Do you need a freestanding or built-under dishwasher?

If you’re replacing an old dishwasher or buying one for the first time, you need to know if your kitchen can accommodate a freestanding or a built-under (underbench) model. Ordering the wrong type can lead to installation headaches and added costs.

This quick guide will help you decide which type of new dishwasher you need.

These standalone units have fully enclosed sides and a top panel. They can sit freely anywhere near a water connection, power supply and drain, though in many homes they will still be located beneath the kitchen countertop (which may lead you to think it’s a built-under model when it isn’t).

Freestanding dishwashers are easier to install than built-unders - and to remove and take with you if you move house. They don't blend as seamlessly with your kitchen, but they are generally the cheapest type of dishwasher to buy and if you have some basic DIY skills they may not need professional installation.

Due to the enclosed sides and finished top panel, freestanding dishwashers need gaps for ventilation around the top and sides, so if placed beneath a kitchen benchtop they won't align flush with the other cabinetry.

To check if your current dishwasher is a freestanding model, look to see if there’s a gap above and either side of the machine, without anything connecting it to the kitchen cabinets: if so, it’s probably freestanding.

Alternatively, try to gently move the machine a centimetre or two (after turning off the water supply via the valve under the sink): if it slides easily, it’s likely freestanding.

Also known as underbench dishwashers, these are designed to fit beneath kitchen cabinetry and align with your benchtop. They often have exposed sides (for ventilation) and no sleek top panel and are usually secured to the underside of the benchtop and adjacent cabinetry.

Built-under dishwashers fit snugly under the benchtop because they don’t need the ventilation gaps that freestanding models do. However, the more precise size, space and benchtop material considerations can make for a more complex, and costly, installation. They usually cost more than freestanding models but do give kitchens a more sleek, streamlined appearance.

Built-under dishwashers are usually fixed in place with brackets and side trim strips. When the dishwasher drawer is closed, these are concealed.

To check if yours is a built-under model, open the dishwasher door and look to see if any brackets are joining the top of the dishwasher to the underside of the benchtop above it, or if side trim strips are connecting it to the adjacent cabinets: if so, or if it doesn’t budge when you try to push it, it’s probably a built-under.

Also known as built-in dishwashers, you’ll know if you have one of these, as they are built into the kitchen units and have front panels that match the surrounding cabinetry. The panels will either completely conceal the dishwasher (fully integrated) or partially conceal it (semi-integrated), with just the control panel visible.

1. Measure the space

Measure the height, width, and depth of the available gap in your kitchen cabinetry and compare it with the dimensions of the dishwasher you are considering buying.

Standard dishwashers, both freestanding and built-under, require approximately 60cm width, but smaller kitchens may need a slimline compact dishwasher, which is usually 45cm wide. Most dishwashers are around 82–85cm tall to fit under standard-height kitchen benchtops and have adjustable feet to help level or raise them slightly to align with the benchtop. The standard depth for dishwashers is around 57–60cm, with an extra 5–10cm space needed at the back for water and power connections.

Non-standard size gaps are uncommon, but if you find yourself working with an irregular space you may need additional carpentry or fillers to create a flush fit and provide stability for a built-under dishwasher.