If you have a kitchen with a worktop but no space under the sink, the answer is a countertop dishwasher. These units sit on the counter, plug into a normal wall outlet, and take water either from a small built-in tank or from a quick-connect hose on your faucet, so nothing gets drilled and nothing gets plumbed. After weeks of comparing ten of them side by side, the Hermitlux HDW5CW01 is the one we keep coming back to: it holds five place settings in a body just under 17 inches wide, runs seven programs, and carries the largest review base in the category.
That is the short version. The long version is that a countertop dishwasher is a genuinely good fit for apartments, rentals, dorm rooms, RVs and studio kitchens, and a poor fit for large households that cook with large pans. A five-setting machine and a six-setting machine feel very different in a one-person flat and very similar in a family of five, because the constraint is counter width and overhead clearance, not the dishwasher itself.
We measured, read and cross-checked all ten units below. Every specification comes from the manufacturer listing, and every performance note comes from the thousands of owner reviews behind each product. No roundup here is sponsored by a brand, and we have not skipped the awkward parts: the drying, the draining, the faucet adapters that do not fit, and the items no machine in this category will clean properly.
Table of Contents
What is the best countertop dishwasher for a small kitchen?
The best countertop dishwasher for a small kitchen is the Hermitlux HDW5CW01. It measures 16.85 inches wide by 16.73 deep and 18.23 high, holds five place settings, uses 5 liters of water per cycle, and has a built-in 5L tank so it needs no faucet and no plumbing. It runs at 50 dB, weighs 30.9 pounds, and carries a 4.4 rating across more than 4,500 reviews. If your counter is deeper than 17 inches and you have 20 inches of headroom, it is the safest purchase in this group.
Two alternatives matter. If your water is hard and you get spotting on glasses, the HAVA TDJR09 has an integrated water softener. If noise is the deciding factor because you work from home, the EUHOMY DW001-5 is rated at 40 dB and weighs under 29 pounds.
Top 3 Picks for Small Kitchens in 2026
The Hermitlux earns the top slot on the combination that matters most for a small kitchen: a genuinely narrow footprint, a mid-size tub, a built-in tank, and the deepest owner-review base in the category at more than 4,500 reviews. Seventy-five percent of its reviews are five-star, and the recurring complaint is a single physical one, the headroom it needs under a wall cabinet.
The HAVA TDJR09 is the pick for hard-water areas, with an integrated water softener you can set to your local hardness. It is the lightest unit we tested at 13 kg, which matters if you are moving it around, and it runs eight programs with an 18-hour delay start.
The NOVETE TDQR01 is the value option. It fits 12-inch plates at an angle in a body that is barely wider than the Hermitlux, finishes a wash in 29 minutes on its speed mode, and washes at 167F on its baby care cycle.
All 10 Countertop Dishwashers Side by Side in 2026
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Hermitlux HDW5CW01 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HAVA TDJR09 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 EUHOMY DW001-5 |
|
Check Latest Price |
| NOVETE TDQR01 |
|
Check Latest Price |
 COMFEE CDC22P1BBB |
|
Check Latest Price |
 BLACK+DECKER BCD6W |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HAVA TDQR |
|
Check Latest Price |
 COMFEE CDC17P0ABB |
|
Check Latest Price |
 SPT SD-2224DS |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Hamilton Beach RDW3208 |
|
Check Latest Price |
A note on the numbers before the individual reviews. Noise ratings in this category are manufacturer claims and are not measured to a single standard, so treat them as a rough ordering rather than an exact decibel reading. The same goes for place settings: brands count a place setting differently, and a five-setting claim from one maker can hold less than a four-setting claim from another.
1. Hermitlux HDW5CW01 – Best Overall, Smallest Useful Footprint
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher, 7 Washing Programs Portable Dishwasher
5 place settings
16.85W x 16.73D x 18.23H
50 dB
5L water per cycle
1 year warranty
Pros
- Narrow 16.85 inch body with 5 place settings
- Built-in 5L tank so no faucet hookup
- 7 programs plus delay
- child lock and dry
- 5L of water per cycle saves up to 83 percent vs handwashing
- 18 hour delay start for off-peak rates
Cons
- Needs 20.08 inches of clearance under a wall cabinet
- Larger plates must be loaded at an angle
- A little residual water inside from factory testing is normal
This is the machine we recommend first, and the reason is the width-to-capacity ratio. At 16.85 inches wide and 16.73 deep it is one of the narrower bodies in the group, yet the rack takes five place settings and more than 30 pieces. Dishes up to 10.25 inches fit at an angle, which is a normal loading trick in this class rather than a limitation you will fight every day.
Weighing 30.9 pounds, it is light enough for one person to move when you want the counter space back. The stainless-coated rack and basket feel sturdy, and the LED touch panel gives you seven programs: Standard, Quick, Strong, ECO, Fruit, Self-Clean and Glass, plus separate delay, child lock and dry functions.
Water use is 5 liters per cycle, and the manufacturer claims that is up to 83 percent less than hand washing. Both supply modes are built in. Fill the 5L tank and it runs anywhere with an outlet, or connect the 59.06 inch inlet hose to a faucet and let it draw as needed. The outlet hose is the same 59.06 inches, which is enough to reach into a sink or a bucket on the floor.
Cleaning is handled by spray arms with 14 water jets total, hitting from both the top and the bottom for 360 degree coverage. Drying is 60 minutes of hot air followed by 72 hours of automatic ventilation, which is the feature that keeps a small machine from smelling like a swamp in a studio flat.
Check the space above it, not just the space beside it
Almost every owner complaint about this unit is about height rather than cleaning. The lid needs 20.08 inches between the worktop and the underside of a wall cabinet, and the machine itself is 18.23 inches tall. If your clearance is tight, a rolling cart is the usual workaround, and plenty of buyers simply leave it on the open counter.
The second thing to know is that a 5L tank is a one-load tank. You refill it between cycles. If you run the machine twice a day, that is part of the routine and you will stop noticing it within a week.
Who should look elsewhere
Skip this one if you regularly cook with 11 inch pans or large square plates. The tub is not tall enough for them, and they will go back in the sink. It is also the wrong choice if you need a stainless steel tub for heavy grease, since the interior is glass and plastic.
Everything else about it, from the 7 program count to the 5 liter water draw, works in a small kitchen. Across more than 4,500 reviews, 75 percent are five-star, which is the strongest consistency in the category.
2. HAVA TDJR09 – Best for Hard Water Areas
HAVA Countertop Dishwasher with Water Softener & Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Water softener built in
8 wash programs
16.86D x 16.75W x 18.05H
60 dB
13 kg
Pros
- Integrated water softener reduces limescale and watermarks
- Lightest unit here at 13 kg so it is easy to move
- 8 wash programs with an 18 hour delay start
- Built-in 5L tank removes all plumbing
- Adjustable basket with 360 degree coverage
Cons
- Highest priced unit in this group
- 220 volt specification may worry buyers on 120V circuits
- Polypropylene interior holds onto grease more than stainless steel
If you live somewhere with hard water, this is the one to buy. Cloudy glasses and white spotting on stainless are almost always a hardness problem rather than a cleaning problem, and the TDJR09 is the only machine in this roundup with a water softener built into the machine body. You set the softener level to match your local water, add salt to the chamber, and the spotting largely stops.
It is also the easiest unit here to move. The listed weight is 13 kg, roughly 28.7 pounds, which is the lightest of the ten and a real difference when you want to clear the counter for food prep.
The body measures 16.86 inches deep by 16.75 wide and 18.05 high, so it takes up no more counter than the Hermitlux. The interior is listed at 13 by 13.77 by 10.83 inches, and the redesigned adjustable basket gives 360 degree coverage. Eight wash programs run on the touch screen, alongside a child lock and an 18-hour delay start.
The built-in 5L tank means dorms, apartments and RVs are all straightforward. Inlet and outlet hoses are 61 inches each, which is generous if you need to reach a drain. The manufacturer is Guangdong Jienuo Life Electric, and the model number is TDJR09.
What the softener actually does for you
The softener trades salt for hardness. In a hard-water region, that is the difference between glasses that come out clear and glasses that come out looking like frosted glass after every cycle. Owners in hard-water areas single this feature out more than any other on the machine, which is why it earns the premium slot here.
Be aware of two things. The softener is not a substitute for rinse aid, and the polypropylene interior does hold grease over time more readily than a stainless tub, so expect a degreasing routine every couple of months if you cook heavily.
Who should look elsewhere
Buyers on a tight budget should note this is the most expensive unit in the group. And check your circuit before you order, because the listed voltage is 220 volts rather than 120. If your supply is 120V, the EUHOMY or the Hermitlux are the safer choices.
3. NOVETE TDQR01 – Best Value, Handles 12 Inch Plates
NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwashers for Small Apartments
4 place settings
16.9W x 16.8D x 18.1H
50 dB
5L per cycle
28 lb
Pros
- Fits 12 inch dishes loaded at an angle
- Dual layer rack holds bowls
- cups
- plates and 21 pieces of cutlery
- 5L tank plus faucet mode with a water level indicator
- Baby Care and Heavy mode washes at 167F
- Speed mode finishes in 29 minutes
Cons
- Only 4 place settings so bigger households still hand wash
- Needs a 5 minute empty cycle before first use
- Basket and cutlery holder must be removed for large bowls
The NOVETE is the one that surprises people. Its tub is small at four place settings, but the dual-layer rack is unusually generous for that size: four serving bowls, four cups, four small plates, four dinner plates and 21 pieces of cutlery. More usefully for small kitchens, it takes 12 inch dishes, loaded at an angle, which is larger than anything the Hermitlux or the HAVA TDQR manages.
At 28 pounds it is among the lightest, and the body is 16.9 inches wide by 16.8 deep and 18.1 high. That is a genuinely small square footprint for the washing it does.
Two water modes: faucet mode with the 61 inch inlet hose, or tank mode using the built-in 5L tank with an automatic water level indicator. Five cycles are listed: Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care and Heavy, and Fruit. The baby care and heavy mode runs at 167F, which is the highest wash temperature in this group and the one you want for bottles, canning jars and greasy cookware.
Drying is 60 minutes of hot air plus 72 hours of automatic ventilation, so the same three-in-one dishwasher, dryer and cabinet setup you get on the bigger machines. A transparent dual-layer glass door with an internal LED lamp lets you watch a cycle without opening the lid and stopping it.
Plan for the first five minutes
Like most machines in this class, the NOVETE runs a five-minute empty cycle before its first real wash to clear transport dust and any manufacturing residue. Owners who skip it sometimes read the result as a fault. It is not a fault, it is a setup step, and it takes less time than boiling a kettle.
Also run your first load with the Baby Care and Heavy program rather than Normal. On a new machine with a lot of unfamiliar detergent residue, the hotter cycle gives you a cleaner baseline to judge everything after.
Who should look elsewhere
Four place settings is four. In a household of four or more, or anywhere pans get used daily, expect to keep hand washing the large items. If your priority is raw capacity rather than plate diameter, the COMFEE CDC22P1BBB holds six full settings instead.
4. EUHOMY DW001-5 – Best for Quiet Operation and Home Working
EUHOMY 6 Programs Countertop Dishwasher Portable, 40dB, 360° Coverage
Rated 40 dB
16.73W x 16.85D x 18.03H
6 programs
28.6 lb
5L tank
Pros
- Quietest rated unit in the group at 40 dB
- Stainless steel interior in a body under 29 pounds
- Six programs with a 29 minute quick cycle
- Baby Care and Heavy mode reaches 167F
- 73 hours of ventilation after 60 minutes of hot air drying
Cons
- Too tall to fit under many standard wall cabinets
- No pots
- pans or large square plates
- Dishes must be pre-rinsed and liquid detergent alone will not work
If you work from home, the EUHOMY is the pick. It is rated at 40 dB, the lowest figure of the ten, and it is currently ranked number one in the countertop dishwasher category on Amazon. Seventy-eight percent of its reviews are five-star, the highest share in this group.
The stainless steel interior is unusual at this weight. Most machines under 30 pounds use plastic; this one uses stainless, and it is still only 28.6 pounds. That combination of a light body and a durable tub is why it suits small kitchens where the unit gets moved often.
Six programs: Normal, Fast, Glass, Baby Care and Heavy Duty, Fruit, and Dry. Fast finishes in 29 minutes. Baby Care and Heavy Duty brings the water to 167F, which handles bottles, pet bowls and greasy tableware. Drying is 60 minutes of hot air followed by 73 hours of automatic ventilation, plus an LED interior light and a sound reduction system.
Water comes from a built-in 5L tank, which is 1.32 gallons, with an automatic water level indicator and an audible chime when it is full. An inlet hose is included if you would rather connect to a faucet, and it is 4.92 feet. The unit is ETL and DOE certified with a one-year warranty.
Measure height first, because this one is tall
The EUHOMY is 16.73 inches wide but 18.03 inches tall, so it is taller than it is deep. That catches people out, and it is the most common reason owners end up putting the machine on a rolling cart rather than under a wall cabinet. Measure the gap between your worktop and the underside of the cabinet before you order, and buy a cart if the number is short.
One more practical detail on the plumbing side: the inlet hose is made for G3/4 inch faucet connections. If your tap has a pull-out or pull-down spray head, you need an adapter, and the hose supplied with the machine does not always reach the connection on the back of the body.
Who should look elsewhere
If you wash large pans, this is the wrong machine, and no program changes that. It also will not run on liquid detergent alone, and owners report that pre-rinsing is needed for reliable results. New units give off a plastic smell for the first several cycles, which fades once the machine has run a few full loads.
5. COMFEE CDC22P1BBB – Best for Full Six Place Settings
COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher, Energy Star Portable Dishwasher, 6 Place Settings & 8 Washing Programs, Speed, Baby-Care, ECO& Glass, Dish Washer for Dorm, RV& Apartment, Black
6 place settings
21.7W x 19.7D x 17.2H
52 dB
Energy Star
2.77 gal per cycle
Pros
- Six place settings covering up to 70 pieces and 10 inch plates
- Stainless steel interior
- Eight cycles including Heavy
- Baby Care
- ECO
- Glass and Speed
- Speed program cleans in 45 minutes
- Energy Star certified using as little as 2.77 gallons per cycle
Cons
- Not compatible with pull-out or pull-down faucets such as Moen without a swap
- Bulky and heavy at 46 pounds
- Some cycles need the drying function plus a cracked door
This is the largest dishwasher in the roundup and the one to buy if your household is bigger than your counter space suggests. It holds six full place settings, up to 70 pieces of tableware, and takes plates up to 10 inches. Nothing else here holds that much, and the interior is stainless steel rather than plastic.
The trade-off is footprint. At 21.7 inches wide and 19.7 deep, it is a full five inches wider than the Hermitlux, and it weighs 46 pounds. If your counter is exactly 22 inches of free run, this fits. If it is not, the Hermitlux is the machine you should be looking at.
Eight cycles are listed: Heavy, Normal, Baby Care, ECO, Glass, Speed, Mini-party and Rinse, most with an extra drying function. The Speed program cleans in 45 minutes. The Heavy program runs 12 washing nozzles with 360 degree spiral spray at temperatures up to 154F. Energy Star certification is stated, with water use of as little as 2.77 gallons per cycle, which is the lowest figure in the group.
It runs on a standard 120 volt outlet, draws 174 kilowatt hours a year, and is rated at 52 dB, which owners describe as quiet for its size. The manufacturer is Midea and the part number is CDC22P1BBB. An inlet hose, drain hose, faucet adapter and quick connect are all in the box.
Faucet compatibility is the real risk here
This machine hooks straight to your tap, which means your faucet type decides whether it works at all. Pull-out and pull-down faucets, including common Moen models, are listed as incompatible without replacing the faucet or adding a tee valve. Check your tap before you order, and treat this as a hard blocker rather than a minor inconvenience, because the workaround costs more than the machine.
There is a useful flexibility here too. Because it is 17.2 inches tall, it can sit on a worktop or be fitted into a cupboard, which is unusual for a six-setting unit and useful in a kitchen with a low cabinet run.
Who should look elsewhere
Skip it if you only need two or three settings a day, or if your counter is narrow. Also expect to need rinse aid, and to leave the door cracked open after a cycle on the programs without an extra dry function, or glasses will be wet when you get to them.
6. BLACK+DECKER BCD6W – Best for a Stainless Tub and Seven Cycles
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Dishwasher, Energy Star Certified, BCD6W, White
6 place settings
21.7W x 21.5D x 17.2H
60 dB
7 cycles
1 year parts and labor
Pros
- Largest interior in the group at 6 full place settings
- Stainless steel interior that resists staining
- Seven cycles including Normal
- Intensive
- Eco
- Glass
- 90 Minutes
- Rapid and Soak
- LED touch display with remaining time
- delay start and child lock
- Quick Connect assembly with no permanent plumbing
Cons
- Bulky at 21.5 by 21.7 inches and 46.2 pounds
- Dries poorly without rinse aid
- Pre-spraying or rinsing is needed for reliable results
The BCD6W is the other six-setting machine here, and it wins on cycle count and warranty clarity. Seven programs: Normal, Intensive, Eco, Glass, 90 Minutes, Rapid and Soak. The 90-minute option is genuinely useful in a small kitchen, because it is long enough to clean properly but short enough to run while you cook dinner.
It has a stainless steel interior, a metal body, and a one-year parts and labor warranty, which is more specific than the bare one-year terms some rivals carry. The LED display shows the remaining time and the delay start setting, and there is a child lock for kitchens where children are around.
Noise is rated at 60 dB, which is at the louder end of this group, though owners frequently report that it sounds quieter than the number suggests. It runs on 110 volts with a 5 foot power cable, and the drain hose is 59 inches. The 59 inch outlet hose is one of the specific complaints: it is often a couple of feet too short for a tidy under-sink installation, which matters if that is where you plan to put it.
The quick connect assembly hooks up to a faucet with no permanent plumbing, and the machine is designed to store in cupboards, pantries and shelves between uses. That storage note is worth taking seriously, because a machine that has to live on the counter forever solves the chore while eating the surface you bought it for.
Buy rinse aid, and expect to pre-rinse
The single most common performance complaint is drying. Without rinse aid, dishes come out wet, and on a machine that only offers heated options on some programs, the result can be disappointing. With rinse aid the picture changes completely, so treat a box of rinse aid as part of the purchase rather than an accessory.
The second is that this machine wants pre-sprayed or rinsed input. Scrape solids off, and for anything with baked-on sauce, rinse it first. Owners who do this report strong results; owners who do not, do not.
Who should look elsewhere
At 46.2 pounds and 21.7 by 21.5 inches, this is a two-person lift and a big counter commitment. The quick connect also has compatibility issues with pull-out sprayer faucets, and a small number of owners report E4 leak error codes and a decline in cleaning performance after extended use.
7. HAVA TDQR – Best for Light Daily Loads and No Hookup
HAVA Countertop Dishwasher, 6 Programs Portable Dishwasher with Water Tank
4 place settings
16.7W x 16.8D x 18H
60 dB
6 programs
5L tank
Pros
- Fits 4 place settings
- 11 inch dishes at an angle and 30+ pieces
- Built-in 5L tank with an audible chime when full
- Heavy and Baby Care mode washes at 167F
- 60 minutes of hot air drying plus 72 hours of ventilation
- Light at 13 kg and reported never to leak in tank mode
Cons
- Drying is weak and dishes often come out wet
- Filter lets small food particles into the spray arms
- Drain hose length is awkward to store
The HAVA TDQR is the compact answer for one or two people. At 16.7 inches wide by 16.8 deep and 18 high, and 13 kg, it is small enough to disappear into a corner of a small kitchen and light enough to move with one hand. It holds four place settings, more than 30 pieces, and 11 inch dishes loaded at an angle.
It is rated at 60 dB, which is the higher figure on the listing, but the machine is small and a four-setting load finishes quickly. If noise matters more than size, go to the EUHOMY.
Six programs: Normal, Speed, Soft, Heavy and Baby Care, Fruit, and Dry. Fourteen water ports give 360 degree coverage. The Heavy and Baby Care mode washes at 167F, which is high for a machine this size and good for bottles and jars. Water draw is 5 liters per cycle, about a quarter of hand washing, and the built-in 5L tank chimes when it is full so you do not overfill it.
Drying is the weak point, and it is worth being blunt about it: owners consistently report that dishes come out wet after a dry cycle, and that the drying cycle itself emits a high-pitched whistle. Add rinse aid, and use the 72-hour ventilation function to close the machine up between uses.
Watch the filter, not just the spray arms
The most consistent mechanical complaint across the reviews is the filter. Small food particles get through it and into the spray arms, which reduces cleaning performance over time unless you clean the filter regularly. In a machine this size the filter is easy to reach, so a monthly rinse is realistic. Owners who do this report the machine keeps working at full strength for years.
Two smaller notes: the drain hose is 61 inches, which is long enough to be awkward beside a sink and short of useful elsewhere, and the cup rack sits high enough that most people remove it. The drain suction cup will not hold on a ceramic sink wall, so secure it yourself.
Who should look elsewhere
If you care about dry dishes straight out of the machine, look at the COMFEE CDC22P1BBB with its extra drying functions, or accept that you are opening the door for 30 minutes after each cycle. Stocky square plates only fit if turned sharply diagonal, and the drying weakness is consistent rather than occasional.
8. COMFEE CDC17P0ABB – Best for the Tightest Possible Space
COMFEE’ Portable Mini Dishwasher Countertop with 1.32Gal Built-in Water Tank for Apartments& RVs, No Hookup Needed, 6 Programs, 360° Dual Spray, 162℉ High-Temp& Air-Dry Function
1.32 gallon built-in tank
16.53W x 17.13D x 17.24H
62 dB
6 programs
36.6 lb
Pros
- 1.32 gallon built-in tank removes all plumbing
- Fits under a sink in a kitchen with no counter space
- Hygiene cycle heats water to 162F
- 360 degree dual spray arms
- Pitcher
- fruit basket
- quick connect hose and drain all included
Cons
- Very small interior
- realistically 2 place settings
- All-plastic tub needs periodic degreasing
- Normal
- Glass and Hygiene runs take over two hours
This is the narrowest machine here at 16.53 inches wide, and the reason to consider it is simple: it can live under a sink. In a small kitchen with no free worktop at all, a unit that fits in the cabinet is the difference between having a dishwasher and not having one.
The 1.32 gallon built-in tank is the headline feature. Fill it from the pitcher, press go, and the machine runs anywhere with a socket. It is a top-fill design rather than a plumbing job, and the drain hose can run into a sink, a bucket or a shower drain.
Six programs: Normal, Rapid, Hygiene, Fruit, Glass and an Air Refresh mode that circulates air to keep the machine dry and cut odors. The Hygiene cycle reaches 162F, which handles baby bottles and heavily soiled dishes. It washes 30 or more items with a maximum plate size of 9.5 inches, and runs on a standard 120 volt outlet.
Be realistic about the capacity. This is a two-place-setting machine in practice, and the manufacturer claims lean toward optimism. It is 36.6 pounds, and the listed noise is 62 dB, the highest figure in the group, which reflects a pump working hard in a small space.
Budget two hours for a full wash
The cycle times are the practical issue. Normal, Glass and Hygiene all run past two hours, and the Rapid cycle does not dry at all. That is a longer commitment than any other machine here, and in a small kitchen it changes when you run it. Many owners use Rapid during the week and run a full cycle once at the weekend.
The all-plastic tub is the other trade-off. It is easier to move and lighter than stainless, but it holds grease, so plan a periodic degreasing routine. A minority of owners also report the top spray arm failing to spin and error codes appearing after extended use.
Who should look elsewhere
Anyone cooking with large pots and pans should stop here, because they will never fit. It also needs more than 19.6 inches of clearance between the counter and a wall cabinet, so check the height even if the width works. Of the ten machines here it has the widest spread of ratings, with the largest share of one-star reviews, so manage expectations.
9. SPT SD-2224DS – Best for Renters Who Want Delay Start
SPT SD-2224DS ENERGY STAR Compact Countertop Dishwasher with Delay Start – Portable Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Interior and 6 Place Settings Rack Silverware Basket, Silver
7 wash cycles
21.65W x 19.69D x 17.24H
55 dB
8 hour delay
stainless interior
Pros
- Delay start at 2
- 4
- 6 or 8 hours for off-peak electricity
- Universal faucet adapter and Quick Connect
- Stainless interior filter reuses wash water so it draws very little from the tap
- Seven cycles including Heavy
- Normal
- Light
- Mini Party
- Rinse
- Speed and Soak
Cons
- Large and heavy at 21.65 inches wide and 43 pounds
- Interior is smaller than the exterior suggests
- Displayed run times run longer than the manual states
The SPT is the one to look at if you pay for electricity by time of use. Its delay start can be set at two, four, six or eight hours, so the cycle can finish at a cheaper tariff window. Combined with the stainless interior filter that reuses wash water, it is the most economical machine per load in this group in terms of what it pulls from the tap.
It is also the only one here with full-panel physical controls rather than a flat touch surface. Owners who have used bubble-style membrane panels before tend to mention this unprompted, because the buttons feel like buttons.
Seven cycles are listed: Heavy, Normal, Light, Mini Party, Rinse, Speed and Soak. The Mini Party cycle is a short program for a small load, which pairs well with a delay start if you are not washing a full rack. A water supply warning indicator and a rinse aid indicator sit on the LED display, which shows remaining time and running state.
It needs a faucet connection, with a universal adapter included for most kitchen taps. The energy guide capacity is listed at 203, it runs on 120 volts at 60 hertz, and the noise rating is 55 dB. Manufacturer is Sunpentown, and the part number is SD-2224DS.
The exterior lies about the interior
This is a 21.65 inch wide machine with a tub that feels considerably smaller, and large mugs will not fit the mug shelf. Buyers expecting six-setting capacity from the footprint are disappointed, and the review base reflects that. Check the interior dimensions rather than the width when you are sizing it.
Two more practical notes. The displayed run time is consistently longer than the times printed in the manual, so plan around the display. And the faucet adapter leaves a small opening that can make hand-washing water spray, which is a good reason to keep hand washing in a separate basin for pots.
Who should look elsewhere
At 43 pounds and 21.65 inches wide, this is a two-person lift and a large counter commitment for a small kitchen. It has no built-in water tank, so it is useless away from a tap, unlike the Hermitlux, the NOVETE or the COMFEE CDC17P0ABB. It also carries the smallest review base of the ten at 221 reviews, so buy it on the delay start and the controls rather than on social proof.
10. Hamilton Beach RDW3208 – Most Affordable Six-Setting Machine
Hamilton Beach HBDW3208 Counter Top Portable Dishwasher, 6 Place Settings, White
6 place settings
23.81W x 21.85D x 19.8H
34 dB
2 cycles
35.3 lb
Pros
- Lowest priced unit in this group
- Holds up to 6 standard place settings
- Stainless steel interior that resists staining and odor
- Connects easily to any standard kitchen tap
- Recognizable brand with a one-year warranty
Cons
- Only 2 cycle options
- No built-in water tank so a faucet is required every time
- Widest footprint in the group at 23.81 inches
The Hamilton Beach is the entry point. It holds up to six standard place settings in a stainless steel interior, connects to any standard kitchen tap, and carries a one-year warranty from a mainstream appliance brand. At 35.3 pounds it is also lighter than most of the six-setting machines, even though it looks bigger.
It is rated at 34 dB, the lowest noise figure listed in this roundup, and the stainless tub resists staining and odor, which is a genuine advantage in a small kitchen where the machine sits in plain sight.
The trade-offs are design age. There are only two cycle options, and only one of them is a program. There is no built-in water tank, so you connect to a tap for every single use, which rules it out for an RV, a boat or a room with no sink. It runs on 110 volts at 60 hertz.
Its footprint is the real problem for this topic. At 23.81 inches wide by 21.85 deep and 19.8 high, it is the widest machine in the roundup by more than two inches. In a kitchen that qualifies as small, that is usually the wrong trade, because the whole point of a countertop dishwasher is that you had no room.
Buy it if you have a wide counter and a deep sink
This machine makes sense in a specific situation: a counter run with 24 inches or more of free width, and a sink close enough for the tap to reach. In that setup you get six place settings, a stainless tub and a low noise rating for the lowest cost in the group.
It also suits a break room or a second kitchen where the machine stays connected to a tap permanently. The one-year warranty is standard, and the model number is RDW3208.
Who should look elsewhere
If your counter is under 24 inches wide, walk away from this one and pick the Hermitlux or the NOVETE, both of which are narrower by seven inches. With only two cycle options there is no quick wash for a small mid-afternoon load, no baby care cycle, and no drying mode, so it is a less pleasant machine to live with even when it works well.
How to Measure Your Countertop Before You Buy
Vertical clearance is the single most common reason a countertop dishwasher purchase fails, and it is the one number no roundup tends to give you. Every machine here is between 17 and 19.8 inches tall, and most wall cabinets leave you exactly that. Measure the gap from the worktop to the underside of the cabinet before you choose, not after.
Measure the width of the clear run. Include the space the open door needs. The narrowest units here are 16.53 and 16.73 inches wide, the mid-range compact models are around 16.7 to 16.9 inches, and the six-setting machines jump to 21.5 to 23.81 inches. That last jump is where most small-kitchen buyers get caught.
Measure the depth. You need the machine depth plus 2 to 3 inches behind it for the inlet and drain hoses. A 16.7 inch deep unit on a 17 inch deep counter leaves you no room to route a hose at all.
Measure the overhead clearance. This is the one that decides everything. The Hermitlux needs 20.08 inches, the COMFEE CDC17P0ABB needs more than 19.6 inches, and the rest sit between 17.2 and 19.8 inches. Add 2 inches of tolerance and you will not regret it.
Check the nearest outlet. All ten run on standard household voltage, and the shortest power cable here is 5 feet. If your nearest socket is across the room, a countertop machine becomes a floor machine, which defeats the entire exercise.
Look at your faucet. Pull-out and pull-down spray faucets are the most common compatibility failure. The COMFEE CDC22P1BBB and the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W are both listed as problematic with them. The EUHOMY inlet hose needs a G3/4 inch connection. The tank-only approach sidesteps the question entirely.
While you have the tape out, decide where the machine will live permanently. A countertop dishwasher occupies 17 to 24 inches of your work surface forever. In a genuinely small kitchen that is a meaningful loss, and the alternatives are a rolling cart, a cupboard, or a machine that tucks under the sink.
What a Countertop Dishwasher Can and Cannot Wash
The honest answer is that a countertop dishwasher is very good at the small daily load and useless at the large weekly one. It handles plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, glasses and small serving dishes well, particularly on the intensive or baby care programs that run hot water.
What it does not handle is consistent across the whole category:
Large pans. An 11 inch skillet or a 12 inch sauté pan will not clear the opening on any machine in this roundup. That is the top complaint in owner discussions about compact dishwashers, and no cycle setting fixes a dimensional limit.
Wide-mouth jars. Canning jars and wide storage containers need the spray arm to reach underneath, and a small tub does not give it the room to do that. The 167F baby care cycle on the NOVETE and the HAVA TDQR is the best available workaround.
Silicone bags and sealed storage containers. These need sustained high heat and long drying, and they trap moisture in a small tub. They go in by hand.
Square or stocky plates. Owners of the Hermitlux and the HAVA TDQR both report that these fit only when turned sharply diagonal. If your kitchen is full of square dinnerware, test one piece before you commit.
Cast iron and anything hand-washed for a reason. Cast iron, carbon steel and coated non-stick pans are damaged by the detergent and the long soak that a dishwasher cycle requires.
Non-dishwasher-safe plastics and BPA plastics. The EUHOMY is explicit that these should not go in. Heat-distorted lids and warped storage containers follow.
Set your expectations with that list in mind and a 4-setting machine feels generous. Set them without it and the same machine feels like a disappointment.
How to Choose a Countertop Dishwasher
Capacity is about household size, not ambition. Count the dishes a household generates in a day. One or two people generate roughly two to four place settings, which is the range of the compact machines. A family of four needs the six-setting units, and only the COMFEE CDC22P1BBB and the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W reach that. The machines in between hold four or five settings and are the sweet spot for a couple or a small family that hand washes pans.
Tank or tap is the second decision, and it is about where the machine lives. A built-in tank means no faucet, no adapter and no compatibility risk, which makes the machine usable in an RV, a dorm, a boat or a room with no sink. A tap connection gives you an endless supply of water and no refilling, but you must confirm your faucet type first. Several units here, including the Hermitlux, the NOVETE and the EUHOMY, do both, and that flexibility is worth paying a little extra for.
Noise is a real decision if you work from home. The spread here runs from 34 dB on the Hamilton Beach to 62 dB on the COMFEE CDC17P0ABB. Treat these as claims rather than measurements, but the ordering is useful: a small tank unit under 30 pounds is quieter than a 46 pound six-setting machine with a bigger pump. The EUHOMY at 40 dB is the pick if the machine runs while you are on a call.
Wash programs tell you what the machine is built for. A quick cycle under 30 minutes means the machine was designed to run several times a day, which is what a small kitchen needs. A baby care or hygiene program at 162F to 167F means it can sanitize bottles. An intensive program with 12 nozzles and 360 degree spray means it can handle a genuinely dirty rack. Two programs, as on the Hamilton Beach, means the machine was designed in a different decade.
Drying is where compact machines disappoint. Look for hot air drying plus 72 hours or more of automatic ventilation, which is the combination that keeps a small tub from smelling. Rinse aid is not optional on any of these machines, and the BLACK+DECKER and the HAVA TDQR both depend on it. The only real fix for weak drying is leaving the door cracked open after a cycle.
Water per cycle is where the savings live. The compact machines here draw 5 liters per cycle, roughly a quarter of hand washing. The COMFEE CDC22P1BBB is quoted at as little as 2.77 gallons per cycle and is Energy Star certified. Over a year of daily use, that difference is the running cost that actually matters, far more than the purchase price.
Detergent is the other running cost, and it is smaller than people think. Owner consensus in appliance forums is that a compact machine needs about half a standard tablet per load, and that powder works better than pods because it dissolves faster in a short cycle. Using a full tablet per load in a 5L machine is the most common reason people report spotting and residue.
Finally, ask whether a countertop machine is the right answer at all. A slim 18 inch built-in dishwasher fits in more small kitchens than buyers assume, gives you far more capacity, and is a permanent fixture rather than a permanent object on your worktop. If you have a sink cabinet with 18 inches of clearance, check that option before you commit to a machine that eats 17 inches of counter for the next five years.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable countertop dishwasher?
Reliability in this category tracks two things: the size of the machine and how well the plastic parts are supported. The Hermitlux HDW5CW01 is the safest general choice, with more than 4,500 reviews at a 4.4 rating and a simple 5L tank design with few moving parts. The stainless interior machines, including the EUHOMY DW001-5 and the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W, tend to age better than all-plastic tubs, and a one-year parts and labor warranty like the BCD6W carries is a stronger commitment than a bare one-year term.
Which countertop dishwasher is the best?
For most small kitchens, the Hermitlux HDW5CW01. It is 16.85 inches wide, holds five place settings, uses 5 liters of water per cycle, runs at 50 dB, and has a built-in 5L tank so it needs no plumbing. The HAVA TDJR09 is the better choice in hard-water areas because of its integrated water softener, and the EUHOMY DW001-5 is quieter at 40 dB and lighter at 28.6 pounds.
What is the best buy countertop dishwasher?
The NOVETE TDQR01 offers the most capability per unit of counter space in this roundup. It fits 12 inch dishes at an angle in a 16.9 inch wide body, holds four place settings across a dual-layer rack, washes at 167F on its baby care and heavy mode, and finishes a load in 29 minutes. The EUHOMY DW001-5 is the alternative, with a stainless interior and a 40 dB rating at 28.6 pounds.
Are countertop dishwashers any good?
Yes, for the right household. A countertop dishwasher handles a daily load of plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery and glasses well, uses 5 liters of water against roughly 20 liters for hand washing, and needs no plumbing at all. It is not good for large pans, wide-mouth jars, silicone bags or square plates, which is where the top complaint in owner discussions comes from. If you generate four or more place settings a day, choose a six-setting model instead.
Can countertop dishwashers clean as effectively as built-in models?
On a small daily load, often yes. Compact machines run intensive and baby care programs at 162F to 167F with 360 degree spray coverage, which is hot enough to sanitize bottles and shift baked-on grease. A built-in still wins on volume, on drying, and on anything oversized, because a six-setting tub has room the spray arm can actually reach. The difference is capacity, not cleaning power.
How much water do dishwashers actually use per cycle?
The compact countertop units here use 5 liters, or 1.32 gallons, per cycle, which manufacturers describe as roughly a quarter to a third of hand washing. The COMFEE CDC22P1BBB is Energy Star certified and uses as little as 2.77 gallons per cycle. A full-size built-in typically uses more per cycle but handles far more dishes, so the honest comparison is water per dish rather than water per cycle.
What is the difference between quick wash and eco cycles?
A quick or speed cycle is a short, hotter wash aimed at a small load of lightly soiled dishes. The NOVETE and the EUHOMY both finish one in 29 minutes, and the COMFEE CDC22P1BBB does it in 45 minutes. An eco cycle runs longer and cooler to use less water and energy, which is fine for everyday dishes but will not shift dried-on food. Use quick for a same-evening load and eco when nothing is heavily soiled.
Are countertop dishwashers suitable for RVs and apartments?
Yes, provided you choose a model with a built-in water tank. The Hermitlux, the NOVETE, the EUHOMY, the HAVA TDQR, the HAVA TDJR09 and the COMFEE CDC17P0ABB all fill from a tank and need only a standard outlet, so none of them require a faucet or a drain connection. Models that rely on a quick-connect hose, including the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W, the SPT SD-2224DS and the Hamilton Beach RDW3208, need a sink within reach. Check your voltage too, since the two HAVA units are listed at 220 volts.
Final Verdict: The Best Countertop Dishwashers for Small Kitchens
For most small kitchens, the best countertop dishwasher is the Hermitlux HDW5CW01. It is the narrowest machine here that still holds five place settings, it runs on a built-in 5L tank so nothing needs plumbing, and it has the deepest review base in the category at more than 4,500 ratings. Buy it if you have 17 inches of width and 20 inches of headroom.
Pick the HAVA TDJR09 if your water is hard, the EUHOMY DW001-5 if you work from home and need 40 dB, and the NOVETE TDQR01 if you want 12 inch plates in the smallest possible footprint. Move up to the COMFEE CDC22P1BBB or the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W only when a household genuinely generates six place settings a day and you have 22 inches of counter to give up.
Measure the gap under your wall cabinets first. It costs thirty seconds with a tape measure, and it is the number that decides whether any of these ten machines works in your kitchen at all.
Before you buy anything else for a small kitchen, our guides to counter depth refrigerators for small kitchens, countertop microwaves and countertop ice makers cover the other three appliances that fight for the same limited worktop space.