare its internal dimensions and capacity with a typical load from your meals.
If that load won't fit in the tub, you'll need to plan for extra cycles.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that a commercial warranty is optional and is in addition to statutory warranties; it does not replace them.
Before taking out an extended warranty, check its duration, geographical coverage, exclusions and the services included in the contract. Keep your purchase and installation documents too.
These examples show some formats worth looking at; their features don't apply to every model from each brand.
Bosch's French range includes freestanding dishwashers in 45 cm and 60 cm widths, with the 45 cm option suited to a smaller household or a more restricted space.
Beko offers, among other options, a fully integrated 45 cm model for kitchens with a suitable cabinet recess.
Siemens' French range includes 45 cm models as well as compact appliances in a range of sizes.
These tabletop and worktop models are compact options for smaller kitchens and modest loads. Their inclusion here doesn't, by itself, settle whether a compact model, a larger dishwasher or hand-washing is right for you.
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This tabletop model may be worth considering if you have a suitable space and regularly produce small loads.
The product title lists 7 programmes, a 24-hour delay start, energy class D and a noise level of 47 dB. Check the installation dimensions and connections; the stated Eco cycle duration for this model is 215 min.
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The stated tank capacity may appeal to households looking into a water supply that doesn't require a permanent connection.
The product title mentions 5+1 cycles. If you'd prefer to connect the appliance to a tap, check that it's compatible; the adapter is listed as not included. Compare the figures for the programme you'll use, and check its duration and noise level before choosing.
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Its stated capacity makes it worth checking whether you can load the plates and oven dishes from a meal together.
The product title mentions 7 programmes and energy class C. The product information describes a 5 L tank or a tap connection; check the installation requirements. The noise figures vary slightly, so check the label for the exact model before comparing noise levels.
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This worktop model is worth considering if your kitchen can't accommodate an under-counter appliance.
The product title lists a 5 L tank, 6+3 programmes and energy class D. Check the usable capacity against the dishes you usually wash, as well as the model's cycle durations, consumption and noise level. An adapter is listed as not included for connecting to a tap.
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For a small load, check that the tub can also accommodate your utensils and oven dishes.
The product title lists 3 place settings and a width of 34 cm. The description also mentions “up to 16 items”: check what you can actually load rather than treating these as equivalent figures. Before comparing, check the water supply requirements, cycle duration and basis of the stated consumption figures.
ADEME explains that the label includes information such as the energy class from A to G, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, Eco cycle duration and noise level with its class. Compare models on the same basis rather than trying to work out their consumption from a single letter.
It may be suitable if your loads are small and your dishes fit in the tub. Depending on the model, Siemens lists capacities of 6 place settings for compact 45 × 45 cm models, or up to 8 place settings for 45 × 60 cm models. Check there's room for your saucepans and consider how often you'd need to run a cycle at home.
ADEME advises against pre-rinsing and recommends waiting until the dishwasher is full before starting it. For solid food scraps and loading instructions, also follow the manual for your appliance.
Check the appliance and installation-space dimensions, the type of installation, and the water inlet, drainage and electrical supply requirements in the manual. For an integrated model, also check the cabinet recess dimensions and door fixing; for a compact model, check how the model you choose is supplied with water.
No. The Ministry of the Economy explains that a commercial warranty is optional and is in addition to the applicable statutory warranties; it does not replace them. Check what's covered, its duration and geographical coverage, and the terms and conditions before taking one out.