If your kitchen is already fitted, start by checking the space available. An integrated or semi-integrated model needs a suitable housing unit and compatible cabinet door, while a freestanding model doesn’t require a furniture door. A compact dishwasher can work well if space and the amount of washing-up are limited, but its capacity may not match that of a standard appliance. Before you order, check the dimensions, door clearance and connections required for your chosen model.
If you want to keep the look of your kitchen, compare the existing housing unit, cabinet door and plinth with the new appliance’s installation instructions. Matching the width alone won’t guarantee that the door will open properly.
A freestanding model comes with its own finished exterior. If you plan to fit it under a worktop, check whether the top panel can be removed and, if so, measure the appliance’s height with it removed.
A slimline or compact appliance may be a better fit for the space you have. Compare its capacity with the amount of washing-up you produce between cycles: a smaller model may mean running it more often.
If you’re adding or replacing a dishwasher without refitting the whole kitchen, start with the space and cabinet door available, then check that the capacity you want suits the existing connections. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the different requirements of a fitted housing unit and a freestanding appliance.
| What to check | Check this | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Housing unit, cabinet door and plinth | Measure the housing unit and check the cabinet door, fixings and door clearance against the installation instructions for the integrated model. | If I’m replacing a built-in appliance, I want to keep the cabinet door without it catching on the plinth. Around 36% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Installation without a cabinet door | For a freestanding model under a worktop, check whether its top panel can be removed and measure the height once it has been removed as instructed. | With no cabinet door to reuse, I’d prefer an appliance with its own finished exterior that fits into my kitchen. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space and capacity | Compare the space available with the format you’re considering, then check the capacity against the amount of washing-up you produce between cycles. | When space is tight, I look for a smaller model, as long as it can handle my usual washing-up. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise this balance. |
| Connections | Check where the water supply, waste outlet and power supply are, and whether they’re accessible for your chosen model. | If there hasn’t been a dishwasher in that spot before, I need to know how it will connect before choosing a format. This would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
The existing cabinet door may obstruct the appliance, even if it fits into the housing unit. You’ll also need to consider how the door moves, the fixings and the plinth.
Before ordering, compare your kitchen measurements with the model’s installation diagram, including the cabinet door.
Adjusting the cabinet door or plinth may require additional work.
A freestanding appliance has its own finished exterior, but its top panel may not be removable. This could make it too tall to fit under your worktop.
Check the model’s documentation to make sure the panel can be removed, then measure the space required with it removed.
UFC-Que Choisir says a standard dishwasher needs a water supply, a power supply and a waste outlet. The appliance must also be installed level.
Locate the connections and check that they’re accessible before deciding where to put your dishwasher.
Installing or moving a connection can extend the installation time.
A compact appliance takes up less room, but holds less washing-up than a standard model. How often you need to run it will depend on how you use it.
Think about the cutlery and dishes you need to wash between cycles, then check the capacity and water supply method of the model you’re considering.
These Joybuy models suit three of the situations covered here: keeping an integrated installation, fitting a freestanding model without a cabinet door, or making room on your worktop for a compact dishwasher. Whatever the format, check the instructions and measure your kitchen carefully.
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Worth considering for a housing unit with a compatible kitchen cabinet door. This model is listed as having capacity for 13 place settings and a C energy rating. Before replacing an existing appliance, check the cabinet door and door clearance against the installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you have space on your worktop and only need to wash small loads. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 6+3 programmes. Check the space it needs and the route for the waste hose.
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Worth considering if you want to keep an integrated installation with a cabinet door. This model is listed as having capacity for 13 place settings and a B energy rating. Check the instructions to make sure the cabinet door, plinth and door clearance are compatible.
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Worth considering for a housing unit designed for an integrated appliance with a cabinet door. The product title lists capacity for 14 place settings and an E energy rating. Check the housing unit dimensions and make sure the cabinet door is compatible.
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Worth considering if the appliance can remain visible without a cabinet door. This freestanding model is listed as having capacity for 14 place settings and a D energy rating. Measure the space and, if you plan to fit it under a worktop, check whether the top panel can be removed.
Yes, as long as the freestanding model fits the space, its door can open and the connections remain accessible. If you’re putting it under a worktop, also check in the instructions that the top panel can be removed, and measure the dimensions once it’s off.
No. Matching the appliance width doesn’t guarantee that the cabinet door will fit. Compare its dimensions and fixings with the model’s instructions, and check the door movement and plinth height.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, a standard dishwasher needs a water supply, a power supply and a waste outlet. Check that they’re accessible from the space you have in mind and that the appliance can be installed level.
Yes, if its capacity suits the amount of washing-up you produce between cycles. The compact models described by UFC-Que Choisir don’t offer the same capacity as a standard appliance. Also check the worktop space available and how your chosen model is supplied with water.
A semi-integrated model needs a suitable housing unit and compatible cabinet door, while keeping its control panel visible. Check the instructions for the housing unit dimensions, cabinet door fixings and the clearance needed for the door to open.