If you don’t have a fixed water supply, a mini dishwasher with a water tank may be suitable, provided you can arrange the drainage and check the connections for your chosen model. If your worktop and plumbing allow, a compact tabletop model with 6 place settings can handle a larger load; a slimline 45 cm model, on the other hand, needs a proper space on the floor. If no appliance can be installed correctly, washing up by hand remains an option.
If you’d rather not alter the plumbing, a model with a water tank is worth considering. You’ll still need to find a place for its drain hose and secure it there. Daan Tech describes this set-up for Bob; check that it applies to the version you’re considering.
A compact tabletop model with 6 place settings can handle more dishes than a very small model. Measure the space it will occupy permanently, and check how close it is to the water supply and drain.
If your daily washing-up would mean running too many cycles with a countertop appliance, consider a slimline freestanding model. A width of 45 cm doesn’t guarantee it will fit: depth, height and door clearance matter too.
Start by checking the connections and the space you actually have, then compare the stated capacity with the dishes you usually use. If there’s nowhere suitable to position and drain an appliance, washing by hand avoids an unsuitable installation, though it won’t reduce the washing-up.
| Consideration | What to check before you buy | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Confirm how the version you’ve chosen is supplied with water, then check the drain hose route and how it will be secured. | As a renter, I want to avoid altering the plumbing while still being able to drain the wastewater properly; around 33% of consumers would prioritise this need for reversible connections. |
| Everyday capacity | Compare the stated capacity with the plates and utensils you usually use, and check the usable height of the rack. | If I cook often, I want to cut down on the number of cycles without leaving larger utensils out. Everyday capacity would be the main requirement for around 25% of consumers. |
| Available space | Measure the width, depth and height, as well as door clearance, and remember to allow space for the hoses. | In a small kitchen, I want to keep enough worktop space for meal preparation, or enough room to move around a floor-standing appliance; around 25% of consumers would prioritise this usable space. |
| Ease of use | For models of a similar size, compare the noise level and the figures stated for the Eco programme. | In a studio flat, I want to be able to run a cycle without overlooking the noise or the consumption figures on the product details. Around 17% of consumers would put this ease of use ahead of other criteria. |
Daan Tech says Bob can use its tank without a fixed water supply, but wastewater leaves through a hose. So having a tank doesn’t remove the need to arrange drainage.
Identify a suitable drain point before choosing an appliance, and check that you can secure the hose in place.
According to the manufacturers’ specifications, the Candy CP 6E51LS measures 550 × 501 × 443 mm, while the Bosch SPS2HKW55E measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm in height, width and depth. So even a slimline model may need considerable depth.
Using the specifications for the exact model, also measure its height and door clearance, check access to the socket, and plan the route for the hoses.
Two households of the same size won’t necessarily load the same number of plates, containers and pans. The stated number of place settings doesn’t guarantee that all your larger utensils will fit.
Take stock of your dishes between washes, and check the usable dimensions and loading guidance for the rack.
In France, Article 7 of the law of 6 July 1989, published by Légifrance, states that a tenant must not alter the rented property or its equipment without the landlord’s written permission. This doesn’t mean that a reversible connection to an existing installation is automatically prohibited.
If installation requires changes to the plumbing, get permission before any work begins. For a reversible connection, check the installation method and the existing set-up.
Daan Tech makes Bob, a mini dishwasher designed to sit on a worktop.
The CP 6E51LS is an example of a plumbed-in compact tabletop model, with 6 place settings stated by Candy France.
Bosch offers slimline freestanding dishwashers for kitchens with space on the floor.
These countertop models are intended for kitchens without an alcove for a built-in appliance. Before choosing one, compare its stated capacity with the dishes you use, then check the water supply, drainage, dimensions and electrical compatibility with your installation for each version.
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Worth considering if you want an appliance that sits on the worktop without relying on a fixed water supply. The product name states that it has a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Before installation, check the space available, how it drains and its electrical specifications.
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This countertop model is designed for smaller loads of washing-up. The version is stated to hold 3 place settings; check its exact connections, especially if you plan to use it without a fixed water supply, as well as its drainage and electrical specifications.
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Consider this if you’re looking for a small appliance to sit on a worktop rather than a floor-standing model. The name of this version states that it has 7 programmes and a D energy rating; check the manual for how to fill and drain it, the order of the dimensions and the electrical specifications.
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Before buying, compare this countertop pack with the amount of washing-up you usually have. Don’t assume it has the same water supply options as another Bob version: check the capacity, water supply, drainage and electrical specifications for this specific model.
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Its stated capacity of 6 place settings may suit a small household with more washing-up than a mini model is designed for. The product name lists 7 programmes and 47 dB; measure the space using the model’s dimensions and check its connections and electrical specifications.
Yes, for Bob in the set-up described by Daan Tech: the manufacturer states that it has a built-in 3.9 L tank. However, wastewater still drains through a hose. Check how the specific version you’re interested in works, and make sure you have a safe way to drain it.
In France, Article 7 of the law of 6 July 1989, published by Légifrance, requires the landlord’s written permission to alter a rented property or its equipment. If your installation needs this kind of change, get permission before any work begins. Check separately what’s involved in making a reversible connection to the existing installation.
A tabletop appliance is suitable if you can spare the worktop space and arrange its connections; a slimline model needs a space on the floor. As a guide, Bosch Home Appliances France gives the dimensions of its freestanding SPS2HKW55E as 845 × 450 × 600 mm. Then compare the usable capacity with how often you do the washing-up.
For appliances of a similar size, compare the stated water and energy consumption for the Eco programme, as well as the noise level. In a studio flat, noise may matter as much as the space an appliance takes up; ADEME points out that a 3 dB difference corresponds to almost doubling the noise level.