Who are these options for?

Households with a small kitchen

If space is tight, compare the available room with the amount of washing-up you usually have. According to Que Choisir, 45 cm integrated models generally hold 9 to 10 place settings. Check that there’s also room for your dishes and pans.

People with an open-plan kitchen

When your dishwasher shares a space with the living area, noise matters while it’s running. Que Choisir highlights how important this is in a shared living space, so compare the dB levels and noise classes of each model.

People replacing an integrated appliance

Your new model needs to fit your existing units. Measure the space and the height beneath the worktop, then check the door-panel system, door opening and connections specified in the instructions.

What should you check before choosing?

Start with the available space and how much you need to wash, then compare the noise levels and energy and water use of models that fit.

Factor What to check Your needs
Space and capacity Measure the available width and depth. For a 45 cm model, compare the 9 to 10 place settings stated by Que Choisir with your usual loads and the space needed for dishes and pans. I have limited width, but want to fit in the washing-up that builds up between cycles.
Noise Compare the noise emissions in dB and the noise class on the energy label for the specific model. Don’t assume you know how loud it is based on a marketing term. My kitchen opens onto the living area, so noise during a cycle matters to me, especially when the room is in use.
Water and electricity According to ADEME and the European Commission, the label shows details including kWh per 100 cycles, litres of water per reference cycle and the Eco programme duration. Compare the capacity of the appliances too. I want to compare energy and water use rather than relying on the energy rating letter alone.
Installation Check whether the appliance is freestanding or designed to fit into a cabinet. For an integrated model, check the dimensions, door or panel, and water, drainage and electrical connections in the instructions. I’m replacing an appliance in a fitted kitchen and want the door opening and panel to be compatible.

What mistakes should you avoid?

  • Choosing 45 cm just to save space

    According to Que Choisir, a 45 cm integrated model generally holds 9 to 10 place settings. If your loads exceed this capacity, you may need to run it more often.

    Measure the space, then estimate how much washing-up and how many pans you’ll need to fit between cycles before choosing a size.

  • Taking the word ‘quiet’ at face value

    A marketing term doesn’t let you compare the noise levels of two models. Que Choisir points out that this matters more when your dishwasher shares a living space.

    Check the dB level and noise class shown for each appliance you’re considering.

  • Ordering an integrated model without checking your units

    An appliance designed to fit into a cabinet needs to match its dimensions and door system. The water, drainage and electrical connections must also suit your installation, as Bosch highlights in its fitting instructions.

    Compare your measurements with the model’s dimensioned plan and instructions. Ask for a quote if the panel or installation needs adapting.

    According to Que Choisir, the door panel and installation can add to the cost of an integrated model.

  • Comparing energy ratings alone

    The letter alone doesn’t tell you how much water an appliance uses, how long the Eco programme takes or how noisy it is. The energy label described by ADEME and the European Commission shows these details separately.

    Check the kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and dB level. Then compare appliances with similar loading requirements.

Which brand ranges should you consider?

Bosch

In France, Bosch offers 45 and 60 cm integrated dishwashers, including semi-integrated models. It’s a range to consider if the cabinet space and the type of visible controls are important to you.

  • The Bosch range includes several built-in configurations and, for some models, stated heights of 81 or 86 cm.
  • Check the height and panel requirements for the specific model, as these features don’t apply across the whole range.

Beko

Beko offers a range of 45 cm freestanding dishwashers to consider if your kitchen doesn’t have a cabinet designed for a door panel.

  • Beko’s range page lists a capacity of up to 10 place settings and states 41 dB for one featured appliance.
  • Capacity and noise levels vary by model, so check the specifications of the one you’re considering.

Miele

Miele offers narrow, fully integrated models, which may suit you if your kitchen units can accommodate this type of door.

  • For its 45 cm G 5990 SCVi SL, Miele states 9 place settings, 43 dB, 7,9 L of water per Eco cycle and 47 kWh per 100 cycles.
  • These figures are for the G 5990 SCVi SL, not all Miele dishwashers. Also check which panel your installation requires.

Freestanding dishwashers at Joybuy

These two freestanding options suit different loading needs: a mini tabletop model for smaller amounts of washing-up and a 60 cm model for larger loads. Check their dimensions before choosing one for a small kitchen.

Heinrich's HTG 8855 tabletop dishwasher

Heinrich's HTG 8855 mini tabletop dishwasher

Worth considering if you have a small amount of washing-up and space on your worktop for an appliance. The product name lists 3 place settings, 7 programmes, 56,3 dB and a C energy rating. Focus on whether the capacity and noise level suit your needs, then check the dimensions and energy label before ordering.

View on Joybuy
White Hotpoint H4FD641A freestanding dishwasher

Hotpoint H4FD641A freestanding dishwasher, 14 place settings

Consider this model if you need space for 14 place settings and have the stated 60 cm width available, rather than a narrow space. The product name lists 41 dB and a C energy rating. Compare its energy label with those of other models, and check the dimensions and connections available in your kitchen.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Is a 45 cm dishwasher big enough for a small kitchen?

Yes, if its capacity suits the washing-up you build up between cycles. Que Choisir states that 45 cm integrated models generally hold 9 to 10 place settings. Also check there’s room for large pans and dishes, and measure the available space carefully.

How can you compare noise levels in an open-plan kitchen?

Check the dB emissions and noise class on each dishwasher’s energy label. A label such as ‘Silence’ isn’t a substitute for these figures. ADEME says that appliances in noise classes A or B are particularly quiet.

What should you measure before replacing an integrated dishwasher?

Measure the width, height beneath the worktop, depth and space needed to open the door, then check the cabinet space and door-panel system in the new model’s instructions. Also check that the water, drainage and electrical connections are suitable for its installation.

How can you compare water and electricity use?

Compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres of water per reference cycle shown on the energy label, along with the capacity and Eco programme duration. ADEME and the European Commission list these measurements separately, so two appliances with the same energy rating may not use the same amount of water or electricity.