Choose a 60 cm freestanding dishwasher if your kitchen genuinely has room for this width and you regularly need capacity for 12 to 17 place settings. A 45 cm model is suitable when space is limited but a floor-standing appliance is still possible. A compact model with fewer than 9 place settings is best reserved for smaller loads and very restricted spaces, after checking the connections and the model manual.
You’re looking for an appliance with finished panels on every side, without a furniture door or dedicated housing, and the flexibility to position it freely or under a worktop when the model allows it. According to Que Choisir and Bosch Electroménager France, you should check whether the appliance has a removable top.
A 45 cm model can still offer capacity for 9 to 10 place settings, while a compact model with fewer than 9 place settings is suited to spaces where a standard appliance will not fit. Capacity guidelines are provided by Que Choisir.
Compare the exact model’s Eco programme data, noise level and drying functions rather than assuming that one format is automatically quieter or more energy efficient.
Consider it: if you have around 60 cm of available width and regularly need capacity for 12 to 17 place settings.
Bear in mind: it takes up the most floor space; whether the top is removable must be confirmed for each model.
Consider it: when 60 cm will not fit, but a standard-height floor-standing appliance is still possible for 9 to 10 place settings.
Bear in mind: the space saving mainly applies to width; height and depth still need to be measured.
Consider it: if a 45 or 60 cm floor-standing appliance will not fit and your dishwashing needs are limited.
Bear in mind: lower capacity may mean running cycles more frequently, and the connections still need to be checked.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Compatibility with a non-fitted kitchen | Confirm the description says “freestanding” or “free-standing” and check the finish on the front, top and sides. If placing it under a worktop, also check for a removable top and the resulting height without it. | I want an appliance finished on all sides, without having to buy or install a matching door for my units. |
| Capacity | Compare the number of place settings with your usual load: Que Choisir states 12 to 17 place settings for 60 cm, 9 to 10 for 45 cm and fewer than 9 for compact models. | My everyday dishes need to fit without choosing a compact model that is too small or an oversized 60 cm model. |
| Size and installation | Measure the height, width and depth, then consult the installation diagram for door clearance, hoses and stability. Check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply specified in the manual. | I need to know whether the appliance will fit the available space and can be installed without improvising the connections. |
| Noise and consumption | Compare the current A to G label, kWh/100 cycles, litres per Eco cycle and decibels on the same basis. The European Commission states that the A to G scale has applied to dishwashers since 2021. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to compare the exact model’s noise levels and declared consumption figures. |
A 45 cm or 60 cm appliance can still have considerable height and depth. For example, the Electrolux ESA63200SX measures 850 × 446 × 615 mm according to Electrolux France.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then allow for the space needed for the hoses and door opening according to the model’s diagram.
A removable top is not standard on every model. Bosch states that a height reduction is possible only for appliances equipped with one.
Only plan an under-worktop installation after confirming in the model documentation that it has a removable top and checking the height without it.
A smaller format does not guarantee installation without a water supply, drainage or electrical connection. These requirements are still set out in the manufacturer’s instructions.
Check the existing connections and the manual before ordering. If the existing plumbing is uncertain or the installation is beyond your capabilities, call in a professional.
Plumbing or installation work may be required if the available connections do not match the model’s instructions.
The former A+, A++ and A+++ classes cannot be directly compared with the A to G scale used since 2021.
Compare the current label, kWh/100 cycles, litres per Eco cycle and the exact model’s noise level.
An example of a slim format for a kitchen where limited width restricts the choice.
An example of a 45 cm freestanding dishwasher designed for under-worktop installation when width is limited.
A useful reference point for examining the stated specifications of a high-capacity 60 cm freestanding appliance.
Joybuy options for a non-fitted kitchen, mainly 60 cm freestanding models for larger loads, plus a compact countertop model for smaller volumes.
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Worth considering if you have room for a 60 cm appliance and need to wash a large amount of crockery.
14 place settings, 600 × 590 × 850 mm, 41 dB, class C and 9.5 L per Eco cycle declared. The top is stated to be removable and the height adjustable down to 820 mm; check the door clearance, hoses and connections before installing it under a worktop.
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This format suits a kitchen with room for 60 cm of width and substantial daily loads.
14 place settings, 85 × 60 × 59 cm, class E, 9.5 L of water and 46 dB declared. The worktop is stated to be removable, but the height without the top must be confirmed before under-worktop installation.
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A 60 cm option for a household looking for high standard capacity and the flexibility to handle different loads.
14 place settings, 59.8 × 60 × 84.5 cm, 95 kWh/100 cycles, 10.5 L per cycle and 44 dB declared. The half-load option and adjustable baskets are listed; top removal is not confirmed.
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This model is aimed at households with large loads who want flexible loading options.
14 place settings, class C, 75 kWh/100 cycles, 9.5 L per Eco cycle, 41 dB, third drawer and half-load option declared. Be sure to check the overall dimensions, removable top and connection requirements before buying.
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Best reserved for smaller dishwashing loads when a standard floor-standing dishwasher is not suitable for the kitchen.
6 place settings, class D, 49 kWh/100 uses, 6.5 L per cycle, 47 dB and 7 programmes declared. Confirm the dimensions, weight, stability of the support, water supply, drainage and electrical supply before deciding where to place it.
No. A freestanding appliance already has a finished front, top and sides, so it does not need a furniture door. However, if you want to slide it under a worktop, check that the model is explicitly designed with a removable top.
Check that the appliance can be connected to the water supply, electricity and drainage. Consult the exact model’s manual for hose lengths, connection type, permitted positioning and safety instructions.
No. The top can only be removed if the model allows it. Bosch states that a removable top can reduce the height by around 3 cm on some appliances; you should then measure the available width, height and depth.
Not automatically. A compact model takes up less space, but a connected appliance must meet its manufacturer’s requirements for water, electricity and drainage. Check the manual before planning to install it on a worktop.
The statutory guarantee of conformity is compulsory for goods sold by a professional to a private individual. According to the French Ministry for the Economy, it covers the conformity of the goods and, under the applicable conditions, the assembly instructions or installation; it lasts for two years for both new and second-hand goods. A commercial warranty may be added, but it does not replace this statutory guarantee.