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A convertible dishwasher that comes with a counter-top, stainless steel finish and interior, and cleans dishes just as well as a built-in dishwasher. Read More
This is our second-favorite portable dishwasher. Though a smaller size than its sister model, it still cleans like a full-size and gets dishes dry. Read More
If you're looking to try out a portable dishwasher, this low-priced Danby is a great place to start. Just be careful with its fragile hose clips. Read More
If you have a smaller kitchen, the SPT SD-9263W will slot right in. Its adjustable rack should help accommodate bulkier items, but it can come loose. Read More
This Black & Decker portable dishwasher has a stainless steel tub, which helps keep noise low. Users like it overall, but note it doesn't dry well. Read More
Unlike built-in dishwashers, portable dishwashers don’t need to be installed, making them convenient and easier to move. They also don’t require any modifications to your home’s plumbing. These appliances are perfect for small kitchens and people on long trips to a vacation home or in an RV.
These models often have better cleaning quality and a significantly higher capacity when compared to counter-top models. In general, portable dishwashers offer the best of both built-in and countertop models.
Put your dishwasher next to the sink, attach its faucet adapter to the tap, and you’ll be washing dishes without ever getting your hands wet. Once your dishes and cutlery are clean and put away, just store your dishwasher away—what’s not to love?
As an added bonus, a portable dishwasher can also serve as additional counter space: You can store items on their flat tops. Just make sure to lock their wheels before using them so they don't roll away.
Here are some of the best portable dishwashers you can get right now.
The recommendations in this guide are based on thorough product and market research by our team of expert product reviewers. The picks are based on examining user reviews, product specifications, and, in some limited cases, our experience with the specific products named.
The GE GPT225SSLSS is one of the best portable dishwashers currently available. When we initially reviewed it, we mentioned it was on the expensive side, but since then its price has fallen, making it an excellent value.
This model really does have it all. Its cleaning power can compete with full-size units, it has a much larger capacity than most other portable dishwashers, and it looks great to boot. Both its exterior and interior are stainless steel, which looks stylish, keeps noise low, and will last a long time. It also has a Piranha hard food disposer to help reduce the risk of clogging. Most portable dishwashers do not have a macerator like this.
In addition to its excellent cleaning performance, one aspect that helps this GE portable dishwasher stand out is its ability to actually get dishes dry. Portable models often have difficulty delivering dry dishes: Surfaces will often collect small pools of water, and sometimes dishes are so wet after a wash cycle that they require hand drying.Unlike most of the dishwashers on this list, this GE dishwasher’s heated dry option actually gets dishes dry. In our testing, we found just about every dish that exited a wash cycle was completely dry. If that feature is important to you, this GE is one of your best bets.
Read our full review of the GE GPT225SSLSS portable dishwasher
The GE GPT145SSLSS is one of our favorite portable dishwashers. During testing we found it was capable of holding its own against a full-size installation unit in terms of cleaning quality.
The build quality of this model is off the charts. Racks felt robust and slid smoothly. The exterior and interior are lined with stainless steel, which lasts longer than other materials and helps keep the operation noise low. It also has a built-in food disposer, which is a rarity on portable models.
Another aspect that separates this GE from many of the other dishwashers on this list: It manages to dry dishes just fine. After a cycle almost everything was bone dry.
Read our full review of the GE GPT145SSLSS portable dishwasher
Uses a lot of water
If you're not sure yet if a portable dishwasher is right for your home and don't necessarily want to make a big investment, the Danby DDW1805EWP is an excellent budget-friendly option. It runs hundreds of dollars less than other models, and owners seem happy with the quality of cleaning it delivers.
The one downside of this lower price, however, is that some components aren't as robust as others. Several user reviews mention that the plastic hooks where you spool its hose can break easily.
Some fixtures can be delicate
The SPT SD-9263W is a stylish, modern portable dishwasher that's sure to brighten up any kitchen.
Owners love its easy control panel, quick setup, and quiet operation. The casters seem to roll smoothly and can lock in place to prevent the machine from wandering around your kitchen during a wash cycle.
This model is much more shallow than other units on this list, so if you're working with a smaller space it may be the perfect fit.
One of the features we like most about this model is its adjustable upper rack. While a common feature on full-size dishwashers, portable models typically don't have this level of customization. If you have larger or bulkier items, this feature will help you accommodate them more than many competing models. Just be careful adjusting it: Some user reviews mention the upper rack can come off easily.
Smaller size makes it ideal for cramped kitchens
Upper rack comes off too easily
If you're looking for a new portable dishwasher, this 18", 8-place-setting model from Black & Decker is a good pick.
Users love the look of this dishwasher, found it easy to control, and hooking it up to a faucet is a snap with its quick connect assembly.
Unlike some other models, this Black & Decker portable dishwasher features a stainless steel tub, which should keep its operating noise levels low. Stainless steel interiors also tend to last longer than other linings, making this dishwasher a decent investment.
We really like the clear LED display and how the dishwasher can remind you when the rinse aid is getting low.
The main complaint owners had with this unit is that it isn't the best at getting dishes dry. Most portable dishwashers also struggle with this. One user who didn't run into this problem mentioned it dried just fine as long as you pop open the door after a wash cycle.
What’s great about the Whirlpool WDP370PAHW is that it only takes one hour to wash your dishes thoroughly. Plus, it has a soil level sensor that will adjust the heat and water based on how much is needed to get all of the food particles off of your dishes. And it does it all with a low overall noise profile.
It even has a heavy cycle option to get out deeper stains. Or, you can just use the normal cycle to save energy or if your dishes are already fairly spotless.
Reviewers really like how spacious this dishwasher is, considering that it's more compact. At 12 place settings, this Whirlpool portable dishwasher has 50% more capacity than the average portable model.
The one downside is that it has a pretty weak drying cycle—a common issue with portable dishwashers—so you may have to towel them off by hand or invest in a drying rack.
Portable dishwashers (left) are usually on wheels and sometimes have butcher block tops to add extra functionality in the kitchen. Countertop dishwasher (right) are considerably smaller, take up less space, and fit fewer dishes.
If your kitchen doesn't have a cutout for a standard 24-inch installed dishwasher, there are two alternatives to giving up and washing everything by hand: portable or countertop dishwashers. Make sure you know the difference when you're shopping.
Portable dishwashers — These models are typically on wheels so you can roll them up to the sink when they're in use and shove them in a corner when they're not. They're typically 18 inches wide, though you can also find 24-inch-wide models. Because they're about the same height as a standard dishwasher, a portable dishwasher on wheels can hold quite a few dishes in its two racks.
Countertop dishwashers — If floor space is limited, or you just don't need to wash that many dishes, a compact countertop dishwasher may be a better choice for you. Countertop dishwashers typically cost about half as much as a portable dishwasher. They can't fit many dishes, usually can’t handle odd dishes like baby bottles, and can take up a lot of counter space, but you'll still save a lot of water and time with these mini dishwashers compared to washing your dishes manually.
Portable dishwashers have an inlet hose that screws onto the threading of your faucet, where the removable aerator would typically fit. Drain hoses usually account for the dishwasher’s waste water. If your faucet doesn't have threading at all, you may have some issues with installing countertop or portable dishwashers.
Examine your kitchen faucet carefully to ensure you can attach a hose to it before purchasing a portable or countertop dishwasher. In certain cases, you may be able to buy an adaptor for it. But in many cases your next best bet would be to replace the faucet with one that has threading.
Standard dishwashers are all the same size: 24 inches wide by 24 inches deep by 35 inches high. This means that it's super easy to shop for a dishwasher online, because you can guarantee it'll fit the space you already have in your kitchen. These portable models tend to run smaller, since they aren’t fitting into an existing space.
According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, the average dishwasher lasts about nine years. Appliance lifespans are shorter these days for a few reasons—broad economic factors, components being outsourced to inexpensive third-party manufacturers, and machines being made with more plastic and less metal.
Since most consumers don’t buy appliances very often, a decreased lifespan can seem all the more dramatic. It can be frustrating to see a dishwasher break down after 10 years when its predecessor chugged along for 30.
Dishwasher cycles can run the gamut from 30 minutes to four hours. Shorter cycle times are much more convenient, especially when it comes to large dinner parties, where you may need to reuse dishes from dinner when it's time for dessert.
“The amount of water a dishwasher uses varies greatly on the type and cycle selected,” Reviewed’s lab operations manager, Jonathan Chan, says. “Normal cycles on compact models can use as little as 2.5 gallons, but larger entry-level models can use up to 5 gallons."
And, although it may surprise you, dishwashers use far less water than you would by hand-washing your dishes, and smaller dishwashers (like portable and countertop models) tend to use less water than larger ones.
If you're environmentally or money conscious, the prospect of using less water and energy may be appealing to you. Be sure to check out the Energy Star rating for a dishwasher to give you an idea of what you can expect your utility bills to look like.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.
The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews, and more.
Senior Manager of Lab Operations
Jonathan Chan currently serves as the Lab Manager at Reviewed. If you clean with it, it's likely that Jon oversees its testing. Since joining the Reviewed in 2012, Jon has helped launch the company's efforts in reviewing laptops, vacuums, and outdoor gear. He thinks he's a pretty big deal. In the pursuit of data, he's plunged his hands into freezing cold water, consented to be literally dragged through the mud, and watched paint dry. Jon demands you have a nice day.
Julia is the Senior Scientist at Reviewed, which means that she oversees (and continually updates) the testing of products in Reviewed's core categories such as televisions, washing machines, refrigerators, and more. She also determines the testing methods and standards for Reviewed's "The Best Right Now" articles.
Lily Hartman is a staff writer who also enjoys writing magazine articles about health and outdoor recreation. In her free time, she likes to hike, camp, run, and lift weights.
Our team is here for one purpose: to help you buy the best stuff and love what you own. Our writers, editors, and lab technicians obsess over the products we cover to make sure you're confident and satisfied. Have a different opinion about something we recommend? Email us and we'll compare notes.
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