If you have a space that isn’t large enough for a full-sized dishwasher or a budget that is too small to handle the major cost of installing a permanent appliance, we recommend portable dishwashers. Versatile, affordable, and powerful, portable dishwashers save you time, money, and dry hands. Dish detergent is no friend to skin.
Portable dishwashers come in two styles; smaller countertop dishwashers and rolling dishwashers on casters. We’ve included both on our list, with both styles boasting their own set of benefits.
A portable dishwasher is ideal in spaces that can’t fit a full-sized dishwasher. Small apartments or houses, RVs, and offices are all great places to use your portable dishwasher. If you move frequently, having your own portable dishwasher means not having to find a rental unit with a dishwasher already installed. We also love using our portable dishwasher as a complement to our full-sized dishwasher, with the portable option available for use when entertaining a large group or when you have extra dishes after weekly meal preps.
Portable dishwashers aren’t just convenient time-savers, they’re also environmentally friendly. Many options on our list are Energy Star rated and on average use 3.1 gallons of water per load. In comparison, washing by hand can use up to 25 gallons of water.
For more on portable dishwashers, check out our favorites below.
1. hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
BEST OVERALL
For a dishwasher that is small but powerful, we recommend the hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher. The Energy Star portable dishwasher features a no-tools assembly and includes an inlet and drain hose as well as a faucet outlet. The hOmeLabs comes with six wash settings, including Eco, glass, and rinse. The compact unit, which measures only 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches, provides a high quality, streak-free wash.
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2. Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher
TANK INCLUDED FOR FAUCET-FREE HOOKUP
Most portable dishwashers require a location close to a faucet to provide a water source, but that’s not the case with the Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher. A water hose is included for direct faucet hookups, but the dishwasher also includes a tank that makes it possible to run the dishwasher without a connected water source. The compact dishwasher can still fit items up to 12 inches and gives users five options to choose from depending on their needs. At only 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 inches, the Farberware Complete is one of the smallest models on our list but still delivers a streak-free deep clean and uses automatic air circulation to ensure dishes are dried once they have been cleaned.
3. GE Portable Dishwasher with 12 Place Settings
PROTECTS AGAINST CLOGS
Being able to delay the start time on your dishwasher is typically a feature that is only included on more expensive, permanent units but the GE Portable Dishwasher with 12 Place Settings gives users the convenience of delaying the start time between one and 12 hours. The 12-place setting dishwasher has three levels, including an NSF Certified Sanitize option that removes 99.999% of the bacteria found on dishes. The Energy Star certified dishwasher has a Piranha Hard Food Disposer, which uses a stainless steel blade to pulverize food particles and eliminate potential clogs. At only 54dB, the GE is an ultra-quiet portable dishwasher that sits on four swiveling casters for easy movement.
4. BLACK+DECKER 6 Place Setting Compact Countertop Dishwasher
CONVENIENT DELAY OPTION
The BLACK+DECKER 6 Place Setting Compact Countertop Dishwasher is packed with convenient options that make it easy to set and forget about your dishes. The Energy Star Certified portable dishwasher has seven wash programs to choose from, ranging from Intensive to Rapid and Soak. Weighing just over 46 pounds, the compact countertop unit has a clear LED display and electronic touch controls. We also like that the dishwasher has a child lock option and a delayed start time for up to 24 hours.
5. Whirlpool Front Control Heavy-Duty Portable Dishwasher
LARGE CAPACITY
For a dishwasher that acts like a full-sized, permanent unit but has the convenience of a portable option, we recommend the Whirlpool Front Control Heavy-Duty Portable Dishwasher. Made by one of the most trusted names in dishwashers and kitchen appliances, Whirpool’s heavy-duty portable dishwasher is large enough to tackle several days of dishes thanks to its 12 place setting capacity. The built-in soil sensor adjusts the cycle level to ensure that even stuck-on food is removed and dishes come out clean and dry. We like that this Whirlpool has a one hour cycle that quickly cleans dishes and has a four-hour delay that allows users to schedule their wash cycle to coincide with when electricity bills are at their lowest. The frontload dishwasher has a high-temperature wash for sanitizing and at only 55 dB provides a quiet washing experience that won’t disrupt residents.
6. Farberware Professional Compact Portable Countertop Dishwasher
SPEED WASH OPTION
Not all dishes require the same level of cleaning which is why we like the Farberware Professional Compact Portable Countertop Dishwasher, which gives users seven wash options and an extra drying function. The Farberware offers a 45-minute speed clean that still ensures dishes are sanitized. The six-place setting dishwasher can fit plates and bowls up to 10 inches. The Farberware comes with everything needed for a quick connector assembly, including accessories and adapters that work with most North American faucets. Made with stainless steel and a heavy-duty interior tub, the Farberware works with pods, liquid detergent and powder detergent and has an easy to read LED screen.
7. NOVETE Compact Dishwasher
SMALL FOOTPRINT
When you have very limited space but still want the convenience of the dishwasher (raises hand), Novete has a compact model that is still strong enough to ensure dishes come out clean and food-free. The Novete measures 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches, but can still handle dishes up to 12 inches and clean up to four place settings in a single load. Perfect for dorm rooms, RVs or boats, the Novete has three wash options, including a 29-minute speed wash mode and an 89-minute disinfectant mode for baby items. The Novete has a dry mode, which will automatically turn on once the dishes are clean. Perfect for small spaces, the Novete will keep dishes in dry, odorless and sanitary conditions and ventilate for up to 72 hours, providing convenient storage space.
8. Danby Countertop Dishwasher
QUIET MOTOR
For a dishwasher you can barely hear, we like the Danby Countertop Dishwasher. The attractive all-white countertop unit emits only 52 dB and has a very low energy consumption of just 203 KWh per year. Weighing just over 46 pounds, the Danby can handle up to six place settings at once and has a hose and faucet adapter that fits most North American sinks. With seven wash cycles available, the Danby is perfect for small spaces and can be programmed for a delayed start between two and eight hours.
9. SPT Energy Star Portable Dishwasher
BEST FOR MEDIUM SIZED LOADS
If countertop dishwashers are too small but a full-sized permanent dishwasher is too large for your needs, we recommend the SPT Energy Star Portable Dishwasher. The standing dishwasher rests on four caster wheels and has an eight place setting capacity. Users can choose between six wash programs and delay the start for up to 24 hours. The stainless steel interior provides a durable finish and an adjustable top rack makes it possible to fit larger pots and pans in the SPT model. The dishwasher comes with a faucet attachment that works on both male and female connections. The SPT also includes a convenient rinse aid reminder that will let users know when they are low on the liquid.
10. EdgeStar 6 Place Setting Energy Star Rated Portable Countertop Dishwasher
AVAILABLE IN THREE COLORS
Clean six place settings at once using the EdgeStar Portable Countertop Dishwasher, which includes a cutlery basket, cup shelf, and dish rack. The EdgeStar fits any standard kitchen faucet and has a durable stainless steel interior. The compact dishwasher can fit on top of a counter or underneath a cabinet, with the EdgeStar emitting a quiet, 52.3dB noise level. We also like that the EdgeStar has seven wash settings and is Energy Star rated.