In a rental without a fitted-kitchen unit to house a dishwasher, a freestanding model means you won’t need the door panel required for an integrated appliance. Choose a size that suits your available space and the amount of washing up you produce. A compact model may work for smaller loads if your worktop and installation allow for it. Before ordering, check the space, power supply, water inlet and drainage required for your chosen model.
If the space has the necessary connections, a freestanding model means you won’t need a fitted-kitchen unit or door panel. UFC-Que Choisir describes this type as an appliance with its own exterior finish. Even so, measure all the space you’ll need before choosing one.
A 45 cm freestanding appliance is worth considering if floor space is limited. For smaller loads, you could also consider a compact countertop model, provided your worktop and the model’s installation requirements are suitable. UFC-Que Choisir lists 45 cm models and compact models with a capacity of 6 place settings.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that a dishwasher needs a water and electricity supply, as well as a waste-water outlet. If the proposed installation involves altering the property or its fittings, ANIL advises that, for an unfurnished rental in France, you need the landlord’s written permission.
First, work out where the appliance could go and whether it can be connected there. Then compare the different sizes and the specifications of each model.
| Factor | What to check | To suit your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | Check for a water inlet, waste-water outlet and power supply where you plan to put the appliance. UFC-Que Choisir says all three connections are needed to install a dishwasher. | I want to install the appliance without improvising a connection or altering the property’s fittings. |
| Size | Measure the width, height and depth, and allow room to open the door and route the hoses. Compare the stated capacity with the amount of washing up you usually produce. | If floor space is tight, I’ll look at a 45 cm freestanding model. If I only have worktop space, I’ll consider compact models and their smaller capacity. |
| Housing and door panel | According to UFC-Que Choisir, an integrated dishwasher is designed for a housing unit and is supplied without a door panel, top or side panels. Check that the housing unit and door panel are compatible before choosing this type. | Without a fitted kitchen, I’d prefer an appliance with its own exterior finish rather than an integrated model that can’t simply be placed on the floor. |
| Installation and leaks | Check that the appliance can be levelled, the hoses won’t be trapped and the existing taps and fittings are in good condition. Check which accessories are compatible and the model’s installation requirements. | I want to be able to check the connections and move the appliance later without leaving an unsuitable installation behind. |
| Use | Compare the capacity, the kWh per 100 cycles and the litres per cycle shown on the energy label, as explained by ADEME. | If I often run small loads, capacity matters just as much as the space the appliance takes up. I’ll also compare energy and water use using the same reference conditions. |
An integrated model needs a suitable housing unit and door panel. UFC-Que Choisir notes that it is supplied without a top or side panels, so it isn’t designed to be used as a freestanding appliance.
If there’s no existing housing unit, start by looking at freestanding models. If there is one, measure it and check the door panel, fixings and connections required.
An appliance may fit between two units but still lack enough depth, space for the door to open or room for the hoses. You’ll also need to be able to access the connections.
Measure all three dimensions of the space and check the hose route, then compare them with the exact model’s dimensions and installation instructions.
Bosch’s AquaStop guarantee excludes faulty pipes and taps upstream of the tap connection. The manufacturer also requires professional installation as one of the conditions of this guarantee.
Check the existing connections and follow the model’s instructions for installation and choosing any accessories you may need.
UFC-Que Choisir points out that installation, use and maintenance all matter when choosing a dishwasher. Two similar-sized models may also have different capacities and energy and water consumption.
Compare the capacity with the amount of washing up you produce, then compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per reference cycle shown on the energy label.
These examples show the types of appliance available from each manufacturer. The specifications apply only to the models listed.
Bosch sells 45 cm freestanding dishwashers in France, which are worth considering if floor space is limited.
Beko sells 45 cm freestanding models in France for narrower spaces.
Brandt also sells 60 cm freestanding appliances, worth considering if you have enough floor space.
These options include freestanding appliances designed to stand on the floor, as well as countertop models. Compare their capacity with the amount of washing up you produce, then check the dimensions and installation instructions for your chosen model in your home.
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Worth considering if you have floor space for a 60 cm model that doesn’t need a kitchen door panel. The title lists a capacity of 14 place settings, a C energy rating and a noise level of 41 dB. Check the full dimensions, door clearance and connections before ordering.
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This freestanding model could suit a space without a housing unit, provided the dimensions and connections are suitable. The title lists a capacity of 14 place settings and an E energy rating. Also check the door clearance and hose route.
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This countertop model may be an option when floor space is limited and you have a small amount of washing up to do. The title lists 7 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the manual for the space required, power supply, water inlet and drainage.
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This countertop model is worth considering for smaller loads rather than the capacity of a large floor-standing appliance. The title lists a capacity of 6 place settings, 7 programmes and a D energy rating. Measure your worktop and check the connections specified in the manual.
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A freestanding model means you won’t need an integrated door panel, as long as your kitchen has a suitable space on the floor. The title lists a capacity of 14 place settings and a D energy rating. Check the exact dimensions and connections before deciding where to put it.
UFC-Que Choisir says a dishwasher needs a water inlet, a power supply and a waste-water outlet. Check that they’re accessible where you plan to put the appliance, then follow the model’s instructions for levelling it and routing the hoses.
An integrated model is only suitable if you have a compatible housing unit and door panel. UFC-Que Choisir notes that this type of appliance is supplied without a door panel, top or side panels, so it can’t simply be placed on the floor like a freestanding model.
For an unfurnished rental in France, ANIL says that you need the landlord’s written permission to alter the property or its fittings. Before adding a connection, drilling or altering an existing installation, discuss the specific work with your landlord. Simply connecting an appliance to existing connections isn’t automatically treated in the same way.
No. Bosch says its AquaStop guarantee doesn’t cover faulty water-supply pipes or taps upstream of the connection. Check these parts and the model’s installation requirements, particularly if the manufacturer requires professional installation for the guarantee to apply.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per reference cycle. ADEME explains that these figures use different units. Consider them alongside the model’s capacity and the amount of washing up you usually want to do.