For a two-person household, a 45 cm dishwasher with 9 to 10 place settings is worth considering if dishes pile up every day and space is limited. A compact model with 6 place settings is better suited to particularly tight spaces; a 60 cm model may work well for large dishes or meals with guests, provided you can fill it at a pace that suits you. To compare these sizes, check how your dishes fit and compare the Eco programme figures.
If your dishes regularly fill the machine, consider a 45 cm model before giving up 60 cm of kitchen space. Beko France lists a 45 cm model with 10 place settings, while Electrolux France lists one with 9. Above all, check that there’s room for your dishes and saucepans.
A tabletop compact model could be an option if floor space or room under the worktop is limited. Candy France lists a model with 6 place settings; make sure its capacity, dimensions and connection requirements are right for your kitchen.
A 60 cm model can make it easier to fit large utensils, if you have enough width. Whirlpool France, for example, lists a 60 cm model with 14 place settings. Before choosing a larger interior, consider whether your usual dishes will let you fill it at a pace that suits you.
Start by checking the space available and how much you need to load on a typical day, then compare the figures given for the Eco programme.
Worth considering: when space is limited and your dishes fit in a small interior.
Bear in mind: large dishes or a busy day may mean you need to load it more often.
Worth considering: if you want more space than a compact model offers, without setting aside 60 cm of width.
Check: the basket layout may limit the space available for your largest utensils.
Worth considering: if large dishes and meals with guests are part of your usual routine.
Bear in mind: if you don’t have many dishes, waiting until the interior is sufficiently full may not suit your routine.
| Criteria | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and baskets | Compare the number of place settings and picture how your saucepans, dishes and glasses will fit. Check whether the baskets can be adjusted. | I want to avoid a compact model filling up too quickly, without choosing a large interior that would be difficult to fill with my everyday dishes. |
| Water and energy | ADEME gives energy use in kWh per 100 cycles; the European Commission gives water use in litres per cycle. Compare these Eco programme figures for appliances suited to your load. | For frequent use, consumption per cycle matters just as much as the number of cycles I expect to run. |
| Cycle time and noise | Check the Eco programme duration and the stated noise level. UFC-Que Choisir particularly highlights noise as a factor to consider in an open-plan kitchen. | If my kitchen opens onto the living area, I want to know how long a cycle takes and how noisy the model is said to be. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and check the connections. For an integrated model, check the designated housing, as recommended by UFC-Que Choisir. | A tabletop, freestanding or integrated model needs to suit my kitchen, not just the amount of washing-up. |
| Repairability | Check the model’s repairability index and the manufacturer’s information about spare parts. | If the appliance will be used often, I also want to compare the repair options before buying. |
These figures don’t show how your saucepans and dishes fit in the baskets. Size alone also won’t tell you how models compare on energy use or noise.
Measure the space, check the inside of the dishwasher, then compare the Eco programme figures and noise level.
A large interior can fit dishes from meals with guests, but waiting for it to fill may not suit everyday use for two. ADEME recommends running the dishwasher when it’s full.
Estimate how many dishes you’ll have between cycles before deciding between a 45 cm and a 60 cm model.
The consumption figures on the label are used to compare appliances based on the Eco programme; they don’t necessarily describe a short cycle.
Compare the Eco figures first, then check separately how long the other programmes you’re interested in take and what features they offer.
According to UFC-Que Choisir, an integrated appliance needs to fit into a designated housing unit. So a compatible width alone doesn’t confirm that it will suit your kitchen.
Check the housing dimensions, connections and installation requirements before choosing between an integrated and a freestanding model.
This tabletop option is designed for kitchens where space is limited. For everyday use by two people, check that its 6 place settings are enough for your usual dishes and that it can be installed in the space you have planned.
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This tabletop model is worth considering if space is limited, provided its 6-place-setting interior can accommodate your usual dishes and utensils. The product name lists 7 programmes, a 24-hour delay start and a stated noise level of 47 dB. Compare the features that matter to you on the product page and the model’s energy label.
Compare their capacity and Eco programme figures for a load that suits your needs. ADEME gives energy use in kWh per 100 cycles; the European Commission gives water consumption per cycle. Also check the programme duration and noise level.
Yes, if its capacity and baskets can accommodate the dishes you produce between cycles. Beko France lists a 45 cm model with 10 place settings, while Electrolux France lists one with 9. Check the layout of the model you’re considering, particularly for your saucepans and dishes.
ADEME recommends waiting until the appliance is full before starting a cycle and not pre-rinsing the dishes. If there are two of you, choose a capacity you can fill at a pace that fits your daily routine, without cramming items in so tightly that it affects the wash.
The repairability index lets you factor in the possibility of repairs when choosing an appliance. The ministry responsible for ecological transition says dishwashers are among the product categories covered. Check the index for the model you’re interested in, as well as the information available about spare parts.
Not necessarily: according to UFC-Que Choisir, an integrated dishwasher needs to be installed in a designated housing unit. Before changing your setup, check the housing dimensions, connections and installation requirements for the model you’ve chosen.