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Washing dishes by hand after a great meal and a busy day can be a tedious chore. Traditional dishwashers take up a lot of space and are not ideal if you have a small kitchen. You might feel like your options are limited, but countertop dishwashers have been specially designed to fit in compact kitchens. As the name suggests, they are built to sit on a countertop or any other flat surface and make them easily accessible.
It takes about as much space as a microwave and it clean dishes with less water than it takes by hand. Countertop dishwashers are efficient, quiet, and highly sought appliances for college apartments and/or dorm rooms, office break rooms, finished basements, apartment complexes, and even on an RV for road trips. With different manufacturers providing different models, it poses a challenge in choosing the best product for your kitchen.
These 10 best countertop dishwashers showcase the front-runner of the market for a dishwasher you can fit on the top of your kitchen island.
| Rank | Brand | Score | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |   | hOmeLabs | hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher Energy StarVery sleek with a modern design that will fit perfectly on your countertop. Holds up to 6 table settings and can be used in one of six modes: Heavy, Normal, ECO, Glass, Speed, and Rinse. For stubborn food stains, use the pre-rinse cycle. With the soak cycle you can remove even baked-on stains before running the wash cycle. Comes with various different racks that you can select according to your needs. There are also special cup holders to help keep small items firmly in place during the wash. This model also has a delay function that can allow you to load the dishwasher and start it later. Even on the highest setting, the hOmeLabs Countertop Dishwasher uses less water (3.1 gallons per cycle) and energy than most models. Quick connect assembly with accessories, including inlet and drain hose and a faucet adapter for water lines. It is dependable, easy to mount, relatively lightweight, and built to last. This counter top appliance measures 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches and weight 44.1 pounds. | ||
| 2. |  Editor’s Choice for Families with Babies | Farberware | Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Portable Countertop DishwasherIf you have water, electricity and 29 minutes you can clean your dishes anywhere and anytime. The Farberware professional dishwasher can be placed on any countertop or sturdy table and gives you the choice of using its built-in water tank or a quick faucet hook-up. Offers five wash programs – Normal, Rapid, Fruit Wash, Baby Care and Glass. Lower and upper spray arms give dishes that streak-free deep cleaning. It also can be used to steam-clean baby bottles or give your glassware a sparkling clean finish. Air exchange function can be used with any washing program to help improve the drying performance and to prevent any peculiar smells. Dimensions are 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 inches, with a weight of 45.6 pounds. | ||
| 3. |  Colors: Black, Silver, White  | EdgeStar | EdgeStar DWP62BL Energy Star Portable Countertop DishwasherUses only 200-kilowatt hours per year, approximately 61 percent less energy than similar products. In addition to saving energy, this model wastes very little water. Extremely easy to operate, has 7 wash cycles and is optimized for holding up to six place settings – with a cutlery basket and cup shelf for organization. A stainless steel interior makes the dishwasher look good, while a powerful spray arm ensures a deep and thorough wash of all your dishes. The built-in rinse agent dispenser helps to minimize water spotting on dishes, while an internal water heater and the heavy wash cycle eliminate germs and bacteria by boosting water temperature up to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. A quick connect faucet adapter and five-foot hose make hook-up to almost any faucet simple. Measure 19.6 x 21.6 x 17.3 inches and weight 44 pounds. | ||
| 4. |  Editor’s Choice for Budget Countertop Dishwasher | Danby | Danby DDW621WDB Countertop DishwasherWhile Danby DDW621WDB is less stylish than our winner, the 6 place setting capacity and the adjustable rack are appreciated. This unit utilizes just 3.1 gallons of water for a normal cycle. The wash cycles range from Soak, Glass, Rapid, Economy, Normal, and Intensive. The delay start option program your cycle to start around your schedule, choose from 2, 4, 6 or 8 hours. Durable stainless-steel interior, also features an auto detergent and rinse agent dispenser for your convenience. The dishwasher is designed for simple and quick installation as it can easily be hooked up to any tap in your kitchen. We recommend the Danby DDW621WDB for those who need a quieter, more affordable, and more adjustable alternative. Weight 46.3 pounds and measure 19.7 x 21.6 x 17.2 inches. | ||
| 5. |   | BLACK + DECKER | BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Compact Countertop DishwasherAccommodate 6 place settings, including dinner plates up to 10 in. It has 7 wash programs, simply choose the desired setting to rinse, wash, soak, or even dry the plates. There is a special setting for glass, while the eco setting reduces your power consumption. Water hookup and drain connections are simple and fast to get you up and running in no time. The child lock is an unique feature which could be helpful for parents who may not trust their kids in the kitchen. The price and water consumption are certainly high for the features offered, yet it works well and do the job. Total weight is 46.2 pounds, measure 24.8 x 23.3 x 21 inches. | ||
| 6. |  | Sunbeam | Sunbeam DWSB3607WW Portable Countertop DishwasherChoose from six different washing cycles: Heavy, Normal, Eco, Glass, Speed, and Rinse. Cycle times run from 24 minutes (Rinse) to 110 minutes (Normal) and a buzzer will sound when cycle is complete. Spacious stainless steel interior holds up to six place settings. Cutlery basket and cup shelf maximize usable space. Automatic rinse aid dispenser prevents water from forming droplets on dishes that can leave spots and streaks. Easy installation – simply connect dishwasher to faucet and plug into outlet. Does the job, dishes are clean and it is quiet enough. Weight 44.1 pounds and dimensions are 21.7 x 17.2 x 19.7 inches. | ||
| 7. |  | Sunpentown (SPT) | Sunpentown SD-2224DS Countertop DishwasherWith a height of only 17.24 inches (and weight 43 pounds), this model from SPT will fit between most countertop and cabinetry. Spacious cavity made of stainless steel. Six wash cycles: Heavy, normal, ECO, Glass, Speed and Rinse. Spacious cavity loads up to six standard place settings. From empty and with a little finagling, it holds many different pots and pans as well. Automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser. Quick connect to any kitchen faucet eliminates the need for direct plumbing or permanent installation. It is completely quiet except for when it drains water. It cleans the dishes well – they are dry and spot free. Sunpentown commercial units can be found in many top restaurants, hotels and resorts. | ||
| 8. |  Editor’s Choice for Most Compact Product | DELLA | DELLA Portable Compact Countertop DishwasherIt is roughly the size of a regular microwave. This means that it will fit very easily on a standard countertop. Easily accommodate 6 standard place settings. Slide-out dish rack and removable utensil basket make for easy loading and unloading. Durable stainless steel interior, spray arm deliver many years of dependable washing. With six different wash cycles available, getting your dishes and other items beautifully clean is a breeze. Simple to use control panel and light indicators features a power button, start/end program, program selector, delay button (by 2, 4, or 8 hours), start/pause, water faucet indicator, rinse aid warning light, and display screen. Measure 19 x 21.5 x 17 inches and weight only 20 pounds. | ||
| 9. |   | Magic Chef | Magic Chef Energy Star MCSCD6W5 Countertop DishwasherThe Magic Chef brand is known in American for their stoves and ovens, but their MCSCD6W5 model provides all the convenience of a full-size dishwasher in a space saving design. Have space to accommodate six standard place settings, and it is designed with a durable stainless steel interior that includes a sliding rack, silverware basket and cup shelf for easy loading. Comes with 5 different wash cycles to provide you with plenty of choice. Features automatic detergent and rinse aid dispenser. The hygienic residual drying system avoids using air outside the dishwasher. The inlet and outlet hose are designed to be very easy to hook up. Measure 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches and weight 49.5 pounds. | ||
| 10. |  | SPT | SPT SD-2225DW Countertop Dishwasher with Delay StartPerfect for condo and apartment dwellers. Stylish white exterior with a stainelss steel interior. It is designed to maximize how much you can load. Equiped with 6 wash cycles: Heavy, normal, ECO, Glass, Speed and Rinse. Delay start for added convenience : two, four, six or eight hours. Comes with an universal faucet adapter for quick and easy connection to most kitchen faucets. Electronic controls with LED display : LED displays remaining time or current running state. Features a water supply warning indicator and rinse aid warning indicator. At 43 pounds it measure 21.6 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches. |
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Consumer Reports – Countertop Dishwashers Pros and Cons
One of the biggest reasons that so many people choose such a dishwasher is the size. These can fit into tiny spaces where a larger dishwasher may not. This is a great advantage for people with small kitchens or students living in dormitories. They are also handy for individuals looking to get a dishwasher for recreational vehicles or boats. Compared to their larger counterparts, compact dishwashers are typically much more affordable. In addition to costing less to purchase, a small dishwasher also saves the consumer money on utilities.
Pros- Help save your sink from being filled up with dirty dishes.
- Heats the water automatically for better cleaning.
- Best dishwashers have 2 pumps, one for water and another to drain the dishes.
- Can stop the wash program in between to add another dish.
- Small size, fits right on your countertop.
- Do not need to be hooked up to any permanent plumbing.
- Digital displays are available and easy to use.
- Use far less water and ebergy than full-sized dishwashers, which can help you save money.
Cons- Need to clean the dishes before placing them in the dishwasher.
- Larger dishes may not fit.
Installing a countertop dishwasher is simple and easy. Most units come equipped with all the tools and parts that are required to install them. You need an inlet, two hoses, and drain hose. If you look at the backside of the dishwasher unit, you will see ports where each of the hoses needs to be screwed. Maintaining the device is also quite simple. Just be sure you do not overload it. If there are any food residues in the unit, clear it before starting the next wash cycle. With maintained and used properly, the countertop dishwasher can save you from hand washing your dishes for a couple of good years.
Countertop Dishwashers FAQ
We are asked frequently questions about countertop dishwashers. Below we have listed out the most frequently asked questions we receive.
· Why Should I Buy a Countertop Dishwasher?
As we stated before, countertop dishwashers are versatile machines. Whether you need one as your primary dishwasher or for supplemental use, these units can adapt easily to your needs. If you live in a small house or rent an apartment without a dishwasher, a portable countertop dishwasher can be a lifesaver. People discover that countertop dishwashers are super helpful in a variety of situations.
· How Does a Dishwasher Work?
A countertop dishwasher draws water and sprays it through rotating jets to rinse the dishes. It releases the detergent and the dishes are cleaned with soapy hot water. Once the cleaning process is done the dishwasher rinses the dishes again. After this cycle, the dishwasher dries the dishes.
· Are They Better Than a Normal Dishwasher?
The answer is no. A countertop dishwasher cleans just as efficiently as a full-size model. Although, portable countertop dishwashers use considerably less water, detergent, and energy than their full-sized rivals. They just don’t need as many resources to achieve the same level of cleanliness. The difference is given only by the larger number of washed dishes.
· Do They Use a Lot of Water?
These machines are environmentally friendly. On average use around 3 gallons of water per load. Handwashing uses up to 25 gallons of water, so any of our reviewed dishwashers is better than suffering through washing dishes in the sink.
· How Will a Countertop Dishwasher Affect My Utility Bills?
Countertop dishwashers are extremely economical and efficient. Each wash cycle uses about 3 gallons of water and some models are Energy Star rated.
· Are There Specific Wash Cycles?
Countertop dishwashers offer pretty much the same features, including different wash cycles depending on the brand you choose to buy. They usually include heavy, normal, light, glass, speed or soak options. Plus, they may also offer automatic detergent and rinse aid dispensers. Or, use it with a delayed start.
· What Can I Put Into a Dishwasher?
You can put utensils that are made of steel, ceramic, glass, plastic which is suitable for microwaves, and porcelain items that are suitable for dishwashers. Some models, like Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Portable Countertop Dishwasher allow you to even steam-clean baby bottles or toys.
· Does Glass Break or Get Chipped When We Clean It In Dishwashers?
No, glass does not get chipped or broken in the dishwasher as long as you have placed them properly.
· How Does a Countertop Dishwasher Drain?
In general, these dishwashers use a quick connect adapter to a standard sink faucet for water intake. In the back of the unit, they have a drain hose that allows for drainage to run directly into a sink. Some models can be installed on your main water line and drained to the garbage disposal or pipeline. However, these units are NOT designed for this type of permanent installation, so it’s not a good idea to do so. Please check the manufacturer installation manual prior to attempting this to ensure that it is safe to do it.
· Can I Place It Inside Of A Cabinet or Under a Counter?
As the name suggests, they are intended to sit on a countertop to make them easily accessible. A countertop dishwasher is not designed to be placed under a counter or inside of a cabinet. Please refer to the user manual for installation and operating instructions.
· How Much Space Does It Takes?
A big advantage of countertop dishwashers is the compact size. They usually take up no more room than microwave units and sit on top of any flat solid surface. Some can even fit directly underneath the cabinets making them perfect for small spaces. And when is not in use, it can be tucked away in a closet or rolled away on a kitchen cart.
We Have Chosen a Winner
Out of all of the countertop dishwashers we review, the hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher Energy Star had the best cleaning performance. Using the rinse aid dispenser, you can dry your plates, mugs, and glass quickly without the marks or streaks. It is a very compact and comfortably fits on the counter top next to the sink.
We also liked that this hOmeLabs dishwasher had six cycles to choose from: Heavy, Normal, ECO, Glass, Speed, and Rinse. It is super quiet and simple to hook up and use, with a digital display, and a sleek-looking exterior – all these features make it the best choice for a countertop dishwasher that will get the job done right the first time.
Conclusion
As you can see, countertop dishwashers are lifesavers for people who do not want to spend time cleaning plates again and again. It can be used if you have a really small apartment or even a larger space where you need a secondary dishwasher for some reason. Some people even put their countertop dishwasher on a kitchen island cart, enabling them to move the unit into a nearby closet to free up more space.
Since countertop dishwashers are increasing in popularity, you’ll find plenty of good models that can meet your expectations. In any case, the performance and efficiency may differ depending on the manufacturer and the brand. If you need a countertop machine that does the dirty washing job for you, it’s time to try it out. Given the options listed above, you can never go wrong!
