First, choose a size that fits the space you actually have and can be installed properly. A tempting capacity is no use if the door can’t open or there’s nowhere for the pipes to go. A countertop model suits smaller loads if you have enough worktop space; consider a 45 cm model if your everyday dishes exceed that capacity, while a 60 cm model needs enough room and a large enough load to justify it. If there’s no suitable space, washing up by hand with a good routine is still an option.
If your cupboards already fill the space beneath the worktop, check that a countertop appliance will leave enough room to work and can be connected to the water supply and drainage. Haier highlights the connections needed for an appliance connected directly to the water supply; Candy’s product details for the CP 6E51LW also show that a countertop model still has a width and depth you’ll need to measure.
If meals quickly fill a small appliance, check how much space there is inside, particularly for dishes and pans. UFC-Que Choisir describes slimline 9-place-setting models as an option for a small family, but you’ll need to compare this with the dishes you actually use.
If you’ll be running the dishwasher near your living space, noise and programme length matter just as much as capacity. ADEME says this information is shown on the energy label; how noticeable the noise is will also depend on the room and the installation.
Consider it: if there’s no free space for an integrated appliance, but your worktop can accommodate one and your usual load is small.
Bear in mind: limited capacity may mean running more frequent cycles, and the appliance will take up worktop space.
Consider it: if you have enough width and a countertop model won’t hold all the dishes you produce between meals.
Bear in mind: a narrower width doesn’t necessarily mean less depth or less clearance in front of the door.
Consider it: if the space is suitable and dishes, pans and everyday crockery regularly add up to a large load.
Bear in mind: it takes up more width, so make sure your needs justify it rather than choosing it for the advertised capacity alone.
Consider it: if no appliance can be placed and connected safely, or if you have very few dishes to wash.
Bear in mind: you’ll need time to wash, dry and put away the dishes after meals.
To compare appliances that will work in your kitchen, start with your everyday load, then check the Eco cycle figures on the energy label. ADEME says this includes information such as capacity, water and energy use, programme duration and noise.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth and height, and check the door clearance. Consult the manual for connections and pipe routing. | I can’t move my cupboards to make room for an appliance, so it needs to work where I have space. Around 36% of consumers put this installation constraint first. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated place settings with your dishes and pans, then check the basket layout. | If a day’s dishes won’t fit in one load, a small machine may mean running more cycles. Capacity is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise and Eco cycle | Check the dB, litres per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles and Eco programme duration for the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to start a cycle without overlooking noise or how it fits around mealtimes. I also check water and energy use. Around 21% of consumers prioritise this everyday convenience. |
| Option without an appliance | Check whether an appliance can genuinely be connected to the water supply and drainage. If not, make space to wash, dry and put dishes away by hand. | When there aren’t many dishes and installing a machine would make the kitchen more complicated, I’d rather keep things simple. This is the top priority for around 14% of consumers. |
A dishwasher that fits the available width may still leave no room to open the door or route the water and drainage pipes properly. Haier’s connection requirements and Candy’s published dimensions apply to specific installations and models.
Measure the entire space and check the manual for the model you’re considering, particularly for clearance, pipes and the electrical supply.
An unsuitable location may require work on the connections before you can use the appliance.
Candy’s product details for the CP 6E51LW state that it holds 6 place settings, while UFC-Que Choisir describes 45 cm models with 9 place settings. However, the place-setting figure alone won’t tell you whether your larger utensils will fit.
Make a note of the dishes you use in a day and compare them with the basket layout for the exact model.
If dishes and pans won’t fit alongside your plates, you’ll need to run extra loads or wash them separately.
The energy rating doesn’t tell you how much water a dishwasher uses, how long the Eco cycle takes or how noisy it is. ADEME says these figures are shown on dishwasher energy labels.
Compare models using the figures for the reference cycle, and check the manual separately if a quick programme is important to your routine.
Worth considering for a countertop model or other sizes in the range, but don’t assume they all have the same features.
Worth looking at if you can install a freestanding 45 cm dishwasher but think a countertop model would be too small.
Another brand to consider for a 45 cm model if you need more capacity than a small countertop appliance can offer.
These countertop appliances are worth considering if there’s no space under your worktop. Before choosing one, compare its stated capacity, water supply method and dimensions with your dishes and the space you have available.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance rather than an under-counter model. The title states that it has a built-in 5 L tank and several cycles. Check that there’s room to open the door and drain the water, then make sure its capacity suits your meals.
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Worth considering for a small load if you have room for it on your worktop. The title states that it has 7 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the manual for its capacity for your dishes, how it drains and the figures for the cycles you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you need a water supply option to suit a restricted space. The title states that it has a built-in 5 L tank and a D energy rating. Check how it drains, whether it can hold your dishes and which parts you’ll need if you plan to connect it to a tap.
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Worth considering if a stated capacity of 6 place settings suits your everyday load. The title states that it has 7 programmes, produces 47 dB of noise and has a D energy rating. Check these figures on the model’s label, along with its dimensions and connection requirements.
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Only consider this if a small load of 3 place settings is enough between meals. The title states that it has 7 programmes, produces 56,3 dB of noise and has a C energy rating. Check the dimensions, drainage and label details before comparing it with another model.
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, as well as the clearance needed in front of the door and behind the appliance for the pipes. For example, Candy’s product details for the CP 6E51LW countertop model give its dimensions as 550 × 501 × 443 mm. So the word ‘compact’ is no substitute for checking the dimensions of the exact model.
For an appliance connected directly to the water supply, check that you have a cold-water inlet, a drainage connection and a suitable electrical socket for the installation. Haier also advises making sure the pipes aren’t kinked. Check the model’s requirements in its manual, and ask a professional to inspect your existing installation if you’re unsure.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy says that new dishwashers must display an energy label both in shops and online. To compare models, ADEME recommends checking details such as capacity, water use per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles, Eco cycle duration and noise.
No, not using only the figures for the reference cycle shown on the label. ADEME says this is often the Eco programme. If you expect to use a quick programme regularly, check its details separately in the model’s manual.