Best countertop dishwashers 2024: get the dishes sorted, even in a small space

Best countertop dishwashers | HAVA Countertop Dishwasher being used in writer's home
(Image credit: Future)

With compact designs and ingenious features, the best countertop dishwashers are a miracle for small kitchens. These time-saving appliances can change how you clean up at home, making mealtimes and cooking a lot easier. For homes with little space for a full-sized iteration of the best dishwashers, these countertop models are just the thing that’s needed. 

In short, a countertop dishwasher can do almost everything a full-sized, installed model can do - except they sit on your counter and are often hooked up to your sink rather than your plumbing. Though they’re smaller, countertop dishwashers aren’t short on features - many can even tackle your pots, pans, and plates. 

There’s no denying that countertop dishwashers are better suited to smaller family homes, with the compact aspect here means that fewer dishes can be crammed in overall. But for two to three people, these appliances can change the game and mean no more arguing about whose turn it is to do the dishes. Instead, all you need to do is find a space where it can live and connect it to your faucet or your water tank - depending on the given design and your preferences. 

While we have used a range of dishwashers in our time, we haven't been able to test every model in this guide in person. Instead, we have honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best countertop dishwasher features to make this shortlist. This includes the number of (useful) cycle settings, number of place settings, internal space, whether or not it comes with a built-in water tank, and the overall appearance of the appliance. Keep reading to find out which countertop dishwashers we’ve rated as the best.  

The best countertop dishwashers we recommend in 2024

Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

We're on a mission here at Top Ten Reviews to review everything that we feature in our buyer's guide. While we haven't been able to test every model in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge of the best countertop dishwasher features to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price. 

The best countertop dishwasher overall

The best countertop dishwasher overall

Specifications

Model no: R01
Dimensions: 42.8 x 42.5 x 45.8 cm
Wash cycles: 5
Warranty: 12 months

Reasons to buy

+
Quick washing cycle
+
Low water consumption
+
Compact design

Reasons to avoid

-
Drying function takes an hour
-
Quite expensive

The HAVA Countertop Dishwasher is a stylish and compact appliance perfect for those short on space. The sleek black LED touchscreen panel at the top makes it easy to use and understand.

Whilst it is at the higher price end, the HAVA Dishwasher comes with an impressive array of features. There are five different wash cycle modes, including a speed setting that washes dishes in just 29 minutes. A drying function is available, and that ensures the removal of watermarks on cookware. At just 50dB, it’s also one of the quietest dishwashers on the market, meaning you won’t be disturbed by the noise. 

There are two different ways to set up the HAVA Dishwasher. The most straightforward is to pour five liters of water into the machine’s tank using the jug that comes with it. Then, attach the drain hose to the back of the appliance and feed it into the sink for the discarded water. 

Using the inlet hose, you can connect the HAVA Dishwasher to the water supply for a more permanent setup. This method requires some DIY, as you'll need to drill through cabinets, but it is a good option for those who won’t want tubes trailing around the kitchen. 

The dishwasher is easy to clean, and Emily Barron, a cleaning expert at Rezigo, recommends removing old food and dirt from inside the machine using a wire brush once a week. 

The best countertop dishwasher for convenience

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best countertop dishwasher for convenience

Specifications

Dimensions: 16.5 x 17.3 x 17.3 inches
Wash cycles: 5
Warranty : 1-year

Reasons to buy

+
Five-liter water tank 
+
No need to connect to a faucet

Reasons to avoid

-
 On the small side 
-
 No cutlery rack 

As convenient as countertop dishwashers are, many of these appliances take their water directly from your faucet. This means you have to place the dishwasher near your sink, which might not suit your kitchen setup. However, the super-convenient Farberware FDW05ASBWHA comes with a built-in five-liter water tank to operate away from the faucet, so it gets our vote for the 'best for convenience'. 

What the users say

The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA’s ratings on Amazon are 75% five-star ratings. Users liked that this model comes with a tank and that the water hoses spray from the top and the bottom of the machine. Some users, however, weren’t pleased to find that they couldn’t fit pots and pans in this countertop dishwasher, and some also found the wash cycles to take a long time. 

While it will still need a large enough receptacle to drain the water into as it washes, this appliance provides more freedom in your small kitchen, especially if space is particularly tight. It’s also convenient for use in RVs.

Other features of the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA include a fruit-cleaning cycle as well as a baby-care cycle for sterilizing bottles and toys. This also makes it handy for larger kitchens where extra backup is needed for additional tasks. What’s more, it looks great, too, with a see-through front so you can see it in action as it washes.

The best countertop dishwasher for a low noise level

NOVETE ‎TDQR01 countertop dishwasher

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best countertop dishwasher for low noise

Specifications

Dimensions: 16.86 x 16.75 x 18.5 inches
Wash cycles: 5
Warranty: 18 months

Reasons to buy

+
Runs quietly 
+
Choice of faucet connection or built-in water tank 

Reasons to avoid

-
Limited capacity 
-
Rather harsh blue interior illumination 

Although at the slightly higher-priced end of compact dishwashers, the Novete TDQR01 packs a lot of features and performance into one of the most compact, convenient, and stylish-looking portable dishwashers we’ve seen.

The Novete TDQR01 can be connected to the faucet with the included hose and connector, or you can easily top up the 1.3-gallon built-in water tank and enjoy the freedom to place the dishwasher anywhere you like, even in an RV.

What the users say

The Novete TDQR01 has received glowing praise across several consumer sites, including Amazon and Walmart, with customers expressing their satisfaction at the machine’s compact, good looks, and the freedom afforded by its water tank or faucet connection. Users love how quiet the Novete TDQR01 runs and how generally inconspicuous the machine is (until that fairly divisive blue light appears, that is). Some have expressed disappointment at the Novete’s limited capacity, however, with some users struggling to load it with larger pans or pots, but if you’re willing to trade some load capacity for versatility and performance, then most customers agree that the Novete TDQR01 is a great choice for a compact countertop dishwasher. 

The Novete TDQR01 is simple to use thanks to a clear LCD control panel and offers five wash programs: Normal, Speed, ECO, Baby Care/Heavy, and a Fruit rinse mode with the included fruit basket. The Novete also offers an Air Dry function as well as ventilation that protects against the build-up of odors should you need to leave your dishwasher unattended for a time.

While this portable dishwasher offers a clean, modern look, it is only available in white. Sadly, while an interior LED light provides some welcome illumination and complements the dual-layer viewing window, the deep blue color might be a little off-putting for some.

The TDQR01 is also among the quietest – if not the quietest – dishwashers we’ve reviewed and is rated at only 50 decibels. Unfortunately, the appliance is not Energy Star Certified, which we could see.

The best countertop dishwasher for energy savings

Danby DDW621WDB countertop dishwasher review

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best countertop dishwasher for energy savings

Specifications

Dimensions: 17.24 x 21.65 x 19.69 inches
Wash cycles: 6
Warranty: 1 year parts and labor

Reasons to buy

+
Runs quietly 
+
Low energy consumption 

Reasons to avoid

-
Lacks a digital timer 
-
Only one color option 

The Danby DDW621WDB offers a simple and elegant solution if your home doesn’t have the space for a full-size dishwasher. In fact, the Danby DDW621WDB performs every bit as well as larger machines, thanks to six wash programs and room to fit up to six standard place settings, five to six cups, and assorted silverware in the included basket.

Simple to install and operate, the Danby DDW621WDB includes all the hoses and attachments needed to hook it up to your faucet, while all of the machine’s functions are clearly displayed on an LED dial. We would have liked to have seen a digital LED timer, however.

What the users say

The Danby DDW621WDB scores very well among Amazon users, with around 71% of customers scoring the appliance five stars. Overall, customers have been impressed with the machine’s generous capacity and the simplicity of its installation, its energy efficiency, and its almost whisper-quiet volume while running. Some users found the tray layout a bit limiting when stacking regular dishes with larger items like saucepans, but nearly all customers were impressed with the machine’s cleaning performance.  

The Danby DDW621WDB is also among the most energy-efficient portable dishwashers we’ve reviewed. It is Energy Star certified and is rated to use approximately 203kWh per year, and each wash only uses around 3.1 gallons of water. Add to that the fact that the Danby DDW621WDB emits only around 52 decibels while in use, and you have a dishwasher that is not only economical but is about as unobtrusive as such machines get.

While it would have been good to be able to choose colors and style options other than white, the Danby DDW621WDB is still an attractive and reliable countertop dishwasher for most homes.

The best countertop dishwasher for available color options

(Image credit: Home Depot)
The best countertop dishwasher for available color options (black or white)

Specifications

Dimensions: 21.7 x 17.2 x 19.7 inches
Wash cycles: 6
Warranty : 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
 Quiet operation 
+
 Delayed start function 

Reasons to avoid

-
No water tank 
-
Not great at drying dishes

Living in a small apartment often means you will hear every squeak and creak in your living space – not great if you work from home or want to relax in the evening. However, this neat little countertop dishwasher from Magic Chef is perfect if you want to keep noise to the minimum – with just 52 dB of noise, it’s quiet enough for you to barely notice it’s there.

What the users say

Users rate the Magic Chef MCSCD6B5 highly for how quietly it operates. Others were also impressed with how affordable it is to run, with one user claiming their “water bill went down by a substantial amount.” There are some negative reviews, too. These include comments about how this countertop dishwasher failed to dry dishes.

The Magic Chef MCSCD6B5 includes six wash cycles to choose from, including Heavy, Normal, Light, and Quick; plus, there’s also a glass cycle and standard rinse. Other great features include a delayed-start function so you can control when it starts your chosen wash cycle. It also comes in two colors – black or white – to fit in with your kitchen decor.

What’s more, the Magic Chef MCSCD6B5 has a handy delay-start feature so that you can set this dishwasher to start washing 24 hours before you actually want it to. Its filters are easy to clean, and it’s also fitted with an anti-flood sensor. Unlike some other models, the Magic Chef MCSCD6B5 should also be able to fit pots and pans in without too much struggle.

The best small-sized countertop dishwasher

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best small-sized countertop dishwasher

Specifications

Dimensions: 21.6 x 19.6 x 17.2 inches
Wash cycles: 6
Warranty : 2 years

Reasons to buy

+
 Quiet operation 
+
 Looks great 

Reasons to avoid

-
 Fairly expensive 
-
 No water tank 

Size matters when it comes to kitchen appliances, especially if space is at a premium. But just because you have a small kitchen, it doesn’t mean you have to skip on the luxuries either, which is why hOmeLabs’ Compact Countertop Dishwasher is a great solution for one- or two-person small-apartment living. 

What the users say

Users rate the hOmeLabs’ Compact Countertop Dishwasher highly for its easy setup and also how quietly this model works. An impressive 76% of Amazon.com reviews have five-star ratings. It’s not without its faults, though, as some users said they felt the need to rinse everything thoroughly before using the dishwasher and that it’s not the most powerful.  

This countertop dishwasher comes with all the great features you’ll find with many of our other recommended machines, but with its compact size of 21.6 x 19.6 x 17.2 inches and great looks, too, it will seamlessly blend into your kitchen to offer all the convenience you need. 

And while cheaper models exist, having six wash cycles and enough room to wash pots and pans might be worth the price. The hOmeLabs’ Compact Countertop Dishwasher is also nicely quiet in operation, making it even more essential for your small home.

The best countertop dishwasher for range of features

EdgeStar DWP62BL

(Image credit: Amazon)
The best countertop dishwasher for range of features

Specifications

Dimensions: 19.63 x 21.63 x 17.31 inches
Wash cycles: 7
Warranty: 1 year, 90 days labor

Reasons to buy

+
Quiet operation
+
Economical 

Reasons to avoid

-
Short warranty period 
-
Fragile cutlery basket 

For such a compact, low-profile countertop dishwasher, the EdgeStar DWP62BL punches well above its 44Ib weight, offering almost as many features as a full-size dishwasher but with adequate space to accommodate six standard place settings, a cutlery basket, and a rack that can hold up to six cups or mugs.

Better yet, the EdgeStar is not only among the more affordable countertop dishwashers but also the most economical. The machine is Energy Star certified and is rated to use only about 200kw a year through normal operation.

What the users say

The EdgeStar DWP62BL scores highly, with customers impressed by the machine’s ample capacity, wide choice of wash cycles, and ease-of-use, with over 73% of Amazon reviews handing the EdgeStar five-star ratings. While some expressed disappointment that the dishwasher does not have a drying function, a significant majority of users praised the EdgeStar’s convenient compact form and dependable performance.

Installing the EdgeStar is a breeze as the machine comes with all the connectors needed to hook it up to your faucet. The machine is operated via a simple console displaying an impressive seven cycles (light, normal, heavy, glass, baby care, speed, and rinse), with indicators to tell you when you’re low on rinse aid and how much time is left on your current cycle.

We’d have liked to have seen more support for the product in the form of a longer warranty, but user experiences indicate that the EdgeStar DWP62BL is nonetheless a reliable machine that performs brilliantly over many years of use.

The best budget countertop dishwasher

(Image credit: Home Depot)
The best budget countertop dishwasher

Specifications

Dimensions: 21.9 x 19.8 x 23.8 inches
Wash cycles: 3
Warranty : 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
Economical 
+
Spacious 

Reasons to avoid

-
 No water tank 
-
 Limited programs 

The RCA RDW3208 countertop dishwasher is a winner when it comes to affordability. It’s not only a great option for everyday washing-up chores, but it packs a lot in, too, easily coping with six place settings and, with its convenient flip-down plate rack, it can also take pots and pans. 

What the users say

Users rate the RCA RDW3208 highly across a range of retailer websites. Praise for this machine includes comments on how quietly it operates, how well it accommodates pots and pans, and how easy it is to set up and switch on. 

Not all users rave about this countertop dishwasher, though. Criticism comes in the form of users wishing they were able to stack plates properly rather than having to slant them. Users also claim this dishwasher uses a lot of counter space, too. 

Supplying this countertop dishwasher with water is straightforward – simply use the included easy-connect kit, which comes with everything you need to provide the appliance with water from your faucet.

Other perks for the price include a cutlery basket and cup shelf for an efficient and thorough wash, while its neat dimensions ensure it fits perfectly into your small kitchen. While a few more wash cycle choices would have been welcome, and a longer warranty would be great too, we can’t complain too much as this budget option does exactly what you need to get the job done.

The best premium countertop dishwasher

(Image credit: Walmart)
The best premium countertop dishwasher

Specifications

Dimensions: 21.7 x 21.5 x 17.2 inches
Wash cycles: 7
Warranty: 1 year

Reasons to buy

+
 Looks smart 
+
 Seven wash programs 

Reasons to avoid

-
Quite expensive 
-
Takes up a lot of room

The Black + Decker BCD6W will appeal to you if you prefer to shop with trusted brands and don’t mind paying for the name.

There are seven wash programs on offer, all of which deliver tip-top cleaning and efficiency. On top of the regular Heavy and Normal cycles are Babycare, Eco, Glass, Speed, and Rinse programs - all welcome additions no matter what size your household. The Babycare wash is an added bonus for keeping on top of busy family life. 

What the users say

Users rate the Black + Decker BCD6W highly for how easy it is to install and how efficiently it works, too. Other reviews add that this countertop dishwasher works quietly and “cleans dishes perfectly.” Some users do mention that the connection hose for this portable dishwasher isn’t very good and is prone to leaking. A few comments also state how much space this appliance takes up despite its small capacity.  

The Black + Decker BCD6W countertop dishwasher also includes handy child-lock and pause features – little extras that make this appliance just that little bit more convenient. And with room enough for six settings, there’s plenty to love about this great-looking dishwasher.

However, if you want all the great features but are looking for more affordability, then you might want to check out one of our other top picks.

How to choose the best countertop dishwasher for you

There are a few practical considerations to put straight before you can enjoy your new countertop dishwasher. The first is whether you want to opt for a model that hooks up to your faucet or one with a built-in water tank. The latter will suit any home where access to your sink is more difficult to ensure. 

Be practical when it comes to thinking about size, too. The smaller your dishwasher is, the less cramped your kitchen will be, but you will have to sacrifice the convenience of throwing your pots and pans in for washing too. Options with a flip-down plate rack are great for creating more space if you’re stuck. 

Make sure to read up on exactly how many place settings can fit into the model you choose; while most will have around six, you might need to cater to more people. 

Countertop dishwasher FAQs

Are countertop dishwashers worth it?

Countertop dishwashers are absolutely worth it – especially if you are short on space, on a budget, and can’t face washing your dishes by hand. Whether you are lacking in under-the-counter space or have a motorhome, countertop dishwashers essentially offer up another pair of hands in the kitchen and save you from doing all the washing up. 

Due to their small size, they are perfect for those living alone or in couples or for washing up after small get-togethers. Many of the best countertop dishwashers can fit around six place settings, and some are big enough to fit pots and pans. Many of the best countertop dishwashers also come with at least five different wash cycles, including the likes of a standard rinse, a quick rinse, and a heavy wash. Many also have the option of a delayed start function, and depending on the model you choose, others have a baby-care cycle to sterilize bottles. However, if you’ve got a large family, we’d suggest investing in a full-sized dishwasher so you don’t run out of space. 

How do countertop dishwashers work?

Countertop dishwashers work just like a standard-size dishwasher. They each come with place settings, cutlery baskets, and space for glasses. These small kitchen appliances need to be plugged into a socket to operate, however they don’t need to be plumbed in. Essentially, there are two different types of countertop dishwashers available. Some work by attaching to a faucet, while others have their own built-in water tanks for added convenience. 

If your countertop dishwasher needs to be connected to a faucet, it will have two hoses that join together with a ‘quick connect hose faucet’. Usually positioned around the back of your machine, one hose channels in fresh water to clean your dishes with. At the same time, the other hose drains the dirty water back into the sink. 

For countertop dishwashers that have their own built-in water tanks, you simply top their tanks up with H2O and let the handy kitchen gadget get to work. The latter are particularly ideal for those who may not have access to a water source. 

Do you need a plumber to install a countertop dishwasher?

You won't need a plumber to install a countertop dishwasher. That's because these types of appliances aren't actually plumbed into your mains water supply. Many simply sit on your countertop and connect to your faucet.

Other types of countertop dishwashers have a built-in tank. That means you won't need to connect them to a faucet for them to begin washing the dishes, but you will need to provide them with somewhere to drain after. 

These types of appliances are often called portable dishwashers, and it's true, you really can connect these units and then disconnect them and put them away should you need to. 

Yasmin Rufo
Product reviewer

Yasmin is a freelance writer for Top Ten Reviews and has considerable experience in product testing and review writing. Her expertise is in tech and gadget reviews with a focus on household tech, specifically smart technology.  

Yasmin has previously worked at the Evening Standard as a Shopping Writer covering roundups of the best tech and household products on the market. She enjoys staying up to date with latest releases and trends.