Dishwashers are fantastic appliances that make it easier and more energy efficient to clean up after a family dinner.
While traditional dishwashers are quite large and bulky, there is a range of compact options that are perfectly suited to smaller kitchens or awkward spaces.
In this article, we’ve rounded up the best small dishwashers in Australia to help you find the best space-saving solution for your kitchen.
1. Bosch Serie 6 45cm Freestanding Dishwasher (Top Pick)
This Bosch dishwasher is perfect for washing lots of dishes without using lots of water or energy. The capacity is a generous 10 place settings with product dimensions of 450mm width x 845mm height x 600mm depth.
To make full use of the dishwasher, the top shelf is height adjustable so you can easily make sure everything fits.
This dishwasher is free-standing and has an anti-fingerprint stainless steel finish that will look great wherever you place it. It also has a child lock so you don’t need to worry about your kids opening the door or changing the settings.
There are a number of sensors and automatic features on this dishwasher to provide the best results efficiently and effectively. The brushless motor makes it quieter and there is a useful half-load setting for when you need to get up to 7 place settings washed.
What We Like:
- Lots of efficient, user-friendly features
- Slimline
- Quiet operation
What We Don’t Like:
- Lots of buttons make the control interface look a little crowded
2. Fisher & Paykel 60cm Single Dishwasher
This Fisher & Paykel single dishwasher drawer is convenient, easy to open and close and can be installed anywhere in the kitchen. This drawer blends in with the rest of your kitchen while offering a capacity of 7 place settings.
The dishwasher drawer has quick, sanitise and extra dry settings so you can adjust the cycle to suit the situation.
When in use, the low decibel rating means less noise disturbance. This is a reliable option that is perfect for smaller kitchen spaces.
The dimensions are 599mm width x 410mm height x 573mm depth. This single dishwasher drawer is easier to load as you won’t need to bend down as far to fill it. The internal shelves are adjustable too so you can change them to suit your needs.
What We Like:
- Ideal for smaller kitchens
- Easy to use
- Quiet and reliable
What We Don’t Like:
- Cannot accommodate larger dishware
3. Omega 55cm Compact Benchtop Dishwasher
If you’re looking for a simple, small dishwasher that can wash dishes without any of the extra features this is a good option.
This compact dishwasher from Omega can fit up to 6 place settings. The specifications of this model are 550mm width x 438mm height x 500mm depth.
This dishwasher can be built-in, benchtop or free-standing to suit your kitchen layout and space. It can even be great for holidays or for staying in rental apartments.
However, to fit this dishwasher you will need to buy the appropriate tap attachment separately.
This Omega dishwasher is perfect for small spaces and light loads. The white finish looks smart and the controls make it easy to turn the machine on and select the best program.
There are 6 wash programs to choose from including intensive, heavy, normal, rinse, rapid and soak.
What We Like:
- Small size
- Simple controls
- 6 wash programs
What We Don’t Like:
- Does not come with a tap attachment
4. Kogan Benchtop Dishwasher
This benchtop dishwasher is stylish, convenient and has the capacity for up to 6 place settings. The dimensions are 553mm width x 440mm height x 498mm depth.
This model offers 7 wash cycles including intensive, heavy, normal, glass, rapid, 90-min and self-cleaning so you can enjoy the same features as a full-size dishwasher. There is also a delay start function to give you more flexibility.
To help you make full use of the interior, this small dishwasher has a foldable cup holder as well as a removable cutlery holder.
This dishwasher is quiet when in use and has an energy star rating of 2.5 stars.
What We Like:
- 7 wash programs
- Delay start function
- Adjustable layout
What We Don’t Like:
- Fits plates of up to 25.4cm which is slightly smaller than some other compact dishwashers
5. Devanti Freestanding Portable Benchtop Dishwasher
This portable benchtop dishwasher offers the power and features of a full-size dishwasher in a much smaller package.
Each program ensures a full wash and this dishwasher is designed to safely and hygienically sterilise baby bottles and toys making it perfect for families with youngsters.
There is also a fruit basket for rinsing and washing vegetables. This dishwasher allows you to add water manually if you don’t want to connect it with the water pipes. The touch control with indicator makes it simple to choose between the 6 wash cycles.
The automatic ventilation system is great for drying and will keep your dishes clean and dry for up to 72 hours. This is perfect if you are busy and prone to forgetting to empty it straight away.
These are very small dishwashers with dimensions of 420mm x 435mm x 435mm and offer enough capacity for 3 place settings.
What We Like:
- No installation required
- Perfect for busy parents
- Ventilation system
What We Don’t Like:
- Very small capacity (3 place settings)
6. Technika Stainless Steel Bench Top Dishwasher
This Technika dishwasher can be installed under a kitchen bench or placed on the benchtop. It has capacity for up to 6 place settings with dimensions of 550mm W x 428mm H x 500mm D.
This is big enough for a family and the adjustable basket makes it easy to wash larger or unusually sized items. There are 6 program types to choose from and there is a delay start feature too.
The stainless steel finish looks sleek and suits any kitchen design. This is a great option for a smaller kitchen that would benefit from the power of a full-size dishwasher in a compact package.
What We Like:
- Sleek finish
- Adjustable basket
- Delay start function
What We Don’t Like:
- No child lock
7. Haier White Freestanding Dishwasher
This dishwasher from Haier can fit up to 9 place settings. The freestanding, slimline design makes it easy to place this dishwasher where it is most convenient. It has a smart white finish that looks modern and complements any kitchen.
The foldable racks and adjustable upper basket make it easy for you to wash larger items. This washer offers delay start and 7 cleaning programs. It also has a 2 star energy rating to help keep energy bills down.
The dimensions of this compact dishwasher are 448mm W x 850mm H x 608mm D. It is taller and deeper than many of the other small dishwashers but is slimline and offers a lot more capacity making it perfect for larger families.
What We Like:
- Slimline
- Adjustable basket for larger items
- Large capacity of 9 place settings
What We Don’t Like:
- Limited features
Small Dishwasher Buyer’s Guide
A good dishwasher can help you save on water and energy and makes cleaning up after dinner much easier.
Some kitchens don’t have enough space for a full-size dishwasher but that doesn’t mean you need to wash up by hand.
Compact dishwashers are the perfect solution as they offer the efficiency and abilities of larger models but with much smaller dimensions.
Freestanding, Bench Top or Integrated?
Freestanding – these dishwashers are not built-in so are easy to position in the best way to suit the room. They are the most widely available type but when looking for smaller sizes the freestanding options will generally be slimline dishwashers. A slimline dishwasher has a width of approximately 45cm, a full-sized dishwasher is 60cm and a compact dishwasher is 55cm.
Bench Top (also known as Compact) – an on bench dishwasher is ideal for saving space. These models are shorter than standard dishwashers and are slightly bigger than the size of a large microwave. They tend to be quieter and can be placed directly on the kitchen counter.
Integrated – this dishwasher is designed to fit into your kitchen seamlessly. These tend to cost more and the controls are usually hidden which means you can’t see how much time is remaining on each wash cycle.
Slimline Vs Compact
Slimline dishwashers are usually the same height as full-sized dishwashers but are slimmer so you can fit them into narrower spaces.
They are great if you are short on space but still have 9 or 10 place settings to wash at once. These are generally the better of the two in terms of energy efficiency.
Compact dishwashers are great for smaller loads and when you don’t have much available space in the kitchen. These can be integrated or tabletop and are usually around 55cm wide.
The downside to a brand new compact dishwasher is the high price tag and the reduced energy efficiency.
Style
The style of the dishwasher can also impact the price.
Most commonly you will find a small dishwasher available in either stainless steel finish or white finish. Stainless steel is very popular and usually costs slightly more than a white dishwasher.
You can also find black and silver options but these are less common in smaller models.
Useful Features on a Small Dishwasher
When you compare dishwasher models, keep an eye out for these features:
Adjustable racks – an adjustable upper rack means you can change the height to suit the size of the dishes. This can be useful on smaller dishwashers as they can be harder to load, particularly if you have larger plates or pans to clean.
Automatic sensor wash – this sensor measures how dirty the dishes are and adjusts the cleaning time accordingly. This helps the dishwasher only use the water that is needed so can help with energy efficiency.
Child lock – a child lock stops the controls from being accidentally pressed and stops changes being made to the settings.
Baby cycle – if you have little ones in the house you may want to look at dishwashers that offer a hygiene cycle. This cycle type is designed to properly clean and sterilise baby bottles and is perfect for intensive washes.
Flood protection – this is a safety feature that stops the dishwasher from filling up and prevents flooding if the hose splits or leaks.
Delay start – this lets you delay the time for when the dishwasher will start. It is a good way to take advantage of lower electricity prices or ensure your dishes will be cleaned and ready to use for your next meal.
Quiet operation – dishwashers that use brushless motors are much quieter, these are ideal for smaller homes as they are less distracting.
