How Should You Choose a Countertop Dishwasher?

You finally decided: the hours spent washing cutlery, pots, and plates took over and you decided to buy a countertop dishwasher.

Have you already researched but haven’t found what you want yet? We will try to help you in your choice with our guide, dedicated to the best countertop dishwashers.

Let’s start with the three main questions you should ask yourself, to which we will give concise and clear answers, to conclude with a list of the 8 best countertop dishwashers. Are you ready? Then let’s get started!

What is a countertop dishwasher?

Let’s start from an assumption: it is not at all true that countertop dishwashers, especially the latest generation, consumes more water than hand washing your dishes. Indeed, they often consume less (for example, it is enough to simply forget the tap on to increase consumption).

Countertop dishwashers are a type of appliance that is put on top of the cabinet. They are generally quite light, cheap and small, definitely not as powerful as built-in dishwashers. However, they are also a lot easier to install, and won’t require you to spend an exorbitant amount of money, while still getting your dishes done easily.

Furthermore, they come with many extra features that you definitely won’t mind. Let’s see which ones.

What are the advantages of a countertop dishwasher?

The first advantage of a countertop dishwasher is that it does not require for you to rethink your whole kitchen to place one in your home.

In fact, often, classic dishwashers seem almost a foreign body to the room and, we are sure, if you have one, you wouldn’t mind to do without it from a storage point of view.

Instead, this type of dishwasher adapts to any environment in which it is located and, especially if they are extremely quiet, you can also put it into operation when you have guests. Another advantage is certainly to save the effort and time of hand washing everything that has been used for dinner or lunch.

Imagine, for example, hosting 20 people for dinner: when everyone leaves, you can already imagine the scene of you washing each plate and each pot individually. With the countertop dishwasher, you can forget this scene, as it will be just a bad memory.

How should you choose a countertop dishwasher?

Now let’s move on to the third and final question of our introduction, the most common questions that every person (including you!) asks before buying a countertop dishwasher.

What strengths are essential, regardless of personal tastes, in choosing a countertop dishwasher?

There are three main ones.

• Energy label: Have you never heard of an energy label? Then we’ll explain what it is! In addition to being one of the values on which you must pay the utmost attention, it is, in simple words, a set of technical characteristics of the countertop dishwasher, and are mandatory.

• Programs: Of course, you are thinking that, by now, all dishwashers have programs and that, therefore, it is a feature that can be taken for granted. You are right, but not completely right! In fact, alongside basic programs, such as prewash, Eco, at 50 ° C, normal at 65 ° C and intensive at 70 ° C, there are some countertop dishwashers that have customized programs based on what you have to wash. One thing, as you can imagine, is washing a plate or cutlery and another is cleaning a pot full of sauce and all the ingredients that have taken residency inside!

• Delayed start: The delayed start is the ability to personally set the activation time of the countertop dishwasher. Does this seem an aspect to be underestimated? Well, just think about how convenient it would be to turn it on at night so that you always have clean plates in the morning, or, if you have an older model that is very noisy but includes a delayed start, set it in the morning when you’re out so the sound doesn’t bother you. When used wisely, this feature is very useful indeed!

Now that you’re aware of the most important features to look out for, let’s get to it. Below you will find a list of the 8 best countertop dishwashers that could be right for you.

Best Countertop Dishwashers

1.Faberware FDW05ASBWHA

This dishwasher come in a compact design and can hold dishes up to 12 inches. It doesn’t need any hookups, and it includes a water hose. It comes with 5 washing programs and creates steam to clean dishes. Finally, it includes a rapid wash and can even wash fruit.

	Highlights:
	5 different programs Rapid Cycle Compact design You can use any type of detergent (pods, liquid, powder)

Pros:	Cons:
Little and compact Suction cup It looks stylish Easy to use	Delicate Not very spacious A little noisy

2. HomeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher

This small Energy Star certified dishwasher is easy to use and control, thanks to the control panel. You can choose between 6 programs, and it includes a quick connect assembly with accessories. It even dries your dishes!

	Highlights:
	Energy Star certified Simple to use control panel Quick connect assembly Rinse aid dispenser 17.2 x 19.6 x 21.6 inches

Pros:	Cons:
Easy to install Low price Easy to use	Thin plastic Not very spacious A few customers complain that it leaks

3. Danby DDW621WDB

This compact and space saving dishwasher has an easy set up and saves energy. It has a 6 plates setting capacity and works very quietly. Furthermore, it has 6 wash cycles and a delay start feature.

	Highlights:
	Compact and space saving Easy to set up Energy saver Quiet operation Six wash cycles Delay start

Pros:	Cons:
Easy to use Easy to set Very quiet It uses very little water	The product’s customer service isn’t really good It is a little small

4. Black Decker BCD6W

This Black Decker dishwasher fits perfectly in your countertop, has a spacious interior that allows for 6 settings, and plates up to 10’’. It is also easy to load and features a LED display.

	Highlights:
	Compact Countertop Spacious Interior Easy load Led display

Pros:	Cons:
Easy to use Quick connect It cleans really well Water and energy efficient	The soap dispenser is a little small A few customers complained that it arrived damaged

5. CalmDo Portable Countertop Dishwasher

This dishwasher has a compact design and doesn’t need any hookups. It includes 6 customized programs and a 3D strong washing system. Furthermore, despite its small dimensions, it has a large capacity.

	Highlights:
	Compact Design No hookups needed 6 customized programs 3D washing system
Pros:	Cons:
Sleek design Small and compact It does not require any set up Worth the price	Quite small It takes a little longer than expected to dry out dishes

6. Moosoo Portable Dishwasher

This 22 inch dishwasher includes 5 washing programs and a 3-stage filtration system. It also includes 360° spiral spray washing and a 3 in 1 function. With this space saving dishwasher, you’ll also get a tableware rack, a fork and knife box, and three pipes.

	Highlights:
	5 washing programs 3-stage filtration system 360° Spiral Spray Washing 3-in-1 function dishwasher
Pros:	Cons:
Very well constructed Includes an energy saving option It washes dishes really well It hearts up to 158 degree F	Box of the dishwasher arrived damaged to some clients Smaller than expected

7. EdgeStar DWP62BL

This dishwasher comes with six standard place setting capacity, and holds plates up to 10.5’’ in diameter. It is made of stainless interior, and it is very silent. Remember not to use hand dish detergent, detergent pods or tabs, or the dishwasher will overflow.

	Highlights:
	Six settings Holds plates up to 10.5’’ Stainless steel interior Fits under most cabinetry
Pros:	Cons:
Perfect to fit under the sink It cleans really well The range of wash cycles is good	Some parts are a little cheap built Some customers complain that it leaks The packaging could be improved

8. Danby DDW631SDB

This compact space saving countertop is compatible with most kitchen faucets and comes with 6 standard place setting capacity. It is energy star compliant and has low water consumption. You’ll be able to choose between 8 wash cycles and has a delay start option of 2,4, 6 or 8 hours.

	Highlights:
	Compact and space saving 6 place setting capacity Energy star compliant 8 wash cycles Delay start option
Pros:	Cons:
Easy to install Light and compact It cleans really well Very silent	Doesn’t fit much inside Poor packaging

Conclusions:

All the products we’ve described are fairly cheap and work great. However, our favorite is the Danby DDW631SDB: with 8 cycle options and the delayed start option, it is definitely the best contestant and deserves our full approval!