Someone without a fixed water supply
You need an appliance you can fill by hand. You’ll still need somewhere to direct the wastewater at the end of the cycle.
Who is this type of dishwasher suited to?
A small household with little washing-up
You want to wash small loads regularly rather than let several meals’ worth of washing-up pile up. Compare the stated place settings with the plates, dishes and utensils you usually use.
Someone with an accessible tap
A temporary connection may be an option if you don’t have a permanent water supply, as long as the tap, hose and drainage are compatible with the appliance’s instructions.
What should you check before buying?
Your choice depends first on how the appliance takes in water, then on whether you can drain it and how much washing-up you need it to handle.
Tank model
Consider this if: no tap can supply the appliance during a cycle, but you can fill its tank.
Bear in mind: filling the tank by hand doesn’t replace drainage. The Moulinex Studio MINID3SL instructions, for example, specify that the outlet should lead to a sink or bucket.
Temporary connection
Consider this if: a compatible tap can stay accessible during every cycle. Klarstein describes the Aquatica as connecting directly to a tap.
Bear in mind: not having fixed plumbing doesn’t mean the appliance can work without a tap connection.
Washing up by hand
Stick with this if: you don’t have a stable spot, an accessible socket and suitable drainage for a compact appliance.
Bear in mind: this option won’t reduce the work involved in washing up, but it does avoid the hassle of filling a tank and handling hoses.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply | Check that the exact model has a tank and find out how to fill it. “No fixed installation” may also mean that it connects to a tap. | If I can’t use a tap during the cycle, I need to be able to fill the appliance by hand. Around 33% of consumers put this freedom from a tap connection at the top of their list. |
| Drainage and location | Check the route and position of the outlet hose, as well as the stability of the location and access to a socket. | I can fill a tank, but I especially need a suitable place to drain the water without the hose being liable to move around. This is the deciding factor for around 27% of consumers. |
| Capacity and dimensions | Compare the stated capacity with your washing-up and measure the space needed, including with the door open. | In my small kitchen, I want the appliance to fit on the worktop and take the items I wash regularly. Around 27% of consumers prioritise this balance between space and capacity. |
| Temporary tap connection | Compare your tap with the connections specified in the instructions and check where the hoses will run during a cycle. | If my tap is available, I’d rather consider a temporary connection than fill a tank. This is the main requirement for around 13% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing no fixed installation with no water supply
A model that needs to be connected to a tap for every cycle doesn’t meet the same needs as a tank model. Klarstein, for example, describes the Aquatica as connecting directly to a tap.
If you can’t use a tap during the cycle, look for an explicit mention of a tank on the product page and in the instructions for the model you’re considering.
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Planning for filling but not for draining
The tank supplies water to the appliance; it doesn’t remove the need for an outlet for wastewater. The Moulinex Studio MINID3SL instructions say to place the end of the drain hose in a sink or bucket.
Before ordering, check where the appliance will go, how far its door opens and whether the hose can reach a suitable drain.
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Comparing programmes before checking what fits inside
The number of programmes won’t tell you whether your plates and dishes will fit in the basket. The Bob, Moulinex Studio MINID3SL and Klarstein Aquatica models mentioned by Daan Tech, Darty and Klarstein have small stated capacities of two to three place settings, depending on the model.
Measure the items you use regularly and estimate how much washing-up will build up between cycles before comparing other features.
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Overlooking hot water and access to the socket
Daan Tech says that water drained from Bob can reach 70 °C and that its socket must remain accessible after installation. A difficult-to-reach drain or socket can therefore limit where you place the appliance.
Follow the instructions for your model when setting up the drain, and keep the socket accessible. If you have any concerns about your electrical installation, have it checked before using the appliance.
Brands and models to know
These models illustrate different ways of supplying water. Check the specifications for the version you’re thinking of buying.
Daan Tech
Daan Tech describes Bob as a mini dishwasher with a tank, which can also be connected directly depending on your installation.
- The manufacturer designed Bob for the everyday washing-up of two people.
- Its instructions specify drainage and an accessible socket. Daan Tech says the outlet water can reach 70 °C.
Moulinex Studio
The MINID3SL is described as having a self-contained tank, and Darty lists its capacity as three place settings.
- The tank makes it possible to supply the appliance without a fixed water connection.
- The instructions say to direct the drain hose into a sink or bucket.
Klarstein
The Aquatica is a different kind of solution: Klarstein says it connects directly to a tap, without fixed plumbing.
- A temporary connection may work if a compatible tap is accessible during the cycle.
- This set-up isn’t a substitute for a tank if you can’t use a tap.
Dishwashers to explore on Joybuy
The first three models let you explore the tank option; consider the next two if a temporary connection to a tap could work for you. For each appliance, compare the product page and instructions with your washing-up, available space and drainage route.
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Comfee' CDWMTO201D(W), 5 L tank dishwasher
Consider this if you’d rather fill a tank than connect the appliance to a tap during the cycle.
The title lists a 5 L tank and 6 + 3 programmes. Check the instructions for the permitted drain hose route and measure the space you’ll need on your worktop.
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AIRMSEN, 5 L tank tabletop dishwasher, 5 + 1 cycles
Consider this model if filling it by hand solves your water supply problem and you can arrange suitable drainage.
The title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Check the dimensions, the size of items it can take and the instructions for positioning the hose before choosing a location.
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AIRMSEN, 5 L tank tabletop dishwasher, 9 programmes
Consider this if you’re looking for a tank model and need to measure your worktop space carefully.
The title lists 9 programmes and a 5 L tank. Confirm the exact dimensions before buying, as the depth figures associated with this model differ. You’ll also need to plan a drain route that follows the instructions.
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Bob the Eco-Compact Dishwasher – Deep Black
Consider this model if you can use a tap for every cycle: the product description for this version specifies a temporary connection.
Don’t assume from the name Bob that this version can necessarily be filled from a tank. Check the instructions to confirm how it’s supplied with water, whether the connector fits your tap and how to route the drain hose.
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GORGENOX DW4-D30A, 3-place-setting tabletop dishwasher
Consider this model for small loads if a temporary connection to a tap is possible in your home.
The title lists a capacity of 3 place settings. Check the required connection, dimensions and drainage instructions before deciding where to put it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tank dishwasher work without a hose?
No. A tank means you don’t need to connect the appliance to a fixed water supply, but the wastewater still needs to drain out. Daan Tech describes an outlet hose for Bob; the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL instructions say to place its hose in a sink or bucket.
Can I place a mini dishwasher away from the sink?
Yes, but only if the instructions for your model allow the hose route and position, and you have suitable drainage. Check the specified limits and accessories rather than improvising an extension; Daan Tech says that water drained from Bob can reach 70 °C.
What sort of socket do I need for a tabletop dishwasher?
Use a socket that meets the electrical requirements for the model you’ve chosen and will remain accessible after installation. Bob’s instructions specify that it must be accessible. If you’re unsure about the condition of your home’s electrical installation, have it checked before using the appliance.
Can a temporary tap connection replace a tank?
No. It avoids the need for a permanent water supply, but you’ll need to be able to use a tap during the cycle. Klarstein describes the Aquatica as connecting directly to a tap. If you can’t make this connection, check instead that the model has a tank and can be filled by hand.