Choose a mini dishwasher with a built-in tank if you do not have a fixed water supply, but can drain wastewater into a sink and leave space for air to circulate around the appliance. A plumbable compact model with a 6-place setting capacity requires sufficient worktop space and suitable connections, while a slimline 45 cm model is only suitable if you genuinely have a floor-level space available.
A tank model may be suitable if you want to reduce hand washing-up without modifying your plumbing. However, you must be able to direct the drain hose into a sink or waste outlet and maintain ventilation around the appliance.
If you wash more than a few plates and cups a day, a compact model with a 6-place setting capacity can offer more flexibility than a mini 2-place setting model. First check the water inlet, drainage and electrical supply specified for the model.
A slimline appliance can handle a larger volume of washing-up when you have a genuine floor-level niche. A small section of worktop is not enough: you also need to allow for depth, height and access to the connections.
Choose this if: you do not have a fixed water supply, but do have a stable worktop and a practical route for the drain hose.
Bear in mind: manual filling does not eliminate the need for drainage, and capacity remains limited.
Choose this if: you have a sufficiently large worktop and connections that are compatible with the model’s instructions.
Bear in mind: an appliance with a 6-place setting capacity takes up more worktop space than a mini model.
Choose this if: you have a measured floor-level space available and regularly have more washing-up to do.
Bear in mind: its reduced width does not eliminate its depth, height or connection requirements.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Water inlet and drainage | Check whether the model works with a tank or requires a connection. Even with a tank, check the route, length and secure attachment of the drain hose. | I do not have a fixed water supply, but I can drain wastewater into the sink. For Bob, Daan Tech states that it has an integrated 3.9 L tank and hose drainage. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated place settings with your day’s washing-up, including cups, saucepans and frying pans. A small tub may require more frequent cycles. | I want to avoid running another cycle after every small load. The documented examples range from 2 place settings for Bob to 6 for the Candy CP 6E51LS and 10 for the Whirlpool WSFO3T223P. |
| Actual footprint | Measure the width, depth, height, door opening, stability of the support and hose clearance. Do not rely solely on the word “compact”. | My worktop space is limited: Bob measures 34 × 49 × 49 cm according to Daan Tech, while the Candy CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm. |
| Use and consumption | Check the energy label and Eco programme data for the exact model. Compare them with your washing-up routine rather than looking only at the appliance’s size. | I prefer to wait until I have a sufficiently full load when that suits my daily routine. ADEME recommends scraping plates rather than pre-rinsing them and using the Eco programme. |
A tank allows you to fill the appliance manually, but dirty water must still leave the appliance through a hose. Without a realistic drainage route, everyday use can become difficult.
Before buying, identify the sink, trap or waste outlet you can use, then check the instructions for the hose length, routing and attachment method.
The documented formats vary considerably: a mini model may measure 34 × 49 × 49 cm, a compact 6-place setting model 55 × 50.1 × 44.3 cm, and a slimline appliance may be 59 cm deep and 85 cm high.
Also measure the door opening, the stability of the support and access to the connections before comparing programmes.
A small capacity may mean frequent washes or leave dishes waiting. The right format depends on the volume of washing-up produced between cycles, not just the size of the kitchen.
Estimate your typical day, including saucepans and frying pans, then compare it with the stated capacities of 2, 6 or 10 place settings, depending on the documented models.
Stated consumption figures relate to a specific cycle and programme. Frequently running an appliance half empty may not match the way you intend to use it.
Check the Eco programme data for the exact model and adapt your cycles to your routine. ADEME advises washing at full capacity whenever possible.
The French brand offers Bob, a worktop dishwasher designed for compact spaces, with an integrated tank or optional connection.
Candy offers compact 6-place setting worktop dishwashers, including the Rapidò CP 6E51LS.
Whirlpool offers 45 cm freestanding dishwashers for compact kitchens that nevertheless have a floor-level space available.
These Joybuy options mainly cover mini tank dishwashers for worktops, along with a plumbable compact 6-place setting model for a kitchen without floor-level space.
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For a small kitchen without a fixed water supply, with drainage that can flow into a container or a suitable waste outlet.
Stated capacity of 4 place settings; stated dimensions of 45.8 × 42.8 × 42.5 cm; Eco and rapid programmes. Check the hose routing and the space around the appliance.
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A narrow option for a small daily load without an immediate water supply.
Stated width of 37 cm, depth of 51 cm and capacity of 4 place settings; nine programmes and a delay start of 1 to 24 hours. Check drainage, clearances and electrical compatibility before buying.
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Worth considering for light, regular washing-up on a worktop without a fixed water supply.
Declared dimensions of 49 × 34 × 49 cm, capacity of 2 place settings and 220–240 V power supply. The tank does not replace hose drainage; sufficient ventilation around the appliance is still required.
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For one person or a couple with little washing-up and limited worktop space.
Stated capacity of 3 place settings; stated dimensions of 420 × 436 × 465 mm; seven programmes and manual tank filling using the supplied jug. Check the instructions for drainage requirements and clearances.
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A format to consider for a couple with a plumbable worktop who want more capacity than a mini model.
Stated capacity of 6 place settings, seven programmes, digital display and delay start of up to 24 hours. The inlet and drain hoses are stated as 1,500 mm and 1,720 mm respectively; check the external dimensions and connections before buying.
Yes, a tank model can be filled manually without a fixed water supply. For Bob, Daan Tech states that it has an integrated 3.9 L tank; wastewater must nevertheless be drained through a hose into a sink, trap or suitable waste outlet.
Do not assume so. For Bob, Daan Tech requires ventilation that allows air to circulate around the appliance and recommends using an open cupboard instead. Check the clearance requirements in the instructions for the model you choose.
It depends on the volume of washing-up between washes. The documented Bob is rated for 2 place settings according to the European standard, the Candy CP 6E51LS for 6 place settings and the Whirlpool WSFO3T223P for 10 place settings; if you cook a lot or entertain frequently, 2 place settings may mean more frequent cycles.
No, a 45 cm appliance mainly reduces the width and is still designed to stand on the floor. The Whirlpool WSFO3T223P is 45 cm wide, but also 59 cm deep and 85 cm high according to Whirlpool France, so you will need a suitable floor-level space.
Scan the QR code on the model’s energy label to view its entry in EPREL, the European product database for energy labelling referred to by the European Commission. Compare the information for the exact model and its stated programme.