Start by choosing a spot where the dishwasher and its connections will actually fit. A compact countertop model is a good option if floor space is limited, but its capacity may mean you need to run it more often. If dishes pile up quickly, it’s worth comparing a slimline 45 cm model. The choice between a freestanding and an integrated appliance depends on whether you have a suitable space and whether its door panel is compatible.
A compact countertop model can save floor space, as long as you have a stable surface and can arrange the water supply, drainage and power socket. Also measure how much room will be left for preparing meals.
If plates and pans pile up every day, compare your actual load with the stated capacity. Candy and Whirlpool list a compact model with 6 place settings and a slimline model with 10 place settings respectively. The latter does, however, need more space.
The choice between a freestanding and an integrated model depends on the available space, the connections and, for an integrated model, the door panel. A “45 cm” label alone doesn’t confirm that the appliance will fit: check the diagram for the model you’re considering.
Consider it: when there’s no suitable floor space, but you have a stable spot on the worktop.
Bear in mind: it has a more limited capacity and takes up some of your worktop; the Candy Rapidò CP 6E51LS is listed as holding 6 place settings.
Consider it: if you have floor space and want to compare capacities larger than those of a mini model, without needing a furniture door panel.
Bear in mind: a reduced width doesn’t mean the appliance will be short or shallow; Bosch lists the SPS4EMI17E at 845 × 450 × 600 mm.
Consider it: if you have a suitable space and door panel to fit the appliance into your existing kitchen units.
Bear in mind: installation also depends on the depth, adjustable feet and door fixing. Check the installation diagram.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the width, height, depth and door clearance; for an integrated model, check the appliance-space dimensions too. | When every surface in my kitchen is already in use, I need to find a spot that won’t block the units or take away too much worktop space. Around 29% of consumers put this space constraint first. |
| Capacity and how often you wash | Compare the stated place settings with a day’s worth of dishes, including pans, and check the basket layout. | If I cook often or have people over, I want to avoid dishes piling up before the next wash. Capacity is the top priority for around 24% of consumers. |
| Installation | Check the water inlet, drainage and power socket; for an integrated model, also check the appliance space and door-panel fixing. | In a fitted kitchen, I need to be able to connect the appliance and, if necessary, fit its door without unexpected alterations. This comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Use and noise | Check the kWh per 100 Eco cycles, litres per Eco cycle and noise level in dB on the model’s product information. | If the kitchen is close to the living area, I consider noise as well as water and energy use. Around 18% of consumers prioritise this everyday comfort. |
A slimline appliance may still need almost 85 cm of height and 60 cm of depth: Bosch lists the SPS4EMI17E at 845 × 450 × 600 mm. You’ll also need to allow room for the door and hoses.
Measure all three dimensions, the space needed for the connections and the door clearance. For an integrated model, use the installation diagram for the exact model number.
Candy says the CP 6E51LS connects directly to the water supply. So even a countertop model needs a suitable water supply, drain and power socket.
Before choosing a spot, check the manual for the water supply method, permitted drainage route and position of the connections.
For one or two people, the washing-up may include several pans or plates from guests. The stated capacities of 6 place settings for the Candy CP 6E51LS and 10 for the Beko DIS35020 don’t, by themselves, show how much room there is for each item.
Compare the baskets and a busy day’s load, rather than choosing a capacity based only on the size of your household.
According to the European Commission and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017, the comparative information on dishwasher energy labels relates to the Eco programme. It doesn’t automatically describe a short cycle.
Compare appliances using their Eco data, then check separately how the quick programme you’re interested in is intended to be used.
The French range includes both compact countertop models and 45 cm fully integrated options.
Two models in the French range show the choice between freestanding and fully integrated slimline dishwashers.
Its 10-place-setting models let you compare a slimline freestanding option with an integrated one.
The WSFO3T223P is an example of a slimline freestanding dishwasher worth considering for a small household.
These countertop dishwashers are worth comparing if you’re thinking of using worktop space rather than floor space. Their capacities and water supply methods differ, so check where the drain will run for each one too.
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Worth considering if you’d like to choose between manual filling and a tap connection in a small kitchen.
Stated dimensions: 420 × 435 × 435 mm; built-in 5 L tank, 6+3 programmes and energy rating D according to the product information. Check the tap connection and drainage: a tap adapter isn’t listed as included.
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Compare its stated capacity of 6 place settings with the amount of washing-up your household builds up between cycles.
The title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and energy rating D. The stated hose lengths are 1,500 mm for the water inlet and 1,720 mm for the drain; also measure the space available for the appliance itself.
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The manual filling method listed for this model may suit you if you don’t plan to connect it permanently to the water supply, as long as you can arrange the drainage.
Stated dimensions: 420 × 436 × 465 mm; 7 programmes and energy rating D according to the title. The capacity is described as “3 cutlery”: check what it can hold rather than assuming this means three standard place settings.
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This countertop model is worth considering if its small capacity suits the amount of washing-up you usually have.
The title lists a capacity of 3 sets. Before making space for it, confirm its dimensions, how it connects to the water supply and the route needed for drainage.
It depends on how it’s supplied with water, so don’t assume it does just because it’s compact. Candy says the Rapidò CP 6E51LS connects directly to the water supply, while some models with a tank are designed to be filled by hand. In every case, check how the waste water will drain away.
A 45 cm model could suit a couple who quickly fill a compact dishwasher, as long as its full dimensions work in your kitchen. Models listed by Beko and Whirlpool have a capacity of 10 place settings; compare this with your pans, plates and occasional meals with guests.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then check the door, connections and installation diagram for the exact model. As an example specific to this model, Beko lists a recess height of 82 to 87 cm for the DIS35020.
No, those figures don’t automatically describe the quick programme. According to the European Commission and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/2017, the comparative data on the label relates to the Eco programme; check the manufacturer’s information separately for other cycles.