If you don’t have a fixed water supply and only have a small load of dishes, consider a mini dishwasher with a water tank, after checking the plug socket, surface and drainage. With the right connections, a 6-place-setting countertop model saves floor space; a 45 cm freestanding model suits larger loads but needs a spot on the floor.
In a small home, start by checking your water supply and how many dishes you need to wash, then see how much usable space you really have.
If you have small loads, a model with a water tank could save you from connecting directly to the water supply. You’ll still need a stable surface, a plug socket and drainage set up as instructed; Daan Tech describes these options for its Bob model.
A 6-place-setting countertop appliance could be a good fit if your worktop can support its dimensions and you can access the water supply and drainage. The Candy Rapidò CP 6E51LS is an example of this type of directly connected model.
If six place settings aren’t enough for your usual meals, consider a 45 cm freestanding model. The Midea MDWEF1034CW-WG-EU is listed as holding 10 place settings, provided you have enough floor space and the necessary connections.
The three types suit different installation requirements and capacities. Then compare the dimensions of each appliance with the space in your kitchen.
Consider this: when you can’t use a fixed water supply and have small loads; Daan Tech lists a 3.9 L tank for Bob.
The trade-off: you’ll still need a power supply, a stable surface and drainage. Joybuy’s Bob product listing states a capacity of 3 place settings.
Consider this: if you have the necessary connections and want to keep your floor space clear; Candy describes its Rapidò CP 6E51LS as a 6-place-setting countertop model.
The trade-off: the appliance takes up worktop space permanently, and its 6-place-setting capacity may limit load sizes.
Consider this: if you have a floor space with access to the necessary connections and want to wash more dishes at once; Midea lists a capacity of 10 place settings for the MDWEF1034CW-WG-EU.
The trade-off: this Midea model measures 448 × 600 × 845 mm. You’ll need to plan for water and electricity connections, as well as drainage, for this type of installation.
| Consideration | What to check | What I need |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Locate the water supply, plug socket and drainage route. For a model with a tank, also check the filling and drainage instructions in the manual. | I can’t use a fixed water supply. I’d only consider a tank if I can also drain the waste water. |
| Capacity | Compare the stated place settings with a day’s worth of dishes, including cooking utensils. Check what will actually fit in the baskets. | I’d rather wash several meals’ worth at once; a small capacity could mean running cycles too often. |
| Size | Measure the width, depth and height, the door clearance and the space needed for the hoses. For a countertop appliance, check the surface can support it too. | My worktop is narrow, or the appliance door could get in the way in the kitchen. |
| Noise | Check the noise level in dB and the noise class on the model’s label, rather than guessing how loud it is from its size. | If my kitchen opens onto my living space, I want to know the stated noise level before choosing. |
| Eco cycle | According to ADEME, the label shows electricity use in kWh per 100 cycles, water use per reference cycle and the duration of the Eco cycle. Compare these figures on the same basis. | I plan to use the appliance regularly and want to compare water and electricity use, as well as cycle duration—not just the energy rating. |
A countertop appliance may need a direct water connection: Candy states that this is required for the Rapidò CP 6E51LS. So its size alone doesn’t tell you how it gets its water.
Check the manual for the specific model to see whether it uses a tank or needs a connection, then check the drainage requirements.
The Bosch SPS2HKI58E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm according to Bosch, while the Candy CP 6E51LS countertop model measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm according to Candy. Depth and height matter in a small kitchen too.
Measure the full space, including room for the door to open and the hoses to run. If you’re placing an appliance on furniture, check that the surface is suitable.
Joybuy’s Bob product listing states a capacity of 3 place settings, compared with 6 for the Candy CP 6E51LS according to Candy and 10 for the Midea MDWEF1034CW-WG-EU according to Midea. A small interior may mean more cycles if you’re washing several meals’ worth of dishes and utensils.
Before choosing a capacity, count the dishes you use on a typical day, including saucepans.
An energy rating doesn’t tell you how much water a cycle uses, how long the Eco programme takes or how noisy the appliance is. ADEME and Gifam list these details separately on the label.
Compare kWh per 100 cycles, litres per reference cycle, the Eco cycle duration, place settings and dB for each model.
These models show how different configurations can be. Check the details for the model you’re considering rather than assuming the same features apply to an entire brand.
With Bob, Daan Tech offers a mini dishwasher with a water tank for smaller loads.
The Rapidò CP 6E51LS is an example of a connected countertop model with a capacity of 6 place settings.
The SPS2HKI58E is an example of a 45 cm freestanding model designed to be installed on the floor.
The MDWEF1034CW-WG-EU is a 45 cm freestanding model listed as holding 10 place settings.
These countertop models are designed for smaller loads or homes where space is limited. Check which appliances have a water tank and which need a water supply connection, then make sure you have suitable drainage and enough room at home.
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Worth considering if you’d rather fill a water tank than keep the appliance connected to the water supply. The product title mentions a tempered glass door; check there’s enough room to open it and plan a route for draining the waste water.
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Its stated width of 37 cm is worth checking if your worktop is narrow; the product title lists a D energy rating. Confirm the full dimensions, door clearance and drainage route before deciding where to put it.
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This countertop model, which you fill manually, could suit smaller loads if a permanent water connection isn’t possible. The product title lists a D energy rating; check that you have enough space and a way to drain the waste water.
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This countertop model has a stated capacity of 6 place settings and could suit a kitchen with a suitable water supply and drainage. Its product title lists 7 programmes, 47 dB and a D energy rating; measure the space you have before choosing.
It depends on the model: Candy says its Rapidò CP 6E51LS needs a direct connection, while Daan Tech states that Bob can use its 3.9 L tank. Check the exact water supply requirements in the manual, then make sure you can drain the water.
No. Even without a fixed water connection, you’ll still need a plug socket, a stable surface and a way to drain the water. For Bob, Daan Tech describes draining into a sink or, depending on your set-up, into a suitable container.
First, estimate how many dishes you want to wash per cycle, including cooking utensils. Joybuy’s Bob product listing states a capacity of 3 place settings, Candy lists 6 for the CP 6E51LS and Midea lists 10 for the MDWEF1034CW-WG-EU. The latter capacity comes with an appliance that needs to be installed on the floor.
Compare the energy rating, kWh per 100 cycles, litres per reference cycle, Eco cycle duration, capacity and noise level. ADEME explains these units, which let you compare models without basing your choice on the energy rating alone.