A first dishwasher is well worth considering if dishes regularly pile up and running a full load would save you from a repetitive chore. If you only have a few items to wash after each meal, washing up by hand may still be simpler. Before choosing a size, compare the space available with the volume of your dishes, then check the noise level, Eco cycle figures and required connections.
If plates, glasses and utensils pile up after meals, estimate how much you could load between cycles. Capacity and the layout inside the machine matter just as much as being able to wait until you have a sufficiently full load.
A 45 cm width can make installation easier when a 60 cm model won’t fit. However, check that the racks can hold your pans and that the time it takes to fill the machine suits your daily routine.
If you run the machine while you’re in the living area, compare the noise level in decibels and the noise class. Also consider how long the cycle you’ll use most often takes.
Start with the amount of washing-up you actually produce and the space available. Then compare the usage figures for models that will fit.
| Criteria | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and size | Measure the space for a 45 or 60 cm model. Compare the stated place settings with your usual loads, and check that the racks have room for large dishes. | My pans and plates need to fit without making me run the machine frequently when it’s only half full. |
| Consumption | Check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration on the label. According to ADEME, the water and energy figures are based on reference cycles, so compare them on the same basis. | I want to be able to plan regular cycles and compare their consumption without assuming the Eco programme figures apply to every other programme. |
| Noise | Compare the stated dB level and noise class for each model. Also consider the cycle duration in relation to your schedule. | In an open-plan kitchen, noise matters particularly if the machine is running while we’re in the room. |
| Washing and drying | Look for programmes suited to your dishes, and distinguish between the quick cycle and the Eco cycle. To assess washing and drying results, consult comparative tests for the exact model, where available. | A short cycle might come in handy, but I don’t want to assume it washes, dries or uses as little energy as the Eco programme. |
| Installation and maintenance | Check the water supply, drainage and electricity supply at the intended location. For an integrated model, also check the housing and door panel; find out about commissioning and the consumables required. | I’d rather know before ordering whether my kitchen needs adapting and which products I’ll need for everyday use. |
| How often you’ll use it | Over several meals, keep track of how much washing-up you produce and how long you spend doing it. Consider whether you’d regularly fill a machine rather than leaving dishes waiting for a long time. | If I can easily wash a few items after each meal, I can put off buying one. If the chore starts to pile up, a machine becomes more appealing. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your large pans will fit in the racks, or how often you’ll fill the machine.
Consider how much washing-up piles up between washes, measure your bulkier items and check the layout inside the model you’re considering.
The class doesn’t tell you everything about consumption or cycle duration. The label figures are for reference cycles, not a description of every programme.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco cycle duration, then look separately at the programmes you’ll use.
Basic commissioning doesn’t necessarily include installing a water supply, drainage or electricity connection. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes this work from the connections made as part of a basic installation.
Check the connections before ordering and ask what delivery and commissioning include. For an integrated model, also find out about the door panel and its installation.
Dishwasher detergent and, depending on how you use the machine, rinse aid and dishwasher salt are part of everyday running costs.
A machine that often sits empty may make little difference if you usually wash a few items straight after meals.
During a typical week, note how much washing-up builds up and how often you could run a full load. If you’re still unsure how you’d use it, wait before choosing a model.
These range and model examples give you an idea of the sizes available. Check the specifications of the exact model you’re interested in.
Bosch offers 45 and 60 cm freestanding dishwashers in France. Consider them in light of the space available and the dishes you need to load.
Beko’s 45 cm freestanding range is worth considering when your kitchen’s width limits your options.
The G 7042 SC AutoDos is an option to consider if your household regularly fills a large-capacity machine.
This selection includes freestanding models for combining the washing-up from several meals, as well as a fully integrated model for a suitably fitted kitchen. Check the space and connections before comparing their stated capacities.
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Worth considering if you regularly combine a large load and have space for a freestanding appliance. The product description lists a width of 60 cm, 14 place settings and energy class C. Confirm the exact dimensions before planning its installation.
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Its stated capacity of 14 place settings is worth comparing with the amount of washing-up you collect between cycles. The product description lists seven programmes; check how long they take and whether the racks suit the dishes you usually use.
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This model is designed for a kitchen that can accommodate a fully integrated dishwasher. The product description lists 14 place settings and energy class C. Before choosing it, check the housing dimensions, door panel compatibility and connections.
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Consider this model if you can wait until you have a load suited to its stated capacity of 14 place settings. The product description lists a width of 60 cm, 41 dB and energy class C. Also compare the Eco cycle figures and check that you have enough space.
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Compare its stated capacity of 14 place settings with the amount of washing-up your household accumulates between washes. The product description lists a width of 60 cm and energy class E. Check the label’s consumption figures and make sure your larger dishes will fit in the racks.
Not necessarily in every situation. UFC-Que Choisir gives less than 15 L per dishwasher cycle and at least 30 L for washing up by hand as useful reference points. Whether it’s a good choice for your household also depends on how full you run the machine and how you wash up by hand. Check the litres per cycle for the model you’re considering.
Compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle, then look at the capacity, Eco cycle duration and noise level. ADEME explains that the water and energy figures are based on reference cycles, so they don’t automatically describe a quick or intensive programme.
It’s suitable when the cycle duration fits your routine and your dishes meet the programme’s requirements. UFC-Que Choisir notes that an energy-saving cycle takes longer. If you need a quicker wash or have heavily soiled dishes, look at the other programmes without assuming they use the same amount of energy and water.
Check the space, water supply, drainage and electricity supply. UFC-Que Choisir explains that basic commissioning doesn’t include electrical or plumbing work. If new connections need to be installed, ask separately what work will be carried out.
Yes. According to the French Ministry for Ecological Transition, dishwashers are among the product categories covered by the repairability index. Check the index for the exact model you’re considering, and don’t confuse it with the energy class.