When choosing your first dishwasher, start by finding a size that fits your kitchen and can be connected to its water and power supplies. Then choose a capacity that suits the amount of crockery you produce between washes. A 45 cm model can work when space is tight, while a 60 cm model offers more room. An integrated model also needs a compatible housing unit and cabinet door. Next, compare the Eco programme’s duration, water and energy use, noise level and maintenance requirements. Don’t assume that a smaller appliance will use fewer resources across all your meals.
If your everyday meals leave you with enough washing-up to consider a machine, start by thinking about the number of items and dishes you need to wash between cycles. UFC-Que Choisir recommends matching the capacity and programmes to your needs.
Available width isn’t the only thing to consider. Measure the depth and the space needed to open the door, as well as the housing unit and cabinet door for an integrated model. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between 45 cm and 60 cm built-in dishwashers.
If you have an open-plan kitchen or run frequent cycles, compare models on a like-for-like basis. ADEME says the energy label includes information such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per reference cycle and noise level.
Start with your installation requirements, then check that the stated capacity suits your usual meals before comparing the Eco programme figures.
| Feature | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size and installation | Measure the width, height and depth, and check the clearance needed for the door to open. For an integrated model, check the housing unit, cabinet door and instructions for the exact model. | My kitchen only has room for a slimline machine, or it already has a housing unit for an integrated appliance. |
| Connections | Locate the water supply, waste outlet and electricity supply. Check the requirements and positioning in the installation instructions. | I want to know whether the appliance can be installed where I plan to put it before choosing its programmes. |
| Capacity and loading | Compare the place settings with the number and size of your dishes and pans. Check how the racks are arranged to see whether they can accommodate taller items. | My meals leave a lot of washing-up, but I don’t want to run extra cycles because there isn’t enough room for my dishes. |
| Water and energy | Compare litres per reference cycle and kWh per 100 cycles on the energy labels. ADEME specifies both units; how often you run the machine also affects real-world use. | I want to compare figures measured on the same basis, rather than choosing on energy rating alone. |
| Programme duration and noise | Check the Eco programme duration and noise level in dB. Look at the available programmes and choose according to how dirty your dishes are and how much time you have. | Noise matters in my open-plan kitchen, and I also need to find a time in my day for a long Eco cycle. |
| Use and maintenance | Check which consumables and maintenance tasks are specified in the instructions. UFC-Que Choisir lists detergent, dishwasher salt and rinse aid among the products used, depending on the appliance. | I’d rather factor in maintenance and the products I’ll need, not just the stated capacity. |
A machine might fit in the available space but still leave too little room for the door to open. An integrated model also needs a suitable housing unit and cabinet door.
Measure the space and check the installation diagram for the exact model, including its connections, before you order.
A cabinet door or new connections may mean extra installation work.
If its capacity means you have to run more cycles for your usual dishes, consumption per cycle alone won’t tell you how much you’ll use overall.
Compare litres per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles, then estimate how often you’d need to run each capacity.
The rating alone won’t tell you how much water the machine uses, how long the Eco programme takes, how noisy it is or which products it needs to run.
Check these figures separately on the label, and read the instructions to find out what maintenance your chosen model needs.
This adds an extra step and uses water. ADEME advises against pre-rinsing dishes and recommends waiting until the dishwasher is sufficiently full.
Scrape off large food scraps, load the racks as instructed and choose a programme to suit how dirty the dishes are.
These specifications apply to the models listed, not to every appliance from each brand.
The SMS4EVW36F is a useful reference for a 60 cm freestanding dishwasher.
The BDFN16431W gives you a freestanding model rated for 14 place settings to consider.
Whirlpool’s French range includes 45 cm and 60 cm models, including options designed to fit into a fitted kitchen.
The EES42210L shows what to consider if you need a 45 cm fully integrated model for a narrow fitted kitchen.
This selection includes 60 cm freestanding and fully integrated models for everyday meals. Check that the capacity suits your washing-up and, for each model, confirm that it can be installed in your kitchen.
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With 14 place settings and 7 programmes, this model could suit a household with plenty of washing-up. Check the Eco programme duration, connections and door clearance before deciding where to put it.
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This option is for a kitchen designed to accommodate a fully integrated machine. The title states 60 cm and 14 place settings, but the dimensions in the product details don’t clearly match this size. Confirm the appliance and housing unit measurements, as well as cabinet door compatibility.
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This model is rated for 14 place settings and may be worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding machine for larger loads. The title states 60 cm, but the product details give a width of 67,5 cm. Confirm the exact measurements before checking whether it will fit in your kitchen.
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With 14 place settings and a noise level of 41 dB, this model could suit households with plenty of everyday washing-up. Before comparing it with other appliances, check its energy consumption figures and Eco programme duration. The product details note that automatic opening after a hot cycle may release steam. Keep the area around the door clear and children at a safe distance.
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This model is rated for 13 place settings and is intended for a fitted kitchen with space for a fully integrated appliance. Confirm that the housing unit, cabinet door and hinge are compatible. Also check water use per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration so you can compare it on a like-for-like basis.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, litres of water per reference cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level in dB. ADEME explains that energy and water use are measured on different bases, so compare the same figures for each appliance rather than looking at the rating alone.
It could be, as long as its capacity suits the dishes and cookware you produce between cycles. UFC-Que Choisir puts the capacity of 45 cm built-in models at between 9 and 10 place settings. Also check whether there’s room for your pans, as a very full load might mean you need to run more cycles.
Check the dimensions of the housing unit and appliance, door clearance, cabinet door compatibility and connections. Read the instructions for the exact model: fixing and fitting requirements are just as important as the stated width.
You’ll need detergent. Depending on the appliance and how you use it, you may also need dishwasher salt and rinse aid. UFC-Que Choisir lists these consumables as part of how a dishwasher works. The instructions will also explain how to maintain your chosen model.
ADEME advises against pre-rinsing dishes as a matter of course. Scrape off large food scraps, follow the loading instructions and wait until the dishwasher is sufficiently full before choosing a suitable programme.