In a small kitchenette, choose a countertop dishwasher if you want to keep your floor space free, after checking that it will fit on your worktop and that you can connect the water supply and drainage. A 45 cm model, freestanding or integrated depending on your kitchen, may be a better option if you have a suitable space and need more capacity. A water tank means some models do not need a dedicated water supply, but you’ll still need to fill it manually and drain the wastewater.
A model with a water tank can reduce the need for fixed connections if you don’t wash many dishes. You’ll still need to find a safe place for the drain hose: Daan Tech says the hose on the Bob should be placed in a sink or another drain.
If pans, glasses and plates pile up every day, compare the usable space in the racks. The capacities listed by Candy for its countertop and slimline models show why place settings matter just as much as the format.
A slimline appliance can free up worktop space if the opening, cabinets and connections are suitable. The Electrolux EES42210L is an example of a fully integrated model: it needs a kitchen designed for installation, not just a spare spot on the worktop.
First, check where the appliance can go and how the water will flow in and out. Then compare its capacity with the dishes you usually wash, followed by the usage information for models of a similar size.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | How the model takes in water; the route for the drain hose and how it will be secured. | Without a dedicated water supply, I’d look for a tank to avoid a fixed connection, while making sure there’s access to a drain. Around 36% of consumers prioritise this installation flexibility. |
| Usable capacity | Number of place settings listed; space for your plates and bulky utensils. | When dishes from several meals pile up, I want to avoid a small tub forcing me to run more cycles. Everyday capacity comes first for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space | Overall dimensions, door clearance and whether a potential alcove is suitable. | If I already use the worktop to prepare meals, I’d rather check the available floor space or existing alcove. Keeping this surface free is the top priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise and consumption | For appliances of a similar capacity, water per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles, Eco programme duration and noise level. | In an open-plan kitchen, I consider noise and when I can run a cycle, as well as the water and electricity it uses. Around 14% of consumers put these day-to-day factors first. |
To compare formats, Daan Tech lists Bob as holding 3 standard place settings; Candy lists the direct-plumbed CP 6E51LS as holding 6 place settings and measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm; and Electrolux lists 9 place settings for the fully integrated 45 cm EES42210L. These specifications apply to the models named, so measure your space and check the manual before deciding on an installation. ADEME says electricity consumption is shown in kWh per 100 standard cycles and water consumption in litres per standard cycle. Read these figures alongside capacity and noise level, rather than looking at the energy rating alone.
The tank supplies water to the appliance; wastewater still needs to drain away. Daan Tech says the Bob’s hose must lead to a sink or another drain.
Before buying, work out where the hose will go and check the manual for how to secure it in the intended position.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you by itself whether your pans, large bowls or plates will fit alongside the rest of your dishes.
Compare what you usually wash with the size limits and rack layout of the model you’re considering.
A compact appliance won’t necessarily be the right choice for your priorities around noise, water or electricity. Read the label figures together with the capacity.
For comparable models, check the kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level, especially if your kitchenette opens onto your living space.
The Bob is a mini countertop dishwasher option for when access to a dedicated water supply is difficult.
The range lets you compare a countertop appliance with a slimline freestanding model.
The brand offers compact dishwashers, as well as freestanding and integrated ranges.
The EES42210L is an example of a fully integrated 45 cm appliance for a suitable alcove.
These appliances are designed to sit on a worktop. To choose between them, start with the space available, the dishes you wash and the water supply method for each version. They’re not a substitute for considering a 45 cm model if you have a suitable alcove.
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Worth considering if you want a countertop appliance that doesn’t need a dedicated water supply. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. You’ll also need a suitable route for the drain hose, so measure the space available.
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Consider this model if its stated capacity of 6 place settings suits your everyday dishes and you can connect it to the water supply. The product title lists 7 programmes and 47 dB. Before buying, check the dimensions, exact connection requirements and clearance needed to open the door.
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An option to consider if you want a countertop appliance with a choice of programmes. The product title lists 8 programmes, a built-in water softener and a delay start. Check the water supply method, drainage and dimensions to make sure it will suit your kitchenette.
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Worth considering if you wash a small number of dishes and want to keep the appliance on your worktop. The product title lists 3 place settings and 34 cm, but doesn’t specify which dimension this refers to. Check all measurements and the water supply and drainage requirements for this version.
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This countertop version is worth looking at separately if you’re interested in the pack and its configuration. Before choosing it, check the manual for its applicable capacity, dimensions and water supply and drainage requirements. Don’t assume that specifications for another Bob model apply to this one.
Yes, if the model can be supplied by a water tank, as with the Bob described by Daan Tech. This isn’t a feature of every countertop dishwasher. For example, Candy says the CP 6E51LS needs a direct connection to the water supply. In either case, check the drainage requirements in the manual.
Yes. Daan Tech says the Bob’s drain hose should go into a sink or another drain: the tank replaces the water supply, not the wastewater outlet. Check where you can secure the hose in your kitchenette.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres of water per cycle, the Eco programme duration, noise level and capacity. ADEME explains the units used for electricity and water. When comparing appliances, also consider their size and how many dishes they can hold.
Check the dishwasher manual for its requirements and, if you’re unsure or work is needed, ask a professional to assess the installation. The presence of a nearby socket doesn’t, by itself, mean the location is suitable for the appliance you’ve chosen.
No. For a new dishwasher bought from a professional seller in France, the French Ministry of the Economy says you can invoke the legal guarantee of conformity for two years. A commercial extended warranty is separate: check the additional services and exclusions it covers, and don’t confuse it with this legal right.