Best Overall
Danby DDW631SDB Countertop Dishwasher
- It’s compact, but can wash six place settings and has eight different settings.
It’s compact, but can wash six place settings and has eight different settings.
- This dishwasher hooks up to your faucet, so you have fewer options for where to place it.
This dishwasher hooks up to your faucet, so you have fewer options for where to place it.
The Danby DDW631SDB Countertop Dishwasher holds up to six place settings at a time, which is an impressive number for a small family, couple, or single person. It also has a silverware basket and a small shelf for smaller items or mugs.
The stainless steel exterior also gives it a sleek appearance that can easily fit into any kitchen decor. If you already have full-sized stainless steel appliances, it’s a seamless addition to your space. If you don’t have stainless steel appliances, you also have the option to get it in white. The interior is also stainless steel, making it durable and easy to keep clean.
The dishwasher has eight wash cycles to choose from, including settings you’d find on a standard dishwasher. You can choose between heavy or normally soiled loads, a baby care mode, an ECO setting, a glassware setting, a rinse setting, and speed and mini-party settings, which are quick cycles for lightly soiled loads.
It also has a delayed start setting, letting you set and forget your dishwasher. It also only uses 3.1 gallons of water per normal cycle.
Keep in mind, to connect the dishwasher you’ll have to hook it up using a hose to your faucet. This means that there will be limited options for placement in your space, because it needs to be placed close enough to both the sink and an outlet. Luckily, it has a quick connect feature, which makes it compatible with most kitchen faucets.
Product Details: Dimensions: 19.69 x 21.65 x 17.24 inches | Number of Settings: Eight | Capacity: Six place settings
Key Terms to Know
Decibels: A measurement of sound that is abbreviated as dBA. A whisper is typically measured at about 30 decibels, while a normal conversation can be around 55 to 60 decibels.
Portable v. Countertop: While portable dishwashers can be used on a countertop, not all countertop dishwashers are portable. Many countertop dishwashers must be connected to a faucet and drain into the sink, so they are not considered portable.
Dishwasher Capacity: The amount of dishes, glasses, and flatware that can be washed in the dishwasher at a time.
Best Budget
Comfee Countertop Portable Dishwasher
- It has eight different settings and is quiet.
It has eight different settings and is quiet.
- It only fits dishes 10 inches or smaller in diameter.
It only fits dishes 10 inches or smaller in diameter.
The Comfee Countertop Portable Dishwasher is a great budget pick that doesn’t skimp on features or limit the number of dishes that can be washed.
This dishwasher measures 20.6 inches deep, 21.6 inches wide, and 17.2 inches high. It’s not as compact as other dishwashers on our list, but its size means that it can fit six place settings, making it a good choice for couples or small families.
This countertop dishwasher has eight settings, including options for cycles for heavily and normally soiled dishes, speed and mini-party cycles, a baby-care setting, a glassware setting, a rinse-only setting, and an ECO setting. It also has an extra-drying function that makes sure you’re not opening up your dishwasher to find damp dishes.
We love that you can choose between three colorways for this appliance. It comes in all-white (with a small black control panel), all-black, and black and white, so you can choose what fits best with your kitchen decor.
With only a 49-decibel noise rating, this countertop dishwasher is a good choice for someone looking to keep the noise to a minimum. There’s also a childproof lock to keep any little ones from getting into the appliance.
If you have larger dinner dishes, this countertop dishwasher only fits dinnerware that is under 10 inches in diameter, on an angle, which does limit your options for what you can wash.
Product Details: Dimensions: 20.6 x 21.6 x 17.2 inches | Number of Settings: Eight | Capacity: Six place settings
Best with Water Tank
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher, 5 Washing Programs
- It’s super compact, but doesn’t skimp in settings or features, like heated drying.
It’s super compact, but doesn’t skimp in settings or features, like heated drying.
- It only comes in white, so it may not match your appliances.
It only comes in white, so it may not match your appliances.
The Hermitlux Countertop Dishwash’s built-in water tank makes it possible to use without having to hook it up to your kitchen faucet. You can also choose to hook it up, should you want to. Having the built-in tank means you can place your dishwasher anywhere in your kitchen—simply fill up the 5-liter tank and your dishwasher is ready to wash.
The countertop dishwasher measures at 16.73 inches deep, 16.85 inches long, and 18.5 inches high. Even with its compact size, it holds four dishes (under 11 inches in diameter), two wine glasses, four bowls, three mugs, and seven sets of utensils (which is comparable for four place settings).
This dishwasher has five wash cycles to choose from. Standard wash, quick wash, strong wash, plus an environmentally-friendly and fruit washing option. The dishwasher comes with a fruit basket, should you decide to use it for cleaning your fruits and vegetables. It also has a heated drying function for a complete clean.
Keep in mind that this countertop dishwasher only comes in white, so it may not be a match for your appliances. It does, however, come with the option of a glass door versus a solid one, should you want to keep an eye on your dishes while they’re being clean.
Product Details: Dimensions: 16.73 x 16.85 x 18.03 inches | Number of Settings: Five | Capacity: Four place settings
Expert Tip
“Countertop dishwashers use less detergent than a full-size dishwasher,” Thomas says. Because of the size of countertop dishwashers, it’s not necessary to use dishwasher pods since they are designed to be used with a bigger dishwasher. Use a powder or liquid dishwasher detergent instead.
Best Small
Farberware Countertop Dishwasher
- It not only has its own water tank, it’s also super compact, making it easy to place wherever you’d like.
It not only has its own water tank, it’s also super compact, making it easy to place wherever you’d like.
- It only holds two place settings per wash.
It only holds two place settings per wash.
If you’re looking for the best dishwasher for a small space, the Farberware Portable Countertop Dishwasher is our pick. Measuring in at 17 inches deep, 16 inches long, and 17 inches tall, this model is perfect for small kitchens with limited space.
Though compact, this dishwasher has five settings that make it the ideal countertop companion. Along with normal, rapid and glassware settings, this model also has a fruit wash setting and a baby care setting, so it’s possible to wash more than just your dishes. The baby care style uses steam that sanitizes the baby bottles. It also has automatic air circulation and dries your dishes after washing.
While some countertop dishwashers require that you hook them up to your kitchen faucet to function, this model has a 5-liter tank so that you have the option of not using a water hookup. Don’t worry, it still comes with the hose, should you decide you’d rather use the connection. Keep in mind that it does not, however, come with the adapter.
What sets it apart from other countertop dishwashers with a water tank is that it has space for dishes that are up to 12 inches in diameter when loaded in on an angle. Most other models don’t have the space or capacity.
This countertop dishwasher only has the capacity for two place settings, so it’s best for someone living on their own, or with a partner, versus a larger family.
Product Details: Dimensions: 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 inches | Number of Settings: Five | Capacity: Two place settings
Best Large
Magic Chef Electronic Countertop Dishwasher
- It has room enough to efficiently clean smaller pots and pans.
It has room enough to efficiently clean smaller pots and pans.
- Though it’s large, it can only hold six place settings.
Though it’s large, it can only hold six place settings.
The Magic Chef Countertop Dishwasher is our pick for the best large countertop dishwasher because, on top of being big enough to fit six place settings, it has an organization system, optimizing the number of dishes you can fit into it.
We love that it has a wine glass holder that doubles as a cup shelf, as well as a cutlery basket for your forks, spoons, and knives. While some portable dishwashers don’t have the capacity to hold (or efficiently clean) pots and pans, this model does.
The dishwasher has six standard wash programs: one for heavily soiled dishes, pots and pans, a speed setting, glass setting, rinse-only setting, as well as options for normal or lightly soiled dishes. It also has hygienist drying that avoids using air outside the dishwasher. You can also delay start for up to 24 hours, in one hour increments.
This dishwasher also has a few features that make cleaning the appliance easier. It has anti-flood protection, which ensures you don’t experience any leaks when the water level is too high. It also has an easy-to-clean filter, which keeps any kind of residue or remnants from getting into its pump and a stainless steel interior that is also easy to keep clean, on top of being long lasting.
Keep in mind that this countertop dishwasher, while large and effective, can only hold six place settings, which is standard among smaller models. However, unlike other models, you can fit small pots and pans in this appliance.
Product Details: Dimensions: 19.7 x 21.7 x 17.2 inches | Number of Settings: Six | Capacity: Six place settings
Best Portable
Novete Portable Countertop Dishwasher
- Though compact and portable, it holds dishes up to 12 inches.
Though compact and portable, it holds dishes up to 12 inches.
- It can only hold four place settings while other countertop dishwashers can hold up to six.
It can only hold four place settings while other countertop dishwashers can hold up to six.
Clocking in at just 17 inches by 17 inches by 18 inches, the Novete Portable Countertop Dishwasher may be small, but it still manages to hold four place settings. It’s ideal for a small family of three to four, even despite its size.
While it is still capable of being hooked up to your kitchen faucet, it also has a water tank that holds 5 liters of water, which makes it possible to use anywhere. It’s perfect for people who are on the go in a van or RV.
This compact dishwasher has five settings to choose from. There’s a setting for a normal soil level, a speed setting for a quick wash (it only takes 29 minutes), a soft setting for your more fragile glasses and plates, and even a fruit washing setting.
It also has a baby care/heavy mode that washes at a higher temperature to make sure that baby bottles and products are sanitary and clean. There’s also an air-dry mode.
You’ll have to refill the water tank after every wash—it only holds 5 liters (1.9 gallons) and it uses that much water per wash.
Product Details: Dimensions: 16.8 x 16.9 x 18.1 inches | Number of Settings: Five | Capacity: Four place settings
Best Settings
Farberware Countertop Portable Dishwasher
- It includes seven settings, including one specifically for glassware and another for baby bottles.
It includes seven settings, including one specifically for glassware and another for baby bottles.
- It can only fit dishes that are 10 inches or less in diameter.
It can only fit dishes that are 10 inches or less in diameter.
The Farberware 21-inch Portable Countertop Dishwasher has multiple settings, including seven wash programs, which allows for customizable, reliable cleaning.
On top of the typical settings for a dishwasher—heavy, normal, and light—this countertop dishwasher impresses with a speed setting that gets your dishes clean and dry in just 45 minutes. There’s also a glass function, which leaves a streak-free clean on drinkware. Parents will appreciate the baby care setting makes it so that you can effectively wash baby bottles and products using steam to kill bacteria.
On top of the wash modes, it also has an extra drying function, which can be used with heavy, normal, light, glass, and baby care settings, and adds extra heat to the final rinse cycle in order to make drying even more efficient. Additionally, it has a self-clean function, which adds even more ease to the user experience.
We also like the spaciousness and organization of this small but powerful dishwasher. Able to wash up to six place settings, it has a cutlery basket and folding down rack shelves to create more space. There’s also a child lock to keep your little ones from accidentally starting the dishwasher. It’s made with stainless steel, which is a strong and durable material that can stand up to the frequent use of this appliance.
Keep in mind that, though this countertop dishwasher fits up to six place settings—enough for a small to medium sized family—it can only fit dishes that are 10 inches in diameter or less. Many dinner plates are at least 12 inches in diameter, so you may want to check your cabinet before purchasing.
Product Details: Dimensions: 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches | Number of Settings: Seven | Capacity: Six place settings
Best Sink Combo
Fotile In-Sink Dishwasher Combo with Waterproof Touchscreen in Stainless Steel
- This combo appliance doesn’t take up any counter space.
This combo appliance doesn’t take up any counter space.
- It requires installation, and you may need to call a plumber.
It requires installation, and you may need to call a plumber.
The Fotile 2-in-1 Sink and Dishwasher Combo makes a great space-saver. The dishwasher unit is compact at only 15 inches wide, 15 inches deep, and 12.5 inches high. And while it doesn't take up much room in your kitchen, this dishwasher can still hold up to four sets of dishes.
This dishwasher has five standard wash and rinse settings, and uses a 360-degree cleaning system to get an all over clean for your dishes. During each of these cycles, the dishwasher heats up the water to 158°F, eliminating bacteria. It also has convection drying.
Unlike the other countertop dishwashers on this list, this sink and dishwasher combo carries a hefty price tag. Additionally, you’ll have to buy a faucet with this sink. Keep in mind that this dishwasher does require installation, whereas other countertop dishwashers typically either have a water tank or hook up to the faucet.
The countertop dishwasher needs to be connected to both a power and water source. While it does come with detailed instructions for installation, you may want to call a plumber to install it in order to be sure your appliance functions properly.
Product Details: Dimensions: 19.31 x 35.25 x 21.68 inches | Number of Settings: Five | Capacity: Four place settings