GE 24-Inch Portable Dishwasher
Material: Stainless steel | Height: 36 inches | Capacity: 12 standard place settings | Weight: 147 pounds
Few portable dishwashers check as many boxes as GE’s 24-inch model, which offers a blend of standard dishwasher functionality and mobility, thanks to a nifty set of wheels (even the most chore-averse among us could get excited about rolling the device around). Available in both 24-inch and slimmer 18-inch versions, the appliance boasts a stylish exterior; it comes in stainless, white and black finishes. Inside, the washer can accommodate a whopping 12 place settings, and it also offers five wash options including an auto-sense cycle that adjusts water temperature and cycle time based on estimated “grime” levels. There’s also a sanitize option here and a dedicated “pots and pans” cycle, and the interior is well-organized with helpful racks for cutlery and the like. Finally, note that this machine operates at a quiet 51 decibels, so it can be run alongside sleeping family members, babies and skittish pets. It also features an Energy Star certification.
Best Value Portable Dishwasher
A Countertop Model With Two Cycles
RCA Countertop Dishwasher
Material: Plastic | Height: 19.8 inches | Capacity: 6 standard place settings | Weight: 35.3 pounds
Affordable yet efficient, RCA’s countertop model is an excellent option for those who aren’t looking to spend top dollar. Its plastic construction might not appeal to all prospective buyers, but it offers a few benefits: Namely, it’s far more lightweight than several of the other options we’ve highlighted, while still maintaining a relatively roomy capacity (that said, larger households might need to run it multiple times per day). It’s easy to connect to a kitchen sink, and the sleek, understated finish will blend in beautifully with your existing décor, no matter your style. And though it is indeed called a “countertop” washer, it could just as well live inside of a large cabinet or closet when it’s not in use.
Best Compact Portable Dishwasher
Perfect For Ultra-Small Households
Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher
Material: Plastic | Height: 17.3 inches | Capacity: 2 standard place settings | Weight: 43 pounds
Despite its very small size, Farberware’s model truly stands out in the realm of portable dishwashers. It features a glass-front panel and easy-to-use LED display alongside a built-in five-liter water tank (there’s also an option for hose hook-up). The capacity is indeed limited here; the machine can only house two place settings at a time. That said, it’s a great option for small households or for individual use, and it makes up for the lack of space with five cleaning programs, including specialized cycles for glassware. A pull-out dish rack and cutlery rack add to the appeal, and cycles are fast, too; they complete in just 40 minutes.
Best Multi-Functional Portable Dishwasher
Clean Dishes And Meal Prep All At Once
Whirlpool Black Front Control Heavy-Duty Portable Dishwasher
Material: Plastic | Height: 37 inches | Capacity: 12 standard place settings | Weight: 62 pounds
While this Whirlpool model isn’t the smallest portable dishwasher you’ll find, it has one huge benefit: It not only offers the convenience of a dishwasher, but also boasts the addition of a butcher block top, which maximizes available square footage and allow you to tackle two chores at once. That sort of thoughtful design is bound to be appreciated by space-conscious users, as is the machine’s generous capacity (it can hold up to 12 standard place settings). The operation is also relatively quiet at just 55 decibels, and three wash cycle are available, including a speedy one-hour wash. A built-in soil sensor is another plus, as is an extended-dry option and four-hour delay start feature.
Best Countertop Portable Dishwasher
Relatively Lightweight For Added Ease And Portability
Novete Portable Countertop Dishwasher
Material: Plastic | Height: 18.1 inches | Capacity: 4 standard place settings | Weight: 28 pounds
Freeing up precious space in your kitchen is one of the biggest draws of a portable dishwasher, and Novete’s Portable Countertop Dishwasher is a great solution for anyone who really needs to save space. It has a compact footprint that can be placed right onto any kitchen countertop, and it can accommodate up to four place settings, which is ideal for smaller households. Five wash cycles are offered and a built-in five-liter water tank allows users flexibility and added portability. And clocking in at just 28 pounds, it’s one of the lighter options on our list, too. Interior features like the storage rack and cutlery basket are added pluses.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
- For this story, we sought expert insight from Michael P. Nigro, an appliance technician with Frontdoor, as well as Ramon Miguel, Thumbtack pro and owner of Salt Lake City-based Maintenance and Repairs.
- The Forbes Vetted home and kitchen team is overseen by experts in their own right, including deputy editor Rebekah Lowin, senior editor Amanda Arnold and editor Sholeen Damarwala. The writer of this story, Korin Miller, has years of experience researching, testing and writing about products for the home.
- This story is frequently updated for freshness; it was last published in May 2024.
What To Look For In A Portable Dishwasher
Every household’s needs are different when it comes to a portable dishwasher, so you’re going to want to carefully weigh certain elements during your search. Size, capacity, water source and cycle customization are arguably the most important factors to take into account; they’re bound to affect—and be affected by—the size of your own living space, your household size, and your usage patterns. Ahead, we’re sharing more details on precisely what to take into account during your search:
There’s a surprisingly wide range of sizes out there when it comes to portable dishwashers. Some are large enough to sit right on the ground, though of course this affects their portability; others can be wheeled out on demand from cabinet or closet storage. Others are petite enough to perch right on a countertop, where they can either reside full-time or be moved in and out of a cabinet as needed. Consider where you plan to put your portable dishwasher and what storage space is available to you before investing in a model.
Capacity varies greatly between models, but the good news is that it’s not hard to figure it out: Most portable dishwashers clearly state how many place settings they can accommodate within their basic specs on a manufacturer or retailer’s website. If you live alone or have a small household, a portable dishwasher that can handle two place settings at once might work well; if you have a larger household or host regularly, consider an appliance that can tackle four, six or even 12 place settings at once. (We’ve included options for all of these capacities within our curated list of top picks, above.)
Most of these appliances hook right up to your kitchen or bathroom sink, but others rely on built-in water tanks. That’s good news for anyone who’s only looking for temporary assistance and doesn’t want to spend time hooking up to a water supply. But if you do go that route, make sure that the water supply adapter will fit your sink, says Ramon Miguel, Thumbtack pro and owner of Salt Lake City-based Maintenance and Repairs. “If you’re hooking it up in the kitchen, there’s usually a quick adapter, but some faucet types might require additional accessories, which could slow things down,” he says.
Most portable dishwashers will have more than one cycle, and many have up to five. Some offer quick-wash options, as well as specialized cycles for heavy-duty items, like pots and pans, and sanitizing settings for delicate wares such as baby bottles. Prices tend to go up the more cycles you have, so consider in advance what you really plan to wash, and narrow your search from there.
Are Portable Dishwashers Worth It?
Yes, given that your needs align with their capabilities and benefits. The best portable dishwashers on the market can significantly cut down on hand-washing time and save space to boot. “Most portable dishwashers have less options than a traditional dishwasher for preference efficiency, but clean just as well as a standard dishwasher,” Nigro says. And these tiny-but-mighty devices help to cut down on water waste, too: “Most standard dishwashers can use up to 4.5 gallons of water during a cycle, while most portables have a much lower water consumption at about 2.3 gallons a load,” Nigro says, noting that they also have shorter cycles. “Considering cost, these style dishwashers are much friendlier on the wallet, making them affordable for a single living home or a smaller residence,” he adds.
