A countertop dishwasher is a good fit if you can give it a stable spot near the sink and arrange somewhere for the wastewater to drain. A water tank can mean you don’t need a fixed water supply, but it won’t remove the need for drainage. If you have floor space and suitable connections, compare its capacity with that of a slimline 45 cm model. A full-size dishwasher is only worth considering if its footprint and capacity suit the way you use it.
The number of people in your household isn’t the only thing to consider. Available space, plumbing connections and how much washing-up you have all matter too.
If you want to keep your base units free, consider a countertop model. Measure the worktop depth as well as its width, then check where the drain hose will go and whether your larger plates will fit in the basket.
A countertop appliance may be enough if its basket holds the washing-up you generate at the frequency that suits you. If you have floor space and often fill the basket, compare it with a slimline 45 cm model before giving up worktop space.
A water tank can remove the need for a fixed water supply — this is the water-feed option Daan Tech describes for Bob. You’ll still need to arrange drainage, though. A model with a direct water connection, such as the Candy CP 6E51LS, requires you to check water access in a different way.
Start with the space available and drainage, then check the capacity against the washing-up you usually have. Finally, compare usage figures on a like-for-like basis.
| What to consider | What to check | My needs |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Check how the exact model gets its water: from a tank or a direct water connection. Find a suitable drainage point and work out where the hose can run. Daan Tech states that Bob’s tank doesn’t remove the need for drainage. | I don’t have a fixed water supply nearby. A tank could work for me, as long as I can drain the wastewater. |
| Space available | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as the space needed to access the sink. As examples of the dimensions given by manufacturers, the countertop Candy CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm, while the floor-standing slimline Candy CF0C7SB0FW measures 448 × 605 × 846 mm. | My worktop space is limited, so I want to know exactly how much room the appliance will take up without blocking access to the sink. |
| Capacity and crockery | Compare the stated place settings and the size of the items that will fit in the basket. Candy lists the countertop CP 6E51LS as holding 6 place settings, the slimline CF0C7SB0FW 10 and the full-size CF 4E4F0W 14. These capacities apply to appliances with different formats and footprints. | If I cook often or use large dishes, I’d rather check the basket than choose based on the number of place settings alone. |
| Cycles, water and noise | On the energy label for the model you’re considering, compare the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per standard cycle, capacity and noise level. ADEME recommends taking the duration of the Eco programme into account too. Make sure you compare figures calculated on the same basis. | In a room where I spend time too, noise levels and cycle length matter just as much as the space the appliance takes up. |
A tank solves the issue of a fixed water supply, not wastewater disposal. Daan Tech’s guide for Bob says the drain hose needs to be connected to a suitable drainage point.
Before ordering, find a drainage point, check where the hose can run and make sure you have a stable surface for the appliance. Read the instructions for the model you choose.
A slimline model may hold more crockery than a countertop appliance, but it takes up floor space. On the other hand, the basket in a smaller model may not suit the dishes you use most often.
Mark out the stated dimensions on your worktop or floor, then check the basket details against the size of your plates and dishes.
An energy rating doesn’t tell you everything about water use per standard cycle, capacity or noise. ADEME also notes that a difference of three decibels corresponds to almost twice the noise level.
Look at the kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and stated noise level together for each model.
These examples show how installation requirements can differ. A feature listed for one model won’t necessarily apply to every appliance from the same brand.
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a countertop appliance designed, among other things, for kitchenettes where a fixed water supply isn’t practical.
Candy France’s product pages feature countertop, slimline and full-size appliances, making it possible to compare different kitchen layouts.
The EES42210L is an example of a slimline dishwasher designed for a fitted kitchen with space for an integrated appliance.
These appliances are countertop dishwasher options. For each one, check that the basket suits your crockery and confirm the space, water supply and drainage requirements before choosing.
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The product name states that it has a 5 L tank, which could suit you if you need an appliance that doesn’t require a fixed water supply. Check the available space, drain hose route and basket capacity for your crockery.
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The product name specifies a built-in 5 L tank and 6+3 programmes. Before choosing this size for your kitchen, check the basket dimensions and how the appliance is designed to drain.
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This tabletop model is listed with seven programmes. Compare its footprint with the space you have available, and check the basket capacity and drainage method specified in the instructions.
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The stated capacity of 6 place settings is worth comparing with the amount of washing-up you usually have. Measure the space you’ve set aside and check that the water supply and drainage can be connected as described in the instructions.
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The name states a capacity of three place settings, so check that against the size of your plates and dishes. Before setting aside a spot for it, check the external dimensions and the water supply and drainage requirements.
No. The tank supplies water; it doesn’t deal with drainage. Daan Tech says Bob’s tank removes the need for a fixed water supply, but you still need to connect the drain hose. Check the instructions for the specific model you’re considering.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then check access to the sink and where the hoses can run. As a guide, Candy France lists the countertop CP 6E51LS as measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm. Just because an appliance is described as ‘compact’ doesn’t mean it will fit on your worktop.
Consider a 45 cm model if you have space for a floor-standing appliance and suitable connections, and the basket in a tabletop model is too small for your crockery. Candy lists the slimline CF0C7SB0FW as holding 10 place settings and measuring 448 × 605 × 846 mm, compared with 6 place settings and 550 × 501 × 443 mm for the countertop CP 6E51LS. Weigh the extra capacity against the space it needs.
Compare the figures on their energy labels on a like-for-like basis: kWh per 100 cycles, litres per standard cycle and capacity. ADEME also recommends checking the Eco programme duration and noise level. These are especially useful factors to consider if the appliance will run in your living space.