Guide
Tableware Tetris and flooding – I love my mini dishwasher
by Anika Schulz
Many freestanding dishwashers are not completely clean in the "saldo" test
19.2.2025
Translation: machine translated
For many, it is part of the basic kitchen equipment: the dishwasher. If there is not enough space for a fully integrated machine, smaller, freestanding appliances can help. "saldo" tested whether and to what extent the purchase of such a mini dishwasher is worthwhile.
"I can install a dishwasher for you, you'll just have less space for other things," said the landlord before we moved into his flat. Ten years later, we still live there and only sometimes miss the extra storage space. On the other hand, we wouldn't miss the dishwasher for a second - it saves us too much time and effort. Apart from the water and electricity consumption, I think it's an invaluable kitchen helper.
That's why I understand my editorial colleague Anika so well. She bought a freestanding dishwasher to save space and loves her "dishwasher" despite the odd quirk.
Pre-rinsing
It is not known whether Anika's article may have inspired "saldo". In any case, the Swiss consumer magazine put eight freestanding dishwashers through their paces in a specialised laboratory in France, I mean for food residue and performance. The test criteria and weightings at a glance:
- Cleaning performance (65 per cent)
- Drying performance (20 per cent)
- Handling (10 per cent)
- Noise (5 per cent)
The test winner is a freestanding dishwasher from Fust's own brand. According to "saldo", it does what it is supposed to do best: clean. This earned it a Swiss school grade of 4.9 and a "good" overall. One of the two Medion devices tested was only a tenth of a mark worse. The DWT60 does not come close to the test winner in terms of cleaning performance, but it dries slightly better. Also "good".
Medium flushing power
Speaking of Medion: Its DWT20 receives a 4.3, making it the only one of the three smallest freestanding dishwashers tested that is still "Sufficient". It has a tank, so it can also be operated without a water connection. This can be a decisive criterion for the appliance.
With this overall rating, the smaller Medion appliance doesn't have to hide behind most of the larger ones. This is because the freestanding dishwashers from Bomann, Bosch and Siemens also land in the "sufficient" (dishwasher) pool with scores of 4.6 and 4.4. In addition, the Bosch and Siemens models are the loudest at around 60 decibels. Built-in dishwashers usually reach between 40 and 50 decibels, as "saldo" writes.
Food leftovers à go go
Two freestanding dishwashers tested did not fulfil their purpose at all. In the "Bob" from Daan Tech, spinach was still stuck to some plates after washing, while coffee grounds were left on others. This earned it a 3.8: "Unsatisfactory".
The test loser is the model from Elego (not in our range) with an even 3. The dishes were still very dirty after the wash cycle, say the experts. The freestanding dishwashers from Daan Tech and Elego, like the DWT20 from Medion, do not need a water connection because you can fill them with water. I doubt whether this makes up for the inadequate cleaning performance. But then again, I have a lot to say about my built-in dishwasher.
You can find the detailed "saldo" test of freestanding dishwashers for a fee here.
Header image: Galaxus
I'm a full-blooded dad and husband, part-time nerd and chicken farmer, cat tamer and animal lover. I would like to know everything and yet I know nothing. I know even less, but I learn something new every day. What I am good at is dealing with words, spoken and written. And I get to prove that here.
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