Start by choosing a capacity that suits the amount of washing up your meals actually produce. Then rule out any formats that won’t fit the available space or connections. A freestanding model suits a space that doesn’t need to be behind a cabinet door; an integrated model is designed for a fitted kitchen, while a compact one can work in a small kitchen if its lower capacity is enough. Then compare the figures for the Eco programme, the noise level and the repairability index for the specific model. Don’t assume that the place settings figure guarantees there’ll be room for your largest dishes.
If your meals generate several place settings, utensils and dishes every day, compare the place settings figure with the basket layout. A machine that looks large enough on paper may still be impractical for your bulkier items. UFC-Que Choisir includes capacity among its selection criteria.
If the appliance needs to fit inside a cabinet or have a furniture door attached, first check the housing, fixings and connections. Bosch notes that installation involves the water supply, electricity and drainage; the diagram for your chosen model sets out the installation requirements.
In a studio flat or kitchenette, a countertop model may suit smaller, regular loads. Candy’s range of mini dishwashers includes 6-place-setting models. Check that this capacity can also accommodate the plates and utensils you usually use.
Choose this if: you have a suitable space and don’t want to depend on a cabinet door.
Bear in mind: measure the route into your home and the space itself, then check the connections. A freestanding design doesn’t guarantee a particular capacity or noise level.
Choose this if: your cabinetry and plans for a furniture door are designed to accommodate the appliance.
Bear in mind: the installation diagram and furniture-door compatibility are key. For example, Electrolux states that its EES47400L is supplied without a furniture door.
Choose this if: there isn’t room for a standard appliance and your loads are small.
Bear in mind: a smaller capacity may mean running more cycles if you use lots of dishes and pans. Check the model’s connections too.
Once you’ve found a format that suits your kitchen, check your usual load, installation requirements, usage figures and the space available for your largest items, in that order.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Meal-time load | Place settings and the space in the baskets for the dishes and utensils you usually use. | If meals leave lots of plates, pans and dishes to wash, I want to avoid running extra cycles. Around 33% of consumers may prioritise this loading capacity. |
| Installation compatibility | Dimensions, installation diagram, water inlet, drainage and electricity supply; furniture door and cabinetry for an integrated model. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to be able to install the appliance in the intended space without finding out too late that the furniture door or connections aren’t compatible. This would be a priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Use and noise | On the label, check the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level. | If the appliance runs near the living area, I want to consider the reference cycle’s energy and water use, its duration and the noise it makes. These usage factors would come first for around 20% of consumers. |
| Available space | Width, depth, height, clearance required and the capacity of the compact model you’re considering. | In a kitchenette, I’m mainly looking for an appliance that fits, even if it means washing smaller loads. Space constraints would be a deciding factor for around 20% of consumers. |
This figure doesn’t tell you whether your large dishes, pans or glasses will fit alongside the rest of the load.
Identify your bulkiest items before buying and look at the basket layout, including whether the upper basket can be adjusted.
A fully integrated appliance may have specific installation requirements. For example, Electrolux says that its EES47400L is supplied without a furniture door and can’t be installed at height.
Check the diagram for the exact model and confirm the cabinet dimensions, fixings and furniture door before ordering.
Adapting a furniture door or arranging additional installation work can complicate your plans.
The figures on the label refer to the reference cycle; they don’t necessarily describe the other programmes you’ll use.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration on the labels of the models you’re considering. Then check whether that duration suits your routine.
These examples highlight features to check on specific models, rather than making general claims about each brand.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model and loading flexibility and noise levels matter to you.
Worth considering if you’re looking at a large-capacity freestanding model and want to compare its label information.
Worth considering if your kitchen is designed for a fully integrated appliance and you can check the installation requirements before buying.
Worth considering for a small kitchen where a countertop appliance can handle your usual loads.
These freestanding and integrated models let you compare capacities and formats for your kitchen. Before choosing one, compare its dimensions with the installation space and check all the figures on its energy label.
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Worth considering for a kitchen designed to accommodate an integrated appliance. It has 13 place settings, a stated width of 60 cm and energy class B.
Before buying, check the cabinet and furniture door against the model’s installation diagram, then consult its label for energy use and the Eco programme duration.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model for larger loads. It’s listed with 14 place settings, a width of 60 cm and energy class E.
Check the route into your home, the space and the connections. Consult the model’s label to compare energy use and the Eco programme duration.
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Worth considering if your kitchen can accommodate an integrated dishwasher. This 60 cm model is listed with 13 place settings and energy class C.
Use the installation diagram to check the appliance dimensions, housing and furniture door. The energy label lets you compare energy use and the Eco programme duration.
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Worth considering if a freestanding model with 14 place settings suits your usual load. The model name indicates a width of 60 cm, a noise level of 41 dB and energy class C.
Measure the space and check the connections. Also consult the manual for precautions relating to the automatic door opening, and check the label for the Eco cycle figures.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen if you’re looking for an integrated model with 14 place settings. It’s listed as a 60 cm model with energy class E.
Check that the cabinet, furniture door and connections are compatible with the instructions. Compare energy use and the Eco programme duration on its label.
Compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise level. ADEME and the European Commission present these figures as useful points of comparison. Energy-use figures relate to the stated reference cycle, not every programme.
No. Its smaller size doesn’t mean you can skip checking the water inlet, drainage, electricity supply and instructions in the manual. Before choosing, also measure the space needed for the appliance and for using it.
Check the cabinet dimensions and connections, and make sure the furniture door is compatible with the installation diagram for the exact model. For example, Electrolux says that its EES47400L is supplied without a furniture door and can’t be installed at height; these requirements don’t automatically apply to other models.