In a small kitchen, start by choosing a dishwasher that fits the space you actually have and suits the amount of washing-up you get through between cycles. A compact model saves floor space but takes up worktop space; a 45 cm model offers more capacity if you have a suitable space for it. A 60 cm model only makes sense if both its size and capacity suit your needs.
If you’re looking for a countertop appliance, measure your worktop and allow room for the hoses: a water tank may mean you don’t need a plumbed-in water supply, but you’ll still need somewhere for the wastewater to drain. UFC-Que Choisir outlines compact formats for small spaces; Daan Tech explains how Bob needs to be drained.
If you regularly wash saucepans and large dishes, compare the basket layout and internal dimensions, not just the advertised number of place settings. Gifam gives different capacity estimates for different formats; Beko lists 10 place settings for its BDFS26040X model.
If the dishwasher will run close to your living area, check the noise level listed for the exact model and choose cycle times that fit around your daily routine. UFC-Que Choisir highlights the importance of noise in open-plan kitchens; Bosch lists 49 dB(A) for the SKS51E38EU.
Worth considering: if you have a stable surface but no floor space to spare. Gifam associates this format with around 6 place settings.
Bear in mind: the appliance takes up worktop space, and its capacity may mean you need to wash up more often.
Worth considering: if you have a floor space 45 cm wide and need room for more washing-up. Gifam puts this category at around 9 to 10 place settings.
Bear in mind: you’ll need a suitable space and connections. Check the height, depth and room available for the baskets.
Worth considering: if your kitchen can accommodate this width and you have enough washing-up to make use of the capacity. Gifam associates the 60 cm category with around 12 to 15 place settings.
Bear in mind: it takes up more width. For a built-in model, check the required cabinet space and door panel too.
The capacities for each format are estimates from Gifam, not a guarantee that your dishes and utensils will fit in every model. For each product, compare the internal dimensions and basket layout with the items you usually wash.
| What matters | What to check | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Dimensions and door clearance; water supply or filling, drainage and electrical supply. | If I’m short on floor space, I also need to check that the worktop and hose route are suitable. Around 33% of consumers prioritise space and installation. |
| Usable capacity | Advertised place settings for the model; basket layout and room for dishes. | If I cook often, I want to wash the dishes I use every day without running extra cycles or leaving some utensils out. Around 27% of consumers prioritise usable capacity. |
| Noise | Noise level in dB(A) and the model’s acoustic class; whether you can delay the cycle, if this feature is available. | In an open-plan kitchen, noise during a cycle can disturb the living area. Around 20% of consumers prioritise noise levels. |
| Consumption and use | kWh per 100 Eco cycles and litres per Eco cycle; usable capacity and how often you expect to run it. | If I want to compare household resource use, I need to consider my habits and the number of cycles, not just the figure for one cycle. Around 20% of consumers prioritise consumption and running costs. |
A water tank may mean you don’t need a plumbed-in water supply, but the appliance still needs to drain the wastewater. Daan Tech says Bob’s drain hose must run to a sink or another drainage outlet.
Plan a safe route for the drain hose and read the model’s instructions before deciding where to put it.
The advertised capacity doesn’t tell you whether your saucepans and large dishes will fit in the baskets. A compact model may also mean running extra cycles or washing some items by hand.
Compare a day’s worth of washing-up with the internal dimensions and basket layout of the exact model.
The figures on the energy label relate to the Eco programme; actual consumption also depends on how many cycles you run and which programmes you use.
Compare models on a like-for-like basis and consider how often you wash up. Don’t assume you’ll make savings that haven’t been measured for the way you use it.
Electrolux says its installers connect the appliance to a compliant installation and do not carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
Before ordering, confirm exactly what the service includes and check the condition of the required connections.
You may need additional work or accessories if the space or connections need adapting.
Worth considering for countertop compact models and 60 cm appliances.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a slimline model to install on the floor.
Worth considering if you’re looking at the countertop Bob model and want the choice of filling it from a tank or connecting it to the water supply.
Worth considering for 45 cm models available as freestanding or built-in appliances.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a built-in compact dishwasher or a pre-installation service.
These are countertop compact dishwashers for small spaces where a floor-standing installation isn’t the preferred option. Compare their capacity, drainage requirements and the space available on your worktop.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact model and have a suitable worktop.
Advertised capacity: 4 place settings. The title lists a built-in 5-litre tank and 9 programmes; the product description says that, when using the tank, the drain hose runs into a container.
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Worth considering for a small household if this model’s capacity suits the dishes you usually wash.
Advertised capacity: 4 place settings. The product description says it can be filled from the tank or tap, and that in tank mode the drain hose runs into a container.
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Worth considering for a small load if 3 place settings are enough and you have a suitable surface for the appliance.
The title lists 7 programmes and a noise level of 56.3 dB. This figure applies to this model and doesn’t predict how disruptive it will be in your home.
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Worth considering if you have space on your worktop and are looking for an advertised capacity of 6 place settings.
The title lists 7 programmes and energy rating D; the product description gives consumption of 6.5 litres per cycle and a noise level of 47 dB for this model. Check that the baskets suit your dishes and utensils.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact appliance and its advertised capacity suits your daily load.
The title lists 0.58 kWh per cycle, 3.5 to 5 litres of water and a capacity of 4 to 6 place settings. It also mentions a fruit and vegetable cleaning function.
Not necessarily. For Bob, Daan Tech lists a 3.9-litre tank or a connection to the water supply, but in both cases a drain hose must run to a sink or another drainage outlet. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering.
Measure the space and check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply against the instructions for the model. Electrolux says its installers connect the appliance to a compliant installation and do not carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work; confirm what the service you choose includes.
Whether it complies depends on your home’s electrical installation and can’t be confirmed without an on-site check. In its guidance on NF C 15-100, Promotelec describes a dedicated circuit for dishwashers. Ask a qualified person to check your installation and the appliance’s requirements before making any changes. This guidance alone does not mean that an older home needs a complete electrical upgrade for this purchase.
Compare the kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle for the Eco programme, taking usable capacity and how often you wash into account. Eco figures don’t automatically reflect other programmes or actual consumption in your home.
The statutory guarantee of conformity applies when you buy from a professional seller. For a new product, the French Ministry of the Economy states that you have two years to make a claim. During that period, you don’t have to prove that the fault was present on the date of sale; a commercial warranty does not replace this statutory guarantee.