Tired of hand-washing your dishes every day because you don’t have enough space to install a standard dishwasher? A portable dishwasher might just be the answer you’re looking for. They can be mounted on countertops, squeezed into tight spaces, and conveniently put away when not in use. Unlike a typical dishwasher, there is no complicated installation required.
Keep reading to learn more about portable countertop dishwashers. We’ll also help you find the best portable dishwasher for your dishwashing needs.
Why buy a countertop dishwasher?
A portable dishwasher is a modern kitchen appliance that is most often seen in small kitchens or kitchens that simply lack a dishwasher hookup. With the popularity of tiny homes and the shrinking sizes of apartments in big cities, countertop dishwashers are increasingly popular. A portable dishwasher is also an affordable and hassle-free alternative to installing a permanent dishwasher in your home.
The 5 Best Portable Dishwashers in Canada in 2024
We’ve analyzed the top-selling portable dishwashers of 2023 and put together a list of the best portable dishwashers available on the market.
BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Portable Dishwasher
The BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Compact Countertop Dishwasher is stylish and offers great value. With its clean and modern design, the dishwasher can seamlessly integrate into a variety of kitchen styles. The BCD6W dishwasher’s interior is made of stainless steel, making it more durable. It has a 6-place setting capacity and can support dishes up to 10” in height.
Installation is easy, and the included faucet adapter ensures that your sink will be compatible with its hose. Simply connect the hose to your sink and plug the machine into a power outlet.
The BCD6W has an LCD screen and touch controls that allow you to choose between 7 wash programs: normal, intensive, 90 minutes, quick, soak, eco and glass. Wash cycles can be programmed up to 24 hours in advance. This dishwasher is certified by Energy Star to ensure low energy consumption.
Danby DDW631SDB Portable Dishwasher
Danby is one of the best countertop dishwasher manufacturers in today’s market. The DDW631SBD is no exception: it’s compact, powerful, and operates quietly. It has a 6-place setting capacity and is energy-efficient thanks to its Energy Star certification.
The DDW631SBD lets you choose between 8 wash settings: bottle, eco, glass, soak, quick, rinse, normal, and intensive. In addition, its LED display allows you to easily program and adjust the washing cycle. The interior of the machine is made of stainless steel for increased durability.
The programmable start function allows you to schedule an automatic start in 2, 4, 6, or 8 hours. Lastly, with a noise level of 54 dB, this dishwasher is particularly quiet.
Kapas KPS-XWJ01 Countertop Dishwasher
The Kapas KPS-XWJ01 Countertop Dishwasher is perfect for those without access to a faucet. The machine instead has a built-in 5-liter water tank that can be filled up before every use. If you do have an available faucet, the dishwasher can be hooked up to it as well.
Weighing just 26 lbs, the KPS-XWJ01 is lightweight and easy to transport. The LED control panel provides you with a clear overview of the washing cycle in progress and allows you to check the water level in the tank.
Several washing programs are available to suit your needs: standard, quick, intensive, eco, fruit, and dry. The front of the dishwasher is made of glass and lights up in use, which allows you to peek at the cleaning cycle in progress.
Ventray DW55AD Compact Dishwasher
The Ventray DW55AD Compact dishwasher is another great countertop dishwasher on the market. It weighs about 38 lbs, making it relatively easy to move around. It has a 58dB noise level, so it’s not too loud when operating.
The DW55AD has an LED screen and a panel with touch controls. You have the choice between 5 washing programs: eco, daily, intensive, fast wash, and glass. Its quick wash program is convenient as it takes just 35 minutes to complete the cycle.
Thanks to its 360° spray arm and water reaching a temperature of 70° C, the machine can remove even the most stubborn filth from your dishes. The DW55AD is particularly economical with a water consumption ranging from 5.5 to 6.9 liters depending on the wash setting.
Costway 10017-CYFP Portable Dishwasher
The Costway 10017-CYFP Portable Dishwasher is another stylish countertop dishwasher worth considering. It has a 6-place setting capacity and can wash up to 72 items at a time. The machine sanitizes your dishes and keeps them dry with a hot air fan for up to 72 hours.
The 10017-CYFP has five wash settings to choose from, depending on your needs. Its 360° rotating double spray arm offers impeccable cleaning, whatever the program selected. The machine is compact, durable, and easy to install. Despite its small size, the dishwasher still weighs 46 lbs.
How to Choose The Best Portable Dishwasher?
There are many factors to take into consideration when shopping for a portable dishwasher. The machine you buy will ultimately depend on your kitchen’s limitations and your washing requirements.
Dimensions
Before you start shopping around for a portable dishwasher, measure how much free space you have in your kitchen. Make sure that the dishwasher you buy fits snugly against your counter or wall to ensure stability. The goal is to find a dishwasher that fits perfectly in your kitchen and is spacious enough to wash your dishes in a single cycle (enough place settings).
Keep in mind that a portable dishwasher requires a nearby sink nearby, otherwise, you will have to connect extension hoses through your kitchen.
Noise Level
Modern dishwashers generally operate quietly, with a noise level close to 55 dB. This is equivalent to the noise emitted by an operating microwave. When making your choice, we recommend that you opt for the quietest dishwasher possible, with a maximum noise level of 60 dB. Beyond this limit, operating a portable dishwasher in a small home can be quite noisy.
Water & Energy Consumption
Dishwashers have been proven to use less water than washing dishes by hand. Although most models offer very similar water consumption, it’s best to opt for the one that consumes the least or has an eco-washing mode.
In terms of electricity consumption, look for a portable washing machine with the Energy Star label. This guarantees significant energy savings (around 30%) compared to models that don’t have this label.
What Are The Benefits of Portable Dishwashers?
Portable dishwashers are a convenient, affordable, and flexible alternative to standard dishwashers. They are a perfect option for small homes, RVs, or any kitchen with limited space. Below are the main benefits of buying a portable dishwasher.
Convenient for Small Kitchens & Small Households
Whether your kitchen is tiny, or you live alone, a compact portable dishwasher is a practical alternative to hand-washing your dishes every day. Not only are standard-sized dishwashers bulky, but they also take more time to fill up and require more water to complete a wash cycle.
Despite the small size of most portable dishwashers, they can still usually fit up to 6 place settings. This may not seem like much compared to the 12-place setting capacity of a standard dishwasher, but it is more than enough for a household of 1 to 3 people.
Save Water & Electricity
Compact dishwashers use slightly less water and electricity than their standard-sized counterparts. In general, they consume 9 to 10 liters of water per wash cycle, while a standard dishwasher consumes about 12 liters of water.
In all cases, a dishwasher consumes less water than washing your dishes by hand. Indeed, it is estimated that hand-washing your dishes can easily consume between 30 and 40 liters of water.
Easy to Move Around
Portable dishwashers are designed to have a compact design that adapts more easily to any space. Thanks to its smaller size and lighter weight, a portable dishwasher can easily be moved around to make more space in your kitchen. It can also be uninstalled and transported quite easily if you want to take it with you on an RV trip.
What Are The Disadvantages of Portable Dishwashers?
The main downside to portable dishwashers is actually their biggest advantage: size. Indeed, the small size of these dishwashers are not suitable for washing a large number of dishes in a single cycle. You may also have difficulty inserting your large plates or large dishes into certain models. Another potential downside is that you cannot use your kitchen sink while the dishwasher is operating. Considering that a cycle can take up to 2 hours, this can be annoying for certain people.
How to Install A Portable Dishwasher
Installing a portable dishwasher is generally an easy task, as long as you have a sink and an electrical outlet nearby.
In order to get your portable dishwasher up and running, connect the dishwasher’s water supply hose to your faucet and then connect its power plug to the nearest power outlet.
Most portable dishwashers on the market will come with adapters that allow you to connect your washer to any type of tap. A second hose will need to be placed in the sink or somewhere suitable for the evacuation of water from the machine.
How Use a Portable Dishwasher
Once your dishwasher is installed according to its user manual, the process of washing your dishes is similar to any standard dishwasher. Load up the machine, add some soap to the soap reservoir, select a wash setting, and then voilà.
We recommend keeping an eye on the washing machine during its first wash cycle to make sure there are no leaks.
