If your small kitchen doesn’t have a usable water supply near the appliance, a mini dishwasher with a water tank could be a good fit, provided you can fill the tank and drain the wastewater. If you have a water supply and enough worktop space, a plumbed-in compact model with six place settings can handle a larger load. Consider a slimline 45 cm model only if you also have floor space and the necessary connections.
The right format depends as much on where you’ll put it and how you’ll drain it as on the number of people in your household.
If you can’t access a fixed water supply and your daily washing-up is fairly light, a model with a tank is worth considering. You’ll still need a suitable route for the drain hose: Daan Tech says the hose on its Bob model can be directed into the sink.
A plumbed-in compact model with six place settings can handle a larger load, provided you have a water supply, drainage and enough room. Candy, for example, describes its CP 6E51LS as a worktop model that connects directly to the water supply.
If smaller models can’t handle the amount of washing-up you generate, consider a slimline 45 cm model. The 10-place-setting examples featured by Darty are around 85 cm tall, so they aren’t designed to sit on a worktop.
Consider it: if you can’t access a fixed water supply, but can fill the tank by hand and drain the water.
The trade-off: Daan Tech’s Bob has three standard place settings, so check that its capacity suits the washing-up you usually have.
Consider it: if you have a water supply and want a six-place-setting worktop model, such as the Candy CP 6E51LS.
The trade-off: this Candy model measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm, so you’ll need to make room for it and plan how to drain it.
Consider it: if you have floor space and fixed connections for a model that can handle more washing-up.
The trade-off: the 10-place-setting examples featured by Darty are around 85 cm tall and 60 to 61 cm deep.
| What to consider | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Tank or direct water supply; where the drain hose will go, its route and how it will be secured; connections permitted by the instruction manual. | I don’t have a water supply near the appliance. A tank appeals to me, but I also need somewhere to drain the wastewater. |
| Space needed | Overall width, height and depth; space for the hoses and to open the door; whether it sits on a worktop or on the floor. | I need to keep my worktop usable. If I choose a 45 cm model, I’ll need a suitable space on the floor. |
| Capacity | Advertised number of place settings; the size and loading requirements for plates, dishes and pans; how much washing-up you’ll have between cycles. | I want to wash the items we actually use, not just reach the number of place settings shown on the product page. |
| Noise, programmes and drying | Noise level of the specific model; duration of the programme you’ll use; drying method and the conditions required to activate it. | In a studio flat or open-plan kitchen, noise and cycle length matter just as much as the space the appliance takes up. |
A tank means you don’t need a permanent water supply connection, but you still need to drain the wastewater. Daan Tech says the Bob still requires a drain hose.
Measure the route to the sink or intended drain, then check the instruction manual for how to position and secure the hose.
The advertised capacity doesn’t tell you by itself whether your larger dishes will fit or whether the appliance will suit your kitchen. Worktop models and slimline 45 cm models have different installation requirements.
Compare the washing-up from one or two meals with the loading dimensions and overall dimensions of the model you’re considering.
Promotelec advises against plugging a dishwasher into a multi-socket extension because of the risk of overloading. It says the appliance needs a socket on a dedicated circuit.
Check that your electrical installation is suitable for the appliance. If you’re unsure about an existing installation, ask a qualified professional to inspect it.
The length of a quick programme alone doesn’t tell you how much energy it uses or how well it dries. Check these details for the specific programme.
Look separately at the eco programme details, the energy label, quick programmes and how the drying function works.
These examples help you compare formats. The features mentioned apply to the specific models listed, not every product from each brand.
With the Bob, Daan Tech offers a small freestanding model that can be used with a water tank or a standard water supply.
Candy’s CP 6E51LS is a compact worktop model that connects directly to the water supply.
The 6S47 D WAD929C V2, featured by Electro Dépôt, is an example of a compact six-place-setting model.
These worktop models include appliances with a water tank and a compact model that connects to the water supply. Before ordering, check the space, water supply and drainage requirements for each one.
Image unavailable
The integrated tank makes it a suitable option if you don’t have a fixed water supply. The product title also lists 5+1 cycles and a double-tempered glass door. Check the appliance dimensions and the drain hose route to make sure it will fit your space.
Image unavailable
This tabletop model is worth considering for a small daily load. The product title lists seven programmes and use with or without a water connection. Check the dimensions, how it needs to be filled and where the drain hose can go.
Image unavailable
This tabletop model is designed to be filled by hand and handle a small load. The product title lists seven programmes and automatic door opening. Check the instruction manual for the space needed and drainage requirements.
Image unavailable
This worktop model is designed for a load of six place settings and needs to be connected to the water supply. The product title lists seven programmes and automatic door opening. Measure the space and check the connections and drainage requirements before buying.
Yes, if the model is designed to be filled by hand. Daan Tech says the Bob can be used this way, but its hose must still be able to drain wastewater into the sink or a suitable drain.
Not necessarily. Candy says its CP 6E51LS connects directly to the water supply. You should also check how its drain hose can be set up in your kitchen.
Promotelec advises against using a multi-socket extension for a dishwasher and says the appliance needs a socket on a dedicated circuit. If you’re not sure whether your installation is suitable, ask a qualified professional to check it.
Not the 10-place-setting examples featured by Darty: they’re around 85 cm tall and 60 to 61 cm deep. Make room for one on the floor and check the connections required for the model you choose.
The number of place settings isn’t enough to go on. Check the loading dimensions and the instruction manual for guidance on the plates and utensils you use, then compare them with your own dishes.