Do you own a condo in an urban center or a small house with a small kitchen?
Do you rent?
If you answered yes to any of the above, then you might find that a countertop dishwasher, like those below, to be more economical than one that you mount inside your kitchen. Cash strapped? Look no further, a countertop dishwasher will do the job you need with no fuss and no muss.
However, if you want the best possible clean, your best bet is still to go with an under-counter dishwasher, (like these) which will get the job done, but they are much more expensive, taking up more space and they cannot be used for mugs or anything larger in diameter than a cup.
Countertop dishwashers are for those who live in small spaces with small kitchens, people who have disabilities, or perhaps folks on a tight budget.
Here are some of the best countertop dishwashers for your kitchen, in no particular order.
SinkBoss SP10 The SinkBoss SP10 is one of the best countertop dishwashers on the market. Boasting a stainless steel tub, an adjustable upper rack, and an impressive 10 place settings, it won't leave you wanting for more.
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher | Best Overall |  |
| Whynter CDW-6831WES Energy Star 6 place setting LED | Budget Pick |  |
1. hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Pros:
- Gets the job done
- Compact size
- Easy to use
- Energy efficient
Cons:
- Pricey
- No indication of how to fit dishes in.
The hOmelabs countertop dishwashers are a perfect option for small spaces, and they are designed to work with a wide range of dishes and kitchen utensils. hOmelabs claims that the dishwashers have an energy-efficient design and a compact size that’s perfect for apartments, college dorms, or any small kitchen.
The hOmelabs dishwashers are small enough to fit into small areas of your kitchen. They come in three sizes – small, medium, and large – with the small and medium sizes also being available in single cycle, 3-cycle, and 6-cycle options.
Each size hOmelabs countertop dishwasher comes in a color, allowing you to match your kitchen interior or upgrade your countertop that’s exposed.
2. Magic Chef MCL2STRT 2-Slice Toaster
Pros:
- Affordable price tag
- Easy to use
- Stainless steel body
- Removable crumb tray
- Toasts two slices of bread or bagels simultaneously
- Compact in size
- Overheat protection feature
By no means is this small toaster a replacement for your full-sized model. If you’re looking for true aesthetically pleasing results, this won’t be what you’re looking for. Also, if you’re looking for a proper toaster in terms of quality, this won’t be what you’re looking for either, but it will get you by in a pinch.
The Magic Chef’s best feature is the fact that it toasts two pieces of bread or bagels at the same time. It’s perfect for college students or people with families that need a quick and simple way to get a quick breakfast. This toaster doesn’t have any other standout features, but there are a few things that some people may consider as negatives.
3. Magic Chef MCSCD6W3 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher
Pros:
- Very quiet
- Plenty of room for dishes
- Free cycle option
- Spacious interior
- Easy to install
- Great reviews on cost and functionality
Cons:
- Stains easily
- Does not work well with tall glasses
- Must be installed by a professional
- Energy consumption is a little higher than average
This Magic Chef 6 place setting dishwasher from Best Buy is our top pick as it is both cost and energy efficient, saving you money from costly electric bills while providing you with a sufficient amount of space to fit dishes larger than most other models.
This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 6 place settings and features a pull-out wire basket with cutlery basket for your utensils. The basket features two compartments to keep your cups and plates from clashing and preventing your valuables from getting scratched.
Like all other dishwashers, this one includes the standard rinse, wash, and dry cycles. However, you can select the Free cycle option by moving the dial on the right side of the control panel to “FREE.” This enables you to program the dishwasher to run whenever you like, instead of being restricted to the three different cycles it comes with.
4. DELLA Compact Dishwasher Countertop Small Kitchen Portable Dishwashers
Pros:
- Extremely compact – perfect for apartment living
- Great for the person who’s on the go
- Excellent value for money
Cons:
- Doesn’t fit family-sized dinner plates
- Doesn’t come with soap pods
- Takes a while to dry
Consider the DELLA Compact Dishwasher countertop dishwasher if you’re searching for the best small dishwasher for one or two people in a small or apartment-sized kitchen.
It’s the ideal size for a quick clean up of your plates while you’re on the go! (It’s not a full-sized dishwasher with extensive functionality).
It has a 160-millimeter tub capacity and can hold eight place settings. The unit’s interior is made from stainless steel and features a reusable cloth filter that’s easy to remove for cleaning. It also uses 15-volt power and includes a removable, hose-style faucet adapter.
5. General Electric WD35X151 Citric Acid Dishwasher Cleaner
Pros:
- Cable-free installation
- Long-lasting performance with durable steel components
- The sprayer nozzle allows you to hit all narrow and hard-to-reach areas of your dishes
- Simple installation process
Compared to other portable dishwashers, this product is not very compact. It takes up a little more space than expected.
For a discounted and slightly higher-end countertop dishwasher that’s great for small kitchens and dining areas, you simply can’t go wrong with this product. The GE dishwasher has a run-time of up to 3 hours, which is perfect for those who aren’t interested in having a dishwasher running all day. It comes with flexible installation options, which allow you to attach it to your sink or place it on a counter.
The GE product undergoes special treatment that’s designed to last for prolonged periods of time, with up to 500 hours of life. With the Ultra sprayer nozzle, you can clean out all the food debris with ease even in hard-to-reach places. This product also comes with special sensor technology that allows it to detect how large the load of dishes inside it are. The cleaning cycle is dependent on how much food there is, and it will adjust accordingly to give you the best results.
6. SPT Countertop Dishwasher
Pros:
- Small, convenient size
- Simple non-electric operation
- Drain and rinse cycle
- Good reviews with only one negative
The Spt Countertop dishwasher is a non-electric dishwasher that operates using only water to clean your dishes. It’s small and compact, but still holds 10 plates or around 12 cups and a 5-inch dish. The unit is very easy to use, and only requires you to fill it with enough water, place your dishes inside, lock the door, and open the pump and begin operation. As the water is heated, it will shoot the dirty water through the faucet – so no need for separate hoses.
The Spt Countertop dishwasher is a decent purchase if you are looking for a dishwasher that has all of the features and functions you’d find in a normal sized dishwasher. Only 2-3 minutes are required to clean your dishes, so it’s perfect for busy people that rush out of the house in the morning. It’s a great thing to have on-hand if you live in an apartment, or just can’t fit a conventional dishwasher in your kitchen.
7. Danby DDW611WLED Countertop Dishwasher
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Efficient at cleaning dishes
- Easy to use
- Looks great on the counter
- Has a top rack for utensils
Cons:
- Doesn’t come with a drying feature
- May be too basic for some
- Does not have a child safety lock
Our top countertop dishwasher on the market is the DDW611WLED from Danby. This 28-inch dishwasher is great for small kitchens, as it’s ideal for smaller cupboards. The DDW611WLED has an integrated handle, a rail, and a roll-out shelf for your dishes. The interior of the machine has stainless steel wash and dry racks. The Danby is very easy to use. Just load your dishes and set one of two options – light wash or heavy wash. This small dishwasher holds up to six place settings of dishes.
8. Ivation Portable Dishwasher
Finding the most compact dishwasher for small spaces is never easy. When you have very little space in the kitchen – except maybe by the sink – countertop dishwashers really come in handy.
The Ivation compact dishwasher is a great option for small kitchens and compact spaces. It features six place settings, stainless steel interiors, and a compact design that will save you a lot of space.
As you might have already guessed, this dishwasher is on the small side. Although it claims to be able to fit six place settings, the dishes won’t fit flat. Also, the space for larger items is limited, such as plates and bowls, to name a few. However, you can always partially load the machine for larger loads.
9. Whynter CDW-6831WES Energy Star 6 place setting LED
Pros:
- Energy Star rated
- Great for small spaces
- Speedy cycle (about 44 minutes for a full cycle)
- Easy to use
Whynter is a company that designs home appliances that can help make your life easier and save you time. The Whynter CDW-6831WES is a great example of their quality dishwashers at an affordable price, offering a massive variety of functionality, as well as a sleek and modern design.
The Whynter dishwasher features a 6-place setting capacity that is ideal for small families and apartments where space is at a premium. The 39-inch height makes this dishwasher suitable for most countertops, and it features a portable design, allowing you to take it to different spaces in your house.
Many top dishwashers have a pump system which circulates water and detergent as they are needed, but not all systems are the same, so the Whynter dishwasher features a spray arm with two moving jets and controls the water pressure for you. These jets help spray water efficiently from multiple angles which allows this dishwasher to clean plates and glasses quickly and efficiently.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Are countertop dishwashers worth it?
These machines are designed for big units that won’t fit under cabinets, so they are certainly worth it if you need to free up drawer or cupboard space.
Sanitization is one of the most important features to look for in a countertop dishwasher. Some come with an anti-microbial setting to ensure the environment inside, and your dishes, are clean. More expensive models may give you more options for configurations and settings to ensure that the process is as smooth as possible.
You must have counter space for your dishwasher to install and that is not always a good thing. Especially in tiny kitchens, it’s important to make sure you have enough counter space for your use. This unit also requires a water source. Basically there is no installation process to worry about; you simply connect it and put some of the dishes inside.
What is the smallest countertop dishwasher?
Our best countertop dishwasher choice:
The smallest countertop dishwasher with cleaning power worthy of a kitchen counter is the Whirlpool 4.5 CuFt 120 V RFID enabled Countertop Dishwasher.
This dishwasher has a small footprint but 4.5 cubic feet of internal space, so it can wash up to 9 place settings (18 dinner-size settings). It’s also got some extra features that are specifically designed for countertop use, such as a water line hookup for an external source and slide-out filter for easy access and service.
This model is hard-wired but the installation shouldn’t take more than a few hours. For a countertop dishwasher, it’s on the expensive side, but if you want small, clean, and quiet, this would be a good choice.
Do table top dishwashers need to be plumbed?
Technically, the answer to this question is no. However, most people will want to plumb their machine whether they are using it on a countertop or under the cabinet. Plumbing your machine will allow you to use all the features with ease and adapt it to the plumbing in your home.
The main reason to plumb your machine is if you want to use the sprayer feature. This cool feature comes with a lot of power and control so you need a strong connection to your water supply. Otherwise, one day you'll be spraying at full-strength and get knocked on your butt by the thing going full-blast. Most people in homes without a dedicated laundry room will want to plumb their machine too. Otherwise, setting up the machine and then carrying the cleaning solution around your kitchen trying to fill it up is a pain. It's much better to get everything out of the way so you can go directly to the sink and fill it up.
Can you put a countertop dishwasher in a cabinet?
The short answer is no. This is because of how a countertop dishwasher works. Dishwashers use water pressure to create the force needed to clean the dishes. Space from the top of the kitchen counter is needed for this pressure to build up. Since cabinet doors create a right angle in the line of the water flow, it disrupts the flow and stops the machine from filling, draining, or even washing.
For this reason, countertop dishwashers can not be installed in a cabinet. It is possible to install the machine under the sink but will require a modification to the water supply lines. Because of this, a countertop dishwasher in a cabinet is an illegal modification according to many local building codes.
Conclusion
You'll want to take a close look at our recommended picks. We hope that after reading this page, you'll have a better idea of which option will be best for you to purchase as well as how you can save money. We believe that these dishwashers are excellent choices, so you won’t be disappointed in any of these machines.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher | Best Overall | |
| Whynter CDW-6831WES Energy Star 6 place setting LED | Budget Pick | |