Who are these types of dishwasher for?

People who may move home

A freestanding dishwasher has its own finished exterior, so it doesn’t need a kitchen cabinet door. This gives you the option of moving it elsewhere later, provided the connections in your new home are suitable.

Small households with a narrow kitchen

If you’re short on width but still have a fair amount of washing-up, consider 45 cm freestanding models. Que Choisir describes 9-place-setting models that may suit a small family, sometimes with daily use. A countertop compact takes up less space but has a more limited capacity.

Homes without an existing connection point

Before choosing a plumbed-in appliance, locate the water supply, electrical socket and waste outlet. A compact model with a water tank may change how you fill it, but you’ll still need to arrange drainage according to the model’s instructions.

What should you check before choosing?

First work out where the appliance can run, then compare its capacity and dimensions with your everyday needs.

Slimline freestanding

Consider this if: you have the necessary connections and want the capacity of a 45 cm model without taking up as much width as a wider model.

Bear in mind: the depth, height and door swing may still be restrictive, despite the narrower width.

Countertop compact

Consider this if: you have a small amount of washing-up and a suitable spot on your worktop.

Bear in mind: its more limited capacity and the need for a way to drain it, even if it has a water tank.

Freestanding under-worktop

Consider this if: you want to place the appliance under a worktop while keeping the flexibility of a freestanding model if you move home in future.

Requirement: the exact model must explicitly allow its top panel to be removed and fit within the available height.

Priority What to check What I need
Installation For a plumbed-in appliance, locate the water supply, electrical socket and waste outlet it needs. For a compact model with a tank, check the filling and drainage arrangements in its instructions separately. I want to be able to use the appliance where I’ve chosen to put it, without assuming that a water tank also solves the drainage issue.
Dimensions Compare the height, width and depth with the space you actually have. Allow for getting the appliance into position, the hoses at the back and enough clearance to open the door. In a narrow kitchen, I need to check more than just the advertised 45 cm width.
Capacity Check the number of place settings and whether there’s room for the dishes you usually wash. Que Choisir lists 45 cm models with 9 place settings that suit a small family, although you may need to run them every day. A compact model may be enough if I have small loads; otherwise, I’d rather look at the capacity of a slimline freestanding model.
Under-worktop installation Confirm that the top panel can be removed from the exact model you’re considering. Then measure the available height and make sure you can still access the connections. I want to slide the appliance under the worktop now, without assuming that every freestanding model can be installed this way.
Use and noise According to ADEME and the European Commission, the label shows information including energy use in kWh per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise. Compare the same measures across models. If my kitchen opens onto a living area, noise and programme duration also matter when I’m choosing.

What mistakes should you avoid?

  • Assuming a compact model doesn’t need drainage

    A plumbed-in appliance needs a water supply, an electrical connection and a waste outlet, as Que Choisir points out. Even if it has a water tank, the wastewater needs to be disposed of in a way that’s suitable for the model.

    Locate the connections and read the instructions for the model you’re considering before deciding where to put it.

  • Choosing a 45 cm model based on width alone

    A slimline freestanding model may still be too deep or too tall for the space, or get in the way when its door is open.

    Measure the space, the route for getting the appliance into position, the room needed for the hoses and the door swing. Then compare these measurements with the model’s specifications.

  • Assuming the top panel can be removed from any freestanding model

    A freestanding appliance’s finished exterior doesn’t mean that its top can be removed for an under-worktop installation.

    Look for explicit confirmation that the top panel is removable on the model you’ve chosen, and check its height in this configuration.

  • Looking only at the energy rating

    The label also shows water use, Eco programme duration and noise. These details can all matter when you’re choosing an appliance to install near a living area.

    Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise level on the same basis.

Which brands should you look at?

These examples highlight features to compare on specific models. Don’t assume that every range from a brand has the same features.

Bosch

Worth considering for a slimline freestanding model if dimensions, energy use and noise are among your priorities.

  • For the SPS4EMI17E, Bosch lists dimensions of 845 × 450 × 600 mm, an energy rating of B, water use of 8,7 L per Eco cycle and a noise rating of B.
  • These specifications apply to the SPS4EMI17E; they don’t confirm that its top panel is removable.

Beko

Worth considering if you’re looking for a 45 cm dishwasher with a stated capacity of 10 place settings.

  • Beko offers 45 cm freestanding models with room for up to 10 place settings.
  • Check the full dimensions, energy rating and noise level for the exact model, as these features aren’t the same across every model.

Whirlpool

Worth considering if you want a 45 cm freestanding model with a stated depth of less than 60 cm, as in the model listed here.

  • For the WSFO 3T223 P, Whirlpool lists a capacity of 10 place settings, a height of 85 cm, a depth of 59 cm and a noise level of 43 dB.
  • These measurements apply to the WSFO 3T223 P; also allow for the space needed by the hoses and the open door.

A countertop compact to consider on Joybuy

This option is for anyone looking for a countertop compact for a small space. Consider its capacity and drainage method alongside how often you wash dishes and where you plan to put it.

AIRMSEN countertop dishwasher with 5 L water tank

AIRMSEN countertop dishwasher, 5 L tank

This countertop model may suit you if space is limited and manual filling works for your chosen location.

The product name states that it has a built-in 5 L tank, 5+1 wash cycles and a double-tempered glass door. Its stated capacity of 4 place settings should suit the amount of washing-up you generate.

Have a suitable container ready to collect the wastewater. Before buying, check the required voltage and plug type, as well as the Eco programme information and noise level if these matter to you.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

What connections does a freestanding dishwasher need?

A plumbed-in model needs a water supply, an electrical connection and a waste outlet, according to Que Choisir. Check that all three are accessible from the intended location.

Does a compact model with a water tank avoid all plumbing requirements?

No. The tank may change how you supply water to the appliance, but you’ll still need to deal with drainage. Check the model’s instructions for its filling and drainage methods.

Is a 45 cm dishwasher big enough for a small household?

It may be suitable if its capacity matches the amount of washing-up and how often your household runs a load. Que Choisir lists 9-place-setting models that suit a small family, potentially with daily use.

Can you remove the top panel from a freestanding model to fit it under a worktop?

Only if this is confirmed for the exact model you’ve chosen. Then check the available height with the top panel removed and make sure the connections remain accessible.

What should you compare on the energy label?

Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, water use per cycle, Eco programme duration, capacity and noise. ADEME and the European Commission list these as information shown on the energy label for household dishwashers.