Start by checking the available connections and the space you actually have. A compact countertop model could work if you’re happy with its limited capacity and can arrange a suitable waste-water outlet. A 45 cm freestanding model gives you more room for dishes without needing a built-in space. Consider a 60 cm freestanding model only if its depth, door clearance, access route and connections all work in your kitchen.
A small kitchen doesn’t automatically mean you need the smallest appliance. The available connections, how much washing-up you produce and the space in front of the door all affect your choice.
A compact model with a water tank may save you from needing a permanent water connection. However, Daan Tech says its Bob model still needs a waste-water outlet. You’ll also need to fill it manually and find a suitable place for the drain hose.
If you have access to a water supply, a drain and a plug socket, it’s worth comparing a 45 cm freestanding model with countertop options. Que Choisir puts the capacity of these models at 9 to 10 place settings in most cases. Still, measure the depth and check how much space you’ll need in front of the door.
A 60 cm freestanding model could mean you don’t need to settle for a compact option, provided there’s enough room for the appliance and to move around it. Whirlpool and Midea models cited by their manufacturers offer 14 to 15 place settings. Check that the full dimensions will work in your kitchen.
If your kitchen has no dedicated space for a dishwasher, first identify the factor that will determine your choice. Then check the manual and the dimensions of the model you’re considering.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | Check where the plug socket is, whether there’s a water supply and what route the manual allows for the drain hose. A water tank doesn’t remove the need to drain wastewater. | I don’t have a fixed water supply and want to avoid plumbing work, but I still need a practical way to drain the water. Around 36% of consumers put connection requirements first. |
| Dimensions | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the space in front of the door. If it’s going under a worktop, check whether the top panel can be removed. | When every centimetre counts, I need to be able to open the dishwasher without blocking the way through. Available space is the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated place settings with the space needed for your plates, serving dishes and pans, as well as how often you want to run a wash. | If I cook often, a basket that’s too small could leave me washing dishes by hand. Around 21% of consumers prioritise a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up they produce. |
| Noise | Compare the decibel ratings of the models you’re considering and check whether a lower figure applies only to a particular programme. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to run a cycle near the living area without overlooking the stated noise level. This is the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
The tank in a compact model can replace a fixed water connection, but not a way to drain wastewater. Daan Tech’s Bob, for example, comes with a drain hose.
Before choosing this type of appliance, check in the manual where the hose can drain and whether you can route it there from your worktop.
The Bosch SPS4EMI11E is 45 cm wide and 60 cm deep, according to Bosch Électroménager France. So even a slim model could get in the way, especially with the door open.
Measure all three dimensions and check the door clearance. If the appliance needs to go under a worktop, check its product details to see whether the top panel is removable and whether the resulting height will fit.
Que Choisir says that 45 cm freestanding models generally have a capacity of 9 to 10 place settings. That figure alone won’t tell you whether your serving dishes or pans will fit in the basket.
Compare the internal layout with the items you usually wash and think about how often you want to run a cycle.
Midea gives a noise rating of 44 dB for the MDWEF1433DW-W, or 42 dB on its night programme. The two figures therefore relate to different operating conditions.
If you have an open-plan kitchen, check which programme each figure applies to and compare like-for-like ratings across the models you’re considering.
These examples give you an idea of different configurations and their requirements. The dimensions and features listed apply to the models named, not every model from each brand.
According to Daan Tech, its compact Bob countertop model can use either its integrated water tank or a conventional water supply connection. It measures 34 × 49 × 49 cm.
The freestanding SPS4EMI11E is an example of a 45 cm model. Bosch Électroménager France lists its dimensions as 845 × 450 × 600 mm, in height, width and depth order.
For a comparison of 60 cm freestanding models, Whirlpool France lists 14 place settings for the WFP5O41PLGX and 15 for the W7F HS41 S.
According to Midea France, the 60 cm freestanding MDWEF1433DW-W has a capacity of 14 place settings.
These models offer two options if you don’t have a dedicated space: a compact appliance on the worktop, or a 60 cm freestanding model if you have enough floor space. For either option, check the connections and door clearance before ordering.
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Worth considering if you have worktop space but no usable fixed water supply. The product title lists a 5 L tank and “5+1” wash cycles. You’ll need a way to drain the water, so check the model’s installation requirements.
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Worth a look if you’re planning to install it on a worktop and fill it manually. The title lists seven programmes. Before choosing, check the usable capacity, whether your dishes will fit, how it drains and what connections the manual requires.
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Consider this model if you need a capacity of 14 place settings and can make room on the floor for an appliance that’s 60 cm wide. Measure the depth, door clearance and access route, then check the connections in the manual.
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Compare this model if 14 place settings would suit your needs and you have room for a 60 cm appliance. The title lists a noise rating of 41 dB. If you plan to install it under a worktop, check the installation requirements, available height and clearances in the manual.
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Consider this model if you need space for 14 place settings, provided it fits on the floor without getting in the way. The title lists seven cycles. Check the dimensions, door clearance and installation requirements for this model.
Yes, if the model’s dimensions and installation requirements allow it. Que Choisir says freestanding models often have a removable top panel. Check that the model you’ve chosen has one, and make sure the resulting height and clearances will work.
Some models can work without a fixed water supply. Daan Tech says its Bob model has an integrated 3.9 L tank. You’ll still need to fill the tank and drain the wastewater through the hose provided, following the installation instructions in the manual.
You’ll need a water supply, an electricity supply and a waste-water outlet, as set out in the Bosch Électroménager France installation guide. Before buying, check the manual for your chosen model to find out how to connect it and where the hoses can be routed.
Choose a model based on how much washing-up you produce between washes and how much room you need for larger items. Que Choisir gives 6 place settings as a guide for some compact countertop models, 9 to 10 for 45 cm freestanding models and 12 to 17 for 60 cm models. Then check the internal layout of the specific model you’re considering.