Choose a countertop dishwasher if you live alone or with one other person, have limited floor space, and want to spend roughly $250–$350. Choose a portable (wheeled, 18-inch) dishwasher if you wash for three or more people, have about 18–20 inches of free floor space near the sink, and can spend around $550–$650. And if you own your home and have a spare 18-inch cabinet slot, an 18-inch built-in dishwasher often costs less than a wheeled portable and stays out of the way permanently.
In short: countertop models like the COMFEE’, HAVA and AIRMSEN hold about 6 place settings; portables like the SPT SD-9263SSC and Hamilton Beach hold about 8; built-in 18-inch models like the Midea, COMFEE’ and Honeywell also hold 8 but need installation. Capacity, space and plumbing are what decide it.
Our top picks
Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea…
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of…
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers…
COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher- 6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.7″×D19.7″) for…
- Simple Installation- This COMFEE’ portable dishwasher can be…
- 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles,…
AIRMSEN Portable Countertop Dishwasher- Compact Design: Measuring 16.75" W x 16.86" D…
- Flexible Water: Features a built-in 5L water tank…
- Diverse Programs: Offers 5 wash cycles: Normal, Speed…
| Product | Key specs | |
|---|---|---|
| Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea… 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of… 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers… | Check price |
| COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher | 6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.7″×D19.7″) for… Simple Installation- This COMFEE’ portable dishwasher can be… 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles,… | Check price |
| AIRMSEN Portable Countertop Dishwasher | Compact Design: Measuring 16.75" W x 16.86" D… Flexible Water: Features a built-in 5L water tank… Diverse Programs: Offers 5 wash cycles: Normal, Speed… | Check price |
 COMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | Slimline Design with Large Capacity: This 18-in COMFEE'… 8 Place Settings: Measuring 22.6"D x 17.6"W x… 6 Wash Cycles + 3 Functions: This 18-inch… | Check price |
 SD-9263SSC: 18″ Portable Dishwasher with ENERGY STAR | Capacity: 8 place setting 6 Wash programs: Heavy, Normal, Eco, Glass, 90… Rinse Aid Warning Indicator: refill reminder on rinse… | Check price |
 HAVA Countertop Dishwasher | 【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】 HAVA Countertop Dishwasher supports 2… 【LARGE CAPACITY】 This tabletop dishwasher only measures 16.9"… 【6 PROGRAM OPTIONS】 Supports Normal, Speed, Soft, Heavy/Baby… | Check price |
 HAMILTON BEACH Portable Dishwasher with Wheels | Portable Dishwasher on Wheels - Holds up to… Low Water Consumption Easy to Connect to any Kitchen Tap | Check price |
 Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place | Racks are suitable to fit 8 place settings… There are 6 washing programs to choose from-… The tub is made of stainless steel for… | Check price |
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Head-to-Head Specs
| Factor | Countertop | Portable (wheeled) | 18-inch built-in |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical capacity | 6 place settings | 8 place settings | 8 place settings |
| Space used | About 17–22 in of counter | About 18–19 in of floor, plus parking spot | 18 in cabinet opening |
| Water connection | Faucet adapter or built-in tank | Faucet adapter | Permanent plumbing |
| Installation | None or minimal | None; roll to sink | Plumber/electrician or DIY |
| Typical price | $250–$400 | $550–$650 | $400–$520 |
| Best for | 1–2 people, renters, RVs | 2–4 people, renters | 2–4 people, owners |
The Models in This Comparison
| Model | Type | Capacity | Key detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMFEE’ Countertop | Countertop | 6 place settings | 8 programs, Energy Star |
| HAVA with Water Tank | Countertop | Compact | 6 programs, built-in tank |
| AIRMSEN Portable Countertop | Countertop | Compact | No hookup needed |
| SPT SD-9263SSC | Portable (wheeled) | 18 in wide | Energy Star, stainless steel |
| Hamilton Beach Portable | Portable (wheeled) | 8 place settings | 19 in wide, white |
| Midea 18″ Built-in | Built-in | 8 place settings | Stainless steel tub |
| COMFEE’ 18″ Built-in | Built-in | Check listing | Energy Star and NSF, stainless tub |
| Honeywell 18″ Built-in Style | Built-in | 8 place settings | 6 programs, stainless tub, white |
Capacity: How Many Dishes Each Handles
A place setting is roughly a dinner plate, side plate, bowl, glass, cup and cutlery. Six place settings in a countertop unit covers a day of meals for one or two people. Eight settings in an 18-inch portable or built-in comfortably handles two to four people with one load a day. Neither class is great for large pots; expect to handwash big cookware with both.
If you find yourself running a countertop dishwasher twice a day, you have outgrown it. That is the clearest sign to move up to a portable or built-in.
Space: Counter vs Floor
A countertop dishwasher permanently occupies a section of counter next to the sink, typically around 17–22 inches wide. In a small kitchen that can be a big sacrifice. It also needs clearance under the wall cabinets, which commonly sit around 18 inches above the counter.
A portable dishwasher needs floor space twice: a parking spot and a working spot next to the sink. Its flat top can act as extra counter space, which partly makes up for the floor it takes. If your kitchen has no free floor area near the sink, a portable is impractical.
Water Hookup and Plumbing
Countertop models come in two types. Faucet-fed units like the COMFEE’ connect with an adapter that replaces your faucet aerator. Tank-fed units like the HAVA with water tank and the AIRMSEN need no hookup at all; you pour water in before each cycle. That makes tank-fed countertop models the only real option where faucet changes are not allowed or the faucet lacks a threaded aerator.
Portables always use a faucet adapter. Each time you run one, you roll it to the sink, snap on the quick-connect hose and drain into the sink. It takes a minute but becomes routine.
Built-in 18-inch dishwashers like the Midea, COMFEE’ and Honeywell need a hot-water line, a drain connection and power. If you are replacing an existing 18-inch dishwasher, that is straightforward; adding one from scratch means cabinet work.
Cost Over Time
Countertop models are the cheapest to buy at roughly $250–$400. Portables cost about $550–$650. Interestingly, 18-inch built-ins such as the Honeywell, COMFEE’ and Midea often cost around $400–$520, less than a wheeled portable, because they do not need a finished cabinet and casters. Add installation if you need a plumber.
Energy Star models in every category use far less water than washing the same load by hand, so any of them will trim water bills compared with handwashing.
Cleaning Performance and Features
Portables and built-ins have bigger tubs and typically stronger spray arms, so they handle mixed loads and casserole dishes better. Stainless steel tubs, found on the SPT, Midea, COMFEE’ built-in and Honeywell, resist staining and help with drying because stainless retains heat. Countertop models have improved, with features like Baby-Care cycles on the COMFEE’ and multiple programs on the HAVA, but drying remains their weak point.
Recommendation by Situation
- Single person or couple in an apartment: countertop. The COMFEE’ if your faucet accepts an adapter; the HAVA with water tank or AIRMSEN if it does not.
- Renting with a family of three or four: portable. The SPT SD-9263SSC in stainless or the Hamilton Beach in white.
- Homeowner with an 18-inch slot or willing to remodel: built-in. The Midea 18″ for a stainless tub, the COMFEE’ 18″ for Energy Star and NSF certification, or the Honeywell for a white finish.
- RV, cabin, office: tank-fed countertop, since there may be no suitable faucet.
FAQ
Is a portable dishwasher the same as a countertop dishwasher?
Retailers often use the words interchangeably, but in general “portable” means a full-height, wheeled unit, while “countertop” means a compact unit that sits on the counter.
Can I put a countertop dishwasher on a cart?
Some people do, but make sure the cart is sturdy, level and close enough to the sink for the drain hose.
