Without a dedicated water supply, a mini dishwasher with a tank could suit smaller loads, as long as you can fill it and drain the waste water. If you have accessible plumbing, choose between a compact 6-place-setting model for your worktop and a 45 cm floor-standing model, depending on the space available and the dishes you usually wash. In every case, check the exact model’s dimensions, door clearance and hose routing.
Start with the space you actually have: a worktop, a spot on the floor or a built-in housing all come with different requirements.
A tank-powered appliance avoids a permanent connection to the water supply, but it still needs to drain. Daan Tech says its Bob model has a hose that must be directed into a sink or another drain. You’ll also need to fill the tank each time you use it.
A compact 6-place-setting model may be an option if you have a stable surface and access to a water supply and drain. The Candy CP 6E51LS, for example, is a freestanding appliance that connects directly to the water supply, according to Candy France. So ‘freestanding’ doesn’t mean ‘no plumbing needed’.
A slimline floor-standing appliance frees up your worktop, provided you also have the necessary height, depth and plumbing. The Bosch SPS2HMI02E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm, according to Bosch Électroménager France. Measure the entire space, not just its width.
First rule out any sizes that won’t fit or can’t be installed, then compare the capacity and usage requirements of the remaining models.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Space required | Measure the overall width, depth and height. Allow room for the door to open and the hoses, as well as enough usable worktop space. | I want to be able to open the appliance and move around the kitchenette, not just squeeze it into the measured space. |
| Water supply and drainage | Check whether the model uses a tank or connects directly to the water supply, then identify a suitable drain. Check the exact model’s instructions for the hose length and permitted routing. | Without a dedicated water supply, I need a model I can fill and drain. If plumbing is available, I want to make sure it can be accessed from the chosen spot. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated number of place settings with the space for your large plates, dishes and pans. Check the basket layout and how often you expect to run a wash. | If I often wash bulky items, the number of place settings alone won’t tell me how much I can fit inside. |
| Noise and energy and water use | Check the model’s stated noise level and water and electricity figures. To compare consumption, use the same programme and measurement basis. UFC-Que Choisir also includes noise in its test criteria, particularly for open-plan kitchens. | In an open-plan living space, noise during a cycle matters just as much to me as the space the appliance takes up. I also want to compare consumption under equivalent conditions. |
| Repairability | Check the rating for the exact model and read the accompanying repair information. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, dishwashers sold in France must display a repairability index, shown as a score out of 10. | I want to consider the repairability of the exact dishwasher I’m buying, rather than assume it based on its size or brand. |
Water supply options vary. Daan Tech says Bob has a tank, while Candy France states that the CP 6E51LS connects directly to the water supply. Even a tank-powered model still needs to drain its waste water.
Before buying, identify the water supply connection, where you’ll fill the appliance and how the drain hose will be routed.
A 45 cm floor-standing model could still be too tall or deep, while a worktop appliance could take up a large part of your available surface. Bosch Électroménager France, for example, lists the SPS2HMI02E as 845 × 450 × 600 mm.
Measure all three dimensions of the space, then check the instructions for the clearance needed for the door and hoses.
The stated capacity doesn’t tell you how much room there is for large plates or pans. Daan Tech lists Bob as having 3 place settings under the European standard, compared with 6 place settings for the CP 6E51LS, according to Candy France. These figures don’t replace checking the basket layout.
Check the size of the dishes you usually wash and how the model you’re considering can be loaded.
In France, dishwashers must display a repairability index, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. The size of an appliance doesn’t tell you its rating.
Check the index and the information for the exact model reference before comparing two appliances.
These models show the different types of set-up available. Their features apply to the models listed, not every product from each brand.
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a small worktop appliance for spaces without a dedicated water supply.
The CP 6E51LS is a compact worktop option for kitchens where the appliance can be connected to the water supply.
The SPS2HMI02E is an example of a 45 cm freestanding appliance designed to stand on the floor.
The ESL2500RO is an example of a 55 cm fully integrated compact model for a kitchen with a compatible housing already in place.
These options are for worktop dishwashers. Compare their capacity and water supply requirements with the space you have available. They’re not a substitute for considering a 45 cm floor-standing model if your kitchen has room for one.
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The built-in tank could suit a kitchenette without a dedicated water supply. The product title lists a 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Check where the drain hose can go and whether it’s long enough for your set-up.
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This worktop model is designed for smaller loads: Daan Tech lists Bob as having 3 place settings under the European standard. For this Deep Black offer, check how it’s supplied with water, which accessories are included and how the hoses can be routed before deciding where to put it.
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This 6-place-setting tabletop model is designed for kitchens with an accessible water supply. The product title lists 7 programmes, a noise level of 47 dB and energy rating D. Check its overall dimensions and the space needed for the connections before making room for it on your worktop.
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The stated capacity of 3 place settings makes this model suitable for smaller loads. Although the original product title says ‘no installation’, check how this model is supplied with water and where its hose drains the waste water. Check its dimensions too before deciding where to put it.
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With a stated capacity of 3 place settings, this worktop model is designed for smaller loads. Before choosing it, check its dimensions, how it’s supplied with water and whether the drainage set-up will work in your kitchenette.
Yes, if the model can be supplied with water from a tank. Daan Tech lists Bob as having a built-in 3,9 L tank, but also says a hose must carry the waste water to a sink or another drain. Check how both processes work for the model you’re considering.
It can sit on your worktop if the surface is suitable and there’s enough room, but it may also need a plumbing connection. Candy France lists the CP 6E51LS as a freestanding model measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm that connects directly to the water supply. So check access to both the water supply and the drain, as well as the space available.
No. The 45 cm measurement refers to its width, not its overall size. The Bosch SPS2HMI02E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm, according to Bosch Électroménager France. You’ll need suitable floor space, enough clearance and accessible plumbing.
Yes. According to the French Ministry of the Economy, dishwashers sold in France must display a repairability index, shown as a score out of 10. Check the rating for the exact model rather than assuming a compact appliance is more or less repairable.