Renters without a dedicated water supply
If you can fill a tank, a mini worktop dishwasher means you don't need a fixed water connection. You still need to decide where to position and secure the drain hose, as Daan Tech explains for Bob.
Who is each size suitable for?
Someone living alone or a couple who cook often
To avoid running lots of small loads, consider a 6-place-setting worktop model or a 45 cm dishwasher. The right choice depends on how much space you can spare and which connections are available.
Small home with space beneath the worktop
A 45 cm model could be a good fit if you have a suitable permanent space. For an integrated model, also check the dimensions of the housing unit and the door panel; Electrolux's pre-installation guide explains how these preparations differ from its installation service.
What should you check before buying?
In a small kitchen, first check the available space and the route for the water, then consider the capacity you need for your meals. Compare noise and energy use across the sizes that will fit.
| What matters | What to check | Who prioritises this? |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | How the dishwasher is filled and the route from the hose to a suitable drain. | If there's no usable fixed water connection, I want to be able to fill the appliance myself and know where the waste water will go; around 36% of consumers prioritise this flexibility. |
| Capacity on the worktop | Place settings, the dimensions of the model and the clearance needed to open it. | If I cook regularly but don't have space under the worktop, I want to wash more dishes per cycle without taking over the whole surface; around 29% of consumers put worktop capacity first. |
| Capacity beneath the worktop | The dimensions of the appliance and housing unit, the connections and, for integrated models, whether the door panel is compatible. | With a narrow permanent space, I prioritise a larger load for my everyday meals; around 21% of consumers put under-worktop capacity first. |
| Noise, water and energy use | On the energy label, check the noise level, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per reference cycle. | In an open-plan living space with a kitchen, I want to consider noise and energy use once I've chosen a suitable size; around 14% of consumers prioritise this. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Assuming “no water supply” means “no drainage”
A tank lets you fill some mini dishwashers without a fixed water connection, but the waste water still needs to drain away. Daan Tech's guide says Bob's hose should lead to a sink, a trap or another suitable outlet.
Before buying, work out where the hose will go and how you'll keep it in place during a cycle.
Depending on your existing drainage, you may need an accessory or an adjustment to the trap.
-
Choosing based only on the number of place settings
A higher-capacity worktop model may also take up more space. The dimensions of the Candy CP 6E51LS and Midea MDWEB1004LS-W show that width alone doesn't tell you how much room these two sizes need.
Measure the width, depth and height, the clearance needed for the door and the space for the hoses, then compare these with the exact model's dimensions.
-
Assuming an integrated 45 cm model is a portable mini dishwasher
An integrated 45 cm model needs a compatible housing unit and door panel, as well as accessible connections. Its narrower width doesn't remove these requirements.
Before choosing a model, check the cabinet dimensions, door panel type and what the installation service includes.
Electrolux states that its installation service does not include carpentry, plumbing or electrical work.
-
Looking only at the energy rating
The letter alone doesn't tell you the exact energy use or noise level. ADEME explains that a dishwasher's energy label includes figures such as energy use per 100 reference cycles and water use per cycle.
Compare these figures, capacity and noise levels across models whose size and installation requirements already work for you.
Brands to consider
Daan Tech
The brand describes Bob as a mini worktop dishwasher for small kitchens.
- According to Daan Tech's specifications, Bob has a 3.9 L tank and can also be connected to a water supply, depending on your set-up.
- The tank doesn't remove the need for a drain hose; Bob's stated standard capacity is 3 place settings.
Candy
The Candy range featured here includes the CP 6E51LS compact worktop model and narrow 45 cm dishwashers.
- Candy says the CP 6E51LS holds 6 place settings in a worktop design.
- This model connects directly to a water supply, while the 45 cm models need a suitable permanent space.
Beko
The Beko range featured here includes 45 cm integrated dishwashers.
- Beko states that some integrated models of this width can hold 10 place settings.
- Before choosing a model, check the housing unit, door panel and connections rather than relying on width alone.
Midea
The Midea MDWEB1004LS-W is an example of a fully integrated 45 cm dishwasher.
- Midea lists this model as holding 10 place settings, with dimensions of 815 × 448 × 550 mm.
- These specifications apply to this particular model; it needs a compatible housing unit and door panel for installation.
Worktop models to look at
These Joybuy models are small worktop dishwashers, including a 6-place-setting option. To choose between them, check the space available and how each model fills and drains; choosing a 45 cm under-worktop model is a different solution for a different kitchen layout.
Image unavailable
AIRMSEN worktop dishwasher, 5 L tank, 5+1 cycles
Worth considering if you want to put the appliance on a worktop without a dedicated water supply. Its product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles; you'll also need somewhere for the waste water to drain.
Image unavailable
Heinrich's HTG 8840 Schwarz, 6 place settings
This worktop model is suited to a kitchen where you can set aside space for it and access the necessary connections. Its product title lists 6 place settings, 7 programmes and 47 dB; check its dimensions and the clearance needed before choosing it.
Image unavailable
Bob Mini Dishwasher, 3 place settings, Metallic Grey/White
Compare the 3-place-setting capacity in the product title with the amount of washing-up you do every day, especially if you tend to let dishes from several meals pile up. Check how this version is supplied with water and where its drain hose needs to go.
Image unavailable
Bob The Eco-Compact Dishwasher, All-Options Pack, White/Copper
For this compact worktop pack, check that the version's capacity suits the loads you usually wash. Also confirm how it fills and drains before deciding where to put it in your kitchenette.
Image unavailable
AIRMSEN worktop dishwasher, 8 programmes
Consider this if you're looking for a worktop appliance with a choice of programmes and a delayed-start function, both listed in its product title. Before choosing it for a studio flat, check its dimensions and how it fills and drains.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mini dishwasher with a water tank work without a fixed water supply?
Yes, if the model is specifically designed to be filled this way. Daan Tech lists a 3.9 L tank for Bob, but it also needs a drain hose leading to a sink, trap or another suitable outlet. Check both the water supply and drainage routes.
Does a 6-place-setting worktop dishwasher mean you can avoid plumbing?
Not necessarily: “worktop” describes where it goes, not how it gets its water. The Candy CP 6E51LS, for example, connects directly to a water supply according to its product details.
What should you compare on the energy labels of two compact dishwashers?
Compare energy use in kWh per 100 reference cycles, water use per cycle, capacity and noise level, taking the cycle shown into account. ADEME lists these as key figures on the energy label; first rule out models whose size or installation requirements aren't suitable.
Can an installation service modify my cabinets and fit the connections?
It depends on what's included in the service, so check the details before ordering. Electrolux states that its installers don't carry out carpentry, plumbing or electrical work as part of its own service.