The Electra C1745WE is a 45cm slimline freestanding dishwasher designed for smaller kitchens and modest households that still want the convenience of a full-height machine. With room for 10 place settings and a straightforward control layout, it aims to cover the basics without pushing the price up.
Electra sits firmly in the value end of the market, and this model reflects that: the feature set is sensible rather than flashy, but it focuses on practical programmes including a 30‑minute quick wash and a hotter hygiene cycle. An AO user rating of 4.7 out of 5 from over 400 reviews suggests owners are pleasantly surprised by how capable it is for the money.
If you want to ditch the washing up bowl and you’re working with a tight space and a sensible budget, this is the kind of machine that should be on your shortlist.
The Electra C1745WE is ideal for couples, small families or house shares where space is limited but the washing up pile is not. At just 45cm wide, it will slip into narrow gaps where a full-size 60cm dishwasher simply won’t fit, yet you still get a respectable 10 place settings.
It suits buyers looking for a budget-friendly option rather than a premium showpiece. You’re paying for core cleaning performance and a decent choice of programmes, not for smart connectivity or fancy lighting. If you’re kitting out a first home, rental property or upgrading from a tabletop dishwasher, this is a sensible step up.
The range of programmes – including quick, intensive and an economy wash – makes it a good everyday workhorse for mixed loads of plates, pans and glasses. The Hygiene 70°C cycle also makes it appealing for homes with babies or allergy sufferers who want the reassurance of a hotter final rinse.
If you have a large family, entertain frequently or run big cookware through the dishwasher every day, a full-size model with a higher place setting count and perhaps a third rack for cutlery may be a better fit.
The 45cm slimline width is the obvious win here: you get a full-height dishwasher that’s genuinely easy to slot into tight kitchens, yet still manages 10 place settings – enough for most smaller households.
Programme choice is strong for a budget model. There are six programmes including a 30‑minute quick wash for lightly soiled loads, an Express 50’ option, an intensive cycle for burnt‑on food, an economy wash and a 70°C hygiene programme. That gives you sensible options for everything from glasses to greasy pans.
Residual heat drying, helped by the stainless steel interior, means dishes come out much drier than with basic plastic tubs, without any extra energy‑hungry heating element. The height‑adjustable top basket and cutlery basket help you juggle taller plates, glasses and pans without too much faff.
Noise levels of 49 dB are reasonable for this price point – you’ll hear it, but it won’t dominate an open‑plan living space. A 9‑hour delay start, half‑load function, and clear LED indicators for salt and rinse aid round off a very usable everyday package.
Most importantly, owner satisfaction is high. A 4.7/5 score from over 400 reviews suggests reliability and wash performance are better than you might expect at this price.
Energy efficiency is only rated E, which is fairly typical for cheaper dishwashers but not ideal if you’re trying to minimise running costs over the long term. There’s an economy programme and relatively low 11‑litre water use per cycle, but more efficient models do exist.
There’s no AquaStop or advanced leak protection, which you’ll often see further up the range, and there’s no child lock on the controls. In busy family kitchens, that may be something to bear in mind.
The feature set is deliberately simple: no Wi‑Fi connectivity, no fancy auto‑sensing soil level sensors, and no dedicated third cutlery tray. If you like to micro‑tweak every wash or you want the neatness of a top cutlery drawer, you may find it a touch basic.
Finally, the manufacturer warranty is only one year. Some rivals offer longer cover, so if peace of mind is a priority you might want to factor in an extended warranty or consider a brand with a lengthier standard guarantee.
Living with the Electra C1745WE should be straightforward. The control panel uses simple buttons and a rotary dial, backed up by basic LEDs, so selecting a programme is quick and intuitive even if you’ve never owned a dishwasher before. There’s no complex touchscreen to navigate or app to pair.
The interior layout is conventional, with a lower rack for plates and pans, an upper rack for glasses and smaller items, and a removable cutlery basket. The height‑adjustable upper basket is particularly useful in a slimline dishwasher, letting you create extra space for tall wine glasses one day and deep dinner plates the next.
At 49 dB the machine makes a low hum rather than an intrusive roar, so it’s fine for evening use in most homes. There’s no audible end‑of‑cycle beep, so you’ll need to keep an eye on the programme timings, but the 198‑minute standard cycle and 30‑minute quick wash soon become second nature.
Maintenance is also simple. LED indicators tell you when to top up salt and rinse aid, and the stainless steel interior is durable and easy to wipe down. Hoses and cables are a sensible length for most under‑counter installations, and the cold‑water fill keeps plumbing straightforward for installers and keen DIYers alike.
For a budget slimline model, the Electra C1745WE offers a well‑judged spread of programmes. The standard cycle runs for around 198 minutes and is designed to balance cleaning performance with energy and water use. For everyday mixed loads, you can expect thoroughly clean dishes without needing to pre‑rinse everything at the sink.
When you’re short on time, the 30‑minute quick wash is ideal for lightly soiled plates and glasses – perfect after a quick lunch or when you need clean crockery for guests. The Express 50’ programme adds a bit more cleaning time and temperature for slightly tougher dirt while still turning loads round in under an hour.
Heavier jobs are handled by the Intensive cycle, which uses hotter water and a longer duration to tackle baked‑on food and greasy pans. The Hygiene 70°C programme goes further still, raising the temperature to a maximum of 70°C to help kill bacteria. That’s especially useful for chopping boards, baby bottles and items used by allergy sufferers.
Efficiency is respectable, if not class‑leading. Annual energy consumption is quoted at 211 kWh with around 3080 litres of water a year, and each cycle uses about 11 litres. The E energy rating reflects current labelling rather than poor real‑world performance; in practice, the economy wash and half‑load setting give you some control over running costs.
Features like residual heat drying, a stainless steel tub, salt and rinse aid indicators, and a half‑load function underline that while this isn’t a high‑end smart dishwasher, it covers the everyday essentials well. The absence of AquaStop and smart sensors is the main reminder that you’re buying at the value end of the market.
With a price that firmly undercuts many well‑known premium brands, the Electra C1745WE represents strong value for anyone who simply wants reliable dishwashing in a tight space. You’re not paying for connected features or luxury design touches, but the practical spec sheet gives you far more than the bare minimum.
The combination of 10 place settings, six useful programmes, half‑load capability and a stainless steel interior would usually cost more, especially in a compact 45cm format. Running costs are reasonable for a budget model, even if the official E energy rating isn’t standout.
Crucially, the very high owner rating of 4.7/5 from a large number of reviews backs up the idea that you’re getting good performance for the money. As long as you’re comfortable with the short one‑year warranty and lack of premium extras, it’s an excellent value choice for smaller households.
The Electra C1745WE is a no‑nonsense slimline dishwasher that focuses on doing the basics well. It cleans effectively, offers a sensible spread of programmes and fits comfortably into narrow spaces, all while keeping the price highly accessible.
It’s best suited to couples, small families and anyone equipping a compact kitchen who values practicality over prestige features. Strong owner feedback suggests it’s dependable day‑to‑day, and touches like a height‑adjustable top basket, 30‑minute quick wash and Hygiene 70°C cycle make it flexible enough to handle most washing‑up routines.
If you want the very latest in energy efficiency, extended warranties or smart connectivity, you’ll need to look higher up the price ladder. But if you’re after a hardworking, compact dishwasher that won’t blow the budget, the Electra C1745WE is a very easy model to recommend.
