If a 45 cm floor-standing dishwasher leaves enough room to get around, it offers more capacity than a compact worktop model like Bob: the slimline models cited by UFC-Que Choisir and manufacturers hold 9 to 11 place settings, compared with Bob’s standard 3 place settings, according to Daan Tech. Choose a freestanding model if you have floor space but no suitable housing unit, or an integrated model if your housing unit and installation are compatible. A compact model can free up floor space, but even one with a water tank still needs somewhere to drain its waste water.
The right size depends on both the amount of washing up you need to do and the space needed to open the door and move around.
A slimline model can hold more dishes than a small worktop appliance. UFC-Que Choisir says a 9-place-setting model may suit a small family, potentially with a daily cycle. Check that your plates and pans will fit in the baskets too.
A slimline freestanding dishwasher is worth considering if you have floor space available. Measure its height and depth, then check the connections and how much room is left when the door is open.
A compact worktop model can help keep the floor clear. The Daan Tech Bob, for example, can be filled using its built-in tank, according to the manufacturer, but you’ll still need to arrange drainage and be happy with its stated capacity of 3 standard place settings.
First decide where the appliance can go, then check that its capacity suits the washing up from a typical day.
Worth considering if: you have floor space but no housing unit for an integrated appliance.
The trade-off: the machine will be visible, and its depth may encroach on the walkway.
Worth considering if: your kitchen already has a housing unit that suits the model you’ve chosen.
The trade-off: installation requirements vary. Electrolux, for example, says the EES42210L cannot be installed at height.
Worth considering if: a floor-standing machine would get in the way and you have a relatively small amount of washing up.
The trade-off: Daan Tech says the Bob holds 3 standard place settings, and its waste water needs to be drained even when you use the tank.
| Priority | What to check | Consider your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the width, height and depth of the exact model. Allow for the door to open, skirting boards and the space left to get around. | I want to be able to move around the kitchen, including when I’m loading the machine. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated place settings with your usual meals and the space needed for large dishes. UFC-Que Choisir notes that 9-place-setting models for small families could be used daily. | If washing up builds up over several meals, I’d rather check how much I can really fit in than simply choose the narrowest model. |
| Installation | Check the installation type, whether you need a housing unit, the water supply, drainage and plug socket. For the Bob, Daan Tech describes the option of using a tank or a standard water supply, but the appliance always needs a drain hose. | I may not have a housing unit or fixed water supply where the appliance could fit. |
| Water and energy | Check the EU label for the exact model, comparing its A to G energy class, energy use per 100 Eco cycles and water use per cycle, based on the indicators provided by the European Commission. | I want to compare appliances using the same measurements, rather than judging their consumption by width alone. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dB(A) on the label for the exact model. The European Commission includes this among the useful comparison details. | If my kitchen opens onto the living area, the noise level will be a factor in my choice. |
A slimline appliance can still be deep: Bosch lists dimensions of 845 × 450 × 600 mm for the SPS4EMW61E. The open door could take up even more of the walkway.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, allow for the door to open and check for obstacles such as skirting boards. Don’t forget to check the delivery route too.
Daan Tech lists the Bob as holding 3 standard place settings, while the slimline models cited by UFC-Que Choisir, Electrolux and Whirlpool hold 9 to 11. A small basket may mean running extra cycles or washing some dishes by hand.
Before opting for the smallest format, make a note of everything you use in a day, including pans and large dishes.
According to Daan Tech, the Bob’s tank means you don’t need a fixed water supply, but a hose is still needed to drain waste water into the sink or another outlet.
Plan where the hose will go, and check that you have a plug socket and a stable worktop.
The European Commission says that dishwasher labels have used an A to G scale since 1 March 2021. This means an older rating cannot be directly compared with a class shown on the current scale.
Check the current label for the exact model and compare the same Eco programme indicators, along with capacity and noise.
These details apply to the named models, not to every appliance made by each brand.
The SPS4EMW61E is a slimline freestanding dishwasher worth considering if you have floor space available.
The BDFS26041XQ is a 45 cm freestanding model to consider if you’re looking for the capacity of a slimline floor-standing machine.
The EES42210L is a fully integrated 45 cm model to consider if you have a compatible housing unit.
The Bob offers a different set-up: it sits on the worktop rather than on the floor.
These four appliances sit on a worktop and could suit a kitchen where floor space is limited. Compare their stated capacities, then check that your worktop and connections are suitable for each model.
Image unavailable
A worktop model could be a good choice if you want to keep the floor clear. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Make sure you have a suitable way to drain the waste water through a hose.
Image unavailable
Its stated width of 34 cm could help you make the most of a small worktop. Daan Tech lists a capacity of 3 standard place settings and a choice of a 3,9 L tank or a standard water supply. A drain hose is still needed.
Image unavailable
This worktop model is listed as holding 6 place settings and having 7 programmes in its product title. Check that the capacity suits the dishes you usually use. Before comparing it with other appliances, check its full dimensions, the space needed for the hoses and its current energy label.
Image unavailable
This worktop dishwasher is listed as holding 3 place settings, so check that it suits the amount of washing up in your household. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and the water supply and drainage it needs.
It may be, if its capacity suits your everyday washing up and you’re happy with how often you’ll need to run it. UFC-Que Choisir describes 9-place-setting models as suitable for a small family, sometimes with daily use. Also check how much room your pans, dishes and large glasses take up.
No, not in the case of the Bob described by Daan Tech. Its tank means you don’t need a fixed water supply, but waste water still needs to drain through a hose into a sink or another outlet. You’ll also need a plug socket and a stable place to put it.
For domestic dishwashers covered by the EU energy label, compare the A to G class and the figures measured on the same basis: energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle, capacity and noise. The European Commission provides these indicators. Always check the label for the exact model rather than relying on its width or brand.