If a 60 cm dishwasher won’t fit, start by measuring the space available and counting how much washing-up builds up between cycles. A countertop model can suit smaller loads if its interior capacity, water supply and drainage work for your kitchen. If you can free up a full-height space, consider a 45 cm model too before ruling out a larger capacity altogether.
The number of people in your household matters, but the space taken up by pans and whether you can install the appliance can also affect your choice.
A countertop model could be a good fit if everything that builds up between cycles will fit inside. Measure the worktop depth too, along with the clearance needed to open the door and the route for the water. A built-in tank means you don’t need a fixed water supply, but you’ll still need to deal with draining the water.
If you have a full-height space and suitable connections, consider a slimline model. AEG, for example, offers a 45 cm fully integrated model that holds 9 place settings. However, you’ll need a compatible housing space and cabinet door for installation.
If bulky utensils or several meals’ worth of washing-up quickly fill a small appliance, see if you can make room for a 60 cm model without obstructing access or connections. Darty features a freestanding 60 cm model that holds 13 place settings; compare its dimensions with the space you actually have.
First, decide where an appliance could realistically go, then compare its capacity with the washing-up from a typical day.
Consider this if: you have a stable worktop but no full-height space.
The trade-off: the small interior may leave some utensils to be washed separately; a model with a tank also needs to be filled by hand.
Consider this if: you can create a full-height space but can’t free up 60 cm of width.
The trade-off: you’ll need to plan for installation and, for a fully integrated model, a suitable housing space and cabinet door.
Consider this if: rearranging your kitchen would make room for the appliance and you regularly have larger loads.
The trade-off: a higher stated capacity alone may not justify moving furniture or changing the connections.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, then check the door clearance and space for the hoses. Candy lists dimensions of 550 × 501 × 443 mm for its countertop CP 6E51LS; Darty also features a freestanding model measuring 45 × 60 × 85 cm. | I can fit an appliance on the worktop, but may not have enough depth for the door to open and to access the sink. |
| Water supply and drainage | Check the instructions to see whether the appliance connects to the water supply or uses a tank, and where the drain hose needs to go. Candy specifies a direct water connection for the CP 6E51LS; the Joybuy product listing for the Comfee CDWMTO201D describes a 5 L tank. | If there’s no usable water connection, I can fill a tank by hand, as long as I can also arrange for the water to drain away after each cycle. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the number of place settings, then check how the interior is arranged for your plates and utensils. Candy lists 6 place settings for the CP 6E51LS, AEG lists 9 for its 45 cm FSE62417P, and Darty lists 13 for a standard 60 cm model. These figures don’t tell you how much room there is for pans. | I use frying pans and salad bowls as well as plates, so I need to check what will actually fit between washes. |
| Everyday use | Compare energy and water use on the same programme, then check cycle times and the noise level listed for each model. ADEME recommends checking the energy label; the French ministry responsible for the environment recommends using the Eco programme and running a full load to make washing more efficient. | If I often run small loads, cycle times and the handling involved will matter just as much as the space the appliance takes up. |
A countertop model can take up close to 50 cm of depth and may need a direct water connection, as is the case with the CP 6E51LS described by Candy.
Measure all three dimensions of the available space and allow for the door to open. Check the instructions for the hose and cable routes before you order.
A stated capacity in place settings doesn’t guarantee there’ll be room for frying pans, saucepans or large salad bowls. You may need to run another cycle or wash these items by hand.
Make a list of what you use between washes, then check the interior dimensions, basket photos and space for larger utensils.
A tank means you don’t need a fixed water supply, but you may still need to fill it and position the drain hose. Joybuy’s dishwasher guide highlights this practical consideration.
Check where to fill the appliance and where the water will drain. If this doesn’t suit your routine, check whether a model with a water connection would work instead.
A figure given for the Eco programme won’t necessarily reflect the quick cycle you use. The French ministry responsible for the environment recommends the Eco programme and running a sufficiently full load to make washing more efficient.
Compare Eco figures like for like, then check the cycle times and details for the programmes you plan to use.
These models illustrate different sizes and installation requirements. They aren’t a list of brands available in the Joybuy selection below.
The CP 6E51LS is an example of a countertop model with a water connection for a small kitchen.
The SKS62E32EU gives you an idea of the dimensions of an older 55 cm compact freestanding model.
The FSE62417P is a 45 cm fully integrated option if you can create a slimline housing space.
These options are for countertop dishwashers when there isn’t room for a full-height model. Compare how they’re supplied with water and what they can hold. Choosing between a 45 cm model and rearranging your kitchen is a separate decision.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you have limited worktop width and a tank suits your needs. The product listing also mentions a tap connection. Before choosing this set-up, check the exact depth, door clearance and interior space for your dishes.
Image unavailable
The tank means you can consider this model without a permanent water connection. The product listing also mentions a tap connection. Before installation, check that there’s room for your utensils, and make sure you have the hose and equipment needed to drain the water where you want it to go.
Image unavailable
This model is designed for very small loads, with the product selection listing a 5 L tank or a tap connection. Its stated capacity of 3 place settings means you’ll need to check whether it can hold washing-up from several meals or larger utensils. Also check the overall dimensions and drainage requirements in the instructions.
Image unavailable
Filling the tank by hand may suit you if there’s no usable water connection near the worktop. Check that the stated capacity of 3 place settings is enough between cycles, then consult the instructions for positioning the drain hose.
Image unavailable
Compare the stated capacity of 6 place settings with the washing-up you accumulate, particularly saucepans and large dishes. The product listing describes a direct connection, so measure the space and check that the water supply, hoses and drainage are suitable.
No. Candy specifies a direct water connection for its CP 6E51LS, while the Joybuy product listing for the Comfee CDWMTO201D describes a built-in 5 L tank. Even with a tank model, check how to fill it and where the water will drain.
Count the washing-up that builds up between cycles, including frying pans, saucepans and salad bowls. A stated capacity of 6 place settings doesn’t guarantee that these larger items will fit inside. Check the interior dimensions and basket layout. If you use them often, compare 45 cm models that might fit in your kitchen too.
No: don’t assume that figures for the Eco programme also apply to a quick cycle. To compare appliances, start by looking at figures based on the same programme, then check the cycle times you expect to use. ADEME recommends consulting the energy label when choosing an appliance.
Yes. The French Ministry of the Economy states that the statutory legal guarantee of conformity is compulsory for new goods sold by a business to a private individual in France. It is separate from any commercial guarantee offered by the seller or manufacturer.