Countertop Dishwasher Buying Guide in 2026

Countertop Dishwasher Buying Guide in 2026

As space-saving solutions continue to dominate the market, countertop dishwashers have become a staple in urban kitchens. Whether you’re a busy professional, someone living in a compact apartment, or simply someone looking to make kitchen life easier, a countertop dishwasher can be a game-changer. But with countless options available, how do you choose the perfect one for your needs in 2026?

Best Countertop Dishwashers to Buy in 2026

EUHOMY Countertop Dishwasher Portable with 6 Programs, 5L Built-in Water Tank for Apartments & RV, 167℉ High-Temp, No Hookup Needed, Mini Dishwasher with Baby Care, Air Dry/Quick/ECO/Fruit/Normal Mode

• 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Euhomy Portable Countertop Dishwasher: Compact yet powerful, measuring just 16.83 x 16.73 x 18.03 inches. Its spacious interior efficiently cleans over 30 items at once, including plates up to 10.25 inches. Holds: 4 Plates, 4 Small Plates, 4 Small Cups, 4 Bowls, 2 Glasses, and 7 sets of Forks, Knives, and Spoons. Includes added convenience with a dedicated cutlery holder, a fruit basket, and a kettle. The perfect space-saving solution for homes, apartments, dorms, boats, and RVs
• 𝐍𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝: Our Euhomy countertop dishwasher offers two water supply options: tank mode and faucet mode. In Tank Mode, simply fill the built-in 5L (1.32-Gallon) reservoir—the automatic water level indicator tells you when it's perfectly filled and ready to clean. Use Faucet Mode by attaching the included inlet hose directly to your kitchen tap for a continuous supply of water. With dual modes, this compact dishwasher offers effortless operation and adapts to any kitchen setup—no permanent installation required
• 𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: The Euhomy compact dishwasher boasts 6 programs for your family: Normal, Quick, ECO, Baby Care/Heavy Duty, and Fruit, Dry. The Quick offers a 29 minutes fast wash. While the Baby Care/ Strong mode of our mini dishwasher operates at a scorching 167°F, ensuring baby products and greasy dishes are thoroughly rinsed. The dishwasher also features a dual spray arm system that provides 360° cleaning, ensuring thorough washing of accessories—even pet bowls, collars, leashes, and more. Customized cleaning is easy with this versatile dishwasher

👉 Buy It Now

NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwashers, Compact Dishwashers with 5L Built-in Water Tank & Inlet Hose, 5 Washing Programs, Baby Care, Air-Dry Function and LED Light for Small Apartments

• 【SMALL SIZE, LARGE CAPACITY】This portable dishwasher only measures 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches, but holds 4 full place settings and fits up to 12" dishes loaded at an angle, easily meeting daily needs for a family of 3-4; the double-layer design offers enough space for 4 x serving bowls, 4 x cups, 4 x small plates, 4 x dinner plates, 7 x spoons, 7 x forks and 7 x knives; perfect for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs
• 【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】This countertop dishwasher supports 2 water supply modes, including a faucet mode and water tank mode; a built-in 5 L water tank allows instant use when fully filled. The automatic water level indicator lets you know when the correct water level has been reached; to use the faucet mode, simply connect the water inlet hose to the machine and faucet
• 【BABY CARE MODE】This compact dishwasher offers 5 wash cycles - Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care/Heavy, and Fruit; the Baby Care/Heavy mode with 167 °F washing temperature is suitable for baby products and oily tableware, which rinses them thoroughly and gives glassware a sparkling clean finish

👉 Buy It Now

Portable Countertop Dishwasher, 800W Table Top Dishwashers, Three Washing Conditions, Mini Dishwasher for Homes, Apartments, Dormitories, Boats, Campers, Rvs

• 【Large Capacity】 compact dishwasher can wash up to 12 to 20 pieces of tableware at a time. Whether dishes, knives, forks, spoons, chopsticks, or cups, they can all be handled together, making it easy to cope with the busy cleaning needs of families.
• 【Efficient Cleaning】 Its autonomous watering ensures that the water source is sufficient during washing. This small dishwasher also adopts a lower spray arm with a 360° rotating spray design, and this powerful water flow can more effectively wash the grease and dirt on the tableware, improving your cleaning efficiency.
• 【3-in-1 Washing Modes】 This portable dishwasher adopts hot plate heating technology and has three intelligent washing modes: fast washing, standard washing, and strong washing. These three modes can be selected based on the quantity and degree of dirtiness of different tableware, providing you with more personalized washing services.

👉 Buy It Now

COMFEE' Portable Mini Dishwasher Countertop with 5L Built-in Water Tank for Apartments& RVs, No Hookup Needed, 6 Programs, 360° Dual Spray, 162℉ High-Temp& Air-Dry Function

• Please make sure the distance between your countertop and wall cupboard is more than 19.6" 【No installation needed】: Adding water manually in the 5L built-in water tank, you can put the dishwasher in any suitable place without connecting to tap water. Or it can be hooked to the kitchen faucet directly with the included water hose (Adapter included).Water pressure : 0.04 - 1.0MPa.
• [ Ultra-compact Design]: The ultra-compact design allows the dishwasher to wash 30+ items（Max to 9.5-inch plates) at a time while occupying a small area, which is ideal for small houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs.
• [ 6 Program Options ]: NORMAL, RAPID, STEAM, FRUIT, GLASS washing programs, and AIR REFRESH extra drying mode meet all your daily needs. Note: Use the standard dishwasher powders or detergents because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems. (No detergent is needed for the FRUIT program, and RAPID just needs half of the standard quantity. )

👉 Buy It Now

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 Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.6″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and has a plate size of up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
• Simple Installation- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
• 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.

👉 Buy It Now

Why Choose a Countertop Dishwasher?

Countertop dishwashers are the perfect balance between full-sized dishwashers and manual washing. They offer:

• Space Efficiency: They fit comfortably on kitchen countertops, ideal for small kitchens or limited space.
• Energy and Water Efficiency: Designed to use less water and energy, helping you save on utility bills while being eco-conscious.
• Convenience: They’re easy to install and maintain.

If you’re curious about how a dishwasher works, check out this step by step guide.

What to Look for in a Countertop Dishwasher

Choosing the right countertop dishwasher requires considering several key factors. Here’s a breakdown to help you make an informed decision.

1. Size and Capacity

• Dimensions: Measure your available counter space to ensure the dishwasher fits properly.
• Load Capacity: Many countertop dishwashers can accommodate 4-6 place settings, perfect for singles or small families.

2. Water and Energy Efficiency

• Look for models with energy-saving settings and high water efficiency ratings.
• Consider if the dishwasher connects to a water line or if it uses a faucet adapter.

3. Features and Programs

• Wash Cycles: Choose a model with multiple wash cycles for different cleaning needs.
• Drying Functionality: Some models offer heated drying, which can prevent spots on glasses and dishes. If spots persist, find solutions in this dishwasher spots solutions 2025 article.

4. Ease of Use and Maintenance

• Installation: Ensure the model you choose is easy to set up without professional assistance.
• Maintenance Tips: Regularly clean elements like the spray arms to prevent clogs. Learn more about unclogging dishwasher spray arms.

Important Features to Consider

When shopping, keep an eye out for these features:

• Noise Level: Some units have noise-reduction technology, perfect for open kitchen spaces.
• Interior Material: Stainless steel interiors are more durable and resist stains better than plastic.
• Portability: Consider models with rolling wheels for easier movement if needed.

FAQ

1. How often should I clean my countertop dishwasher?

It’s best to clean your countertop dishwasher once a month to ensure maximum efficiency and hygiene. Focus on cleaning the filter, spray arms, and seals, which can trap debris.

2. Can I wash pots and pans in a countertop dishwasher?

Yes, many countertop dishwashers have the capacity to clean pots and pans, although you’ll need to check the specific dimensions and rack arrangement of your model.

3. What should I do if my dishwasher leaves spots on dishes?

Spots can usually be remedied by checking your detergent levels and ensuring your rinse aid dispenser is full. For persistent issues, consider these dishwasher spots solutions.

4. What if my dishwasher’s spray arm gets clogged?

A clogged spray arm can reduce cleaning efficiency. Regular maintenance and cleaning are vital, and you can find more detailed instructions on unclogging the spray arm here.

Conclusion

Choosing the right countertop dishwasher in 2026 can transform your kitchen routine, offering a perfect blend of efficiency, convenience, and economy. By considering size, efficiency, and features, you can find a model that fits your lifestyle and budget. Happy shopping!