If your kitchen has no built-in space for a dishwasher, start by checking the available space, possible connections and how much washing-up you have. A 60 cm freestanding model suits larger loads, while a 45 cm model needs less width. A compact dishwasher is an option for smaller loads when floor space is limited. If no size can be installed properly, or you have very little washing-up, you can continue washing by hand. If you want to fit an appliance under a worktop, check that the top can be removed on the specific model.
If you don’t have a built-in space or cabinet door, you could consider a freestanding dishwasher, provided there’s a suitable spot and the connections are right. The amount of washing-up you have will then help you decide which size to look at.
If you’re buying your first dishwasher or replacing an old one in a kitchen without a built-in space, look at freestanding models rather than integrated ones that need a cabinet door. Be sure to measure the space you have in mind.
If a 60 cm model won’t fit but you have floor space and suitable connections, a 45 cm model is worth considering. Que Choisir gives a capacity of 9 to 10 place settings for this width, depending on the model.
A compact worktop dishwasher could suit smaller daily loads without taking up floor space. Check the space available, how much washing-up you have, and how the appliance will be supplied with water and drained.
First rule out any sizes that won’t fit or can’t be connected, then compare capacity with how often you do the washing-up. Washing by hand is still an option if installing or using an appliance isn’t right for you.
Consider it if: you have around 60 cm of floor width and regularly have larger loads of washing-up.
Trade-off: this size needs more width than a 45 cm model. Check its actual depth and height too.
Consider it if: a floor-standing appliance will fit, but a 60 cm-wide model won’t.
Trade-off: its narrower width doesn’t remove the need for floor space or mean you can skip checking its height and depth.
Consider it if: floor space is limited and you have smaller loads to wash.
Trade-off: the 6-place-setting compact models listed by Candy and Darty are around 55 cm wide. Check there’s room for the dishes you usually wash too.
Stick with it if: there’s no suitable space or connection available, or you have very little washing-up.
Trade-off: washing and drying the dishes is a job you’ll need to repeat after meals.
| What to consider | What to check | Depending on your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation type | Measure the width, height and depth, and don’t forget the door clearance. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check that the top can be removed and confirm the resulting dimensions for the exact model. “Freestanding” alone doesn’t guarantee it will fit. | I’m looking for an appliance that fits in my existing kitchen without needing an extra cabinet door. |
| Capacity | Que Choisir gives a capacity of 12 to 17 place settings for 60 cm freestanding models and 9 to 10 for 45 cm models. For a 6-place-setting compact model such as the Candy CP 6E51LS, also check there’s room for your dishes and saucepans. | When I’m cooking for several people, I’d rather not run multiple cycles. If I have little washing-up, I also want to avoid an appliance that’s too large for my usual loads. |
| Connections | Depending on how the model is installed, check whether it needs a water supply or a tank to be filled, a wastewater outlet and a suitable electricity supply. Read the instructions for connection details and leak-protection safety guidance. | I need to be able to supply and drain the appliance safely, whether it’s on the floor or on a worktop. |
| Use and maintenance | Compare energy use on a like-for-like basis: ADEME says the energy label shows electricity consumption in kWh per 100 cycles. Also check the stated litres per cycle, consumables and the model’s repairability rating. | If two sizes fit my kitchen, I want to choose based on how often I do the washing-up and the regular maintenance involved, not just the stated capacity. |
A freestanding appliance doesn’t need a cabinet door, but its top may not be removable. This could make it too tall for the space you have in mind.
Measure the space in all three dimensions and check the exact model’s product details or manual for “removable top” and the dimensions after removal.
According to Candy, the compact Candy CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm. Its low height doesn’t mean it takes up little width. Its stated capacity of 6 place settings may also limit the size of the dishes you can wash.
Measure the space available and check that your usual plates, dishes and saucepans will fit the model’s capacity and interior.
Protection such as AquaStop depends on the model and doesn’t replace correct connections. Bosch recommends turning off the tap when you’re away for a prolonged period, even if your appliance has AquaStop.
Follow the instructions and check the tap, drainage and electricity supply before installation. If you’re unsure about any work or connections, ask a qualified professional for advice.
Energy-label figures are based on reference cycles; they don’t tell you how often you’ll use the appliance. Detergent, rinse aid and dishwasher salt are also part of regular maintenance.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, the stated litres per cycle and the repairability rating, then check which consumables are specified in the instructions.
These brands offer examples to help you compare different sizes. The features mentioned apply to the named models, not to their entire ranges.
The brand’s range includes the freestanding SMS2HTW06E and the compact SKS62E32EU.
The freestanding ESA63200SX is worth looking at if you’re after a 45 cm model for under-worktop installation.
Candy’s French product pages let you compare the compact worktop CP 6E51LS with the freestanding CF 4C6F0W.
Whirlpool’s French website features 45 cm and 60 cm freestanding dishwashers.
These models include 60 cm freestanding dishwashers for larger loads and a worktop appliance for smaller amounts of washing-up. Compare each one with the space available and its water-supply and drainage requirements.
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For larger loads of washing-up, this freestanding model has 14 place settings and is 60 cm wide. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check the model’s product details to confirm the required height and whether the top can be removed. Also check your kitchen’s connections.
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This freestanding model has 14 place settings and suits larger loads if you have room for an appliance that’s 60 cm wide. Its name gives a noise level of 41 dB. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check the model’s dimensions and top configuration, as well as the connections required.
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This worktop model is worth considering if you have limited floor space and smaller loads to wash. The product name lists a 5 L tank and 5+1 cycles. When using the tank, you’ll also need to drain wastewater into a container, and check there’s enough room on your worktop.
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Its stated capacity of 14 place settings suits larger loads in a kitchen that can accommodate a 60 cm freestanding dishwasher. The top is listed as non-removable, so don’t choose this model for under-worktop installation if the top needs to come off. Measure the space and check the connections before making your decision.
Yes, if the specific model is designed for this type of installation and fits the space available. Check the product details or manual to see whether the top can be removed, then compare the relevant dimensions with the height, width and depth you’ve measured.
A plumbed-in dishwasher needs a suitable water supply, waste outlet and electricity supply. Bosch covers all three connections in its installation instructions. For a model with a tank, check how it’s filled and where the wastewater needs to go instead.
No. Whether a model has leak protection, and how it works, depends on the model and its instructions. Bosch recommends turning off the tap when you’re away for a prolonged period, even with AquaStop. Check the condition of the tap and connections too.
Not necessarily: these sizes suit different needs. Que Choisir gives a capacity of 9 to 10 place settings for 45 cm freestanding models, while the Candy CP 6E51LS compact is listed for 6 place settings. However, it takes up 55 cm of worktop width.
Have the planned work assessed before connecting your dishwasher. For new installations and work covered by France’s NF C 15-100 standard, Promotelec says that a dishwasher must be on a dedicated circuit with its own protection. A qualified professional can advise on the work needed for your installation.