First, choose a size that fits the space available, with suitable water, waste and electrical connections. A 60 cm freestanding model offers more room for dishes if your kitchen can accommodate it. A 45 cm model takes up less width, while a compact countertop dishwasher is suited to smaller loads when there’s no room for a full-size appliance.
A freestanding appliance doesn’t need a matching cabinet door or a dedicated housing unit. It still needs an accessible spot for the water supply, waste outlet and electricity, as UFC-Que Choisir points out in its installation advice.
If there’s space for a floor-standing appliance but not a 60 cm model, a 45 cm dishwasher takes up less width. UFC-Que Choisir gives a capacity of 9 to 10 place settings for this size; consider whether that suits how often you wash up.
A compact countertop dishwasher may suit you if smaller loads are enough and there’s no room for a floor-standing appliance. Check that you have enough worktop space, an electrical supply and somewhere for the waste water to drain.
Measure the space and locate the connections first. Then compare the capacity and features of models that can actually be installed there.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the door opening and the route for the hoses. UFC-Que Choisir distinguishes between 60 cm and 45 cm floor-standing models. | Can I set aside floor space for the appliance, or do I need to keep that space clear for moving around? |
| Fitting under a worktop | Compare the available height with the model’s dimensions and check its product details to see whether the top panel is removable. Bosch says this can save 2 to 3 cm on certain models. | There’s a worktop above the space, so the appliance needs to fit underneath. Don’t assume its top panel can be removed. |
| Connections | UFC-Que Choisir says a standard dishwasher needs a water supply, a waste outlet and an electrical supply. If a compact model has a water tank, check separately how it drains and connects to the mains. | I want to know where the water will come in and drain away before choosing a spot, even for a countertop model. |
| Capacity | UFC-Que Choisir gives a capacity of 12 to 17 place settings for 60 cm models and 9 to 10 for 45 cm models. For a compact dishwasher, check the capacity of the specific model: Darty lists the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL as holding 3 place settings. | The amount of washing up and how often I run a cycle matter more to me than the appliance’s external size alone. |
| Everyday use | Compare the energy label and consumption figures for the exact model. You’ll also need the products it requires to work, including detergent and, depending on the appliance, rinse aid and dishwasher salt, as listed by UFC-Que Choisir. | Once I’ve chosen a size, I want to compare models by their usage figures rather than just how much space they take up. |
A 45 cm model might fit between two cabinets but still need more room for its depth, open door or hoses.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, the clearance in front of the appliance and the route for the connections before comparing capacities.
A standard freestanding dishwasher still needs a water supply, a waste outlet and electricity, as UFC-Que Choisir explains.
Locate all three before ordering and check what’s included in the seller’s installation service.
Not every freestanding appliance has a removable top panel. The appliance’s width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit under a worktop.
Check the product details or manual to confirm whether the top panel can be removed, then measure the available height.
Loads can be much smaller: Darty lists the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL as holding 3 place settings, compared with 9 to 10 place settings for the 45 cm models described by UFC-Que Choisir.
Make sure the rack suits the dishes you usually wash, and allow for a stable spot and a suitable route for draining the water.
Bosch’s freestanding range includes 45 cm and 60 cm models, as well as models with removable top panels.
Beko’s freestanding models in France give you a choice of different widths and capacities.
Miele offers 45 cm freestanding dishwashers, including the G 5740 SC SL.
The Studio MINID3SL is an example of a compact countertop option for very small loads.
These models include 60 cm freestanding appliances and a compact countertop dishwasher. Compare them based on the space available, how much washing up you have and the installation you have in mind.
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Worth considering if you have floor space for a 60 cm appliance with a capacity of 14 place settings. The product name lists a noise level of 41 dB and a C energy rating. If you plan to fit it under a worktop, check the required height and the conditions for removing the top panel in the manual.
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One to compare if you have floor space for an appliance of this capacity. The product name lists 7 programmes. If you’re considering fitting it under a worktop, check the dimensions and don’t assume the top panel is removable.
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Worth considering when there’s no room for a floor-standing appliance and smaller loads are enough. The product name lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Check that you have enough worktop space, how you’ll drain the water and where the appliance will plug in.
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An option to compare if you have enough width for a model with a capacity of 14 place settings. The product name lists an E energy rating. Before fitting it under a worktop, check the available height, whether the top panel can be removed and the route for the waste water.
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Worth considering if the space can accommodate the appliance at its full height. The product name lists a D energy rating. The top panel is listed as non-removable, so don’t rely on taking it off to fit the dishwasher under a low worktop.
A standard freestanding model needs a water supply, a waste-water outlet and an electrical supply, according to UFC-Que Choisir’s installation advice. Check where these are and make sure the hoses will be accessible.
No. Compare the appliance’s height with the available space and check explicitly whether its top panel can be removed. Bosch says a removable top panel can save 2 to 3 cm on certain models, but that doesn’t guarantee the appliance will fit your space.
No. A water tank may mean that some models don’t need to connect to a mains water supply, but you’ll still need electricity and somewhere for the waste water to drain. Check the manual to find out where the waste water goes and how to position the hose.
Compare the capacity, energy label and consumption figures for models that fit your kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir also recommends allowing for the products needed for washing, including detergent and, depending on the appliance, rinse aid and dishwasher salt.