If you don’t have a usable water supply near your worktop, a mini dishwasher with a water tank could be a good option, provided you can fill it and drain the waste water. If you have access to the necessary connections and two or three place settings aren’t enough for your everyday washing-up, consider a compact 6-place-setting model instead. Just make sure it will really fit in your kitchen. In either case, measure the available space and check the energy label for the exact model.
In a studio flat or kitchenette, a water tank can make it possible to use an appliance without a fixed water supply. You’ll still need to fill it and find a suitable place for the drain hose. This is how Daan Tech says its Bob model works.
If two or three place settings aren’t enough for your everyday washing-up, it’s worth considering a 6-place-setting model. The Candy CP 6E51LW is one example, but it needs accessible water and waste connections, as well as enough worktop space.
If the appliance runs close to your living space, noise may be an important factor. Compare the decibel rating and noise class on each model’s energy label, alongside its capacity and Eco cycle duration.
First, decide how the appliance will get its water and where it will drain the waste water. Capacity only becomes relevant once you’ve worked out these practicalities and how much space you have.
Consider this if: there’s no usable water supply near the spot where you plan to put it.
The trade-off: you’ll need to fill it by hand each time, and you’ll still need to drain the water. Daan Tech says its Bob model holds 2 place settings.
Consider this if: you need a larger capacity and have access to water, drainage and electricity.
The trade-off: the Candy CP 6E51LW is 550 mm wide, according to Candy France, and needs to be connected directly to the water supply.
| Factor | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Water tank or direct water supply; check where the drain hose goes and how long it is for the exact model. | Without an accessible water supply, I want to avoid a fixed connection while still being able to drain the waste water. This would be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Capacity | Number of place settings and room for the plates or larger items you use. | If washing-up piles up when there are two of us, I’d prefer a capacity that suits our routine rather than having to run several cycles. This would be a priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Size | Width, depth, height, door clearance and access for filling or reaching the hoses. | In a kitchenette, I need enough room to open the door and use the sink. Around 21% of consumers would rank the space it takes up as their main concern. |
| Noise and running costs | Decibels, noise class, kWh per 100 cycles and litres per cycle on the exact model’s energy label. | In an open-plan kitchen, I want to be able to run the appliance without overlooking the noise or its running costs. This would be the main factor for around 14% of consumers. |
On the Bob, the tank described by Daan Tech replaces a fixed water supply, but you’ll still need a hose to carry waste water to a sink or another suitable drain.
Work out where the hose will sit during a cycle and check its length before choosing a spot for the appliance.
An appliance may fit on your worktop but still leave too little room for the door, hoses or access to its water tank.
Measure all the usable space. As a guide for these specific models, Daan Tech gives Bob’s dimensions as 34 × 49 × 49 cm, while Candy France lists 550 × 501 × 443 mm for the CP 6E51LW. Also check the layout of the space around the appliance.
A quick programme and an Eco cycle aren’t like-for-like comparisons. As ADEME and the European Commission explain, the energy label gives information including consumption, duration and noise, based on its reference indicators.
Read the full energy label for each model and choose a capacity that suits the washing-up you need to do.
The French product page for the Bosch SKS62E32EU says this model is no longer available. Its specifications may help you understand the connected compact format, but they don’t mean it’s currently available to buy.
For any model you’re considering, check the full model number, its availability with the retailer and its installation instructions.
Daan Tech’s Bob is an example of a compact countertop mini dishwasher that can be filled from a water tank or connected to the water supply.
Candy France’s CP 6E51LW is a countertop model for 6 place settings that connects directly to the water supply.
The SKS62E32EU is an example of a connected compact model for 6 place settings, with information available from Bosch Home Appliances France.
These countertop dishwashers meet different needs: some product titles mention a water tank, while the Heinrich's HTG 8840 is listed as having a capacity of 6 place settings. Before choosing a model, check how it’s supplied with water, how it drains and how much space it needs.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a water-tank model for a small kitchen. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Check where you can position the drain hose and how much room you’ll need to open the door.
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Consider whether the listed capacity of 3 place settings suits your everyday washing-up. The product title mentions 7 programmes and an energy rating of D. Check how this model is filled and where its drain hose needs to go.
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Its listed width of 37 cm may appeal if you have a narrow worktop. The product title mentions a built-in 5 L tank and 9 programmes. Before buying, check the exact depth, door clearance and drain hose route.
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Its listed capacity of 6 place settings is suited to households with more washing-up to do per cycle and access to the necessary connections. The product title mentions 7 programmes. Check the appliance dimensions and make sure the hoses can reach the water supply and drain.
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This countertop format is worth considering if you don’t have space for a standard appliance. The product title mentions 8 programmes, a built-in water softener and a delay start. Before deciding where to install it, check how it gets its water, how it drains and its dimensions.
Yes. The Bob described by Daan Tech can use its built-in 3,9 L tank instead of a mains water connection. You’ll still need to fill the tank and direct the drain hose to a sink or another suitable drain. Check how the specific model you’re considering works.
The Candy CP 6E51LW featured by Candy France connects directly to a water supply. You’ll also need electricity and drainage, so check the installation instructions for the exact model before ordering.
Compare the energy labels for the exact models rather than comparing a quick cycle with another appliance’s Eco cycle. ADEME and the European Commission list information including electricity consumption in kWh per 100 cycles and water consumption in litres per cycle. Also take the stated capacity into account.
Follow your model’s instructions to find out how to access and maintain the filter, spray arms and hoses. Make sure the spot you choose leaves enough room for these routine tasks, too.