If several people cook regularly, a 60 cm dishwasher is a good starting point, provided your kitchen has room for one: according to Whirlpool France’s guide, this size offers at least 12 place settings, compared with up to 10 for a 45 cm model. Then choose between a freestanding and an integrated model based on the space and kitchen front, and compare capacity, Eco programme consumption and duration, and noise levels on the energy label rather than looking at the energy rating alone.
If plates, glasses and dishes pile up between cycles, start by considering a 60 cm model. Whirlpool France’s guide says this size offers at least 12 place settings. Also check that the baskets can fit the pans and dishes you use at home.
An integrated model is a good fit if the housing unit, installation plan and kitchen door are compatible with your chosen appliance. Measure the space and check the furniture door before ordering: Electrolux, for example, states that its EEM48300L is supplied without a furniture door.
A 45 cm model is worth considering if there’s no room for a 60 cm appliance and you’re happy to run cycles more often. Whirlpool France says 45 cm dishwashers offer up to 10 place settings. Compare this with the size of your larger dishes and the amount of washing up produced between cycles.
Consider this if: you regularly have a pile of washing up and have a suitable space available.
Keep in mind: measure all the space you’ll need, including room to open the door.
Consider this if: you have a suitable housing unit and want to keep the kitchen’s existing look.
Keep in mind: check the installation requirements and confirm that the furniture door is compatible with the exact model.
Consider this if: there isn’t room for a 60 cm model and you have a moderate amount of washing up.
Keep in mind: a smaller capacity may mean running more cycles when several people cook.
| What to consider | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the stated place settings and the basket layout. Whirlpool France says 45 cm models offer up to 10 place settings, while 60 cm models hold at least 12. | Several people prepare meals here: I want to fit in the dishes and pans left between cycles too. |
| Water and energy | The ADEME and European Commission say the energy label shows kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the Eco programme. Compare these figures alongside capacity and Eco programme duration. | For frequent washing, I want to compare the same figures across appliances, without assuming that other programmes use as much as the Eco programme. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dB on the energy label and see whether the model you’re considering can be programmed to run at a particular time. | The kitchen opens onto a living room or bedrooms: wash times and the stated noise level matter to me. |
| Installation | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the door opening and connections. For an integrated model, also check the housing-unit plan and kitchen-front requirements. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to make sure the appliance and, if required, its furniture door can be installed in the space available. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you on its own how easily pans and larger dishes will fit in the baskets. If the layout is awkward, you may have to wash some items separately.
Check the basket layout and adjustments, keeping in mind the utensils your household uses most.
The rating doesn’t tell you everything about capacity, Eco cycle duration or noise. The figures on the label relate to the reference programme and don’t automatically describe other programmes.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per Eco cycle, programme duration, place settings and dB using the same measures.
Dimensions and kitchen-front installation requirements vary by model. Electrolux, for example, states that its EEM48300L is supplied without a furniture door.
Measure the housing unit, check the installation plan for your chosen appliance and confirm which kitchen door will be used.
In a shared home, loading habits affect how many cycles you run.
The ADEME advises against pre-rinsing dishes and recommends waiting until the dishwasher is full before starting a cycle.
These examples give you a sense of the sizes and features to compare across specific models. They don’t necessarily apply to every appliance from each brand.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated models, and their dimensions and energy-label figures can help you decide what to look for.
The fully integrated EEM48300L is a useful example for checking capacity and kitchen-front requirements in a fitted kitchen.
Whirlpool models let you compare a 60 cm freestanding appliance with a slimline model.
These freestanding and integrated models let you explore options for handling the regular washing up in a shared home. Check the dimensions and energy-label figures for your chosen model before deciding.
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Compare its stated capacity of 14 place settings with the amount of washing up produced between cycles in your shared home.
The product name lists seven programmes. Check the available space, basket layout and Eco programme duration if these will affect your choice.
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The 60 cm size and stated capacity of 14 place settings are worth considering if several people cook regularly.
The product name lists an E energy rating. Before comparing its energy use with another model, check the kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration on its energy label. Also measure the space available.
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Consider this integrated model for a fitted kitchen only after checking the housing unit and kitchen front.
The product name lists 14 place settings and an E energy rating. Check the installation plan for this model and its energy label to compare energy use and Eco programme duration.
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Its stated capacity of 13 place settings could suit shared meals, provided the interior layout also works for the dishes your household uses.
The product name lists a C energy rating. Check the installation dimensions, kitchen-front compatibility and Eco programme energy-use figures for this model.
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If your kitchen is close to your living space, compare its stated noise level of 41 dB with the other models you’re considering.
The product name lists 14 place settings and a C energy rating. The description says the door opens automatically at the end of the cycle, so keep the space in front of the appliance clear and take care around hot steam. Also check the Eco programme figures on the energy label.
It can be a good fit if you have a moderate amount of washing up between cycles and don’t mind running the dishwasher more often. Whirlpool France says a 45 cm model offers up to 10 place settings, compared with at least 12 for a 60 cm model. Also check there’s room for your larger dishes.
Compare capacity, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per Eco cycle, Eco programme duration, noise level and energy rating. The ADEME and European Commission explain that these figures appear on dishwasher energy labels. The reference cycle figures don’t automatically describe a quick or intensive programme.
They let you compare energy, water and duration on a consistent basis, but won’t predict the consumption of every programme. If you need to use the dishwasher several times a day, also check whether the stated Eco programme duration works with your household’s routine.
Measure the housing unit and check the installation plan for the exact model, then check the furniture door and required connections. Electrolux France’s product information for the EEM48300L, for example, states that it’s supplied without a furniture door. Don’t assume the door from your existing kitchen will fit.