Do you have limited kitchen space and sensitive hands? If yes, the portable dishwasher is a solution to both of these problems, and I have found the five favorite models for you!
Best Portable Dishwasher
We love family vacations, and most of the time, we choose secluded places where we can let our kids roam on their own surrounded by fresh air and beautiful scenery. This is why we often choose to rent a holiday house on the beach or a cottage somewhere high in the mountains.
Such holiday rentals are usually quite basic when it comes to furniture and kitchen equipment, so most of the time, you can only dream of a dishwasher or a laundry machine.
Having to do the dishes for a family of four is not something anyone would wish upon him or herself while on vacation. That could not even be called a vacation! For that reason, I am seriously considering buying a portable dishwasher that could really come in handy in such situations.
It will hardly measure up to the traditional built-in dishwasher, but it is a good alternative when you are out of options. It sure beats handwashing!
So, if you are renting or simply do not have enough room in your kitchen, you might want to consider buying a portable dishwasher too.
Stay tuned to find out more and find the right portable dishwasher!
Before we start, check out our choice of the best dinnerware sets!
What Are Portable Dishwashers and Why Buy One?
Portable dishwashers are an alternative solution to traditional built-in machines. They connect directly to the faucet, and therefore you do not need a dedicated water line for them to operate. When the job is done, the water drains into the sink, and you can roll the portable dishwasher back into the storage.
Most units are only about 18 inches wide (there are a few 24-inch models, too), and some even have wheels so that they are easy to move around and maneuver. As far as functioning is concerned, portable dishwashers work like regular ones and can often wash almost as many dishes, including your pots and pans.
Besides being portable and compact, these dishwashers are environmentally friendly and thus suitable for all of you eco-conscious people out there. The water usage of three gallons per load (around 11 liters) is nothing in comparison to the 27 gallons needed for handwashing the same amount of dishes.
Speaking of water, you can find The Most Recommended Countertop Water Filter here too!
If you want to be ultra-practical, or you have limited space, opt for the butcher block top model so that you can use the portable dishwasher as an island for prepping meals too.
These are all excellent reasons to buy a portable dishwasher, but the biggest reason is you and your well-being! You need not suffer through washing dishes in the age of technology. Keep your hands beautifully manicured, and enjoy your time with your loved ones!
How to Choose the Best Portable Dishwasher
There are a few things you need to consider if you want to buy the outstanding portable dishwasher genuinely on the market, and those are the following:
Number of Features
It would be leading to finding a mobile unit with all the same features as built-ins. Most importantly, the dishwasher should have at least a few wash programs, but a delay function is highly practical as well.
Size
Make sure that you will have enough room to store the portable dishwasher before you buy it and bring it home. As I already said, most models measure 18 in x 36 in x 26 in (WxHxD) but can be as big as 24 in x 37 in x 30 in too.
Noise
A full-sized dishwasher is built in between cabinets that dampen the noise it produces, but the portable unit stands on its own, and that is why it should be as silent as possible. Quiet operation is, therefore, a must!
You can usually find the noise level listed, so look for the lowest decibel rating possible. In numbers, the average portable dishwashers have a noise level of 63 to 66 dBA. The finest units have a decibel rating as low as 55 dBA or even lower.
Type
The portable dishwasher can be genuinely portable, i.e., on wheels, or countertop models, which are, as their name suggests, designed to sit on the countertop.
They both connect temporarily to a sink faucet, but units on rollers can be stored away when not in use and usually have a larger capacity as well.
Countertop dishwashers, on the other hand, require less water to operate and use only about two gallons (around 7.5 liters) of water, while truly portable use approximately one gallon more per a load of dishes.
Word of Caution: Make Sure You Have an Appropriate Water Source!
A portable dishwasher is worth nothing if you cannot connect it to a water source. Every unit has a hose that needs to be temporarily attached to a faucet. For this to happen, your sink faucet should feature a threaded faucet spout. Therefore, if you have a modern built-in sprayer, be prepared to go through some trouble before being able to use your portable dishwasher.
Namely, if you have a sprayer, you will most likely have to invest in the adapter. To install the adapter, you first have to remove the aerator, and sometimes that is not possible at all. So make sure that you consult a professional or a faucet manufacturer to find out if the removal is possible in the first place.
Most Recommended Portable Dishwashers: Detailed Reviews 2022
hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
hOmeLabs portable dishwasher is another model designed to be placed on your kitchen countertop. It is 17.2 inches high, 21.6 inches wide, and 19.6 inches deep and can wash six standard place settings. This unit comes with everything you need to set it up, including the faucet adapter for removable aerators. The intuitive control panel and light indicators allow for trouble-free usage.
There are six different wash cycle options to fit all your needs, and those are normal, heavy, glass, speed, rinse, and Eco. You can even delay the wash cycle as there is a designated button for that too. The interior is made from stainless steel, and it is equipped with a cup rack, cutlery set the basket, and spray arms for the best possible washing results.
The results are satisfying indeed. My only complaint is once again related to the drying cycle as dishes never come out completely dry.
Pros
- Compact
- Stainless steel interior
- Six wash cycle options
- Delay button
- Easy assembly
- Rinse aid dispenser for streak-free dishes
- Quiet operation
Cons
- Does not dry the dishes completely
Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher
Danby DDW621WDB is a compact countertop dishwasher that will help you save some space in your kitchen and keep your dishes clean. The machine measures about 17 inches high, 21.6 inches wide, and 19.6 inches deep which makes it suitable for most standard kitchen cabinets. It has a quick connect feature and is thus compatible with most kitchen faucets as well. The capacity is the same as for most dishwashers of this type: 6 place settings.
Besides being compact, this unit is energy efficient as well, it saves your electricity and water (consumes only about 3 gallons per load) and hence your money as well. You will have no trouble setting it up or using it due to intuitive electronic controls and easy to read LED display. Stainless steel interior will secure prolonged use.
Danby DDW621WDB is the quietest unit I have reviewed (only 52 dBA), but, unfortunately, it does not differ much when it comes to drying the dishes- it requires a bit of assistance in that department as all the other reviewed dishwashers. For your safety, there is a 12 month warranty on all defective parts and labor.
Pros
- Silverware basket
- Energy star
- Low water consumption
- Six wash cycles ranging from Intensive, Normal, Economy, Rapid, Glass, and Soak
- No noise while operating
- Durable stainless steel interior
- 5 feet long hose
Cons
- Does not completely dry the dishes
- Tray layout could be improved
DELLA Portable Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Della portable dishwasher is yet another compact countertop model that will complement any kitchen no matter how small it is. It has standard dimensions for this type of dishwasher machine, and that means that it is 17 inches high, 21.5 inches wide, and 19 inches deep.
You can choose between three different colors depending on your preference or your kitchen design, but the interior will always be stainless steel. The setup is quick and easy, and the controls are user-friendly as well so there should be no problems when using this unit the first time around. It is also rather quiet while working (55 dBA). As the most competition, this dishwasher offers six programs to choose from, in this case, those are: normal, heavy, speed, glass, Eco and rinse.
If you prefer to run the dishwasher at night, you will be glad to know that you can delay the washing cycle up to eight hours. Unfortunately, it seems that no portable dishwasher can secure perfectly dry dishes and Della is no exception. Besides that, it features a bit flimsy hose that tends to leak a bit at the faucet connection.
Pros
- Low decibel rating
- CSA certification
- Includes Quick Connect Adapter Kit
- Perfect for small-sized kitchens
- Easy to fill Rinse aid dispenser
- User-friendly control panel
- Spray Arm
- Delay start feature ( by 2, 4, or 8 hours)
Cons
- A bit flimsy hose and connection to the faucet
- Drying is not complete unless you open the door
SPT Countertop Dishwasher
SPT countertop dishwasher is a little bit taller than 17 inches and will thus fit under most kitchen cabinets if you can spare enough countertop space of course (21.6 x 19.7 inches). The controls are user-friendly, and there are six programs to choose from (light, normal, heavy, glass, speed, and soak), so you will have no trouble using them to wash up to six place settings. You can fit in even the larger plates and cookware with a little bit of pre-thought, but this unit is primarily designed for smaller items.
The internal water heater is a great plus for this dishwasher as it really enhances the washing process. Durable stainless steel interior and automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser are two more good reasons to choose this unit. A low noise level of only 55 decibels tops the cake.
Even if you have a sprayer instead of a traditional faucet, there will be no need for additional investment as this dishwasher comes with the adapter too. I have no complaints regarding the washing results as all of my dishes came out spotless and shiny, but the drying cycle seems to last forever (about 2h).
Pros
- Small kitchen footprint
- Faucet adapter included
- Easy setup and operation
- Quiet
- Stainless steel interior
- Spray Arm
- Dish rack & silverware basket
- 1-year guarantee
Cons
- The loud sound of the dispensing water
- The drying cycle is too long
SPT SD-9241SS Energy Star Portable Dishwasher
SPT SD-9241SS Energy Star Portable Dishwasher is a genuinely portable unit as it stands on wheels and is thus easy to move around and maneuver. Once it is done washing, you can wheel it away into your pantry and free up some space in your small kitchen. The unit measures 36.02 inches high, 17.72 inches wide, and 25.98 inches deep and weighs 121.3 lbs (not that you will ever need to lift it!).
Both the door and the interior are stainless steel, and that is why this unit appears stylish but is also durable. The touchpad control panel makes this portable dishwasher user-friendly and six practical wash cycles (normal, light, all-in-one, heavy, rinse, and speed), as well as time delay feature of 1-24h, add to the feeling that the manufacturer designed this unit with future users in mind.
The best news is that this unit can wash up to eight standard place settings, but it is also good to know that the noise it produces is as low as 55 dBA. If any error occurs during the wash cycle, you will be notified as the machine displays fault codes. On the downside, this dishwasher lacks a heated drying option too and comes with a hose that is only three feet long.
Pros
- Two spray arms
- 1-24 hours delay option
- Includes faucet adapter
- Stainless steel door and interior
- Automatic detergent and rinse agent dispenser
- The capacity of 8 standard place settings
- Adjustable top basket can accommodate large pots and plates
- Error Alarm
- Rinse Aid Warning Indicator
- Faucet adapter included
Cons
- No heated drying
- The drain tube is only 3 feet long
Final Thoughts
Maybe a portable dishwasher can never fully live up to a traditional built-in dishwasher, but it is a true life-saver for all those who have limited space and do not want to wash the cookware by hand for the rest of their life!
It is therefore definitely worth buying! That brings us to a question: Which model should you buy?
In my humble opinion, the right choice you can make is hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher. The washing results of this unit are excellent, and I could not find any downsides to it, except the drying cycle issue of course, but that is a general problem for all the portable dishwashers.
In fact, all the portable dishwashers I have reviewed served their purpose quite well, so all you need to do now is choose the top portable dishwasher for your needs and your kitchen and enjoy your extra free time while it washes your dirty dishes for you!
Before you go, read about the Top Rated Kitchen Area Rugs and find the one that will make your kitchen the best it can be! 🙂
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