First, choose a capacity that suits your everyday dishes and a spot where the appliance can actually be installed. A compact countertop model is suitable for a small load, while 45 cm models offer more capacity without taking up the width of a 60 cm model. In an open-plan kitchen, also compare the stated noise level and the conditions for the programme you plan to use.
If you only have a small load of dishes to wash each day, compare a compact countertop model with a 45 cm model, taking into account how much worktop space the former will use. Que Choisir presents 6-place-setting countertop models as an option for smaller homes.
If 6 place settings aren’t enough but it’s hard to make room for a width of 60 cm, a 45 cm model is worth considering. Models listed by Miele France and Beko France show capacities of 9 to 10 place settings; check the specifications for each model.
If your dishwasher will be running during an evening in, a conversation or a spell of working from home, check both the stated noise level and the programme you plan to use at those times. Que Choisir highlights the importance of noise when appliances share your living space.
Capacity and width help you choose the right size. Whether the appliance can be installed and how noisy it is while you’re at home can then help you decide between two models of the same size.
Consider it: for a small load, if your worktop has room for the appliance and will still be usable.
Trade-off: the 6-place-setting countertop models featured by Que Choisir have less capacity than the 45 cm examples mentioned here.
Consider it: if space is limited but 6 place settings aren’t enough for your usual load.
Trade-off: width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit your kitchen; check the depth, height and installation type too.
Consider it: if you have enough space and regularly fill a high-capacity appliance.
Trade-off: this size takes up more width. Check the stated noise level separately from any claims about a quiet programme.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Stated number of place settings and how much room there is in the racks for your plates and dishes. | If my dishes pile up between cycles, I want to avoid still having to wash some items by hand. Around 29% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits their load. |
| Size and installation | Full dimensions, door opening and connections; for an integrated model, check the niche measurements and compatible door front. | In a narrow kitchen, I need to leave room to move around and open the appliance. Installation feasibility comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Noise | Stated level in dB(A), then the level and duration of the programme you plan to use in the evening. | When people are using the living space, I don’t want the cycle to disturb conversation or relaxation; around 24% of consumers put acoustic comfort first. |
| Consumption and use | kWh per 100 cycles, litres per Eco cycle and the duration of the Eco programme, comparing models with similar capacities. | For an appliance I use regularly, I want to compare its resource consumption without losing sight of cycle duration. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this. |
Que Choisir describes countertop appliances with 6 place settings, while the 45 cm models listed by Miele France and Beko France offer 9 to 10. A compact model could leave some of your dishes outside the machine.
Think about how much washing-up builds up between cycles, and check that the racks can accommodate your largest dishes.
This label tells you neither how noisy the cycle you’ll use is nor how long it lasts. For an open-plan kitchen, Que Choisir recommends considering noise as a factor when buying.
Compare the stated dB(A) figures, then check the manual for the conditions of any quiet programme.
The stated width doesn’t guarantee that the niche, door or connections will be suitable. For example, Whirlpool France specifies a niche measuring 82/90 × 60 × 56 cm for its semi-integrated W3PFD636B model.
Measure the space and the route for the hoses; confirm that the door front is compatible and check what’s included before ordering.
The European Commission notes that electricity and water use, durability and repairability can all affect the use of an appliance. However, a single consumption figure won’t tell you whether its capacity is right for you.
Compare Eco programme figures for appliances with similar capacities, as well as the repair information available.
These examples show specific configurations. Check the specifications of the model you’re considering rather than assuming they apply to every product from the same brand.
A brand to consider for a 45 cm freestanding dishwasher.
Examples of fully integrated 45 cm dishwashers to consider if your kitchen has a compatible niche.
A 45 cm freestanding model that offers more capacity than a compact 6-place-setting appliance.
Examples of 60 cm integrated or semi-integrated models for kitchens with room for this size.
These Joybuy models include two compact countertop dishwashers and 60 cm appliances, both freestanding and integrated. Compare them based on the size of your load, the space available and the installation requirements. Consider a 45 cm model using the same criteria.
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Worth considering for a large load if your kitchen has a niche and door front that are compatible with this 60 cm integrated model.
The product name lists 13 place settings and an energy rating of B. If you plan to use it in the evening, check the manual for the duration of the Extra Silence programme before relying on its name.
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For a small load, this countertop size avoids taking up the width of a 60 cm appliance, provided you have space for it on your worktop.
The product name lists 6 place settings, seven programmes and 47 dB. Check its dimensions, the connections required and which programme the noise level applies to.
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Worth considering if you regularly wash a large load and can spare 60 cm of width for a freestanding appliance.
The product name lists 14 place settings, 41 dB and an energy rating of C; check the manual to see which programme the noise level applies to. The product information flags lead at over 0.1% in some welded components. Check the materials information if this is a factor in your choice.
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For a very small load, check that this countertop model leaves enough room for both your dishes and your worktop.
It has a stated capacity of 3 place settings. The product information mentions manually filling the reservoir; check the drainage method, noise level and consumption figures in the technical specifications before deciding where to put it.
Not necessarily: check the model’s manual. Bosch Électroménager France lists a water supply, drainage and electrical supply among the requirements for installing a conventionally connected dishwasher. Having space on your worktop doesn’t replace these checks.
Check that the planned power supply is suitable for the appliance, as set out in its manual, and for your home’s installation. If any changes to the circuit are needed, ask a qualified professional to assess the work required.
This figure is a guide, not a guarantee of how noisy every cycle will seem. Que Choisir highlights the importance of noise in a shared living space: check the manual for the noise level and duration of the programme you plan to use in the evening.
In particular, compare kWh per 100 cycles, water consumption and the duration of the Eco programme, as well as capacity and noise level. Compare appliances suited to your load and available space: a single consumption figure won’t solve an installation or capacity issue.
The French Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a business to an individual. If the appliance is faulty or doesn’t match its description, contact the seller to discuss the remedies available. This legal guarantee is separate from any voluntary returns policy.