Renters without a convenient water supply
You want to avoid making changes to your studio flat’s plumbing. A model with a water tank could work for you if you can fill the appliance and drain the wastewater as instructed in the manual.
Who is this type of dishwasher for?
Anyone short on worktop space
The appliance’s width alone won’t tell you whether it will fit. Measure its depth too, along with the space needed to open the door and route the hoses, without blocking your food-preparation area.
One- or two-person households
If you want to cut down on washing up by hand without running too many cycles, check the basket and the size of your plates and dishes. The stated place setting capacity alone won’t tell you what you can fit inside.
What sets the models apart?
Model connected to the water supply
Choose this if: there’s a compatible water supply and drain near the space where you plan to install it.
Bear in mind: the connections, hose routing and available space must all suit the model. In return, you won’t need to refill a tank between cycles.
Model with a water tank
Choose this if: you can’t easily connect a water supply, but you have a drain you can use as instructed in the manual.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to fill it by hand. Daan Tech says its Bob model also needs a drain hose to remove wastewater.
| Criterion | What to check | What matters to shoppers |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Check how the appliance is designed to be filled and whether the drain hose can reach a suitable drain. | There’s no convenient water supply in my studio flat. I want to fill the appliance without altering the tap, but I also need somewhere to drain the water. Around 36% of shoppers put this need first. |
| Size | Measure the space in all three dimensions, then check the clearance needed in front of the open door and for the hoses. | If I also use my worktop to prepare meals, I can’t choose an appliance that gets in the way. Lack of space is the main concern for around 29% of shoppers. |
| Practical capacity | Compare the stated place setting capacity with the shape of the basket and the size of the dishes you use regularly. | For the everyday washing up of one or two people, I’d rather check that my plates and dishes will fit than rely on the appliance’s external dimensions. Around 21% of shoppers put practical capacity first. |
| Noise and energy use | For the models concerned, check the dB, litres per cycle and kWh per 100 cycles on the energy label, comparing like with like. | In a living space that doubles as a kitchen, I want to take account of both the noise during a cycle and the stated energy and water use. These are the top priorities for around 14% of shoppers. |
For the dishwashers covered by its guidance, ADEME recommends checking the energy label for information such as capacity, water and energy use, eco-cycle duration and noise. These details complement checks of the basket and installation requirements; they don’t replace them.
What to avoid before installation
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Assuming a water tank removes all plumbing requirements
A water tank replaces a permanent water supply, not the drain. For Bob, Daan Tech says to secure the drain connection and notes that the wastewater can reach 70 °C.
Find a suitable drainage point and check the manual to see how to secure the hose during a cycle, rather than assuming it can simply be left in place.
Depending on the connections already in place, you may need a suitable bracket or adapter.
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Buying a ‘mini’ model without measuring all the space it needs
External dimensions vary from model to model, and the appliance must be able to open without blocking access to the sink or socket.
Before you choose, measure the width, depth and height, as well as the clearance in front of the door. Check that there’s room for the cable and hoses too.
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Judging practical capacity by place settings alone
This figure doesn’t tell you whether your dishes, frying pans or large plates will fit in the basket. Daan Tech, for example, says Bob can take plates up to 29 cm. This limit applies to that specific model.
Compare the dishes you use for a typical meal with the basket layout and the dimensions accepted by the model you’re considering.
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Comparing energy-use figures from different cycles
A figure shown on its own in a product description isn’t necessarily comparable with a figure measured using the reference cycle on the energy label.
For the models concerned, compare the same figures on the energy label: litres per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles, eco-cycle duration and noise level.
Brands to know
Daan Tech
Daan Tech describes Bob as a mini dishwasher designed with small spaces in mind. It can be used with its tank or connected to a compatible water supply.
- Daan Tech gives Bob a width of 34 cm, a 4 L tank and space for plates up to 29 cm.
- A drain hose is still needed. Don’t assume the specifications given for Bob also apply to other variants.
Klarstein
The Amazonia range includes a mini tabletop dishwasher described as offering two water supply options: a tank or a direct connection.
- Klarstein’s French product page describes a 5 L tank for the model mentioned.
- Check the exact model, where the drain needs to go and how much space is needed to open the door before deciding on this installation option.
Comfee
The Mini Plus KWH-TD305-W is designed for use on a worktop, with an integrated tank or a direct water supply.
- The specifications for this model list a 6 L tank and a capacity of 3 place settings.
- Check the model number before comparing these figures with those for another Comfee dishwasher. Also check the drainage requirements for your installation.
Models for a kitchenette
These tabletop dishwashers let you compare models with a tank mentioned in the product name and models that need to be connected, depending on your installation. Check each model against the space available and the dishes you use. A water tank doesn’t remove the need for drainage.
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Bob Mini Dishwasher, 3 place settings, 34 cm, metallic grey and white
If you have a narrow worktop, compare the stated width of 34 cm with the space you actually have, allowing for the door to open. Before planning the installation, check how this variant is supplied with water and follow its drainage instructions.
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AIRMSEN tabletop dishwasher, 5 L tank, 37 × 50 cm, white
The tank mentioned in the product name could be useful if your home doesn’t have an easy-to-reach water supply. The product lists nine programmes and a D energy rating. Check the clearance needed to open the door and the drain hose route for your kitchenette.
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COMFEE CDWMT305WD, white tabletop dishwasher
If you want to cut down on washing up by hand in a small space, check how much room this model will take up on your worktop. Its name lists seven programmes and a D energy rating. Check how it’s filled and drained, and whether the basket will suit the dishes you use.
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COMFEE CDWMTO201D(W), 5 L tank, white
The tank mentioned for this model means you can fill it by hand if the water supply is difficult to reach. However, check that the door can open and that your drainage point is suitable for this model’s drain hose.
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Heinrich's HTG 8840 Schwarz, 6 place settings, black
If capacity per cycle matters more and a water connection is possible, check whether this tabletop dishwasher will fit in your kitchenette. Its name lists 47 dB and a D energy rating. Measure the space and check the connections you’ll need before choosing it.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mini dishwasher with a tank work without a water supply?
Yes, if the model is specifically designed to be filled via its tank. Daan Tech describes Bob as working this way. You’ll still need to drain the wastewater as instructed in the manual; Bob needs a drain hose connected to the appliance.
How much space should you leave around a mini dishwasher?
Allow for the space specified in the model’s manual, not just its external dimensions. Measure the space needed to open the door, reach the socket and route the hoses. Follow the positioning and clearance instructions for the model you choose.
How do you compare the noise and energy use of two models?
Compare the same figures on the energy label for the models concerned. ADEME lists energy use in kWh per 100 cycles, among other information. Also check litres per cycle, capacity, eco-cycle duration and noise level. Don’t treat a standalone marketing figure as if it were measured under the same conditions.