In a small kitchen without a dedicated space for a built-in appliance, a freestanding dishwasher gives you the freedom to choose where to put it, with no cabinet door to fit, as Que Choisir explains. A tabletop or compact model can suit smaller loads, provided its capacity and connections meet your needs. A 45 cm freestanding model usually holds 9 to 10 place settings, while a 60 cm model needs more width. Before choosing, measure the depth and height too, and check the door clearance, water supply, drainage and electrical connection.
If you have relatively few dishes to wash and are short on floor space, a tabletop appliance could be worth considering. Candy, for example, offers models with room for 6 place settings for this type of use. Make sure the surface is stable and that water, drainage and electricity are within reach.
A freestanding model means you don’t need to allow for a cabinet door or a built-in space. According to Que Choisir, 45 cm models usually hold 9 to 10 place settings, making one a possible fit if you have enough floor space. Be sure to measure the depth and height as well.
If you can set aside 60 cm of width without obstructing walkways or cupboard doors, a freestanding model of this size offers greater capacity. Que Choisir puts these appliances at 12 to 17 place settings. Check that this capacity suits the size of your usual loads.
Start by considering where the appliance will go and how many dishes you need to wash. Then check the installation requirements and the specifications of the exact model.
| Priority | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the width, depth and height. Allow space for the door to open and make sure the appliance won’t obstruct the walkway. | I want to be able to open the dishwasher and still move around the kitchen, not just squeeze it into the available space. |
| Capacity | Compare the number of place settings with your usual loads. Que Choisir says compact models hold fewer than 9 place settings, 45 cm models usually hold 9 to 10, and 60 cm models hold 12 to 17. The capacity of a tabletop model depends on the specific model. | A smaller capacity is fine if I only wash a few dishes at a time. If dishes tend to pile up, I should also consider how often I’ll need to run a cycle. |
| Installation | Check the water supply, drainage and electrical requirements in the instruction manual. Make sure the surface is stable and the connections are accessible. | Before choosing a tabletop or freestanding model, I want to know how it will get its water and where the wastewater will drain. |
| Use and maintenance | Compare water and energy consumption and noise levels on the product specifications, using the same reference programme. In France, also check the reparability index for the dishwasher in question, rated out of 10 by the ministry responsible for ecology. | If the dishwasher will run frequently or near a living area, these specifications matter for everyday use. I’ll also need to have the right cleaning products to hand. |
A 45 cm appliance can still be around 60 cm deep. According to its product specifications, the Bosch SPS2HKI55E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm. So having enough width doesn’t guarantee that the door will open or that you’ll have a clear walkway.
Measure the width, depth and height of the space, the clearance in front of the appliance and the dimensions of the exact model you’re considering.
A tabletop design doesn’t automatically tell you how the appliance gets its water. For example, Candy specifies a direct connection to the water supply for its CP 6E51LS. You’ll also need to plan for drainage and an electrical connection.
Read the manual for your chosen model and check that the water supply, drainage and a suitable socket are accessible.
If the space isn’t already set up, you may need connection accessories or professional installation.
Que Choisir says a 9-place-setting model may suit a small family, even if it needs to run every day. So choosing a narrower model won’t necessarily meet your needs if you have larger loads.
Keep an eye on how many dishes you get through over several days, then compare this with the capacity and space available.
The programmes alone don’t tell you everything about everyday use. Que Choisir also highlights the importance of consumables and maintenance. The energy label provided by the European Commission gives you useful information for comparing models on a like-for-like basis.
Check the figures for the reference programme, the reparability index and the installation requirements for the exact model.
The SPS2HKI55E is an example of Bosch’s 45 cm freestanding range. The manufacturer’s specifications list its dimensions as 845 × 450 × 600 mm.
Candy’s range includes the CP 6E51LS, a freestanding tabletop dishwasher with space for 6 place settings, measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm.
The Whirlpool OWFC3C26 is an example of a 60 cm freestanding model. Its specifications list a capacity of 14 place settings and dimensions of 60 × 85 × 59 cm.
This selection includes tabletop dishwashers for smaller loads, plus a 60 cm freestanding model for kitchens where there’s room for one. Compare the capacity and installation requirements of each model with your available space.
Image unavailable
This tabletop model is worth considering if you’d rather make space for a dishwasher on your worktop than on the floor. The product title mentions a built-in 5 L tank, 6 + 3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the manual for filling and drainage instructions, and the clearance needed around the appliance.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 6 place settings could suit a small household looking for more room than a 3-place-setting model offers. The product title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating. Measure the space and check the connections required in the manual.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 3 place settings is suited to small, regular loads. Before choosing this model for a kitchen without a dedicated space, check its dimensions, water supply and drainage requirements in the manual. The words ‘no installation’ in the product title don’t mean you can skip these checks.
Image unavailable
This tabletop model has a stated capacity of 3 place settings, so compare it with the number of dishes you get through each day. The product title mentions hot-air drying. Check the dimensions, water supply and drainage requirements separately before deciding where to put it.
Image unavailable
Its stated capacity of 14 place settings suits a household with room for a 60 cm appliance and regular larger loads. The product title lists an E energy rating. Before choosing this size for a small kitchen, check the full dimensions, door clearance and connection requirements.
You’ll need a water supply, a wastewater outlet and an electrical connection, following the installation instructions from Que Choisir. Check the model’s manual to make sure these connections are accessible, and place the appliance level on a suitable surface.
The water supply method depends on the model. For example, Candy says the CP 6E51LS needs to be connected directly to the water supply. Don’t assume that a tabletop model has a water tank just because of its size. Check how it drains wastewater too.
Check the energy label and product specifications, then compare figures for the same reference programme. The European Commission says that, depending on the category, the label may show an A to G rating, as well as information on water and energy use, noise and capacity.
Yes. It gives you a way to compare information about how repairable different models are, but it won’t tell you on its own whether a model is right for your kitchen. In France, the ministry responsible for ecology says that dishwashers are among the products covered by this index, which is scored out of 10. Check the score for the exact model you’re considering.