If your kitchen has no dedicated space for a dishwasher, start by checking how much room you have and how water will get into and out of the appliance. A mini dishwasher with a water tank can save you from needing a fixed water supply, but it still needs somewhere to drain. A compact freestanding model may suit you better if you have more washing up, provided its connections are compatible. If you don’t have a stable surface or a safe way to drain it, washing by hand is the better option.
If you only have a small amount of washing up, a tank-fed model can save you from needing a permanent water connection. You’ll still need a stable surface for the appliance and a way to drain the wastewater in line with the instructions. Daan Tech describes both ways to supply water and the need for drainage for Bob.
Measure how much worktop space it will take up, including with the door open, then check the distance to the drainage point. The noise level is also worth considering if the appliance will be running in your living space: Darty lists 58 dB for the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL.
A model listed as holding six place settings may be worth considering if two or three settings aren’t enough, provided its dimensions and connections are suitable. The Comfee TD602E-W, which Darty lists as a freestanding model with six place settings, is one example of this type. Its capacity alone won’t tell you whether your larger dishes will fit in the basket.
If you don’t have a dedicated space, start with the installation options, then compare the stated capacity with the washing up you usually have. Washing by hand is still an option if no suitable space or drainage route is available.
| Priority | What to check | Think about your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Check whether the model can be filled manually or needs a water supply. Work out where the hose can drain the water and how to keep it in place. Daan Tech lists Bob’s tank capacity as 3.9 L and its drain hose length as 1.50 m. | I don’t have a fixed water supply, so I’m only interested in a tank-fed model if I can also arrange drainage. |
| Capacity and crockery | Compare the number of place settings, the largest plate size it can take and the basket layout. Darty lists three place settings for the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL and six for the Comfee TD602E-W. That doesn’t guarantee there’ll be room for your dishes. | If my plates or pans won’t fit, a higher place-setting capacity won’t necessarily solve the problem. |
| Space and noise | Measure the space, the clearance needed for the door and access to the sink. Compare stated noise levels on a like-for-like basis: Darty lists 58 dB for the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL and 47 dB for the Comfee TD602E-W. | In a studio flat, I want to keep my worktop usable and take the noise during a cycle into account. |
| Energy label and maintenance | According to the European Commission, the label for dishwashers covered by the rules includes energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle, programme duration, capacity and noise. Check the instructions too for settings and maintenance specific to the model. | I want to compare appliances with a capacity that suits my washing up, without treating the energy rating as a summary of every programme. |
| Washing by hand | Before considering an appliance, check whether you have a stable surface, a suitable socket and a safe way to drain it. If you choose a model that isn’t plumbed in, factor in filling and draining it every time you use it. | If I can’t install and drain the appliance properly, I’d rather keep washing by hand than choose a model that isn’t compatible with my kitchen. |
A tank means models with one don’t need a permanent water supply, but they still need somewhere for the wastewater to go. Daan Tech says Bob’s hose can be directed into the sink or another drainage system.
Measure the distance to the drainage point, check the hose length and follow the instructions for positioning and securing it.
This figure helps you compare stated capacities, but it doesn’t tell you whether your larger plates or dishes will fit in the basket.
Measure the crockery you use most often and check the maximum plate size as well as the basket layout.
Darty lists the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL as 43 cm wide, but you’ll also need room to open the door and access the drainage. Darty also lists a stated noise level of 58 dB for this model.
Check the clearance in front of the appliance and compare its stated noise level if you’ll be running cycles in your living space.
The rating doesn’t tell you how long each programme takes or everything involved in using the appliance. The European Commission explains that the label includes information about the Eco programme, among other details.
Read all the figures on the label and check the instructions, then find out which cleaning products are needed for the model and your water.
Depending on the settings and appliance, you may also need detergent, rinse aid or dishwasher salt, as well as regular maintenance.
These details apply to the models mentioned, not every appliance made by each brand. Check the exact version before applying any information to a product listing.
Daan Tech describes Bob as a mini dishwasher that sits on a surface and can be used with its tank or a water supply.
According to its Darty listing, the Studio MINID3SL is a three-place-setting model designed for small kitchens.
Darty lists the TD602E-W as a freestanding dishwasher with a stated capacity of six place settings.
This selection includes countertop appliances for smaller loads and a model listed as holding six place settings. For each one, check whether its water supply and drainage requirements work with your kitchen. This list doesn’t replace the decision between using an appliance and washing by hand.
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The 5 L tank means you could consider this model without a fixed water supply. Before choosing a spot for it, check that the surface is stable and that the hose can reach a suitable, secure drainage point.
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This tabletop option is designed for smaller amounts of washing up. Its product title lists seven programmes and automatic door opening. If you plan to fill the tank by hand, also check the instructions to see where to position the drain hose and how to secure it.
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This Joybuy listing states a capacity of three place settings and a width of 34 cm. The connection details for this version call for access to a tap and a drainage point. Don’t assume it works with the tank described by Daan Tech for Bob without checking the version and its instructions.
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The 5 L tank makes this model an option for kitchens without a permanent water supply. Its stated width is 37 cm. Before placing it in a small kitchen, confirm the exact depth of the variant, the clearance it needs and the permitted drainage method.
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The stated capacity of six place settings may suit you if you have more washing up than smaller countertop models can handle. The product title lists seven programmes and 47 dB. Check the full dimensions and make sure the water supply and drainage connections are compatible with your home.
Yes, if the model is specifically designed for this. Daan Tech says Bob can be supplied from its 3.9 L tank, but the wastewater still needs to be drained. Check the specifications of the exact version you’re considering.
Daan Tech says Bob’s hose can be directed into the sink or another drainage system. Before starting a cycle, follow the instructions for the exact model to position and secure the hose properly. Don’t assume this applies to other appliances.
For appliances covered by European energy labelling, the European Commission lists information including energy use per 100 Eco cycles, water use per cycle, the duration of the Eco programme, capacity and noise. Compare these figures for appliances suited to the amount of washing up you have, but don’t assume they apply to every programme.
Follow the model’s instructions for setting it up and carrying out regular maintenance. Que Choisir recommends, among other things, adjusting the water softener to suit your water hardness if the appliance has one. The settings and maintenance requirements depend on the model.