Portable dishwashers and other compact appliances are often the best choice when space-saving considerations are a priority. Portable and compact dishwashers are made to be pulled out for use and put away in storage as needed. These compact appliances are most often purchased by those who dwell in apartments and small houses, or by people who simply appreciate the ability to rearrange as much of their kitchen layout as needed when doing various chores.
Despite their typically more compact sizes, there are plenty of perks to purchasing compact dishwashers aside from merely maximizing kitchen space. Portable dishwashers include many of the same standard functions, cycles, and features as their full-sized, built-in counterparts. These small dishwashers are designed with adapter hoses which can attach to the faucet of your kitchen sink, rather than being incorporated into your plumbing system. Our expert overview of these convenient appliances will go over some common portable dishwasher pros and cons to help you determine whether they’re the right kitchen appliances to help with your post-meal cleanup. If you ultimately decide they are, we’ve also included some of the best portable dishwashers of the year, hand-picked by the experts at Appliances Connection for your convenience!
Portable Dishwasher Benefits
- They Sit on Casters or Countertops : Portable dishwashers come in two freestanding designs. Floor models roll on sturdy casters which allow you to easily roll them around your kitchen or throughout your home. Meanwhile, even more compact units can sit flat on your countertop, saving your drawer space or cutouts for other larger appliances that would have been occupied by a built-in dishwasher.
- Can Be Stored Away, Reducing Clutter : The small size of these kitchen appliances allows them to be stored away in a closet or garage when not in use. This makes it easier to rearrange your kitchen setup when necessary. Countertop models are small and lightweight enough to be stashed in cabinets until needed, too.
Now that we’ve covered the basic advantages of portable dishwashers, let’s take a look at some top picks from Appliances Connection!
GE GPT225SSLSS
This 24-in. portable GE dishwasher has many of the same options and benefits as a built-in dishwasher. For instance, the controls are fully-integrated and located at the top of the door. It offers three wash cycles and a 12 place setting capacity. The autosense cycle automatically determines soil levels and chooses the appropriate wash cycle accordingly. It even has a sanitize option to eliminate bacteria using high temperature water. If there are food particles left on the dishes in the dishwasher, the Piranha hard food disposer pulverizes them. This portable dishwasher with a stainless steel tub is ENERGY STAR® certified and NSF certified. If you want a dishwasher that does all the same things as a built-in dishwasher, but you don't have space for a built-in dishwasher, then this GE model with casters for easy mobility is an excellent option.
Whynter CDW6831WES
Some portable dishwashers are designed to fit on your countertop, like this 22-in. model from Whynter. While this countertop dishwasher only has space for six place settings, it does offer a lot of great functions. There are six standard wash cycles including a baby care wash cycle, a timer delay function, and a full console with user-friendly controls. The spray arm and interior tub are made of stainless steel for long-lasting durability. Connect it to your kitchen faucet using the included faucet adapter, and you are ready to run the dishwasher. If you don't need the dishwasher for a time, it is compact enough to store in a closet or garage.
Frigidaire FFPD1821MW
Portable dishwashers come in various sizes, like this 18-in. Frigidaire 1800 Series model. This full console portable dishwasher has Ready-Select® controls to quickly choose one of the six available wash cycles, including the China/Crystal cycle for a gentle wash that won’t harm your delicate stemware. It has a Delay Start option and an Energy Saver Dry option. The interior and the removable filter are made of stainless steel for maximum durability. This portable dishwasher has casters, so you can move it from place to place in your kitchen. The slim size of the dishwasher could be considered an advantage and a disadvantage. It doesn’t take up much space, which can be important in a small kitchen, but it also only has an 8 place setting capacity.
Danby DDW631SDB
Countertop dishwashers, such as this 22-in. model from Danby, are convenient, stylish, and easy to use. There is nothing complicated about using the faucet hookup to connect the dishwasher to your kitchen faucet. Once it is hooked up, your dishwasher is ready to operate. You can choose from seven wash cycles, and the LED display will show a timer that counts down to the end of the cycle. It includes an auto detergent and rinse agent dispenser, and the interior is made of durable and easy-to-clean stainless steel. This countertop dishwasher is designed to fit on your countertop and beneath your upper cabinets. It holds up to six place settings, and it has a low water consumption of 3.1 gallons (11.7 liters) of water for a normal cycle. You can feel better about running this appliance every day because it is an ENERGY STAR® certified appliance.
Portable dishwashers, including this countertop model, have the advantage of being compact, but it is worth noting that when they are hooked up to your kitchen faucet, you can't use your faucet until the cycle is finished.
Whirlpool WDP370PAHB
This 24-in. Whirlpool portable full console dishwasher offers many of the same functions as a built-in dishwasher, including a soil sensor, a one-hour wash cycle for faster cleaning, a high temperature wash option, and a heated dry option. With three wash cycles and four options, you can truly personalize your washing experience. It runs quietly at noise levels as low as 54 dBA and has a 12 place setting capacity. It is ENERGY STAR® and Star-K certified to save you money and honor religious observances. This portable dishwasher comes in an attractive black finish.
Portable Dishwasher Disadvantages
The best appliances for your kitchen are those that suit your specific needs. Portable dishwashers may not make the best choice for every situation, but for other households, they could provide the perfect solution. Here are some things to consider:
- Portable Dishwashers Extend Kitchen Cleanup Time: Portable dishwashers function via a hose attached to your sink, so there's no plumbing experience needed to install them and nd you can relocate them after each use. However, you can't complete other washing tasks while the dishwasher is running since your sink will be in use for the entirety of a cycle.
- Fewer Wash Cycles and Smaller Capacities: Because portable dishwashers are most often used in smaller homes and apartments, they are designed with just a few standard wash cycles, only sufficient for cleaning smaller loads of moderately-soiled dishes. They also tend to have a more compact design which limits their internal capacity - in some cases, to just a handful of place settings.
Related Questions
Are countertop dishwashers worth it?
Countertop dishwashers are ideal for bachelors or couples that produce a minimal number of dirty dishes daily but don’t want the extra chore of handwashing. Their portable designs let you conveniently store them away when not in use to free up counterspace.
How long do Danby Dishwashers last?
Most manufacturers say their dishwashers should last about 10 years, though longevity will vary by make, model, and frequency of usage. But there are ways to help your dishwasher last longer, like proper use, periodic inspection, and regular cleaning, a process which should include the filter and door seals.
How does a portable dishwasher work?
Portable dishwashers are countertop or rolling appliances with adapter hoses. These attach to your kitchen sink’s faucet, saving you from having to incorporate them directly into your plumbing system like a built-in dishwasher unit.