The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA’s big selling point, and what makes it one of the best countertop dishwashers (opens in new tab), is that it comes with a water tank, and that’s pretty much it when it comes to size, as this model is a very lightweight and compact appliance. This makes it ideal for very small loads, for back-up in the kitchen – as a dedicated baby bottle sterilizer or glassware cleaner for example – or to use in an RV.
One other thing you’ll notice about the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA is that it looks great – with a stylish see-through front, you are able to see it in action, as it cleans your dishes.
Here we take a look at what else you get for your money when it comes to features, design, and value for money. If you think you need a full-sized alternative, be sure to check out our guide to the best dishwashers. (opens in new tab)
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA review: Features
Because the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA comes with a five-liter water tank built in, this means you don’t have to hook it up to your faucet every time you want to use it, and you can place it wherever is convenient for you in your kitchen. However, if you did want to connect it to the faucet there is the option to do this, but you may have to purchase the adapter separately if it does not fit.
The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA has five washing programs. As well as a Normal and a 40-minute Rapid cycle, you get a Babycare cycle, which sanitizes feeding bottles and toys (if suitable), a Glassware cycle, and our favorite, a fruit-cleaning option – simply place your fruit in the supplied strainer and let the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA take care of the rest.
These convenient extras also make this countertop dishwasher ideal as a supplementary appliance – a quick and easy dishwasher to take on special tasks in a larger kitchen.
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA review: Design
The first thing you’ll notice about this countertop appliance is that it has a clear glass panel at the front. This could be a real draw if you like watching things in action, and the interior light inside makes it easy to see too.
The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA has a very stylish curved edge design, which almost gives it a futuristic feel. It looks great in the kitchen. Filling the water tank is extremely easy (there is even a water pitcher included in the box), simply unscrew the small cover on top and pour the water straight in. Used water is then released by a connected drain hose.
To operate the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA, simply use the touchscreen display at the front of the appliance. Talking of which, we would have preferred for the controls to be at the top of the appliance rather than the bottom, as it makes it slightly easier to see, but this is just a minor quibble.
The dish rack is straightforward to load, simply pull it out as you would on a larger dishwasher. There is no separate cutlery basket, just a simple tray, which only holds a limited number of items.
At 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 inches the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA is slightly more compact than other countertop dishwashers, such as the Black and Decker BCD6W (opens in new tab) or the RCA RDW3208 (opens in new tab). While the size makes it handy to use in an RV or in particularly tiny kitchens, it could be too compact for some, as it can only take a maximum size of 12-inches for a plate, and that’s fitting it in at an angle.
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA review: Performance & efficiency
For maximum efficiency, we would recommend using the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA for smaller items, such as cups, bowls, and cutlery. It’s probably best suited to single-person households too, as it can only really accommodate two place settings and quickly fills – you won’t accommodate much in the way of pots and pans, for example.
In terms of performance, it does the job well with effective washes and most items coming out clean. When it comes to efficiency – as expected for a smaller size appliance – the annual energy consumption is lower coming in at 130 kWh per year.
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA review: User reviews
There’s plenty of admiration for the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA, with good feedback from online customers at Walmart and HomeDepot, as well as 75% five-star ratings on Amazon, where you will find comments such as, “This dishwasher has exceeded my expectations. Very good pressure and was happy to see it had a bottom and top sprayer.”
Some of the less positive online reviews focus on the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA’s smaller capacity, with reviewers commenting that it will not take larger pots or plates. Some users also criticize how long the wash cycles take to clean the dishes. Despite this model not being able to hold many dishes and plates, some users found it frustratingly large to store.
Should you buy the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA?
With plenty of added extras such as fruit-cleaning and baby-care, we think the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA makes for a great additional appliance to use alongside your main dishwasher. It definitely has all the looks of a luxury extra. While it’s priced slightly higher than its rivals, we think the added functionality and water tank make it worth the extra dollars, but only if your loads are small.
