If several people build up dirty dishes every day, start by looking at 60 cm models. Some have a stated capacity of 13 or 14 place settings, compared with 6 for the compact models featured here, although basket layout matters too. A freestanding model is suitable if you have a space for it and don’t need to fit a cabinet door; an integrated model requires a suitable niche and compatible connections. Choose a compact model only if your kitchen can’t accommodate a standard size, and bear in mind how many cycles your household’s dishes will require.
If plates, glasses and utensils pile up between washes, check the stated capacity first, then see how much room the baskets actually offer for your pans and larger items. Depending on the model, a 60 cm dishwasher can hold more place settings than a compact model with a capacity of 6.
If you want to run a cycle while others are in the adjoining room, compare the noise level in dB and its class on the label. ADEME treats the noise class and energy class separately: one cannot be used to infer the other.
Measure the space before choosing a size. An integrated model needs a suitable niche and may require a cabinet door; a compact model takes up less room, but the 6-place-setting capacity stated for the Candy and Electrolux models featured here could be restrictive if you have a lot of dishes to wash every day.
First choose a size that suits your kitchen and the amount of washing-up you generate, then compare the specifications of the individual models.
Worth considering: if you have lots of dishes to wash and a suitable space, but don’t want to fit the appliance behind a cabinet door.
Things to consider: the appliance needs a dedicated space and suitable connections.
Worth considering: if your kitchen already has a suitable niche and you want the appliance to blend in with your units.
Things to consider: you’ll need to plan for a cabinet door and any necessary work before ordering.
Worth considering: if a standard-sized appliance won’t fit in your kitchen or you have fewer dishes to wash.
Things to consider: the compact models with a stated capacity of 6 place settings featured here may need to run more cycles if several people cook every day.
| Feature | What to check | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| Loading | Compare the number of place settings and the basket layout. Check there’s room for pans, tall glasses and utensils: UFC-Que Choisir assesses capacity and ease of use as separate factors. | We cook together, so we need to fit our usual dishes in without running extra cycles. |
| Noise | Check the dB rating and noise class from A to D on the label. Don’t confuse it with the energy class, as ADEME explains. | If the dishwasher runs in the evening near the living area, I want to compare the stated noise levels of the models I’m considering. |
| Water and energy | Compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle and Eco programme duration on the label. ADEME presents these figures as a basis for comparison; don’t compare them with figures for a quick programme. | As we run cycles often, I want to compare water and electricity use on a like-for-like basis, without overlooking how long an Eco cycle takes. |
| Installation | Measure the space’s height, width and depth, then check the model’s diagram and connection requirements. For an integrated model, check the niche and cabinet door too. Electrolux states that its installation service does not carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work. | Before ordering, I need to know whether the appliance will fit in the kitchen and whether the existing connections are suitable. |
This figure doesn’t tell you how much room there is for frying pans, saucepans or tall glasses. UFC-Que Choisir also assesses ease of use, washing and drying separately.
Check the model’s basket layout and work out where you’ll put the items your household uses most often.
A smaller footprint alone isn’t enough to tell you which of two appliances will use less water or electricity. In a household that generates lots of washing-up, capacity can also affect how many cycles you need to run.
Compare the figures on the Eco programme labels and estimate how many loads your household will actually run.
The dimensions of an integrated appliance aren’t interchangeable with those of a freestanding one. You may need a cabinet door or other modifications.
Measure the niche in all three dimensions, check the installation diagram and get the connections confirmed if you’re unsure about the existing setup.
Depending on your kitchen and the service you choose, carpentry, plumbing or electrical work may be needed in addition to installation.
The label gives information about energy use and noise, but it doesn’t tell you everything about washing, drying or ease of loading. UFC-Que Choisir assesses these aspects separately in its tests.
Use the label to compare its measurements, then check the basket information and independent test results for any other features that matter to you.
These examples showcase specific sizes and features; their specifications don’t automatically apply to every appliance from the same brand.
Bosch offers freestanding and integrated models, including the 60 cm SMS4EVW36F and SMV4HVX14E.
The Electrolux models featured here include a 60 cm integrated dishwasher and a 55 cm compact integrated model.
The Beko France BDFN15440S is a 60 cm freestanding model worth considering if you have a standard-sized space.
Candy’s range includes the CP 6E51LW, a compact tabletop dishwasher designed for spaces that can’t fit a standard-sized model.
Miele France’s range includes freestanding and integrated appliances, with a choice of basket layouts.
These freestanding and integrated appliances let you compare models with stated capacities of 13 or 14 place settings for a shared kitchen. Check the space available and the interior layout of each model before choosing.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 14 place settings may suit households with lots of washing-up, provided the baskets also fit the utensils you use regularly. Check the dimensions and connections, and look at the model’s energy label figures to compare its energy use.
Image unavailable
If you have large daily loads, compare its stated capacity of 14 place settings with the space you need for pans and glasses. The model name lists 7 programmes; check the dimensions and connections in your chosen space.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 14 place settings may appeal if you want your dishwasher integrated into your kitchen. The product title gives a width of 60 cm, but the model information also lists a width of 68 cm. Confirm the exact dimensions, niche and cabinet door before ordering.
Image unavailable
This model has a stated capacity of 13 place settings and is worth considering if you have a suitable niche for an integrated dishwasher. Confirm the niche dimensions, cabinet door and connections; also check the label to compare water and energy use on the Eco programme.
Image unavailable
If you share a kitchen and may run cycles in the evening, compare its stated noise level of 41 dB with those of the other models you’re considering. Its stated capacity of 14 place settings doesn’t mean you can skip checking the baskets and available space. If you use the automatic door-opening feature, bear in mind that steam is released at the end of the cycle.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle shown on their labels, as well as their capacity and Eco programme duration. ADEME presents these figures as a basis for comparison: figures for a quick programme shouldn’t be compared with those for another appliance’s Eco programme.
A compact model may be suitable if there isn’t room for a standard-sized appliance or you don’t have many dishes to wash. Candy and Electrolux state that the compact models featured here hold 6 place settings, compared with 14 for some 60 cm models. If several people cook every day, check there’s room for your utensils and consider how many cycles you’d be happy to run.
Measure the niche and compare it with the installation diagram for the exact model, then check the cabinet door, water inlet, waste outlet and electrical supply. Electrolux states that its installation service doesn’t carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work, so confirm what work is needed before ordering.
For its pre-installation service, Electrolux specifies a maximum distance of 1.2 m from the water inlet and waste outlet. This guidance doesn’t replace the manual for your chosen appliance: check the hose lengths and installation requirements for your model.