If you don’t have a fixed water supply and don’t produce much washing-up, a mini dishwasher with a water tank could suit you, provided you can drain it and connect it to a power supply. If you have more washing-up, consider a compact countertop model or a slimline 45 cm model, provided it fits your home and the connections are compatible. Compare the full dimensions and how much you can load, not just the advertised place settings.
A mini dishwasher with a water tank can save you from connecting the appliance to a fixed water supply. You’ll still need to fill the tank, plug in the appliance and direct the wastewater to a suitable drain. Daan Tech sets out these requirements for its Bob model.
If pots and pans often go in with your plates, check the loading capacity before settling on a mini model. The COMFEE’ TD602E-W is listed as having 6 place settings on its product page published by Amazon France; the floor-standing Electrolux ESA63200SX is listed as having 10.
If you have a water supply, a drain and enough floor space, you could consider a slimline model when a 60 cm appliance won’t fit. Check the height and depth too: Electrolux gives the ESA63200SX dimensions as 850 × 446 × 615 mm.
Start with the space and connections available, then compare the advertised capacity with the washing-up you actually produce.
| What to consider | What to check | For my home |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the appliance’s width, height and depth, then check the model’s installation and ventilation requirements. Daan Tech lists Bob at 34 × 49 × 49 cm; Electrolux gives the ESA63200SX dimensions as 850 × 446 × 615 mm. | Do I have a suitable worktop, or enough floor space for a slimline model? |
| Loading capacity | Compare the advertised place settings, maximum plate size and basket layout. Daan Tech lists Bob as having 2 standard place settings and accommodating plates up to 29 cm; the COMFEE’ TD602E-W product page lists 6 place settings, while Electrolux lists 10 for the ESA63200SX. | I also wash pots and pans or large glasses: will they fit alongside the dishes from a typical meal? |
| Installation | Check the water supply, drainage route and required socket separately, referring to the manual. According to Daan Tech, Bob’s tank means it doesn’t need a fixed water supply, but it still needs a drain and a power supply. | If there’s no water supply near my worktop, I could consider a tank model if I have a suitable way to drain it. |
| Use and maintenance | ADEME recommends comparing the capacity, energy use, water use, Eco cycle duration and noise level on the energy label. In France, the ministry responsible for the ecological transition also presents the repairability index as a way to assess factors such as how easy an appliance is to dismantle and the availability of spare parts. | If I’m likely to run frequent cycles, I want to compare the figures on a like-for-like basis rather than assume that a smaller appliance uses less. |
According to Daan Tech, Bob can be filled using its tank, but its wastewater still needs to be drained and the appliance must be plugged into a suitable socket.
Before buying, identify the socket, drain and hose route, then follow the instructions for your chosen model.
The number of place settings alone won’t tell you whether your large dishes and pans will fit in the basket. For example, Daan Tech gives a maximum plate size of 29 cm for Bob.
Measure your largest items and check the basket layout and maximum permitted size.
ADEME says the energy label also gives information about water use, capacity, Eco cycle duration and noise, so the rating letter doesn’t tell you everything about how the appliance performs.
Compare figures for the same type of cycle and consider how many cycles you’ll need for your washing-up.
The repairability index presented by the ministry responsible for the ecological transition takes account of factors including how easy an appliance is to dismantle and the availability of spare parts. The manual helps you check the model’s installation requirements.
Check this information before choosing, and make sure the connection requirements are compatible with your chosen space.
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a mini countertop dishwasher that can use either a water tank or a water supply, depending on your installation.
The TD602E-W is an example of a countertop model listed as having 6 place settings on its product page published by Amazon France.
Bosch offers slimline freestanding dishwashers for kitchens with enough floor space and suitable connections.
The ESA63200SX is an example of a slimline dishwasher to consider if you have space for a floor-standing model.
These countertop models are suited to two different small-home needs: choosing a water tank when the water supply is difficult to access, or looking for an advertised capacity of 6 place settings if the space and connections are suitable.
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Worth considering for a worktop without a dedicated water supply, provided you can arrange drainage. The product name specifies a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 cycles; check the dimensions, hose route and electrical requirements for your installation.
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If you have a small kitchen, check that your plates and utensils fit in the basket before choosing. The product name specifies 7 programmes, a 24-hour delay start and a D energy rating; check the drainage and electrical requirements too.
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Its advertised width of 37 cm may appeal if you have a narrow worktop. The product name specifies a 5 L tank; check the full dimensions, drainage requirements and programme list for the version on offer.
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The advertised tank may be useful if a fixed water supply is difficult to access. The product name specifies 5 L and a D energy rating; check the basket layout, place-setting capacity, drainage and electrical requirements before choosing this model.
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Worth a look if you’re after an advertised capacity of 6 place settings in a countertop format. The product name specifies 7 programmes and 47 dB; measure the space and check the connection and drainage requirements, as well as which accessories are included.
Not entirely. The tank only removes the need for a fixed water supply on models designed for this purpose. For Bob, Daan Tech requires a wastewater drain and a 220–240 V electrical socket; check the manual for the model you’re considering.
Start with your plates, glasses and pans, and how often you cook, then check that everything fits in the basket. Daan Tech lists Bob as having 2 standard place settings; the COMFEE’ TD602E-W product page published by Amazon France lists 6, and Electrolux lists 10 for the ESA63200SX. These models vary in size and installation requirements.
As well as the energy rating, compare capacity, energy use, water per cycle, Eco programme duration and noise level. ADEME says these figures appear on the label; compare them with the amount of washing-up you need to do.
Yes, if it’s displayed for the model you’re considering. It gives you another factor to consider alongside dimensions and capacity. The ministry responsible for the ecological transition says this index, scored out of 10, takes account of factors including how easy the appliance is to dismantle and the availability of spare parts.