Start by checking the space and connections, then compare the stated noise level, usable basket capacity and Eco programme consumption. If the dishwasher will be running while you’re in the living room, give noise more weight. If meals quickly fill the baskets, choose a capacity and layout that suit your dishes rather than picking a size based solely on its footprint.
If the dishwasher will be running while people are using the living room, compare its stated noise level and noise class. Que Choisir highlights how important noise is in an open-plan kitchen, while ADEME identifies classes A and B as particularly quiet.
To handle plates, cutlery and utensils without repeatedly rearranging the load, compare the stated capacity with your usual load and check how the baskets accommodate your crockery. Que Choisir also lists capacity among the key criteria to consider.
If the available space calls for a narrower appliance, a compact model or an integrated design, measure the space carefully and check the installation type before comparing models.
When choosing a dishwasher for family meals in an open-plan kitchen, first check that it can be installed, then weigh up noise, capacity and running costs. ADEME and Que Choisir recommend taking noise into account, while the energy label and product specifications provide useful points of comparison.
| Criteria | What to check | Who considers it important |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the living space quiet | Compare the decibel rating and noise class for the exact model, and check which programme the stated specifications relate to. | If the dishwasher will be running while people are using the living room, keeping the space quiet becomes a top priority; around 29% of consumers make it their main buying priority. |
| Handling the load after meals | Compare the number of place settings with your usual dishes and check that the baskets suit your plates, serving dishes and utensils. | After a meal, being able to load plates and cutlery without repeatedly rearranging them may matter most; around 29% of consumers prioritise dishwasher capacity. |
| Fitting your kitchen | Measure the space and compare it with the model’s dimensions and installation plan; locate the water, electricity and drainage connections. | When the available space or kitchen units limit your options, installation compatibility becomes decisive; around 21% of consumers put it first. |
| Running costs | Compare kWh/100 cycles, litres per cycle and the Eco programme duration, then factor in how often you wash and your tariffs. | If you run the dishwasher often, ongoing costs may matter more than the purchase price alone; around 21% of consumers prioritise running costs. |
These terms refer to different dimensions and installation types. For example, the documented Electrolux ESL2500RO is 55 cm wide, while the Beko BDFS26040X is listed in a 45 cm format; the Bosch SBH4HB808E is 865 mm tall.
Identify the dimension that’s actually limiting your options, then check the model’s installation measurements rather than relying on its name alone.
Depending on the space and installation type, you may also need to adapt the kitchen units or arrange professional installation.
Decibel ratings and noise classes help you compare models, but they don’t describe how noisy a dishwasher will seem in every kitchen.
Compare the specifications for the exact model and consider how close it is to the living room, as well as when you plan to use it.
Running costs also include installation, water, electricity and the products needed for washing. Consumption figures alone aren’t enough to calculate your bill without knowing how often you wash and what tariffs you pay.
Estimate costs based on your own cycles and tariffs, and check separately what’s included in delivery and installation.
You’ll also need to allow for detergent, rinse aid and salt, depending on how you use the appliance and what it requires.
An anti-leak system doesn’t mean that the whole installation or all the plumbing is covered. Bosch states that faulty supply pipes and taps upstream of the AquaStop connection aren’t covered by its AquaStop-specific guarantee.
Check exactly what protection the model includes and read the relevant terms without assuming they apply to other appliances.
Depending on your setup, professional installation or suitable accessories may be needed.
The freestanding SMS4ELW21E and fully integrated SBH4HB808E show two installation options worth comparing.
The ESL2500RO is an example of a compact, fully integrated dishwasher for smaller loads and kitchens with a particular layout.
The BDFS26040X is a 45 cm freestanding model to consider if the available width is a key factor in your choice.
This selection includes freestanding dishwashers and a fully integrated model. Compare their specifications to find the right fit for your mealtime loads, available space and open-plan kitchen.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model with a stated capacity of 14 place settings for family meals.
14 place settings; stated noise level of 41 dB; class C; 9.5 L per Eco cycle; third cutlery drawer; 11 stated programmes.
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Worth looking at if you want an appliance that blends into your kitchen units and a stated capacity of 14 place settings.
14 place settings; stated noise level of 42 dB; class A; stated dimensions of 59.5 × 81.5 × 55.5 cm; Extra Silence programme rated at 42 dB. The door opens automatically at the end of the cycle, so keep the space in front of the appliance clear.
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Worth considering if a freestanding design and a stated capacity of 14 place settings suit your space and your dishes.
14 place settings; stated noise level of 41 dB; class C; stated Eco, Auto, Intensive and Quick programmes. Automatic door opening at the end of the cycle can release steam: don’t stand in front of the door and keep children away.
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Worth a look if you’re after a freestanding model with a stated capacity of 14 place settings.
14 place settings; stated noise level of 41 dB; class D; stated automatic, Good Night and quick wash programmes; adjustable basket.
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Worth considering if a freestanding design and a stated capacity of 14 place settings suit your usual load.
14 place settings; stated noise level of 46 dB; class E; six programmes and a 1–8-hour delay start.
Compare the decibel rating and noise class for the exact model rather than applying a universal limit. ADEME identifies classes A and B as particularly quiet. Also consider how close the dishwasher is to the living room and when you’ll use it, without assuming that any appliance will be inaudible.
Measure the space and compare the results with the model’s installation plan, particularly for a fitted door or a taller appliance. Locate the water, electricity and drainage connections, ask what the installation includes and follow the model’s instructions.
No. Bosch describes a system that shuts off the water supply when a leak is detected, but states that faulty pipes and taps upstream of the AquaStop connection aren’t covered by its AquaStop-specific guarantee. Check the system supplied and the applicable guarantee terms separately.
Not necessarily: your bill also depends on how often you run cycles and the tariffs you pay. Use the kWh/100 cycles and litres per cycle to compare appliances, then estimate your own usage using your figures. Allow separately for detergent, rinse aid and salt, as needed.
The Eco programme duration helps you work out whether it fits around your mealtimes. ADEME says it can use less electricity than the intensive programme; results depend on the conditions, so this isn’t a promise that will apply to every appliance or cycle.