TheStreet aims to feature only the best products and services. If you buy something via one of our links, we may earn a commission.
Home-cooked meals are great in theory. It’s almost always cheaper and healthier than ordering DoorDash or takeout from a local restaurant, and with enough practice, they taste better, too. But the reality of cooking at home isn’t as simple. Not only do you have to plan a weekly dinner menu and grocery shop for all the ingredients beforehand, but then you also have to wash the ever-growing pile of dirty dishes.
A dishwasher solves this everyday cleaning challenge, but for kitchens in older homes or tiny apartments, there may not be enough space for the traditional appliance. That doesn’t mean your only option is to handwash every coffee cup and spoon that enters your sink. Instead, we recommend investing in a countertop dishwasher.
What is a countertop dishwasher?
A countertop dishwasher works just like a regular dishwasher, except it comes in a much more compact package. Comparable to the size of a standard microwave, these mini dishwashers are designed to fit on your kitchen counters, as the name implies. The machine is easy to install and won’t require a call to the plumber for the water hook-up, as most models will connect directly to your kitchen faucet or use a water reservoir during the wash cycles.
The typical price point of a countertop dishwasher ranges between $225 and $600, depending on its features. Walmart’s overall pick in countertop dishwashers, the Simzlife Portable Countertop Dishwasher, is currently on sale for just $220, giving shoppers a massive markdown of 57% off its regular price of $510. It’s a popular pick as it offers five cleaning modes and has adjustable racks that fit up to 30 plates. One of the cleaning modes is designed for washing produce, which can help provide peace of mind amid the country’s cyclospora outbreak.
Simzlife Portable Countertop Dishwasher
Is a countertop dishwasher a worthwhile investment?
There are many advantages of owning a countertop dishwasher, but let’s first discuss the one drawback. Countertop dishwashers are designed to be smaller, and they just don’t fit as many dishes. With a standard-size dishwasher, depending on the size of your family, you could go a few days loading it up with dirty dishes before it’s full and ready to run. Countertop dishwashers are better suited to homes with just one to two people and will likely need to complete a cleaning cycle after one meal.
Compared to traditional dishwashers and washing dishes by hand, a countertop dishwasher can outperform them in many areas.
- Countertop dishwashers are more efficient. Regular dishwashers and hand washing use a lot of water to complete the job, but countertop dishwashers typically require less water. Since less water needs to be heated during the cycle, it often requires less electricity, too.
- They have a portable, easy-to-install design. You don’t need to pay a plumber to install a countertop dishwasher, but that also means you can take it along with you wherever you go. If you like taking adventures in an RV, it would be a handy appliance on the road. You could even use it at the cabin or your Airbnb, as long as there is a power source to plug it in.
- It can be advantageous for small households. It’s not just small kitchens where these countertop dishwashers can be utilized. If you live alone and never fill up the regular dishwasher completely, a countertop dishwasher could be a better alternative for your needs.
- Superior cleaning power compared to hand washing. Hand-washed dishes simply aren’t as clean as those that go through a dishwasher. To thoroughly sanitize your dishes, you need high heat levels that can kill bacteria and germs. A dishwasher can reach temperatures up to 155 degrees Fahrenheit, which is far hotter than the hot water coming out of your faucet.
What countertop dishwasher is right for you?
When purchasing a countertop dishwasher, there are a few areas to consider. One of the most important things will be the water source. Do you want to fill up a tank or have it connected to the faucet? Most options, including the Novete Portable Countertop Dishwasher, will have both, but you don’t want to be left without the feature you’d use most. Also, think about what size countertop dishwasher fits your needs. While all the machines are designed to fit on a counter, some hold up to six place settings, like the Hamilton Beach 6-Place-Setting Countertop Dishwasher, while others, like the Comfee Mini Countertop Dishwasher, only have room for the place settings of two to three people. Also, it’s helpful to measure the height of your plates to ensure they’ll fit inside. Finally, check the cleaning modes offered by each option. If you have a newborn at home, look for one with a baby care mode that thoroughly sanitizes baby bottles, like the Airmsen Portable Countertop Dishwasher.
Novete Portable Countertop Dishwasher
Hamilton Beach 6-Place-Setting Countertop Dishwasher
Comfee Mini Countertop Dishwasher
Airmsen Portable Countertop Dishwasher
BlitzHome Portable Countertop Dishwasher
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher
TheStreet Shopping is your guide for shopping insights and advice. We look beyond the price tag to find the best value in home, tech, and wellness gear based on product features and real-world use. Read more about our Editorial Standards and How We Choose Our Shopping Deals.
