The best slimline dishwashers to buy in 2024

Slimline dishwashers don’t have quite the same capacity as their bigger stablemates, but you would be surprised at how much you can fit in. For smaller families, they’re perfect.

Choosing the right one can be a challenge, however, as there’s a proliferation of makes and models to choose from. That’s why we’ve taken the time to study the specs, round up the reviews and check the prices of practically every slimline model on sale in the UK to identify the five best time and space-saving appliances. It’s time to bin the Marigolds.

Best slimline dishwashers: At a glance

How to choose the best slimline dishwasher for you

What makes a dishwasher “slimline”?

A standard dishwasher measures 60cm in width, while slimline models measure just 45cm across. That means capacity is smaller, but you can still fit a lot in. Most slimline models will accept nine or ten place settings, each one comprising one dinner plate, a side or dessert plate, a soup bowl, a glass, a teacup and saucer and five pieces of cutlery. That compares to 14 place settings in a full-sized machine.

Which settings are suitable for a slimline dishwasher?

Slimline dishwashers are perfect for one-bedroom flats, studios, narrowboats, small mobile homes, country cabins and holiday homes; basically, they’re a good choice anywhere where space is at a premium.

What features should I look for?

The external design and the control panel will be the first thing you notice, but ultimately it’s what’s inside that matters most. It goes without saying that the more you spend, the better the quality of the machine’s interior components.

Most budget slimline dishwashers use a basket for cutlery storage. This reduces the space available for pots and pans, and it’s not ideal for cleaning as items tend to end up in contact with each other. If you can afford it, choose a machine with a slide-out cutlery tray instead. These are much more space-efficient, and the cutlery gets a more thorough washing. Another worthwhile feature is the ability to adjust the height of the upper rack to allow as much space as you need for larger pots and pans.

Freestanding or integrated?

Freestanding slimline machines are the most popular, as they can be installed pretty much anywhere. All you need is a suitable space with an electricity supply, a cold water supply (or both hot and cold if the machine has twin inlets) and access to a drainage pipe.

Integrated models are designed to fit flush with your existing kitchen units. They look smart, but they do have drawbacks. For one, they’re effectively a permanent installation: you will probably end up leaving the appliance behind if you move. And the control panel is normally hidden away, so you can’t check the timer without physically opening the door. That’s not a universal issue, though.

What do the energy rating labels tell you?

If you want to quickly compare one machine to another, the energy rating label is a good place to start. However, as of March 2021, a new energy rating system is now in place. The previous A to D ratings were accompanied by up to three + signs, but now machines are rated on a simpler A to G scale. If a machine is rated A, it’s one of the most energy-efficient appliances you can buy.

For dishwashers, the energy rating label also shows a range of other key information. It states the amount of energy used in kWh per 100 washes, the maximum capacity of the machine rated in place settings, how much water is used per wash and the time taken for that wash. Noise levels are given a broad A to D rating as well as a specific loudness measurement in decibels.

READ NEXT: Best under-counter fridge

The best slimline dishwashers to buy in 2024

1. Hotpoint HSFO3T223WUKN: The easiest freestanding dishwasher to use

Price when reviewed: £340 | Check price at AO

The Hotpoint HSFO3T223WUKN isn’t going to win any awards for its looks, but it’s a great slimline dishwasher for sensible money. It squeezes in ten place settings, and the height-adjustable top rack and removable cutlery basket makes it possible to accommodate awkward loads of pots and pans with no trouble at all.

It’s easy to use, too, and the Push & Go button means you can set a standard wash going with a single button press. Thankfully the results aren’t bad either, and the washing performance is good enough to tackle even our toughest tests without embarrassing itself. For a slimline model, the Hotpoint doesn’t skimp on cleaning power.

Read our full Hotpoint HSFO3T223WUKN review

Key specs – Type: Freestanding; Place settings: 10; Energy rating: A++; Water consumption: 9l; Quick wash: Yes; Cutlery basket/tray: Basket; Adjustable upper rack: Yes (removable)

Check price at AO

2. Belling IDW45: Best fully integrated slimline dishwasher

Price when reviewed: £379 | Check price at AO

This dishwasher is a fully integrated model, which means you’ll need to add your own wooden front to incorporate the appliance into your kitchen. For households aiming for a smart, subtle kitchen design, this is a great option to consider.

As we mentioned in the intro, it’s what’s inside the dishwasher that matters most. The Belling IDW45 has some impressive capabilities, considering its type and price point. There’s capacity for up to 10 place settings’ worth of dishes inside, and the machine’s modest-sounding D rating for energy efficiency is relatively good.

A note for your joiner: the door of the IDW45 has what’s called a fixed hinge, meaning it will move as one with the wooden panel you’ll need to add during installation.

Key specs – Type: Integrated; Place settings: 10; Energy rating: D; Water consumption: 9l; Quick wash: Yes (30 minutes); Cutlery basket/tray: Basket; Adjustable lower rack: Yes

3. Whirlpool WSFE2B19XUKN: A stylish, capable slimline dishwasher for under £450

Price when reviewed: £419 | Check price at AO

If you’re looking for a stainless steel and gloss black style icon for your kitchen, then this dapper slimline dishwasher from Whirlpool is sure to have you in a spin. For a machine that often retails at under £350, this is a very handsome machine indeed.

More importantly, this mid-priced marvel provides enough space for up to ten place settings. You can even remove the top rack completely, and this makes it possible to load up the bottom rack with almost anything. For a compact, slimline dishwasher, this Whirlpool is capable of tackling even the most awkward loads with relative ease. The FleixiSpace tray is a real boon when it comes to accommodating pots, pans or especially tall wine glasses.

You get six handy programmes with this model, and the controls keep everything nice and simple. Cleaning performance is up to scratch, too – even if it isn’t quite up with the best – but you will need to make sure you use the Intensive 65 programme if you expect it to tackle tough food stains such as dried porridge.

Reassuringly, the water supply pipe has an anti-flood device attached, so you can feel safe in the knowledge that you won’t end up with a soggy kitchen in the event of a malfunction. It’s a great buy for the money.

Key specs – Type: Freestanding; Place settings: 10; Energy rating: A+; Average water consumption: 11.5l; Quick wash: Yes; Cutlery basket/tray: Tray; Adjustable upper rack: Yes

Check price at AO

4. Smeg DI4522 fully integrated slimline dishwasher: Best integrated slimline dishwasher

Price when reviewed: £479 | Check price at AO

This fully integrated dishwasher will blend seamlessly into the rest of your kitchen and it doesn’t require as much space as a standard dishwasher. But with nine place settings and a removable cutlery basket, it still has plenty of room inside to clean your daily dishes.

The Express cycle will deliver sparkling crockery in just 50 minutes and an eco programme will save energy and water as well as money. There are four additional programmes: Auto, Mixed, Self-clean and Soak. Furthermore, it saves energy by using heat created during the wash to dry your dishes efficiently.

Reviewers praise its cleaning ability and love that the door pops open when it’s finished. It’s also quiet: the Silence programme is a handy feature if you live in a small space or like to run your dishwasher at night, and the three-hour delay timer means you can set it to start up once you’ve gone to bed.

Key specs – Type: Integrated; Place settings: 9; Energy rating: E; Water consumption: 9.9l; Quick wash: Yes; Cutlery basket/tray: Basket; Adjustable upper rack: No

Check price at AO

5. Miele G5640SC: A brilliant high-end slimline dishwasher, if you can afford it

Price when reviewed: £1,179 | Check price at Buywise

Many reviewers recommend Miele, and with good reason: although its products can be more expensive than competitors, they’re also among the most efficient, reliable and durable appliances on the market. Engineers also rate them because they’re generally easier to fix.

This high-end, A++ rated freestander supports up to seven place settings and comes with a top-mounted cutlery tray rather than a traditional basket. This not only gives you more space at the bottom of the machine, but also ensures your cutlery is properly cleaned.

Feature-wise, this model has five main programmes: Automatic, Eco, QuickPowerWash, Gentle (for delicate glassware) and Intensive 75˚C for dealing with tricky foodstuffs such as hardened muesli. It also comes with an ExtraQuiet mode for night-time use.

The G5640SC is equipped with a height-adjustable top rack to make space for tall-stalk glasses and open-door drying – the door automatically pops open a smidge at the end of the drying cycle to allow air to circulate and ensure that even plastic items come out bone dry.

Water consumption is exemplary, with the machine using just 6.5l on an average wash – less than the capacity of an average kitchen sink. The hot water connector, meanwhile, reduces electricity consumption by up to 50%.

If you’re in the market for a smaller-capacity slimline dishwasher that cleans dishes, pots and cutlery expertly well, then this is the machine for you. Granted, at just under £1,000 it’s not a cheap machine to buy, but then the likelihood of it functioning fault-free for many, many years is very high indeed.

Key specs – Type: Freestanding; Place settings: 7; Energy rating: A++; Water consumption: 6.5l; Quick wash: Yes; Cutlery basket/tray: Tray; Adjustable upper rack: Yes

Check price at Buywise