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In a tiny, cramped kitchen, owning a built-in dishwasher may seem completely out of reach, especially if you live in an apartment where installing a dishwasher can range from difficult to impossible. Fortunately, countertop dishwashers offer a practical solution to this dilemma, even in the smallest of spaces.
Countertop dishwashers are small appliances that can be placed on any flat surface in your home. Unlike conventional dishwashers, they don’t need to be hooked up to a water line. This allows them to be used without any complicated installation, and it makes them easy to move. Many units provide a hose to draw clean water from the kitchen faucet while others have a water tank that you fill by hand. At the end of the cycle, the dirty water either drains into the sink or a separate water tank.
The Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab performs frequent testing on dishwashers to determine the best performers. In the last few years, we've tested over 40 full-size models and have ventured into testing countertop units as well. To evaluate them, we apply standard soils to plates, bowls, cups and saucers, glassware and cookware and allow them to dry fully before loading them into the dishwasher for cleaning. For fairness, we test all dishwashers with the same detergent, but we also perform separate tests to evaluate the best-performing dishwasher detergents.
After reviewing our recommended picks, keep reading to learn more about how countertop dishwashers work, what to consider when buying one and answers to other commonly asked countertop dishwasher questions.
This fully-featured Danby countertop dishwasher, with LED display and uncluttered controls, comes as close to the look and feel of a built-in dishwasher as a compact model can. Like other countertop models, it has multiple wash cycles, cup shelves, a flatware basket and holds six place settings, but there's more.
Danby has a long-standing reputation in compact appliances such as mini-fridges, microwaves and more. Specialty settings on this model include an eco cycle to save energy, a "mini-party" setting to refresh glassware in 20 minutes and a "baby care" cycle with an extra-hot rinse to sanitize dirty bottles. One reviewer raved, "It was really easy to install, even easier to operate and leaves my dishes perfectly clean, even the greasy ones." Impressive extras include a child lock on the controls and programs for extra drying, extra cleaning and express washing. Though the controls use symbols instead of words, they seem to be easy to decipher.
Similar to our Best Overall countertop dishwasher pick, we went back to Danby for our best value model. It has a white plastic finish rather than the silver of its more expensive counterpart, and it makes use of push buttons rather than an LED display. But even at this affordable price, it doesn't skimp on options.
It offers six wash cycles from intense to soak plus a two-, four-, or eight-hour delay wash option and a high-temperature boost to do a better job on cookware or especially dirty items. A light on the control panel conveniently tells you when it's time to add more rinse aid. Fold-down cup shelves and a removable flatware basket add to its loading flexibility, making it the perfect fit for small households. One online reviewer said, " There are only two of us and I will never go back to a full size dishwasher again."
This countertop unit from Comfee' is on the smaller side with a recommended capacity of two place settings, but what it sacrifices in size it makes up for in cleaning quality.
This unit's clearly labeled cycles and straightforward controls make it a breeze to use. The timer screen which displays the minutes remaining on the cycle is also a nice touch. Our Lab tests showed that this model does a great job at cleaning up dirty dishes, and our dishes were always completely dry when the cycle was finished. The model provides four different cycle options for cleaning your dishes. Like many other countertop units, it also offers a separate, short cycle for washing fruits and vegetables. The shortest cycle on this unit is 40 minutes, so this model is not much help when you are in a rush.
With a compact footprint of 17 x 17 x 18 inches, the Hava holds up to four place settings. Though smaller in capacity than some, it's an ideal choice for one- or two-person households and those living in small apartments where counter space is at a premium.
It features both bottom and top spray arms for all-around cleaning and comes with two 61-inch hoses; one drains directly into the sink and the other connects to a faucet. If a faucet hookup is not available or desired, we like that it offers you the option to manually fill the five-liter water tank with the pitcher that's included. The Hava features four wash cycles, and each is automatically followed by a 60-minute dry cycle, one fold-down cup shelf and a flatware basket. There's even a fruit cycle that rinses produce when used with the included basket.
This mini appliance has a cycle that — according to company literature — offers a very high-temperature final rinse so it's ideal for baby bottles or sanitizing eating utensils, food prep items or even pet bowls. A test sample of the Hava was sent to one of our GH staffers who praised it for performance. She also found the fruit cycle especially helpful and loading it turned into a fun activity with her daughter who found the dishwashing action mesmerizing to watch through the large window.
At only 52 decibels, this Magic Chef is one of the quietest countertop models we found, a real plus in small kitchens and tiny apartments. (For reference, other brands report decibel levels of 55 or higher, and the quietest full-size dishwashers are usually around 40 decibels.) At almost 22 inches, this Magic Chef is among the deepest countertop models we recommend, so be sure to measure your counter space before you buy.
That said, it sports many of the amenities found on a full-size dishwasher. A separate flatware basket and two flip-down cup shelves help it hold up to six place settings. The six wash programs here include everything from intense wash to rinse only, plus there's a 24-hour delay wash option that adjusts in one-hour increments to better match the dishwasher's schedule to yours to keep noise to a minimum, take advantage of lower off-peak utility rates and avoid using water when doing laundry or family members are showering.
The Loch Capsule is a stylish dishwasher that prides itself on its portability and small footprint, and a handle at the top of the unit makes it easy to tote from place to place.
Measuring out to 10 inches wide and 20 inches deep, the Capsule is the perfect choice for those with limited counter space. Despite its narrowness, this machine's height allows it to fit large dishes like baking sheets that often don't fit in other countertop units. This model faired well in our performance tests, efficiently removing grease and tough soils like lipstick and baked-on food. It offers six different cycle lengths for washing dishes, with the bonus of cycles for washing fruit and the ability to sanitize with UV light. The capsule's small footprint comes at a cost though. The unit can only fit two place settings, so it is a better choice for small households.
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test full-size, countertop and portable dishwashers for how well they clean normal and heavily-soiled dishes. We create standard dishwasher loads by staining dishes and flatware with items like butter, coffee, milk, egg yolks and oatmeal. We even test how successfully the dishwashers remove baked-on foods like mac and cheese and baked beans from baking dishes.
After drying for two hours, the dirty dishes are loaded into the test machine and the cycle is started. Afterward, each item is assessed for cleanliness to determine the cleaning performance of the machine. We also assess other factors like capacity, drying ability and how easy the dishwashers are to load and program.
For models we haven’t tested yet, we make our recommendations by looking for brands with familiar names and solid performance reputations based on our testing experience. We also seek out cycles and features that would be most useful and look into energy savings, size relative to capacity and top consumer reviews.
Here are some key points to keep in mind when buying a countertop dishwasher:
✔️ Overall size: While the width and depth of the unit are important to determine if it will fit on your counter, a model's height is an even more important consideration. While you can usually squeeze in space on the sides for a wide unit, a tall one that won't fit between your countertop and upper cabinets will only work if you have another surface to put it on.
✔️ Capacity: Most countertop dishwashers claim to hold anywhere from two to six place settings, and the dinner plates they can accommodate can vary from 10 to 12 inches. Make sure any model you are considering can handle the plates you use most often.
✔️ Energy efficiency: All countertop dishwashers carry yellow Energy Guide labels, so you'll be able to compare approximately how much they will cost you to run per year. But only some are Energy Star certified, meaning that they are the most efficient models. We think it's worth looking for Energy Star certification.
✔️ Controls and cycles: Here you have some choice. Sleek electronic controls will generally cost more than push buttons, but they’re easier to clean. LED lights and displays can alert you to the time left on the cycle, what cycle you've chosen, and when the rinse aid dispenser needs refilling. We think controls with words are easier to use than those with icons. Extra cycles and options, like speed wash and delay start, give you capabilities similar to what full-size models offer but are only worth considering if you'll actually use them.
Most countertop dishwashers hold between two and six place settings of dishes and glassware. Despite their small size, they offer many features of their full-size counterparts including multiple cleaning cycles and heating elements along with basic features like fold-down cup shelves, flatware baskets, touch controls, detergent dispensers, pull-out racks and more. Just be sure to follow the same dishwasher loading techniques you would with any full-size dishwasher to get the best cleaning results.
Countertop dishwashers can be filled by hand, or they can be connected to a nearby faucet and drain into the sink just like portable washing machines.
Most of these mini models have heaters to boost the temperature of the water for even better cleaning, rinsing and drying performance, and some use as little as a gallon of water per cycle. If you want to attach it to your sink, check the hose connections included with the model to be sure you have the necessary parts to attach it to your faucet. Keep in mind they aren’t compatible with faucets that have pull-out sprayers.
Countertop dishwashers range in width from about 16 to 22 inches wide and 17 to 20 inches in height, so be sure to take measurements before you buy so you know the model you've chosen will fit in the space between your countertop and upper cabinets. Capacities are small, so an oversized platter or a large pot likely won't fit inside most units. But most reviewers give them high praise for being work- and time-savers.
All models have filters that require cleaning, and some recommend a regular vinegar rinse to remove deposits and mineral build-up. While you shouldn't have to pre-rinse your dishes, it is still a good idea to scrape or wipe off excess food before loading. When it comes to choosing the best dishwashing detergent to use, packets, tablets, powders and gels are all fine in countertop models.
While virtually all the machines have detergent and rinse aid dispensers that look and work like the usual ones, most brands caution against using packets or tablets for short cycles as they may not fully dissolve.
Countertop dishwashers are best reserved for cases where owning a built-in unit would be impractical. This most often applies in small kitchens or apartments. But if you have a small kitchen, you should consider if it’s worth sacrificing counter space for a compact dishwasher.
If you hate washing dishes by hand and can spare the workspace, a countertop dishwasher is a worthwhile investment. It’s worth noting that because the dishes you use throughout the day might normally sit on the counters, a countertop dishwasher might actually help recover some space by providing a place to store dirty dishes upright. It will help keep your kitchen neater too.
Consumers who own them say they save time and effort and even if you can't fit all your dirty dishes and cookware inside, having one will cut down on the amount of time you spend washing by hand while also ultimately saving energy.
Carolyn Forté is a consumer products expert with over 40 years of experience evaluating cleaning products and appliances for Good Housekeeping, including dishwashers and dishwasher detergents.
She corresponds with appliance manufacturers to stay on top of the latest technologies and innovations that solve common consumer dishwashing problems, and she has presented at many industry-related events. Some of the most frequently asked questions Carolyn answers are about how to properly load a dishwasher and whether pre-rinsing is really necessary.
Noah Pinsonnault works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. In preparing this article, he adapted our dishwasher testing methods to work for countertop and portable dishwasher units and ran several trials to evaluate their quality and performance.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Noah works as a product reviews analyst in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab where he helps design and perform tests on various product categories. He draws on scientific expertise garnered during his time as an environmental researcher, where he managed environmental monitoring equipment, analyzed water samples in a lab and developed protocols for restoration projects. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from the University of Wisconsin-Superior.
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