For an open-plan kitchen, first choose a size that suits your available space and everyday washing-up, then compare noise, water and energy use, and the Eco programme duration on the labels of the models you’re considering. Noise class A or B is a useful starting point according to ADEME, but vibrations and high-pitched sounds can also disturb people in the room, as Test Achats points out.
In an open-plan living space, finding the right balance depends as much on when the dishwasher is running as it does on the available space and the amount of washing-up.
If a cycle is running during a meal, a conversation or while you’re working from home, check the stated noise level, as well as the programme duration and any sounds that might draw your attention. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights the importance of noise in open-plan kitchens.
A stated capacity of 13 or 14 place settings may suit you if meals quickly fill the baskets. Also check whether there’s room for dishes and saucepans, then compare the water and energy figures for the Eco programme.
A compact dishwasher can free up floor space, provided its capacity is enough for your usual washing-up. Before choosing a countertop model, check where it will go and how the water supply and waste outlets will be connected.
First decide which type can be installed in your home. Then compare the labels of models with a capacity that suits your mealtime routine.
Consider this if: you have a suitable space and compatible door front, and want the dishwasher to blend in with your kitchen units.
Bear in mind: the dimensions and door fixing must be suitable; a built-in design alone doesn’t guarantee quieter operation.
Consider this if: you have space for a standalone appliance and want a capacity suited to your everyday meals.
Bear in mind: the appliance will be visible in your open-plan kitchen; a programme called ‘Silence’ is no substitute for comparing the acoustic information on the label.
Consider this if: available space matters more than a large capacity. UFC-Que Choisir highlights countertop models with a capacity of 6 place settings, for example.
Bear in mind: a smaller interior may mean running more cycles if dishes and saucepans start to pile up.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Compare the noise class and stated dB on the label. To distinguish between similar models, also look for information about vibrations, high-pitched sounds and beeps. | I want to be able to run a cycle while someone nearby is eating, working or resting. Test Achats notes that the average noise level and how disruptive it feels don’t always correspond. |
| Capacity | Check the number of place settings, the basket layout and the space available for your larger dishes. Measure the space before choosing a size. | Do my meals create enough washing-up to regularly fill a large dishwasher, or would a compact model avoid taking up unnecessary space? |
| Water and energy | Check the litres per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles shown on the label together, and compare them with the capacity. ADEME explains these reference units. | If I run the dishwasher often, I want to compare consumption for a load that reflects the washing-up I actually have. |
| Eco programme duration | Check the Eco programme duration on the label. See the manual for details of the conditions for quick, automatic or Silence programmes. | Can a cycle started after a meal finish at a time that suits me, without assuming another programme will take the same time or use the same amount of energy and water? |
| Repairability | If you’re buying in France, check the model’s repairability index and its breakdown, then look at the manufacturer’s information about spare parts. The French ministry responsible for ecological transition states that dishwashers are covered by this index. | I want to be able to assess whether the appliance can be repaired, as well as looking at its features and noise level. |
In an open-plan kitchen, vibrations or high-pitched sounds can attract attention even when the dB figure looks appealing. Test Achats distinguishes these noises from the average measurement.
Use the noise class and dB figures to compare labels, then, if possible, look for tests covering vibrations and audible alerts on the models you’ve shortlisted.
Energy use per cycle doesn’t tell you how many cycles you’ll need to wash all your dishes if the interior is too small.
Compare the capacity you need for your usual loads with the litres per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration shown on the label.
A quick, automatic or Silence cycle may use different settings from the reference programme used for the figures on the label.
Check the manual to see which programme each figure relates to before comparing the duration, water or energy use of two models.
Noise levels and programmes don’t tell you how easy the appliance will be to repair in future. In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition presents the repairability index as a guide that applies to dishwashers.
Check the index and its breakdown for the exact model you’re considering, along with information about spare parts.
These examples highlight features of specific models; they don’t describe every dishwasher made by each brand.
Bosch offers, among other options, 60 cm freestanding and fully integrated models to consider based on the space you have available.
The WH2FD14BN70 is a 60 cm freestanding model for households looking for a capacity of 14 place settings.
The G 7260 SCVi is a 60 cm fully integrated model to consider if you have a compatible space for installation.
Beko offers freestanding and built-in dishwashers. The LVV1347W is one example of a 60 cm freestanding model.
This Joybuy selection includes freestanding dishwashers for larger loads, a built-in model and a compact countertop option. For each one, check the space available and the features that suit your washing-up routine.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a standalone appliance for a busy household. The product name lists a width of 60 cm, a capacity of 14 place settings and a stainless steel finish. Check the exact dimensions before deciding where to put it.
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This freestanding size could suit you if you need plenty of capacity for regular meals. The product name lists 14 place settings and 7 programmes; compare the energy label and the model’s dimensions before choosing where to put it.
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Worth considering if you have a space designed for a built-in dishwasher. The product name lists a width of 60 cm and a capacity of 13 place settings; have the space dimensions and door-front compatibility confirmed before buying.
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This standalone model could suit a household that often fills the dishwasher. The product name specifies a width of 60 cm and a capacity of 14 place settings. Check how much space it needs and compare its Eco programme duration and acoustic figures with those of other models you’re considering.
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This countertop model is worth considering if space is limited and your loads are small. The product name lists 6 place settings, 7 programmes and 47 dB; check that there’s room for your dishes, as well as suitable water and waste connections.
No. It’s a useful first filter, but it doesn’t give you the full picture of the sounds you’ll hear in the room. ADEME identifies classes A and B as particularly quiet; also compare the dB level and cycle duration and, if possible, look for tests that distinguish between vibrations and high-pitched sounds. Test Achats points out that the average measurement doesn’t always reflect how disruptive a sound feels.
Compare the capacity, litres of water per cycle, energy use in kWh per 100 cycles and programme duration, rather than looking at just one figure. ADEME explains the units used for water and energy; the European Commission states that dishwashers covered by the rules have an Eco programme. Check the figures for a quick programme separately if that’s the one you expect to use often.
Yes, if space is your main constraint and its capacity is enough for your usual loads. UFC-Que Choisir highlights countertop models with a capacity of 6 place settings. Check the stated noise level, whether there’s room for larger utensils and whether you can connect the water supply and waste outlet.
Check the repairability index and its breakdown for the exact model, then look at the manufacturer’s information about spare parts. The ministry responsible for ecological transition states that the index applies to dishwashers and provides information about their repairability; it doesn’t replace checking the terms that apply to the model you’re considering.