In an open-plan kitchen or shared home, start by choosing a dishwasher with noise levels and capacity that suit your schedule and the amount of washing up you produce. If space allows, a 60 cm appliance is worth considering for shared loads; a 45 cm or compact model is better suited to limited space, though its size alone won’t tell you how noisy it is. Then compare the water and energy use, and Eco programme duration on the energy label for each model, and check that the appliance can be installed where you plan to put it.
If the dishwasher will be running while you’re having a conversation, working or relaxing, compare the decibel levels and noise class of each model. ADEME recommends checking these details on the energy label rather than relying on the word ‘quiet’ alone.
When several people eat in the same place, capacity can make all the difference. For example, Electrolux lists 9 place settings for the 45 cm EES42210L integrated model and 14 for the 60 cm LSV48400L. Also check there’s room for the plates and pans you use.
A countertop appliance may be worth considering if there’s no room under the worktop. Before choosing this type, measure the space and check its capacity against your household’s usual loads. For example, Candy’s CP 6E51LS specifications list 6 place settings.
In an open-plan kitchen or shared home, start with the factor most likely to affect your day-to-day use, then check the other details for the exact model. According to the European Commission, dishwasher energy labels show details including noise, capacity, energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and the duration of the Eco programme.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Noise in the living space | Compare the dB levels and noise class on the labels of the models you’re considering. Don’t assume you can tell how noisy a dishwasher is from its width or installation type. | If a cycle runs while other people are working, chatting or relaxing, I want to keep the room peaceful; around 33% of consumers make this their top priority. |
| Capacity for several people | Compare the stated place settings and check there’s room for your usual washing up. Electrolux lists 9 place settings for the 45 cm EES42210L and 14 for the 60 cm LSV48400L. | When meals for several people quickly fill the machine, I prefer a capacity that suits the amount of washing up between cycles; this is the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Water, energy and cycle duration | Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration on the same type of energy label. Also check the programmes you plan to use. | If the machine needs to be available at certain times, I want to balance the stated consumption figures with the cycle duration that works for my household; around 20% of consumers put this balance first. |
| Space and installation type | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the installation diagram and connection requirements for the exact model. | In a small or already-fitted kitchen, my main priority is finding an appliance that fits the space available; for around 20% of consumers, this compatibility comes first. |
Decibels don’t follow a linear scale: ADEME says that an increase of three decibels corresponds to almost twice the noise. In an open-plan room, this difference could matter while you’re chatting or watching television, although there’s no single noise level that will feel comfortable in every home.
Compare the dB levels and noise class of the exact models, and think about when you’ll run the cycles.
The energy rating doesn’t tell you everything about noise, capacity or Eco programme duration. According to the European Commission, the label also shows energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle and the programme duration. It’s worth checking all these details if several people share the kitchen.
Compare the full energy labels, then look at the cycles that fit your day-to-day routine.
Saving space means weighing up the capacity against the number of meals and utensils in your household. Candy lists 6 place settings for its compact CP 6E51LS, while the integrated Electrolux EES42210L and LSV48400L models list 9 and 14 place settings respectively.
Before choosing a countertop model, think about what builds up between washes, including plates and pans.
A width of 45 or 60 cm doesn’t guarantee that an appliance will fit in a cabinet recess or under a worktop. The installation type, other dimensions and connections matter too.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then check the diagram and installation instructions for the exact model before you buy.
These examples from different ranges show the kinds of formats and features to compare model by model. They don’t necessarily represent the appliances featured below.
The French product pages for two integrated dishwashers make it easy to compare 45 and 60 cm models.
The range includes countertop dishwashers, which may be worth considering when space is your main constraint.
The French catalogue includes freestanding and integrated models. Check the format and noise details for each model individually.
These Joybuy models include built-in, freestanding and countertop appliances. To find the right one for your kitchen, compare its capacity and dimensions with your available space, then check the energy label for the model you choose, particularly its noise level and Eco programme details.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen where several people create large loads of washing up.
The product title lists an A energy rating. Check the dimensions and cabinet recess diagram, then compare the noise level and Eco programme figures on this model’s energy label.
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Worth considering if you have large loads of washing up but no cabinet recess for a built-in model.
The product title lists 7 cycles. Measure the space and check this model’s Eco programme duration and noise details before comparing it with other options.
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Worth considering for shared loads if your kitchen has a compatible cabinet recess.
The product title lists a C energy rating, but the dimensions given for this model don’t clearly match its stated width of 60 cm. Check the installation diagram and noise class on the label for the exact model.
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A size to consider for a household with several people if the appliance needs to stand outside a fitted cabinet recess.
The product title lists 41 dB and a C energy rating. To see if it’s suitable for an open-plan room, also check the noise class, energy use and Eco programme duration on the label for the exact model.
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Worth considering if there’s no room for an under-worktop appliance and 6 place settings will suit the loads between washes.
The product title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating. Check the dimensions, water connection and energy label before choosing this style for a shared kitchen.
Compare the decibel levels and noise class on each model’s energy label. ADEME says that an increase of three decibels corresponds to almost twice the noise, and describes noise classes A and B as particularly quiet. Your home’s acoustics and when you run the cycles also matter: no single figure can guarantee the same level of comfort in every home.
According to the European Commission, they include energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per Eco cycle and the duration of that programme. These figures let you compare appliances on the same basis. If you’ll sometimes use another programme, check its details too before making your choice.
A compact model can work if your loads suit its capacity, but saving space doesn’t mean you can overlook the number of meals and utensils to wash. Candy lists 6 place settings for the CP 6E51LS; for comparison, the integrated Electrolux EES42210L and LSV48400L models list 9 and 14 place settings. Also check the dimensions and water connection for the compact model you’re considering.
For a built-in model, check that the cabinet recess, door panel and installation diagram are compatible with the exact model. For a freestanding appliance, measure the space it will occupy. Bosch offers freestanding models that are 45 or 60 cm wide, but these measurements alone don’t guarantee a good fit. In either case, check the installation instructions for the connection requirements.
An appliance sold by a business to an individual may be covered by the statutory guarantee of conformity if it’s faulty or doesn’t match its description. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, this mandatory guarantee covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods; it is separate from any commercial warranty. Contact the seller to discuss the issue, and don’t confuse this claim with a return request because you’ve simply changed your mind.