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Best slimline dishwashers 2024: compact models for small kitchens
Sick of spending time at your kitchen sink but not enough space for a full-sized dishwasher? Here are the best small but perfectly formed slimline dishwashers, as recommended by real parents.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Apr 10, 2024
After an enjoyable meal with your family, there is nothing worse than standing at the kitchen sink for hours wearing your bright yellow marigolds. Plus, let's face it, washing up is a task no-one envies. The best slimline dishwasher can be a practical space-saving solution, especially for those who don't have the luxury of the space needed for a full-sized model.
These narrower, more compact models are ideal for small or medium-sized families, and there's a choice of freestanding or integrated dishwasher designs that can accommodate nine to ten place settings, without compromising on valuable storage space in your kitchen. Whilst they’re not quite as spacious as a full-sized dishwasher, you may be surprised just how much a slimline dishwasher can accommodate, with many brands offering height-adjustable shelving and flexible racks to make the most of the available space.
We know that investing in products for your kitchen can be a bit of a minefield, particularly when it comes to appliances, whether it be a quest for the best American fridge freezer or a compact dishwasher. So, to make life easier, we’ve tapped into tried-and-tested brand recommendations from real parents in the Mumsnet forums to bring you the lowdown on slimline dishwashers and the must-have features you need to look out for. Whether it’s an integrated slimline dishwasher, a freestanding model or even one you can control directly from your mobile phone, we’ve researched the best compact dishwashers that will help make cleaning up an absolute doddle.
Here are the best slimline dishwashers you can buy in 2024.
Plus, for more Mumsnetter-approved products to spruce up your kitchen, we also have guides to the best glass cleaner and oven cleaner.
Bosch SPS4HMW53G Slimline Dishwasher
Smart home connectivity
Flexible racking
Space-saving cutlery tray
The cutlery tray does limit the height of glasses you can fit on the top shelf
Price on writing: £529 | Energy rating: E | Dimensions: H84.5 x W45 x D60cm | Type: Freestanding | Place settings: 9 | Noise level: 45dB | Water consumption: 9.5L | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Tray | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
When asked for recommendations of slimline dishwashers (in fact, any dishwashers at all), Mumsnet users mention one brand time and time again: Bosch. Excellent build quality with reliable, consistent results, this is a brand name that comes with an excellent reputation.
With fantastic cleaning (and drying) results on everything from delicate glassware to dried-on pasta bake, this dishwasher can accommodate up to nine place settings, making it perfectly adequate for small families. Thanks to the convenient cutlery tray, you’ll find more room on the lower shelves for larger pots and pans (and won’t waste 20 minutes of your life strategically attempting to fit knives and forks into the slots of a restrictive basket).
If you really like putting your feet up at the end of a busy day, you can even kick start this dishwasher from the comfort of the sofa using the Home Connect app on a compatible device. What’s not to love?
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Beko DIS16R10 Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher
Budget-friendly price tag
Integrated design to match kitchen aesthetic
58-minute quick wash cycle
The cutlery basket can be a bit fiddly to load
Reviewers found installation instructions difficult to follow
Price on writing: £329 | Energy rating: E | Dimensions: H81.8 x W44.8 x D55cm | Type: Integrated | Place settings: 10 | Noise level: 47dB | Water consumption: 9.5L | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Basket | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
If you’re looking to add a slimline dishwasher to your kitchen but don’t have a huge budget to spend (cost of living crisis anyone?), this Beko slimline machine provides great value for money, accommodating a generous ten place settings despite its compact design. It's a brand Mumsnet users rate highly too; they also feature on our guide to the best dishwasher if you want a full-sized model.
Whilst reviewers felt the installation instructions could be clearer, Mumsnet users found Beko dishwashers to be reliable and felt they offer excellent cleaning results despite their competitive price tag. We love the quick programme on the Beko DIS16R10 slimline washer that can help efficiently clear up after your dinner in just under an hour, whilst the intelligent auto programme can automatically adjust the programme depending on how dirty your dishes are.
Best of all, the residual heat generated during the wash helps completely dry your dishes at the end so you can pack that tea towel and dish rack away.
Performs well across energy and water efficiency when compared to other slimline dishwashers
Convenient cutlery tray
Low noise levels
Great smart features
Some reviewers found the controls complex
Pricey
Price on writing: £629 | Energy rating: D | Dimensions: H84.5 x W45 x D60cm | Type: Freestanding | Place settings: 10 | Noise level: 44dB | Water consumption: 9.5 litres | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Tray | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
In a cost of living crisis, energy efficiency is understandably at the forefront of our minds when buying new home appliances. Whilst slimline dishwashers as a general rule aren’t the most energy-efficient appliances, the Siemens iQ300 is D-rated, scoring relatively well across the energy and water consumption rates. And, while it's pricey at just over £600, it's certainly a lot more affordable than our other choice for energy efficiency, the Miele (more on that below).
Wi-Fi enabled via the Home Connect app, this intelligent dishwasher allows you to adjust programmes mid-cycle directly from your mobile phone, including varying the speed to wash up to three times faster on the days you’re short on time.
With an adjustable upper rack and VarioDrawer tray for cleaning cutlery and utensils, it's quick and easy to load, whilst leaving plenty of space for larger items on the bottom shelf. With an extra long double spray arm, the powerful cleaning jets are guaranteed to reach right into the corners, so no matter how haphazardly you load the shelves, the entire contents will come out clean and dry.
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Miele G5740SC Slimline Dishwasher
Impressive energy efficiency for a slimline dishwasher
High-quality brand built to last
Excellent cleaning power
Costly
Price on writing: £1,159 | Energy rating: C | Dimensions: H85 x W45 x D60 cm | Type: Freestanding | Place settings: 9 | Noise level: 44dB | Water consumption: 7.9 litres | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Tray | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
Whilst Miele dishwashers certainly don’t come cheap, Mumsnet users praise this trusted brand for reliability and longevity, with many owning Mieles that have lasted for literally decades.
The majority of Miele’s designs are full-sized, but this smart slimline option is packed full of innovative features that will make tidying your kitchen almost enjoyable. With an easily accessible and convenient cutlery tray, there’s no wasting time battling with your cutlery basket. The racks are fully adjustable too and can be raised and lowered as required, making it easy to load and unload even with larger items.
With low water consumption and a good overall 'C' energy rating, this dishwasher is one of the most efficient models you can buy – very few slimlines are given this score, with most falling into the 'D' or 'E' category. It was also awarded the 'best of the best' gold rating when it came to energy saving by AO, so if you can afford the initial outlay, we think it's a fantastic investment.
Related: The best fridge freezer for your kitchen
HOTPOINT HSFO 3T223 W UK N Slimline Dishwasher
Variable cleaning power to suit the contents
30-minute quick wash
Flexible loading system with adjustable shelves
Some cycles (including the eco mode) are long
The basket can be tricky to load
Not as efficient as some options
Price on writing: £354 | Energy rating: E | Dimensions: H85 x W45 x D59 cm | Type: Freestanding | Place settings: 10 | Noise level: 43dB | Water consumption: 9 litres | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Basket | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
If you’ve got young children and an open-plan living space, the last thing you need is the constant dull rumble of your dishwasher disturbing them when it's time to go to sleep. Thankfully, the 'Good Night' mode on this feature-rich Hotpoint slimline dishwasher uses a super-quiet inverter motor, keeping noise to an absolute minimum whilst restoring your dishes to their former glory.
Hotpoint also appreciates that not all dishwasher loads are created equal. This dishwasher offers a range of programmes that can easily be tailored based on the contents, from a 30-minute quick wash for freshening up glasses and cutlery to a more thorough intensive wash to tackle baked-on foods like pasta bake and spaghetti bolognese without the need to pre-rinse.
The basket does take up a fair bit of space on the bottom shelf, however, the flexible racking allows you to adjust the height of the top basket as required. The colour-coded sections also mean the entire family can help load and unload the contents.
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Indesit DSFO3T224ZUKN Slimline Dishwasher
Low water consumption
Quiet operation
Speedy 30-minute quick wash
Some reviewers found it fiddly to load
Drying results can vary
Price on writing: £359 | Energy rating: E | Dimensions: H85 x W45 x D59cm | Type: Freestanding | Place settings: 10 | Noise level: 44dB | Water consumption: 9 litres | Quick wash: Yes | Cutlery basket or tray: Basket | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
If you’re looking for a freestanding design that compliments your other home appliances like your freezer and washing machine, this slimline dishwasher from Whirlpool comes well-regarded with great reviews.
The Indesit DSFO3T224ZUKN Slimline Dishwasher has a wide range of cycles to suit every lifestyle - from the 'Extra Hygiene' cycle that reassuringly kills 99.9% of bacteria from your baby’s bottles to the 'Push & Go' programme for fuss-free cleaning of more grubby and grimy plates and pans if you struggle to get all of the residue into your kitchen bin.
The quick wash takes just 30 minutes to complete a full cycle and it does so with minimal noise, so it won’t disturb you at all whilst it works its magic.
NEFF N50 S875HKX20G Wi-Fi Connected Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher
LED light that shows when the dishwasher is in use
Extra dry programme
Programme with hotter temperatures for the dirtiest dishes
Costly for a slimline dishwasher
Not as efficient as some
Price on writing: £599 | Energy rating: E | Dimensions: H81.5 x W44.8 x D55cm | Type: Integrated | Place settings: 9 | Noise level: 46dB | Water consumption: 8.5 litres | Quick wash: No | Cutlery basket or tray: Basket | Adjustable upper rack: Yes
The Neff brand has grown hugely in popularity over recent years and with good reason; Mumsnet users have been impressed by the quality, reliability and effectiveness of Neff products.
With Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to control it directly from your mobile phone, this innovative slimline dishwasher has a range of programmes including 'Chef 70' which operates with higher temperatures and increased water pressure to really break down congealed food that you’d have previously left to soak in the sink. It works brilliantly, particularly when paired with the best dishwasher tablets.
The 'ExtraDry' mode ensures everything is bone dry and ready to put away, including plastics and Tupperware, which can be prone to pooling water in even the most effective of dishwashers.
The downside? There’s no quick wash on this dishwasher, so you need to be a little more patient for the best results.
What makes a dishwasher slimline?
Slimline dishwashers are designed for smaller spaces and as such, generally, measure 45cm across rather than the 60cm width of a full-sized dishwasher. Unlike larger dishwashers which can generally accommodate 13 or 14-place settings, slimline dishwashers tend to have space for nine or ten.
Which settings are suitable for a slimline dishwasher?
Slimline dishwashers are ideal for smaller kitchens, open-plan spaces or simply kitchen spaces where you would prefer to prioritise cupboard or storage space.
Should you buy a slimline, compact or full-sized dishwasher?
The right dishwasher for you will very much depend upon your family size and personal circumstances. However, there are some things to consider when selecting between slimline, compact or full-sized dishwashers.
Slimline dishwasher
If you are limited on space or have a small family, a slimline dishwasher is a great alternative to washing by hand, offering more capacity than you may expect despite being 15cm narrower than a full-sized model. That said, slimline dishwashers do need some more thought when loading due to their compact design. If you have a larger family, you may find that you need to run the dishwasher more regularly, or at least look for machines with a cutlery tray rather than a basket, as this frees up additional space on the lower shelves. It’s also worth noting that slimline dishwashers don’t tend to be as energy efficient as full-size machines, so may cost a little more to run on an annual basis.
Compact dishwasher
Instead of sitting underneath your kitchen countertops, tabletop dishwashers sit on top, helping you maximise the storage and cupboard space in your kitchen. There are a fairly limited number of compact dishwashers on the market and they can be quite costly when compared to a traditional dishwasher. They can also be a little restrictive in terms of the contents they can accommodate, so where possible, we would suggest opting for a slimline instead.
Full-sized dishwasher
A full-sized dishwasher offers the most flexibility when it comes to ease of loading and overall capacity and are often the most energy efficient to run. On the flip side, smaller households may find that full-sized dishwashers take a while to fill, resulting in an empty cutlery drawer with a half-filled shelf of plates and bowls. Unless the dishwasher has a half-load cycle, you could find yourself resorting to hand washing in between full loads or wasting some energy as a result.
How eco-friendly are dishwashers?
The energy efficiency of dishwashers varies quite significantly from one brand to the next, with slimline designs being generally less energy efficient than their larger counterparts. The energy efficiency scale now runs from A-G and whilst you’re unlikely to find a dishwasher with an A, B or even C rating, you can find several slimline dishwashers with a D grade - this takes into account electricity/energy use, the cost to run and overall water consumption.
How to choose the best slimline dishwasher for you
If you decide to opt for a slimline dishwasher, here are some of the features you should look out for:
Integrated or freestanding? - Do you want your dishwasher to be integrated into your kitchen cupboards and match the overall aesthetic, or are you happy to have a freestanding design that slots underneath your kitchen countertops?
Capacity - How much washing up can the slimline dishwasher accommodate? Most slimline designs can fit between nine and ten place settings, so opting for the larger of the two may help if you’re likely to be washing up more regularly.
Drawer or basket? - With a compact design, the addition of a cutlery drawer rather than a basket can be really useful, freeing up space on the bottom shelf and leaving more room for larger items like pots and pans. Baskets can often be trickier to load and more restrictive in terms of sizing.
Adjustable shelving - To help you make the most of the space, you should look for a slimline dishwasher that offers flexibility such as height adjustable shelves or moveable racks that can accommodate plates and bowls of different shapes and sizes.
Quick wash - Not all dishwashers have a quick wash cycle, but they can be incredibly useful when you need to wash up in a hurry. A good quick wash cycle can get your plates and cutlery gleaming in as little as 25 minutes, however longer, more thorough cycles may be required when cleaning pots and pans with dried-on food or stains.
Wi-Fi or smart home features - Some dishwashers offer smart connectivity, meaning they can be operated from your mobile or compatible tablet, including turning on, selecting programmes and checking the remaining time. Whilst a great time-saving tool, you will pay a premium for this, so consider how often you will actually use this before taking the plunge.
Maintenance: Regardless of what size dishwasher you choose, you should consult the instructions for guidance on how to maintain it for optimum performance. As a general rule, make sure you regularly clear out the filter and use the best dishwasher cleaner to keep it spick and span.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
To bring you our definitive list of the best slimline dishwashers you can buy today, we first sought the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, getting their feedback on the dishwashers that they rate, recommend and use in their own kitchens.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted products that they felt were poor quality, overpriced or performed badly when returning dishes to their former glory.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the products we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace, including those suggested by consumer champions and home tech experts.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best slimline dishwashers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Currys, AO.com and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in baby, child and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy loves to research and explore the pros and cons of products, scrutinising reviews and consumer feedback to help people make confident purchases.
After buying her first ever slimline dishwasher in 2022, Lucy knows only too well the benefits that a clean and high-performing dishwasher can bring when juggling family life. Lucy's also written a number of Mumsnet round-ups of the top home products - including the best budget dishwashers, the quietest dishwashers, and the most energy-efficient dishwashers, so she's somewhat of a Mumsnet expert when it comes to sniffing out the top cleaning buys for families.
Why you should trust us
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