Independent buying guides for small and apartment kitchens

Best Countertop Dishwashers for Small Kitchens

Updated How we research

Our top pick

COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher, Portable with 6L Built-in Water Tank, 7 Programs, UV Hygiene, Wh

COMFEE's portable countertop dishwasher with a 6L built-in water tank, 7 programs and UV hygiene.

Our score8.8/10Premium

Best budget

SPT SD-2224DS ENERGY STAR Compact Countertop Dishwasher with Delay Start, Stainless

SPT's SD-2224DS Energy Star compact countertop dishwasher in stainless with delay start for off-peak washing.

Our score8.1/10Premium

Countertop dishwashers wash a small load of dishes inside a compact box that sits on the counter, connecting to a faucet or filling from a built-in tank so no permanent plumbing is required. For small-kitchen owners and renters without a built-in unit, they deliver real dishwashing in a footprint about the size of a microwave. When comparing models, look at the place-setting capacity against your household, whether it offers a tank-fill mode for kitchens without a compatible faucet, and the range of wash cycles. Check the actual dimensions and the water and energy use per cycle, favor models with a clear signal when the tank needs a refill, and note how easily it connects and drains so daily use stays hassle-free.

The short version

We compared 6 picks. Our scores range from 7.5 to 8.8 out of 10.

Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score

Tick up to 3 picks to compare them side by side.
COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher, Portable with 6L Built-in Water Tank, 7 Programs, UV Hygiene, Wh#1
$$$Premium

COMFEE's portable countertop dishwasher with a 6L built-in water tank, 7 programs and UV hygiene.

Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + 6L built-in tank means it runs without a faucet hookup
  • + UV hygiene feature adds extra sanitizing for bottles and cups
  • + 7 programs cover light rinses through heavy washes
  • - Water tank must be refilled by hand before every cycle
  • - Higher price than hookup-only COMFEE models
COMFEE' Portable Dishwasher Countertop with 5L Built-in Water Tank, No Hookup Needed, 6 Program#2
$$$Premium

COMFEE's portable countertop dishwasher with a 5L built-in water tank, no hookup needed and 6 programs.

Fit for the job 10/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + No hookup needed, ideal for renters who cannot modify plumbing
  • + 5L tank fills quickly from a pitcher or kettle
  • + 6 programs handle everyday loads with ease
  • - Smaller tank than the UV model, so check capacity
  • - Manual filling adds a step every time you wash
COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher, Energy Star Portable Dishwasher, 6 Place Settings & 8 Washing Pr#3
$$$Premium

COMFEE's Energy Star portable countertop dishwasher with 6 place settings and 8 washing programs for small homes.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + 6 place settings handle a day of dishes for one or two people
  • + 8 washing programs cover delicate glasses to greasy pots
  • + Energy Star rating keeps water and power use efficient
  • - Needs a faucet hookup and counter space near the sink
  • - Large pots and baking sheets will not fit inside
COMFEE' Portable Mini Countertop Dishwasher, Energy Star, 6 Place Settings, 8 Washing Programs,#4
$$$Premium

COMFEE's portable mini countertop dishwasher with Energy Star rating, 6 place settings and 8 washing programs.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Mini footprint is designed for apartment counters
  • + 8 washing programs give flexibility for varied loads
  • + Portable design can move with you when renting
  • - Near-identical to the other COMFEE model, so compare finishes
  • - Faucet adapter compatibility must be checked before buying
SPT SD-2224DS ENERGY STAR Compact Countertop Dishwasher with Delay Start, Stainless#5
$$$Premium

SPT's SD-2224DS Energy Star compact countertop dishwasher in stainless with delay start for off-peak washing.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 8/10

  • + Delay start lets you run loads overnight or when you are out
  • + Stainless finish looks more premium on the counter
  • + Energy Star certification lowers running costs
  • - Requires a faucet connection, with no built-in water tank
  • - Older design with fewer programs than newer models
NOVETE Portable Countertop Dishwasher, Compact Dishwasher with 5L Built-in Water Tank#6
$$$Premium

NOVETE's compact portable countertop dishwasher with a 5L built-in water tank for kitchens without hookups.

Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 7/10 · Build and materials 6/10 · Value 7/10

  • + 5L built-in tank frees you from faucet connections
  • + Compact size suits RVs, dorms and studio apartments
  • + Portable body can move from counter to cabinet as needed
  • - Check the number of wash programs before buying
  • - Lesser-known brand compared with COMFEE or SPT

Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged

No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.

Frequently asked questions

›What is the best choice among countertop dishwashers for small kitchens?

COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher, Portable with 6L Built-in Water Tank, 7 Programs, UV Hygiene, Wh is our top overall pick. COMFEE's portable countertop dishwasher with a 6L built-in water tank, 7 programs and UV hygiene. It earns our score of 8.8/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.

›What is a good budget option?

SPT SD-2224DS ENERGY STAR Compact Countertop Dishwasher with Delay Start, Stainless is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. SPT's SD-2224DS Energy Star compact countertop dishwasher in stainless with delay start for off-peak washing.

›How much should I expect to spend?

Picks in this guide span $$$ price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.

›How were these products chosen?

We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.

Tiny Kitchen Picks independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.

Popular right now

  1. Compact Appliances Every Small Kitchen NeedsArticle
  2. Best Compact Stand Mixers for Small KitchensBuying guide
  3. Best Milk Frothers for Small KitchensBuying guide
  4. Best Space-Saving Kitchen Appliances for Small KitchensBuying guide
  5. Best Compact Electric KettlesBuying guide
  6. Best Lazy Susans for Cabinets in Small KitchensBuying guide

Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.