If you have no floor space or fixed water supply, a compact worktop dishwasher with a water tank could be a good fit, provided you plan for wastewater drainage and a suitable electrical supply. If you have floor space and the necessary connections, a 45 cm freestanding model is another option: the Beko BDFS26040X and Electrolux ESA63200SX are both listed by their manufacturers as having capacity for 10 place settings. A standard or integrated model is only worth considering if its dimensions—and, for an integrated model, the available alcove—suit your kitchen.
If the worktop is the only place for an appliance, check how much space it takes up, the clearance needed to open the door and how wastewater will drain away. Daan Tech says its Bob model with a tank needs 83 cm of depth with the door fully open.
You could consider a slim freestanding model if you also have the necessary height, depth and connections. Beko and Electrolux each list their cited 45 cm models as having capacity for 10 place settings.
Measure the available space before comparing a standard or compact integrated appliance. Bosch distinguishes its worktop models from its built-in appliances, which need an alcove of the right size.
In a small kitchen, start by checking where the appliance can go. Then compare its capacity with your crockery and the usage information in its product details.
| Consideration | What to check | Who should pay most attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Size and door clearance | Measure the width, height and depth, then check the clearance with the door open and the stability of the surface it will stand on. | If the worktop is the only possible location, also check how much room you need to open the appliance. Around 30% of consumers put the appliance’s actual footprint first. |
| Water supply, drainage and socket | Check the model’s instructions and make sure the necessary connections are available in your home. | If you don’t have fixed connections, look for an appliance that suits the installation you have, without forgetting drainage and electricity. Around 30% of consumers prioritise these installation requirements. |
| Useful capacity | Compare the stated place-setting capacity and basket layout with the dishes and utensils you usually use. | If you want to wash your everyday dishes without running multiple loads, check whether the baskets can fit your utensils. Around 20% of consumers prioritise capacity that suits their daily crockery. |
| Installation type | Distinguish between a worktop appliance, a freestanding floor model and an integrated model; check the dimensions of any alcove. | If you want to keep your worktop clear or use an existing alcove, compare sizes that suit your layout. Around 10% of consumers make installation type their priority. |
| Consumption and programme duration | Compare energy and water consumption, the eco programme duration and capacity on the label. | To compare resource use, check the figures for each appliance on the same basis. Around 10% of consumers prioritise consumption and programme duration. |
A tank can remove the need for a fixed water supply, but wastewater still needs to drain away. Daan Tech makes this clear for Bob.
Before choosing where to put it, decide where the drain hose will lead and how you’ll secure it.
Make sure the hose and drain are easy to access while the appliance is in use.
Width won’t tell you whether the appliance will fit in terms of depth or height, or whether the door can open. Bob is listed as needing 83 cm of depth with the door fully open; the Electrolux ESA63200SX is 615 mm deep.
Measure all three dimensions and the clearance in front of the appliance, then check the connections specified in the instructions.
The stated capacity doesn’t guarantee that your saucepans, frying pans and large plates will all fit at once.
Check the basket layout against the crockery you usually use, rather than looking only at the place-setting figure.
If the capacity doesn’t suit your needs, you may have to wash bulky items separately or run more cycles.
The Bob is an example of a compact worktop model with a built-in tank.
The BDFS26040X is an example of a 45 cm freestanding dishwasher.
The ESA63200SX is another example of a 45 cm freestanding model.
The WH2FD14BN70 is an example of a standard freestanding model for a wider space.
Bosch distinguishes between compact worktop appliances and compact integrated models.
This selection features compact worktop dishwashers for kitchens where installing a floor-standing appliance is difficult. Some models have a built-in tank: check each model’s instructions for filling and draining water.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a compact worktop appliance.
The title lists capacity for up to 4 place settings, a 5 L tank, 9 programmes and dimensions of 37 × 50 cm. It also states an energy efficiency rating of D.
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Worth a look if you want a compact appliance with a two-tier basket.
The description lists capacity for 5 place settings and a built-in 5 L tank. It says the upper basket can be removed to fit plates up to 300 mm.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a tabletop appliance for a small space.
The description lists capacity for 4 place settings and dimensions of 45,8 × 42,8 × 42,5 cm. The title mentions a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles.
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Worth a look if you’re after a worktop model with a stated capacity of 4 to 6 place settings.
The stated dimensions are 41 × 39 × 42 cm. The title lists 0,58 kWh per cycle and water consumption of 3,5 to 5 L, but doesn’t specify the measurement conditions here.
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Worth considering if your usual load suits a compact capacity.
The description lists capacity for 3 place settings, dimensions of 43 × 43 × 46 cm, a 5 L tank and 7 programmes. It also says the appliance can be connected to a tap.
Not necessarily. Daan Tech says Bob can be filled using its 4 L tank without a fixed water supply, but its drain hose still needs to be connected—for example, to a waste pipe, secured to a sink or directed into a suitable container. Check the instructions for the model you choose.
Check the model’s rating plate and instructions, as well as the electrical installation in your home. Daan Tech lists a power supply of 220–240 V, 50–60 Hz for Bob. Promotelec recommends a dedicated circuit for the dishwasher socket; this recommendation alone doesn’t establish whether the electrical installation in a particular home complies with requirements.
For dishwashers covered by EU energy labelling, compare the energy efficiency class, energy consumption in kWh per 100 eco cycles, water use per eco cycle, programme duration and capacity. The European Commission says this information is shown on the label. Make sure you’re comparing like with like and take your usual loads into account.
For a purchase made by a private individual from a professional seller, the legal guarantee of conformity covers new, second-hand and refurbished goods. The French Ministry of the Economy and Finance states that you have two years to request that it be applied. This guarantee is separate from an optional commercial extended warranty.
Check the instructions for your chosen model for its connection and maintenance requirements, and keep the necessary parts accessible. If the appliance uses a tank, also check where the wastewater will drain: having a tank doesn’t remove the need to plan for drainage.