Integrated vs Freestanding Dishwasher: Which Suits Your Kitchen?

Integrated and freestanding dishwashers clean in the same way. The difference is the look and the fitting: an integrated model hides behind a kitchen cabinet door, while a freestanding one has its own finished front and can go wherever the plumbing allows.

If you are choosing between an integrated vs freestanding dishwasher, it comes down to four things: the look you want, your budget, how your kitchen is set up and whether you might move home. Our range of freestanding dishwashers is a good place to start if you want the simplest fit.

This guide covers the practical questions that matter when you are replacing or planning a kitchen: how each type is fitted, whether it will fit your space, and which one suits your situation.

What Is the Difference Between an Integrated and a Freestanding Dishwasher?

An integrated dishwasher is built in and concealed behind a cabinet panel that looks like the rest of your kitchen cabinets. A freestanding dishwasher can be placed wherever you have space, and it comes with its own finished door.

Fully integrated models tuck the controls onto the top edge of the door, so you see nothing but the cabinet front. Semi-integrated models keep a visible control panel. We cover the details in our guide to semi-integrated and fully integrated models.

Inside the machine, the cleaning technology is typically the same. Only the exterior changes.

	Integrated	Freestanding
Look	Hidden behind a matching cabinet door	Own finished front, visible in the kitchen
Controls	Top edge of the door (fully integrated) or a visible panel (semi-integrated)	On the front of the machine
Fitting	Needs a fitted housing and precise cabinet fitting	Hose, power and drainage connections
Moving house	Harder to take with you	Easy to take with you
Typical noise	Generally quieter	Tends to be noisier
Price	Usually more expensive	Generally more affordable

Integrated Dishwasher: Pros and Cons

Integrated dishwashers suit people who want a seamless design in a renovated kitchen, especially in an open-plan space, or who simply prefer a hidden look. If the dishwasher is the only thing breaking up a run of matching doors, this is the format that solves it.

Our integrated dishwashers collection covers the full choice.

Pros

Hidden from view, so the kitchen looks seamless.
Generally quieter, because the surrounding cabinetry adds insulation.
Can look more considered in an open-plan room where the dishwasher is always in sight.

Cons

Usually more expensive than a freestanding model.
Installation can be more involved, because integrated models require more precise fitting than freestanding ones, and professional fitting is recommended.
Harder to take with you when you move.

If noise matters to you, it helps to know that a very quiet dishwasher is around 40dB. Check the figure on the product page rather than assuming the format will do the work for you.

Freestanding Dishwasher: Pros and Cons

Freestanding dishwashers suit renters, budget buyers and anyone who wants a more flexible setup, especially in kitchens without a spare housing. There is no cabinet door to match and no housing to build around it. That also makes them easy to take with you when you move.

If that sounds like you, take a look at freestanding models in our range.

Pros

Easier to install, often needing just hose, power and drainage connections.
Generally more affordable than integrated models.
Easy to take with you when you move home.

Cons

Tend to be noisier than integrated models.
The finished front stays visible, so it needs to suit the rest of your kitchen.

Will It Fit? Heights, Widths and Hinges

This is the question most guides skip, and it is where many replacements go wrong. A dishwasher that looks right in the showroom still has to fit the gap in your kitchen.

Width and Height

Standard dishwashers are 60cm wide. Slimline models are 45cm wide, which suits smaller kitchens, smaller households, and layouts where available space is tighter. A standard integrated model is typically 81cm high.

A freestanding model is typically a few centimetres taller, because it has its own top and feet. Heights vary between models, so always check the spec sheet before you buy.

Our guide to standard dishwasher dimensions goes into sizes in more detail.

Measure Before You Buy

Measure from the floor to the bottom edge of the worktop, and measure the width of the opening too, before ordering. That way you can pick a freestanding dishwasher that suits your gap.

Capacity is worth a thought at the same time. Full-size 60cm models hold 13 to 16 place settings, while slimline 45cm models hold 9 to 10.

Do Not Remove the Top

If you have a gap under a worktop and a freestanding model is slightly too tall, it can be tempting to take the top off. Don't.

Smeg advises against removing the top of a freestanding dishwasher to fit it under a worktop, because components may be exposed. If it will not fit, choose an integrated model instead. You can read that advice on the Smeg UK support page.

Fixed and Sliding Hinges for Integrated Appliances

An integrated dishwasher takes your cabinet door on its front, and the hinge decides how that door moves. A sliding hinge, such as the Bosch VarioHinge, lets the decor panel slide upwards as the door opens. This allows a lower plinth and suits high built-in situations.

Hinge details vary by model, so check the spec sheet if your kitchen has an unusual plinth height.

Do They Clean, Dry or Cost Differently to Run?

No. Cleaning, hygiene and drying performance are equal between the two formats. The difference is the exterior, as LG UK explains in its comparison guide.

Running cost depends on the energy label and the programme you choose, not on whether the dishwasher is built in. If you want lower bills, compare the energy ratings of the models you are considering rather than the format.

Which Should You Choose?

Here is a quick way to decide.

Renting or likely to move: a freestanding model. You can take it with you.
Fitting a new kitchen: an integrated model suits a planned kitchen design, and the housing can be built in from the start.
Open-plan and noise-sensitive: integrated. The cabinetry generally makes it quieter.
Replacing an existing integrated model: match the hinge type, door height and depth. Hoover's buying guide makes the same point, and you can read it in the Hoover UK dishwasher guide.
Tight budget: affordable freestanding dishwashers are generally the better starting point.

Thinking about the rest of the kitchen too? Our guide to freestanding vs integrated appliances across the kitchen will help you keep everything consistent. Once you have narrowed it down, our pick of the best freestanding dishwashers is a useful next read.

Installation and Removing Your Old Dishwasher

We can take away your old appliance and install the new one, and we recycle under WEEE regulations. Installation is quoted case by case, so we will talk through what your kitchen needs.

You can read the details on our installation and recycling page. If you are fitting an integrated model, our guide to what to expect when fitting an integrated dishwasher will help you plan for the day.

Ready to Choose?

Whether you want a dishwasher that disappears into your cabinets or one that simply slots into the space you have, we can help you get it right. Take your measurements, then browse our freestanding dishwashers or look at the full dishwashers range.

Prefer to talk it through? Our friendly, expert team in the Enniskillen showroom will happily help you measure up and pick the right fit.

Key Takeaways

Integrated and freestanding dishwashers clean the same; the difference is the look and how they are fitted.
Integrated models hide behind a kitchen door and tend to be quieter, but cost more and need precise fitting.
Freestanding models are easier to install, usually cheaper and easy to take with you when you move.
Both come in 60cm standard and 45cm slimline widths; measure floor to worktop underside before buying.
Do not remove the top of a freestanding dishwasher to fit it under a worktop; choose an integrated model instead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it worth getting an integrated dishwasher?

It is worth it if you want a seamless kitchen and generally lower noise, and you have a housing for it. It is less suited to renters or anyone on a tight budget, because integrated models usually cost more and are harder to take with you when you move.

Can freestanding dishwashers be installed under counters?

Some freestanding dishwashers can sit in a gap under a worktop if the height fits, but check the opening height carefully before you buy. Do not remove the top to make it fit, because components may be exposed. If the height does not work, choose an integrated model instead.

Does an integrated dishwasher include the front door?

No. The door panel usually comes from your kitchen range and is fixed to the dishwasher door with a fixed or sliding hinge. Check the hinge type and door height against the dishwasher spec sheet before you order.

Useful Resources

Bosch UK: What to consider when buying a dishwasher: https://www.bosch-home.co.uk/products/dishwashers/what-to-consider
Smeg UK support: removing the top of a freestanding dishwasher: https://www.smeg-service.co.uk/support/knowledgebase/article/1299/can-i-remove-the-top-from-my-freestanding-dishwasher-to-install-underneath-a-worktop
LG UK: Integrated vs freestanding dishwashers: https://www.lg.com/uk/lg-experience/helpful-hints/integrated-dishwashers-vs-freestanding-dishwashers/
Hoover UK: Freestanding vs integrated buying guide: https://www.hoover-home.com/en_GB/blogs/news/dishwasher-buying-guide-freestanding-vs-integrated