We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of our links. The LA Times editorial staff was not involved in the creation of this content. Learn more

Clean Your Dishes with Ease with Best Portable Dishwasher

  1. Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Complete Portable Dishwasher
  2. HOmeLabs Compact Countertop Portable Dishwasher
  3. Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Portable Dishwasher
  4. KAPAS Vegetable Cleaning Portable Dishwasher
  5. BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Compact Countertop Portable Dishwasher
  6. Buyer's Guide

You may think that having a dishwasher isn’t for everyone. Perhaps you feel that you don’t have enough space or will save water by hand washing your dishes. Well, you will be surprised at how small and compact some portable dishwashers can be. Many will fit on a counter and simply attach to your tap. In addition, a portable dishwasher will often save water by using less than half the water you would use to wash the same amount of dishes by hand.

Portable dishwashers come in different sizes, with different features. To choose the best dishwasher for your needs, there are several factors you should consider before purchasing one. We will advise you on some of the features you may wish to look out for later in the article. But first, you may wish to look at our best portable dishwashers in 2022.

We are sure you will find a product you love below!

Best Portable Dishwasher Worth Considering in 2022

Farberware FDW05ASBWHA Complete Portable Dishwasher - Best Overall

The Faberware Complete Portable Dishwasher is compact and can fit various dishes inside at 12-inches in diameter. This fantastic portable dishwasher requires no hookup, thanks to its built-in water tank. It has five useful washing programs, including fruit wash, normal, rapid, glass, and baby care. An air fresh feature creates a steady airflow to help your dishes dry faster and prevent any bad smells. It is easy to use with clear controls and a water level indicator so you don't overfill. The door has a see-through window so you can see what has been placed inside without the need to open the door and release the steam or stop the cycle. This product is available in black or white - who says tiny homes can’t be stylish?

  • Five cleaning features
  • Built-in water tank
  • Air fresh feature
  • Cannot fit many dishes inside

HOmeLabs Compact Countertop Portable Dishwasher - Runner Up

The Homelabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher has six wash cycles, including normal, light, heavy, speed, soak, and glass. This dishwasher measures 17.2-inches in height, 19.6-inches in depth, and 21.6-inches in width. This device will fit easily onto a counter or tabletop and is perfect for a small kitchen or a one- or two-person household. It has a substantial dish rack and silverware basket for its size. You will be surprised how many dishes it can hold in such a small space. The rinse aid dispenser will keep your dishwasher looking as good as new for longer. This device will save water, needing only 3.1 gallons per load compared to 25 gallons by hand. It is also available in stylish grey or classic white. Unfortunately, there's no glass window to peek inside.

  • Small enough to fit on a counter
  • Six wash cycles
  • Rinse aid
  • It can take up to two hours to wash a load

Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Portable Dishwasher - Honorable Mention

The Danby Countertop Dishwasher is extremely compact and measures 17-inches in height, 20-inches in depth, and 22-inches in width. It also has a useful delay feature to delay the wash for up to 8 hours. This means you can load the dishwasher in the evening and program it to turn on in the morning. It has six cleaning cycles: normal, rinse, intensive, economy, glass, rapid, and soak. It is energy-star compliant and will also save water, using under half the water you would use to wash the same dishes by hand. This dishwasher can be easily connected to a faucet and has an easy-to-use digital display.

  • Saves water
  • Six cleaning programs
  • Delay feature
  • Does not dry dishes completely

KAPAS Vegetable Cleaning Portable Dishwasher - Contender

The KAPAS Portable Countertop Dishwasher is one of the smallest countertop dishes we have come across. It measures 17.5-inches in height and 16 by 16-inches in depth and width. It is perfect for small homes and can be used anywhere. No hookup is needed, thanks to its built-in 5-liter water tank. When you do not wish to use the water tank, this product includes a faucet adapter. This great product has five cleaning functions: fruit wash, rapid, baby, and glass clean. It heats up to 75 degrees when cleaning, so you can rest assured your dishes are getting a proper wash.

  • Small countertop dishwasher
  • Can use a water tank or faucet adapter
  • Five cleaning functions
  • The place for cups and glasses isn’t angled, so their bottom will always be wet.

BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Compact Countertop Portable Dishwasher - Also Consider

The Black and Decker Countertop Dishwasher has seven cleaning programs, including intensive, normal, eco-friendly, soak, and others. It can hold up to six place settings worth of dishes. This dishwasher is extremely user-friendly, with an easy-to-view LED display screen and electronic touch controls. It even has a delay washing feature. This means you can load the dishwasher and program it to come on in two hours - maybe after everyone has showered, for instance. It is small enough to fit on the counter and easily connects to your faucet, thanks to the included hose. This is a great product for those with children because it has a child lock to keep them out while it is running.

  • Seven settings
  • LED display screen with electronic touch controls
  • Delay wash feature
  • This dishwasher doesn’t dry the dishes well.

Buyer's Guide

Now that you’ve taken the time to check out recommendations for the best portable dishwasher, we suggest reading the rest of our buying guide to see what you should look out for before making your purchase.

Things to consider when choosing a portable dishwasher

To get the best portable dishwasher, there are several factors and features you should think about.

Continue reading to see the things you should consider when choosing a portable dishwasher.

Dimensions

Most of the reason someone wants a portable dishwasher is because there isn’t enough space to place a regular-sized dishwasher. For this reason, the dimensions of the dishwasher are important. Measure the width, height, and depth of the space available, and make sure there is a little space left over to attach a faucet hose or maneuver the dishwasher back out.

Capacity

How many dishes do you use per meal? For example, if you cook a couple of meals from scratch every day and have a family of four, you will need a larger capacity dishwasher than someone who lives alone and makes a sandwich and bowls of cereal.

Interior Composition

Stainless steel interiors are durable and rust-resistant. It is rare to find an interior not made from stainless steel, but you should always check just in case.

Placement

If you place your portable dishwasher above the drain level, on top of the counter, for instance, you will not need a dishwasher with a pump. However, if you place the dishwasher below the drain, it will need an included pump.

Water heater

A dishwasher will heat the water to a certain temperature. Some dishwashers offer varying temperatures, normally depending on the wash cycle you choose. However, some just let you adjust the temperature alone. Look for the highest temperature the dishwasher goes to. Then, consider whether you are comfortable with its maximum temperature. Most people want a dishwasher to get hot enough to kill all germs.

Number of cycles

There are several cleaning functions that we came across during our research. The most common are a normal wash, fast wash, eco wash, glass wash, and baby wash. We also came across fruit wash, rinse, and soak. Different dishwashers have different amounts of wash functions. Therefore, you should consider what functions you will use. First, look to see if there are any extra wash cycle options you know you will not use. As a general rule, the more cycles a dishwasher possesses, the more expensive it will be, so purchasing a device that only has the functions you will use will save you some money.

Energy and water efficiency

Choose a dishwasher that doesn’t use too much energy or too much water. One of the main selling points of a dishwasher is that it saves water compared to hand washing the same amount of dishes. Compare several water efficiencies of portable dishwashers and consider choosing one with the lowest amount of water use.

Tank

Some portable dishwashers have a tank that you fill with water, and others have a hose that connects to the dishwasher and the faucet. Some offer both a tank and a faucet hose, which is convenient for moving the dishwasher to different areas of your home, or taking it with your trailer.

Faucet adapter

The faucet adapter attaches the hose to the faucet. Ensure your faucet adapter is compatible with your faucet, or get a dishwasher with a universal faucet adapter.

Child lock

It is important to get a dishwasher with a child lock if you have children because a dishwasher can produce a lot of steam and heat.

Drying

Not all dishwashers will also dry your dishes, and even if they are designed to, not all do so effectively. Read customer reviews to ascertain how well a dishwasher dries its dishes. It should have an angled tray so cups and glasses can dry without the water pooling at the base.

Cycle delay

Some dishwashers have a feature that allows you to delay a cycle for a certain amount of time. This is a useful feature for those who want the dishwasher to start a cycle after everyone has had a shower, or after the washing machine has finished, or when you are at work. You might like the dishwasher to start in the morning due to the noise it may make.

Noise

Dishwashers can cause a lot of noise. To find out how much noise a dishwasher produces before you buy it, you need to see it in action or search customer reviews for the info.

How we choose the best portable dishwasher

To choose the best portable dishwasher, we judge how well they clean the dishes. We judge how many dishes the dishwasher can hold in comparison to its size. We also consider how many wash cycles it has and how well it can dry. We read many customer reviews to ensure our top picks had a large majority of positive feedback.

Portable dishwasher price range

The average price of a portable dishwasher typically ranges from as little as $190 and as much as $450.

Portable Dishwasher FAQ

Q: How does a portable dishwasher drain?

A: A portable dishwasher drains using an unicouple.

The term unicouple refers to a fitting that attaches to the faucet. It consists of two hoses. One runs water to the dishwasher, and the other runs water to the sink to drain.

Q: How long does a dishwasher usually last?

A: Dishwashers should last between six and ten years. This is the average lifespan of a dishwasher. Try and get one that comes with a warranty that covers at least six years, and avoid items that break within the first 12 months.

Q: When is the best time to buy a dishwasher?

A: The best time to buy a dishwasher is when new models come out. This is because retailers usually put the older models on sale to make space for new ones. This usually happens every September to October.

bestcovery team.jpg
Our research team searches out the best of everything so that you can confidently pick the perfect products and services for your needs.
Related Content
Go to top