If the washing-up piles up every day, start by choosing an appliance based on how much you need to wash and how much space you have. A freestanding or integrated model suits different kitchen layouts, while a compact model is best for smaller loads. If you already wash and dry the dishes after every meal in under 15 minutes without any trouble, buying a dishwasher may not be essential, according to Que Choisir. In all cases, check the connections and compare consumption figures on a like-for-like basis.
If washing and drying up after frequent meals is taking up too much of your routine, work out the capacity you need for your usual loads rather than focusing only on the number of people in your household.
A compact, slimline model or washing up by hand can suit different needs. Que Choisir highlights countertop appliances with a capacity of 6 place settings; check that your dishes will fit and that the planned connections are suitable for the model you’re considering.
Before comparing programmes, measure the space and check the door panel and existing connections. Bosch and Electrolux’s installation guidance shows why these details depend on both your kitchen and the model.
To decide whether you need an appliance, start with the amount of washing-up and the time you spend doing it by hand. Then choose a format that will genuinely fit in your kitchen.
Consider this: for regular loads, if you have a space where no kitchen door panel needs to be fitted.
Bear in mind: a freestanding appliance still needs a suitable water supply, waste outlet and power supply.
Consider this: if the appliance needs to fit into a housing unit or match the door front of a fitted kitchen.
Bear in mind: the dimensions, door panel and connections must all suit your existing installation.
Consider this: when you don’t have the space or enough washing-up to justify a standard appliance.
Bear in mind: capacity is limited; the water supply and drainage requirements depend on the exact model.
Stick with this: if you wash up after every meal, quickly and without the dishes piling up.
Be prepared: washing and drying up will remain regular household tasks.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Time and capacity | Number of place settings, basket layout and space for your larger dishes. | When the washing-up comes around after every meal, I want to avoid it piling up or having to run lots of small loads. Around 36% of consumers put saving time every day first. |
| Space and installation | Dimensions of the space, any housing unit and door panel, water supply and waste outlet. | In a narrow or already fitted kitchen, I first need a model that can be installed in the space available. For around 29% of consumers, this compatibility matters more than any other factor. |
| Energy and water use, and noise | On the energy label, compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per reference cycle and noise level. | If the appliance will be used often or near a living area, I want to take water and energy use, as well as noise, into account. Around 21% of consumers prioritise these day-to-day considerations. |
| Whether it’s worth buying | Time spent washing up by hand in a typical week, the amount of washing-up and the space available for an appliance. | When I don’t have much washing-up and it doesn’t take long, I want to know whether an appliance would really change my routine. For around 14% of consumers, this is the main question. |
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your dishes, salad bowls or tall glasses will fit without getting in the way of the spray arms.
Compare the basket layout with your bulkier items and check whether the model offers adjustable settings.
According to ADEME, the consumption figures shown are for comparing appliances using a reference cycle; they don’t automatically reflect a quick or intensive programme.
Use the energy label to compare models on the same basis, then check the manual for the programmes you plan to use.
A freestanding or compact model must be installed according to its manual. Electrolux states that its installation service doesn’t include plumbing, electrical or carpentry work.
Measure the space, locate the water supply, waste outlet and socket, then check the model’s instructions. If any changes are needed, call a qualified professional.
There’s more to using a dishwasher than starting a cycle: detergent, salt or rinse aid as required by the model, and maintenance all become part of your routine.
Before choosing, check the manual to find out which products you’ll need and what maintenance is required.
A range worth exploring if you’re looking for an appliance to fit under a worktop or in a housing unit.
A range that lets you compare freestanding, built-in with a visible control panel, and fully integrated models.
A range to explore if you want to compare different installation types, including slimline integrated models.
A range worth exploring if you’re choosing between a 45 or 60 cm width, with freestanding and built-in options.
These Joybuy models are freestanding or integrated appliances designed for regular loads. Compare their capacity and installation type with your usual washing-up and kitchen layout. A compact model or washing up by hand may be better suited to other situations.
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Worth considering for regular loads in a fitted kitchen. The model name indicates a capacity of 14 place settings and an energy rating of A. Before choosing this integrated model, check the housing-unit dimensions, door panel and connections.
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Worth exploring if you have a lot of washing-up every day and don’t need to fit a kitchen door panel. The model is listed for 14 place settings, with an energy rating of C. The stated width varies between 60 and 67.5 cm, so confirm the exact external dimensions before planning where to put it.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model for regular loads. The product name indicates 14 place settings and an energy rating of E. Check the full energy label to compare energy use, and make sure you have the necessary connections.
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Worth considering for regular loads if your kitchen has room for a freestanding appliance. The product name indicates an energy rating of C and a noise level of 41 dB; check the dimensions and full energy label. Automatic opening at the end of a cycle can release heat and steam, so bear this in mind if children could get close to the appliance.
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Worth considering for regular loads in a kitchen where the housing unit and door panel are suitable for the model. The product name indicates 13 place settings and an energy rating of C. Check the installation dimensions and full energy label; the model specifications recommend installation by a qualified professional.
If you wash and dry the dishes after every meal in under 15 minutes, a dishwasher isn’t essential, according to Que Choisir. Also keep an eye on whether the washing-up piles up during a typical week and whether the task is really a problem for you.
Compare the capacity, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per reference cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level. ADEME presents these figures as a basis for comparing appliances; for other programmes, check the model’s manual.
A freestanding model still requires you to check the space, water supply, waste outlet and electrical supply. Electrolux states that, for its installation service, connections must comply with requirements and its installers don’t carry out plumbing, electrical or carpentry work.
It depends on the model: some compact appliances have a built-in tank, such as the Comfee' model featured by Joybuy France, but this isn’t a feature of every countertop appliance. Check the manual to see how your chosen model takes in water and drains wastewater.
Allow for detergent and, depending on the model and your water, dishwasher salt and rinse aid, as well as the maintenance set out in the manual. If your kitchen needs changes to the connections or cabinetry, look into this before ordering the appliance.