First, measure the available space and check the water supply and drainage. Then choose a capacity that suits the amount of washing-up you produce between cycles. A mini countertop model could work if you don’t have floor space, but even one with a water tank still needs to drain wastewater. A 45 cm model offers more room for dishes if you can connect it up. A 60 cm model is also an option as long as its width and open door don’t obstruct movement around the kitchen.
If there’s no room on the floor for a 45 or 60 cm appliance, a mini dishwasher on a suitable surface is worth considering. Even if it has a water tank, you’ll need somewhere for the wastewater to drain. Daan Tech makes this clear for its Bob model, for example.
If you have access to a water supply and a drain, compare a 45 cm model with a compact countertop dishwasher. Your choice will depend as much on the floor or worktop space available as on the amount of washing-up you need to load.
The space needed for saucepans and plates may matter more than the number of people in your household. Before choosing a mini model, check how its interior is laid out and consider how often you’d be happy to run a cycle.
First rule out any sizes that can’t be positioned, connected and drained in your kitchen. Then compare their usable capacity with the amount of washing-up you typically have.
| Priority | What to check | How you’ll use it |
|---|---|---|
| Space | Measure the available width, depth and height, then check how much room you’ll need with the door open. A countertop appliance also takes up food-preparation space, so check the model’s dimensions and make sure its supporting surface is stable. | I need to be able to open the appliance and still move around or prepare meals. If there’s no suitable space on the floor, a worktop might be an option to measure up—not a space you can take for granted. |
| Water supply and drainage | Check how the appliance is designed to be supplied with water, whether there’s a socket nearby, and where the drain hose can go. Daan Tech says Bob can use a 4 L tank, but it still needs to drain wastewater. | If there’s no fixed water supply, I could consider a model designed for manual filling, as long as I can arrange to drain it after every cycle. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the place setting capacity with your plates, glasses and saucepans, as well as the racks in the specific model. UFC-Que Choisir describes mini models that hold 2 or 3 place settings and a discontinued 8-place-setting countertop compact model. Electrolux, for example, offers a 45 cm model for 9 place settings and a 60 cm model for 14. | If I cook often, I want to fit in my utensils without having to run lots of cycles. For a small amount of daily washing-up, I’d also rather not have a large appliance taking up unnecessary space in the kitchen. |
| Floor-standing size | If the plumbing and available space allow, compare the full width and door clearance of a 45 cm and a 60 cm model. The 9- and 14-place-setting capacities quoted by Electrolux apply to specific models, not every appliance in those widths. | I’d choose a 45 cm model if a 60 cm one would get in the way and its racks can hold my dishes. A 60 cm model is still an option if I genuinely have the space and more utensils to wash between cycles. |
| Water, energy and noise | Compare the energy label details for specific models, including water and energy consumption and noise levels. The ADEME describes the label as a tool for comparing appliances; width alone doesn’t tell you which will perform better. | Noise matters to me if the kitchen is close to the living area. I also want to compare water and energy use across appliances I can actually install. |
A tank can save you from connecting the water supply, but you’ll still need to deal with wastewater. Daan Tech specifies a drain hose for Bob and describes the drainage arrangements you need to follow.
Before deciding where to put the appliance, identify a drainage point and check the instructions for how to route and secure the hose. Also consider whether manual filling every cycle suits you.
This figure doesn’t show how your saucepans, large plates and glasses will fit in the racks. A layout that works for plates may leave little room for utensils.
Compare the inside of the model with the dishes you actually use, then think about how often you’d want to run a wash.
An appliance may fit in its space with the door closed but block the way when it’s open. A countertop model can also take up a large part of your worktop.
Measure the depth, height and clearance needed with the door open, then compare these measurements with the dimensions and installation instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
These examples from different ranges can help you compare sizes. Their specifications won’t necessarily apply to the models featured below.
The manufacturer describes Bob as a mini dishwasher designed to sit on a worktop.
Bosch’s freestanding dishwasher range includes 45 cm and 60 cm models.
The French freestanding range includes slim appliances as well as 60 cm models.
These countertop appliances are worth considering if you don’t have space for a standard floor-standing model. Compare their loading capacity, water supply and drainage arrangements with your kitchen setup. This selection isn’t a substitute for comparing 45 or 60 cm models if you can install one.
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Worth considering if you have room on your worktop but not on the floor. The product name lists a built-in 5 L water tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Before choosing it, check the dimensions, drainage, electrical voltage and space for your utensils.
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This countertop model is worth comparing if available space and the way you fill the appliance are key considerations. Its name lists a 5 L water tank, 6+3 programmes and a D energy rating. Check its usable capacity, required clearance, drainage and electrical voltage.
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Bob is worth considering if the only available space is on your worktop. Daan Tech lists Bob as 34 cm wide, 49 cm high and 49 cm deep, with a 4 L water tank. Check the water supply and drainage setup for this version, whether there’s enough room for your dishes, and that it’s electrically compatible.
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Its stated capacity of 6 place settings may suit a household that’s short on floor space but has more washing-up than a small mini model can handle. The name lists 7 programmes and 47 dB. Measure the available space and check the weight the surface can support, the connections and the electrical voltage.
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This model is listed for 3 place settings, so compare its capacity with the amount and shape of the dishes you use. Despite the ‘no installation’ claim in its name, check the tap connection and drainage requirements listed for the product, as well as its dimensions and the clearance needed around it.
Some can. Daan Tech says Bob can be filled using its built-in 4 L water tank. You’ll still need to drain the wastewater in line with the instructions, so check how both processes work for the model you’re considering.
It depends on the model. UFC-Que Choisir describes a discontinued countertop compact model that needs a water supply and drain, or a nearby sink. For a current appliance, check its instructions, the distance to the sink and how much room it will take up on its supporting surface.
Yes, if you can connect it and its racks can hold the dishes you usually use. UFC-Que Choisir says that 9-place-setting models may suit a small household, although you may need to run a cycle every day depending on how much washing-up you produce.
Don’t judge consumption by width alone. The ADEME says the energy label lets you compare energy and water use, as well as noise. Check the labels for specific models that can be installed in your kitchen.