Choose a mini dishwasher with a water tank if not having a water supply and keeping the footprint to a minimum are your top priorities, but always check how wastewater will be discharged: the tank does not replace this. If you genuinely have 45 cm of space, a water supply and a permanent waste connection, a slimline model offers more capacity. In that case, compare the water and energy consumption, Eco programme duration and noise level of the exact model.
A mini model with a water tank may be suitable for a small load of washing-up if you are happy to fill it manually and a safe drainage point is available. Daan Tech states that its Bob model can use either a tank or a water supply, but requires a drain hose leading to a sink or waste outlet.
If your kitchen can accommodate 45 cm and the necessary connections, a slimline appliance may reduce how often you need to run a cycle. The 45 cm models listed by Electrolux France have capacity for 9 or 10 place settings, whereas mini countertop models are more limited.
Noise level, Eco programme duration and the appliance’s actual position matter just as much as its width. ADEME and the European Commission state that the energy label lets you compare noise, water per cycle, energy consumption and the duration of the reference cycle.
Worth considering: if your worktop can accommodate the appliance and no water supply is accessible or wanted, for small amounts of washing-up.
You’ll need to accept: manual filling and a drain hose directed into a sink, trap or suitable waste outlet.
Worth considering: if space is very limited but a water supply is accessible near the worktop.
Check: the compatible connection, the route taken by the hoses and how the drain hose is secured before buying.
Worth considering: when 45 cm of width, a water supply and a permanent waste connection are genuinely available.
You’ll need to accept: a larger footprint and, for an integrated model, the constraints of the unit or door panel.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Check the water-feed method, the route taken by the drain hose, its length and where it discharges. A tank can avoid the need for a water supply, but not wastewater drainage. | I want to minimise plumbing changes while still being able to discharge wastewater safely. |
| Actual capacity | Compare the number of place settings with plate diameter, usable height and an example load. A verified 45 cm format may offer 9 or 10 place settings, subject to the available space and connections. | My day’s washing-up also includes glasses, bowls and sometimes a small saucepan. I need to know whether everything will fit without having to run multiple cycles. |
| Noise and consumption | On the energy label, check the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco duration, dB and the noise class for the same reference cycle. | In a living area, I’m looking for an appliance whose noise and running time fit comfortably into my daily routine. According to ADEME, an additional 3 dB represents an almost doubling of the noise. |
A tank avoids the need for a water supply, but the appliance still has to discharge wastewater. Without a discharge point and suitable securing method, using it is impractical.
Before comparing programmes, identify the route of the drain hose, the sink or trap you can use, and the length of the supplied hose.
Standardised place settings do not necessarily account for saucepans, frying pans or large serving dishes. For Bob, Daan Tech mentions 2 place settings according to the European standard, while some retailer listings state 3 place settings.
Check the basket layout, the maximum plate diameter and an example load. Base your choice on the washing-up you produce in a day.
The class alone does not tell you how much water is used per cycle, the Eco duration, capacity or noise level. These criteria can be crucial in a studio flat.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, duration, dB and the noise class on the reference programme. ADEME explains that an additional 3 dB represents an almost doubling of the noise.
A narrow width does not guarantee that an appliance will fit beneath a unit or beside the sink: depth, height, hoses and door opening also matter.
Measure the width, depth, available height, distance to the waste outlet and the clearance needed to load the dishes before choosing the exact model.
Daan Tech makes the Bob mini dishwasher, a countertop format designed for very small spaces, with either a water tank or water-supply connection depending on the setup.
The Studio range includes the MINI D3SL, a freestanding mini dishwasher designed for small worktops.
Electrolux offers compact 45 cm dishwashers, both freestanding and integrated, for small kitchens that can accommodate a wider appliance.
Bosch offers 45 cm slimline models, both freestanding and integrated, designed for small kitchens or households with lower capacity needs.
This selection brings together countertop dishwashers suited to small homes: models with water tanks, connected models and compact formats for limited daily washing-up.
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Worth considering for a studio flat without an easily accessible water supply, provided manual filling and hose drainage are practical.
Stated capacity of 4 place settings, plates up to 26 cm and stated dimensions of 45.8 × 42.8 × 42.5 cm. Check the noise level and noise class if the kitchen opens onto the living area.
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This connected format may be suitable if a water supply is accessible and the stated capacity of 6 place settings meets your washing-up needs.
7 programmes, stated consumption of 6.5 L per cycle and a stated noise level of 47 dB. Measure the full dimensions and door-opening space, and check that the drain hose is compatible with your sink or trap.
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At 34 cm wide, it may suit very restricted worktops with a nearby cold-water tap and waste outlet.
Stated dimensions of 49 × 34 × 49 cm, stated consumption of 2.9 L per cycle and a stated noise level of 43 dB. Capacity should be confirmed for this version: the sources consulted state 2 or 3 place settings depending on the standard used.
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This tank model is suitable when worktop width is the main constraint and you only need to wash a small amount of crockery.
Integrated 5 L tank, stated capacity of 4 place settings, 7 programmes and a stated width of 37 cm. Check where the hose discharges, as well as the noise level and water use per cycle. Also allow for the necessary clearance given its depth of 50 to 51 cm.
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It may suit a single person or couple who produce little washing-up and would rather fill a tank manually than modify the water supply.
Stated capacity of 3 place settings, basket for 30 items, plates up to 270 mm and dimensions of 420 × 436 × 465 mm. Check the drain hose, its discharge point, noise level and consumption before buying.
It can work without a water supply if its tank is filled manually, but it must still discharge wastewater. For Bob, Daan Tech advises connecting the drain hose to a trap or using a securing device that allows the water to drain. So check both how the appliance is filled and where it discharges.
Do not rely solely on the number of place settings. Check the stated load, the maximum plate size and the space left for less standard items. Daan Tech describes Bob as suitable for the daily washing-up of two people, including plates, glasses, cups, bowls and a small saucepan or frying pan, while some 45 cm Electrolux models offer 9 or 10 place settings.
Compare capacity, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level in dB together with its noise class. The European Commission states that this information appears on the energy label for dishwashers. The A to G class alone is not enough to distinguish between a mini appliance and a 45 cm model.
Check the availability of spare parts, warranty terms and access to the filter, spray arms and baskets for the model and seller you choose. The European Commission states that, for the dishwashers concerned, certain parts such as seals, spray arms, filters and baskets must remain available for 10 years after the product is withdrawn from the market.