First, choose a size that your kitchen can accommodate and connect. A countertop dishwasher is a good fit if its footprint and capacity suit your needs, while a 45 cm model is worth considering if you have space on the floor or a suitable niche, and more dishes to wash. In an open-plan room, check the noise level of the exact model too, and make sure you have enough space to open the door.
A countertop appliance saves floor space, but takes up valuable food-preparation space. Before choosing this size, measure its depth, the clearance needed in front of the door and the space required for connections.
If pots and everyday dishes would mean running several cycles, consider a slim 45 cm model and check how its baskets are arranged. You’ll need to find space for it on the floor, so don’t just check its width.
An existing niche could make a 45 cm integrated model the right choice. Check the dimensions, compatible door panel and installation instructions, then compare the stated noise level, as the appliance will run close to your living space.
Start by checking the space and connections, then see how the capacity compares with the dishes you actually use. If the space you’d lose matters more than the time you’d save on washing up, you can always stick with your current routine without a dishwasher.
| Factor | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the door clearance. Compare the worktop space it takes up with the floor space or niche it needs. | If I often cook in a small space, losing worktop or storage space could be more inconvenient than making room on the floor. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise usable surface area. |
| Capacity and loading | Compare the stated place settings with your pots, pans and large dishes, and check how the baskets are arranged. | When everyday dishes quickly fill a small appliance, I want to avoid running another cycle because there’s no room left. Capacity would be the main priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Noise in your living space | Check the dB(A) level and the noise class for the exact model on its product page or label. | If the dishwasher runs while I’m in the living space, noise matters more than the appliance’s size alone. Around 25% of consumers would put quiet operation first. |
| Installation and use | Check the water supply, drainage and electrical supply. To compare running costs, use the Eco programme figures on a like-for-like basis. | Before choosing, I want to know whether the appliance can be installed in my home and which usage figures to compare between models. This would be the main concern for around 19% of consumers. |
According to ADEME, the energy label includes details such as energy use per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, capacity and noise class. These figures help you compare models, but they don’t replace checking that an appliance can be installed in your kitchen.
A countertop appliance still needs the water supply and drainage setup specified for that model. An integrated model also has niche requirements and, depending on the appliance, may need a door panel.
Before ordering, check the instructions against your connections, electrical supply, cabinetry and the access route needed to bring the appliance in.
Electrolux France states that its installers don’t carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work. If your installation requires any of these, you’ll need to arrange them separately.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your pans, large dishes and glasses will all fit in the baskets at once.
Think about the dishes you use in a typical week, then check the baskets, their adjustable features and the loading guidance for the model you’re considering.
A figure on the energy label for the Eco programme won’t necessarily tell you how much a quick cycle uses.
Compare energy use per 100 cycles and water use per cycle for the Eco programme on a like-for-like basis. Check the figures separately for the programmes you plan to use.
Two appliances that fit your space can also differ in the information available about their maintenance and repair. According to France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, dishwashers are among the product categories covered by the repairability index in France.
Check the index and after-sales documents for the exact model, but don’t assume that a score predicts the outcome of a particular repair.
These examples show three different installation types. Their features don’t apply to every appliance from the same brand.
For a countertop option, Candy France lists the Rapido CP 6E51LW as a 6-place-setting dishwasher measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm.
The freestanding Bosch SPS2HMI02E is an example of a slimline model: Bosch lists its dimensions as 845 × 450 × 600 mm.
For a fitted kitchen, the Electrolux EES42210L is a fully integrated 45 cm model, rated for 9 place settings and 44 dB(A), according to Electrolux France.
These countertop models are for kitchens where you can give up part of your worktop permanently. For each one, check the available space, useful capacity and how to connect and drain the water. They aren’t the freestanding or integrated 45 cm options covered above.
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Worth considering if you can set aside a permanent spot on your worktop. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Before choosing, check the internal capacity, noise level and drainage setup.
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Consider this if a countertop appliance suits your food-preparation space. The product title lists a 5 L tank and a D energy rating. Check the loading capacity and noise figures, and make sure your tap is compatible if you choose this water supply method. The tap adapter is listed as not included.
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Worth considering if a stated capacity of 3 place settings is enough for your usual dishes. Check how much room there is for pots and large dishes, along with the drainage requirements and noise figures for the model.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a stated capacity of 6 place settings without needing floor space. The product title lists 7 programmes, a D energy rating and 47 dB. Check the overall dimensions, the noise class on the label and the connections required.
Check that the water supply, drainage and electrical supply are suitable for the model you’ve chosen. The instructions will explain the installation and access requirements. An integrated model may also need a niche, a door panel or preparatory work.
No. The countertop design alone doesn’t determine how the appliance is supplied with water. For example, Candy France specifies a direct water connection for the CP 6E51LW. Also check the drainage setup required for the model you’re considering.
Compare the models on a like-for-like basis, including energy use per 100 cycles and water use per Eco cycle as shown on the label. These figures don’t automatically tell you how much a quick programme uses.
Yes. It gives you another point of comparison when several appliances are suitable for your kitchen. According to France’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, dishwashers are among the products covered by this index in France. Check the score for the exact model, but don’t treat it as a guarantee of a successful future repair.