For a kitchen without a dedicated space, choose a freestanding dishwasher if you have room on the floor and accessible connections. A compact countertop model may be a good option if floor space is limited and you don’t have much washing up; an integrated model, on the other hand, needs a compatible cabinet space and door panel.
Without a dedicated space, you’ll need an appliance that can be installed independently of the kitchen units. UFC-Que Choisir explains that a freestanding model comes with finished sides and doesn’t need a cabinet door panel.
You don’t have much washing up, but need to save space on the floor or worktop. The usable capacity matters just as much as the appliance’s dimensions.
You’ll want to check whether the dishwasher can be installed without altering the property or its fittings. If alterations are needed, ANIL advises that you must get the landlord’s written consent.
First, choose a type that suits the space you have in mind. Then check its dimensions and connection requirements against your kitchen’s actual layout.
Consider this if: you have a space on the floor but no built-in cabinet space.
The trade-off: choosing between 60 cm and 45 cm depends on the space available and the capacity you need.
Consider this if: you have room for the appliance on your worktop and don’t have much washing up each day.
The trade-off: its smaller capacity may mean running it more often.
Consider this if: you have a compatible cabinet space and door panel, or they’re part of a clearly defined kitchen project.
The limitation: according to UFC-Que Choisir, this type must be fitted into a cabinet space; it can’t replace a freestanding model in a kitchen without suitable units.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | Locate the water inlet, drain and power socket, then check they’re accessible and meet the requirements in the model’s instructions. | To install the appliance as soon as I move in, I want to connect it without needing uncertain alterations; around 28% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Capacity and positioning | Compare the amount of washing up you produce between washes with the model’s capacity, then measure the available width for a 60 cm or 45 cm freestanding dishwasher. | When washing up piles up every day, I want enough capacity without relying on a cabinet space. Capacity and flexibility in where I can position it would be the top priorities for around 28% of consumers. |
| Space required | For a compact countertop model, check there’s enough room on the worktop and look at its stated place settings. UFC-Que Choisir features models with a capacity of 6 place settings. | In a small kitchen, I’d rather save floor space, even if that means running more cycles; around 22% of consumers would prioritise a compact design in the same way. |
| Fit with your kitchen units | Before choosing an integrated model, confirm the dimensions of the planned cabinet space and make sure the door panel is compatible. | If I’m planning a fitted kitchen, I want the appliance to suit the units I’ll have in future rather than buying it too soon. Around 22% of consumers would make this forward planning their priority. |
An appliance may be the right width but still not fit beneath your worktop or leave enough depth for the connections. Bosch recommends measuring the width, height and depth of the space.
Measure the whole space before choosing. If you’re installing it beneath a worktop, also check whether the model’s top panel can be removed and what its height would be without it.
Saving space doesn’t, on its own, tell you how much washing up you need to do. The compact models with 6 place settings featured by UFC-Que Choisir have less capacity than freestanding models.
Work out how much washing up you produce between washes before ruling out a 45 cm freestanding model, if you have room to install one.
If the capacity is too small for your needs, you may have to run more frequent cycles.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an integrated dishwasher must be fitted into a dedicated cabinet space and have a suitable door panel.
Choose this type only if you have compatible kitchen units already or have a clear plan for them. If you don’t have a cabinet space, look at freestanding options instead.
A straightforward connection and alterations to a rented property or its fittings are not the same thing. ANIL advises that the latter requires the landlord’s written consent.
Set out the work you’re planning and get consent before doing anything that alters the property or its fittings.
Check how much space you have, and make sure you can access a water inlet, a drain and a power socket. Then compare the appliance’s dimensions and the connection instructions in its manual with the space you’ve chosen.
A compact model may suit you if floor space is limited and its capacity is enough for your everyday washing up. UFC-Que Choisir features countertop compact models with 6 place settings and 45 cm models with 9 place settings. If you have room for a freestanding appliance, compare their capacities before choosing.
Not like an appliance that simply stands on the floor. According to UFC-Que Choisir, an integrated model must be fitted into a cabinet space. If you don’t have a suitable space and door panel, choose a type that works with your current kitchen, or wait until your kitchen plans are finalised.
Get written consent if installation involves altering the property or its fittings, as ANIL advises for France. A straightforward connection that doesn’t involve alterations shouldn’t automatically be treated as this type of work. First, check exactly what the installation will involve.
Check the energy label for consumption in kWh per 100 standard cycles, then take each appliance’s capacity into account to find the right one for your needs. ADEME and the European Commission explain this measure. The energy efficiency letter alone doesn’t replace a comparison of the figures.