Top 5 Countertop Dishwashers: Essential Buying Guide

Does the thought of washing mountains of dishes after a delicious meal make you sigh? You’re not alone! Many people wish for sparkling clean plates without spending precious time scrubbing by hand, especially in smaller living spaces. But when you look at dishwashers, the full-sized ones just don’t fit. That’s where countertop dishwashers come in, promising convenience without the major installation.

Choosing the perfect countertop dishwasher can feel like a puzzle. You need to balance size, cleaning power, and cost. How do you know which one truly handles tough grease and fits neatly on your counter? It can be confusing to compare features and find the best match for your kitchen.

Don’t worry! This post cuts through the clutter. We will break down exactly what makes a great countertop dishwasher. You will learn the key features to look for, understand the different types available, and discover how to pick the model that fits your life perfectly.

Ready to trade sink scrubbing for simple button-pushing? Let’s dive into everything you need to know to find your ideal countertop cleaning companion.

Top Countertop Dishwasher Recommendations

SaleBestseller No. 1

EUHOMY Countertop Dishwasher Portable with 6 Programs, 5L Built-in Water Tank for Apartments & RV, 167℉ High-Temp, No Hookup Needed, Mini Dishwasher with Baby Care, Air Dry/Quick/ECO/Fruit/Normal Mode

𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Euhomy Portable Countertop Dishwasher: Compact yet powerful, measuring just 16.83 x 16.73 x 18.03 inches. Its spacious interior efficiently cleans over 30 items at once, including plates up to 10.25 inches. Holds: 4 Plates, 4 Small Plates, 4 Small Cups, 4 Bowls, 2 Glasses, and 7 sets of Forks, Knives, and Spoons. Includes added convenience with a dedicated cutlery holder, a fruit basket, and a kettle. The perfect space-saving solution for homes, apartments, dorms, boats, and RVs
𝐍𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝: Our Euhomy countertop dishwasher offers two water supply options: tank mode and faucet mode. In Tank Mode, simply fill the built-in 5L (1.32-Gallon) reservoir—the automatic water level indicator tells you when it's perfectly filled and ready to clean. Use Faucet Mode by attaching the included inlet hose directly to your kitchen tap for a continuous supply of water. With dual modes, this compact dishwasher offers effortless operation and adapts to any kitchen setup—no permanent installation required
𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: The Euhomy compact dishwasher boasts 6 programs for your family: Normal, Quick, ECO, Baby Care/Heavy Duty, and Fruit, Dry. The Quick offers a 29 minutes fast wash. While the Baby Care/ Strong mode of our mini dishwasher operates at a scorching 167°F, ensuring baby products and greasy dishes are thoroughly rinsed. The dishwasher also features a dual spray arm system that provides 360° cleaning, ensuring thorough washing of accessories—even pet bowls, collars, leashes, and more. Customized cleaning is easy with this versatile dishwasher
𝟑-𝐢𝐧-𝟏 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Not just a sideboard and compact dishwasher, but also a dish dryer. The Euhomy dishwasher provides 60 minutes of hot air drying followed by 73 hours of automatic ventilation after each wash, keeping your dishes free from unpleasant odors. *The drying mode can be used with any wash cycle except Fruit mode, and it can also operate independently
𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: This compact dishwasher saves up to 80% water compared to handwashing. Its 5L (1.32-gallon) water tank can handle multiple cleaning operations. Certified by ETL and DOE for safety, quality, and energy-saving performance, it also comes with a 1-year warranty. We're always here to help with any questions!

Bestseller No. 2

COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher, Energy Star Portable Dishwasher, 6 Place Settings & 8 Washing Programs, Speed, Baby-Care, ECO& Glass, Dish Washer for Dorm, RV& Apartment, Black

6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.6″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and has a plate size of up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
Simple Installation- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
Heavy Program- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 154℉, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
Speed Program- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with Energy Star compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.

SaleBestseller No. 3

BLITZHOME Portable Dishwasher Countertop, WIFI Smart Dishwasher, Compact Dishwashers with 5L Built-in Water Tank, 6 Programs, 360° Dual Spray, High-Temp& Air-Dry Function, Fruit Cleaning

【APP Smart Control】Different from others, our dishwasher has an app connection function. No matter where you are, you can check the status of the dishwasher and set the dishwashing timer in real time through your phone, which can save you time, and also bring you a more convenient life
【Six Washing Programs】Our dishwasher designed with 6 washing programs, including Standard, Quick, Strong, ECO, Fruit, Drying, which fulfilling your daily requirements; Standard mode is suitable for most common dishware; Quick mode only needs 29 minutes to satisfy basic washing; ECO mode can save power and water; Fruit mode is designed for you who want to clean specific items.After cleaning, 167℉ high temperature fast drying function can ensure health and safety
【Dual Modes of Water Inlet】You can add water to the tank directly or attach the dishwasher to the tap,which means that no worries about modifying waterways and cabinets. Also it is ideal for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats and campers/RVs
【Large Capacity】Our dishwasher can hold up home for 4-6 sets of tableware(20 dishes), and also equipped with bowl basket, knife& fork basket.There are also storage racks and cutlery baskets inside to make forks, spoons, etc. easier to clean
【3D 360° Spiral Spray Washing】360° Powerful Cleaning,Up&Down Double Spray Arms,High pressure washing and full-angle 3D spraying cover every corner and remove stains thoroughly and effectively,which gives you the perfect dishwashing experience

SaleBestseller No. 4

NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwashers, Compact Dishwashers with 5L Built-in Water Tank & Inlet Hose, 5 Washing Programs, Baby Care, Air-Dry Function and LED Light for Small Apartments

【SMALL SIZE, LARGE CAPACITY】This portable dishwasher only measures 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches, but holds 4 full place settings and fits up to 12" dishes loaded at an angle, easily meeting daily needs for a family of 3-4; the double-layer design offers enough space for 4 x serving bowls, 4 x cups, 4 x small plates, 4 x dinner plates, 7 x spoons, 7 x forks and 7 x knives; perfect for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs
【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】This countertop dishwasher supports 2 water supply modes, including a faucet mode and water tank mode; a built-in 5 L water tank allows instant use when fully filled. The automatic water level indicator lets you know when the correct water level has been reached; to use the faucet mode, simply connect the water inlet hose to the machine and faucet
【BABY CARE MODE】This compact dishwasher offers 5 wash cycles - Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care/Heavy, and Fruit; the Baby Care/Heavy mode with 167 °F washing temperature is suitable for baby products and oily tableware, which rinses them thoroughly and gives glassware a sparkling clean finish
【3-IN-1 FUNCTION】Featuring a Dry mode, this machine is equipped with the features of a dishwasher, dryer, and cabinet, making taking care of your dishes and glassware a breeze; 60 minutes of hot air drying will automatically start after the wash cycle is finished, keeping your dishes dry and odorless; 72 hours of automatic ventilation stores your tableware in sanitary condition, providing clean dishes whenever you need them
【FULLY EQUIPPED】The storage rack and cutlery basket make it easy to clean ''top rack only'' dishwasher safe items such as knives, forks, and spoons, leaving more space for dishes and small pots; lower and upper spray arms give dishes a streak-free deep cleaning, and the included fruit basket stores fruits and vegetables neatly and cleans them

Bestseller No. 5

COMFEE' Portable Mini Dishwasher Countertop with 5L Built-in Water Tank for Apartments& RVs, No Hookup Needed, 6 Programs, 360° Dual Spray, 162℉ High-Temp& Air-Dry Function

Please make sure the distance between your countertop and wall cupboard is more than 19.6" 【No installation needed】: Adding water manually in the 5L built-in water tank, you can put the dishwasher in any suitable place without connecting to tap water. Or it can be hooked to the kitchen faucet directly with the included water hose (Adapter included).Water pressure : 0.04 - 1.0MPa.
[ Ultra-compact Design]: The ultra-compact design allows the dishwasher to wash 30+ items（Max to 9.5-inch plates) at a time while occupying a small area, which is ideal for small houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs.
[ 6 Program Options ]: NORMAL, RAPID, STEAM, FRUIT, GLASS washing programs, and AIR REFRESH extra drying mode meet all your daily needs. Note: Use the standard dishwasher powders or detergents because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems. (No detergent is needed for the FRUIT program, and RAPID just needs half of the standard quantity. )
[ 192 ℉ HIGH-TEMP HYGIENE ]: The HYGIENE wash cycle boosts water temperature to 162 ℉ Rinsing and Max to 192 ℉ which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes and is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children’s dinner sets.
[ Extra Drying & Stay Fresh ]: Circulation of AIR REFRESH removes moisture and odor, keeping your plates and machine dry and fresh for a long time. The function is enabled by default and you can also inactivate the function if unnecessary.

Bestseller No. 6

COMFEE’ Portable Mini Dishwasher, Energy Star, Countertop, 6 Place Settings, with 8 Washing Programs, Speed, Baby-Care, ECO& Glass, Dish Washer for Dorm, RV& Apartment, White

6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.6″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and has a plate size of up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
Simple Installation- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
Heavy Program- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 68℃, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
Speed Program- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.

Bestseller No. 7

Countertop dishwasher, portable dishwasher, fully automatic, with 4 cleaning modes automatic water suction drying and disinfection functions can be connected to a faucet or bucket for use

【Perfect Washing】Fully automatic dishwasherNo need to wash dirty dishes by hand every day. The countertop dishwasher increases the convenience of your life and can be placed in the kitchen even if the space is small. Make sure there is at least 19.88 inches between your countertop and wall cabinet.
【8-place capacity】 The portable dishwasher measures 17×15.3×18.1 inches (width×depth×height) and can accommodate 8 places, eight plates and eight bowls.
【Five washing programs】The countertop dishwasher with perfectly provides 5 washing programs: quick wash, energy-saving wash, separate drying, strong wash and fruit wash. The double high water pressure spray arm can give the tableware a streak-free deep clean.
【High temperature】The dishwasher can wash tableware, fruits and vegetables, and you can also use the drying function after washing to keep the tableware dry and odorless.Small dishwasher High temperature and PTC hot air are suitable for baby products and oily tableware, making glassware bright and clean.
[No installation required] Mini dishwasher supports two water supply modes. In the automatic water absorption mode, you only need to put a bucket underneath, and the water capacity needs to reach 5000ML. The machine will automatically absorb water, accurately control the water flow, and prevent overflow. Even if it is placed under the countertop, you can easily add water. In the faucet mode, you only need to connect the machine and the faucet to use it.

SaleBestseller No. 8

HAVA Countertop Dishwasher, 6 Programs Portable Dishwashers with 5L Built-in Water Tank, No Hookup Needed, Baby Care & Air-Drying Function for Apartments and RVs

【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】 HAVA Countertop Dishwasher supports 2 water supply modes. By simply adding water to the built-in 5L water tank, you can put the dishwasher in any suitable place without connecting to tap water. Or connect the water inlet to a faucet using the included hose. A compact design makes it perfect for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs.
【LARGE CAPACITY】 This tabletop dishwasher only measures 16.9" L x 16.8" W x 18.1" H. The spacious interior with a specially designed dish tray and cutlery holder can accommodate more dishes and can wash more than 30 pieces of kitchenware at one time. It can hold up to 4 full place settings and fit up to 11" dishes loaded at an angle, meeting the needs of the whole family.
【6 PROGRAM OPTIONS】 Supports Normal, Speed, Soft, Heavy/Baby Care, Fruit and Dry modes for your various dishwashing needs. 14 water ports on the spray arms are designed to provide both top and bottom spraying for 360° cleaning coverage, rinsing your dishes thoroughly and giving them a sparkling clean finish. The included fruit basket stores fruits and vegetables neatly and facilitates easy cleaning.
【SAVES ENERGY】 HAVA R01 Mini Dishwasher only consumes 5L of water per wash cycle, only 1/4 the amount used by handwashing, which reduces water consumption by 75%. Operating at 950 W, this appliance is a great energy-saving choice for every family.【NOTE】 Only use dishwasher-specific detergent. Pods, liquids, or powder detergents are all acceptable for use. Add the proper amount of detergent, about 0.2–0.3 oz, to fill the detergent dispenser.
【QUALITY CONTROL NOTE】 Each unit of HAVA undergoes manufacturer's rigorous quality tests to guarantee full functionality, so having a little amount of residual water in the unit is NORMAL. Any questions about the product, please feel free to send us an email and HAVA will try our best to help you!

The Ultimate Countertop Dishwasher Buying Guide

A countertop dishwasher is a small, powerful helper for your kitchen. It saves space and water compared to a big machine. This guide helps you pick the best one for your home.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping, check these important parts. They make the dishwasher work well for you.

Capacity and Size

Place Settings: How many dishes fit? Small units hold 4-6 settings. Larger ones hold 8-10. Think about how many people you cook for.
Dimensions: Measure your counter space first! Make sure the unit fits under cabinets easily.

Washing Cycles and Performance

Cycle Options: Look for Normal, Heavy, and Quick washes. A Sanitize option is great for extra clean dishes.
Water Efficiency: Good models use very little water per cycle. This saves money on your water bill.

Installation and Hookup

Faucet Connection: Most units connect right to your kitchen faucet using a quick-connect adapter. Check if the adapter fits your specific faucet type.
Drainage: The machine drains water into your sink. Ensure the drain hose reaches the sink easily.

Important Materials and Build Quality

The materials inside and outside affect how long your dishwasher lasts.

Interior Tub Material

Stainless Steel vs. Plastic

Stainless Steel Tubs: These are strong. They handle high heat better and do not stain easily. They generally last longer.
Plastic Tubs: These are lighter and cheaper. They work fine but might show wear faster over time.

Exterior Casing

Look for a durable exterior, usually plastic or stainless steel. Stainless steel looks nicer and resists fingerprints better.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Small details really change the quality of your dishwashing experience.

Noise Level (Decibels – dB)

A quiet dishwasher is a happy kitchen. Models under 55 dB are quiet. Loud machines (over 60 dB) can interrupt conversations. Check the decibel rating!

Drying Method

Heat Drying: This uses an internal heating element. It dries dishes fast but uses more energy.
Air Dry/Condensation Drying: This is gentler and uses less power. Dishes might feel slightly damp, but it saves energy.

Detergent Dispenser

A reliable, easy-to-fill dispenser matters. Some models use pods, while others need liquid or powder detergent. Make sure it opens and closes smoothly during the cycle.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about *how* you will use this machine every day.

Best For: Small Apartments and Dorms

If you have very limited space, a countertop unit is perfect. It cleans dishes immediately after a small meal, preventing piles of dirty dishes.

Renting vs. Owning

Since these machines are portable, they are ideal for renters. You do not need permanent plumbing changes. You simply hook it up when needed and store it away.

Ease of Use

The controls should be clear and simple. You should be able to load and start a cycle in under five minutes. If loading feels tricky, you will use it less often.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Countertop Dishwashers

Q: Do countertop dishwashers need special plumbing?

A: No, most do not. They usually connect to your existing kitchen faucet using a standard adapter hose for both water intake and drainage.

Q: How much electricity do they use?

A: They use much less electricity than full-sized dishwashers because they are smaller and often run shorter cycles. Check the Energy Star rating for the best efficiency.

Q: Can I wash pots and pans in them?

A: Usually, no. They are designed for plates, bowls, cups, and cutlery. Large pots or very tall items will not fit inside the racks.

Q: How long does a typical wash cycle take?

A: A normal cycle typically runs between 60 and 120 minutes. Quick cycles can be as fast as 30 minutes, but they may not dry as well.

Q: Where should I store the machine when not in use?

A: If you have counter space, you can leave it out. If space is tight, you can store it in a deep cabinet or pantry when you are not running a load.

Q: Do I need to pre-rinse dishes before loading?

A: Modern countertop dishwashers are very good. You only need to scrape off large food chunks. Heavy pre-rinsing is usually not necessary.

Q: Are they loud when running?

A: Noise varies greatly. Quieter models operate around 50 dB, which is similar to a running refrigerator. Always check the specific model’s noise rating.

Q: What is the average lifespan of a countertop unit?

A: With regular use and cleaning, a quality countertop dishwasher should last between 5 to 10 years, similar to other small kitchen appliances.

Q: Can I use regular dishwasher detergent?

A: Yes, you can use standard dishwasher pods or powder. However, some manufacturers recommend using less detergent than you would for a full-sized machine.

Q: What if my faucet is unusual?

A: If you have a pull-down sprayer faucet, you might need an extra adapter kit sold separately. Always check the compatibility list provided by the manufacturer before buying.