Living in a small kitchen doesn’t mean you’re sentenced to a life of hand-washing dishes. Portable dishwashers are the ultimate space-saving solution, offering the convenience of a full-sized appliance in a compact, flexible design. Whether you’re in a cozy apartment, an RV, or simply have limited counter space, these mini powerhouses can handle your daily load, freeing up your time and keeping your sink empty.
From countertop models with their own water tanks to sleek, energy-efficient units, the options are more versatile than ever. You can find a portable dishwasher to fit your specific needs, whether that’s sanitizing baby bottles, cleaning delicate glassware with a specialized cycle, or connecting via Wi-Fi for smart home integration. This guide will help you navigate the top contenders to find the perfect match for your compact culinary space.
The Best Portable Dishwashers for Compact Living
- Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with 5-Liter Tank
- HAVA 2025 Upgraded Countertop Dishwasher
- COMFEE’ Portable Dishwasher with 5L Tank
- Farberware Portable Countertop Dishwasher
- BLACK+DECKER 6 Place Setting Dishwasher
- BLITZHOME WIFI Smart Portable Dishwasher
- SPT SD-2224DW Countertop Dishwasher
- COMFEE’ Portable Mini Dishwasher Countertop
- Avanti 18-Inch Dishwasher Machine
- EdgeStar DWP62BL Portable Dishwasher
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with 5-Liter Tank
This Hermitlux model is a fantastic choice for those seeking a true plug-and-play solution. Its built-in 5-liter water tank means you can place it anywhere with a power outlet, completely eliminating the need for a faucet hookup. With a capacity for four full place settings, it is perfectly sized for individuals, couples, or small families in apartments or homes with limited space.
The dishwasher offers five distinct washing programs to handle everything from a quick rinse to a heavily soiled load. The Standard, Fast, ECO, Strong, and Fruit Cleaning cycles provide flexibility for your specific needs. Dual high-pressure spray arms ensure a thorough, 360-degree clean, leaving your dishes spotless and streak-free without any manual effort.
HAVA 2025 Upgraded Countertop Dishwasher
The HAVA 2025 model represents the next step in portable dishwasher technology, focusing on efficiency and performance. Its integrated water softener is a standout feature for households with hard water, as it helps prevent limescale buildup and avoids water spots on glassware and dishes. This ensures a consistently high cleaning performance and can extend the life of the appliance.
With eight wash programs, including an optimized ECO mode, this dishwasher offers both versatility and energy savings. The redesigned dish rack provides a larger capacity and improved layout to accommodate more items while still allowing for a thorough clean from all angles. Additional conveniences like a child lock and delayed start function add to its modern, user-friendly design.
COMFEE’ Portable Dishwasher Countertop with 5L Built-in Water Tank
This COMFEE’ portable dishwasher combines powerful cleaning with hygienic features. It offers six program options, including a Hygiene cycle that heats water to a high 192°F, making it ideal for sanitizing baby bottles and eliminating stubborn germs from heavily soiled pots and pans. The 360° dual spray system ensures every item receives a comprehensive wash.
For added convenience, the Air Refresh mode actively circulates air to keep the interior of the machine and your dishes dry and odor-free after the cycle is complete. This model provides the flexibility of using the built-in 5L tank or connecting directly to a faucet, making it an excellent option for RVs, dorms, and apartments alike.
Farberware Portable Countertop Dishwasher
The Farberware portable dishwasher is designed for maximum versatility in small spaces. Its compact footprint and built-in 5-liter water tank make it a go-to solution for kitchens, RVs, and boats where a permanent hookup isn’t possible. It can fit dishes up to 12 inches in diameter, offering a practical capacity for daily use.
This model features a five-program system that includes specialized cycles for baby care, glassware, and even fruit washing. It emphasizes speed and efficiency, promising a full wash cycle in just 40 minutes. For busy individuals, this is a significant time-saver that provides clean, sanitized dishes with minimal effort.
BLACK+DECKER 6 Place Setting Portable Dishwasher
As an ENERGY STAR certified appliance, the BLACK+DECKER BCD6W is an excellent choice for the eco-conscious consumer. It offers a generous capacity of six place settings, making it one of the roomier options in the countertop category. Its seven superior wash cycles, including Intensive, Eco, and a 90-minute cycle, provide a solution for virtually any type of load.
User convenience is a key focus, with an intuitive LED display and electronic touch controls that show the remaining cycle time and allow for a delayed start. The quick-connect assembly makes hooking it up to a standard kitchen faucet a simple task, requiring no permanent installation or complex plumbing.
BLITZHOME WIFI Smart Portable Dishwasher
For those who love smart home integration, the BLITZHOME portable dishwasher stands out. Its unique app control feature allows you to monitor the dishwasher’s status and set wash cycles from your smartphone, no matter where you are. This adds a layer of modern convenience that fits seamlessly into a connected lifestyle.
It doesn’t sacrifice performance for its smart features, offering six washing programs and a 167°F high-temperature drying function for hygiene and safety. The dual water inlet modes provide flexibility—you can use the 5L built-in tank or connect directly to a tap, making it adaptable to various living situations.
SPT SD-2224DW Countertop Dishwasher
The SPT SD-2224DW is an ENERGY STAR certified workhorse known for its reliability and straightforward operation. It features a durable stainless steel interior and a capacity for six place settings. With seven wash cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Light, and a Speed cycle, it can handle everything from a large dinner party’s cleanup to a quick daily wash.
This model includes a convenient delay start function, allowing you to set the cycle to begin in two, four, six, or eight hours. This is perfect for running the dishwasher during off-peak energy hours or while you’re away from home. The universal faucet adapter ensures a quick and easy connection to most kitchen faucets.
COMFEE’ Portable Mini Dishwasher Countertop
This ultra-compact model from COMFEE’ is engineered for the most space-constrained environments. Despite its small footprint, it can wash over 30 items at a time, accommodating plates up to 9.5 inches. Its design is ideal for dorms, tiny homes, boats, and campers, offering full dishwasher functionality without requiring a permanent spot.
It provides six program options, including a Steam program for enhanced cleaning and an Air Refresh mode for extra drying. The no-installation-needed design gives you the choice between using the 5L built-in water tank or connecting to a faucet with the included hose, providing ultimate placement flexibility.
Avanti 18-Inch Dishwasher Machine
The Avanti 18-inch dishwasher is a built-in solution for those who want a more permanent, streamlined look in a compact size. At just 18 inches wide and operating at a quiet 53 dB, it’s perfect for studio apartments, office kitchenettes, and tiny homes where both space and noise are considerations.
It offers a surprisingly large capacity, holding up to eight standard place settings. With six automatic cycles and three wash options—including Hi-Temp, Sanitize, and Extra Dry—it provides a comprehensive cleaning experience comparable to larger, standard dishwashers. The Eco half-load mode is a great feature for smaller loads, helping to conserve water and energy.
EdgeStar DWP62BL Portable Dishwasher
The EdgeStar portable dishwasher is a classic freestanding unit that offers the capacity of a full-size dishwasher with the mobility of a portable appliance. It is designed on wheels, allowing you to easily move it into position when needed and store it away when not in use. This makes it a versatile choice for renters or those who cannot modify their kitchen for a built-in model.
It typically connects directly to your kitchen sink faucet for water intake and drainage. With multiple wash cycles and a spacious interior, it can handle the dish load of a small family efficiently. Its robust design and reliable performance have made it a trusted name in the portable appliance market for years.
Buying Guide: Finding the Best Portable Dishwasher for Your Small Kitchen
Living with a small kitchen has taught me to be clever with space. A portable dishwasher can be a total game-changer, but picking the right one requires a bit of strategy. I have learned what to look for, and I want to share that with you so you can find the perfect fit for your home.
First, consider the size and capacity. Portable dishwashers are measured in place settings, which is a standard set of dishes for one person. For a small household of one or two people, a compact model with around 6 place settings might be perfect. If you occasionally have guests or cook a lot, you might want to look for a full-size portable unit that holds 12 or more place settings. Remember to also measure your kitchen’s footprint and the path from your sink to the storage spot. You need to be sure it will fit and roll smoothly.
Next, think about the hookup. Most portable dishwashers connect directly to your kitchen faucet with an adapter hose. This is super convenient, but you need to make sure your faucet is compatible. Some newer faucets, especially those with pull-down sprayers, might not work. Check the manufacturer’s requirements before you buy. When you are not using the machine, you simply disconnect the hose and roll the dishwasher away.
Noise level is another big one, especially in a small home where the kitchen is often part of the living area. Dishwashers have a decibel (dB) rating. I look for models that are 50 dB or lower, which is about as loud as a normal conversation. Anything much higher can be distracting if you are trying to relax or watch TV nearby.
Finally, look at the features that matter to you. A delay start button is fantastic for running the cycle during off-peak hours when energy rates are lower. A half-load or quick wash option is great for when you do not have a full rack of dishes. Soil sensors adjust the cycle time and water usage based on how dirty your dishes are, which saves water and energy. I also pay close attention to the interior layout; adjustable racks and fold-down tines can make a huge difference in fitting odd-shaped pots and pans.
Choosing from the many options for the 10 best portable dishwashers for small kitchens really comes down to your specific needs. By focusing on these key areas—size, hookup, noise, and features—you can find a model that makes your life easier without taking over your space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much water does a portable dishwasher use?
This was one of my first questions, too. Modern portable dishwashers are actually very efficient. They typically use between 2.5 to 4 gallons of water per cycle. In comparison, washing the same amount of dishes by hand can use up to 20 gallons of water. So, not only does a portable dishwasher save you time and effort, but it can also be a more eco-friendly choice by conserving a significant amount of water.
Can I install a portable dishwasher myself?
Yes, in most cases, installation is a simple do-it-yourself task. You typically just need to roll the dishwasher into place, attach the included hose to your kitchen faucet using the adapter, and plug it into a standard wall outlet. The whole process usually takes less than five minutes. The main thing to check is that your faucet has standard threads that will work with the adapter. If you have a very modern or non-standard faucet, you might need to purchase a different adapter.
Where should I store my portable dishwasher when it is not in use?
The beauty of a portable unit is its mobility. Many people, including myself, simply roll it into a corner of the kitchen, an adjacent pantry, or even a closet when it is not in use. Some models are designed to be slim and can even fit alongside a refrigerator. If you are really tight on space, you can use the flat top of the dishwasher as extra counter space for small appliances or as a preparation area, which is a huge bonus in a small kitchen.
Are portable dishwashers as effective at cleaning as built-in models?
Absolutely. Today’s portable dishwashers use the same cleaning technology as their built-in counterparts. They have powerful spray arms, multiple wash cycles (like heavy, normal, and light), and heating elements to dry your dishes. Many even have advanced features like soil sensors and sanitizing cycles. You can expect your dishes, glasses, and silverware to come out just as clean and sparkling as they would from a built-in dishwasher.
Do portable dishwashers require a special electrical outlet?
No, they do not. A portable dishwasher plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet, just like your microwave or toaster. You do not need any special wiring or a dedicated circuit. Just make sure the outlet is easily accessible and not overloaded with other high-wattage appliances running at the same time. This standard plug-and-play setup is one of the main reasons they are so convenient for renters and people with small kitchens.
What is the average lifespan of a portable dishwasher?
With proper care and maintenance, a good quality portable dishwasher should last you around 10 years. This is similar to the lifespan of a built-in dishwasher. To help it last, I recommend regularly cleaning the filter, using a dishwasher cleaner to prevent mineral buildup, and being gentle with the wheels and hose when moving it. When you are looking at lists of the 10 best portable dishwashers for small kitchens, choosing a reputable brand with good customer support can also contribute to a longer-lasting appliance.