Before swapping hand-washing for a dishwasher, check the space, water supply, drainage and electrical supply: these will determine which installation types are possible. Then choose a width and baskets to suit your dishes, and compare capacity, noise and the Eco programme figures on the energy label rather than relying on the class alone.
If you mostly wash dishes by hand, start by checking the space available and your connections before comparing place settings and programmes. Que Choisir includes capacity and consumption among the key factors to consider when buying your first dishwasher.
A narrower space or existing recess may determine the format, but you’ll also need to measure the height, depth and door clearance. If you rent, discuss any planned changes to the plumbing or kitchen units before ordering.
In an open-plan kitchen or one next to a living area, consider noise levels as well as capacity. To compare water and energy use, ADEME recommends checking the different figures on the label, including those for the Eco programme.
Consider this if: your kitchen has no dedicated recess and the connections are accessible.
Bear in mind: the appliance will remain visible. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check the model’s dimensions and installation requirements.
Consider this if: you have a compatible recess and want a door panel to match your kitchen units.
Bear in mind: the door panel, its fixings and the plinth must be compatible with the appliance, so installation needs more preparation.
Consider this if: you want a door panel to match your kitchen while keeping the controls visible.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need a suitable recess and door panel, and the appliance won’t be as fully concealed as a fully integrated model.
Once you’ve chosen an installation type, consider whether the stated capacity suits your dishes and washing routine. A 45 cm width is an option for any compatible installation type, not a separate type of installation.
| Factor | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and space | Measure the width, height, depth and door clearance; check access to the water supply, drainage and electricity. For an integrated model, check the recess and door panel too. | When my kitchen is already fitted, I want to install the appliance without finding out that it blocks a walkway or means changing the connections. Around 33% of consumers rank this as their most important requirement. |
| Capacity and loading | Compare the stated place settings with the basket layout and space for your saucepans and large dishes. According to Que Choisir, 45 cm models generally hold 9 to 10 place settings, compared with 12 to 17 for 60 cm models. | If my utensils quickly fill the baskets, I’d rather have a load size that suits my meals than have to run another cycle. Capacity and loading are the top priority for around 27% of consumers. |
| Running costs | Check the kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle and Eco programme duration on the label; also factor in anything needed for installation. | For regular use, I want to compare water and electricity on a like-for-like basis, without overlooking what installation involves. Around 20% of consumers prioritise these costs. |
| Noise and everyday results | Compare the decibels and noise class shown on the label. Check the programmes and, if possible, look for washing and drying tests on the exact model. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to minimise disruption during the cycle without having to rewash or dry the dishes by hand too often. This everyday convenience comes first for around 20% of consumers. |
An appliance may be the right width but still not fit through a doorway, under the worktop or leave enough room for the door to open. It also needs accessible water, drainage and electrical connections.
Measure the space and delivery route, then locate all three connections before choosing a size.
You may need extra work to adapt the plumbing or electrical supply.
The water, energy and duration figures on the label relate to the Eco programme. They don’t automatically describe a quick programme that you might use more often.
Compare the full label, then check the manual for the programmes that suit your routine.
A fully or semi-integrated model needs a compatible recess and door panel. Having space under the worktop doesn’t necessarily mean the door and plinth can be fitted correctly.
Check the recess measurements, door-panel fixings and plinth configuration against the model specifications and with the person installing it.
A door panel, plinth adaptation or installation work may add to the project cost.
The stated capacity alone doesn’t show how your saucepans, glasses and large dishes will fit in the baskets. If the layout doesn’t suit your dishes, you may still need to wash some by hand.
Check the basket layout, folding sections and cutlery space, bearing in mind your bulkiest items.
These ranges include examples of installation types and widths to consider; specifications vary by model.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated dishwashers in 45 and 60 cm widths. Its range lets you compare a slimline freestanding model with a standard-width option.
Beko offers freestanding, semi-integrated and fully integrated models, making it useful for comparing different finishes in an existing kitchen.
The Whirlpool range includes 45 and 60 cm models, in freestanding, integrated and semi-integrated options.
Miele offers freestanding, integrated and fully integrated dishwashers in 45 and 60 cm widths.
This selection includes freestanding appliances for kitchens without a dedicated recess and fully integrated models for fitted kitchens. First choose an installation type that works in your home, then compare the capacity and specifications of the model you’re considering.
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Worth considering for a fitted kitchen with a compatible recess and door panel.
Stated capacity of 14 place settings; energy class A. Check the installation measurements and exact Eco programme duration in the technical specifications before choosing.
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Worth considering if you have room for a 60 cm freestanding appliance without a kitchen-unit door panel.
Stated capacity of 14 place settings; 41 dB and energy class C. Check the full dimensions, connections and kWh per 100 Eco cycles on the label.
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Worth comparing if your kitchen can accommodate a freestanding model and you regularly have large loads of washing up.
Stated capacity of 14 place settings and seven programmes. Check the dimensions, door clearance and Eco programme water consumption on the model’s label.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model for larger everyday loads.
Stated capacity of 14 place settings; energy class E. To compare running costs, check the kWh per 100 Eco cycles and which programme the stated water consumption figure applies to for this model.
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Consider this only after confirming it’s suitable for your kitchen’s recess and door panel.
Stated capacity of 14 place settings; energy class C. Check the appliance’s actual dimensions and the compatible recess measurements before arranging installation.
You’ll need accessible water, waste water and electrical connections where you plan to install it. Que Choisir also recommends installing it on a stable, level surface. Check these points before choosing an appliance.
Under Article 7 of the French law of 6 July 1989, in the version in force since 15 June 2025 and published on Légifrance, changes that alter rented premises or equipment require the landlord’s written consent. Before drilling or making changes to fixed plumbing or kitchen units, explain the work you’re planning and check your tenancy agreement too. Whether a straightforward installation is permitted depends on the specific circumstances of the property.
Compare the energy class with the kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level. ADEME and the European Commission explain that the consumption and duration figures shown relate to the Eco programme; they shouldn’t be applied as they are to other programmes.
No. A 45 cm width is mainly for homes with limited space, not a requirement based on household size. Que Choisir says this format generally holds 9 to 10 place settings, compared with 12 to 17 for a 60 cm model. Most importantly, check whether your dishes and saucepans fit in the baskets, and how often you want to run a cycle.