Who is this guide for?

Small household with no floor space to spare

You’re considering a worktop appliance and need to weigh up its footprint, load capacity and wastewater drainage. Daan Tech describes its Bob model as 34 cm wide and fitted with a water tank. However, its drain hose still needs to reach a suitable outlet.

People with an open-plan kitchen

You want to run a cycle without disrupting what’s going on in your living space. Que Choisir identifies noise as a factor to consider in an open-plan kitchen. The acoustic emissions shown on the label, along with tests carried out in comparable conditions, can help you choose.

One or two people who cook often

You want to wash your cooking utensils as well as your dishes, and are wondering whether a mini model’s cavity is big enough or a 45 cm model would give you more room. Compare the rack layout with your usual dishes and utensils, rather than relying only on the stated place setting capacity.

What to compare

In an open-plan kitchen or a small home, the available space and usable capacity will help you choose the right format. Noise, connections and cycle costs can then help you decide between models.

What matters What to check Who should pay particular attention?
Size and connections Measure the appliance and the space needed to open the door. Check for a power socket and a drain, as well as a water supply if the model requires one. If floor space is limited, I need to check that the worktop and the route for the hose are suitable. Around 25% of consumers prioritise space and connections.
Noise in the living space Compare the acoustic emissions and class shown for the eco programme. Look for independent tests carried out on a comparable basis. When the living room and kitchen are one space, I want to be able to run a cycle without disrupting what’s going on. Noise is a priority for around 25% of consumers.
Usable capacity Compare the stated capacity and rack layout with a load that includes your plates, pans and utensils. If I cook often, I want to know whether the cooking utensils will fit alongside the dishes from a meal. Around 20% of consumers prioritise capacity for their everyday dishes.
Water, electricity and running costs Compare the kWh per 100 eco cycles, litres per eco cycle and capacity. Then work out the cost based on how often you use it and your own tariffs. If I run the appliance regularly, I want to factor water and electricity into my budget. Cycle costs are a priority for around 20% of consumers.
Drying Check the drying test results, which programme was tested and exactly how the stated features work. If I want to put the dishes away as soon as the cycle ends, I look at the results rather than the name of a technology. Around 10% of consumers prioritise drying.

The European Commission says the energy label includes information such as energy consumption per 100 eco cycles and acoustic emissions. These figures give you a basis for comparison, but actual running costs also depend on how often you use the appliance and your tariffs. How noisy it sounds in your home depends on the conditions of use and the room.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming a water tank means you don’t need drainage

    A tank can save you from needing a permanent water supply, but the appliance still needs electricity and a way to drain wastewater. For Bob, Daan Tech specifies a drain hose that connects to a suitable outlet.

    Check the route for the drain hose and make sure you know what’s included before choosing a worktop model.

    The hose needs to reach the designated outlet. Depending on your setup, you may need extra accessories or plumbing work.

  • Choosing based on place settings alone

    The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your pans, salad bowls and utensils will fit alongside the dishes from a meal. A small cavity may mean extra cycles or washing some items by hand.

    Compare the rack layout with a typical load of dishes from your meals and cooking.

    Extra cycles or hand-washing oversized items can make your daily routine more demanding.

  • Assuming a freestanding 45 cm model is fully integrated

    The width doesn’t determine how an appliance is installed. An integrated model needs to fit the kitchen niche and match its door panel. The Electrolux product page for the EEA22100L states that the furniture door is not supplied.

    Check the niche, door panel, fixings and installation services before comparing models.

    An integrated installation may require a furniture door and an installation service, depending on your kitchen and the appliance you choose.

  • Taking a noise rating or a promise of quiet operation as a guarantee of how it will sound at home

    The European label shows the acoustic emissions for the eco programme. This figure alone doesn’t tell you how noisy the appliance will sound in every room or on other programmes.

    Compare models on the same basis and, if possible, look for independent tests that specify the programme and testing method.

Brands to consider by format

Daan Tech

The Bob range is an example of a mini worktop dishwasher, particularly if you don’t have a permanent water supply.

  • Daan Tech lists Bob as 34 cm wide, with a 4 L water tank. The All Options pack product page states a capacity of 3 place settings.
  • The tank doesn’t replace the need for drainage. Also check whether the small cavity can fit your cooking utensils.

Bosch

The range includes 45 cm freestanding models to consider if you’re looking for a floor-standing appliance rather than a worktop model.

  • A 45 cm freestanding model could be a good fit if you have enough space and the necessary connections.
  • Bosch says the SPS2IKW04E is no longer available, so don’t treat it as a current offer.

Whirlpool

The freestanding WSFO3T223P is an example of a 45 cm model to consider if you want more capacity than a mini model offers.

  • Whirlpool lists a capacity of 10 place settings and a noise level of 43 dB for this model.
  • These stated specifications aren’t a substitute for independent testing of perceived noise. Check the product details for the specific model.

Electrolux

The brand offers 45 cm freestanding and fully integrated models for different kitchen layouts.

  • The freestanding ESA63200SX is listed with a capacity of 10 place settings and a noise level of 46 dB; the fully integrated EEA22100L has a capacity of 9 place settings.
  • The EEA22100L product page states that the furniture door is not supplied. AirDry refers to the door opening automatically at the end of a cycle; it isn’t a drying performance result measured across the whole range.

Midea

The 45 cm integrated models are worth considering if your kitchen has a suitable niche.

  • Midea lists a capacity of 10 place settings and a noise level of 44 dB for the MDWEB1004MB-WI.
  • These figures are stated for this specific model. They aren’t an independent assessment or an indication of availability at Joybuy.

Compact dishwashers on Joybuy

These worktop models with water tanks are designed for kitchens where floor space or a permanent water supply is limited. In each case, check the usable capacity and drainage arrangements.

AIRMSEN worktop dishwasher with 5 L water tank, white

AIRMSEN worktop dishwasher with 5 L water tank

Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact appliance with a built-in water tank. The product details state a capacity of 4 place settings.

5 L water tank, 9 programmes, stated dimensions of 37 × 50 cm and energy rating D.

The product details include a drain hose. Check where the wastewater will drain.

Joybuy
AIRMSEN portable worktop dishwasher with 5 L water tank

AIRMSEN portable dishwasher with 5 L water tank

The product details state a capacity of 4 place settings for this worktop model, designed for smaller spaces.

5 L water tank, 5 wash cycles and one additional cycle, with a tempered glass door.

A drain hose is included. Check what drainage solution your installation requires.

Joybuy
Heinrich’s HTG 8855 worktop dishwasher, 3 place settings

Heinrich’s HTG 8855 worktop dishwasher

The stated capacity of 3 place settings may suit smaller loads. Check it against your dishes and utensils.

7 programmes, a 5 L water tank or tap connection, stated noise level of 56.3 dB and energy rating C.

The product details include inlet and drain hoses. Where they go depends on the water supply option you choose.

Joybuy
Heinrich’s HTG 8840 black worktop dishwasher, 6 place settings

Heinrich’s HTG 8840 black worktop dishwasher

The stated capacity of 6 place settings gives you another load size to consider among worktop appliances. Check that the racks suit your dishes.

7 programmes, stated noise level of 47 dB and energy rating D. The product title mentions an automatic door opening feature for drying.

Joybuy
COMFEE CDWMT305WD worktop dishwasher, 3 place settings

COMFEE CDWMT305WD worktop dishwasher

The product details state a capacity of 3 place settings and a water tank that you fill by hand for this compact model.

7 programmes, touch controls, delayed start and automatic opening are mentioned in the product name.

Check the drainage arrangements for the spot you have in mind.

Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Can a mini dishwasher with a water tank work without being plumbed in?

Not entirely. A water tank can save you from needing a permanent water supply, but the appliance still needs electricity and a way to drain wastewater. For Bob, Daan Tech specifies a drain hose that connects to a suitable outlet. Check the instructions for the model you’re considering.

Does the decibel rating tell me how noisy it will be in my living room?

No, it doesn’t tell you on its own how noisy it will sound in your room. The European label shows the acoustic emissions for the eco programme. To get a better idea of actual noise levels, look for an independent test that specifies the programme and testing method.

How can I estimate water and electricity costs before buying?

Compare the kWh per 100 eco cycles and litres per eco cycle shown for the specific models. Multiply these figures by the number of cycles you expect to run, then apply your own tariffs. The result will still depend on using the eco programme and how often you run the appliance.

Which legal guarantee and repairability rating should I check in France?

For a purchase in France by a private customer from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity applies under the conditions set out by the Ministry of the Economy and Finance. You have two years to claim under it. ADEME states that dishwashers are covered by the repairability index. The durability index, which replaced it for some categories, does not apply to dishwashers.

Is a 45 cm fully integrated dishwasher ready to install without any extra parts?

Not necessarily. The Electrolux product page for the EEA22100L states that it’s supplied without a furniture door. Check the niche, compatible door panel and installation services before comparing its cost with a freestanding appliance.