A compact dishwasher can take the daily chore out of a small kitchen. The tricky part is finding one that fits your plates, your counter, and your water setup. A roomy countertop model may suit a couple who cooks every night, while a smaller machine with a built-in tank could be far more useful in a rental or RV. These compact dishwashers picks cover both styles. The stars below are our editorial ratings based on each model’s capacity, installation flexibility, features, and value. They are not Amazon customer ratings..

Our Top Picks

Product	Best For	Key Feature	Our Rating
COMFEE’ 6-Place-Setting Countertop Dishwasher	Best overall value	Roomy rack and eight wash programs	★★★★★
HAVA R01 Countertop Dishwasher	Best without a faucet hookup	Built-in water tank	★★★★★
Danby DDW621WDB	Best straightforward design	Six place settings and stainless steel tub	★★★★⯪
BLACK+DECKER BCD6W	Best familiar dishwasher layout	Seven wash settings	★★★★⯪
Farberware FDW05ASBWHA	Best for one person	Small tank-fed design	★★★★☆
Hermitlux Portable Mini Dishwasher	Best for an RV	Compact, flexible setup	★★★★⯪
EUHOMY Countertop Dishwasher	Best flexible water supply	Tank or inlet-hose operation	★★★★⯪
NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwasher	Best for couples with limited space	Built-in tank and drying mode	★★★★☆
Danby DDW631SDB	Best larger countertop option	Six-place-setting capacity	★★★★⯪
COMFEE’ Mini Portable Dishwasher	Best compact COMFEE’ option	Built-in tank	★★★★☆

Top 10 Compact Dishwashers

1. COMFEE’ 6-Place-Setting Countertop Dishwasher

The larger COMFEE’ is the most versatile starting point for a small household with a compatible faucet. It holds up to six place settings and offers eight programs, giving you options for ordinary dinner dishes, glassware, and shorter loads. Its capacity is more useful for everyday cooking than that of most tank-fed mini machines.

The trade-off is its size. It needs a substantial section of counter near the sink, so measure carefully before ordering. It also makes little sense if connecting an inlet hose to your faucet will be difficult.

Key features: Six-place-setting capacity; eight wash programs; countertop installation
Best for: Couples and small households with a compatible faucet
Pros: Useful capacity; varied cycles; good everyday value
Cons: Takes considerable counter space; requires a water connection
Why we recommend it: It offers a practical balance of capacity and features for people who cook regularly.

2. HAVA R01 Countertop Dishwasher

No suitable faucet connection? The HAVA R01’s built-in water tank makes it much easier to use in a rental, RV, or awkward kitchen. It offers six programs and hot-air drying in a smaller cabinet than the six-place-setting machines.

You will need to fill its tank and position its drain hose for each setup. Its smaller rack also means that large pans and some dinnerware will remain hand-wash jobs.

Key features: Built-in water tank; six programs; hot-air drying
Best for: Kitchens without a suitable faucet hookup
Pros: Flexible placement; no permanent plumbing; modest footprint
Cons: Requires manual filling; limited room for cookware
Why we recommend it: It removes a major installation obstacle while remaining useful for daily dishes.

3. Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher

Danby’s DDW621WDB keeps things simple: six place settings, six wash cycles, a cutlery basket, and a stainless steel tub. It is a good match for someone who wants to load dishes once a day without learning an elaborate control panel.

This is a countertop appliance you will probably leave in place. Check the space beneath your upper cabinets, along with the sink connection, before buying.

Key features: Six place settings; stainless steel tub; six wash cycles
Best for: Everyday loads in a small kitchen
Pros: Practical rack capacity; straightforward controls; separate cutlery basket
Cons: Large countertop footprint; needs a suitable hookup
Why we recommend it: Its familiar layout and capacity make daily use uncomplicated.

4. BLACK+DECKER BCD6W

The BCD6W looks and loads more like a conventional dishwasher than many mini models. Its rack accommodates up to six place settings, while seven wash settings provide choices for different loads. The removable cutlery basket is handy when you need to rearrange the interior.

Pay particular attention to your plate diameter. A six-place-setting capacity does not guarantee that oversized dinner plates will fit comfortably.

Key features: Six-place-setting rack; seven wash settings; removable cutlery basket
Best for: Buyers who prefer a traditional dishwasher layout
Pros: Familiar loading; useful cycle selection; established brand
Cons: Large dishes may not fit; requires counter and sink space
Why we recommend it: It brings a familiar dishwasher experience to a countertop format.

5. Farberware FDW05ASBWHA

A person living alone may get more use from a small dishwasher they can fit beside the sink than from a larger machine that dominates the counter. This Farberware model has a built-in water tank and multiple programs, making it appealing when dish loads are light and a faucet hookup is unavailable. 

Keep its size in perspective. It suits plates, cups, and cutlery better than the aftermath of a large meal.

Key features: Built-in tank; compact cabinet; multiple wash programs
Best for: One person or light daily dish loads
Pros: No faucet hookup needed; easier to fit in a tight space
Cons: Small capacity; little room for cookware
Why we recommend it: Its modest footprint is a real advantage when counter space is precious.

6. Hermitlux Portable Mini Dishwasher

The Hermitlux is worth considering for an RV or small apartment where a tank-fed dishwasher makes more sense than a faucet-connected one. A Hermitlux mini model performed well in hands-on cleaning tests by Serious Eats, although drying was not as strong as that publication’s top pick. Match the specifications of the product you buy to the model you research, since portable dishwasher ranges can change.

Key features: Compact countertop body; tank-fed operation
Best for: RVs and kitchens with limited hookup options
Pros: Flexible setup; manageable footprint; effective everyday cleaning
Cons: Small loads; drying may require extra time
Why we recommend it: It offers another capable option if the HAVA’s dimensions or rack layout do not fit your space.

7. EUHOMY Countertop Dishwasher

EUHOMY is a useful pick if your kitchen setup might change. One of its portable six-program models accepts water through a built-in tank or an inlet hose. You can fill it manually in a rental and use the hose later if you move to a kitchen with a compatible connection. Check the exact model, as EUHOMY sells several configurations.

Key features: Tank and inlet-hose options; multiple programs; compact design
Best for: Renters who expect to move
Pros: Flexible water supply; no permanent installation required
Cons: Limited rack space; specifications vary between models
Why we recommend it: Two water-supply options make it easier to adapt to a new kitchen.

8. NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwasher

NOVETE’s portable model is aimed at people who want a built-in tank, a modest footprint, and a drying mode. It can be a comfortable fit for a couple’s daily cups, plates, and cutlery when a larger appliance would crowd the preparation area.

You may still need to run it frequently, and large cookware is unlikely to fit. Compare its interior dimensions with your dinnerware before deciding.

Key features: Built-in tank; compact rack; drying mode
Best for: Couples with limited counter space
Pros: Flexible setup; manageable size; useful daily programs
Cons: Smaller loads; bulky pans need hand washing
Why we recommend it: It gives a small household a convenient alternative to filling the sink after every meal.

9. Danby DDW631SDB

If you cook often, a larger countertop rack can matter more than saving a few inches of counter. The DDW631SDB offers six-place-setting capacity and was recognized as a larger-capacity countertop option in hands-on testing by Serious Eats. It is better suited to a permanent position near the sink than being moved between uses.

Key features: Six-place-setting capacity; larger countertop rack
Best for: Small households with frequent, fuller loads
Pros: More loading room; practical for everyday meals
Cons: Substantial footprint; requires a suitable water connection
Why we recommend it: More rack space may save you from running several small loads a day.

10. COMFEE’ Mini Portable Dishwasher

COMFEE’ also makes a smaller tank-fed dishwasher for kitchens that cannot accommodate its six-place-setting model. This style is a better match for daily essentials than for cookware or a household’s entire evening load. Because the brand sells several countertop designs, confirm the exact machine’s tank, dimensions, and rack layout before ordering.

Key features: Built-in tank; compact format; multiple wash options
Best for: Tight kitchens without a compatible faucet connection
Pros: Easier to place; no permanent plumbing
Cons: Smaller loads; similar COMFEE’ model names can be confusing
Why we recommend it: It offers a space-saving route into the COMFEE’ range when the larger model will not fit.

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Final Thoughts

The best compact dishwashers fit your actual dishes and water setup. Choose the six-place-setting COMFEE’ or a Danby model if you have a compatible hookup and need room for daily meals. Choose the HAVA R01 if a built-in tank is essential. Whichever appeals to you, measure your largest plate, available counter space, and drain route before you buy.

FAQs

Do compact dishwashers need plumbing?

Some connect to a compatible faucet. Tank-fed models can be filled by hand, although they still need a safe place for the drain hose to empty.

Can a countertop dishwasher wash pots and pans?

Some smaller pans may fit, but many mini dishwashers mainly accommodate plates, cups, and cutlery. Check the rack dimensions before buying.

Are compact dishwashers good for apartments?

Yes, particularly where a built-in dishwasher is unavailable. Check your lease, outlet location, counter space, water supply, and drainage arrangement first.

What is the difference between a mini and a six-place-setting dishwasher?

Mini models generally take less counter space and wash smaller loads. Six-place-setting countertop machines can handle more dishes at once but need considerably more room.

Can I use regular dish soap in a compact dishwasher?

No. Use detergent made for automatic dishwashers and follow the machine’s instructions. Hand dish soap can create excessive foam.