If your kitchen has no accessible water supply, a small dishwasher with a water tank could be a good fit, provided its capacity suits your usual load and you have somewhere to drain the wastewater. If you have the necessary connections, compare a tabletop model with a 45 cm appliance based on the space available and how much washing-up you need to do. Before ordering, measure the space and check the manual and energy label for the model you’re considering.
A model with a water tank avoids the need for a fixed water supply, but you’ll need to fill it manually, make space for a small load and find a way to drain it. Daan Tech, for example, states that its Bob model holds two standard place settings, and wastewater still needs to be drained away.
A 45 cm appliance is worth considering if your washing-up regularly exceeds the capacity of a mini model. The Electrolux EES42210L, for example, is listed as holding nine place settings. However, this fully integrated model requires a suitable niche, a cabinet door and compatible connections.
A tabletop dishwasher takes up valuable worktop space in an already cramped kitchen. As a guide to its dimensions, Bosch lists the SKS2ITW00E as 55.1 cm wide and 50 cm deep. Remember to measure the space needed to open the door and route the hoses, too.
Consider this if: you have room for the appliance on your worktop and can access the water supply and drain.
Bear in mind: the appliance will take up worktop space and needs suitable connections.
Consider this if: you have a suitable niche or floor space for a larger load.
Bear in mind: the installation must be compatible with your chosen model; a fully integrated appliance may also need a cabinet door.
Consider this if: you don’t have a fixed water supply and a small load is enough.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to fill the tank and drain the wastewater as instructed in the model’s manual.
Start by checking the available space and connections, then compare the stated capacity with a typical load of washing-up.
| Criteria | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the height, width and depth, then check that the door can open fully. For an integrated model, consult the niche diagram for the exact model, as Bosch recommends. | I want to be able to install the appliance without blocking the worktop, a cupboard or access to the connections. |
| Usable capacity | Check the stated number of place settings, the basket layout and the maximum plate size. Daan Tech lists Bob as holding two standard place settings, while Electrolux lists nine for the EES42210L: the two models are different sizes. | My plates and utensils need to fit into the load I want to wash between cycles. |
| Water supply and drainage | Check how the appliance takes in water, the route of the drain hose and where it empties. Also check the electrical requirements in the manual for the model you’re considering. | If there’s no water supply nearby, I could consider a model with a tank, provided I can fill the appliance and drain the wastewater. |
| Water, energy and noise | According to ADEME, the energy label shows details including kWh per 100 cycles, litres per reference cycle, capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level. Compare these figures together rather than in isolation. | Noise matters to me in an open-plan living space. I also want to compare energy use, taking each appliance’s capacity into account. |
Bob’s tank means it doesn’t need a fixed water supply, but Daan Tech’s guide still specifies a wastewater hose.
Before buying, work out where the water will drain and check the manual for the hose route and how to secure it.
The compact Bosch SKS2ITW00E is 55.1 cm wide, but it’s also 50 cm deep and 45 cm high, according to its product details. An integrated appliance also needs to fit its niche.
Measure all three dimensions of the available space and check the door clearance and installation diagram for your chosen model.
Bob’s two standard place settings, as stated by Daan Tech, and the nine listed for Electrolux’s EES42210L don’t represent the same amount of washing-up. The number of place settings alone doesn’t tell you how much room a saucepan will take up.
Compare the basket and the maximum item dimensions with the plates, glasses and utensils you use for a typical meal.
ADEME lists water use per cycle and energy use per 100 cycles alongside capacity, Eco programme duration and noise level. One figure on its own doesn’t tell you how much washing-up the appliance will handle.
Compare these figures on the same cycle basis and check that the capacity and duration suit the way you’ll use the appliance.
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a very small dishwasher with a water tank that can also be used with a water supply.
Bosch product details help you get a sense of the size of a compact tabletop model and what to measure for a floor-standing space or niche.
The EES42210L is Electrolux’s example of a fully integrated 45 cm model, unlike a small freestanding appliance.
These tabletop dishwashers include models with a water tank and one that needs to be plumbed in. Compare their stated capacity with your washing-up, then check the space and drainage requirements for the one you’re interested in.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a countertop model with a water tank rather than a fixed water supply. The product title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Before placing it in a small kitchen, check the available space, drainage and electrical instructions in the manual.
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This plumbed-in tabletop model is worth considering if you have the space and connections for a stated load of six place settings. The product title lists seven programmes, a D energy rating and a stated noise level of 47 dB. Measure the space and check that the connections are compatible with your kitchen.
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This tabletop model with a water tank could suit a small load if you don’t have a fixed water supply. The product title lists three place settings, seven programmes and a C energy rating. Compare its capacity with your utensils and check the manual for where to place and secure the drain hose.
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The built-in water tank is an option to consider if a fixed water supply is difficult to access. The product title lists a 5 L tank, 6 + 3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check the load capacity for your washing-up, how much space you’ll need and how to drain the wastewater.
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This compact model, which you fill manually, is worth considering if you want to avoid a fixed water supply. The product title lists seven programmes, automatic door opening and a D energy rating. Check the manual for the load capacity, how to fill the tank and how to drain the wastewater.
It can work without a fixed water supply if the model is designed to be filled manually, but the wastewater still needs to be drained away. Daan Tech lists a 3.9 L tank for Bob and explains how to connect the drain hose; check the instructions for the appliance you’re considering.
Compare a typical load with the stated number of place settings, the basket layout and the size of the items it can take. Daan Tech lists Bob as holding two standard place settings and describes it as suitable for a daily load for two people. However, you’ll need to compare this with your own plates, bowls and saucepans.
Measure the width, height and depth of the space, then check the door clearance and hose route. Bosch recommends consulting the installation diagram for the exact model. Also check the manual for the water supply, drainage and electrical requirements.
According to ADEME, check the kWh per 100 reference cycles, litres per cycle, capacity in place settings, Eco programme duration and noise level. Comparing these figures together helps you avoid comparing only water or energy use when the models have different capacities.