6 Best Countertop Dishwashers, According to Cleaning Experts

This fully-featured Danby countertop dishwasher, with LED display and uncluttered controls, comes as close to the look and feel of a built-in dishwasher as a compact model can. Like other countertop models, it has multiple wash cycles, cup shelves, a flatware basket and holds six place settings, but there's more.

Danby has a long-standing reputation in compact appliances such as mini-fridges, microwaves and more. Specialty settings on this model include an eco cycle to save energy, a "mini-party" setting to refresh glassware in 20 minutes and a "baby care" cycle with an extra-hot rinse to sanitize dirty bottles. One reviewer raved, "It was really easy to install, even easier to operate and leaves my dishes perfectly clean, even the greasy ones." Impressive extras include a child lock on the controls and programs for extra drying, extra cleaning and express washing. Though the controls use symbols instead of words, they seem to be easy to decipher.

Similar to our Best Overall countertop dishwasher pick, we went back to Danby for our best value model. It has a white plastic finish rather than the silver of its more expensive counterpart, and it makes use of push buttons rather than an LED display. But even at this affordable price, it doesn't skimp on options.

It offers six wash cycles from intense to soak plus a two-, four-, or eight-hour delay wash option and a high-temperature boost to do a better job on cookware or especially dirty items. A light on the control panel conveniently tells you when it's time to add more rinse aid. Fold-down cup shelves and a removable flatware basket add to its loading flexibility, making it the perfect fit for small households. One online reviewer said, " There are only two of us and I will never go back to a full size dishwasher again."

This countertop unit from Comfee' is on the smaller side with a recommended capacity of two place settings, but what it sacrifices in size it makes up for in cleaning quality.

This unit's clearly labeled cycles and straightforward controls make it a breeze to use. The timer screen which displays the minutes remaining on the cycle is also a nice touch. Our Lab tests showed that this model does a great job at cleaning up dirty dishes, and our dishes were always completely dry when the cycle was finished. The model provides four different cycle options for cleaning your dishes. Like many other countertop units, it also offers a separate, short cycle for washing fruits and vegetables. The shortest cycle on this unit is 40 minutes, so this model is not much help when you are in a rush.

With a compact footprint of 17 x 17 x 18 inches, the Hava holds up to four place settings. Though smaller in capacity than some, it's an ideal choice for one- or two-person households and those living in small apartments where counter space is at a premium.

It features both bottom and top spray arms for all-around cleaning and comes with two 61-inch hoses; one drains directly into the sink and the other connects to a faucet. If a faucet hookup is not available or desired, we like that it offers you the option to manually fill the five-liter water tank with the pitcher that's included. The Hava features four wash cycles, and each is automatically followed by a 60-minute dry cycle, one fold-down cup shelf and a flatware basket. There's even a fruit cycle that rinses produce when used with the included basket.

This mini appliance has a cycle that — according to company literature — offers a very high-temperature final rinse so it's ideal for baby bottles or sanitizing eating utensils, food prep items or even pet bowls. A test sample of the Hava was sent to one of our GH staffers who praised it for performance. She also found the fruit cycle especially helpful and loading it turned into a fun activity with her daughter who found the dishwashing action mesmerizing to watch through the large window.

At only 52 decibels, this Magic Chef is one of the quietest countertop models we found, a real plus in small kitchens and tiny apartments. (For reference, other brands report decibel levels of 55 or higher, and the quietest full-size dishwashers are usually around 40 decibels.) At almost 22 inches, this Magic Chef is among the deepest countertop models we recommend, so be sure to measure your counter space before you buy.

That said, it sports many of the amenities found on a full-size dishwasher. A separate flatware basket and two flip-down cup shelves help it hold up to six place settings. The six wash programs here include everything from intense wash to rinse only, plus there's a 24-hour delay wash option that adjusts in one-hour increments to better match the dishwasher's schedule to yours to keep noise to a minimum, take advantage of lower off-peak utility rates and avoid using water when doing laundry or family members are showering.

The Loch Capsule is a stylish dishwasher that prides itself on its portability and small footprint, and a handle at the top of the unit makes it easy to tote from place to place.

Measuring out to 10 inches wide and 20 inches deep, the Capsule is the perfect choice for those with limited counter space. Despite its narrowness, this machine's height allows it to fit large dishes like baking sheets that often don't fit in other countertop units. This model faired well in our performance tests, efficiently removing grease and tough soils like lipstick and baked-on food. It offers six different cycle lengths for washing dishes, with the bonus of cycles for washing fruit and the ability to sanitize with UV light. The capsule's small footprint comes at a cost though. The unit can only fit two place settings, so it is a better choice for small households.