If you have no floor space
You want to cut down on washing up by hand without blocking the way in a small kitchen. UFC-Que Choisir describes six-place-setting tabletop models as compact and well suited to smaller homes.
Who is this option for?
If you don’t have a dedicated water supply
You can put an appliance on a worktop, but you’ll need to check how it gets its water and where the waste water will drain. Daan Tech says Bob can be filled from a tank or connected to a water supply, but you’ll still need to arrange drainage.
For smaller households with larger items to wash
You live alone or with one other person, but also want to wash saucepans and large plates. Compare the stated capacity with the dimensions of the items you can actually fit inside: Daan Tech lists three place settings for Bob, while Candy lists six for the CP 6E51LW.
What should you check before choosing?
First, check where the appliance can go and which connections are available. Then compare the basket capacity with your usual dishes and factor in the running costs.
| Criterion | What to check before buying | Who should pay closest attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Measure the available width, depth and height, as well as the door opening and the route for the hoses. The Candy CP 6E51LW product details give two different heights, so ask the retailer to confirm the dimensions for the exact model reference. | If every centimetre matters, make sure the appliance won’t block a walkway or take up your food preparation space. Around 36% of the consumers concerned prioritise how the appliance will fit. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the basket with the size of your plates and saucepans, and with your usual load. If you want to run cycles less often, try loading it with several days’ worth of dishes. | If your meals involve larger items, check what will actually fit in the tub, rather than relying on the stated number of place settings. Around 29% of the consumers concerned prioritise fitting their usual dishes. |
| Water supply and drainage | Depending on the model, check the plug, water supply, hose lengths and drainage point. A tank can replace a fixed water supply, but not drainage. | If your kitchen doesn’t have a dedicated water supply, check that you can use the specified water supply option and arrange safe drainage at home. Around 21% of the consumers concerned prioritise whether the connections are practical. |
| Total cost | Compare energy figures on a like-for-like basis and factor in the cycles you expect to run, cleaning products and any installation costs. | If you want to keep costs under control over time, consider running and maintenance costs, not just the appliance itself. Around 14% of the consumers concerned prioritise the total cost. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Choosing based only on the stated width
Depth, height, door clearance and the route for the hoses matter too. The published dimensions for the Candy CP 6E51LW give two different heights.
Measure the whole space and ask for confirmation of the exact model reference before relying on conflicting dimensions.
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Assuming a tank means no connections at all
Bob’s tank means you don’t need a fixed water supply, but the waste water still needs to drain away.
Plan the drainage route and secure the hose in line with the model’s instructions.
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Assuming six place settings will fit every saucepan
The stated number of place settings doesn’t guarantee that your larger utensils will fit in the basket.
Make a note of what you usually wash and check the basket layout and the dimensions of your larger items.
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Comparing purchase price alone
The overall cost can also depend on running and maintenance costs, as well as any changes needed to the connections.
Compare running costs on a like-for-like basis and ask for a breakdown of installation services.
Cleaning products, energy use and any necessary modifications add to the cost of the appliance.
Brands to consider by format
Daan Tech
Bob is a tabletop dishwasher to consider if you’re short on floor space and don’t have access to a fixed water supply.
- Daan Tech lists three standard place settings, dimensions of 34 × 49 × 49 cm and a 3,9 L tank. It can also be connected to a water supply.
- Drainage is still required; also check that your utensils will fit in the basket.
Candy
Candy’s CP 6E51LW tabletop model and freestanding CF 4C6F0W illustrate the different capacities and formats available, according to the brand’s published specifications.
- Candy lists six place settings for the CP 6E51LW and 14 for the CF 4C6F0W, which is a freestanding model.
- The CP 6E51LW product details give a height of 443 mm in the summary and 595 mm in the description. Ask for confirmation before checking whether it will fit.
Bosch
The Bosch SPS4EMW17E is a 45 cm slimline model to consider if you can make space for it on the floor.
- Bosch gives dimensions of 845 × 450 × 600 mm for this specific model.
- A width of 45 cm won’t solve the problem if you have no floor space. Also check the door clearance and connections.
Tabletop dishwashers at Joybuy
These tabletop and worktop models are designed to save floor space. Compare their stated capacity and check the water supply and drainage arrangements for each model reference.
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AIRMSEN tabletop dishwasher, 5 L tank
A tabletop model could suit you if you want to avoid a floor-standing installation. Check that its capacity and the space it takes up on your worktop suit your needs.
The title gives a width of 37 cm and energy class D; the description lists four place settings, a 5 L tank and nine programmes.
Check the instructions for this model reference to find out how to arrange waste-water drainage.
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AIRMSEN A01 tabletop dishwasher, two-tier basket
This model is worth considering if you’re looking for a worktop appliance with a two-tier basket. Check that its dimensions will fit your worktop.
The description lists a 5 L tank and capacity for more than 40 items.
Check the dimensions of the items it can accommodate and the drainage arrangements for this model reference.
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AIRMSEN tabletop dishwasher, 8 programmes
This worktop model is worth considering if you want to save floor space. Compare its stated capacity with your usual load.
The description lists four place settings and a 5 L tank. It also mentions eight programmes, a delay start, a child lock and a water softener.
Check the water supply and drainage arrangements for this specific model reference.
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AIRMSEN portable dishwasher, 5 L tank
Worth considering if you’re looking for a worktop model that can be filled from a tank or connected to a tap. Remember to allow for waste-water drainage.
The description lists four place settings, a 5 L tank and a double-glazed tempered glass door. The title states 5+1 wash cycles.
According to the description, waste water must drain into a sink or container, so make sure you have a suitable place for it.
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Heinrich’s HTG 8840 Schwarz
This tabletop model could suit you if you want to avoid a floor-standing installation. Check that you can connect it where you plan to put it.
The title lists six place settings and seven programmes. The product details say that inlet and drain hoses are required.
Frequently asked questions
Can a tank-fed dishwasher work without a drain?
No, not Bob: Daan Tech says you can fill its tank instead of using a fixed water supply, but you’ll also need to route and secure the drain hose as shown in the instructions. Check the instructions for each other model separately.
How often should you run a small dishwasher if you live alone or with one other person?
How often you run it depends on your dishes and the model’s usable capacity, not just the number of people in your household. Check whether a day’s dishes, including saucepans, will fit in the basket. If you want to run cycles less often, try the same test with several days’ worth of dishes.
What should you allow for in routine maintenance?
Follow your model’s instructions to adjust the water softener to suit your water hardness and choose compatible products. UFC-Que Choisir recommends checking the initial settings, as well as whether you need salt and rinse aid.
How can you compare costs and after-sales service?
Compare the Eco programme figures and the number of cycles you expect to run, then check delivery and installation costs and services separately. If you buy from a retailer in France, the statutory guarantee of conformity is provided by the seller under the applicable legal conditions; a commercial guarantee is separate.
What regulatory information should you check when buying a new dishwasher in France?
New household dishwashers are subject to European energy labelling rules, including when sold remotely. In France, dishwashers are covered by the repairability index. The ministry describes the rollout of the durability index for televisions and washing machines, not as a general replacement for the index that applies to dishwashers. These information requirements do not oblige buyers to choose a particular class or minimum rating.