Compact Dishwashers for Small Kitchens: 5 Top Picks for 2026

Our picks for the best countertop and portable dishwashers for apartments and small kitchens, including models that need no faucet hookup at all.

By Amanda RobertsUpdated October 29, 2026How we pick products

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No space or plumbing for a built-in dishwasher doesn’t mean washing everything by hand. Compact dishwashers come in two types: countertop models that sit next to the sink, and portable models that roll over and hook up when you need them. If you’re not sure which you need, start with our countertop vs portable dishwasher comparison.

We compared the most recommended compact dishwashers on cleaning results in independent tests, real capacity, hookup type, cycle options and price.

Compare at a glance

Place settings are manufacturer claims; real capacity is often lower. Prices are typical prices we saw in October 2026 and change often.

1. Danby DDW631SDB: Best countertop dishwasher

Good fit for: Small households that want the closest thing to a full-size dishwasher on the counter.

Reviewed named the Danby its best countertop dishwasher, and NBC News Select picked it as best overall. In Reviewed’s testing it cleared about 96 percent of test stains on its normal cycle, and its extra-dry option did a good job drying. It holds about 6 place settings, has plenty of cycle options and is Energy Star rated.

What bugs us: It needs a faucet hookup, and testers saw some food redeposited on dishes in their toughest test.

Skip it if: your faucet is a pull-down sprayer without standard threads. A tank-fed model is simpler.

2. COMFEE’ Mini Plus: Best with no hookup

Good fit for: Renters with unusual faucets, RV owners and anyone who doesn’t want to connect anything.

The Mini Plus has a built-in 6-liter water tank, so you pour in water and press start. America’s Test Kitchen named it its best countertop dishwasher overall, praising how easy it is to use and how well it cleaned. The door pops open at the end of the cycle so dishes dry better.

What bugs us: Capacity is small, about 2 place settings, and you’ll pour about 1.5 gallons of water into it every load. ATK also doubted that its UV setting fully sanitizes dishes that are shaded from the light.

Skip it if: you’re washing for more than two people.

3. Farberware FDW05ASBWHA: Best cleaning for one or two

Good fit for: Singles and couples who want the best cleaning in a tiny footprint.

This little machine was the best cleaner in Reviewed’s countertop testing, clearing more than 99 percent of stains, and America’s Test Kitchen rated it highly recommended. It has a 5-liter tank so it runs without a faucet, and it fits 12-inch dinner plates, which many small models don’t.

What bugs us: It holds only about 2 place settings, and its cycles run about half an hour longer than most.

Skip it if: you need room for pots and pans.

4. BLACK+DECKER BCD6W: Best budget 6-place-setting

Good fit for: People who want a full-size countertop model for less.

This is a good-looking stainless countertop dishwasher with a 24-hour delay start, a child lock and a baby-care cycle. America’s Test Kitchen named it the best large countertop dishwasher, and its cleaning was comparable to the rest of the field in Reviewed’s tests.

What bugs us: It only takes plates up to 10 inches, and ATK fit closer to 4 place settings than the claimed 6. Cleaning suffered when the racks were packed tightly.

Skip it if: you use large dinner plates.

5. GE GPT225SSLSS: Best portable dishwasher

Good fit for: Families and anyone who wants full-size capacity without a built-in.

This 24-inch portable holds 12 place settings, about the same as a standard built-in. Reviewed rated it its top portable dishwasher after it cleaned 98.5 percent of test stains on the normal cycle and nearly 99 percent on heavy, with good drying. The hose retracts into the cabinet, which makes storage tidier. If you’re short on floor space, GE’s 18-inch GPT145SSLSS holds 8 place settings and performed similarly.

What bugs us: It’s expensive, has only three cycles, and uses a lot of water by modern standards. Check that the faucet connector will work with your faucet before you buy.

Skip it if: you don’t have a spot on the floor to park it.

Where these picks come from

We compared compact dishwashers recommended most often in independent testing, including results from Reviewed, America’s Test Kitchen, Wirecutter and NBC News Select. We focused on:

• Cleaning results in stain and food-soil tests
• Real capacity, not just the claimed number of place settings
• Hookup: faucet adapter or built-in tank
• Cycle options and drying
• Price

We haven’t tested these ourselves. We’ll update this guide as we use these machines ourselves. Read more about how we pick products.

What to look for in a compact dishwasher

Countertop or portable

Countertop models fit almost anywhere but hold far less. Portable models hold close to a full load but need floor space. Our countertop vs portable guide covers the trade-offs.

Faucet hookup or water tank

Faucet-fed models need a faucet with a removable aerator; here’s how the hookup works. Tank-fed models need no hookup but hold less and need refilling.

Real capacity

Place-setting claims are generous. If you use large dinner plates, check the maximum plate size.

Size

Measure the height under your upper cabinets for a countertop model, and the floor space and route to the sink for a portable.

Maintenance

Every dishwasher needs its filter cleaned regularly. Here’s how to clean a dishwasher filter.

Short answers

Are countertop dishwashers worth it? For one or two people, yes. They save water compared with hand washing a sink full of dishes and free up time every day.

Do compact dishwashers need to be installed? No. Both countertop and portable models connect to your faucet or use a built-in tank and drain into the sink.

Can I put pots and pans in a countertop dishwasher? Small ones, usually. Large pots and sheet pans won’t fit in most countertop models.

Washing by hand instead? See the best dish racks for small kitchens.