Choose a format to suit the space available, the amount of washing-up and your connections: go for a freestanding model if you don’t have a cabinet space to fit out, an integrated model if your kitchen has a suitable housing unit, or a slimline or compact model if you have less space and fewer dishes to wash. Then compare capacity, energy and water use, and noise levels on the energy label. According to Que Choisir, buying a dishwasher isn’t essential if washing and drying the dishes after every meal takes you less than 15 minutes.
If mealtimes regularly leave your sink full, compare the stated place-setting capacity with the plates, pans and utensils you actually use. Que Choisir also recommends considering cleaning performance, energy and water use, and noise, rather than choosing based on capacity alone.
A 45 cm slimline model or a compact dishwasher that sits on the worktop may be a better fit for the space you have. However, check the amount of washing-up it can handle, along with the water supply, drainage and positioning requirements in the instructions. For a very small load, washing by hand remains an option.
An integrated model fits into a suitable housing unit and can be finished with a compatible door panel. Before ordering, check the dimensions, door system, accessible connections and what’s included in the installation service.
Start with the amount of washing-up you have and your kitchen layout, then compare usage figures for appliances with a similar capacity and format.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the stated number of place settings with the amount of washing-up from your meals and the space needed for utensils. Check the basket layout too: standard place settings don’t tell you everything about how you load the dishwasher. | I’d rather have a capacity I can fill regularly, without needing to run several cycles for pans and plates. |
| Format | Measure the space and distinguish between freestanding, integrated and worktop models. Que Choisir describes 60 cm freestanding models rated for 12 to 17 place settings, 45 cm models for 9 to 10 place settings, and worktop compacts for 6 place settings. | If my kitchen is narrow, I’ll check whether a 45 cm model can handle my household’s washing-up. For a very small load, I could consider a compact model, provided I have the space and connections it needs. |
| Energy and water use | According to ADEME, the energy label shows details including kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity and the duration of the Eco cycle. Compare these figures on a like-for-like basis, not just the energy class. | I’ll use the Eco programme often, so its duration matters for planning my day as much as the consumption figures on the label. |
| Noise | Check the noise level and noise class on the energy label, particularly if you have an open-plan kitchen. Compare the figures shown for the specific models you’re considering. | My kitchen opens onto the living area, or I sometimes run a cycle in the evening, so the appliance’s noise level will affect my choice. |
| Installation | Check the water inlet, drainage and electrical supply required in the instructions. For an integrated model, also check the housing unit and door panel. For a compact model, filling it with water doesn’t necessarily take care of draining it. | I want to know where the appliance will go and what installation will involve before ordering, including any accessories or work that may be needed. |
| Washing by hand | Work out how long it takes to wash and dry your dishes after every meal, and how much space an appliance would take up. Que Choisir says a dishwasher isn’t essential if this task takes less than 15 minutes. | I don’t have much washing-up and can get it done quickly by hand, so I could stick with that rather than installing an appliance. |
According to Que Choisir, an integrated model needs to be fitted into a housing unit and may be supplied without a door panel, top or side panels. So simply setting aside some floor space won’t be enough.
Measure the housing unit, confirm that the door is compatible, and check what’s included in delivery and installation.
The door panel and its installation may require a separate service.
The energy class doesn’t tell you how much washing-up the appliance can hold, how many litres it uses per cycle, how long the Eco programme takes or how noisy it is.
Compare all the information on the energy label described by ADEME, looking at models with a similar format and capacity.
Daan Tech says its Bob model can be filled from a tank, but you’ll still need to connect its drain hose. This set-up doesn’t apply to every compact model.
For the model you choose, check the filling method, drainage, electrical socket and available worktop space separately.
Regular use means buying consumables and carrying out maintenance. Delivery or installation may also need some planning.
Check the services on offer and the model’s maintenance instructions, then factor these tasks into your decision.
These brands offer options to compare across different formats. Check the specifications of each model rather than assuming they apply across an entire range.
Worth considering if you’d like to read the manufacturer’s installation guidance before choosing a model.
Worth considering if the available width points you towards a 45 cm appliance.
Its French catalogue lets you explore freestanding, integrated and fully integrated models.
Worth exploring if you want to compare freestanding and integrated formats where kitchen width is a factor.
This selection includes a fully integrated model for kitchens with a compatible housing unit, as well as freestanding models for households that prefer this format. Check the capacity and dimensions of each appliance before choosing.
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This format is designed for a kitchen with a compatible housing unit and door panel, and for regular loads of washing-up.
The product details list 14 place settings, 10.5 L and 0.75 kWh per Eco cycle, as well as 44 dB. The title gives a width of 60 cm, while the description says 68 cm. Confirm the exact dimensions and check that the housing unit is suitable before ordering.
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The stated capacity of 14 place settings and adjustable upper basket are worth considering if your meals mean you have different kinds of loads.
The product details list 41 dB, 9.5 L per Eco cycle and 75 kWh per 100 cycles. The title gives a width of 60 cm, while the description says 67.5 cm. Ask for confirmation of the actual dimensions and the space required.
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This freestanding model may be worth considering if you have lots of washing-up every day, taking into account the space it needs in your kitchen.
The product details list 14 place settings, seven programmes, a third rack and an adjustable upper basket. Check the model’s instructions for its dimensions and connection requirements.
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The stated capacity of 14 place settings and adjustable upper basket could be useful if the amount of washing-up varies from meal to meal.
The product details list six programmes, including Push&Go, which is stated to take 85 minutes at 50 °C. Check the model’s energy label to compare its kWh per 100 cycles with other appliances.
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This freestanding model with 14 place settings is worth comparing for regular loads, especially if your kitchen opens onto a living area.
The title gives a noise level of 41 dB and a C energy class. The product details describe automatic door opening at the end of the programme. Follow the warnings about hot steam and check the energy label for kWh per 100 cycles.
Yes. The standard installation described by Bosch requires a water supply, electricity and suitable drainage. Check the instructions for your model and the position of the connections. The 1.2 m limit stated by Electrolux applies to its own installation service and doesn’t automatically apply to other appliances.
Some can: Daan Tech says its Bob compact model can be filled from a tank or connected to a water supply. However, you’ll still need to arrange drainage. Check both requirements separately in the instructions for the compact model you’re considering.
According to ADEME, compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level. Compare appliances with a similar format and capacity to make sure the figures are relevant to how you’ll use yours.
According to Que Choisir, a dishwasher isn’t essential if washing and drying the dishes after every meal takes you less than 15 minutes. Washing by hand is also worth considering if the space or connections in your home make installation impractical.
The ministry responsible for the environment says electrical appliances can be taken to a collection point or recycling centre, returned to a retailer, or given to a social and solidarity economy organisation. Check the collection options available when your new appliance is delivered.