If your sink is constantly full, your drying rack eats half the counter, and the idea of squeezing in a full-size dishwasher feels ridiculous, a compact dishwasher can be the difference between a kitchen that works and one that drives you crazy.
That’s why a small dishwasher can be such a huge upgrade.
But here’s the problem: not all “small” dishwashers solve the same problem.
Some sit on the counter and hook up to the faucet.
Some have a built-in water tank, so you don’t need a hookup at all.
Some are slim 18-inch built-ins that feel much closer to a real full-size dishwasher.
And some roll on wheels and give you more capacity without forcing you to remodel.
That’s why this guide breaks the best options down by real-life use case, not just specs. If you want the easiest no-hookup option, the smallest footprint, the best built-in, or the best high-capacity portable model, we’ll show you exactly where each one makes sense.
What's In Here
- 1 Are Small Dishwashers Any Good?
- 2 Small Dishwasher Dimensions
- 3 The Top 6 Compact Dishwashers (Countertop/Slimline)
- 3.1 1. HAVA Portable Dishwasher – Best No Hook Up Countertop
- 3.2 2. COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher – Best Full-Capacity Countertop
- 3.3 3. Midea 18″ Built-In Dishwasher – Best Budget Built-In
- 3.4 4. Danby Portable Dishwasher – Best on Wheels
- 3.5 5. Edge Star Dishwasher – Most Energy Efficient
- 3.6 6. Farberware Compact Dishwasher – Best Water-Tank Countertop Dishwasher
- 4 What is the Smallest Dishwasher You Can Find?
- 5 Countertop vs. 18-inch Built-In vs. Portable on Wheels
- 6 Which Dishwasher Uses the Least Amount of Water?
- 7 Why Are 18-inch Dishwashers More Expensive?
- 8 Can You Put a Countertop Dishwasher in a Cabinet?
- 9 How Long Does a Small Dishwasher Take to Run?
- 10 How Far Can a Dishwasher Be Away From the Sink?
- 11 Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Get?
Are Small Dishwashers Any Good?
Yes, if you buy the right kind for your space.
That is the part many people get wrong.
A small dishwasher can absolutely make life easier in a tiny kitchen, but only if it matches the way you actually live.
For example:
If you live alone and mostly wash plates, bowls, glasses, and cutlery, a countertop dishwasher can be enough.
If you cook every night and use mixing bowls, pans, and larger dinner plates, a tiny tank model may feel frustrating fast.
If you want something that feels more like a real dishwasher, an 18-inch built-in or portable on wheels model usually makes more sense.
The real goal is not just “buy the smallest machine.”
It is buying the one that removes the most dishwashing stress without creating a new space problem.
👉 In a hurry?
Here are our top 4 picks in a short comparison table. Below you’ll find the pros and cons of each mini dishwasher.
Quick tip:
- Live alone or in a studio – countertop models are usually enough
- Cook daily for 2–3 people – an 18-inch slimline makes life easier
Keep reading for detailed reviews of each one, plus real-life insights on what it’s like to use them!
This post may contain affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.
Small Dishwasher Dimensions
This is where many people make the wrong choice.
A dishwasher can look “small” online and still be wrong for your kitchen if:
It is too tall to fit under your upper cabinets
It is too deep once the hoses are attached
It doesn’t fit your dinner plates
Your faucet does not work with the adapter
It fits on the counter, but leaves you no prep space
Here’s the simplest way to think about size:
Countertop dishwashers – usually best for renters, studios, dorms, RVs, and homes where you do not want permanent installation.
18-inch built-in dishwashers – best if you want a true dishwasher experience in a smaller cabinet opening.
Portable dishwashers on wheels – best if you want more capacity without giving up cabinet space for a built-in.
Check these before buying:
- Height under upper cabinets
- Depth with hose clearance behind the machine
- Your actual plate size
- Whether you use wide frying pans or tall pots often
- Faucet type, especially if you have a pull-down faucet
That last point matters because faucet compatibility is one of the biggest hidden annoyances with countertop models.
The Top 6 Compact Dishwashers (Countertop/Slimline)
There are different types of compact dishwashers:
- Built-in (cabinets)
- Countertop (portable/table dishwashers)
- Under the sink
- Freestanding
We know how challenging it can be to find the right kitchenette dishwasher for small spaces.
The great news is:
We’ve done all the research for you (and us), and below you’ll find the 6 best space-saving dishwashers on the market.
1. HAVA Portable Dishwasher – Best No Hook Up Countertop
No hookup needed, ultra-quiet, and sanitizes bottles – but manual water filling can get messy
- Size – 17″ x 17″ x 18″
- Place settings – 4
- Wash Programs – 5
Best for: renters, dorms, and anyone without a faucet hookup
✅ Pros – quiet (60 dB), doesn’t require a water hookup, fits big plates, leak protection, fruit washing program, air drying option
❌ Cons – some labor is required to fill up the container, relatively expensive
If you rent, live in a studio, or just do not want to deal with faucet hookups every time you run a cycle, the HAVA Portable Dishwasher is one of the easiest small-dishwasher picks.
Its biggest strength is simple: no hookup needed.
You fill the built-in water tank, press start, and you’re done.
That makes it a great choice for apartments, dorms, RVs, office kitchenettes, and anywhere a standard faucet hookup feels annoying or impossible.
The catch is also simple: if you run multiple loads a day, manual filling gets old faster than you think.
And if that’s not enough, the HAVA Countertop dishwasher is pretty enough to leave out on the counter or table (with its see-through door and blue LED light to watch the cleaning) and is big enough for 12-inch dinner plates!
Choose from 5 wash programs (Normal, Speed (40 minutes), Soft, Baby Care, and Fruit), and after 2 hours, your dishes come out fully clean and dry, without soap spots or leftover food.
And, this one is so quiet you’ll probably forget you turned it on for the first time.
We tested the HAVA with the normal load program (which takes a little over 2 hours) and found that the silverware and other items were thoroughly cleaned with no residue from the detergent tablet, and even a very dirty plate came out perfectly clean.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to 12 inches
- About 4 place settings
- Roughly 4–6 bowls and 4–6 glasses per load, depending on shape
Does not fit
- Frying pans or sauté pans
- Large pots or baking trays
- Extra-long utensils or oversized cutting boards
Available on Amazon ($339) and at HAVA ($279)
👉 HAVA Alternative – Comfee Countertop Dishwasher
If you want a similar-sized dishwasher but with 6 wash programs (and an air freshener program to speed up drying), check out the Comfee Countertop Dishwasher instead.
2. COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher – Best Full-Capacity Countertop
More wash programs and solid capacity, but it still needs a faucet hookup and won’t fit larger plates
- Dimensions – 20″ x 22″ x 17″
- Place settings – 6
- Wash Programs – 6
- Noise level – 52 dB.
Best for: small apartments, couples
✅ Pros – 6-place-setting capacity, 8 wash cycles, relatively quiet, ENERGY STAR compliant, good value, simple faucet hookup
❌ Cons – needs a faucet connection, only fits plates up to 10 inches, still too small for large pots and pans
If you want a countertop dishwasher with real daily-use capacity, the COMFEE’ Countertop Dishwasher is the stronger value pick.
It holds up to 6 place settings, fits up to 70 pieces of tableware, and includes 8 wash cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, Speed, Mini-Party, and Rinse.
This model connects directly to the faucet and is compact enough for apartments, dorms, and RVs, but it is still larger than the smallest countertop dishwashers, so you’ll want to make sure you actually have the counter space first.
One thing we like here is that it gives you more flexibility than the tiny tank-style units.
It gives a strong balance of performance, convenience, and reliability, and the dishes come out clean and dry.
The Comfee could fit two large dinner plates, three small salad plates, one juice glass, two bowls, two mugs, and silverware in testing, which is a good real-life sign that this is more than just a “single-person emergency dishwasher.”
The downside is simple: this is still a faucet-hookup countertop dishwasher, so it won’t be as flexible as a no-hookup tank model if your faucet setup is awkward.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to 10 inches
- 6 place settings
- Up to 70 pieces of tableware
- A typical load for 2 people, such as plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and cutlery
Does not fit
- Large dinner plates over 10 inches
- Full-size pots and pans
- Wide frying pans
- Large baking trays
Available on Amazon ($278-$309)
3. Midea 18″ Built-In Dishwasher – Best Budget Built-In
Slim, quiet, and surprisingly full-featured for the price
- Dimensions – 22.6″ D x 17.6″ W x 32.4″ H
- Place settings – 8
- Wash Programs – 6
- Noise level – 52 dB
Best for: small households that want a real built-in dishwasher without paying Bosch prices
✅ Pros – affordable for an 18-inch built-in, stainless steel tub, 8 place settings, sanitize and heated-dry options, adjustable upper rack, relatively quiet
❌ Cons – installation required, lower rack can feel cramped with full-size dinner plates, not ideal for large pots or wide pans
If you want a true built-in dishwasher in a small kitchen without spending premium-brand money, the Midea 18-inch Built-In Dishwasher is one of the best budget options right now.
It gives you the things people usually want from a real dishwasher – 8 place settings, a stainless steel tub, 6 wash cycles, and heated dry – while still fitting into a narrow 18-inch space.
But, you still need to be realistic about what fits.
It handles everyday plates, bowls, mugs, and glasses well, but very large cookware and oversized dinner plates can make the lower rack feel tight.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to standard full-size range
- 8 place settings
- A typical small-family load of plates, bowls, mugs, glasses, and cutlery
Does not fit
- Very large stock pots
- Oversized baking trays
- Wide frying pans
- Some extra-large dinner plates may feel tight on the lower rack
Available on Amazon ($448)
4. Danby Portable Dishwasher – Best on Wheels
Big capacity and easy to roll away – but short hose and power cord limit placement
- Place settings – 8
- Dimensions – 26″ x 18″ x 36″
- Wash programs – 6
Best for: renters who want full dishwasher capacity without installing anything
✅ Pros – portable, thin, relatively high capacity, water saving, simple, and easy hookup
❌ Cons – short power cord and water hose
I love this one because it’s on wheels, so you can roll it away when not in use.
If you don’t want a permanent built-in but need more capacity than a countertop model, this is the way to go.
The Danby free-standing dishwasher measures only 17.7 inches wide but can accommodate up to 8 place settings.
It uses up to 3.5 gallons of water per wash and offers 6 wash cycles, including intensive, economy, normal, glass, soak, and rapid.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to 12 inches
- 8 place settings
- A combination of plates, bowls, glasses, mugs, and utensils similar to an 18-inch built-in
Does not fit
- Very large pots or deep stock pots
- Oversized baking trays
- Extra-wide grill pans
Available at abt Electronics ($449)
5. Edge Star Dishwasher – Most Energy Efficient
Super energy- and water-efficient, but may leak if hoses aren’t tightened properly
- Dimensions – 21″ x 19″ x 17″
- Wash programs – 7
- Place settings – 6
- Rack Style – Cup shelf, cutlery basket, and dish rack
- Noise level – 52 dB.
Best for: eco-conscious users focused on low water and energy use
✅ Pros – saves water and money, easy to operate and set up, kills bacteria, good accessories
❌ Cons – May leak if not assembled properly
If saving on water and energy is your top priority, this one’s for you. It uses about 200 kWh per year, which is significantly lower than many full-size dishwashers..
The Edge Star fits under most kitchen cabinets and most under-the-sink spaces as well, and comes with a drain hose that you would place in the sink for it to drain.
It requires no permanent setup (it comes with a quick-connect adapter that fits standard-sized kitchen faucets) and is super easy to operate.
The Edge Star includes essential accessories: a dish rack, cup shelf, and cutlery basket – all you need to organize your dishes and utensils optimally.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to 10.5 inches
- 6 place settings
- About 6 bowls and 6 glasses, depending on rack arrangement
Does not fit
- Frying pans or large cookware
- Tall pots
- Long utensils placed upright
Available on Amazon ($349)
6. Farberware Compact Dishwasher – Best Water-Tank Countertop Dishwasher
Flexible setup, good capacity, and extra drying support – but larger than ultra-compact models
- Dimensions – 19.7″ x 21.7″ x 17.2″
- Place settings – 6
- Wash Programs – 6–7 (Normal, Heavy, ECO, Glass, Speed, Baby Care, Rinse)
- Installation – Countertop | Faucet hookup or built-in water tank
Best for: 1–2 people daily loads, especially if you need a water-tank option
✅ Pros – built-in water tank option (no hookup needed), good capacity for a countertop unit, multiple wash programs, extra drying support, simple digital controls
❌ Cons – larger than ultra-compact models, not suitable for large cookware, moderate noise level
If you want a water-tank dishwasher but feel models like HAVA or KAPAS are just too small, Farberware is a smart middle ground.
It gives you more loading flexibility than the ultra-mini countertop models while still letting you choose between manual tank fill and faucet hookup.
That makes it especially practical for renters and small apartments, where you want flexibility, but do not want to be stuck with the smallest possible machine.
The main compromise is size: it is not huge, but it is definitely less “tiny-kitchen invisible” than the smallest countertop models.
This model can be used in two ways: connected directly to a kitchen faucet or filled manually using its internal water tank.
That makes it especially practical for renters, apartments, RVs, dorms, and kitchens without easy faucet access.
With 6 place settings and multiple wash programs, it has more loading options than smaller countertop units, while still keeping a compact size, great for small kitchens.
It also includes an extra drying function, which helps reduce moisture on dishes and glassware compared to basic air-dry systems.
Fits
- Dinner plates up to ~10 inches
- About 6 bowls and 6 glasses per load
- Cutlery and small utensils
Does not fit
- Frying pans or deep skillets
- Large pots or stock pots
- Oversized baking trays
- Extra-long utensils placed upright
Available on Amazon ($299)
What is the Smallest Dishwasher You Can Find?
If your biggest problem is space, not capacity, the KAPAS Portable Countertop Dishwasher is the smallest true dishwasher in this guide.
That makes it the best pick for:
- Very small kitchens
- Dorms
- Office kitchenettes
- RVs
- Anyone who just wants the smallest possible footprint
Smallest model with tank or faucet option – but needs frequent refills for big loads.
But there is an important reality check here:
The smallest dishwasher is not always the best dishwasher.
Tiny models solve a space problem beautifully, but they also mean smaller loads, tighter plate fit, more frequent runs, and less room for bowls, mugs, and awkward dishes.
So if your kitchen is tiny but your dish pile grows fast, the smartest choice may actually be a slightly bigger countertop model like HAVA or Farberware.
Countertop vs. 18-inch Built-In vs. Portable on Wheels
If you are stuck between categories, here is the simplest way to decide:
Countertop – Best if you want the easiest, cheapest, and least permanent option.
18-inch built-in – Best if you want something that feels closest to a regular dishwasher, and you are okay with installation.
Portable on wheels – Best if you want better capacity than a countertop model without remodeling the kitchen.
Which Dishwasher Uses the Least Amount of Water?
If water use is your biggest concern, countertop models often have the edge.
In this post, EdgeStar is the lowest-water option listed at about 2.85 gallons per cycle, while the Midea 18-inch built-in sits higher at around 4.2 gallons per cycle.
That said, water use should not be the only deciding factor.
In real life, the better question is:
Which model saves you the most dishwashing work without creating a setup headache you’ll regret later?
Because the truth is, even the most efficient machine won’t feel like a win if it doesn’t fit your plates, your faucet, or your daily routine.
Why Are 18-inch Dishwashers More Expensive?
You may expect to pay a little less for a smaller dishwasher, but feature-wise, they are in line with the standard-size ones, and you buy them to save space while having the same efficiency.
Also, slimline dishwashers are not as common as the standard 24-inch models, which means less competition in the market and higher prices because they are less produced.
Can You Put a Countertop Dishwasher in a Cabinet?
Countertop dishwashers are designed to sit on a counter or sturdy surface, not to be permanently enclosed.
Some people place them inside cabinets only if ventilation, heat clearance, and weight limits are fully checked, and manufacturer guidance allows it.
How Long Does a Small Dishwasher Take to Run?
The standard run time of dishwashers is up to 2 hours.
It can also sometimes be less or more, according to the model type.
On some models of dishwashers, you can even see the timer display.
How Far Can a Dishwasher Be Away From the Sink?
Most dishwashers come with a drain hose around 6 feet long. Manufacturers typically allow for extensions to a maximum length of 10 to 12 feet.
Exceeding this can cause drainage issues.
Similar to the drain hose, standard dishwasher supply lines are around 6 feet long.
Extending these is also possible, but consult a plumber to ensure proper installation.
While you can extend these hoses, we recommend keeping the dishwasher close to the sink for convenience and to minimize the need for extensions.
In kitchen design, there’s a concept called the working triangle, which emphasizes efficiency by placing the refrigerator, stove, and sink close.
A dishwasher far from the sink can disrupt this workflow.
Overall, while there’s no hard and fast rule, keeping the dishwasher close to the sink is ideal for functionality and avoiding complex plumbing modifications.
Final Thoughts: Which One Should You Get?
If your sink is always full and your kitchen feels like it has no room left to give, the right small dishwasher can make daily life a lot easier.
But the best one depends less on specs and more on how you actually live.
- If you want the easiest no-hookup option, go with HAVA.
- If you want the smallest footprint possible, go with KAPAS.
- If you want more countertop capacity, go with Comfee.
- If you want a real built-in solution, go with Midea 18-inch.
- If you want bigger loads without installation, go with Danby Portable on Wheels.
- If you want a more flexible water-tank countertop model, go with Farberware.
Because in a tiny kitchen, the right dishwasher is not just the one that cleans well.
It is the one that fits your space, your dishes, and your daily routine without driving you crazy.
The KM Team
Generally, a person who needs a portable dishwasher has almost zero spare counter space. In that situation 4 out of the 5 you recommend will not meet most needs or queries. I would like to see more options for freestanding dishwashers that can be rolled and hooked up to the sink when needed.
Interested in these countertop dish Washers
For individuals who don’t have a dishwasher
Old house and older person! And a couple
who live in an old APPARTMENT with limited space! Need dishwashers that are space-saving and eagerly efficient! This is not
for me but for others I know! So I’m inquiring about them.