Start by considering the space available and how you can supply and drain the appliance. A model with a water tank avoids the need for a permanent water supply, but you’ll need to fill it by hand and arrange drainage. A plumbed-in compact model offers a different capacity for your worktop, while a slimline 45 cm model needs a permanent floor space. Check the dimensions, door clearance, hoses and power socket for the specific model you’re considering.
If you want to avoid making permanent changes to the plumbing, a model with a water tank could suit you. You’ll still need to fill it and drain the wastewater. These are two separate tasks, even without a fixed connection.
If there’s a water supply and waste outlet near your worktop, a plumbed-in compact model with a capacity of 6 place settings could handle a moderate amount of washing up. UFC-Que Choisir describes this worktop size as suitable for small homes; measure the surface it’ll take up in your kitchen.
If you can set aside floor space and expect to wash more dishes, a slimline model is worth considering. The Beko BDFS26040X is an example of this size, with a stated width of 45 cm and a capacity of 10 place settings. It isn’t a worktop appliance.
First rule out any sizes your kitchenette can’t accommodate or connect to the water supply, then compare the capacity with the amount of washing up you do each day.
Consider this if: there’s no permanent water supply and you have room to put a small appliance on the worktop.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill it by hand and arrange drainage, and its capacity is limited. Daan Tech states that Bob holds 3 place settings.
Consider this if: you have a water connection, an accessible waste outlet and enough worktop space for an appliance such as the Candy CP 6E51LS, which holds 6 place settings.
Bear in mind: this Candy model needs a direct water supply and takes up some of your worktop.
Consider this if: you have a permanent 45 cm space available and 6 place settings aren’t enough for your needs.
Bear in mind: this size needs floor space and suitable connections. The Beko BDFS26040X is stated to hold 10 place settings.
| Consideration | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Flexible installation | How the appliance gets its water and whether there’s a suitable route for the waste water. | If there’s no permanent water supply, I want an appliance I can install without making lasting changes to the kitchen, while knowing where the wastewater will go. Around 42% of consumers prioritise this flexible installation. |
| Everyday capacity | Number of place settings and whether there’s room for the dishes you use regularly, especially pans. | If washing up piles up between cycles, I want a suitable capacity rather than simply a smaller appliance. This is the main need for around 33% of consumers. |
| Usable space | Width, depth, height and the clearance needed to open the door. | In a kitchenette you use every day, keeping your worktop clear or setting aside floor space can change how you cook. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the appliance’s position above all else. |
A worktop appliance may need a direct water supply. According to Candy France, this is the case with the Candy CP 6E51LS. Its size alone doesn’t tell you how it gets its water.
Check the water supply, waste outlet and any required accessories separately in the manual for the model you’re considering.
The appliance’s depth, the way its door opens or the route for its hoses could make a space unusable, even if the width is right. For example, Candy France gives the CP 6E51LS dimensions as 550 × 501 × 443 mm.
Before choosing, measure the space in all three dimensions, the clearance in front of the door and access to the connections.
The Beko BDFS26040X is stated to hold 10 place settings, but it’s a floor-standing appliance. Its capacity doesn’t remove the need for a suitable space and connections.
If your kitchen can’t accommodate a permanent floor-standing appliance, first look at worktop models that suit your water supply.
In France, the Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the statutory guarantee of conformity, which is mandatory for goods sold by a business to an individual, and an optional commercial warranty. An extended warranty does not replace your statutory rights.
Before taking out an extended warranty, compare its cover and exclusions with the rights that already apply to your purchase.
Bob is a small freestanding dishwasher designed, among other things, to sit on a worktop. Daan Tech says it can use either a water tank or a water supply connection.
The CP 6E51LS is an example of Candy’s plumbed-in worktop models.
The BDFS26040X is an example of Beko’s slimline freestanding dishwashers, designed for a floor-standing space.
The ESL2500RO is a fully integrated compact model to consider if your kitchenette already has a suitable niche.
These models are all worktop dishwashers. Depending on the appliance, the water supply and drainage may require different preparations. Check these details before choosing a model for your kitchenette.
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Worth considering if you don’t want to rely on a permanent water supply. The product name specifies a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. You’ll also need a suitable route for draining the wastewater.
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This small tabletop model is worth considering if you have a small amount of washing up and want to fill it by hand. Its name specifies 7 programmes and a delay start of up to 24 h. Check how to drain the water and which accessories your setup requires.
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This tabletop option is for kitchens with accessible connections and room for 6 place settings. The product name specifies 7 programmes. Check its external dimensions and the type of connection it needs before making space for it.
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This compact model could suit kitchens with limited space. For this variant, confirm exactly how it gets its water and how it drains before assuming you can install it without a permanent water supply.
Yes. Daan Tech says that Bob’s water tank removes the need for a permanent water supply, but wastewater still needs to be drained through a hose. Follow the instructions for your exact model to choose and secure the drainage point.
No. ‘Worktop’ describes where the appliance sits, not how it gets its water. Candy France says the CP 6E51LS, a model with a capacity of 6 place settings, needs a direct connection to the water supply.
Compare the energy labels and product information for the specific models, checking that the figures are based on the same criteria. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition says the energy label provides standardised information for comparing products in the same category. It doesn’t replace checking the capacity and installation requirements.
For a purchase from a business by an individual in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity may apply. The Ministry of the Economy says a fault may relate, for example, to the product description or to installation instructions that are incomplete or difficult to understand. Keep the product listing, proof of purchase and installation documents so you can explain the problem clearly to the seller.
First, check the manual for your model and make sure the water supply, waste outlet and power socket are suitable. Bosch Électroménager France warns that installation can be complex or dangerous. If you’re unsure about a connection, have the setup checked before you go ahead.