In a studio flat, start by choosing a format you can install. A countertop model with a water tank avoids the need for a fixed water supply, while a plumbed-in appliance or a 45 cm model needs a suitable space and compatible connections. Allow room for the door to open, too, and check that your plates and utensils will actually fit; the stated place-setting capacity alone won’t tell you which model is right.
If you want to wash a small amount of crockery without altering the plumbing, a countertop model with a water tank is worth considering. Still, check where the waste water will go, how much space the appliance will take up and what the electrical connection requires.
A model connected directly to the water supply saves you from filling a tank every time you use it. Make sure the water inlet, drainage, hoses and electrical supply meet the requirements in the manual for the model you’re considering.
A slimline dishwasher may suit you if you need to wash more and have a suitable cabinet space or floor area. Check the height and depth, as well as the door clearance: a width of 45 cm alone doesn’t guarantee that the appliance will fit.
For a studio flat, compare the formats first by their installation requirements, then by how much space they leave for your crockery and the steps involved in using them day to day.
Worth considering: if there’s no usable fixed water supply and you’re happy to fill the tank by hand.
Bear in mind: the tank takes up some of the space in this compact appliance, and you’ll still need to drain the waste water as instructed in the manual.
Worth considering: if you have accessible water and drainage connections that allow you to install the appliance in accordance with its manual.
Bear in mind: avoiding manual filling means meeting the installation and connection requirements. Having a sink doesn’t, on its own, confirm that the appliance is compatible.
Worth considering: if you can set aside a cabinet space or floor area for it and want to wash more crockery at once.
Bear in mind: this format needs a full installation space, separate from the space required by a countertop model. Check the model’s installation diagram to see whether it’s freestanding or built in.
| What to consider | What to check | What consumers say |
|---|---|---|
| Connections | Water supply method, drainage route and electrical requirements listed in the manual. Depending on the model, a tank may replace a fixed water supply, but not the need for drainage. | Without a usable water supply, I want to be able to install the appliance without needing a connection that my kitchen can’t support. Around 36% of consumers would put installation feasibility first. |
| Space and loading | Width, height, depth and door clearance; the dimensions of your largest plates and the layout of the racks. | If my worktop is narrow, the appliance needs to fit without getting in the way, and my dishes need to fit inside it, too. Around 29% of consumers would put this fit first. |
| Washing routine | Capacity to handle the crockery you build up between cycles, whether the tank needs filling, and the length of the Eco programme. | When the washing-up piles up every day, I’d rather choose a format that doesn’t mean running extra cycles or refilling the tank. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise cutting down on these tasks. |
| Water, energy and noise | On the energy label, compare water use in litres per cycle, energy use in kWh per 100 cycles, the Eco cycle duration and the noise information, comparing models with similar capacities. | In a room where I live and work, I want to consider noise as well as the stated consumption figures. Around 14% of consumers would put these factors first. |
To understand water, energy and noise figures, ADEME recommends checking the energy label: its reference figures don’t necessarily cover every programme. Installation dimensions also vary between models; Bosch recommends measuring the width, height and depth of the available space.
A model that fits the width of the space may still be too deep, prevent the door from opening or leave no room for the hoses.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, the clearance in front of the appliance and the position of the connections. Then compare them with the model’s installation diagram.
The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your large plates, pans or serving dishes will fit in the racks.
Measure your bulkiest items and check the loading guide or the internal dimensions of the model you’re interested in.
In a studio flat, a noisy cycle could coincide with your work or downtime. ADEME notes that the energy label includes reference consumption figures, the Eco cycle duration and noise information.
Compare these details across appliances with a capacity that meets your needs, rather than looking only at their energy rating.
These countertop models suit two different situations: filling a tank when there’s no fixed water supply, or installing a plumbed-in appliance if your kitchen allows it. Whichever you choose, check the drainage, electrical supply and space requirements first.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you don’t have a fixed water supply and are happy to fill the tank. The product name lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 cycles; check the manual for the drainage method, required clearance and electrical connection.
Image unavailable
Consider this model if your kitchen can accommodate a countertop appliance connected to a water supply and drain. The product name lists 6 place settings and 7 programmes; measure the space and check the connections, hoses and electrical supply in the manual.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if manual filling suits your setup better than a fixed water supply. The product name lists 7 programmes; before choosing, check that your utensils will fit, and confirm the drainage requirements and door clearance.
Image unavailable
Worth considering for a small amount of washing-up if you want to explore the option of using an appliance with or without a plumbed-in water supply. The product name lists 3 place settings and 7 programmes; check the chosen filling method, drainage, dimensions and electrical requirements in the manual.
Yes. Some countertop models can be filled by hand, but this depends on the model. A water tank doesn’t remove the need to drain the waste water or check the electrical requirements in the manual.
Having a socket doesn’t necessarily mean your installation is suitable. Promotelec recommends a dedicated circuit for a dishwasher. Check the manual’s requirements against your installation, and ask a qualified professional to assess anything you’re unsure about.
Measure the available width, height and depth, then compare them with the model’s installation diagram. Don’t forget to allow for the door to open and for the connections. Bosch states that freestanding appliances are available at 45 cm wide and 84.5 cm high; a built-in model needs to match the dimensions of its cabinet space.
If you buy an item from a business seller in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity may apply. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, it covers, among other things, goods that don’t match their description and certain shortcomings in installation instructions. Any commercial warranty is additional and doesn’t replace it.