If your open-plan kitchen is close to your workspace, start by comparing dishwashers’ noise levels and noise ratings. Then check an independent test if you plan to run the appliance during calls. A delay-start function can move washing outside your working hours, but it won’t make the machine quieter. Before choosing a size, also check its capacity, programme lengths and whether it will fit in the space available.
Where the dishwasher is positioned and when you run a cycle will affect which features matter most.
If your workspace looks onto an open-plan kitchen, it’s worth paying particular attention to noise during calls or tasks that require concentration. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of this feature when a dishwasher shares your living space.
If you don’t need clean dishes straight away, check the length of the eco programme and whether the model you’re considering has a delay-start function. This lets you choose a start time that fits around your day.
A slimline or worktop model can free up space, as long as its capacity and washing frequency suit your needs. UFC-Que Choisir notes that slimline 45 cm models with space for 9 place settings can be an option for a small family, although they may need to run daily.
First decide whether the dishwasher will need to run while you’re working or whether you can run cycles at another time. Then compare its features with the amount of washing-up you generate and the space available.
| Feature | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Compare the dB level and noise rating on the energy label. If an independent test assessing noise disturbance is available for the models you’re considering, check that too. | I work or take calls nearby, so I need to decide whether the noise during a cycle will be acceptable at those times or plan to run it at another time. |
| Timing and duration | Check how long the eco programme takes, which other programmes are available and what settings the delay-start function offers. It postpones the start without changing how noisy the appliance is. | The dishes can wait until after my working day. On days when I need them sooner, I’ll check how long the programme I’ll actually use takes. |
| Water and energy | Check the energy rating, water consumption and length of the eco cycle. The European Commission’s energy-labelling rules base these comparisons on the eco programme, so don’t assume they apply to quick programmes. | I want to compare consumption on a like-for-like basis while also taking into account the programme I’ll use most often. |
| Capacity | Compare the number of place settings, the layout of the racks and how many cycles your usual load of dishes would require. | If I choose a smaller appliance to save space, I may need to run it more often. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth, including the space needed to open the door. For an integrated model, also check the cabinet niche, door panel and connections against the model’s instructions. | I need an appliance that fits the space and can be connected to the water supply, drainage and electricity in line with its instructions. |
In an open-plan kitchen, a product name alone won’t tell you how disruptive the appliance might be during calls. UFC-Que Choisir includes noise in its tests and also assesses noise disturbance.
Compare the figures on the energy label, then look at independent test results where available for the models you’re interested in.
The energy label figures are for comparing appliances using the eco programme. They don’t necessarily represent a quick or intensive cycle.
Check the manual and, where possible, look for tests of the programmes you plan to use. UFC-Que Choisir points out that the eco cycle takes longer in return for controlled water consumption.
An integrated dishwasher must be compatible with the space, door panel and connections available. The Bosch manual consulted warns that incorrect installation can pose a risk.
Take measurements and check the installation instructions for the exact model. Ask someone to confirm the installation if the existing connections don’t clearly match the instructions.
A smaller capacity may mean more frequent washes as dishes pile up, even if the appliance takes up less space.
Estimate your usual amount of washing-up and check the racks, as well as how often you’ll need to run a cycle.
The features below relate to specific models and don’t apply to every dishwasher from the same brand.
Freestanding and integrated models to consider, depending on your kitchen layout.
A brand to consider if you’re comparing programmes and scheduling options on an integrated model.
A delay-start function can be useful if you want the wash to begin after your working hours.
This selection includes worktop models, a freestanding dishwasher and an integrated model. First choose a format that suits your kitchen, then compare the noise and scheduling details that matter for your working-from-home routine.
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For a small household that can run the dishwasher outside call times: the product name lists a 24-hour delay start, 7 programmes and a stated noise level of 47 dB. Check the dimensions and connections required for your chosen space. This noise figure alone doesn’t tell you how disruptive the appliance will be in your room.
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Worth considering if you have space for a freestanding model and more dishes to wash; the product name lists 7 cycles. Before planning to run it near your workspace, compare its stated noise level and check its dimensions and any scheduling settings that could suit your routine.
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If space and wash times matter in your kitchen, the product name lists 9 programmes and a delay start of 1 to 24 hours. Check the exact depth before buying and confirm how it connects to the water supply and drainage. If you plan to run it while working, check its noise level too.
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This compact model may suit you if you have smaller loads and want to run the dishwasher after work. The product name lists 7 programmes and a 24-hour delay start. Check the available space and installation instructions, and find out how noisy it is before running it near your workspace.
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Worth considering if you already have a suitable cabinet niche and want the appliance to blend into your open-plan kitchen. The product name lists an energy rating of B. Check the niche, door panel and connections against the installation instructions, then compare the noise level of the programme you’ll use during working hours.
Compare the dB level and noise rating on the energy labels of the models you’re considering. If the dishwasher will be running during calls, an independent test that also assesses noise disturbance is a useful addition. UFC-Que Choisir includes this assessment in its testing process.
No, not if you need your dishes back quickly. UFC-Que Choisir describes the eco programme as taking longer in return for controlled water consumption, and the European energy-label figures are based on this programme. Compare the duration and consumption of any other cycles you plan to use separately.
No. It changes when the cycle starts, not how noisy the appliance is. It can help you run a wash after calls or your working day, as long as the function and its scheduling options suit your routine. For example, Miele France lists a setting of up to 24 hours on the G 5663 SCVi Active E.
Measure the cabinet niche and check the door panel, door clearance and connections specified in the instructions for the exact model. A Bosch manual, for example, lists the water supply, drainage and electrical connection separately, so the stated width alone won’t confirm that the appliance can be installed.
No. In France, for a new dishwasher bought from a professional seller, the Ministry of the Economy states that you can claim under the legal guarantee of conformity for two years if the product doesn’t conform to the contract. Any commercial warranty is in addition to this protection, not a replacement for it.