The right dishwasher fits your opening (most are 24 inches wide, with a cutout about 24 inches deep and 34 inches high), is quiet enough for your kitchen (Bosch lists 42 and 46 dBA on the two models below) and is ideally ENERGY STAR certified, which uses 12% less energy and 30% less water on average, per Natural Resources Canada.
PCBy the Pixl Canada install team. Checked October 31, 2026. 7 min read.
- Eight checks to compare any dishwasher
- Fit, noise and efficiency explained
- A spec-sheet example from Bosch
- What installation costs with Pixl
- Measure the opening and compare it with the cutout on the spec sheet.
- Check dBA, place settings and ENERGY STAR status for each model.
- Two models from one maker can share a cutout but differ in noise and efficiency.
- Panel-ready and compact units need extra checks.
- Pixl installs a dishwasher bought anywhere for $180, new inlet hose included.
What should you compare when choosing a dishwasher?
We do not rank brands. Every dishwasher on a shelf can be compared on the same eight checks, and the answers are on the spec sheet and the EnerGuide label.
| Check | What to look for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Fit | Required cutout width, depth and height on the spec sheet; 24 in. standard, 18 in. compact | A unit that does not fit means cabinet work |
| Noise | Sound level in dBA | Lower is quieter; matters in open-plan homes |
| Capacity | Place settings and rack layout, including a third rack | Settings are counted differently by brand |
| Efficiency | ENERGY STAR certification and the EnerGuide yearly figure | Certified models use 12% less energy and 30% less water on average |
| Drying | An air-dry option | Natural Resources Canada suggests using it to save energy |
| Controls | Top controls or a front panel with hidden controls | Style and door-edge look |
| Door style | Standard front or panel-ready | Panel-ready is quoted with the model number |
| What is in the box | Inlet hose, drain hose, power cord | Missing parts are extra at install |
Already picked one?
Send the model and one photo of the opening. Fixed price before you book, pay after the job.
How do you check the dishwasher will fit?
Measure the opening, then read the cutout line on the spec sheet. Two models from the same maker can share a cutout but differ on noise and efficiency, as the example below shows.
| Spec | SHE53C85N (300 Series) | SHP78CM5N (800 Series) |
|---|---|---|
| Sound level | 46 dBA | 42 dBA |
| Place settings | 16 | 16 |
| ENERGY STAR certified (per the page) | No | Yes |
| Required cutout, H x W x D | 33 7/8 x 24 x 24 in. | 33 7/8 x 24 x 24 in. |
| Annual water use | 753 gal | 688 gal |
This is an example of how to read a spec sheet, not a recommendation. These are Bosch US pages; Canadian model numbers and certification can differ, so confirm on bosch-home.ca and the ENERGY STAR product list before you buy.
Which type fits your kitchen?
| Your situation | Prioritize | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Open-plan kitchen | A low dBA figure | Check the number, not the marketing word |
| Large household | Place settings and a flexible third rack | Brands count settings differently |
| Small kitchen or condo | An 18 in. compact if the opening is that wide | A compact unit cannot replace a 24 in. opening without cabinet changes |
| Renovation with matching cabinets | Panel-ready model | Quoted with the model number |
| Replacing a dishwasher on a budget | The same cutout and connections as the old one | List prices vary; check the current price |
What should you do before you order?
- Measure the opening. Width, depth and height, at the narrowest point, with the old unit out if you can.
- Photograph the hookups. Hot water shut-off, drain and power under the counter. Send them to us if you want a second opinion.
- Compare spec sheets. Cutout, dBA, place settings, ENERGY STAR status and what ships in the box.
- Check the delivery path. Doorways, corners and stairs between the truck and the kitchen.
- Book the install for delivery day. Send the model and a photo; we confirm a fixed price.
Get the install price from a photo
Model and a photo of the opening. Fixed price before you book.
Pixl installs it for $180
Pixl Canada connects the new dishwasher to the water, drain and power that are already under the counter, levels it and runs a test cycle. You pay after the job.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Dishwasher installation, new water inlet hose included | $180 |
| 6 ft drain hose, only if needed | $30 |
| Installation kit, if the new unit needs one | $30 |
| Store pickup and home delivery | $80 |
| Taking the old dishwasher away | Free quote |
Calculated from posted prices, installation is $180 with no extras and $320 at most ($180 + $30 + $30 + $80) before tax. The dishwasher itself is extra and list prices vary, so check the current price. New water, drain or power lines go to a licensed trade first. See dishwasher replacement, dishwasher installation cost in Canada, who can install a dishwasher and the quote from photos page.
You are comparing dishwashers and want a clear list of what to check, or you already bought one and need it fitted.
You want a ranked list of brands. We compare by criteria and do not rank products. For repairs, contact the manufacturer or an appliance technician.
Choosing a dishwasher in Canada: frequently asked questions
What size is a standard dishwasher?
Most built-in dishwashers are 24 inches wide and fit an opening about 24 inches wide, 24 inches deep and 34 inches high. Bosch’s spec pages, for example, list a required cutout of 33 7/8 by 24 by 24 inches. Compact models are about 18 inches wide. Always check the spec sheet for the exact cutout.
How many place settings do I need?
A place setting is the maker’s unit for a dinner plate, bowl, cup, glass and cutlery, and brands do not all count the same way. Many full-size 24-inch models list 12 to 16. Compare settings from the same brand, and look at the rack layout as well as the number.
How loud is a quiet dishwasher?
Spec sheets list sound in dBA. The two Bosch spec pages in the table above list 42 and 46 dBA. A lower number is quieter, and each 10 dBA step sounds roughly twice as loud, so the difference matters most in an open-plan kitchen.
Is an ENERGY STAR dishwasher worth it?
Natural Resources Canada says an ENERGY STAR certified dishwasher uses 12% less energy and 30% less water on average than a standard model. Compare the EnerGuide label, which shows yearly energy use and is attached to new dishwashers sold in Canada.
Should I buy a compact 18-inch dishwasher?
Only if your opening is 18 inches wide or you have limited space. An 18-inch unit is a different size from a 24-inch one, so you cannot swap them without changing the cabinets.
What is a panel-ready dishwasher?
One that takes a cabinet door panel so it blends in with the kitchen. Pixl confirms the price of panel-ready models once it has the model number, because the panel adds steps.
Does the dishwasher come with a power cord and drain hose?
It depends on the model, so read what ships in the box. Pixl’s price list shows a 6 ft drain hose at $30 and an installation kit at $30 as separate lines if you need them.
Who installs a dishwasher I bought at a store?
Pixl Canada installs dishwashers bought anywhere for $180 before tax, with a new water inlet hose included. Pixl does not sell appliances. You pay after the job.
Bought a dishwasher?
Send the model and one photo of the opening. Fixed price before you book, pay after the job.
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Sources and method. Efficiency figures are from Natural Resources Canada’s ENERGY STAR dishwasher page (modified March 19, 2025); the EnerGuide label requirement is from NRCan’s dishwasher regulations bulletin. Spec examples are from Bosch’s US product pages for the SHE53C85N and SHP78CM5N, read on October 31, 2026. Store prices change often, so no third-party prices are shown. Pixl prices are posted prices; the totals are calculated by adding them. Pixl installs appliances and does not sell them.
About Pixl Canada. Pixl Canada is an installation company based in Edmonton, Alberta, serving cities across Canada with TV mounting, security cameras, appliance installation and smart home setup. Call or text (587) 899-7495. Open Monday to Saturday 8am to 8pm and Sunday 9am to 7pm.