Start by choosing based on the space you have actually measured and the available connections: a 60 cm freestanding model is suitable when capacity is the priority, a 45 cm model takes up less width, and a compact dishwasher is ideal for a small amount of washing-up on a suitable worktop. An integrated model is only appropriate if the niche, door panel and installation requirements for the exact model are compatible. Also check the water inlet, waste outlet and power supply.
If you have neither a cabinet door panel nor a dedicated niche, a freestanding model may be easier to install, provided you have a suitable space and the necessary connections. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the layout flexibility offered by this type of appliance.
A 45 cm dishwasher can free up width while retaining a conventional format, provided the water inlet, waste outlet and power supply are accessible. Slimline models are a practical option for smaller kitchens.
A compact worktop dishwasher may suit a small amount of washing-up if the surface is stable, the door can open fully and draining is possible. Some models with a water tank avoid the need for a fixed water inlet, but they still need a way to discharge waste water.
Start by measuring the space, then check the connections before choosing the capacity and installation type.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility with the space | Measure the width, height and depth. Check the delivery route, door clearance and, under a worktop, whether the top can be removed if necessary. | I want to be sure the appliance will fit in the intended space, including beneath the worktop or inside an existing niche. |
| Connections | Locate the water inlet, socket and waste outlet. Compare their positions with the model’s instructions and the length of its hoses. | I want to automate the washing-up without discovering too late that plumbing, electrical or joinery work is required. |
| Suitable capacity | Compare the number of place settings with the amount of washing-up between cycles. A compact, 45 cm and 60 cm dishwasher will not suit the same usage pattern. | For a small regular load, I would rather avoid an overly bulky appliance; for a busy household, I want to avoid running cycles too frequently. |
| Installation type and finish | For an integrated model, check the niche dimensions, adjustable feet, cabinet door and door-panel fitting. For a freestanding model, check the available floor space. | I want to know whether an integrated finish requires a door panel, adjustments or additional installation before I commit. |
A 45 cm appliance can still have a depth close to 60 cm. It may therefore not fit beneath a worktop or inside a niche despite having a compatible width.
Measure all three dimensions of the space before buying and compare them with the installation diagram for the exact model. For an integrated dishwasher, also check the niche and door panel.
A freestanding dishwasher is visually self-contained, but a conventional dishwasher still needs water, electricity and a waste outlet. Some installation services do not carry out plumbing, electrical or joinery work.
Locate the socket, water inlet and waste outlet before buying, then check their positions in the instructions. A model with a water tank is only suitable if it can still be drained.
Plumbing, electrical or joinery work may still need to be arranged, depending on your home and the service selected.
A fully integrated dishwasher may be supplied without a cabinet door panel and requires a compatible niche. Integration adds requirements that a freestanding model avoids.
Choose a freestanding model when no compatible niche or door panel is available. Only consider an integrated model once the dimensions, door and fitting method have been confirmed.
The door panel, its installation and any joinery adjustments are all elements to plan for.
The space saving comes with reduced capacity. A compact worktop dishwasher may offer only a few place settings, whereas a 45 cm model may be more suitable for a household that produces more washing-up.
Estimate the number of place settings and dishes between washes. Choose a compact model for a small regular load, or a 45 cm model if width is limited but you still need greater capacity.
A useful range for comparing 45 cm freestanding models, integrated dishwashers and compact appliances for a French kitchen.
A useful reference for distinguishing an under-worktop freestanding model from a fully integrated dishwasher with a separate door panel.
A French brand worth considering for a compact model when installing a fixed water inlet is difficult.
Joybuy options for a minimally fitted kitchen: compact models for small amounts of washing-up and 60 cm freestanding models when floor space and standard connections are available.
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A worktop option for a small amount of washing-up and limited space.
Advertised dimensions: 45,8 × 42,8 × 42,5 cm; integrated 5 L tank or direct tap connection; capacity of 4 place settings.
Check the stability of the worktop, door clearance and whether waste water can be discharged through the hose.
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For a household with floor space available and a regular need for capacity in a kitchen without a built-in niche.
Advertised dimensions: 600 × 590 × 850 mm; capacity of 14 place settings; removable top and height adjustable to 820 mm.
Installation requires a water inlet, waste outlet and an earthed wall socket. Also allow for door clearance and the delivery route.
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A standard-format model for a kitchen with suitable space and conventional connections.
Advertised dimensions: 59,8 × 60 × 84,5 cm; capacity of 14 place settings; third rack and adjustable upper basket.
Check the clearance needed to open the door fully, access to the socket and the position of the water and waste connections.
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Worth considering for a household with 60 cm of available width and a regular need for capacity.
Advertised dimensions: 85 × 60 × 59 cm; capacity of 14 place settings; removable top and adjustable upper basket.
Before buying, confirm the presence and position of the waste connection, then measure the depth, height and door clearance.
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An option for one person, an office or a mobile home producing only a small amount of washing-up.
Advertised 5 L tank, option for direct tap connection, 1 500 mm waste hose and capacity of 3 place settings.
Check the required width, depth, height and door clearance before buying. The waste hose must be able to reach a suitable drain or container.
Yes, if the model is designed for this purpose and its top can be removed when the available height requires it. Measure the width, height and depth: Bosch states that, on the relevant models, removing the top can reduce the height from 84,5 cm to 81,5 cm.
No. A tank can eliminate the need for a fixed water inlet, but Daan Tech states that the waste hose must still be connected at the back of the appliance, for example to a waste trap.
No. UFC-Que Choisir states that 9-place-setting models are not necessarily cheaper than higher-capacity appliances. First check compatibility with your kitchen and your washing-up routine.
For a purchase from a professional seller, the statutory guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods, according to economie.gouv.fr in its information sheet updated on 9 September 2026. It may apply, in particular, if the goods do not match their description, or where installation was the seller’s responsibility or the instructions supplied were incomplete or incorrect. Keep all records relating to the agreed installation.