First, choose an appliance that fits in your kitchen and can handle the dishes you use regularly. A compact model with 6 place settings suits smaller loads, while a 45 cm model with 9 place settings may work for a small family prepared to run it daily, according to UFC-Que Choisir. If dishes from several meals tend to pile up, consider 60 cm models too, but don’t judge their usable capacity by width alone. Next, compare the figures on the label for the Eco programme and check the connections. An integrated model also needs a compatible housing unit and door panel.
If plates, glasses and utensils are left to wash after several meals, compare the stated number of place settings with the space actually available in the baskets. Capacity matters, but so does whether you can fit larger items.
A 45 cm model can help you save width; UFC-Que Choisir says a model with 9 place settings may suit a small family, even if it needs to run every day. Its comparisons also feature 6-place-setting compact models designed to sit on a worktop, for smaller spaces and loads.
An existing space doesn’t guarantee that a new model will fit. Take fresh measurements and check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply. For an integrated model, check the housing unit and door panel too.
Start with your washing-up load and available space, then compare the features of models that will fit.
| Criteria | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and space | Compare the number of place settings with the basket layout and the size of your larger items. Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the clearance needed to open the door. | I want to fit the dishes from my meals without choosing an appliance that takes up more space than I have available. |
| Consumption and cycle length | The European Commission says the label includes figures such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle and the Eco programme duration. Compare these figures on the same basis, as well as the A to G energy rating. | If I often run a cycle in the evening, its duration matters just as much as the stated consumption figures. |
| Noise and results | Check the noise emissions shown on the label. For washing and drying performance, look for test results for the exact models you’re considering, where available. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to take the noise during a cycle into account and be able to put dishes away without needing to wash them again. |
| Installation and maintenance | Check the connections and the model’s instructions. For an integrated model, check the housing unit, door panel and hinges; also make sure you can access the filter. | I need to be able to install the appliance in the space provided and reach the parts that need regular cleaning. |
Two appliances with a similar stated capacity may offer different amounts of room for saucepans and dishes. UFC-Que Choisir points out that a 45 cm model with 9 place settings may need to run every day in a small family.
Picture a typical load, then check the basket layout and the appliance dimensions.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you how much water an appliance uses, how long the Eco programme takes or how noisy it is. The European Commission lists these details separately on the label.
Compare the Eco figures for the models you’re considering, without mixing them up with those for a quick programme.
An integrated model has housing unit and door panel requirements, in addition to the usual checks on dimensions and connections. Bosch warns that installing a dishwasher can be complex or dangerous.
Read the instructions for your chosen model and, if necessary, ask a professional to check the connections or carry out the installation.
Adapting the connections or paying for installation may add to the work you had planned.
Bosch says that a filter in need of cleaning can lead to unpleasant odours or less clean dishes in its appliances.
Make sure the filter is easy to reach and follow the maintenance instructions for your chosen model.
These examples of product ranges and models can help you identify features to compare. They may not apply to every model from a particular brand.
The range includes freestanding and integrated dishwashers.
Worth considering among the 60 cm freestanding models if stated capacity is important to you.
The French range includes several installation types, including compact models.
A model to compare if you’re looking for a fully integrated 45 cm dishwasher.
The range includes compact worktop models for smaller loads.
These options cover three ways to fit a dishwasher into your kitchen for everyday washing-up: freestanding, integrated and compact worktop models. First, choose the one that suits your space and typical loads.
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Worth considering if you want to fit the washing-up from several meals into a freestanding model. This model is listed with an E energy rating; also measure the space available and check the Eco programme figures on its label.
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Its stated capacity makes this model worth considering for larger loads, and its name indicates that it has seven cycles. Before comparing its consumption with another appliance, use the Eco figures on each model’s label.
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This size may suit a household where dishes tend to pile up after meals. The model name indicates 41 dB and a C energy rating; check its dimensions and Eco figures before making your choice.
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Worth considering if your kitchen has a space for an integrated model and 13 place settings suit your usual loads. This model is listed with a C energy rating; confirm the dimensions of the appliance, housing unit and door panel before ordering.
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The worktop format and 6-place-setting capacity are suited to smaller loads rather than washing up after several meals at once. The model name indicates seven programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating; check the dimensions, installation and connection requirements for this model.
Use the figures on their labels for the Eco programme, rather than comparing a quick cycle on one model with an Eco cycle on the other. The European Commission says the label includes information such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise.
Not without checking the space. An integrated model must fit the housing unit, available height and door panel, as well as the connections. Bosch recommends checking the model’s instructions and using a professional for installation.
Make sure the space has a suitable electrical supply for the dishwasher you’re considering. If a circuit needs to be installed or altered, ask a qualified person to check the installation rather than assuming an existing socket will be suitable.
Follow the instructions for your model, particularly for cleaning the filter. Bosch says that a filter in need of cleaning can lead to unpleasant odours or less clean dishes, so make sure it’s easy to reach when the appliance is installed.