A dishwasher could be a good fit if dirty dishes build up regularly and your kitchen has a suitable space and connections. Start by choosing a size with enough capacity for your household, then compare the stated noise levels and energy and water consumption on a like-for-like basis. In an open-plan kitchen, these factors matter more than the name of a programme. If you have few dishes or the amount varies greatly, washing up by hand may still make more sense than installing a bulky appliance.
If the dishwasher will be running while you’re chatting, working from home or relaxing, compare the stated noise level in decibels and the acoustic class of the models you’re considering. Que Choisir highlights how important noise levels are when the kitchen opens onto the living area.
If plates, glasses and dishes pile up after several meals, the stated place-setting capacity is only a starting point. Also check whether the racks can accommodate the crockery and cookware you use regularly.
A 45 cm model is worth considering if there isn’t room for a wider one, provided it has enough capacity. Beko, for example, lists 45 cm models with a capacity of 10 place settings. Check the exact model and its full dimensions.
First decide whether your washing-up needs justify an appliance, then check that its capacity and installation type suit the space available. For an open-plan kitchen, compare the noise levels and consumption figures of models that can actually be installed there.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Noise | Compare the stated decibel levels and acoustic class of the exact models. Check the conditions for any quiet programme. | I want to be able to run a cycle without the noise disrupting activities in the living area too much. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated place-setting capacity with the number of people and meals in your household. Check whether the racks have room for your pots and dishes. | We get through a lot of dishes, so an appliance that’s too small could mean running more frequent cycles. |
| Consumption | According to ADEME, the label shows figures including kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the Eco programme. Compare these figures on the same basis, then take your likely usage into account. | I want to estimate how much the appliance will use without assuming that a narrower model will necessarily use less day to day. |
| Installation | Measure the height, width and depth. For a built-in model, check the recess and door panel too. Confirm the connections before ordering. | If space is tight or we don’t have many dishes to wash, I’d rather check whether installing an appliance makes sense. |
A marketing name won’t tell you how the noise from two different models will compare in an open-plan kitchen.
Check the decibel level and acoustic class of the exact model. If you’re interested in a quiet programme, check that it’s available and find out how it can be used.
The space you save may not be worth it if your usual dishes won’t fit or the capacity means you’ll need to run more cycles.
Measure the whole space and consider what one or two days’ worth of washing-up looks like, including pots and pans, before choosing the racks and capacity.
The litres and kWh shown for the Eco programme won’t necessarily reflect a quick cycle or other type of use.
Compare label figures calculated on the same basis, then estimate how many cycles your household would actually run.
The height, depth, recess, door panel or connections could prevent you from installing a model that otherwise fits the available width.
Check the dimensions and connections before ordering. If you’re replacing an appliance, also check the applicable repairability index and the arrangements for taking away your old appliance.
Depending on your home and the retailer, delivery, installation or alterations to the recess may require extra arrangements.
These ranges give you an idea of the available sizes and features. Check the specifications for each model individually; they may differ from the appliances featured below.
Bosch offers freestanding and built-in dishwashers. The SMS4ECI28F is an example of a 60 cm freestanding model.
Beko’s French range includes 45 cm freestanding dishwashers for kitchens with limited space.
Miele offers built-in and fully integrated dishwashers, with different rack layouts across its models.
Whirlpool offers 45 and 60 cm models, as well as several installation types, including built-in.
These options include a 60 cm built-in model and compact appliances designed for smaller amounts of washing-up. Their inclusion here doesn’t, on its own, settle the choice between using a dishwasher and washing up by hand.
Image unavailable
With a capacity of 13 place settings and integrated installation, this model could suit a household that regularly fills its dishwasher and has a suitable recess. Its specifications list 44 dB(A), while the Extra Silence programme is listed at 42 dBA. Compare the reference noise level on the label, as well as the Eco programme’s consumption figures. Also check the recess, door panel and connections.
Image unavailable
This tabletop model is designed for smaller amounts of washing-up, rather than dishes building up over several meals. Its specifications list a capacity of 3 place settings, seven programmes and either a 5 l water tank or a tap connection. The stated noise level is 56.3 dB. If you’ll be using it in your living area, check its reference noise level, dimensions and Eco programme figures.
Image unavailable
At 37 cm wide, this model could be worth considering if space is tight. Its description lists a capacity of 4 place settings and says it can be filled from the water tank or connected to a tap. Measure the available height too, and check the connections. For an open-plan kitchen, check the stated noise level and Eco programme consumption figures before comparing it with other models.
Image unavailable
This compact model, with a capacity of 3 place settings, is worth considering if you have few dishes to wash and space on your worktop. Its specifications list 43 dB, 2.9 l of water and 0.39 kWh per cycle. Before comparing these figures with an Eco label, check which programme they refer to, as well as the connections required.
Image unavailable
With a stated capacity of 2 place settings, this version is designed for very small amounts of washing-up. Its specifications list five programmes, 43 dB, 1.9 l of water and 0.39 kWh per cycle. Before choosing it, check the installation type and connections, and find out which programme the noise and consumption figures refer to.
Check the capacity in place settings, stated noise level and acoustic class, then the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and duration of the Eco programme. ADEME recommends using these label figures to compare models, but they don’t necessarily describe a quick programme.
The stated noise level and acoustic class let you compare specific models, while a quiet programme may have its own conditions of use. In an open-plan kitchen, also think about when you plan to run the appliance and for how long.
No: 45 cm refers first and foremost to the width. Compare the litres per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles for the Eco programme, then estimate how many cycles you’ll need with the capacity you choose.
For dishwashers covered by the scheme, the repairability index out of 10 helps you compare how easy different models are to repair, according to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition. It doesn’t predict whether a fault will occur or how much a particular repair will cost.
Ask the retailer about taking it back before delivery. Guidance from the French Ministry for Ecological Transition includes a ‘one for one’ take-back scheme when you buy an appliance of the same type. Confirm with the retailer how this works in practice for a bulky appliance.