The score of 58 out of 100 achieved by the 45 cm built-in dishwasher represents the highest overall rating, at least among those passed by the Altroconsumo laboratories. A rating that touches the threshold of good quality without crossing it, and which alone says a lot about this category of appliances, certainly a precious ally in smaller kitchens, but with very few champions to deploy. The analysis by Altroconsumo, written by Federico Rossi with the contribution of experts Silvia Bollani and Stefano Fanuzzi, was released on 23 September 2026 and concerns slim panelable models, those that disappear behind a door and blend in with the rest of the furniture.
A niche segment, but under observation
The lion’s share of the market is made up of standard 60cm dishwashers, to which the association has dedicated a separate comparison. The smaller 45 cm sisters remain a niche, even if they enter the laboratory regularly, and in the Altroconsumo comparator the published evaluations are now 25. The natural habitat of these models are kitchens of a few square meters, or kitchenettes open onto the living area, where an exposed appliance would be out of place. Even though they are just 45 centimeters wide, these machines can accommodate 9 or 10 places.
Whirlpool WSIC 3M27, first in class
Among the models tested directly, first place goes to the Whirlpool WSIC 3M27. It is a 10 place setting in energy class E, with good results and a price that the technicians consider slightly more convenient than other models. The final score, 58/100, leaves it just below the good quality range. In the offers linked to the comparator sheet, consulted on September 24, the price was between 436 and 444 euros. Altroconsumo specifies that from purchases made through those links it can receive a commission from the store, at no additional cost to the consumer.
Whirlpool WSIC 3M27 – 45 cm slim dishwasher, 10 place settings, class A++, Sixth sense
Samsung and Electrolux, promoted (on paper) by the algorithm
No laboratory can test every model on the market. To broaden the field, the association has developed an algorithm that estimates the performance of untested dishwashers: it starts from the historical results of the tests and compares the technical characteristics of each appliance with those of similar models of the same brand already analysed. From this calculation two names emerge that Altroconsumo indicates as recommendable for quality, silence and consumption. These are estimates, not direct evidence, and the difference should be kept in mind.
The Samsung DW50R4070BB is a 10 place setting in class E with a good overall rating. The credit, according to the association, goes to the upper tray for cutlery, which distributes the dishes better and leaves room for bulkier pots than what happens with the classic basket, and to a noise level limited to 44 dB.
Samsung DW50R4070BB/EO Fully Integrated Dishwasher Automatic Dishwasher A++
The Electrolux KEGB2310L drops to 9 seats but goes up a step in the energy label, with class D. Here too the overall results are good, and the declared noise level is the same, 44 dB.
Electrolux Kegb2310L Slim built-in dishwasher
The energy label is checked on EPREL
To check the energy class of your dishwasher, new or already installed, there is EPREL, the European database that collects all household appliances with an energy label sold in the Union. In this regard, we recall the participation of Altroconsumo in EPREL Services, the European project created to make the platform more accessible and complete.
Before you buy, also measure the future
The most useful advice from the analysis, however, concerns a choice that comes before the model. The space created in the kitchen today binds tomorrow’s purchases, therefore, once custom-built for 45 cm it will only accommodate 45 cm appliances, even if the family unit were to expand. The only way out, the association suggests, is to provide a 15cm cabinet next to the dishwasher from the start (45 plus 15 equals 60, and it adds up). Then there is a very common misconception, that those who live alone or as a couple must necessarily opt for slim. There is no need to start the dishwasher after every meal, recalls Altroconsumo, and a 60 cm model used with a full load also works very well for two people. The standard segment offers more alternatives and generally lower purchase prices. As for the promise of 10 place settings in 45 centimetres, it is kept on one condition: knowing how to load the dishwasher well, which in such a narrow space becomes almost an art.
