Studio flat residents or kitchens without floor space
You want to keep your worktop and storage space free while reducing the amount of washing-up you do by hand. A very small capacity may be suitable, provided you can drain the wastewater.
Who is it for?
Small households with a 45 cm space
You want a more practical capacity for everyday use without moving up to the 60 cm format. UFC-Que Choisir states that 9-place-setting models may suit a small family, sometimes with a daily cycle.
Compact kitchens with lots of washing-up
A 60 cm model remains an option if its position does not interfere with storage or food preparation, and if a capacity of up to 14 place settings genuinely matches your usual load.
Buying priorities
Countertop compact model
Choose this if: no 45 cm floor space is available and a small daily load is acceptable.
Bear in mind: reduced capacity, a power socket and a reliable drainage solution, even when the appliance has a tank.
Slimline 45 cm dishwasher
Choose this if: you have a 45 cm floor space and want more room for your everyday washing-up.
Bear in mind: water, electricity and drainage connections, as well as comparing noise levels and consumption model by model.
Standard 60 cm format
Choose this if: the 60 cm width and required depth do not obstruct the kitchen layout.
Bear in mind: the format alone does not guarantee a quieter appliance or lower consumption.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Installation and connections | Check the water supply method, drainage point, power socket and useful hose length. An integrated tank may remove the need for a fixed water inlet, but you will still need to drain the wastewater. | I want to install the appliance without making major changes to the kitchen. I will first check where the drain hose can be directed and whether the surface is stable. |
| Capacity and cycle frequency | Compare the number of place settings with your washing-up from a typical day, including saucepans, frying pans, boxes and dishes. Compact models may advertise 2 to 6 place settings, compared with 9 to 10 for some 45 cm models and 14 for 60 cm models. | I would rather avoid reloading the machine too often without unnecessarily losing preparation space. A small format must still suit my usual meals. |
| Noise | Compare the dB(A) rating and noise class on the energy label of the shortlisted models. According to ADEME, the label also allows you to compare this information under standardised conditions. | If the kitchen is open-plan, I want to be able to run a cycle without disturbing a meal, working from home or anyone resting nearby. |
| Water and energy | Compare kWh per 100 Eco cycles, litres per Eco cycle, programme duration, capacity and noise. Compare figures published for the same reference programme. | I want to consider usage data alongside the format, rather than assume that a smaller appliance will necessarily use less. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Confusing the lack of a fixed water inlet with the lack of plumbing requirements
A tank-fed compact model still needs to drain its wastewater. Daan Tech states that, for its Bob model, the drain hose must be directed into a sink, trap or compatible drain.
Before buying, identify the drainage point, power socket, required hose length and a stable position. Do not assume that a tank makes installation completely independent.
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Choosing the smallest format without measuring your daily load
A compact model advertised for two place settings does not meet the same needs as a 45 cm model with 9 to 10 place settings or a 60 cm model with 14 place settings. Cycle frequency also depends on saucepans, frying pans and large dishes.
List the washing-up from a typical day before choosing. Select the capacity that limits reloading without obstructing movement or kitchen storage.
More frequent cycles also mean more time spent loading, unloading and using consumables.
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Comparing noise based solely on the word ‘quiet’
Noise matters more when the appliance is close to a living area. ADEME states that the energy label displays a noise class, which helps you compare appliances.
Compare the quoted noise level and its class for the final shortlisted models, especially if you plan to run cycles during meals, while working from home or at night.
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Forgetting consumables and maintenance when calculating running costs
Operation involves more than the washing cycle: the filter, detergent, rinse aid and dishwasher salt all require maintenance suited to the appliance and the water used.
Add compatible consumables, filter maintenance, warranty terms and the Eco programme’s water and energy data to your comparison.
Brand guide
Daan Tech
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a highly compact freestanding solution designed for spaces where a 45 cm appliance cannot be installed.
- The manufacturer states that it is 34 cm wide, has a standard capacity of 2 place settings and includes an integrated 3.9 L tank or a connection to a water supply.
- Its limited capacity and drainage requirements make this format more suitable for a small load than a family kitchen.
Beko
Beko’s range allows you to compare 45 cm and 60 cm formats within the same brand, depending on the space available and the amount of washing-up.
- Beko France states that some 45 cm models can accommodate 10 place settings, while the 60 cm BDFN26450XP advertises 14 place settings.
- The 41 dB(A) figure advertised for the BDFN26450XP applies to that model only and not to the entire range.
Electrolux
Electrolux offers slimline 45 cm dishwashers, either freestanding or integrated, for kitchens with limited-width floor space.
- The ESA63200SX advertises a width of 45 cm, 10 place settings, 46 dB(A), 75 kWh per 100 cycles and 9.9 L per cycle.
- The slimline format does not remove the installation requirements beneath a worktop or the depth clearance stated on the model’s product information.
Bosch
Bosch offers compact and standard formats and highlights the connections required when installing a dishwasher.
- Bosch Home Appliances France lists the water supply, electricity and drainage among the elements to arrange for installation.
- A compact model identified in a comparison should be checked for current availability and documentation before purchase.
Options available on Joybuy
Joybuy options for a small kitchen, mainly in a compact countertop format, with one 60 cm model to consider only if the layout allows it.
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Heinrich's HTG 8840 Schwarz, 6 place settings
For a small household wanting more capacity than the two- or three-place-setting mini formats available for the worktop.
Advertised with 6 place settings, 7 programmes, 47 dB, 49 kWh/100 uses and 6.5 L per cycle. The inlet and drain hoses are listed as included.
Measure the width, depth, available height and door clearance before buying. Also check tap and drainage compatibility.
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AIRMSEN, 5 L countertop dishwasher
An option for a studio flat or kitchen without an accessible fixed water inlet, and with a small daily load.
Integrated 5 L tank, alternative tap connection, drain hose, advertised capacity of 4 place settings and dimensions of 45.8 × 42.8 × 42.5 cm.
Check the actual route of the drain hose and the drainage point. Compare the noise level and energy-label data if the appliance will operate near a living area.
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COMFEE CDWMT305WD, mini dishwasher with 3 place settings
Suitable for one person, a couple or a small household with limited worktop space.
3 place settings, 7 programmes, touch controls, delay start of up to 24 hours and advertised dimensions of 420 × 436 × 465 mm.
Check the instructions for drainage installation, along with the noise, water-per-Eco-cycle and kWh/100-cycle data. Capacity will be limited when washing large saucepans or dishes from several meals.
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Bob eco-compact, all-options pack in white/copper
This format is aimed at kitchens with severe width restrictions and small households happy with a limited amount of washing-up.
Advertised dimensions of 49 × 34 × 49 cm, capacity of 2 place settings, five programmes and an advertised noise level of 43 dB.
The capacity is better suited to a small load than to an accumulation of saucepans or family washing-up. Check the water supply method, drainage and documentation for the exact pack.
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Whirlpool WFP5O41PLGX, 60 cm freestanding dishwasher
Consider this for a compact kitchen only if a 60 cm space does not reduce the working area and your washing-up load is high.
Advertised with 14 place settings, half-load option, 11 programmes, 41 dB(A), 9.5 L per Eco cycle and 75 kWh/100 cycles.
Measure the space, door clearance and room required for the connections. Water, electricity and drainage connections are still necessary.
Frequently asked questions
Can a mini countertop dishwasher work without a fixed water inlet?
Yes, for models designed with an integrated tank. Daan Tech states, for example, that Bob can use a 3.9 L tank, but the drain hose must still carry wastewater to a sink, trap or compatible drain. Check the filling method and instructions for the exact model before ordering.
Which connections should you check before buying a 45 cm or 60 cm model?
Check access to a water supply, electricity and drainage. Bosch Home Appliances France lists these three elements for dishwasher installation; also check the external dimensions, depth, door opening and model-specific instructions.
How can you compare the consumption of dishwashers sold in France?
Compare the Eco programme figures shown on the energy label: kWh per 100 cycles, litres per cycle, duration, capacity and noise level. The European Commission states that the rules applying to household dishwashers in the European Union provide for an Eco programme, so avoid comparing this figure with a different programme on another model.
Does a slimline 45 cm dishwasher necessarily avoid a daily cycle?
No. UFC-Que Choisir states that a 9-place-setting model may suit a small family, sometimes with daily use. A 45 cm model provides more capacity than a compact one, but frequency still depends on the number of meals, saucepans and the size of your dishes.
Should you choose a model based solely on its energy class?
No. ADEME also recommends looking at kWh per 100 cycles, water per cycle, programme duration, capacity and noise. Two different formats may suit your actual load better or worse, even if their energy classes are similar.