If you don’t have floor space, start by looking at worktop models. A plumbed-in appliance needs an accessible water supply, while a model with a water tank may not need a permanent supply, but it will still need a way to drain wastewater and an electrical connection. A 45 cm dishwasher is only an option if you have a suitable floor-level space and the right connections; an integrated model also needs a compatible kitchen unit.
If you only wash a small amount of crockery, consider a worktop model, provided you have a stable surface for it and a way to drain the water. Daan Tech also offers a mini model with a water tank for kitchens without a permanent water supply.
If you have floor space and the right connections, it’s worth comparing a 45 cm appliance with worktop models if you have more crockery to wash. Bosch offers this format as both a freestanding and an integrated model.
A reversible installation can help you avoid altering the kitchen unit or plumbing. In France, ANIL points out that changes to rented premises or equipment require the landlord’s written consent. Check whether your plans count as an alteration or simply involve plugging in the appliance before you proceed.
Measure the space and plan the water connections before choosing a capacity. If a worktop appliance won’t handle your everyday washing-up, only then check whether your kitchen can accommodate a floor-standing 45 cm model.
| What to consider | What to check | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Space and connections | Measure the width, depth and height, including the door when open and the hoses. Check the surface the appliance will sit on, any water supply, the drainage and the power socket, following the instructions. | Without a floor-level space, I need to know that the appliance will genuinely fit on my worktop and that wastewater can reach a drain. Around 42% of consumers would put this compatibility first. |
| Usable capacity | Compare the stated place settings with the crockery you usually use, especially large plates and saucepans, then check how the racks are laid out. | If a few meals quickly fill the rack, I want to avoid extra cycles without having to wash all the larger items by hand. Around 33% of consumers would prioritise this capacity. |
| Reversible installation | Distinguish between a removable connection and alterations to the kitchen unit or plumbing. If you’re renting, get written consent before making any changes. | In a rented home, I’d rather be able to remove the appliance without altering the kitchen, even if it takes up some of the worktop. Around 25% of consumers would make this flexibility their priority. |
The tank on the Bob, presented by Daan Tech, means it doesn’t need a permanent water supply, but the appliance still needs electricity and a way to drain wastewater.
Identify where the water will drain and check the model’s instructions for the drain hose route and any restrictions.
A narrow appliance can still be deep and tall: Bosch gives the dimensions of the freestanding SPS2HKI58E as 845 × 450 × 600 mm. A worktop appliance, meanwhile, will take up part of your work surface on a permanent basis.
Measure the depth and height too, as well as the door opening and space needed for the hoses. Then compare these measurements with the instructions for the model you’ve chosen.
Daan Tech states that the Bob has 2 place settings, compared with 6 for the Candy Rapido CP 6E51LS. However, the number of place settings alone won’t tell you whether your frying pans and large plates will fit in the rack.
Before choosing the smallest format, compare the crockery from a typical meal with the loading dimensions and rack layout.
A rack that’s too small could mean extra cycles or leave you washing bulky items by hand.
In France, ANIL points out that tenants must not alter rented premises or equipment without the landlord’s written consent. Depending on the circumstances, you may be asked to restore the original condition.
If installation means altering a kitchen unit, fixed drainage or the plumbing, get consent before work begins. A removable connection should be considered separately.
The range includes plumbed-in worktop dishwashers, worth considering if your worktop is close to a water supply and drain.
The Bob mini dishwasher is designed in part for kitchens where a permanent water supply isn’t practical.
Bosch offers 45 cm dishwashers in freestanding and integrated versions for kitchens with a suitable floor-level space.
These worktop models are for kitchens without a conventional floor-level space for a dishwasher. Compare their stated capacities, then check the available space, water supply and drainage route for each model before choosing.
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Worth considering if you’re short on floor space and want to fill the appliance without a permanent water supply. The title lists a built-in 5 L tank and 5 + 1 wash cycles. Check the instructions for drainage, the electrical connection and the clearance needed around the appliance.
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Worth considering for a small amount of washing-up if you’re happy to fill the tank by hand. The title lists 3 place settings and 7 programmes. Check how much space it needs, that the surface is stable and what drainage arrangements the instructions specify.
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Compare it with mini models if you have a worktop and suitable connections but want more room for your crockery. The title lists 6 place settings and 7 programmes. Measure the space and check the instructions to confirm that the water inlet and drain hoses are compatible.
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Worth considering if a worktop is the only possible place for your dishwasher. The title lists 3 place settings. Before making room for it, check the dimensions, how this model takes in water and the route for the drain hose.
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Worth considering when worktop space is particularly limited: the title gives its width as 34 cm. Before choosing this version, check its capacity and water supply options in the instructions for the exact model. Then check the surface, power socket and drainage.
Yes, if the model has a tank you can fill: Daan Tech lists this as an option for the Bob. A plumbed-in appliance such as the Candy Rapido CP 6E51LS needs a water supply. Either way, you’ll need a power socket and a way to drain wastewater.
No: its narrower width doesn’t remove the need for a floor-level space. The Bosch SPS2HKI58E, for example, measures 845 × 450 × 600 mm according to Bosch. Check all three dimensions and the connections before considering this format.
Check the energy label for the models you’re considering rather than relying on a single figure. The French ministry responsible for the ecological transition says the label helps you compare energy and water use, as well as noise. Also consider the capacity and the conditions the stated figures are based on.
In France, ANIL says that changes to rented premises or equipment require the landlord’s written consent. If your plans involve altering a kitchen unit, fixed drainage or plumbing, get consent before work begins. A removable connection should be assessed according to the installation you have in mind.
No: the tank only takes care of the water supply for the model in question. Make sure the worktop is stable and suitable for the appliance, then check the dimensions, power socket and drainage route specified in the instructions.