If your kitchen has limited leeway, a slimline dishwasher could be the answer to your washing up woes. You may have thought a full-size dishwasher was out of the question in a compact kitchen. However, there are slimline dishwashers available to fit into those tight spaces.
The dishwasher is a modern miracle in our books; once you’ve had a taste of a dishwasher life, there’s no going back. It can save valuable time compared to handwashing and delivers a deep clean with every cycle. So, if you’ve moved into a new house but have less kitchen space to play around with a slimline dishwasher will slot in nicely. If you're really short on space, you could also consider a tabletop dishwasher. You won’t need to revert back to elbow-grease days just yet.
Best Slimline Dishwashers At A Glance
• Editor's Choice: Bosch Series 2 SPS21KW04G Freestanding Slimline Dishwasher – View on John Lewis
• Best integrated slimline dishwasher: Bosch Series 2 SPV2HKX39G Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher – View on John Lewis
• Best for programme variety: Hoover H-DISH 500 HDPH 2D1049B-80 Slim Dishwasher – View on Argos
The main difference is the size. A slimline dishwasher is slimmer compared to your standard dishwasher at 45cm in width. A standard model is 60cm across. As a result, you can expect less capacity compared to larger models but you’ll be surprised how much you can fit in. Your typical full-sized dishwasher can fit approximately 12-15 place settings, while a slimline can fit 8-10 place settings.
If you're keen on more buying guidance on what's the best dishwasher for you, scroll down to the FAQs. We have more advice about capacity, energy efficiency and what programmes to look for. In the meantime, let's take a look at the best slimline dishwashers available to buy in the UK.
Best Slimline Dishwashers
Editor's Choice
www.johnlewis.com
Bosch is one of the most popular dishwasher brands, so it's no surprise it's our favourite too. While they're a little more expensive compared to other brands, it's got everything you'd want and more in a slimline dishwasher. The Bosch Series 2 SPS21KW04G Freestanding Slimline Dishwasher has a quiet EcoSilence Drive motor for quiet operation, ideal for open-plan living. It has four automatic programmes and an ExtraDry option to ensure your crockery comes out dry and sparkling.
A fun little extra is the Smart Connectivity, so you can use your smartphone to remotely start a wash cycle, check the status of your wash, and get appliance tips.
Customer review: "The dishwasher itself is sleek, has many settings other than default eco wash, is quiet and the tablets and rinse aid pack that comes free with the delivery included the best products for cleaning acting as a recommendation. Duly noted and bought, I have the most immaculate crockery I have ever had!"
Pros
- Low noise at 48dB
- Dual cutlery tray options
- Easy to use and washes well
Cons
- Some customers had issues setting up the smart connectivity
Best for flexible loading
www.currys.co.uk
With space for up to 10 place settings, this slimline integrated dishwasher from Beko is great for compact kitchen spaces. It has a choice of five programmes, including its Quick and Shine feature, which will only take 58 minutes, or its Mini programmes, which will wash a full load in just 30 minutes. Fantastic if you're a small household and you need dishes washed pronto. We love that the layout of the Beko DIS15020 Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher can be adjusted to accommodate larger dishes. The plate supports can be folded down to create extra room and the cutlery basket can be slid to a new position or removed completely.
Customer review: "Good product for a slim integrated dishwasher. Measured the same as the one we were replacing, but looks like it has more internal space than the previous one (which was a pleasant surprise). The only potential downside is if you have really large dinner plates, the top tray may catch them. Otherwise good!"
Pros
- Simple and easy to use
- Plenty of space inside
- Fairly quiet and spacious
Cons
- No indication of how long is left on a wash
Best slimline dishwasher for features
www.hughes.co.uk
This freestanding Beko shares many fab features that you can find in other dishwashers within their range. It has Quick wash programmes to deliver clean full loads in just 30 minutes and space for 10 place settings, ideal for small households. With an adjustable interior, you can remove and fold racks and the cutlery basket to make way for larger dishes and pans. As well as having a half-load function that uses less water and electricity, the Beko DVS04X20X Slimline Dishwasher has low water and energy consumption and an Eco programme.
Customer review: "Easy to use, quiet, and washes well. I can fit taller things into it than my previous slimline so I'm very happy with it."
Pros
- Great cleaning results
- Quiet, efficient and adjustable
- Easy-to-operate control panel
Cons
- The user manual could be easier to understand
Best integrated slimline dishwasher
www.johnlewis.com
The Bosch Series 2 is back, but this time in an integrated model. Unsurprisingly, it shares many of the same qualities and features as the freestanding version; it has smart connectivity, low noise, the same five-wash programmes, and space for nine-place settings. However, with its integrated build, you have a machine that is seamlessly disguised into your kitchen.
Unlike the freestanding, the control panel sits on top of the door, still clear and easy to operate. As a result, the Bosch Series 2 SPV2HKX39G Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher also has InfoLight. This small LED projects onto the floor to let you know when a programme is running. So there's no chance of you opening it too soon.
Customer review: "Really pleased with my dishwasher. It cleans to an exceptionally clean standard and dries well. I use the eco-wash cycle which only takes one hour. Love the fact that it has a knife cutlery shelf as well as a cutlery basket. Really pleased."
Pros
- Quiet, useful and maintain
- Sturdy feel and simple to operate
- Useful app for programming
Cons
- Some customers had issues setting up the smart connectivity
Best for programme variety
www.argos.co.uk
Available in black or white to match your other kitchen appliances or chosen aesthetic, the Hoover H-DISH 500 HDPH 2D1049B-80 Slim Dishwasher packs technology and practicality in its dishwasher. Boasting space for 10 place settings and seven programmes, you can get sparkling results every time. With a clear, easy-to-operate, touch-screen control panel, setting your wash is easy to do. You can even delay the start of any cycle by up to 24 hours - get your dishes cleaned and ready for your return home from work or make the most of cheaper-rate electricity tariff times.
Customer review: "Great design, looks awesome, easy to install & use, ideal for a small family or small kitchen. Various wash features too, certainly a product I would recommend."
Pros
- Classy, modern style
- Easy to operate
- Quiet, great cleaning
Cons
- Some found the initial instructions difficult to understand
Best for efficient drying
www.currys.co.uk
With A-rated drying performance, you won't need to worry about dishes coming out still needing attention from a tea towel. This Sharp QW-NS1CF49EW-EN Slimline Dishwasher has Active Ventilation Drying with a powerful turbofan circulating air for perfect dryness. The machine has plenty of room for your dinnerware and a cutlery basket that'll organise and keep your cutlery in place during the washing process. It's slightly limited in programme variety, but with Eco, Intensive, and Quick Wash, all the essentials are covered.
Customer review: "It’s only been installed for a week or so but it washes well and everything comes out dry and you can fit a lot in it for a slimline dishwasher."
Pros
- Powerful turbo plan
- Perfect for medium-sized households
- Adjusts water for smaller loads
Cons
- Confusing cutlery tray
Best quiet slimline dishwasher
ao.com
Smeg has created the quietest slimline dishwasher on our list, with a noise level of just 46dB. You can run the dishwasher during the night or in your open-plan kitchen with minimal disruption. And as it's integrated, you can pretend it's not there. It has six programmes in total, including Auto, Eco, Express, and Self-Clean. It's built with an Inverter motor which guarantees a longer service life, reduced energy consumption, and efficiency. Also, the Smeg DI4522 Fully Integrated Slimline Dishwasher has a sleek black control panel that's easy to operate and a Swing Wash spray system inside to improve wash coverage.
Customer review: "Great value for money with an excellent wash on any of chosen programmes to make your plates, trays, glasses and cups perfectly clean. It is super convenient to use. I would highly recommend this dishwasher to anyone."
Pros
- Great wash performance
- Quiet and easy to install
- Door opens automatically
Cons
- Some customers missed the red/green light system from earlier models
Our Verdict: Which Is The Best Slimline Dishwasher?
We'd recommend both the Bosch SPV2HKX39G Integrated and Bosch SPS2IKW04G Freestanding models for leading the market in dishwasher quality, reliability, and longevity. Many customers found their Bosch machine lasted upwards of 10 years. Bosch dishwashers are the go-to for many households across Europe.
Buying Guidance: What To Look For In A Slimline Dishwasher
As well as the size and capacity, you can choose your dishwasher depending on a range of features.
Fit: Would you like an integrated dishwasher that fits in with your kitchen units or would you prefer a freestanding model instead? The latter is typically more affordable, but you may find that the aesthetics of the machine become more important to you.
Programmes: You can also look at the wash programmes available. A quick cycle might prove to be a godsend in busy households where time is of the essence, whilst more intensive programmes will ensure even the dirtiest crockery comes out sparkling.
Cutlery: Most dishwashers come with a cutlery basket. However, you may want to consider a cutlery tray instead. Usually built into the top of the machine, you can spread out your cutlery to ensure it gets cleaned in every crevice. It’ll also free up dishwasher space for more plates and pots and pans.
To find out more, take a look at our dishwasher buyer’s guide which includes everything you need to know for choosing the best dishwasher for your household. Or, check out our round-up of budget dishwashers for a bargain.
Their appliances delivered excellent cleaning and drying performance, low-noise, and with smart connectivity. We think this is a really useful addition as it lets you control your machine remotely and will give you maintenance updates that you may not spot on your own. It can only help to make your dishwasher last even longer and perform even better.
FAQs: Best Slimline Dishwasher
Is a slimline dishwasher worth it?
If you think a dishwasher is needed, a slimline is worth it for more modest kitchens. They’re great for smaller homes, such as one-bedroom flats, holiday homes, studios, etc., where space-saving is paramount.
Sure, you’ll be down on capacity, which makes a slimline not quite as efficient as a full-size dishwasher. But they’ll be able to deep clean full loads of dishes and cutlery as well as any standard model, with many sharing the same programmes.
Energy-efficiency
You'll also find that they're as energy-efficient as standard machines. According to Currys, the "energy ratings on dishwashers are calculated by how much water they use, compared to the amount of energy they consume over 100 cycles." With the modern energy rating scale ranging from A to G, you'll find most dishwashers fall between C and F.
While this might seem low, these dishwashers would have rated as A+ to A+++ on the old scale. The new ratings give new energy-efficient appliances somewhere to go and make it easier for us consumers to differentiate between products. That being said, the higher the rating, the lower the running costs.
Is a slimline dishwasher big enough for a family?
As a slimline can fit 8-10 place settings, this is best suited for smaller households of two to three people. Families larger than this might find this too limiting and may need to run their dishwasher more often – not great for energy-saving. For those families who have the space, we’d recommend a standard-sized dishwasher. You’ll be surprised how quickly even a standard dishwasher fills up.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor for A Modern Kitchen, specialising in kitchen accessories and appliances, including washing machines and microwaves. Having been a renter for a decade now, she loves looking for home inspiration in her spare time and is a master of DIY.