Best slimline dishwashers for 2024

At around 15cm thinner than the average full-sized model, slimline dishwashers are perfect for anyone that is short on space in their kitchen.

All the slimline dishwashers we recommend below have all gone through the same rigorous testing as full-sized models, so you can be sure that what they lack in capacity they make up for with the quality of their cleaning.

You can compare all the models we've tested in our slimline dishwasher reviews, or scroll down to see the top scorers we recommend. 

Every year, we put a wide range of dishwashers through their paces to find the best models, testing everything from quietness and energy efficiency to cleaning power. Only logged-in members can see our full list of the best slimline dishwashers below. Join Which? to get instant access to our Best Buys and expert reviews.

Not found the product for you? See our picks of the best dishwashers or browse our full list of tested dishwasher reviews.

Slimline dishwashers to avoid

We've found slimline dishwashers that do such a poor job of cleaning and drying that we simply can't recommend them. They're annoyingly noisy, making them particularly irritating in a small kitchen, and the worst models are awkward to load and unload, too. 

The Don't Buy dishwashers below are definitely best avoided. Or, see our full list of Don't Buy dishwashers.

Should you buy a slimline or full-sized dishwasher?

A slimline dishwasher measures around 45cm wide, while a full-size dishwasher measures around 60cm wide. 

Slimline dishwashers typically wash between 90 and 100 items of crockery, cookware and cutlery, which is less than a full-sized machine, but should be ample for a small household.

You could also opt for a compact dishwasher. We compare and contrast these three types below.  

Full-sized

Width: Approximately 60cm
Capacity: 120-150 items

Full-sized dishwashers have capacity for between 12 and 15 place settings, although the very largest from our tests can hold a whopping 16 place settings. Each place setting is made up of 10 items, so that's 120 pieces of crockery, cutlery and glassware. If you have a large family or regularly have lots of dishes to wash, go for a model with a larger than average capacity – so 13, 14 or 15 place settings. Smaller households may find that they struggle to fill a load, making the extra space taken up by a full-sized machine unnecessary. 

Slimline

Width: Approximately 45cm
Capacity: 80-100 items

If you're tight on space then a slimline dishwasher can be your best option. They are narrower than full-sized machines, but even the smallest are still capable of washing enough crockery for a party of eight. But bear in mind that slimline dishwashers tend to be less energy efficient than full-sized models and can often cost more than the cheapest large machines.

Compact

Width: Approximately 55cm
Capacity: 40-60 items

Compact models can be either integrated or table-top dishwashers. As their name suggests, table-top dishwashers sit on top of kitchen counters, while integrated compact models take up the space of a drawer in your built-in kitchen. They're often quite expensive and it can be tricky to fit large items into them, too. 

To get the lowdown on some of the models we've tested, read how to buy the best compact dishwasher