If you don’t have a dedicated housing or cabinet front, start by comparing freestanding dishwashers: choose a 60 cm model if you have the space and enough dishes to justify it, or a 45 cm model if width is limited. A compact dishwasher can work when space is especially tight, but you’ll need to pay close attention to its capacity and installation. Before choosing a model, check its dimensions, connections and, if you’re considering fitting it under a worktop, what its instructions say.
If capacity is your priority and you have floor space for a 60 cm appliance, a freestanding model means you won’t need to arrange for an integrated cabinet door. UFC-Que Choisir puts the usual capacity of this format at between 12 and 17 place settings.
If a 60 cm model won’t fit but there’s room for a full-height appliance, it’s worth measuring up for a 45 cm freestanding model. UFC-Que Choisir gives the usual capacity for this width as 9 to 10 place settings, so check that it suits the amount of washing up you typically have.
A compact model may work on a suitable worktop. Compare its dimensions and capacity, and check the model’s specific water inlet and drainage requirements. ‘Compact’ doesn’t mean ‘no installation needed’.
First, measure the space you can actually use, then compare the stated capacity with the dishes you own. Check whether a model can be installed under a worktop and what connections it needs only after you’ve chosen a specific model—not just a general category.
| Factor | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity of a standard-size model | Measure the width, depth and door clearance, then compare the stated capacity with the size of your dishes. UFC-Que Choisir gives the usual capacity of 60 cm freestanding models as 12 to 17 place settings. | When dishes pile up, I’d rather choose a load capacity that suits my needs than a narrower appliance. Around 42% of consumers may put this capacity at the top of their list. |
| Narrower, full-height model | Make sure you have space for a width of 45 cm and all the necessary depth. UFC-Que Choisir puts the usual capacity of this format at between 9 and 10 place settings. | I want to keep a full-height appliance, but a 60 cm model won’t fit in my kitchen. For around 25% of consumers, this width restriction may be the main concern. |
| Restricted space and installation | For a compact model, check the worktop space and the water inlet and drainage requirements. If you want to install it under a worktop, check the instructions for any removable top, dimensions and clearance requirements. | If I need to put the appliance on a worktop or under an existing one, I want to know whether this installation is allowed before I choose. This compatibility may be the main concern for around 33% of consumers. |
Being freestanding doesn’t automatically mean you can remove the top. Electrolux explicitly states that the ESM48400SX can be installed under a worktop with its removable top taken off. This doesn’t automatically apply to other models.
Before planning to put a model in this space, check its product details and instructions to confirm whether the top can be removed, what the resulting dimensions will be and how much clearance is needed.
Saving space can mean a lower capacity, so check this carefully. Castorama lists the Bosch SKS51E32EU as holding 6 place settings, while UFC-Que Choisir gives the usual capacity of 45 cm models as 9 to 10 place settings.
Also check whether the interior can fit your plates and pans, and how many dishes you want to wash in each cycle.
The water inlet, drainage and electrical supply each need to be checked against the requirements of the model. The Bosch SMS4HTI49E instructions cover these connections in separate sections.
Read the instructions for the model you’ve chosen and check that your kitchen meets its requirements. If you’re unsure about the installation, ask for advice before delivery.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding model to install under a worktop.
Different models give you the chance to compare a compact format with the connection requirements of a freestanding model.
The CDWMTO201D(W) is worth considering for a worktop when you don’t have a large load of dishes to wash.
The DFC6519B is another freestanding compact model to compare with the space you have available.
These models offer two ways to equip a kitchen without a dedicated housing: a standard-width freestanding appliance if you have enough floor space, or a compact countertop model if space is more restricted. Compare each model with your measurements and its installation instructions.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a countertop appliance rather than a full-height model. The title lists a 5 L integrated tank, 6+3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the instructions for usable capacity, drainage and the required connections.
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Worth comparing if you have enough floor space and want a capacity of 14 place settings. The title lists a width of 60 cm and an E energy rating. If you’re planning to install it under a worktop, check the exact model’s instructions for installation options and clearance requirements.
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Worth considering for a small load if a countertop is the only available space. Capacity details for this variant differ, so check the usable capacity, dimensions, and water supply and drainage requirements before choosing.
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Worth comparing if a full-height appliance suits your space and the amount of washing up you have. The title lists 14 place settings and 7 cycles. Don’t plan to remove the top unless the model’s instructions confirm that you can.
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A compact model to consider for a load of 6 place settings rather than a full-height appliance. The title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating. Measure the space and check the model’s connection requirements.
Yes, if the specific model and its instructions allow it. For example, Electrolux describes the ESM48400SX as suitable for under-worktop installation with its removable top taken off. Check the dimensions after removal and the required clearances for your model.
Not necessarily: ‘compact’ describes the format, not how the appliance is supplied with water or drains it. Even if the product details mention an integrated tank, check the instructions to find out how the appliance needs to be supplied and how it drains.
Compare your available space and existing connections with the requirements in the instructions for your chosen model, particularly for wastewater, drinking water and electricity. The Bosch SMS4HTI49E instructions cover these three connections separately. Also check the delivery route and make sure the door can open fully.
No. The Ministry of the Economy states that the legal guarantee of conformity applies to new, second-hand and refurbished goods sold by a business to a private individual. Check separately what extra services an optional commercial warranty covers, and the terms for any installation sold with the appliance.