Finding time to wash the dishes may become tough on your schedule. It even becomes more challenging if you have a tiny kitchen space. Without a functioning dishwasher, you might be piling up dirty dishes in the kitchen, giving it a messy appearance.
A countertop dishwasher solves this problem, as you can use it even in a small kitchen. You could place this dishwasher on your countertop when you have dishes to wash and store safely after use. It also helps you save time and energy while minimizing the amount of water you consume.
So, do you also want a dishwasher? If yes, we have provided the 7 best dishwashers for recommendations in 2023 and what you should consider when buying one.
Part 1. 7 Picks: Best Countertop Dishwashers
In this section, we will discuss 7 countertop dishwashers. Here, you get to know what attributes make them stand out.
1. Best Rated Dishwasher: HAVA Compact Countertop Dishwasher
The HAVA compact countertop top dishwasher is our best-rated dishwasher. It is one of the best dishwasher brands available in the market today. HAVA ranks first among countertop dishwashers in Europe, serving over 100,000 clients worldwide.
The HAVA countertop dishwasher is one of the best dishwashers in 2023 and has two water supply modes: tap and tank. It comes with a 5 L tank that holds water for dishwashing. This tank is helpful in situations where a direct connection to a water faucet is not ideal.
This countertop dishwasher features 5 pre-programmed wash cycles and can handle everything from greasy dinner plates to infant bottles.
Do you want to save energy while using a dishwasher? This brand offers the best choice for savings, with less energy and water consumption. With the HAVA dishwasher, you use only 25% of the total quantity of water you would use if you washed with your hand.
There are no blind spots with this dishwasher as it features 360-degree cleaning. This also makes the HAVA dishwasher ideal for cleaning dishes that would be too tight for the hand to wash comfortably.
When purchasing this dishwasher directly from HAVA, you become eligible for a lifelong technical support service. You also get a 1-year replacement and repair service from HAVA.
2. Best Budget Dishwasher: Farberware Portable Dishwasher (FDW05ASBWHA)
Made from plastic, the Farberware dishwasher is quite cheap and is our best budget dishwasher. Looking to avoid a direct connection to a water faucet when you wash? This best buy dishwasher features a 5 L tank for water storage.
Its compact design is perfect for small kitchen spaces, apartments, dorms, and RVs. With five washing programs: Normal, Baby Care, Rapid, Glass, and Fruit Wash, running your dishes through this washer ensures a spotless finish.
It features LED controls that put you in the driving seat of the dishwasher and a water level indicator that alerts you when the washer reaches its correct water level. You can use any detergent with the Farberware dishwasher, although it is advisable you use tablet detergents for lengthy washing. This measure is to ensure the tablet dissolves during the wash cycle.
3. Best Drying Dishwasher: SPT Countertop Dishwasher (SD-2201W)
With its Residual heat drying system, the SPT countertop dishwasher is our best drying dishwasher. Weighing 48.5 lb., this dishwasher is lightweight and ideal for use during RV trips. The SPT countertop dishwasher is durable and corrosion-resistant with stainless steel and plastic parts.
You can use this dishwasher in moderately large homes as it is quite spacious with its 6-place settings. Are you looking to get more control over your dishwashing time? With this dishwasher's delay start mechanism, you can choose when you want washing to commence.
There are 7 wash cycles on this dishwasher: heavy, mini, party, speed, light, soak, and party, making it the ideal machine for all your dishwashing needs. Installing this dishwasher is easy, as it comes with a quick-connect feature for connection to any kitchen faucet.
It is a quiet dishwasher with a noise level of only 55 dB. With largely automatic controls, you get a dishwasher that is easy to use in any space, including the office.
4. Best Quiet Countertop Dishwasher: Magic Chef Countertop Portable Dishwasher (MCSD6W5)
With a noise level of 52 dB, the Magic Chef Countertop dishwasher is our best quiet dishwasher. This dishwasher boasts a digital display that keeps you in the know regarding water level, program, and wash cycle.
It features a rinse aid dispenser which prevents the appearance of streak marks on washed dishes. With its delay wash feature, you can put off washing for 24 hours. Corrosion-resistant stainless-steel interior keeps the inner space rust-free. The plastic exterior also ensures dents and corrosion do not occur.
With six wash programs, this countertop dishwasher guarantees you an immaculate wash. It is easy to install and use, as it comes with an inlet and outlet hose for quick connection.
5. Best Cheap Dishwasher: RCA Countertop Dishwasher (RDW3208)
The RCA countertop is our best cheap dishwasher with an exterior made from plastic and an interior made from stainless steel. This dishwasher is compact and fits comfortably under most kitchen cabinets.
Its interior is quite spacious and holds up to 6 standard place settings. It is energy and water efficient, thereby downsizing your electricity bill and water consumption.
The RCA countertop dishwasher is easy to install as you can connect it to any kitchen tap with ease. It weighs a meager 35.3 lb. making it the ideal travel companion for RV trips and camping. Also, with a noise level of 34 dB, you would not know this dishwasher is running even when close to it.
6. Best Affordable Dishwasher: hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
The hOmeLabs compact countertop dishwasher is our best affordable dishwasher on the market today. It occupies the tabletop or countertop, ensuring it does not take up kitchen space. With a beautiful control panel, this dishwasher is quite sleek.
There are 6 washing programs available on this dishwasher, ensuring there is a program for all your washing needs. Assembly and installation of this hOmeLabs countertop are easy and do not consume time as it comes with a water faucet adapter compatible with most faucets.
The rapid aid dispenser ensures your dishes dry without streaks, giving you a spotless finish. The Delay wash feature allows you to schedule or postpone dishwashing with ease.
7. Best Value Dishwasher: Danby Portable Dishwasher (DDW621WDB)
The Danby Portable dishwasher offers you the best value for money, making it our best value dishwasher. With a low water consumption rate, you save money on electricity bills when using this machine. It has a quick-connect feature that you can use on most kitchen faucets.
It has a spacious interior with 6 place setting capacity. The interior made from stainless steel is corrosion-resistant and long-lasting. It is one of the quietest dishwashers in the market, with a noise level of 52 dB.
It is compact and can fit under most cabinets. Its size makes it ideal for use anywhere space is in short supply. Danby portable dishwasher's delay start feature allows you to schedule what time you want your dishwashing to start. With six wash programs, this dishwasher takes care of all your dishwashing needs, from greasy plates to baby bottles.
The Comparison Table for The 7 Best Countertop Dishwashers
Model |
HAVA R01 |
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA |
SPT SD-2201W |
Magic Chef MCSD6W5 |
RCA RDW3208 |
hOmeLabs Compact Countertop |
Danby DDW621WDB |
Capacity (Place setting) |
4 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
Noise Level (dB) |
60 |
62 |
55 |
52 |
34 |
42 |
52 |
Water Consumption (L) |
5 |
5 |
9 |
11.7 |
14.5 |
12.5 |
11.7 |
Dimensions (Inch) |
16.86 x 16.75 x 18.05 |
21.9 x 20.9 x 22.4 |
21.65 x 19.69 x 17.24 |
21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 |
23.81 x 21.85 x 19.8 |
21.6 x 19.6 x 17.2 |
19.69 x 21.65 x 17.24 |
Weight (lb.) |
28.7 |
45.5 |
48.5 |
49.5 |
35.3 |
44 |
46.3 |
Price |
$399.99 |
$450 (Amazon) |
$459.8 (Amazon) |
$450.7 (Amazon) |
$206 (Amazon) |
$429.99 (Amazon) |
$426.81 (Amazon) |
Part 2. What to Look for In the Best Countertop Dishwasher
Countertop dishwashers come in various styles, designs, and sizes. While some of these features are not important for its performance, some are quite necessary to give you the most out of your dishwasher. Below are the factors you must consider before buying a dishwasher.
Overall Size
All countertop dishwashers do not come in the same size. The standard size for countertop dishwashers is 16 × 18 inches. However, some brands are slightly bigger or smaller than others. So, check for the dimensions of your countertop space and ensure the dishwasher you intend to buy exactly fits your countertop.
Capacity (Place Settings)
What is the average number of plates and pans you wash? Most countertop dishwashers come with 6-9 place settings and are suitable for a family of 3-5, respectively. For example, if you wash plates and pans regularly or have a family or staff higher than 3, and at the same time have a limited kitchen space, consider a countertop dishwasher with 9 place settings.
Cycles and Controls
A standard countertop dishwasher takes up to 70 to 80 minutes to wash and will have the basic control panel like normal, express, rinse, and sanitize.
Aside from the on/off button, there are other vital controls your dishwasher should have, and they include:
- Express or Quick: To wash not-too-dirty dishes. Just like rinsing them. For example, dusty plates.
- Normal: To wash slightly dirty dishes.
- Delicate: Press this button if you want to wash breakable plates of wine glasses.
- Rinse and hold: This button is used to wet-dry plates before loading.
- Delay start: Press to wash dishes later.
Air Dry
This drying mode uses room temperature to dry dishes instead of the automatic drying mode. It saves you 20 to 50 percent of your dishwasher's energy usage.
Consider buying a dishwasher with a soil sensor - that can detect the overall dirtiness of the plates and apply the appropriate control or cycle needed. Also, check for dishwashers with their control panel at the front of the door. It gives you easy access to the cycle setting compared to when it is hidden.
Noise Level
Sound level is one important feature to consider when purchasing a dishwasher. The noise level of a dishwasher is indicated by its decibel. The best quiet dishwasher brands have decibel levels of 38-44. However, note that the lower the decibel level, the higher the dishwasher price.
Delay Feature
Most of the best value dishwashers come with this feature. The delay feature allows the dishwasher to start at a later time. For instance, if you prefer your dishes washed in the early hours of the morning, you might want to use the delay function after dinner. The length of time the dishwasher delays varies by model.
Energy Efficiency
Check for the Energy Star label to know if a dishwasher is energy efficient. The benefit of an energy-star dishwasher is that it helps to conserve energy and water. You'll be saving about 10-15 gallons of water per cycle and $35 on electricity annually than when you go for a more energy-consuming dishwasher.
Weight
Countertop dishwashers weigh 30 to 35 pounds, depending on the model or brand. You need to consider the strength of your countertop before choosing the weight of your dishwasher. Again, if the dishwasher won't be installed permanently on the countertop, consider a less-weight dishwasher for easy movement.
Warranty
Best countertop dishwasher models come with at least a 1-5 year guarantee. The higher the years of warranty, the more reliable the dishwasher. This also implies that the manufacturer values their customer's satisfaction since you will get a replacement or repair if the dishwasher is faulty. However, the warranty only covers the dishwasher malfunctions, excluding physical damage.
Part 3. What is the Best Dishwasher?
The best dishwasher for you depends on your needs. When choosing the best, you should consider the price, capacity, noise level, and weight. Creating the right balance between these factors helps you determine which dishwasher would perfectly suit your needs.
I always recommend the HAVA countertop dishwasher as it is budget-friendly and efficient in washing dishes. It is the undisputed best buy dishwasher on sale.
Still undecided and want to know what is the best dishwasher? Consider buying our overall best countertop dishwasher from the HAVA brand.
Part 4. Are Countertop Dishwashers Worth It?
Countertop dishwashers are essential for the following reasons:
- It helps save space, hence suitable for a small apartment with limited kitchen space.
- It allows you to maintain a clean dorm room or communal apartment.
- Countertop dishwashers make washing in the office easy and leave the environment neat.
- Suitable for RVs since they can sit on a countertop.
- It helps save energy and water and is perfect for a family of 3-5.
Conclusion
What is the best dishwasher to buy? There are different dishwashers on the market, and they all have attributes that make them stand out. Some are more affordable, while others are lighter and more efficient. The ideal dishwasher for you depends on your needs and motive for wanting a dishwasher.
I often recommend the HAVA Countertop dishwasher because of its impressive features and efficiency. Water and energy efficiency, capacity, and customer service are some of the reasons I recommend this brand. Are you still confused about which brand would suit your needs best? Consider getting the HAVA compact countertop today.