Criteria for choosing a narrow dishwasher
Water consumption
Our tests show that narrow models (45cm) will be less efficient than full-size ones. Among the narrow ones, the most efficient ones will spend about one liter per set, while among the full-size ones you can find dishwashers that spend only half a liter of water per set of dishes. This is still much less than washing by hand.
Modes
Manufacturers equip modern dishwashers with various washing modes: everyday and economical washing, a function with additional soaking, quick and delicate washing. The total number of modes depends on the model and brand. The modes themselves select the water temperature, the amount of detergent and the rinse duration.
Types of drying
There are three main types of drying: condensation drying, turbo drying and intensive drying with a heat exchanger. Of these, the condensation option is the simplest, but also the longest in time. Turbo drying works faster, but it also consumes more electricity. During intensive drying, less energy is spent, since air circulates due to the difference between the pressures in the chambers, but because of this, its operating time is quite long.
Read more about how to choose a dishwasher HERE.
Advantages and disadvantages
Now let's take a closer look at all the strengths and weaknesses of built-in narrow dishwashers.
pros
- lower cost compared to full-sized free-standing models;
- takes up minimal space;
- completely hidden behind the furniture facade;
- the characteristics are not inferior to more expensive and large-sized options;
- savings per year - 20,000 liters of water and 270 hours of your valuable time;
- ideal cleaning of dishes, regardless of the type of detergent and degree of contamination;
- most modern models are equipped with such useful additional options as child protection, beam indication on the floor, auto-start delay timer, half-load mode and sterilization of children's dishes at a temperature of 70 to 95 degrees;
- The machine will not only save time on washing dishes, but will also dry them completely;
- maximum savings in energy and water resources, respectively, and reduction in utility costs.
Minuses
- you will have to buy special detergents for the dishwasher;
- cost of equipment. Even the most budget option will cost a hefty sum.
About
How to choose a dishwasher for a small kitchen?
Often, owners of small kitchens look for narrow models, assuming that they can find on sale a whole range of models whose width ranges from 30 to 40 cm. But such models do not exist. Device manufacturers produce dishwashers of a standard size of 45 cm (it is possible that the size will be smaller by a centimeter or two), whose depth will be from 50 to 65 cm, and the height - from 81 to 85 cm. These are the models on the market that are called narrow.
What are the pros and cons of narrow models?
Pros:
a good choice if you don't have much space in your kitchen.
Minuses:
Water and energy savings will be less than full-size machines.
Capacity:
10 sets or 90–100 items. They will wash a sufficient amount of dishes at one time if you have a small family and do not have many items to use.
The information that narrow models are more convenient, easier to install, more economical and do not harm dishes (compared to full-size ones) is nothing more than a myth. Most of the characteristics depend on the specific model, and as for economy, narrow cars, due to their lower capacity, will on average lose to full-size ones in this aspect.
Parameters of narrow dishwashers - what to look for?
Service center experts and experienced buyers recommend relying on a number of criteria to choose the best narrow dishwasher:
- Dimensions and options for connecting to communications.
- Possibility of installation in a niche of a kitchen unit.
- Ergonomics and arrangement of dish baskets.
- The quality of the washing process.
- Software set.
- Drying and its configuration.
- Energy efficiency and water consumption.
- Type of leakage protection.
Dimensions, installation and connection
The size of the dishwasher is a feature that should be considered first if you have a small kitchen. Please note that narrow sinks can be not only 45 cm wide, but also a little smaller or larger - a couple of millimeters. If every centimeter is worth its weight in gold, it’s worth taking this into account.
Choosing a case will not be a difficult task - you can choose one of three options:
- Full embedding.
- Partial installation.
- Stationary (free-standing) accommodation.
But given that stationary models require more space than built-in ones, our rating will include only built-in variations and models with a partial installation method.
Connection. There are several types:
- to cold water;
- to a hot water pipe;
- combined.
The theory that models with a hot water connection are more economical is considered controversial. This is not entirely true, because you also have to pay for hot water. Read more about the pros and cons of this type of connection in a separate review.
Dish boxes
When selecting equipment, pay attention to inspecting the trays for dishes. The more convenient the boxes and the more possibilities for their adjustment, the better. Separate elements - trays for cutlery, wine glass holders and other accessories - will not be superfluous.
Washing quality
Since the dishwasher's immediate task is to wash dishes, it is completely unacceptable for her to perform this duty improperly. And although the classification of the quality of the washing process has 5 levels - from E to A, you should not buy options with a sink whose quality is below grade A, otherwise why would such an expensive purchase be needed at all? The washing performance of models marked with the letters B and C is not the worst, but still consider only the highest performance.
Where can I find information about the washing class? Take a look at the technical documentation - this parameter is written there. Also, classes are always indicated on the energy efficiency sticker along with other main parameters of the PMM.
Programs and options
The quality of washing utensils also depends on the set of modes. Experts are confident that the minimum set of programs should be as follows:
- Basic mode. The name may vary. Temperature +/−60 degrees, duration - 60–180 minutes.
- Super or Intense. Hot water is used and less time is required - about 90 minutes.
- Soak or Pre-cycle. The regime is needed to combat strong and old pollution.
- Fast or Express. Suitable for removing light stains. Duration: 30–40 minutes.
This is exactly the minimum that will allow you to wash almost all the dishes and kitchen utensils in your home. The functionality of the latest models has been expanded to about 10–15 programs, but it is not a fact that all of them will be useful to you.
Drying parameters
It is known that PMMs also dry dishes. But they can do this in different ways. The vast majority of machines are equipped with condensation drying - in this case, the contents of the hopper dry under natural conditions. More expensive options are equipped with “Turbo” drying - in this case, the dishes are washed with heated air forced by a fan.
There is also the so-called zeolite drying, when a natural mineral, zeolite, is responsible for the drying process. During operation, it accumulates moisture, processes it into dry heat and returns it to the chamber.
There are also machines equipped with a heat exchanger, but in addition to drying, it also has many useful functions: saving resources, maintaining the functionality of the ion exchanger, and others.
Rating of narrow dishwashers
In general, the washing and drying efficiency of narrow models is slightly lower than that of full-size ones, but among them you can find many models that will outperform full-size ones. Prices for high-quality narrow dishwashers start at 30,000 rubles. However, price does not guarantee quality: in our rating, some inexpensive dishwashers outperformed more expensive competitors. Use filters in the rating for easy sorting. Read more about each model in the product cards.
The best built-in dishwashers 45 cm
Bosch Bosch SPV4EKX29E (similar to SPV4HKX2DR)
3.4647
IKEA IKEA FINPUTSAD (704.756.22) (analogue (604.757.31)
3.4672
Bosch SPV4HKX2DR with a price of 35,700 rubles washes all types of dishes on average 75%, in eco mode it is slightly worse - 72% efficiency on average, while frying pans are only 60%. As for functionality, this model supports Wi-Fi and has four operating modes. The operating cycle for eco mode is 216 minutes.
Another inexpensive option and leader in the rating of narrow models is Ikea Finputsad (604.757.31) with support for ten modes and a power of 1900 W. It is more expensive than Bosch SPV4HKX2DR: its price is 40,000 rubles, but the overall efficiency is higher - 74.6% on average. In Eco mode, efficiency deteriorates by 2% for all types of cookware. The cycle for eco mode is 209 minutes. Other advantages include low noise levels.
Siemens SR61HX08KE - excellent value for money
Continuation of the popular, cheap models of this brand, but, unfortunately, at a higher price. The displacement is 48 dB, but like the Bosch model, everything is really quiet.
The remaining parameters are similar - 9.5 liters of water per ECO cycle, 70 kWh of electricity per 100 ECO cycles. You have a traditional cutlery basket, the top drawer is height adjustable and has a folding balcony. The rear wires are folded into the lower basket. It is important that the guides are stable and reliable .
Each function has its own button; there are no touch panels here . You have 5 programs: pans 70°C, auto 45-65°C, Eco 50°C, 1 hour 65°C and favorites, as well as 4 options: SpeedPerfect Plus - shortening cycle, Intensive Zone and HygienePlus - antibacterial wash.
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The dishwasher is guaranteed against rust 10 years . The start can be delayed from 1 to 24 hours. An LED or signal will notify you when work is complete. Using the Home Connect app, you can control the device remotely.
It is also worth mentioning that in stores you will also find the SR61IX05KE model - this is a class F variant and without the HigienaPlus function for the RTV EURO AGD and Media Markt networks.
Characteristics:
- line: iQ100
- narrow: 44.8 cm
- Capacity: 10 sets
- wash: 5 programs, class A
- water consumption: 9.5 l
- installation: fully built-in
- drying: intensive, class A
- energy class: A
- noise level during operation: 46 dB
- leakage protection: complete
- Features: delay start timer, child lock
- Cleans even the most dirty dishes perfectly
- Quiet operation
- Large volume capacity
- Light signal indicating the end of work
- Wide range of height adjustments
- High quality build
- Not compatible with IKEA kitchen
- Inconvenient cutlery tray
Best Freestanding Dishwashers 45cm
While there are fewer freestanding slimline models on the market, our tests found that they are even more effective at washing and drying on average: the freestanding has an average wash rating of 3.32, while the built-in has an average wash rating of 3.15.
Electrolux Electrolux ESS42200SW (similar to SES94221SW)
3.3138
Electrolux SES94221SW is a free-standing model with a power of 1950 W. It has contamination and loading detection systems, as well as eight operating modes. Washing dishes in eco mode will be slightly more effective than in automatic mode: 75% versus 72%. Water consumption per operating cycle in eco mode will be 9 liters. Among the main disadvantages of the Electrolux SES94221SW is its long operating time. One cycle in eco mode will take 237 minutes.
Leaders among inexpensive models
Ikea dishwashers have their own price range. The price difference between the three models – Finputsad (604.757.31), Medelstor (204.755.54) and Lagan (904.756.21) – is 10,000 rubles. With the price, the efficiency and convenience of the dishwasher decreases. Therefore, you should expect more modest results from the inexpensive Medelstor and Lagan. Thus, Medelstor (204.755.54) with a price of 30,000 rubles loses in efficiency to Finputsad (604.757.31) by half a point. Another drawback of the model is the washing time: 160 minutes in universal mode and 236 in eco mode.
IKEA IKEA LAGAN (104.756.20) (analogue 904.756.21)
2.8768
IKEA IKEA MEDELSTOR (104.755.02) (analogue 204.755.54)
3.1993
The even more affordable Ikea Lagan model (904.756.21) with a price of 20,000 rubles is designed for ten sets of dishes and has six modes, including a quick wash. The device does not provide any difference in efficiency between washing in universal and eco modes - 70% in both cases, so you can safely use eco to save resources.
conclusions
When going to the store for a built-in dishwasher with a width of 45 cm, you should remember that:
- Experts call the most important selection criteria the dimensions of the structure and the volume of the chamber for loading dishes ;
- necessary to take into account such parameters as unit power, electricity and water consumption ;
- a large number of working programs will simplify the work with the equipment and allow you to thoroughly clean any dishes and cutlery;
- It is also worth paying attention to the presence of a protective lock against small children for safe use;
- A good solution for the home would be a device with multi-level protection against water leakage, a spacious chamber and many washing programs.
