If dirty dishes pile up between meals and your kitchen has room for the appliance, a 60 cm dishwasher offers more capacity per cycle. A 45 cm model saves width, while a compact 6-place-setting model is best suited to kitchens where space is particularly tight. Compare each size with the amount of washing-up you produce, then check the energy label and installation requirements for the model you choose.
If plates, dishes and cutlery pile up between meals, compare the capacity and basket layout with the washing-up you actually produce. ADEME recommends waiting until the appliance is full before starting a cycle.
Whether you choose a compact 6-place-setting model, a slimline 45 cm appliance or a standard 60 cm model, consider the space saved alongside the capacity you need. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between compact 6-place-setting models and slimline models with 9 place settings.
Before choosing a freestanding or built-in appliance, check the available space, any housing unit and access to water, drainage and electricity. If you are planning alterations to a rented property, discuss the project with your landlord before any work begins.
Worth considering: when your everyday washing-up calls for plenty of capacity and you have a 60 cm space available.
The trade-off: it takes up more width, and you still need to load the large interior sufficiently before starting a cycle.
Worth considering: if space is limited but you regularly have more washing-up than a compact model can hold. UFC-Que Choisir describes 9-place-setting models as suitable for a small family, with enough capacity for everyday use.
The trade-off: there is less room to build up a load of dishes and cutlery than with a 60 cm model.
Worth considering: if space is very limited and the amount of washing-up you produce genuinely suits a smaller interior. UFC-Que Choisir features compact models with 6 place settings.
The trade-off: if dirty dishes pile up quickly, the smaller capacity may mean running more frequent cycles.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated place settings with the washing-up you produce between washes, including bulky dishes and the basket layout. | When dishes pile up before the next wash, I want an interior I can fill without running several small cycles; around 50% of consumers prioritise this everyday capacity. |
| Space and installation | Measure the space and delivery route. Check the connections and, for a built-in model, the housing unit and door panel. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to install the appliance without discovering too late that it will not fit the housing unit or connect properly; around 30% of consumers prioritise this fit. |
| Energy, water and noise | For the specific models, compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level shown on their labels. | If I run frequent cycles or have an open-plan kitchen, I want to weigh up resource use and noise without sacrificing suitable capacity; around 20% of consumers put these factors first. |
A compact model may fit in your kitchen but still be too small for the washing-up that builds up between meals. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between compact 6-place-setting models and slimline models with 9 place settings.
Measure the available space, then compare the capacity and baskets with a typical day’s washing-up.
An energy figure per 100 cycles cannot be directly compared with a water-use figure per cycle. ADEME shows these as separate indicators on the energy label.
Compare the labels for the specific models side by side, using the same indicators, and check the capacity and Eco programme duration too.
The housing unit, door panel and connections all need to be compatible with the appliance. Electrolux states that its installation service does not include carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
Give the retailer or installer the housing unit measurements and confirm exactly what the installation service includes.
If the capacity does not suit your household’s routine, you may end up starting the appliance before it is full. ADEME recommends waiting until it is full and avoiding routine pre-rinsing.
Choose a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up you produce, scrape off food scraps and use the Eco programme when its duration works for you.
A range worth exploring if you want to compare freestanding, built-in and compact models to suit your available space.
An option to explore if you are looking for a slimline freestanding appliance for a narrower kitchen.
A useful example to consider if you are looking for a compact model to fit a suitable housing unit.
A range worth comparing if you are deciding between slimline and standard sizes, or different types of installation.
These 13- or 14-place-setting models are for anyone looking for a large-capacity interior, whether freestanding or fully integrated. The right choice will also depend on your available space, what you need to load and the type of installation you have planned.
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Worth considering if washing-up piles up and you have space for a freestanding appliance.
The title lists a width of 60 cm, a noise level of 41 dB and energy class C. Check the appliance and available space measurements before buying.
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An option to consider for regular loads if a freestanding model suits your kitchen.
The title lists a width of 60 cm and energy class C. Other dimensions given for this model do not match that width, so confirm the exact measurements before planning where to install it.
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Worth considering if you want a large-capacity model for a fitted kitchen designed for a fully integrated appliance.
The title lists a width of 60 cm and energy class C, but a different width is given in the model information. Check the dimensions, housing unit and door panel compatibility before ordering.
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Compare its capacity with the amount of washing-up you produce if you have space for a standard-size freestanding appliance.
The title lists a width of 60 cm and energy class E. Check the space measurements and compare its energy label with those of the other models you are considering.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit and 13 place settings will suit your usual loads.
The title lists a width of 60 cm and energy class B. Check the housing unit measurements, connections and installation requirements before choosing this model.
A compact model may be enough if all the washing-up you produce between washes fits inside. Remember to allow for bulky dishes and utensils too. UFC-Que Choisir features compact models with 6 place settings, while its slimline 9-place-setting models offer more capacity if you regularly exceed that limit.
Check the appliance measurements, the space where it will go and the delivery route, as well as access to water, drainage and electricity. For a built-in model, check the housing unit and door panel too. Electrolux states that its installation service does not include preparatory carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
Start with capacity, then compare energy use in kWh per 100 cycles, water use in litres per cycle, the Eco programme duration and noise level. ADEME shows these indicators on the label, so use the same basis when comparing each model.
A fully integrated model needs a compatible housing unit and door panel. A freestanding model avoids the need for a matching door panel, but it still needs to fit the available space and connections. Check the instruction manual for the specific model before deciding.