If your small kitchen doesn’t have a dedicated water supply, a countertop model with a tank lets you fill the appliance manually, provided its capacity suits your needs and you can arrange drainage at the intended location. A plumbed tabletop model can handle a larger load if compatible connections are already in place; a slimline 45 cm appliance also needs suitable floor space. Whatever you choose, check the instructions for the exact model before buying.
If you want to wash small loads without installing a water supply connection, a model with a tank is worth considering. You’ll need to fill it manually, though, and check the instructions to see how to drain the wastewater.
If compatible water and drainage connections are within reach and don’t require any work, a plumbed tabletop model can save you from filling the tank by hand. For example, Candy France lists the Candy CP 6E51LS as having capacity for 6 place settings and a direct connection to the water supply.
If you need to wash more each day than a small countertop appliance can handle, a slimline model may be an option, provided you have the space and suitable connections. Bosch Électroménager France lists the Bosch SPS2HKW55E at 845 × 450 × 600 mm, with capacity for 10 place settings.
First rule out any sizes that won’t work with your water supply, drainage or available space. Then compare capacity and the features of the specific model.
Consider this if: you don’t have a dedicated water supply and wash a small load each cycle.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill it manually, and the capacity must suit the dishes you usually wash.
Consider this if: compatible water and drainage connections are already accessible near your worktop.
Bear in mind: this size won’t solve the problem if you don’t have usable connections.
Consider this if: you can make room on the floor for an appliance that handles a larger daily load.
Bear in mind: the narrower width doesn’t reduce the appliance’s depth or remove the need for compatible connections.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply | Whether it has a tank, how to fill it and the drainage method specified in the instructions. | If I don’t have a dedicated water supply, I want to avoid installation work while knowing where the wastewater will go. Around 36% of consumers put this kind of independent water supply first. |
| Usable capacity | The stated place-setting capacity and the actual space in the racks for your plates, mugs and pans. | If the dishes from one meal won’t fit in the rack, I’ll need to run more cycles or finish washing by hand. This is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Space | Overall dimensions, a stable surface, access to a socket and the clearances required in the instructions. | I need to be able to fit the appliance in my kitchen without making it difficult to use or altering existing connections. Physical fit comes before other considerations for around 21% of consumers. |
| Noise and cycles | Noise level, water use per reference cycle, energy use per 100 cycles, Eco cycle duration and the model’s drying method. | In an open-plan kitchen, I consider noise and consumption before choosing a programme that suits my routine. Around 14% of consumers prioritise these features. |
ADEME recommends considering factors including water, energy and noise when choosing a dishwasher. To compare two appliances, start with label data measured on the same basis, then check the programmes you’re interested in separately.
A tank lets you fill the appliance manually, but it doesn’t take care of drainage, a stable position or the clearances needed around it.
Check the instructions for the exact model to confirm the filling and draining methods, the surface it needs to stand on and its electrical requirements.
This figure doesn’t tell you whether your large dishes, pans or mugs will fit alongside your everyday crockery.
Make a list of the items you use for a typical meal, then compare their dimensions and how often you wash up with the information about the racks.
Noise level or energy rating alone won’t tell you how much water the appliance uses on the reference cycle, how long it takes or how well it dries.
Compare figures for the same cycle across the models you’re considering, then look separately at their programmes and drying functions.
Its Bob model is a countertop option worth considering for small loads when you don’t have a dedicated water supply.
The CP 6E51LS is an example of a tabletop model to consider if you can use existing connections.
The SPS2HKW55E is a slimline freestanding option if your kitchen can accommodate an appliance on the floor.
These Joybuy models are countertop and tabletop appliances. Check their water supply, capacity and drainage requirements against your intended location. In particular, confirm how the Bob All-Options Pack variant is supplied with water.
Image unavailable
Worth considering if you want to fill a countertop appliance manually. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 cycles. Check the instructions to see how to position and use the drain at your chosen location.
Image unavailable
Another tank-fed option for a compact worktop. The product title lists 9 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the full dimensions in the model documentation, along with the drainage method.
Image unavailable
This countertop model is for anyone considering a tank-fed appliance. The product title lists 5 L, 6+3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the draining method and installation clearances in the instructions.
Image unavailable
Consider this for a larger load if you can use existing water and drainage connections. The product title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating. Measure the space and confirm the connection method before buying.
Image unavailable
A compact option to consider for small loads and limited worktop space. Before choosing this White/Copper variant, check its own documentation to confirm how it is supplied with water, its capacity and its drainage method.
No. It lets you fill the appliance without a dedicated water supply, but you still need to drain the wastewater as instructed for that model. Check the instructions before deciding where to put it.
Not necessarily: Candy France lists the CP 6E51LS as connecting directly to the water supply. You should only consider this model without installation work if compatible water and drainage connections are already accessible.
Check the noise level for the exact model, then compare its consumption figures on a like-for-like cycle basis. According to ADEME, an increase of three decibels corresponds to almost twice the noise; also check the energy label for water and energy use, as well as the Eco programme duration.