Choose a countertop dishwasher for small loads if you can give it a stable surface and arrange the connections specified for that model. A 45 cm appliance is worth considering if you have a suitable space and need more capacity. If there’s nowhere safe to put it or installation isn’t practical, it’s better to stick with your current washing-up routine.
If you live alone or with one other person and are short on floor space, a compact dishwasher can cut down on washing up without taking up a 45 cm space. UFC-Que Choisir describes 6-place-setting models as appliances designed to sit on a worktop. Check that yours still leaves enough room for food preparation and the necessary connections.
If washing up piles up between cycles and you have space for a 45 cm model, a capacity of 9 place settings may better suit your routine. UFC-Que Choisir presents this format as an option for a small family, although the model’s installation type is still a key consideration.
If you’re unsure about the water supply, drainage or a stable place to put the appliance, first find out what can be installed in your home. If you rent, ask the landlord for written permission before carrying out work that alters the property or its fittings, as advised by ANIL.
First, check where the appliance could go and how it would work. Then see whether its capacity suits the amount of washing up you produce between cycles.
| What matters | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Usable space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to open the door and route the hoses. | If floor space is limited but you use the worktop every day for cooking, keeping a usable surface matters more than choosing a particular capacity. Around 42% of consumers put the appliance’s footprint at the top of their list. |
| Capacity and frequency | Count the dishes between cycles, including bulky utensils, and check how the racks are laid out. | For a household that often cooks at home, avoiding a pile-up of plates and pans may matter more than saving space. Capacity and washing frequency are the main priorities for around 33% of consumers. |
| Practical installation | Check the water supply, drainage and socket against the model’s instructions. If work would alter a rented home, ask the landlord for written permission. | In a kitchen where the connections still need to be arranged, being able to use the appliance without an unsuitable installation is the first requirement. Around 25% of consumers prioritise whether installation is practical. |
A countertop design doesn’t take care of the water supply and drainage by itself. The Bosch SKS2ITI00E manual covers the drinking water, waste water and electrical connections separately.
Before ordering, check that the available connection points match the hoses, accessories and instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
A compact model saves floor space but takes up room on the worktop. A 45 cm model needs a dedicated space, and its stated capacity doesn’t tell you whether your pans will fit in the racks.
Measure the space with the door open, then compare the capacity with the amount of washing up you actually produce between washes.
Noise matters more when the appliance runs close to your living space. UFC-Que Choisir includes it among the factors to consider for an open-plan kitchen.
Compare the dB level and noise class shown for the models you’re considering, and think about when you’ll run the cycles.
ANIL notes that, in France, written permission from the landlord is needed to alter a rented property or its fittings. Whether this rule applies to your installation depends on the work involved.
If installation means making lasting changes to the plumbing, units or other rented fittings, ask for permission before any work begins.
The Rapidò CP 6E51LS is an example of Candy’s countertop compact range for small kitchens.
The SKS2ITI00E is an example of a compact model whose manual explains which connections need to be prepared.
The EES42210L is worth considering if your kitchen has a suitable space for a 45 cm fully integrated model.
These countertop models are designed for small loads. To compare them, focus on their stated capacity, the space available and each model’s water supply and drainage requirements.
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Worth considering if you want to place an appliance near the sink without installing a fixed water supply. The product name states that it has a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 cycles. Check the drainage route, available space and usable capacity for your dishes.
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Worth considering for small loads if you can spare worktop space and arrange the connections. The product name states that it has 7 programmes, a delay-start function of up to 24 hours and a noise level of 47 dB. Measure the space and check the manual before choosing this model.
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This countertop model may suit a household that produces only a small amount of washing up. The product name states that it has 7 programmes, a delay-start function of up to 24 hours and automatic opening. Check its standard place-setting capacity, dimensions and drainage requirements before buying.
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Its stated capacity is designed for very small loads, so compare it with the plates and utensils you usually use. The product name states that it has 7 programmes and a delay-start function of up to 24 hours. Check the dimensions, water supply, drainage and noise level in the model’s documentation.
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Only consider this model if its stated small capacity suits your dishes and you can arrange a practical drainage route. Before choosing it, check the dimensions, water supply method and installation requirements in the manual.
Some models are designed to be connected to a water supply, while others come with a tank. Check the water supply method for the specific model. Candy describes the CP 6E51LS as connecting directly to the water supply, while the Bosch SKS2ITI00E manual specifies a drinking water connection. In either case, check the drainage instructions too.
Not necessarily: it depends on the available space and the amount of washing up. UFC-Que Choisir describes 6-place-setting compact models as countertop appliances, while slimline models with 9 place settings may suit a small family. Check the installation type of the 45 cm model you’re considering: a fully integrated model needs compatible units.
For the models you’re considering, compare the energy class, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration, noise level and noise class. ADEME recommends using these details to help you choose. Capacity and installation requirements need to be considered separately.
In France, if the work would alter the property or its rented fittings, ask the landlord for written permission beforehand, as advised by ANIL. Whether connecting the appliance to the existing plumbing counts as such work depends on what needs to be done. Explain your plans to the landlord before making any changes.