Best slimline dishwashers for 2026

At around 15cm thinner than the average full-sized model, slimline dishwashers are perfect for small households or anyone who's short on space in the kitchen.

All the slimline dishwashers we recommend have gone through the same rigorous tests 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.

However, after years of testing slimlines, we know they generally don't perform as well as full-sized models. So while the test programme is the same, slimline dishwashers need to score 71% or more and get four stars for cleaning to become Best Buys; full-size dishwashers need to score 79% or more and get five stars for cleaning.

You can compare all the models we've tested in our slimline dishwasher reviews

Best slimline dishwashers

Every year, we put a range of dishwashers through their paces to find the best models. 

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.

Slimline dishwasher reviews by type 

• Freestanding slimline dishwashers 
• Fully integrated slimline dishwashers 

Slimline dishwashers by price 

• Slimline dishwashers under £300 
• Slimline dishwashers under £500
• Slimline dishwashers under £700
• Slimline dishwashers £800 or more

Should you buy a slimline or full-sized dishwasher?

Whether you buy a slimline or full-sized dishwasher is entirely dependent on how many dishes you typically need to wash and how much space you have. 

For example, a large household may need at least 14 place settings, so we'd recommend opting for a full-sized dishwasher. Slimline dishwashers typically wash around 9 or 10 place settings, and should be ample for a small household.

A single place setting, according to the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers, includes a cup, saucer, dinner plate, side plate, fruit bowl, glass, dinner fork, salad fork, knife and two teaspoons.

A full-sized dishwasher measures around 60cm wide, while a slimline measures around 45cm wide. You could also opt for a compact dishwasher. Find out more about dishwasher sizes below.

Dishwasher sizes 

How big is a full-sized dishwasher? 

Width Approximately 60cm
Capacity 120-150 items

Full-sized dishwashers have capacity for between 12 and 16 place settings. 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 14, 15 or even 16 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. 

What size is a slimline dishwasher? 

Width Approximately 45cm
Capacity 90-100 items

If you're tight on space, 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 can be trickier to load than full-sized models, and they aren't always that cheap to buy.

How big is a compact dishwasher?  

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 generally don't clean as well as slimline or full-sized models. 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.