In a kitchenette or studio flat, start by checking the space you’ve measured and the connections available. A freestanding model takes up worktop space, while a compact integrated dishwasher needs a compatible cabinet. Consider a 45 cm slimline appliance if you have a suitable space and need more room for your dishes. Otherwise, it may be better to carry on washing up by hand for now than to choose an appliance you’re not sure you can install.
You have a sink nearby and space on the worktop, but nowhere for a floor-standing appliance. A freestanding model could suit your needs, provided the water supply, drainage and hose routing work in your home.
You want to keep the worktop clear and have a cabinet designed for a compact integrated dishwasher. Measure the space and check the connections, as well as whether the model you choose needs a cabinet door.
If frequent meals or bulky utensils make small loads inconvenient, consider a 45 cm slimline dishwasher. You’ll still need a suitable space, door clearance and connections.
Consider this if: you have a stable worktop and a compatible water supply near the sink.
Bear in mind: the appliance doesn’t take up floor space, but it does use some of your worktop. Its small capacity also means you’ll need to plan your loads.
Consider this if: you have a compatible cabinet and want to keep the worktop clear.
Bear in mind: the fit depends on the cabinet dimensions and may require a cabinet door; capacity is still that of a compact model.
Consider this if: you have a suitable fitted space and your usual load is too much for a smaller model.
Bear in mind: it takes up space in your kitchen units or on the floor, unlike a worktop appliance.
Stick with this for now if: you haven’t found a suitable space or confirmed that the water supply and drainage will work.
Bear in mind: washing up will still take time; this choice alone doesn’t tell you how its water use compares.
Once you’ve decided which type to consider, check these four points for your kitchenette or studio flat before comparing models.
| Factor | What to check | Who is this relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Water connection and drainage | Check the manual for water supply, drainage and possible hose routes. For example, the French manual for the Comfee KWH-TD602E-W-FR specifies a threaded 3/4-inch cold water inlet. | If I can’t connect the appliance or drain it where I plan to put it, it may not suit my kitchenette. Connections are the top priority for around 31% of consumers. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated capacity with your plates, pans and dishes, as well as the layout of the racks. “6 place settings” doesn’t guarantee that all your bulky items will fit at once. | When my dishes pile up between meals, I want to avoid running several loads for the same utensils. Capacity comes first for around 23% of consumers. |
| Size and fit | Measure the width, depth, height and door clearance. For an integrated model, check the cabinet and door panel too; Electrolux states that the ESL2500RO is supplied without a cabinet door. | In my small kitchen, losing food-preparation space or choosing an appliance that sticks out from the units would change how I use the room every day. Size is the main concern for around 23% of consumers. |
| Noise, resource use and drying | Compare the dB(A), water per cycle, kWh per 100 cycles and eco programme duration on the label for the exact model. Check its drying function separately. | If I work or relax in the same room, I want to know how noisy the cycle is and when I’ll be able to put the dishes away. These factors matter most to around 23% of consumers. |
Placing an appliance on a worktop doesn’t tell you how it gets its water supply. The French manuals for the Comfee KWH-TD602E-W-FR and KWH-TD602E-S-FR specify a cold water supply and drainage.
Before choosing a spot, check the manual for your chosen model to see how it fills and drains, and whether it’s compatible with your sink.
Depth, height, hoses and door clearance matter too. Darty, for example, lists the Comfee TD602E-W as 55 × 55 × 43,8 cm; these dimensions don’t necessarily apply to other compact models.
Allow for the appliance’s full footprint and leave an accessible space in front of the door. For an integrated model, measure the cabinet separately.
A stated capacity doesn’t guarantee there’ll be room for your largest dishes. Electro Dépôt notes that the capacity listed for its Valberg 6S47 D WAD929C V2 is based in particular on 25 cm plates and 12 cm glasses.
Compare the dimensions of your bulkiest items with the sizes that fit in the rack of the model you’re considering.
In a single-room home, noise levels, programme duration and drying performance can affect how you use an appliance just as much as its stated energy and water consumption.
Look at the water, energy and noise figures on the label together, then check the drying system on the product page for the exact model.
These examples show different formats; the features of one model don’t necessarily apply to the whole brand.
The TD602E-W is an example of a compact worktop model with six place settings.
Bosch offers worktop models that are different from its slimline or integrated appliances.
The ESL2500RO is an example of a fully integrated compact model designed for a compatible cabinet.
These worktop appliances are for kitchenettes where you could fit a dishwasher on the worktop. Depending on the model, check whether it draws water from a tank or a connection, and how it drains. Their inclusion here doesn’t answer the question of whether an integrated or slimline appliance is right for you.
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Worth considering if filling a tank would suit your installation better than a permanent connection.
The title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Check that you have enough space and can drain the water into a sink or container.
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Worth a look if you want a six-place-setting capacity and have a worktop near a water supply.
The title lists seven programmes, a noise level of 47 dB and automatic opening for drying. Measure the space and check the model’s water connection and drainage requirements before buying.
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Worth considering if you’re looking for a freestanding appliance that doesn’t need permanent installation, provided its water-filling method suits your kitchenette.
The title lists eight programmes, a built-in water softener and a delay-start function. Check how the appliance takes in and drains water, as well as its dimensions and the space available in the rack.
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Worth a look for small daily loads, if three place settings suit your washing-up routine.
The title lists hot-air drying. Before deciding where to put it, check its dimensions and instructions for filling and draining.
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Worth considering if you’d like to explore a tank-fed model rather than a permanent connection.
The title lists a built-in 5 L tank, 6 + 3 programmes and energy rating D. Check the rack capacity, dimensions and drainage instructions; the energy rating alone doesn’t tell you how much water or energy your cycles will use.
Some models have a tank, but this isn’t a feature of every freestanding appliance. The French manuals for the Comfee KWH-TD602E-W-FR and KWH-TD602E-S-FR specify a threaded cold water inlet and drainage. Check the manual for the model you’re considering to find out how it takes in and drains water.
Six place settings may be enough if your dishes fit in the rack and you’re happy with how often you’ll need to run a cycle. Capacity doesn’t guarantee there’ll be room for pans or large plates; for its six-place-setting Valberg model, Electro Dépôt cites 25 cm plates and 12 cm glasses as examples of the sizes it accommodates.
Check which drying function is listed for the exact model, rather than assuming it’s included across the whole range. Electro Dépôt lists automatic door opening on the Valberg 6S47 D WAD929C V2, while Fnac’s product page for the Bosch SKS2ITI00E lists an Extra Dry option. Compare these features with the dishes you use.
Compare factors such as water and energy consumption, noise levels and the duration of the programme you’re interested in. The Ministry for Ecological Transition states that the energy label provides a consistent basis for comparing water, energy and noise for the appliances it covers. Check the label for each model rather than relying on the energy rating alone.