Dishwashers Review : Best Countertop Dishwashers for Your Kitchen

A countertop dishwasher makes sense if you don't have the funds or space for a full-size dishwasher but still don't want to spend a lot of time cleaning dirty dishes.

While countertop models appear to be small, they can normally accommodate up to six place settings (each of which contains a plate, a bowl, a glass, a fork, a knife, and a spoon) and don't require any additional plumbing beyond access to your kitchen faucet. They're also far more efficient than doing the dishes by hand.

We put a bunch of countertop dishwashers to the test to see which one is the best; however, we weren't expecting much because most countertop dishwashers are built by a single business and then renamed (more on that later). Having said that, we did settle on the Danby DDW631SDB as our preferred countertop dishwasher (available at Amazon). While we believe the DDW631SDB provides the best value, the majority of the items on this list are fairly similar and will fit nicely in your kitchen.

So, what is the best countertop dishwasher? Here the some of the best countertop dishwashers we tested:

1. Danby DDW631SDB (similar product: SPT SD-2213W)
2. Farberware FDW05ASBWHA
3. Danby DDW621WDB
4. hOmeLabs HME010033N
5. Magic Chef MCSCD6W5
6. Black & Decker BCD6W

Danby DDW631SDB - Countertop Dishwashers

This is our top pick!

The Danby DDW631SDB offered the best cleaning performance of any of the countertop dishwashers we tested. While several of the dishes had spinach redeposit, the DDW631SDB's stain removal was similar to or you can say better than that of some of the full-size dishwashers we've tested. The Normal cycle time was around 100 minutes, which was comparable to other countertop dishwashing cycle times.

Normal, BabyCare, Heavy, Eco, Speed, Rinse, Glass, and Mini Party were among the eight cycles available on this Danby small countertop dishwasher. (I think a little party is only possible with a mini dishwasher?) The Danby DDW631SDB is the ideal pick for a countertop dishwasher that will carry out the job perfectly the first time, thanks to an extra drying option, a digital display, and a stylish appearance.

Pros

• Cleaning comparable to a large dishwasher
• Multiple cycle options

Cons

• Can't beat the spinach redeposit

Countertop Dishwasher Testing

Hello there! This is the appliance testing team. We've spent years evaluating key appliances including washers, dryers, dishwashers, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, and robot vacuum cleaners amongst the three of us.

We've spent a good time in the lab testing these items, but we've also used them in real-life situations, so we know what appliances are good buys at their price points and which appliances have extremely helpful added features (as opposed to the kitchen-sink approach to features).

With this in mind, you can stay at ease that when we recommend a device, we're putting our mark of approval on it, which indicates two things: first, this appliance works well, and second, this appliance is simple to operate.

Tests - Countertop Dishwashers

In our appliance testing center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, we have previously examined hundreds of dishwashers. These counters were evaluated in the same way as full-size dishwashers are: cleaning performance, functionality, and use. We restricted the number of soiled dishes and only tested the Normal cycle because these countertop dishwashers are much smaller than ordinary dishwashers.

Should I Buy Countertop Dishwashers?

It is debatable. A countertop dishwasher consumes less water than hand cleaning if you're concerned about wasting water. This makes it a lucrative option for an RV or other location where room for a fully fitted or portable dishwasher is limited.

No doubt it's easier to use a countertop dishwasher than to wash dishes by hand, and our studies demonstrate that it cleans far better. If you're a neat freak, a countertop dishwasher is a tiny price to pay to ensure that your dishes aren't simply clean on the outside.

Larger objects will still need to be washed in the sink; also, a countertop dishwasher might take up ample counter space when not in use.

Large countertop dishwasher, on the other hand, occupies a bigger space. It has got wheels that make it easy to move. Also, you can place larger dishes in it for cleaning.

How Does a Countertop Dishwasher Work

Practically all countertop dishwashers operate in the same way: two hoses connect to a "quick connect" mount that should fit almost any faucet. One hose brings in clean water, while the other empties into the sink.

There's enough room inside for four full place settings, a cutlery basket, a detachable filter, and a steel tub in a single rack.

You can either leave the dishwasher connected to your sink and utilize a bypass button to acquire freshwater, or you can unplug it after each usage.

Be careful that not all faucets are compatible with portable dishwashing. At a hardware store, we had to buy a little 15/16 inch to 55/64 inch faucet adapter. Elegant faucets with hidden "Cache" aerators may not be compatible with a portable dishwasher.

Although it is feasible to connect a sprayer faucet to a dishwasher (there are various internet tips that explain how), it is not recommended.

Who Manufactures Countertop Dishwashers?

We discovered that Midea manufactures nearly every countertop dishwasher marketed in the United States after reviewing bills of lading and other important data.

Midea, headquartered in Guangdong, China, is one of the world's leading appliance manufacturers. It owns Eureka, holds the rights to use the Toshiba name on small appliances, and makes hundreds of devices for GE Appliances and even the Instant Pot.

Midea now offers its own appliances and has lately created many research and development labs in the United States.

These things are imported from China for a reason, and it isn't just because of lower manufacturing costs. Countertop dishwashers are far more popular in China, and importing these rectangular, easy-to-ship boxes from an existing factory is easier than setting up manufacturing in nations where they're a niche product.

Other Countertop Dishwasher

There are some other options you shouldn't miss to see.

Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Countertop Dishwasher

The Farberware FDW05ASBWHA small countertop dishwasher has a lot to give. One of the favorite features is that you may utilize the dishwasher's water supply from either the kitchen sink or a separate water tank; the water tank is a fantastic substitute if you have trouble connecting and securing water hoses or if you want to wash dishes far away from a sink. This dishwasher has six cycles: Baby Care, Glass, Fruit (where you may wash your fruits with the removable basket), Air Refresh, Normal, and Rapid. The best feature of this small dishwasher is that it features a little glass pane through which you can see the food stains being removed from your plates in real-time.

When it comes to washing dishes, this compact dishwasher excels at removing stains, even the toughest baked-on stains like chopped spinach. While there was some redeposit, it was nothing that couldn't be removed with a short wash in the sink. Furthermore, practically all of the dishes that were washed came out completely dry. You'll like the performance and intelligent design of the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA if you're seeking some versatility when it comes to washing dishes in a small kitchen space.

Pros

• Excellent performance
• Dries dishes
• Got a fruit cleaning option

Cons

• Have issues with redeposit

Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher

The Danby DDW621WDB is a step down from the Danby DDW631SDB, which is our favorite small countertop dishwasher. As a result, it's unsurprising that the dishwashing performance was adequate, but not nearly as well as the DDW631SDB.

Heavy, Normal, Light, Glass, Speed, and Rinse are the six cycles available on this countertop dishwasher. The Danby DDW621WDB is a wonderful alternative for individuals who don't require the bells and whistles of more expensive countertop dishwasher models, thanks to its plain white plastic exterior and button-operated control panel.

Pros

• Capacity is enough for a 22" countertop dishwasher

Cons

• Complex controls at first
• Capacity is not as much as in a full-size model

hOmeLabs HME010033N Countertop Dishwasher

The hOmeLabs HME010033N turns out to be virtually identical to the Danby DDW621WDB. It has the same cleaning performance, cycles (albeit one is labeled "Eco" rather than "Light"), and cycle periods as the original. Its façade is a little more modern than the DDW621WDB's, but if you're looking for a countertop dishwasher, we recommend getting whichever of these two devices is on sale at the time.

Pros

• Smooth appearance
• Controls are intuitive

Cons

• A bit expensive for its functioning
• Capacity is too small

Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 Countertop Dishwasher

The Magic Chef's cleaning ability is adequate; while it struggled with some of the harsher stains in our tests (such as spinach), it should be able to handle most dirty dishes without difficulty. There are six cycles in the Magic Chef countertop dishwasher (Light, Normal, Heavy, Speed, Glass, and Rinse).

Unlike the other countertop dishwashers on our list, which feature delay options of 2, 4, or 6 hours, this Magic Chef's delay option ranges from 1 to 24 hours and maybe adjusted in 1-hour increments. This enables you to schedule dishwasher cycles to begin at a later time, either for convenience or to save money by avoiding high-demand hours, such as after dinner. If you want that kind of scheduling flexibility, the Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 countertop dishwasher is the one for you.

Pros

• 6 cleaning cycles
• 1-24hr delay option

Cons

• Can't beat tough stains

Black & Decker BCD6W Countertop Dishwasher

Finally, a product from a well-known name! Although we noted that the spinach redeposit left certain dishes a little dirtier than we expected, the cleaning performance of this countertop dishwasher was equal to that of the others on this list. The BCD6W offers a 90-minute BabyCare cycle in addition to the six cycles found in other countertop dishwashers on this list. The Black & Decker, like the Magic Chef, includes a 1- to 24-hour delay feature.

One feature that sets the Black & Decker countertop dishwasher apart from the competition is its appearance—it has the best-looking dishwasher on this list, thanks to its stainless steel handle finish and touchscreen user interface. If you have a more modern kitchen and don't want a white box on your countertop to detract from its appearance, the Black & Decker countertop dishwasher is the way to go.

Pros

• Stainless steel finishing
• 1-24hr delay option

Cons

• Struggle with spinach redeposit