If you often fill your dishwasher, start by choosing a capacity and basket layout that can accommodate the dishes, pans and cutlery you actually use, rather than relying on the stated number of place settings alone. A freestanding model means you don’t need to coordinate a matching cabinet door; with an integrated model, you’ll need to check the housing, door and installation instructions. Then compare the Eco programme figures, noise level and repairability of models with a similar capacity.
If meals leave you with lots of cookware as well as plates, check how the baskets accommodate bulky items. Que Choisir lists the number of place settings as one of the factors to consider, but that figure doesn’t tell you how much room there is for your own dishes.
If you’re placing the appliance under a worktop or behind a cabinet door, check the housing and installation requirements for your chosen model before settling on its capacity. Bosch, Miele and Siemens product information covers different formats, each suited to different installation requirements.
If you run frequent cycles, it’s worth comparing energy and water use, maintenance requirements and repairability separately. ADEME explains the consumption units shown on the energy label; the repairability index is another useful guide to check for each model.
First, work out what you need to load and where the appliance will go. You can choose a high-capacity model whether you want a freestanding or integrated appliance: capacity isn’t a third type of installation in its own right.
| Feature | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| What you actually load | Number of place settings, adjustable basket height and space for large dishes. | If pans and dishes go in with your cutlery every day, avoiding the need to split the washing-up into multiple loads is a priority. Around 31 % of consumers put this loading requirement first. |
| Installation | Installation type, housing dimensions and cabinet-door requirements listed in the instructions. | If my kitchen is already fitted, I want to make sure the door and connections will fit before choosing a capacity. This compatibility is the top priority for around 25 % of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Energy use in kWh per 100 cycles, water use in litres per cycle and Eco programme duration, for a similar capacity. | For frequent cycles, I want to understand the running costs without overlooking how long the Eco programme takes. Around 25 % of consumers prioritise running costs above all else. |
| Maintenance and risks | Terms for the leak protection system, repairability index and maintenance requirements for the model. | If I need the appliance to last, I want to be able to check the parts and maintenance requirements, and find out exactly what the leak protection covers. These considerations come first for around 19 % of consumers. |
The capacity shown on the label doesn’t tell you how your pans and bulky dishes will fit in the baskets. If you have to run several cycles to get everything clean, that could affect how suitable the model is for your household.
Identify your bulkiest items, then check the adjustable height, fold-down supports and the space taken up by cutlery in the model you’re considering.
The rating alone doesn’t tell you how much water a dishwasher uses, how long the Eco cycle takes or how noisy it is. According to ADEME and the European Commission, the label also shows consumption figures for a reference cycle.
For appliances with a similar capacity, check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level.
The stated width doesn’t confirm that the housing dimensions, cabinet door, hinges and plinth are all compatible.
Measure the space and check the installation instructions for the exact model before ordering or arranging installation.
How a leak protection system works, and its limitations, depend on the model and how it’s installed. Bosch, for example, states that its AquaStop system doesn’t prevent every leak.
Check the system’s installation and usage requirements, then look separately at the model’s repairability index and information about spare parts.
A brand worth considering for integrated dishwashers with flexible baskets and model-specific consumption figures.
Worth a look if cutlery organisation and adjustable baskets are important for your everyday loads.
Worth considering when comparing family-sized freestanding and integrated models, depending on the appliance.
A brand to compare if you’re looking at different formats and interior layouts, which you’ll need to check model by model.
These models are suited to regular family washing-up: four freestanding appliances listed as having 14 place settings and one fully integrated model listed as having 13. Compare the loading space and your kitchen’s requirements before choosing between the two installation types.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance for family-sized loads. The product title lists 14 place settings and seven programmes. Check that your large dishes will fit alongside the cutlery in the basket layout you plan to use. Also check the Eco cycle duration to help plan your everyday washing-up.
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Worth considering for larger loads if you’d prefer a freestanding model. It’s listed as having 14 place settings and a C energy rating. The product title states 60 cm, but the dimensions given don’t match. Confirm the actual width before planning where it will go.
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A freestanding option listed as having 14 place settings, in a 60 cm format and with an E energy rating. If you often load pans into the lower basket, check how much room is left once the cutlery basket is in place. Compare the Eco cycle figures with those of appliances of a similar capacity.
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Worth considering if you need a freestanding model with a stated capacity of 14 place settings. The product title gives a width of 60 cm and a noise level of 41 dB. Measure the available space and check the noise level of the programme you’ll use. The model’s documentation says the door opens automatically after the cycle; follow its guidance about hot steam.
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Worth considering if fitting the appliance behind a cabinet door is a priority and 13 place settings suit the amount of washing-up you usually have. This integrated model is listed as 60 cm wide and B rated. Check the housing dimensions, cabinet door and hinges against the instructions; the model’s documentation says it must be installed by a professional.
It gives you an idea of the dishwasher’s capacity, but doesn’t guarantee that all your dishes and pans will fit at once. Compare the available loading space with your bulkiest items, and check the basket height and space for cutlery.
For models with a similar capacity, compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level. The European Commission lists this information on dishwasher energy labels; the rating alone doesn’t tell you how much water the appliance uses or how long a wash takes.
As well as detergent, make sure you have the products and carry out the maintenance recommended in the model’s instructions. Bosch says that whether you need to add salt depends, among other things, on water hardness and the number of cycles. Its advice also explains how rinse aid helps with drying. Check which settings are right for your appliance.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy states that dishwashers are among the products for which displaying the repairability index is compulsory. Check the score for the specific model: it’s separate from its consumption figures and warranty terms.
No. Check the connections and follow the instructions, even if the model has a leak protection system. Bosch states that its AquaStop system doesn’t prevent every leak and recommends turning off the tap if you’re going to be away for an extended period.