For a shared kitchen, start by choosing a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up you get between cycles, then check that the appliance can be installed. A 60 cm model is worth considering if you have the space and the connections; a 45 cm model can work when width is limited, provided its capacity is sufficient. For an integrated model, check the cabinet niche and door panel too. For a tabletop appliance, consult the model’s instructions to check its water supply and drainage requirements.
If several meals a day leave plates, dishes and pans to wash, check the place setting capacity as well as the space actually available in the baskets. Models featured by Whirlpool France and Electrolux France illustrate declared capacities of 15 place settings for a 60 cm model and 9 for a 45 cm model respectively. These figures don’t apply to every appliance in those sizes.
In an open-plan kitchen or one close to the bedrooms, when the dishwasher runs matters just as much as its capacity. Compare the declared noise level and noise class on the energy label of the models you’re considering.
If it’s difficult to alter the kitchen units and connections, measure the space and check the door clearance before choosing a size. Whether you’re looking at a freestanding or integrated appliance, Whirlpool France and Bosch Électroménager France also recommend checking the water supply, drainage and electrical supply as part of the installation.
First rule out sizes that won’t fit your kitchen, then compare the capacity and usage information for the models that remain. Freestanding and integrated describe how an appliance is installed; check its width separately.
| Feature | What to check | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity and cycle frequency | Place setting capacity and basket space for the dishes you use every day. | If dishes from several meals are still waiting when the machine is full, I mainly want to avoid having to run extra cycles. Around 31% of consumers prioritise loading capacity. |
| Water and electricity | Litres per reference cycle and kWh per 100 cycles on the energy label, comparing appliances with a suitable capacity. | If the machine runs often, I want to compare how much it uses each time. Around 25% of consumers put controlling water and electricity use first. |
| Noise | Declared noise level in dB(A) and noise class, especially if the kitchen is near living areas. | In an open-plan kitchen or one close to a bedroom, I want to run a cycle without disturbing the others in the household. Around 19% of consumers prioritise quiet operation. |
| Space and connections | Dimensions, door clearance and connections; for an integrated model, the cabinet niche and door panel; for a tabletop model, check the exact instructions. | If the kitchen is already fitted, I first need to find an appliance that fits in the space and can be connected. Around 25% of consumers put installation feasibility ahead of other considerations. |
ADEME explains that the energy label shows electricity consumption in kWh per 100 reference cycles and water consumption in litres per reference cycle. These figures, like the declared noise level, are best considered alongside the model’s capacity. Low consumption per cycle alone doesn’t tell you how many cycles your household’s washing-up will need.
Two appliances with a suitable capacity may have different water and electricity consumption figures. The energy class doesn’t replace the figures on the label.
Note the litres per reference cycle and kWh per 100 cycles, then consider how many cycles your washing-up will need.
An appliance’s width or size doesn’t tell you how it gets its water or drains it. Whirlpool France and Bosch Électroménager France describe the connections required for standard freestanding and integrated appliances.
Measure the space and check the instructions for the specific model. For a tabletop dishwasher, check its connection requirements rather than assuming it works without a permanent connection.
A cycle running near the living room or bedrooms can disrupt a shared household, even if the appliance has a suitable capacity.
Compare the declared noise levels in dB(A) and noise classes of the models you’re considering, and think about when the dishwasher will be running.
Capacity, consumption and noise don’t tell you whether an appliance can be repaired. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition says that dishwashers are among the products covered by France’s repairability index.
Check the index for each model you’re considering, but don’t treat it as a measure of capacity or consumption.
These examples of product ranges can help you identify sizes and specifications to compare. The features mentioned apply only to the specific models listed.
Bosch Électroménager France offers freestanding and integrated dishwashers.
Whirlpool France offers a range of freestanding models, including 60 cm options.
Electrolux France offers narrow integrated appliances for kitchens where space is limited.
Miele France offers freestanding and fully integrated dishwashers.
These freestanding models are worth considering if your shared kitchen has the right space and connections. Their listed capacities are similar, so compare their exact dimensions, declared noise levels and energy label figures too.
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Worth considering if several people fill the dishwasher quickly: the title lists 14 place settings and energy class C. A width of 60 cm is stated, but another width measurement also appears in the product information. Check the exact dimensions and clearance needed before deciding where to put it.
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If flexible programming matters in your shared kitchen, the title lists 14 place settings and seven cycles. The appliance is described as freestanding, but installation beneath a worktop is also mentioned. Check the clearance requirements in the model’s instructions.
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If a high-capacity freestanding appliance suits the space available, this model is listed for 14 place settings, with a width of 60 cm and energy class E. Check its energy label to compare kWh per 100 cycles with those of other suitable models.
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If your kitchen is close to living areas, it’s worth comparing this model’s declared noise level with those of other appliances you’re considering. The title lists 14 place settings, 60 cm, 41 dB and energy class C. Its automatic door opening at the end of a cycle is also worth bearing in mind because of the hot steam.
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Its listed capacity of 14 place settings could suit a shared household where the dishwasher runs frequently; the title also lists energy class D. Check the model’s dimensions and clearance requirements, as well as its water and electricity consumption on the energy label.
You’ll need a water supply, drainage and an electrical supply, as outlined in the installation guides from Whirlpool France and Bosch Électroménager France. Check where these connections are and follow the instructions for your chosen model, particularly regarding dimensions and clearance around the connections.
Compare the kWh per 100 reference cycles and litres of water per reference cycle, two figures explained by ADEME. Also check the declared noise level and make sure each appliance has a suitable capacity for your household’s washing-up.
Yes. France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition includes dishwashers among the product categories covered by this index in France. Check the index for the model you’re considering, but don’t use it to judge its capacity, noise or consumption.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy says that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand or reconditioned goods sold by a trader to an individual. It covers lack of conformity and is separate from any commercial guarantee offered by the seller.
Set the appliance according to the local water hardness and the instructions in its manual. Electrolux France recommends checking the water hardness with a test kit or with your water supplier before adjusting the model’s water softener.