First, measure the space and check the door, its panel and the connections. This will help you decide between a semi-integrated and a fully integrated dishwasher for your existing kitchen. A 45 cm model is worth considering if space is tight and its capacity suits your everyday dishes; a compact tabletop model isn’t automatically a substitute for an under-counter appliance.
Measure the available space before considering a 45 cm appliance. If you opt for a 9-place-setting model, check that its capacity suits the amount of washing-up you generate each day. Width alone isn’t enough to make your choice.
The choice between a visible control panel and a fully covered door also depends on the door, its hinges and your existing cabinetry. Check these details for the specific model you’re considering.
A compact model may be an option if you have room on your worktop and the necessary connections. UFC-Que Choisir describes compact 6-place-setting models as appliances designed to sit on a worktop, rather than as appliances that are automatically suitable for built-in installation.
First rule out any sizes that won’t fit the space or work with your kitchen fronts. Then compare the capacity and practical features of the models that remain suitable.
| Priority | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and door | Measure the usable width, height and depth of the space. Compare them with the model’s installation diagram, then check the door, hinges, panel and connections. Bosch Home Appliances France recommends measuring the space before buying a built-in appliance. | I want the appliance to fit beneath the worktop and its door to open alongside the units already installed. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated number of place settings and the basket layout with the dishes you usually wash. The 45 cm or 60 cm width must first fit the space; capacity varies between models. | Space is limited, but I want to fit my everyday dishes without choosing based on width alone. |
| Water, electricity and noise | Compare figures measured for the same programme: kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and the noise rating. ADEME explains that the energy consumption shown for comparison is expressed in kWh per 100 reference cycles. | In a kitchen close to the living area, noise matters just as much as the stated consumption. |
| Washing and drying | Look at the available results for the programmes you’ll use, as well as the basket layout. UFC-Que Choisir says it mainly tests Eco and Auto or Normal programmes. Don’t assume washing or drying performance based on capacity alone. | I want to load everyday dishes easily and know how well they’ll be washed and dried, especially when I also put plastic items in the dishwasher. |
A built-in appliance may fit the width but still cause problems with the height, depth or door opening.
Measure the usable space, then compare it with the installation diagram for the exact model. Check the panel and hinge system before ordering, too.
UFC-Que Choisir describes compact 6-place-setting models as appliances designed to sit on a worktop. So an existing space beneath the worktop isn’t necessarily suitable for one.
Check the instructions for the compact model you’re considering to confirm how it should be installed, how much space it needs and what connections are required.
A figure for a quick or intensive programme doesn’t tell you the same thing as one for the Eco programme.
To compare two models, look at the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle on the same basis. Then compare separately the programmes you expect to use.
These examples show different installation options. Check the product page and instructions for each model to make sure it’s suitable for your kitchen.
The French range includes 45 cm built-in dishwashers, as well as models with a visible control panel.
Electrolux France offers both a 45 cm fully integrated model and a 60 cm semi-integrated model.
Miele France offers, among other options, a 45 cm fully integrated model and a 60 cm under-counter built-in appliance.
This tabletop dishwasher is a compact option to consider if you have a suitable space on your worktop. It shouldn’t be treated as an automatic replacement for an appliance built in beneath the worktop.
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This tabletop model is designed for smaller loads, provided it’s suitable for your worktop and the necessary connections are available. The product title lists 6 place settings, 7 programmes, automatic door opening for drying and a noise level of 47 dB. Check its dimensions and installation instructions before choosing it.
No. First choose a width that fits the measured space, then find a capacity that suits your everyday dishes. A 45 cm appliance isn’t automatically right just because your kitchen is small.
A semi-integrated model has a visible control panel, while a fully integrated model hides the controls behind a matching door panel. For either type, check the space, door, hinges and panel requirements for the exact model.
Not automatically. UFC-Que Choisir describes compact 6-place-setting models as appliances designed to sit on a worktop. Check the instructions for your chosen model to confirm the installation and connection requirements for the space you have in mind.
Compare figures measured on the same basis, particularly kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle, while taking each appliance’s capacity into account. According to ADEME, reference energy consumption is expressed in kWh per 100 cycles. Figures for other programmes shouldn’t be confused with this measure.
ADEME recommends not rinsing dishes before putting them in the dishwasher. To compare the water consumption of different appliances, check the stated figures for the models and programmes you’re considering.