For everyday washing-up in a busy household, first choose a format that suits your kitchen: freestanding if you have space outside a cabinet, fully integrated if you have a suitable housing space and cabinet door, or compact if space is limited. Then match the capacity to the amount of washing-up you produce. A compact model with 6 place settings may need to run more often, while energy and noise levels should be compared model by model.
If plates, glasses and utensils pile up after every meal, compare the number of place settings with the usable space in the baskets. How often you can fill and run the dishwasher matters just as much as its stated capacity.
If your kitchen opens onto a living area or workspace, check the model’s noise level in dB and its noise emission class. Que Choisir considers noise when assessing dishwashers, particularly for open-plan kitchens.
A compact model can free up space, but its capacity still needs to suit your household’s meals. The compact Candy CP 6E51LS and Electrolux ESL2500RO models are each rated for 6 place settings. Check whether that will be enough without having to run the dishwasher more often.
Consider this if: you have space for a standalone appliance, without needing to fit a cabinet door.
The trade-off: you’ll need to make room for it in your kitchen. The installation type alone tells you nothing about its energy use or noise level.
Consider this if: you have a suitable housing space and compatible cabinet door.
The trade-off: check the instructions for the exact model to confirm the dimensions, fittings and maximum weight of the cabinet door.
Consider this if: space is your main concern and a smaller load suits your meals.
The trade-off: the compact models with 6 place settings mentioned here may need to run more often in a household where several people cook regularly.
Once you’ve chosen a format, check the available space and how much washing-up you produce before comparing the figures on the energy label.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Number of place settings; basket layout for pans and tall glasses; how often you’ll have a full load ready. | We have a lot of washing-up after meals, so I want to load it without constantly running small cycles. |
| Noise | Noise level in dB and noise emission class on the label; whether you can schedule the start if timing matters. A delay start won’t make an appliance quieter. | The kitchen is close to the living room or a workspace, so I’d like to be able to run the dishwasher without disturbing everyone else. |
| Energy and water use | kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration. ADEME presents these figures using different reference bases; the relevant measurements under the European energy labelling regulation are based on the Eco programme with the appliance loaded to capacity. | I want to compare water and electricity use on a like-for-like basis, then check whether the Eco programme duration fits our mealtimes. |
| Installation | Appliance and space dimensions; access to the connections; for an integrated model, the fittings and maximum weight of the cabinet door. | Before I order, I need to know whether the dishwasher will actually fit in my kitchen and, if applicable, behind the cabinet door. |
| Repairability | The model’s repairability index and the available information on maintenance and spare parts. In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition includes dishwashers among the product categories covered by this index. | For an appliance we’ll use regularly, I want to look into the maintenance and repair options before buying. |
If you eat at home regularly as a household, a capacity of 6 place settings may mean running the dishwasher more often and waiting longer for clean dishes.
Estimate how much washing-up you produce in a day, then compare it with the model’s capacity and basket layout. If space allows, compare larger formats too.
The figures on the energy label let you compare appliances based on the Eco programme; they don’t necessarily reflect a quick or intensive cycle. This basis is set out in the European energy labelling regulation for dishwashers.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration on the label, then look separately at the programmes you plan to use.
A “60 cm” label isn’t enough to confirm that a dishwasher will fit the cabinet and its door. For example, for the DIN36430 model, Beko specifies a housing height of 82 to 87 cm and a door weight of 3 to 9 kg.
Measure the housing space and check the instructions for the exact model for details on fittings, door weight and connections.
An incompatible housing space or cabinet door may mean adapting the cabinet or paying for additional installation work.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual. A commercial warranty extension does not replace it.
If you’re offered an extension, read what it covers and what it excludes, particularly parts, labour and call-out charges.
These examples from manufacturers’ product details can help you identify the measurements and restrictions to compare. Their specifications don’t apply to every model from that brand.
An example of a freestanding model to consider if you’re looking for a 60 cm appliance for regular loads.
An example of a fully integrated model to consider if your kitchen has a housing space and cabinet door.
An example of a compact countertop model to consider when limited space restricts your choice of format.
Two examples of integrated models to compare, depending on the space and capacity you need.
These models are suited to the regular washing-up needs of a larger household: four freestanding appliances and one fully integrated model. The right format for you will depend on the space and installation options in your kitchen.
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For regular meals in a larger household, its stated capacity of 14 place settings is worth comparing with your washing-up and the basket layout. The product name lists energy class D. Check the noise level and dimensions too before deciding where to put it.
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Its stated capacity of 14 place settings may suit the washing-up needs of a larger household. The product name mentions seven cycles. Check which ones suit your needs, as well as the dimensions and energy label details.
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The stated capacity of 14 place settings is worth considering for regular loads; the product name lists energy class C. Before deciding where to put it, confirm the appliance’s actual dimensions: the measurements in the product information don’t clearly match the “60 cm” description.
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This format is worth considering for the regular washing-up needs of a larger household if your kitchen has a suitable housing space and cabinet door. The product name lists 14 place settings and energy class C. Confirm the appliance and housing space dimensions, as well as the door requirements, before ordering, as the measurements given don’t clearly match the “60 cm” description.
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If several people use the kitchen, compare its stated capacity of 14 place settings with the available space and how often you’ll load it. The product name lists 41 dB and energy class C. Check the energy label figures to compare consumption, and note the warning about hot steam when the door opens automatically at the end of a cycle.
Compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise level. Under the European energy labelling regulation, the relevant measurements are based on the Eco programme with the appliance loaded to capacity. These figures don’t describe every quick or intensive cycle.
It may be suitable if the washing-up you produce between cycles fits within its capacity, or if you don’t mind running it more often. Candy and Electrolux each list 6 place settings for their CP 6E51LS and ESL2500RO compact models. Before choosing this format, think about your usual loads, including cooking utensils.
ADEME advises against pre-rinsing dishes and recommends waiting until the dishwasher is full before running a cycle. Remove large food scraps as directed in your appliance’s instructions and follow its loading guidance.
It helps you assess how repairable a model is, but doesn’t guarantee that a particular fault will be easy to fix. In France, the ministry responsible for ecological transition includes dishwashers among the product categories covered. Compare the index for the model you’re considering and the available maintenance information.
No. A commercial warranty extension is separate from the statutory guarantee of conformity. In France, the Ministry of the Economy explains that this statutory guarantee applies to goods sold by a business to an individual. Before deciding whether an extension is right for you, check what it covers and what it excludes.