In a studio flat, first choose an appliance that fits the space available and can be connected to the water supply and drainage. A mini model with a tank avoids the need for a permanent water connection, but you’ll have to fill it by hand and it often has a small basket. A 6-place-setting tabletop model takes up more space. If dishes pile up between cycles, you could also consider a slimline 45 cm appliance, provided you have room to install and connect it.
A freestanding appliance with a tank could be right for you if your kitchen doesn’t have a dedicated water supply. Also check where the wastewater will drain, how much height is available and whether you’ll have enough access to fill the tank.
A small basket may be enough if you don’t have many dishes to wash between cycles. However, consider how much room your plates, frying pans and containers take up: the stated place-setting capacity alone won’t tell you what you can fit inside.
If you’d rather not run a cycle after almost every meal, compare a 6-place-setting tabletop appliance with a slimline 45 cm model. The right choice will depend on the space you actually have and the connections each model requires.
In a small kitchen, these three formats solve different problems: a tank mainly helps when there’s no water supply, while a larger basket gives you more room for dishes. Whichever you choose, you’ll still need to check the drainage requirements and the exact dimensions of the model.
Consider it if: you can’t use a permanent water supply and have limited worktop space.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill it by hand and the basket will be small; wastewater drainage will depend on the model.
Consider it if: you regularly have more dishes than a mini basket can hold and can make room for the extra width.
Bear in mind: it takes up more space, and a 6-place-setting capacity doesn’t mean the appliance has a tank.
Consider it if: you need more room for dishes than worktop space and have a suitable place to install it.
Bear in mind: this isn’t a mini freestanding appliance; check the dimensions and connections for the model you’re considering.
| What to consider | Check before buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and installation | Measure the width, depth, available height and clearance needed to open the door. Check the instructions for the water supply, any tank and drainage requirements. | If my kitchen doesn’t have room for a standard appliance or a dedicated water supply, I need to be able to install and use the appliance without making alterations. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise this compatibility. |
| Amount of washing up | Compare the stated capacity with a typical meal’s worth of washing up, including frying pans and containers; check the size of items that will fit in the basket. | If I cook regularly, I want my dishes to fit between cycles without having to run lots of washes. Capacity would come first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Water and energy use, and noise | Compare water and energy use under the same programme conditions, as well as the stated noise level for each model. | In a living space, I want to consider noise and how often I’ll run a cycle, once I know the appliance will fit my kitchen. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise these factors. |
Two compact appliances can take up very different amounts of space. Daan Tech states that Bob is 34 cm wide, compared with 550 mm for the Candy CP 6E51LW tabletop model.
Measure your worktop, the clearance beneath your cupboards and the space needed to open the door and reach the plug socket.
An appliance placed on the worktop may still need a water supply. Even with a tank, wastewater must be drained according to the model’s instructions.
Check the instructions for how the appliance is supplied with water, which accessories are required and how to position the drainage hose.
Frying pans, large plates and containers can limit the space left in a basket advertised for 3 place settings. You may then need to run more cycles or wash some utensils by hand.
Compare the loading diagram in the instructions with the dishes you use between cycles. Consider a larger basket if they won’t fit.
A figure per cycle doesn’t tell you on its own how much you’ll use in everyday life. The programme you choose, how full the appliance is and how often you run it all matter too.
ADEME recommends checking the energy label and avoiding cycles with lots of unused space. Compare figures for the same programme, particularly Eco where this information is provided.
The brand’s Bob is a mini freestanding dishwasher that can be filled using its tank or connected to a water supply, depending on the set-up described by Daan Tech.
The RapidÓ CP 6E51LW and CP 6E51LS tabletop models show what to consider if you want a 6-place-setting basket and have room for a wider appliance on your worktop.
Bosch offers slimline 45 cm dishwashers for small kitchens, as well as compact models to compare depending on the space available.
These tabletop appliances are aimed at small kitchens where there’s room for a freestanding model. Some product titles mention a tank or use without a fixed connection. For each one, check the instructions for water supply, drainage and overall dimensions before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’d rather fill the appliance than arrange a permanent water supply. The title states that it has a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash programmes. Check how to drain the wastewater and compare consumption figures for the same programme.
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Worth comparing if you have a small amount of washing up between cycles. If you cook often, take a closer look at the basket size. The title states that it has 3 place settings and 7 programmes. Measure the space it needs and check the water supply and drainage requirements for this model.
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Worth considering if filling the appliance by hand suits your kitchen better than connecting it to the tap. The title states that it has 7 programmes, an automatic door opening function and a D energy rating. Check the basket capacity and drainage method in the instructions.
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Worth comparing if a 3-place-setting basket would mean running too many cycles. The title states that it has 6 place settings and 7 programmes. Check that its dimensions, water supply and drainage requirements suit your kitchen; don’t assume it works with a tank.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance with a choice of programmes. The title mentions 8 programmes and use without a fixed connection. Confirm how it’s supplied with water, its dimensions and how to drain it before buying.
Yes, if the model is designed to be filled using a tank. Daan Tech describes Bob as having a built-in 4 L tank, as well as an alternative set-up with a water connection. Check the instructions for how to fill the appliance and drain the wastewater. A tabletop model doesn’t necessarily have a tank.
Three place settings may be enough if your usual dishes fit in the basket between cycles. Don’t forget frying pans, saucepans and containers, which can take up a lot of room. If you cook often, compare the loading diagram with that of a 6-place-setting tabletop model.
Compare the figures given for equivalent programme conditions, particularly Eco, then take account of the capacity and how often you’re likely to run a cycle. ADEME recommends checking the energy label; the European Commission says it can also provide information about water use and noise. A smaller appliance isn’t necessarily more efficient for the amount of washing up you have.
If you buy from a professional seller in France, you can invoke the statutory legal guarantee of conformity for two years for new or second-hand goods, according to the French Ministry of the Economy. Any commercial warranty is in addition to, and doesn’t replace, your statutory rights. Keep your proof of purchase and check the specific terms of the commercial warranty.