If your kitchen has no standard space for a dishwasher, start by considering the usable space, connections and amount of washing-up you have. A tabletop model suits smaller loads if you have room for it on your worktop, while a 45 cm model is worth considering if you have floor space and want more capacity. A standard-size model may also be an option if space and installation requirements allow; whatever you choose, measure the depth and height too, and check that the door can open fully.
If you tend to have smaller loads of washing-up, a tabletop appliance can save you from giving up floor space. UFC-Que Choisir describes compact, 6-place-setting models as appliances designed to sit on a worktop. Check that your worktop can accommodate the model’s dimensions and that its connections are accessible.
If you can fit a slimline appliance on the floor and want to wash more in each cycle, compare 45 cm models. Electrolux offers a 9-place-setting model, while Smeg describes a range with capacity for 9 to 10 place settings. The space available is still the deciding factor.
If you rent or are renovating a small kitchen, start by locating the water supply, drain and electrical supply. Before choosing an appliance based on its dimensions alone, check the requirements that apply to its installation.
A standard-size model may still be an option if you have the floor space and the necessary connections. Otherwise, compare a tabletop model with a 45 cm one, starting with whether each can be installed in your kitchen.
| Criteria | What to check | What matters to consumers |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | Locate the water supply, drain and electrical supply; check the instructions for the exact model. | Without a standard space, I need to know whether the appliance can be connected to the water supply and drain before choosing a size; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Capacity | Compare your plates, pans and glasses with the space inside the appliance, rather than relying on the stated number of place settings alone. | When washing-up piles up between meals, I want to fit more into each load without running extra cycles; around 29% of consumers would put capacity at the top of their list. |
| Size and space | Measure the width, depth and height, check the door clearance and allow for the hoses. | In a narrow kitchen, I want to keep enough worktop space or room to move around once the appliance is installed; preserving that space would be a priority for around 21% of consumers. |
| Everyday use | Compare noise levels, consumption figures for the same programme and the repairability index, if shown. | If my kitchen is next to my living area, noise and maintenance matter just as much as size in everyday use; around 14% of consumers would prioritise these aspects. |
An appliance might fit between two units but still leave too little room to open the door or route the hoses. If it’s going on a worktop, its depth and the stability of the surface matter too.
Measure the space in all three dimensions, then check the clearance and connection routes specified for your chosen model.
A tabletop model may need to be connected directly to the water supply: Candy specifies this for the CP 6E51LS. A built-in tank doesn’t, on its own, take care of draining.
Check the water supply, drainage, electrical socket and installation instructions separately.
The statutory guarantee of conformity and an optional commercial warranty are separate. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the former applies to goods sold by a professional seller.
Before taking out an extended warranty, read the terms, particularly the exclusions, transport and labour costs, and keep your proof of purchase.
Two appliances with similar dimensions may differ in how easy they are to maintain. Size alone also tells you nothing about how noisy they are.
If a repairability index is shown, consider it alongside the model’s features and energy information.
Candy offers tabletop dishwashers designed for smaller loads. Its CP 6E51LS is a freestanding model with capacity for 6 place settings, measuring 550 × 501 × 443 mm.
Bosch lists the freestanding compact dishwasher SKS6ITB00E, with stated dimensions of 450 × 551 × 500 mm.
Electrolux offers the freestanding ESG42310SW, which is 45 cm wide and has capacity for 9 place settings.
Smeg offers 45 cm dishwashers with capacity for 9 to 10 place settings, depending on the model.
No. ‘Tabletop’ describes where the appliance sits, not how it gets its water. Candy specifies a direct connection for the CP 6E51LS, while a Comfee’ model listed on Joybuy has a built-in 5 L tank. In either case, check the instructions for how it drains too.
No. A 45 cm model is worth comparing if you have floor space and want to fit more washing-up into each cycle. Electrolux offers a 9-place-setting model and Smeg a range with capacity for 9 to 10 place settings. A 6-place-setting tabletop model may still be a good option if you have smaller loads and limited floor space.
Measure the available width, depth and height, and don’t forget to check the door clearance and space for the hoses. As a guide to the dimensions of specific models, Candy gives the CP 6E51LS measurements as 550 × 501 × 443 mm, while Electrolux states that the ESG42310SW is 45 cm wide.
No. Having a socket available doesn’t by itself confirm that your chosen dishwasher can be installed safely. Check the electrical requirements in the instructions and have the circuit assessed if you’re fitting out or renovating your kitchen, particularly where the requirements of NF C 15-100 apply to the work.
No. An extended commercial warranty is separate from the statutory guarantee. According to the Ministry of the Economy, the statutory guarantee of conformity applies to goods sold by a professional seller. Read the terms of any extended warranty before deciding whether its additional cover is right for you.