If you have a suitable space under your worktop, a slimline 45 cm dishwasher can still offer everyday capacity: UFC-Que Choisir describes models with 9 place settings, while Whirlpool lists models with 10. A compact model is better suited to spaces with more severe restrictions. In an open-plan kitchen, compare the stated noise level too, then check the dimensions and connections. For an integrated model, make sure the housing and door panel are compatible.
If you run a cycle while spending time in your living area, compare the stated noise level rather than relying on the word ‘quiet’. Darty uses below 45 dB as a guideline in its guide, but perceived noise also depends on the room and the installation.
If space is tight but dishes pile up every day, look at slimline models before choosing a mini version. UFC-Que Choisir mentions appliances with 9 place settings, while Whirlpool also lists models with 10. Check that your dishes fit in the baskets of the model you choose.
If the appliance needs to be hidden behind a kitchen door, the stated width alone is not enough. Measure the housing and check the plinth, hinges, and the permitted dimensions and weight of the door panel.
First decide how much space the appliance can take up and how many dishes it needs to hold. Then compare compatible models by their stated noise levels and installation requirements.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Space and capacity | Measure the width, height and depth; compare the stated place settings and basket space with the size of your plates and dishes. | If space is limited but I don’t want to run lots of cycles, I’m looking for the smallest appliance that can hold my everyday dishes. Around 29% of consumers would put this need for capacity first. |
| Noise in an open-plan kitchen | Compare the dB(A) rating and noise class for the same reference programme. Darty uses below 45 dB as a selection guideline, not as a guarantee of comfort in every room. | When a cycle is running close to my living area, I want to be able to make my choice with the stated noise level in mind. Around 24% of consumers would make quiet operation their priority. |
| Housing and door panel | Check the installation diagram, plinth, door opening, and compatibility of the hinges and door panel. | With existing kitchen units, I need to avoid choosing an appliance that won’t fit. Around 29% of consumers would put housing and door compatibility ahead of everything else. |
| Installation and connections | Check the instructions for the water inlet, drainage, electrical supply and required clearances. | If I’m not planning to alter the connections, I need a space where the appliance can be installed in line with its instructions. Around 18% of consumers would make installation flexibility their top criterion. |
A 45 cm appliance mainly takes up less width under the worktop, while a compact model may be shorter or designed to sit on the worktop. So the word ‘small’ doesn’t tell you how much it can hold.
Compare all three dimensions, the stated place settings and the space available for your largest dishes.
Door-panel fixings and the permitted panel weight vary between models. According to Bosch, the Bosch SPV4EMX17E measures 815 × 448 × 550 mm. Its 45 cm width alone doesn’t tell you whether it will fit a particular housing.
Check the model’s installation diagram and measure the housing, plinth and hinges, as well as the intended door panel.
You may need a kitchen door panel or an adjustment to its fixings.
A noise rating and noise class are more useful when comparing models, but the programme used and the installation also matter in an open-plan kitchen.
Compare the stated figures for the same reference programme and follow the installation instructions.
The water supply and drainage requirements vary by model. A freestanding appliance also needs the connections specified in its instructions.
Check the available water supply, drainage and electrical supply before choosing a spot. Also check the permitted hose lengths.
These examples illustrate different formats and installation requirements; their specifications do not apply to every model from each brand.
Worth exploring if you’re looking for a fully integrated 45 cm dishwasher.
The integrated LVI42F is an option to consider if you’re looking for a 45 cm model behind a kitchen door.
A brand to consider if limited height means an integrated compact model could be a better fit.
Its ranges let you compare integrated and integrated compact dishwashers.
Worth exploring if you’re comparing freestanding and semi-integrated 45 cm models.
These countertop appliances are examples of the compact format. If you’d rather keep the capacity of a slimline model under the worktop or fit a kitchen door panel, look instead at the dimensions and installation requirements of an appliance designed for that space.
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Worth considering if you want an appliance on your worktop rather than under a housing. The product title lists two storage levels and a built-in 5 L tank. Measure the available space and check the noise level, water supply and drainage requirements before choosing this model for an open-plan kitchen.
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For a worktop space with access to the required connections, this model lists 6 place settings, 7 programmes and 47 dB. Before choosing it for an open-plan kitchen, check which programme the noise rating applies to, then measure the space it will take up and the hose route.
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If you’re considering a worktop appliance, this model’s title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 6 + 3 programmes. Check the space required, how your dishes will fit, the noise level and the drainage set-up where you plan to put it.
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Before opting for this small format, consider whether its stated capacity of 3 place settings is enough for the dishes you get through each day. Check the dimensions, noise level and water supply method in the instructions, particularly if you don’t have a permanent connection.
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Worth considering if a stated capacity of 3 place settings suits your usual load. The description mentions installation without permanent plumbing, but you should still check the water supply and drainage requirements, dimensions and noise level before finding it a spot in your open-plan kitchen.
It can be a good fit if its capacity and noise level suit your everyday needs. UFC-Que Choisir describes models with 9 place settings, while Whirlpool lists models with 10. Still, check that your dishes fit the model you choose and that its dimensions suit the space.
Compare the stated dB(A) rating and noise class for the same reference programme. Darty uses below 45 dB as a guideline for describing a model as quiet, but that doesn’t guarantee it will sound the same in every room.
Yes. You’ll need a compatible decorative door panel, whether it’s already part of your kitchen or needs to be added. Check its dimensions and weight, and make sure its fixings meet the requirements in the model’s instructions.
No. Whichever type you choose, check the appliance’s electrical supply, water inlet and drainage requirements. Siemens notes that a freestanding model needs access to water and drainage; for a mini model, follow the instructions for that specific appliance.