AEG 60 cm wide freestanding dishwashers are full-size machines that sit under a worktop or stand alone, with room for 13 or 14 place settings. The range runs from the 3000 Series through the 5000 and 6000 Series to GlassCare models and the 9000 Series, in white or stainless steel. They suit family kitchens that need a standard-width dishwasher without hiding it behind a cabinet door.

The biggest differences are energy rating, noise and loading. Ratings run from E on the entry model to A on one GlassCare dishwasher, with most 5000 and 6000 Series machines rated C or D. A better rating means lower running costs, though efficient eco programmes take longer, at up to just over five hours here. Noise ranges from 46 dB down to 42 dB on the 9000 Series, which is worth weighing up in an open-plan room. GlassCare models have soft grips and spikes in the upper basket that hold glasses steady during the wash, and they offer nine programmes rather than eight. The 9000 Series adds ComfortLift, which raises the lower basket to a comfortable height so you don't have to bend as far to load it. Some models come with a cutlery basket and others with a cutlery tray, which frees up space in the lower rack.

To narrow the choice, start with place settings and whether you'd rather have a cutlery basket or a tray. Then decide what matters more to you: running costs, quietness, glass protection or easier loading. If a fitted look would suit your kitchen better, compare AEG 60 cm wide built-in dishwashers, or see all AEG full size dishwashers on one page.