Start by checking the space available and the connections already in the kitchen. A compact model with a water tank avoids the need for a fixed water supply, but you’ll need to fill it by hand and arrange suitable drainage. A 45 or 60 cm freestanding model is an option if a water supply, waste outlet and electricity are available where you plan to put it.
If you have a small amount of washing up and don’t want to install a fixed connection, a compact model with a water tank could work for you. You’ll still need a suitable spot, an electrical socket and somewhere to drain the waste water.
If a water supply, waste outlet and electricity are already available but there isn’t room for a 60 cm appliance, a 45 cm freestanding model may fit on the floor. Check its depth and make sure the door can open fully, too.
If there are suitable connections and around 60 cm of width available, a freestanding model in this size lets you compare options with a larger capacity. Remember, the space needed is more than just its width.
Worth considering: if you can’t use a fixed water supply and don’t have much washing up.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill the tank and drain the water into a suitable outlet. Daan Tech says its Bob model holds 3 place settings.
Worth considering: if the connections are in place but there isn’t room for a 60 cm appliance.
Bear in mind: check that its capacity suits your household’s washing up. The Bosch SPS4EMI17E is 600 mm deep despite being 450 mm wide.
Worth considering: if your kitchen has the space and connections for a wider floor-standing appliance.
Bear in mind: it takes up more room, so measure the space before choosing a capacity. Beko lists 13 place settings for its LVV1347W model.
| What to consider | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Installation without modifications | For a plumbed-in appliance, check that a water supply, waste outlet and socket are already in place. For a compact model with a water tank, check the socket and the route for draining the water. | I want to install the appliance without altering my rented kitchen, and I need to be able to deal with the waste water using the facilities already there. Around 42% of consumers prioritise being able to install an appliance this way. |
| Space and usable capacity | Measure the width, height and depth, and allow room for the door to open. Compare the stated place settings with the size of your plates and pans. | In a kitchen where every centimetre counts, I’m looking for an appliance that fits without making me run unnecessary extra cycles. Space and capacity are the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Consumption and upkeep | Check the water and electricity use listed for the Eco programme on the exact model, as well as the detergents and maintenance it requires. | If I rarely run a full load, I want to compare how I’d use the appliance with the way I wash up by hand. Consumption and upkeep come first for around 25% of consumers. |
According to Que Choisir, ‘freestanding’ means, among other things, that the appliance has its own casing. It doesn’t mean you can skip the connections. Bosch says that a plumbed-in dishwasher needs water, electricity and a waste outlet.
Check that all three are available where you plan to put it. If they aren’t, and installing them would mean altering the property, look into the requirements for using a compact model with a water tank instead.
An integrated model is designed to be fitted inside a kitchen unit. According to Que Choisir, its furniture door panel isn’t supplied with the appliance. A kitchen with limited fittings may not have the right set-up.
Check the housing unit, door panel and installation requirements before choosing this format. Otherwise, compare freestanding appliances that will work with your existing kitchen.
A narrower appliance won’t necessarily leave enough room to move around. For example, the Bosch SPS4EMI17E measures 450 mm wide and 600 mm deep, according to its product specification.
Also measure the height, check that the door can open and plan the route for the hoses. Then make sure your dishes will fit in the model you’re considering.
Consumption depends on the programme and on how you wash up by hand. Electricity, detergents and how often you run a cycle also matter when choosing an appliance.
Check the figures for the exact model’s Eco programme and estimate how often you’d be able to run a full load. Don’t assume these figures apply to all its programmes.
Depending on the model and how you use it, you’ll also need to budget for detergents, rinse aid, dishwasher salt and maintenance.
The brand describes Bob as a small countertop dishwasher that can be used with its built-in water tank or a conventional water supply.
Its range includes 45 cm freestanding dishwashers, worth considering if a 60 cm model is too wide and the required connections are already in place.
The freestanding range includes 45 and 60 cm models, which you can compare according to the space available and how much washing up you have.
These two countertop models are aimed at rented kitchens where you’d rather fill a water tank than connect the appliance to a fixed water supply. For both, check the available space, electricity supply and drainage arrangements. The criteria for choosing a 45 or 60 cm freestanding model are different.
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Worth considering if you have a small amount of washing up and would rather fill the tank by hand than use a fixed water supply.
The product name lists 3 place settings, 7 programmes, a 24-hour delay start, automatic door opening and energy rating D.
Before installing it, check the manual for the required socket, the dimensions of dishes it can accommodate and the available drainage route.
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Worth considering if you’d prefer to fill a water tank in a kitchen without a dedicated water supply for the appliance.
The product name lists a 5 L tank, 6+3 programmes and energy rating D. Check the usable capacity and the dimensions of dishes it can accommodate to make sure it suits your needs.
A tap connection is also listed as an option, but the adapter isn’t included. Check the available socket and drainage route before choosing how to supply the water.
No. The ANIL says that in France, landlords aren’t required to provide a fitted kitchen. Before buying your own appliance, check your tenancy agreement and inventory to see which items are already provided.
A plumbed-in model needs a usable water supply, waste outlet and electricity supply where it will be installed, as Bosch points out. Also check the hose reach in the manual for your chosen model. For the appliance covered by its pre-installation guide, Electrolux specifies a maximum distance of 1.2 m from the water supply and waste outlet.
No. The tank may mean you don’t need a fixed water supply, but the appliance still needs a socket, a suitable surface and somewhere to drain the waste water. For Bob, Daan Tech says the drain hose must be placed in a sink or another outlet.
Don’t assume you can add new connections. In France, the ANIL says that changes to rented premises or equipment require the landlord’s written consent. If the model you’re considering needs modifications, ask for permission and have the work assessed before going ahead.
Compare how often you wash up and how you’d load the appliance with its water and electricity use on the Eco programme. Also factor in detergents and maintenance: comparing water use alone doesn’t give you the full picture.