A mini dishwasher with a water tank can cut down on handwashing if your everyday dishes fit inside its small interior and you can manage the drainage without losing too much worktop space. If dishes pile up or require several cycles, consider a larger countertop compact model with plumbing connections. A 45 cm slimline model, meanwhile, needs a space in your kitchen.
A water tank is particularly useful when you don’t have easy access to a water supply. The amount of washing-up you produce and the space you actually have available will then determine whether a small appliance is practical.
A mini model with a water tank means you don’t need a permanent water connection. You’ll still need a suitable socket, and you’ll have to fill the appliance and route the wastewater to a drain. Daan Tech describes this filling method for Bob, but it doesn’t mean you can do without drainage.
A two- or three-place-setting model can handle plates, glasses and cutlery, as long as they fit in the basket. Before relying on it to replace handwashing, check that it can accommodate your dishes and largest plates. Que Choisir describes these small countertop models as an option for homes short on space.
If you have access to a water supply, a drain and a suitable space, a six-place-setting countertop compact model is worth considering if a mini model would require too many cycles. Que Choisir also features 45 cm slimline models, but these need a space in a kitchen unit or on the floor.
Start by checking how the appliance is filled and drained, then compare its stated capacity with the washing-up you produce between cycles. A countertop appliance also needs enough space for the door to open and for you to move around the kitchen.
| What matters | What to check | Who is this important for? |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply and drainage | Check how the model is filled and whether the drain hose can reach a suitable outlet. | When I can’t access a water supply, I want to be able to fill a tank without any building work, while still having a way to drain the water. This need for flexibility would be the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Everyday capacity | Compare the stated place settings with the washing-up that builds up between cycles, including dishes and utensils. | If washing-up from several meals piles up, I want to avoid running cycle after cycle or always finishing the job by hand. Around 33% of consumers would put this capacity first. |
| Space and loading | Measure the space with the door open and check what sizes of crockery the appliance can accommodate. | In a kitchen where the worktop is also used for food preparation, I need to be able to open the appliance and fit in the plates I usually use. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise the appliance’s footprint and ease of loading. |
A tank means you don’t need to connect the appliance to a water supply, but you’ll still need to drain it and find a stable space and a suitable socket. Daan Tech, for example, requires Bob’s drain hose to be connected according to the chosen setup.
Before you buy, identify a drainage point and work out where the hose will run. Then check the clearances and the instructions in the manual for your chosen model.
This figure doesn’t tell you how much room there’ll be for larger plates and dishes in the basket. For the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL, a response published by Darty says it can accommodate plates up to 28 cm. This applies to that model only.
Measure your plates and identify the items you wash most often, then compare them with the appliance’s stated dimensions and capacity.
Detergent, rinse aid or salt, depending on the appliance, and cleaning the filters are all part of regular use. Que Choisir draws attention to consumables, while Daan Tech provides specific care instructions for Bob.
Check the manual to find compatible products and see what cleaning tasks you’ll need to carry out.
Que Choisir describes mini models with two or three place settings, as well as six-place-setting countertop compact models. If your dishes don’t fit or you regularly have more washing-up than the basket can hold, a small model may still leave some items to wash by hand.
Think about how much washing-up builds up between cycles, rather than just how many people live in your home.
The details below apply to the models mentioned, not to every appliance made by each brand.
Bob is an example of a mini dishwasher with a water tank, designed for small amounts of washing-up.
The Studio MINID3SL is a countertop model listed for three place settings.
The EES42210L is another option if your kitchen can accommodate an integrated slimline dishwasher.
These appliances sit on a worktop. Some can be filled from a tank, while a six-place-setting model is suited to a kitchen where plumbing connections are possible. Before choosing, check the drainage requirements and the space needed for each model.
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Worth considering if you want to fill the appliance without a permanent water supply for a small amount of everyday washing-up. The product name lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5+1 wash cycles. Make sure you can direct the drain hose to a suitable outlet and have enough worktop space.
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This tabletop model is suited to a small amount of washing-up if filling it by hand works for you. The product name lists three place settings and seven programmes. Check where the wastewater will drain and make sure its dimensions, with the door open, fit your worktop.
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Worth considering if three place settings aren’t enough and you can connect a countertop appliance. The product name lists six place settings and seven programmes. Check that your water supply, drainage and available space meet this model’s requirements. Don’t choose it on the assumption that it runs from a tank.
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This other AIRMSEN model may be worth considering if you’re looking for a countertop appliance that doesn’t require a permanent connection. The product name lists eight programmes and a built-in water softener. Before choosing it for a kitchen without easy access to a water supply, check how it’s filled, where the wastewater drains and how much space it takes up.
Yes. Some models can be filled by hand: Daan Tech says Bob has a built-in 4 L tank, and Darty lists the tank as one of the filling options for the Moulinex Studio MINID3SL. In both cases, you’ll also need to arrange wastewater drainage in line with the instructions.
It depends on the model and your sink setup. Daan Tech specifies a drain hose for Bob and says the water being drained can reach 70 °C. Follow its instructions for positioning the hose and avoid contact with the water as it drains.
Check the electrical circuit before installation: Promotelec says a dishwasher socket must be on a dedicated circuit. If you’re not sure which circuit the available socket is on, ask an electrician to check your installation rather than assuming an extension lead will be suitable.
If your plates or dishes don’t fit in the basket, or you regularly have more washing-up than a cycle can handle, you’ll still need to wash some items by hand. Compare the dimensions of your crockery and the amount that builds up between meals with the model you’re considering. A six-place-setting countertop compact model needs more space, and you’ll need to check its plumbing requirements.
Follow the instructions for your appliance when cleaning the filters and spray arms and using detergent. For Bob, Daan Tech recommends cleaning the filters and checking that the spray arm isn’t blocked. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to another model.