For one or two people with small loads to wash, a 6-place-setting countertop dishwasher is worth considering if you have enough worktop space and suitable connections. A 45 cm model keeps your worktop clear, but needs floor space; a 60 cm model makes most sense if your usual loads and available space call for its greater capacity. A water tank can remove the need for a fixed water supply on some mini models, but you’ll still need to drain the waste water.
The number of people in your household is a useful starting point, but the dishes you need to wash and the space you have available are what really determine the right size.
If you can’t spare any floor space, consider a 6-place-setting countertop model. Which? describes this worktop style as suitable for smaller homes; remember to measure how much space it will leave you for cooking, too.
A compact model may suit smaller loads, but don’t forget to factor in your pans and dishes. If they might be awkward to load and you have room on the floor, compare the rack in a 45 cm model with that of a compact one.
A mini model with a water tank can avoid the need for a fixed water connection, provided you’re happy to fill it and have a way to drain the waste water. Daan Tech states that its Bob model still needs a drain hose.
First, compare a typical load of washing-up with the rack in the model you’re considering, then check where it will go and how it connects. The place-setting count alone doesn’t tell you how much room there is for dishes.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | Compare the rack and loading layout with your plates, pans and dishes. Candy France lists the Rapido CP 6E51LS as holding 6 place settings; Whirlpool France lists the 60 cm WFC3C34APX as holding 14. That doesn’t necessarily tell you which size is right for your household. | I wash only a few dishes at each meal, or I often use large dishes: the actual size of my loads should guide my choice. |
| Size and space | Measure the width, depth and height, then allow room for the hoses and the door to open. According to their manufacturers, the countertop Candy CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm, while the 45 cm Bosch SPS4EMI17E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm. | I want to keep enough worktop space for preparing meals, or I’d rather use the worktop than set aside floor space. |
| Water supply and drainage | Check the water supply required by the model, where the drain hose will run and what the instruction manual says. Daan Tech offers Bob with either a water tank or a mains water connection, but drainage is needed in both cases. | If there’s no fixed water supply near the appliance, I can consider filling it by hand only if I also have a suitable way to drain it. |
| Cycles and everyday use | Compare programmes and energy and water use on a like-for-like basis, particularly for the Eco programme. Which? assesses the results of Eco, Auto or Normal, and Intensive programmes separately in its test protocol. | If my dishes and loads vary, I want to look at the cycles I’ll actually use rather than choosing based on the number of programmes alone. |
A tank replaces a fixed water supply, not the waste-water outlet. Daan Tech therefore requires a drain hose even when Bob is running from its tank.
Check where you can drain the water, then consult the instruction manual for your chosen model to confirm the hose’s route, reach and how it should be secured.
The place-setting count doesn’t show how your pans or dishes will fit in the rack. A smaller capacity may suit everyday plates but leave limited room for bulky cookware.
Put together a typical load and compare it with the loading layout and internal dimensions of the exact model you’re considering.
A countertop appliance will take up worktop space all the time. The Candy Rapido CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm, according to Candy France; the 45 cm Bosch SPS4EMI17E frees up that worktop space, but measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm according to Bosch Electroménager France and needs room on the floor.
Mark out the dimensions of the model you’re considering in your kitchen, and check access to the connections as well as room for the door to open.
These examples help you compare installation requirements and loading space; their specifications may not apply to other models from the same brand.
The Rapido CP 6E51LS is an example of a countertop dishwasher listed as holding 6 place settings by Candy France.
According to Daan Tech, Bob illustrates the option of a mini dishwasher supplied by a water tank or connected to a mains water supply.
The SPS4EMI17E from Bosch Electroménager France is an example of a 45 cm freestanding model.
The WFC3C34APX is a 60 cm freestanding model listed as holding 14 place settings by Whirlpool France.
These three appliances sit on a worktop, so they’re for anyone considering a small-format model rather than a 45 or 60 cm dishwasher installed on the floor. Before choosing one, compare its loading space and connection options with what your kitchen can accommodate.
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Worth considering if you want to place the appliance on a worktop and use an integrated water tank rather than a fixed water supply.
The product title lists a 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Make sure you have a suitable drainage solution, and check the loading space, dimensions and clearance needed for your chosen spot.
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Compare this countertop model with the space you have available and the dishes you wash each day.
The product title lists 7 programmes, a delay start of up to 24 h and energy rating D. Before buying, check the instruction manual for drainage options and how much the rack can hold.
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Its listed capacity of 6 place settings makes it an option to consider for smaller loads, provided your dishes and utensils fit in the rack.
The product title lists 7 programmes and a delay start of up to 24 h. Check the dimensions and required clearances, as well as whether your kitchen’s water and drainage connections are suitable.
Yes, if the model is designed to be supplied from a water tank. Daan Tech offers this option for Bob, but still requires a hose to drain the waste water. Check where you can drain it before deciding where to put the appliance.
Measure the available width, depth and height, then check how much room is needed for the door and hoses. The Candy Rapido CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm and connects directly to a water supply, according to Candy France; use the dimensions and instruction manual for the model you’re planning to buy.
Consider one if you want to keep your worktop clear and have space on the floor, along with the necessary connections. The Bosch SPS4EMI17E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm, according to Bosch Electroménager France; compare its rack with the dishes you use, too, rather than judging its capacity by width alone.
Yes, if the size of your usual loads and the space you have available make it a good fit. Whirlpool France lists the 60 cm WFC3C34APX as holding 14 place settings; if you don’t wash many dishes at a time, compare its capacity and overall size with those of a smaller appliance.