Choose a capacity based on how much washing-up you actually build up between cycles, then check that your plates and utensils fit in the racks. A 60 cm appliance may suit regular, larger loads; a 45 cm model takes up less width, while a tabletop compact is mainly for when space is very limited, with a smaller capacity. To compare water and energy use, check the Eco programme figures on the energy label for the models you’re considering, and don’t overlook the cycle duration or installation requirements.
If your meals produce enough plates, glasses and utensils to wait for a full load, consider the capacity and rack layout. ADEME recommends waiting until the dishwasher is full before starting a cycle, without exceeding the loading instructions.
A 45 cm appliance can free up space if its capacity is enough for the washing-up you build up between cycles. This size is available in both freestanding and integrated versions. Check the installation type, the space available, any furniture door required and the connections for the model you choose.
A tabletop compact is worth considering if there’s no room under the worktop and you have only small amounts to wash. Measure the space where it will sit and check the manual for water supply, drainage and electrical requirements; these vary by model.
Start with how much washing-up you have between cycles, compare it with the space available, then compare energy labels on the same Eco basis.
| What to consider | What to check | How this relates to my needs |
|---|---|---|
| Usable capacity | Compare the number of place settings and the rack layout. Check whether there’s room for dishes, frying pans and tall glasses, and see how the racks can be adjusted on the specific model. | I want to group my washing-up together without running a half-empty cycle or routinely leaving larger utensils out. |
| Water, energy and duration | According to the European Commission, the energy label shows, among other things, water use per Eco cycle, energy use in kWh per 100 Eco cycles, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise. Compare these figures between models rather than relying on the A to G class alone. | Litres per cycle matter to me, but I also need to know how long the programme I’ll use regularly takes. |
| Space and installation | Measure the width, height and depth, as well as the space needed to open the door. For an integrated model, check the housing space and furniture door; for any size, consult the manual for water, drainage and electrical requirements. | My kitchen is narrow or I have limited worktop space, so the appliance needs to fit the space available and be connected there. |
| Maintenance and repairability | Check the manual to see how to access the filters and spray arms. For a model sold in France, look up the repairability information for the specific model number. | I’d like to be able to carry out routine maintenance and find information for the specific model, not just its range. |
This figure doesn’t tell you whether your frying pans, dishes and tall glasses will fit. The rack layout can affect how much washing-up you can fit in a cycle.
Before choosing a capacity, check the racks and their settings against your bulkiest utensils.
The European Commission lists water use per Eco cycle, energy use per 100 Eco cycles and programme duration separately on the label. The class letter alone isn’t enough to help you choose based on how you use the appliance.
Check the Eco figures for each model and take its capacity into account when comparing them.
A tabletop appliance needs a suitable spot and the right connections; an integrated model may also need a furniture door. Width alone isn’t enough to tell you whether it will work in your kitchen.
Measure the space and door opening, then check the installation requirements in the manual for the exact model.
According to ADEME, consumption varies by model and programme. So the Eco figures on the label don’t automatically apply to a different cycle.
Use the Eco data to compare appliances, and check the figures for the quick programme if its duration is a key factor in your choice.
Bosch offers 45 cm dishwashers in France, in both freestanding and integrated versions.
Beko France offers integrated 45 cm dishwashers, including models listed as having 10 place settings.
Candy offers tabletop models as well as dishwashers with larger capacities.
Miele France offers integrated and freestanding appliances in slimline and standard sizes.
This Joybuy selection includes three freestanding models for larger loads and two countertop compacts for smaller amounts. Compare their capacity with the washing-up you usually have; Eco figures and installation requirements still need to be checked for each model.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you can regularly build up a larger load. The model name lists 14 place settings and 7 programmes; check that the racks can accommodate your larger utensils and that the appliance fits the space available. Check its energy label to compare the Eco figures and programme duration.
Image unavailable
This size is designed for kitchens that can accommodate a 60 cm appliance and households that regularly fill a 14-place-setting dishwasher. Check the depth, door clearance and connections, then check the water use, energy use and duration on the model’s Eco energy label.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity may suit meals that leave you with a substantial load between cycles. Make sure the dimensions and racks work for your kitchen and dishes; to compare consumption, check the Eco programme figures on the energy label.
Image unavailable
This compact model is worth considering if you wash small amounts and have a suitable worktop space. The product name lists 6 place settings and 7 programmes. Check its dimensions, connections and Eco figures for the specific model before comparing it with a larger appliance.
Image unavailable
With a stated capacity of 3 place settings, this model is best suited to very small loads. Check that its capacity really helps you avoid running extra cycles. Measure the space, consult the manual for connection requirements and check which programme the consumption figures refer to before comparing it with other models.
Start by comparing the litres per Eco cycle shown on the energy labels for the models you’re considering. The European Commission also lists energy use per 100 Eco cycles, programme duration, capacity and noise. Look at these figures together, as litres per cycle alone don’t tell you how an appliance with a different capacity will perform in practice.
Yes, when you can fill it in line with the loading instructions: ADEME recommends waiting for a full load and not pre-rinsing your dishes. This doesn’t mean cramming items in so tightly that they can’t be washed properly.
Not necessarily: requirements depend on the model. For example, Candy France says its CP 6E51LS tabletop compact connects directly to a water supply. For the model you’re considering, check the manual for water supply, drainage, electricity and installation requirements.