Countertop dishwashers are a great solution for small families and individuals looking for a little help in the kitchen, or even people who need a portable cleaning solution to take with them in their RV or vans when they hit the open road. Like a full-size dishwasher, countertop dishwashers use hot water, detergent, and even steam to clean dishes, glasses, and flatware. ¡°Countertop dishwashers are versatile, easy to use and small enough to sit on your counter,¡± says Jessica Thomas, director of merchandising (dishwashers and garbage disposals) for The Home Depot. They connect to your sink using a quick connect adapter and use less water and detergent than standard dishwashers. Some countertop dishwashers even have built-in tanks, so you can run them without connecting to your faucet.
In a tiny kitchen, a built-in dishwasher can seem completely out of the question. Countertop dishwashers offer a practical solution, even for those living in an apartment. Countertop dishwashers are small appliances that can be placed on a counter or table. Units can provide a hose to draw clean water from the kitchen faucet or utilize a water tank that you fill by hand (or both). They don’t entail any complicated installation, and they are easy to move. At the end of the cycle, the dirty water either drains into the sink or a separate water tank.
Top 10 Countertop Dishwashers for 2025
Below is a curated list of the best countertop dishwashers for small kitchens in 2025, based on expert reviews, user feedback, and lab testing. Each model is evaluated for performance, capacity, noise level, and energy efficiency.
1. Danby DDW631SDB Countertop Dishwasher
Unlike other plastic countertop models, this one actually looks superior with its stainless steel design, electronic controls with LED display and metal drop-down door handle. It’s a compact size at 19.69 x 21.65 x 17.24 inches, so it won’t take up much space. It can handle a half dozen place settings and gives you a choice of 6 cleaning options from short energy-saving cycles for lightly soiled dishes to an intensive setting for heavily soiled loads; it includes a baby care program for steam cleaning, but not sanitizing, bottles. You can set it to turn on anywhere from 2 to 8 hours later so it will run when energy costs are lowest and the noise is least likely to disturb you. This countertop dishwasher has an average rating of 4.2/5 on Amazon, and generally comes highly recommended for those lacking space in the kitchen. It gets things “squeaky clean” is “easy to set up” and is ideal for “singles and couples”.
- Pros: Stainless steel interior, Energy Star certified, quiet at 52 dB, six wash cycles.
- Cons: Cannot accommodate plates larger than 10 inches, requires faucet hookup.
Shop Danby DDW631SDB on Amazon
2. Hava R01 Countertop Dishwasher
This compact dishwasher from Hava is our favorite countertop model because it holds a surprising amount of dishes and cleans them extremely well. We noticed that dishes we cleaned in the Hava came out with fewer water spots than dishes washed in our standard dishwasher (with no hint of food debris either!). We used this dishwasher at home for three weeks, gently pre-rinsing dishes just like we do with our standard dishwasher, and it worked extremely well with all sorts of tableware, flatware, mugs, and glassware. We used the same liquid detergent that we normally use, and the Hava cleaned just as well (and sometimes better than) our full-sized dishwasher. It has a pump to force the dirty water out and a filter that’s easy to get to and clean. We had to buy an adapter to connect it to our kitchen faucet, but most faucets should have the right threads (behind the aerator).
- Pros: Excellent cleaning performance, built-in water tank option, six wash cycles.
- Cons: At 18 inches tall, may not fit under all cabinets; adapter needed for some faucets.
3. Comfee’ Countertop Portable Dishwasher with 6L Built-in Water Tank
Smaller dishwashers held about two place settings, while larger models held about four place settings (despite some that claimed to hold six place settings). Our overall top pick was compact: The Comfee’ Countertop Portable Dishwasher with 6L Built-in Water Tank, which holds about two place settings and draws water from a refillable tank, cleaned well and was easy to use. It was the only model with a door that popped open at the end of the cycle, helping dishes air-dry. Many countertop dishwashers have similar designs, but the Comfee cleans dishes perfectly. It’s neither noisy nor an eyesore and can quickly be hooked up to your sink faucet or filled with water to run.
- Pros: Built-in water tank, auto-open door for drying, compact at 17 inches.
- Cons: Limited to two place settings, not Energy Star certified.
Shop Comfee’ Countertop Dishwasher on Amazon
4. Black + Decker BCD6W Countertop Dishwasher
This Black + Decker countertop dishwasher is chic with a black window, a curved stainless-steel handle, an LED display above the handle, and a stainless steel interior. It’s loaded with seven cycles ranging from a quick Rinse to a rigorous Heavy and has 24-hour delay start and child lock options. While it’s large enough to hold 6 complete place settings, the manufacturer cautions that it can’t accommodate dinner plates larger than 10 inches. You can set it for extra drying time and there’s a compartment for rinse aid. In addition to being among the quietest models you can buy, the Black + Decker is Energy Star rated.
- Pros: Sleek design, seven wash cycles, quiet at 52 dB, Energy Star certified.
- Cons: Limited to 10-inch plates, takes up significant counter space.
Shop Black + Decker BCD6W on Amazon
5. Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Countertop Dishwasher
The Farberware complete and ultra-compact countertop dishwasher has a 5-liter built-in water tank so it doesn’t require a faucet connection to operate. The interior of this countertop dishwasher holds up to four place settings’ worth of dishes and has upper and lower spray arms and 14 water ports for 360-degree cleaning as well as 35 minutes of pressurized washing. It also supports two water sources (faucet or a built-in water tank) and has five different wash cycles to choose from. The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA has 75% five-star ratings on Amazon. Users liked that this model comes with a tank and that the water hoses spray from the machine’s top and bottom.
- Pros: Built-in water tank, compact size, good for RV use.
- Cons: Cannot fit pots and pans, longer wash cycles.
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Shop Farberware FDW05ASBWHA on Amazon
6. Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 Countertop Dishwasher
At only 52 decibels, this Magic Chef is tied with our best overall pick for quietest dishwasher, which is a real plus in small kitchens and tiny apartments. 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. This unit is Energy Star certified, and it offers many other amenities usually found on a full-size dishwasher: It has a metal interior, and the separate flatware basket and two flip-down cup shelves help it hold up to six place settings. The six wash programs include everything from intense wash to rinse only, plus there’s a 24-hour delay wash option.
- Pros: Quiet at 52 dB, Energy Star certified, six place settings.
- Cons: Large footprint, requires faucet connection.
Shop Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 on Amazon
7. EdgeStar DWP62SV Countertop Dishwasher
The EdgeStar countertop dishwasher accommodates plates up to 10.5 inches in diameter and has seven wash cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Light and Rinse Only. It also has an automatic detergent and rinse-aid dispenser and, according to the brand, uses only 2.85 gallons of water for a normal cycle. It comes in black, white and silver to match your kitchen decor and has a delayed start function so you can wash dishes while you’re out.
- Pros: Low water usage, seven wash cycles, multiple color options.
- Cons: Limited plate size, heavier at 44 pounds.
Shop EdgeStar DWP62SV on Amazon
8. Bosch SKS62E32EU Serie 4 Compact Dishwasher
The Bosch serie 4 freestanding compact dishwasher SKS62E32EU is a top-performing investment that will put an end to the dreaded sink of dirty dishes forever. There are five wash programmes including glass care and economy plus an intensive setting which really improved results. We were especially wowed by the quick wash setting which whizzes through a cycle in just 20 minutes, perfect if you need dishes in a hurry or have several loads to get through. The machine uses the heat created to get everything bone dry too.
- Pros: Fast 20-minute cycle, excellent drying, high performance.
- Cons: Larger size, requires water supply connection.
Shop Bosch SKS62E32EU on Amazon
9. Klarstein Aquatica Countertop Dishwasher
This is on the large side compared to some of the most compact dishwashers we tested so it’s worth measuring carefully before buying if you’re short on space. It will also need connecting to the water supply. However, its performance is on a par with a bigger machine and it will look good in any kitchen with its digital timer and glossy white door. The machine uses the heat created to get everything bone dry too and we were surprised this even worked wonders on those dishes that tend to collect water in nooks and crannies.
- Pros: High performance, good drying, sleek design.
- Cons: Larger footprint, no pre-rinse function.
Shop Klarstein Aquatica on Amazon
10. Loch Electronics Capsule 3-in-1 Countertop Dishwasher
The Loch Electronics Capsule 3-in-1 Countertop Dishwasher is a compact machine that doesn’t require plumbing to function. It’s designed for small households and is available in four different colors. The machine is well-designed and sleek and comes with a digital control panel with touchscreen buttons that light up when it’s on. The buttons are big and easy to use, but they may be difficult to see in bright sunlight.
- Pros: No plumbing required, colorful options, user-friendly controls.
- Cons: Smaller capacity, buttons hard to see in sunlight.
Shop Loch Electronics Capsule on Amazon
Comparison Table of Top Countertop Dishwashers
| Model | Dimensions (inches) | Capacity | Noise Level (dB) | Energy Star Certified | Wash Cycles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Danby DDW631SDB | 19.69 x 21.65 x 17.24 | 6 place settings | 52 | Yes | 6 |
| Hava R01 | 16.8 x 16.7 x 18 | 4 place settings | 60 | No | 6 |
| Comfee’ 6L | 17 x 16.5 x 17.2 | 2 place settings | 62 | No | 6 |
| Black + Decker BCD6W | 21.6 x 20.6 x 17.2 | 6 place settings | 52 | Yes | 7 |
| Farberware FDW05ASBWHA | 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 | 4 place settings | 58 | Yes | 5 |
Testing Scenarios and Performance
Lab Testing
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we test full-size, countertop and portable dishwashers to determine how well they clean normal and heavily-soiled dishes. We tested six countertop dishwashers in The Lab and our homes for effectiveness, capacity, noise level, and more. While countertop dishwashers are slower than built-in ones, they still perform well-with some, you don’t even need to rinse dishes beforehand. Our favorite countertop dishwashers fit between two and six place settings at once. Most of the models we tested were quiet, with lots of cycle options, and some included extra features like a high-temperature mode for baby products and a gentle mode for washing fresh fruit.
Home Testing Example
We used the Danby countertop dishwasher at home for about three weeks while renovating our kitchen. This compact dishwasher from Danby is more spacious than most, and it performed exceptionally well in our tests, which is why we consider it a close runner-up to the overall best countertop dishwasher. We used this dishwasher at home for three weeks, gently pre-rinsing dishes just like we do with our standard dishwasher, and it worked extremely well with all sorts of tableware, flatware, mugs, and glassware.
Buying Guide for Countertop Dishwashers
Countertop dishwashers come with many features, weights and sizes. So it’s important to look for one that fits your lifestyle and needs. Below are some of the most important considerations when shopping for a countertop dishwasher, according to Mooers.
- Energy Star rating: Many countertop dishwashers say they are energy efficient, but that’s not the same as being Energy Star certified.
- Size: Measure once, and measure again to ensure the dishwasher fits into the allocated space. In our guide, the smallest mini dishwasher we found was a mere 34cm wide compared to the largest at 60cm.
- Water Source: Some options will need to be plugged into the mains (which will require professional plumbing), while others come with a detachable hose so the dishwasher can drain dirty water into the sink and fill up clean water from the kitchen tap.
- Capacity: The amount of dishes, glasses, and flatware that can be washed in the dishwasher at a time. Always check the size of your plates before selecting a countertop dishwasher. Dinner plates tend to be 9- to 12-inches in diameter. Most-but not all-countertop dishwashers can handle plates up to 10 inches.
- Noise Level: A whisper is typically measured at about 30 decibels, while a normal conversation can be around 55 to 60 decibels.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can countertop dishwashers clean as well as full-size models?
Yes, many countertop dishwashers clean as effectively as full-size models for small loads. They use hot water, detergent, and spray arms to remove food debris, but their smaller capacity means they’re better suited for households with fewer dishes.
Do I need a plumber to install a countertop dishwasher?
No, most countertop dishwashers are designed for easy setup. They typically connect to your kitchen faucet with a quick-connect adapter or use a built-in water tank, requiring no professional plumbing.
How much water do countertop dishwashers use?
On average, countertop dishwashers use 2-5 gallons of water per cycle, significantly less than hand-washing, which can use up to 27 gallons. Energy Star-certified models are the most efficient.
Are countertop dishwashers noisy?
Most models operate between 52-62 decibels, similar to a normal conversation. Quieter models, like the Danby DDW631SDB or Magic Chef MCSCD6W5, are ideal for small apartments.
Can I use regular dishwasher detergent?
Yes, you can use powders, gels, or liquids, but consult the manual for the recommended amount. Some brands caution against using pods for quick cycles, as they may not dissolve fully.
Additional Resources
For more information on dishwashers and kitchen appliances, check out these authoritative sources: