No room for a dishwasher? Think again with these compact options

Need a small dishwasher? Whether you have a smaller household and don’t like running half empty dishwashers, or your kitchen just can’t accommodate a full size machine, you don’t have to accept a life of doing the dishes by hand. 

When it comes to small dishwashers, you’ve got three main options to choose from - slimline, benchtop and single drawer models. In this article we'll look at how these different types of dishwasher work for small spaces, so you can decide which best suits your needs.

If you have a small kitchen with limited cabinetry, a slimline dishwasher may be the way to go. Specifically designed for smaller kitchens, they deliver the same level of cleaning performance as their standard sized counterparts. Many slimline units have 3 or 3.5 Energy Star ratings, and offer energy-efficient wash programs, as well as adjustable racks that ensure every item, from cutlery to cookware, receives a thorough clean.

Slimline dishwashers typically accommodate around 9 to 10 place settings. This is how dishwasher capacity is measured, with one place setting comprising all the plates, cutlery and glassware needed for a three course meal for one person.

With a narrow 45cm width and stainless steel finish, slimline models are usually freestanding dishwashers, although a small number of slimline built under models are available.

The highly rated Bosch Serie 6 Freestanding 45cm Wide Dishwasher has a number of features that you’ll find in regular sized Bosch dishwashers. Its six programs include energy efficient Eco Wash, the Extra Dry setting for better drying results, HygienePlus for even deeper cleaning, and SpeedPerfect to reduce the wash time, even if the wash cycle is already underway.

When you lack space beneath your benchtop or if you're renting a home without a dishwasher, a benchtop dishwasher could be the answer. A portable powerhouse for limited spaces, brands like Esatto, ILVE, Artusi and Omega have benchtop models that deliver impressive performance to match their convenience.

Sitting comfortably on your kitchen counter, some benchtop dishwashers can even be used without the need for plumbing or installation, because they can connect directly to the kitchen tap (you will usually need an adaptor). Not all benchtop models have this functionality though, and will need to be plumbed.

With a capacity of around 6 to 8 place settings, they are ideal for small households or as an additional dishwasher for larger families. These space-saving appliances may be smaller in size, but that doesn’t mean they skimp on features, with some models featuring adjustable wash programs, delay start options, and even child lock features for added safety and peace of mind.

The popular Esatto White Benchtop dishwasher’s separate up-top cutlery basket drawer makes it unique among benchtop dishwashers - and, because the drawer can be removed, you can even run wash cycles for oversized pots and pans when you need to. It has several settings and a delay timer too, so you can reduce your power and water bills by setting it to run at off peak energy and water times.

The third option when it comes to compact dishwashing is the range of Single DishDrawer dishwashers from Fisher & Paykel. The convenient and space-saving design of this range (which is also available in double drawer) allows you to open your dishwasher in the same way you would any other drawer in your kitchen. A major innovation in the world of dishwashers when it came out in 1997, Fisher & Paykel continues to own the drawer-style dishwashing space.

With easy operation and excellent cleaning performance, the DishDrawer is a good choice if you have the space for a full-width dishwasher beneath your kitchen benchtop, but have a smaller household or prefer to wash dishes as they accumulate.

The standard Single DishDrawer model is 41cm high, but there’s also a 48cm ‘Tall’ version of the single drawer. This extra 7cm makes it a better choice if you use larger plates and dishes bigger than 28cm in diameter.

The Single DishDrawer Dishwasher, available in either stainless steel or white finish, has a number of features that you’ll see across the whole DishDrawer range, including easy-to-use LED display interface, child lock, multiple wash, eco and Extra Dry functions, and even and half load option if you want to wash even smaller loads.

With a good range of slimline, benchtop and drawer-style dishwashers available in Australia, finding a compact dishwasher to suit your kitchen shouldn’t prove too much of a challenge. Take into account the space you have available, as well as the amount of dishwashing usually done in your house, and factors like energy efficiency, and warranty. Appliances Online has models from Artusi, Bosch, DeLonghi, Esatto, Fisher & Paykel, ILVE and Omega, so you’ll be able to get the best dishwasher for your needs at a price that fits your budget.