First, choose a format that suits the available space, your kitchen units and your connections: freestanding if you’re happy for the appliance to be on show, integrated if you have a suitable housing unit and door, or compact if space is limited and you have fewer dishes to wash. Then compare capacity, water and electricity use, Eco programme duration and noise levels using the information for the specific model. A smaller appliance may need to run more cycles, while an Eco programme can take longer.
If plates, cutlery and dishes pile up between washes, check the number of place settings, as well as the basket layout and the space available in your kitchen. The stated capacity doesn’t tell you on its own how much room there is for large dishes.
Cycle noise can matter just as much as the space an appliance takes up. Compare the stated noise level in dB, then measure the space you have: a slimline appliance and a compact model that sits on your worktop solve different space constraints.
To compare regular use, ADEME recommends checking the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle. Also look at capacity and Eco programme duration: an energy rating letter doesn’t tell you everything you need to know.
Start by measuring the space and checking which connections are available. The energy label, as described by ADEME and the European Commission, then lets you compare the Eco programme data, capacity and noise levels of the models you’re considering.
Consider it: if you have a measured space and don’t want to fit a kitchen unit door to the appliance.
Bear in mind: the appliance will be on show. Don’t assume it will fit under a worktop without checking the dimensions and the model’s instructions.
Consider it: if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit and you want the appliance to blend in with your kitchen furniture.
Bear in mind: the housing unit, door and connections must all be suitable for the model you choose. Bosch explains that a fully integrated model needs a kitchen unit door.
Consider it: when space is limited and you have relatively few dishes to wash between cycles.
Bear in mind: check that your pans and dishes will actually fit inside. Que Choisir features some worktop models with a capacity of 6 place settings, but that doesn’t apply to every model.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Number of place settings and basket layout; width, height and depth of the space available. | If dishes pile up after meals, I want to avoid running another cycle without choosing an appliance that’s too large for my kitchen. Around 33% of consumers might make this their top priority. |
| Water and electricity | kWh per 100 cycles and litres per reference cycle, compared for suitable capacities and usage patterns. | With regular washes, I want to limit the water and electricity used in each cycle. This could be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Noise | Noise level in dB and noise class on the model’s label. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to run a wash without the appliance disturbing everyone at home. Nearly 25% of consumers might prioritise a quieter appliance above all else. |
| Cycle duration | Stated duration of the Eco programme and the conditions for any other programmes you plan to use. | After a meal, I need clean dishes to be ready at a time that fits my daily routine. For around 17% of consumers, this could take priority over other factors. |
Two appliances may not suit the same needs in terms of capacity or cycle duration. ADEME and the European Commission also point out that the label shows reference consumption, Eco programme duration and noise levels.
Compare these details across models that suit your dishes and available space, rather than looking at the letter alone.
An incompatible housing unit or door can prevent installation, even if the stated width seems right.
Measure the width, height and depth, then compare them with the installation diagram and the model’s door requirements.
If the kitchen units or connections need altering, budget for this work separately: Electrolux states that its pre-installation service doesn’t include carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
Que Choisir features worktop models with a capacity of 6 place settings, while the Joybuy product listing for the Bob compact model states 2 place settings. So the word ‘compact’ doesn’t tell you how many dishes your model can hold.
Think about what builds up between washes, including large dishes, then check the capacity and internal space of the model you’re considering.
Regular use involves more than loading the appliance and starting a cycle: consumables and maintenance also need attention.
Check the model’s instructions to find out which products you’ll need and how to care for the appliance.
Detergent, and depending on the model and how you use it, dishwasher salt and rinse aid all need replenishing.
A brand worth looking at if you’re deciding between freestanding and integrated: its French-language pages cover both installation types.
A useful reference when planning an integrated installation and distinguishing the appliance connections from other work needed in the kitchen.
A compact model to consider when available space matters more than the amount of washing up you can do in one go.
These models let you compare the three formats covered here: integrated, compact worktop and freestanding. First choose one that can be installed in your home, then compare its capacity and energy label details with your washing-up routine.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen with a suitable housing unit and a household that wants to wash a large load in one go. The model name indicates an A energy rating; check the housing unit, door and noise levels for the programme you plan to use.
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Consider it if you have a suitable worktop and your washing-up load is right for a capacity of 6 place settings. The product name lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating; check its full dimensions and connections, and make sure there’s room inside for your larger dishes.
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Worth considering if you have space for a freestanding model and want to fit in a large everyday load. The product name lists 7 cycles; check the model’s label for the Eco programme duration, then measure the space available.
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Worth comparing if you want to wash a full load in a space that suits a 60 cm freestanding model. The model name indicates an E energy rating; check the consumption figures and Eco programme duration on its label before deciding whether it suits regular use.
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Worth considering for a kitchen with a compatible housing unit and door, if a capacity of 13 place settings suits your washing-up load. The model name indicates a B energy rating; check the installation dimensions, hinge and Eco programme details in the model documentation.
For a domestic dishwasher sold in the European Union, the label includes the A to G energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise levels, according to the European Commission. Compare these details for models that suit the amount of washing up you have: the rating alone won’t tell you how much space you need or how long a wash will take.
Yes, as long as the programme finishes in time for you to have clean dishes when you need them. Check the duration stated for the specific model, and don’t assume that the Eco programme’s consumption figures apply to its other programmes.
Measure the width, height and depth of the housing unit, then compare them with the model’s installation diagram and check which door it needs. Also check your existing connections; Electrolux’s pre-installation guide distinguishes connecting the appliance from carpentry, plumbing and electrical work.
ADEME recommends waiting until it’s full and avoiding a prewash to reduce water use. However, load it according to the model’s instructions, making sure nothing blocks the spray arms, and consider when you’ll need clean dishes again.