Key takeaways
- The best countertop dishwasher for most small kitchens is the COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher: it is Energy Star certified, holds 6 place settings, offers 8 wash programs including Speed, Baby-Care, ECO and Glass, and usually sells in the $250–$300 range. If…
The best countertop dishwasher for most small kitchens is the COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher: it is Energy Star certified, holds 6 place settings, offers 8 wash programs including Speed, Baby-Care, ECO and Glass, and usually sells in the $250–$300 range. If you cannot connect to a faucet at all, pick a model with a built-in water tank instead; the HAVA 6-program model with water tank and the AIRMSEN Portable Countertop Dishwasher (no hookup needed) are the most practical options for renters, dorms and RVs.
If you want app control and the polish of a major appliance brand, the GE Profile Countertop Dishwasher adds WiFi, 6 wash cycles and the option to be installed built-in, but it costs well over the budget models, typically around $450–$520. The Midea and BLACK+DECKER BCD6W are dependable Energy Star alternatives to the COMFEE, and the HAVA with water softener is worth the premium only if you live with hard water.
Our top picks
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Countertop Dishwashers Side by Side
| Model | Place settings | Programs | Water supply | Notable extra | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMFEE’ Countertop | 6 | 8 | Faucet connection | Energy Star, Baby-Care cycle | $250–$300 |
| Midea Countertop | 6 | Check listing | Faucet connection | Energy Star | $260–$320 |
| BLACK+DECKER BCD6W | 6 | Check listing | Faucet connection | Energy Star, white finish | $270–$320 |
| GE Profile Countertop | 6 | 6 | Faucet or built-in | WiFi, built-in capable | $450–$520 |
| HAVA 6-Program with Water Tank | Compact | 6 | Built-in tank or faucet | No plumbing required | $270–$310 |
| HAVA with Water Softener | Compact | Check listing | Check listing | Water softener | $340–$390 |
| AIRMSEN Portable Countertop | Compact | Check listing | No hookup needed | Tank-fed | $310–$360 |
| AIRMSEN Large Slim Countertop | Larger slim cabinet | Check listing | Built-in water tank | Slim footprint | $370–$420 |
Our Picks Explained
COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher: best overall
The COMFEE’ hits the right balance of capacity, cycle choice and price. Six place settings is about the realistic maximum for a countertop unit, enough for a day of dishes for one or two people. Eight programs cover the cases people actually need: a quick Speed wash for lightly soiled plates, an ECO cycle that saves water and energy, a Glass cycle for delicate stemware and a hotter Baby-Care cycle for bottles and feeding gear. Energy Star certification means it uses meaningfully less water than handwashing the same load.
Trade-offs: it relies on a faucet connection, so your kitchen faucet needs a threaded aerator, and you lose access to the faucet while it runs unless you add a diverter. Tall stockpots and sheet pans will not fit.
Midea Countertop Dishwasher: best alternative from a big appliance maker
Midea manufactures appliances for several other brands, and its own 6-place-setting Energy Star countertop model is a strong option if the COMFEE is out of stock or you prefer its styling. Capacity is equivalent, and it suits the same users: small households, apartments and second kitchens.
Trade-offs: it is also faucet-fed, so plan for the hookup. Compare the current program list on the listing if specific cycles matter to you.
BLACK+DECKER BCD6W: best for white kitchens
The BCD6W is a straightforward 6-place-setting countertop dishwasher with Energy Star certification and a clean white finish that blends with white cabinets and appliances. It is a sensible buy if brand familiarity matters and you do not need app features.
Trade-offs: same faucet hookup requirement as the other connected models, and fewer extras than the COMFEE at a similar price.
GE Profile Countertop Dishwasher: best premium and smart pick
GE Profile’s countertop model offers 6 place settings and 6 wash cycles, adds WiFi connectivity for remote monitoring and alerts, and is designed so it can also be installed as a built-in. That last point is useful if you think you might move it under a counter later. It is the best choice for buyers who want a recognized brand and long-term support.
Trade-offs: you pay roughly $150–$200 more than the budget models for the same capacity. WiFi is convenient but not essential for a machine you load beside the sink.
HAVA Countertop Dishwasher with Water Tank: best no-plumbing pick
The 6-program HAVA includes a built-in water tank, so you fill it by hand and run it anywhere there is an outlet. That makes it ideal for rentals that forbid faucet modifications, dorms, offices and RVs. It still needs somewhere to drain, usually into the sink.
Trade-offs: you refill the tank every cycle, and tank-fed machines tend to have a smaller interior than faucet-fed 6-setting models.
HAVA Countertop Dishwasher with Water Softener: best for hard water
Hard water leaves white spots and film on glassware and builds scale inside the machine. This HAVA version adds a water softener, which helps glasses come out clearer and protects the heating element over time. Expect to pay around $70–$90 more than the standard HAVA.
Trade-offs: softeners need regeneration salt, which adds a small ongoing task. If your water is soft, the extra cost buys little.
AIRMSEN Portable Countertop Dishwasher: easy tank-fed alternative
AIRMSEN’s portable model is designed to work with no hookup, which puts it in the same camp as the HAVA tank model. Choose it if its interior layout or styling suits you better, and compare tank capacity and cycle list before deciding.
AIRMSEN Large Slim Countertop Dishwasher: for more room in a narrow footprint
The Large Slim version keeps a built-in water tank but, as the name suggests, aims for more interior room in a slimmer cabinet. Check its exact width, depth and height on the listing, since slim-but-large designs usually gain space by growing taller. Measure carefully: tall countertop units may not fit below standard wall cabinets, which typically sit about 18 inches above the counter.
What to Look For in a Countertop Dishwasher
Faucet hookup vs built-in tank
Faucet-fed models fill automatically and handle back-to-back loads with no effort, but they occupy the faucet and require a threaded aerator. Tank-fed models need a manual refill each time, typically 5 liters or so, but they work anywhere. Some models, like the HAVA tank model, support both.
Fit and clearance
Most countertop dishwashers are around 17–18 inches tall, 17–22 inches wide and 17–20 inches deep. Measure the gap between your counter and upper cabinets and leave a few inches for the door to open and steam to vent. Check that the drain hose can reach the sink.
Capacity reality check
“6 place settings” in a countertop unit means plates, bowls, glasses and cutlery for roughly six people, but bulky items like mixing bowls and pans quickly use that space. For a family of three or more, an 18-inch portable or built-in dishwasher with 8 place settings is usually a better fit.
Cycles that matter
A quick cycle, an eco cycle and a heavy or intensive cycle cover most needs. A high-temperature or baby-care option helps with bottles and plastic food containers. Drying is the weak point of most compact units; air-dry or a door that cracks open after the cycle helps.
Energy Star
Energy Star certification is a quick indicator of efficient water and energy use. The COMFEE, Midea, BLACK+DECKER and GE Profile models all carry it.
Quick FAQ
Do countertop dishwashers really save water?
Generally yes. A full countertop load uses only a few gallons, typically far less than washing the same dishes under a running tap.
Can a countertop dishwasher clean pots?
Small saucepans, yes. Large pots and sheet pans usually do not fit, so most owners still handwash those.
