With a portable dishwasher or even a built-in dishwasher your efforts and time are saved washing, rinsing, towel drying, or air drying on a counter rack your plates, cups, pots, pans, skillets, knives, utensils, and other items.

With the many different models and colors available in the marketplace now, buying the top-rated dishwashers today might seem bewildering and confusing.

Most of the latest dishwashers do not offer a heating element inside the unit to dry your dishes. That method is costly, uses energy not needed, and you will save that when you simply open the door and let the dishes air dry.

My Buying Guide and portable dishwasher reviews will demystify your searching since I’ve done the research for you. Check out my dishwasher reviews for built-in units as well if that is what you need for yourself or for your family, your kitchen décor, and your lifestyle.

Portable or Built-in Dishwashers

While you’re cooking, you can load up items in your dishwasher to lessen the mess on your countertop and sink. After your meal, just fill up the dishwasher, and with a touch of a few buttons, you’re done.

Portable models today have the same features as a built-in dishwasher, yet there are pros and cons to each type.

ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant models accommodate persons with disabilities by keeping controls and buttons within arm’s length.

ENERGY STAR^® rated dishwashers are designed to do the same work as standard models, but they do not consume as much energy.

They use less electricity and less water and the newer models no longer have a heating element to dry dishes that consumes tons of electricity. Newer models do not heat water—more energy consumed when you can simply turn on your hot water in advance of using your dishwasher.

Built-in Dishwasher Advantages

• Operating Convenience because it’s built-in, means no moving about is required. With its own water connections, you can use your sink and water faucet when this dishwasher is running.

Limits with Built-in Dishwashers

• Installation is needed for plumbing and if you do not have a receptacle for the plug-in cord, it will need to be hardwired into an existing electrical wire.

• It is more complicated and might need a licensed plumber and electrician if you are incapable of doing it.

Portable Dishwasher Advantages

• Space Requirements are minimized with countertop dishwashers that can fit on top of your counter, a table, or a roll-around cart.

• Roll-Around dishwashers with wheels can be moved quickly and easily to your sink faucet then stored away in a laundry room, closet, or corner.

• Countertop and Roll-Around dishwashers are less expensive than permanent built-in models with the countertop units usually the cheapest.

• Portable means if you are a dorm student or renter that you can take these two types with you when you move.

Limits with Portable Dishwashers

• Sink use is minimized since you use the faucet to connect the hose to. To eliminate this, buy a splitter at the plumbing department in a hardware store and use your faucet at the same time.

Top 10 Best Built-in and Portable Dishwashers

1. hOme^®Labs Compact Countertop Dishwasher

 

The hOme^® countertop best portable dishwasher is a mini-size unit with all stainless-steel inside and white on the outside. The model HME010033N is perfect for a single person or small family and is Energy Star^® certified to save on your electric bill.

This is ideally convenient for an apartment, office break room, and condominiums. Your kids might even need this in their dorm room.

It will hold a 6-piece place setting in the rack and has a large silverware basket as well. Load up dirty dishes while cooking and after dinner and let it run.

Choose from 6 wash cycles of normal, eco, glass, speed, and rinse for the dishes you are cleaning. You can use the delay button to run it when it’s the best time for you.

Fill the soap dispenser and use the rinse-aid dispenser for streak-free dry dishes. I happen to like Finish^® Jet Dry. The dishwasher will let you know when it’s time to refill the dispenser with its indicator light. A little goes a long way and lasts many months.

The countertop dishwasher is 17.2-inches tall x 19.6-inches deep x 21.6-inches left to right in front. It weighs 41.3-pounds and the hose is 64-inches long.

You will receive everything you need including a male/female thread connector. Special adapters can be purchased separately for any particular faucet.

It will run from 24- to 100-minutes depending on the cycle mode you use for washing your 10-inch dinner plates, pots, and pans.

You won’t need any tools. It has a quick connect assembly with accessories including inlet and drain hose and a faucet adapter for water lines that are compatible with round-shaped faucet outlets with removable aerators, and 55/64-inch 27 male or 15/16-inch 27 female threads underneath.

With its built-in hot water heater, you can use cold water if you want.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is 110-Watts. It is not 220-Volts.

Specifications:

• Water pressure: 6-145 PSI
• Hot water connection: 120-degrees F.
• Drain tube: 5-feet long

You can use this in your RV or boat and with well water if your water pressure is the correct PSI.

Includes:

• Cup rack
• Detergent dispenser
• Cutlery basket
• Spray arms
• Filter
• Rinse-aid
• Drain pipe connector
• Dispenser inlet pipe connector

It comes with a User’s Manual, a 2-year Warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee with no questions asked.

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2. SPT^® Full Console Countertop Dishwasher

The SPT^® is made by Sunpentown International of California. The affordable best dishwasher item model number SD-2201W is white outside with a stainless-steel interior and spray arm. It’s also available in stainless-steel for the housing outside, model number SD-2201-S. This Amazon Choice best portable dishwasher is perfect for home, offices, dorms, and any place you have the water pressure to run it.

Select from 6 wash cycles of heavy, normal, light, glass, speed, and soak. It has an automatic detergent and rinse-agent dispenser in the door inside.

The utensils basket is large and the dish rack will hold up to 6 standard place settings, glasses, cups, and small pots and pans. The controls are on the front of the door and are push button.

You will receive a faucet adapter for a simple and fast connection to its hose.

The dishwasher measures 21-2/3-inches wide x 19-7/10-inches deep x 17-1/4-inches tall. The net weight is 48.5-pounds and the gross weight is 58-pounds. The hoses are 4.5-feet.

The noise level is only 55 dB and the water temperature gets up to 148-degrees F. The unit uses a 5-Amp heater to heat the water so that you can use cold water; however, it’s best to use hot water and let it run first before turning on the dishwasher.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. The input/element is 680-Watts/600-Watts. The energy consumption is 220-kWh per year and the water consumption on the normal cycle is 3.8-gallons (14.5-liters).

It comes with a User’s Manual and a 1-year Warranty for faulty materials or workmanship from the date of purchase free of charge.

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3. EdgeStar^® Portable Countertop Dishwasher

The EdgeStar^® model DWP62SV, 6-place setting Energy Star^® rated countertop dishwasher, is an Amazon Choice best portable dishwasher in black, silver and white. It is affordable and has many great features for a small dishwasher.

With its dish rack, cup shelf, and utensils basket, it holds up to a 6-piece place setting with 7 wash cycles of heavy, normal, light, glass, baby care, speed, and rinse.

The inside of the door has the detergent and rise-aid dispensers.

You can put 10.5-inch diameter plates inside and the unit has an LED digital display panel on the door front and a child lock-out function with a delayed start feature to wash dishes when you want.

It does not dry, but when you open the door, the air dries dishes quickly saving your energy.

The interior is stainless-steel and it uses a quick connect adapter to fit standard kitchen faucets removing the aerator. The inlet water is 120-degrees F. With its internal water heater and the heavy wash cycle, you will eliminate germs and bacteria by boosting water temperature up to 149-degrees F.

Using only 2.85-gallons of hot water on the normal cycle, it is energy efficient. The noise level is 52.3 dB. It comes with an input and drain hose of about 3-feet.

The measurements are 17-1/4-inches high x 21-11/16-inches wide x 19-11/16-inches deep to see if it will fit your countertop. It weighs 44-pounds.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. The power is 1160-Watts and 5.72-Amps.

The energy consumption is 220-kWh per year and the water consumption on the normal cycle is 3.8-gallons (14.5-liters).

You will receive a User’s Manual and a 1-year Warranty on parts and 90-days on labor.

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4. SPT^® Portable Roll-Around Dishwasher, 18-Inches Wide

The SPT^® model SD-9241W Energy Star^® rated roll-around dishwasher is for those with larger families wanting more inside dishwashing space yet not permanently installed due to cabinet configurations or kitchen design. Being Amazon’s Choice dishwasher, it offers many features and functions being a top best roll-around dishwasher.

With its roomy inside, you can put in 8 standard place settings. The interior is stainless-steel and the outside is white. Water temperature is 154-degrees F., the control panel is easy to understand, and it has quick connect faucet adapters to any kitchen faucet.

The display panel has an error alarm with fault codes and you can delay starting the loaded dishwasher from 1- to 24-hours.

You do not need to use the rinse-aid, but it does make glass sparkle with no water spots or lines. The indicator reminds you when it needs filling. The soap dispenser is also located on the inside front door next to the rinse-aid dispenser.

With 6 wash programs of all-in-1, normal, light, heavy, rinse, and speed, select what you need for what is loaded inside.

The upper basket is adjustable for you to put in larger pots, dinnerware, and more tall items.

Note: The SPT^® faucet adapter fits standard-sized aerator openings for both male and female connections. Size: male 15/16-inch, female 55/64-inch. As long as your faucet has a removable aerator, it should be able to connect the faucet adapter.

Water consumption on the normal cycle is 3.65-gallons and the power used is 1104-Watts at 55 dB noise level. The energy consumption is 295-kWh per year.

The drain tube is 3-feet long. Roll your dishwasher with plastic wheels to your sink and your dishes will be clean in about 1-hour and 50-minutes.

The dimensions are 17.72-inches wide x 25.98-inches deep x 36.02-inches tall. The depth with the door fully open is 49-inches for checking your space. The dishwasher weighs 136.7-pounds.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong 5-foot grounded cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts.

It does not have a dryer heater inside that uses more electricity. I open my door and the hot steam and kitchen air dries the dishes quickly. I let mine dry overnight and put away the next morning.

With its built-in hot water heater, I recommend not using it and turning your hot water faucet on until it’s hot. The heater inside makes the water so hot that it might melt any paint on special items you have.

If you need more information now, read the User’s Manual before you buy.

It comes with a User’s Manual and a 1-year Warranty for faulty materials or workmanship from the date of purchase free of charge.

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5. Ivation^™ Portable Countertop Dishwasher

The Ivation^™ is a small compact countertop dishwasher for an apartment, condo, RV, office kitchen, and other small kitchens in black or white with stainless-steel inside. The model number IVADWCTBK is a best-selling unit on Amazon.com^® and is affordably priced.

The inside will hold 6 each standard place settings using its sliding dish rack, utensils basket, and cup rack.

You’ll have heavy-duty performance with its spray arm for water with a hot water temperature up to 148-degrees F.

The simple touch button controls, automatic detergent and rinse-agent dispensers are inside the door. You’ll have 6 wash cycles to choose from with varying water strength for heavy, normal, eco, glass, speed, and rinse.

It measures 17.25-inches tall x 21.50-inches wide x 20-inches deep for sitting on your countertop, in between cabinets, or on a rolling cart.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. It is 5.72-Amps and the annual kWh are 203.

You will receive 1 faucet adapter, 3-foot hose and connection, and 1 drain 3-foot hose and connection. The water pressure is 0.04-1.0 MPa.

It does not have a heating element, so crack the door open to air dry and save electricity while doing so. Turn your hot water on before using the dishwasher for the best hot water.

Gift-wrapping is available for your kids at college or someone you love. You will receive the hoses, faucet adapter, and a User’s Manual with the Warranty information in the back.

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6. Ensue Portable Countertop Dishwasher

The Ensue, model number 99830 is available in silver or white, but not black. The best portable compact dishwasher unit will sit on most kitchen countertops, table, or a movable cart. It’s inexpensive and Energy Star^® certified to save on your water and electric bills so that electricity will be $17 saving you about $25 each year annually using 203 kWh a year.

This compact unit is perfect for small apartments, small kitchens, dorm rooms, RVs, and office kitchens. The dishwasher holds standard 10.50-inch diameter plates without a problem.

With its 6 dishwashing cycles of heavy, normal, light, mini-party, rinse, and speed, you’ll select what you need for the dirty dishes you’ve loaded inside.

The Water consumption on the normal cycle is 2.85-gallons (10.8-liters). The water pressure is 0.04 to 1.0 MPa. The hoses are 5-feet long.

The inside door has the automatic detergent and rinse-agent dispensers. The inside is made of stainless-steel and the outside is plastic.

The noise level is 55 dB so that you can carry on a conversation while it’s running with no problem.

The measurements are 17.24-inches tall x 21.65-inches wide x 19.69-inches deep and weighs about 30-pounds.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded 5-foot cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. The input is 684/600-Watts.

There is no heating element. Just crack the door and it will dry the dishes with the hot steam and air from your room. Do it while you sleep and put the dishes away in the morning.

Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. See Proposition 65 at https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/ for Californians.

You will receive the adapters for your faucet, dishrack, and utensils basket plus User’s Manual.

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7. Danby^® Countertop Dishwasher

The Danby^®, model number DDW621WDB countertop dishwasher in white only is Energy Star^® rated to save you money on your utilities. This is inexpensive to buy and energy efficient being one of the best portable dishwashers available today.

Quick connect to any kitchen faucet with the adapters included with the input/output hoses. It uses only 3.1-gallons (11.7-liters) of water during the normal wash cycle. It has a timer delay mode and the inside of the tub is stainless-steel.

The new model is quieter at only 52 dB. This model does not warm up the water; there is no heating element. You should turn your hot water faucet on unit it’s very hot to use hot water. Please note that using only cold water will extend the time for each cycle.

The electronic with LED light controls display 6 wash cycles of soak, glass, rapid, economy, normal, and intensive. It has the automatic detergent and rinse-agent dispensers on the inside of the door.

Fitting under most kitchen top cabinets, it will hold 6 place settings with a plate diameter of 10-inches. Tilt the plates if a little wider to fit.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded 6-foot cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. It is 680-Watts.

The dimensions are 21.65-inches wide x 19.69-inches deep x 17.24-inches tall. It weighs 46.30-pounds.

California residents click here for Proposition 65 warning

You will get the 2 hoses, adapter, User’s Manual, and a 12-month Warranty on parts and labor.

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8. Magic Chef^® Countertop Dishwasher

The Magic Chef^® best dishwasher brand has been around for decades. With this compact countertop dishwasher, model MCSCD6W3, holding 6 place setting pieces, a stainless-steel interior and a white hard durable plastic housing, you will be on your way to clean dishes in no time.

It comes with 6 wash cycles to include heavy, normal, light, speed, glass, rinse, and a quick wash cycle. A good feature is the floating switch anti-flood device. A basket is included for cutlery, and cups have their own rack.

The bottom rack is as big as a full-size dishwasher to hold pots, pans, and 10.5-inch plates. There is no top rack making this hold many larger items.

The start function can be delayed between 1- and 24-hours for your convenience.

The LED display control panel and Energy Star^® rated at 204 kWh will save you money on your electric bill each month. It’s quiet at 52 dB.

Residual drying means there is no heating element and that you let the hot dishes air dry having the door cocked open.

It holds 6 place settings and has the detergent and rinse-aid dispensers on the inside of the door. The rinse-aid light comes on to let you know to refill it.

This is the perfect size small dishwasher for small kitchens, apartments, condos, dorms, RVs, and office lunchrooms.

The quick setup system with 70-inch inlet hose and 47-inch outlet hose gets you up and running in about 5-minutes. Water temp should be 120- to 150-degrees F. Check your hot water tank; 123 is best for washing dishes. Water pressure should be between 0.03 to 1.00 Mpa.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded 6-foot cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. It is 680-Watts.

The dimensions are 21.65-inches wide x 20.4-inches deep x 17.24-inches tall. It weighs 49.50-pounds.

You will receive a User’s Manual and a 1-year Warranty for parts and labor.

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Magic Chef^® information video.

9. BOSCH Ascenta^® Built-in Dishwasher, 24-Inches Wide

The BOSCH permanently installed into a counter next to the sink is the best built-in dishwasher with a 24-inch bar handle for opening. The model number SHX3AR75UC is a stainless-steel outside finish and tall tub with polypropylene bottom for durability and a fully integrated control panel on the top inside door.

It’s the quietest at 50 dB and comes with a 24/7 Overflow Protection System^® to help prevent water leaks. The self-latching door stays put and latches with ease.

With BOSCH PrecisionWash^™, intelligent sensors continually scan and check the progress of dishes throughout the cycle, and powerful, precision spray arms go to work targeting every item of every load.

The Sanitize option eliminates bacteria and enhances drying results. It comes with 6 wash cycles and 2 options with a delicate cycle for fine China and stemmed glasses. Delay washing can be done for your dishes for 3-, 6-, or 9-hours. Additionally, you can use the Express wash for completion in about 30-minutes.

This dishwasher saves you up to 280-gallons of water each year. It does not have a heating element to save you energy. It’s Energy Star^® rated using only 269 kWh each year. It also saves water by 69% and reduces energy usage by up to 20% with its EcoSense^™ technology.

It dries quickly by just opening the door a few inches using no heating element, a former standard to not be used on most dishwashers today to save energy.

Holding a 14-piece place setting, having a long utensils/cutlery basket, and an adjustable upper rack, this unit gives you all the conveniences anyone could want.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded 6-foot cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. It is 1440-Watts and 12-Amps. You can hardwire it directly.

The dimensions are 33-7/8-inches tall x 23-9/16-inches wide x 22-9/16-inches deep and weighs 78-pounds.

It comes with a User’s Manual and a 1-year Limited warranty on the entire appliance, parts, and labor.

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BOSCH Ascenta^® demo video.

10. Frigidaire^® Build-in Dishwasher, 18-Inches Wide

The Frigidaire^® is one of the best built-in dishwashers, model FFBD1821MS in the 18-inch size, and is perfect for a smaller kitchen or narrower cabinet configurations, a single person or small family. This is a #1 best seller on Amazon and comes in black with silver or solid white.

The digital control panel lets you choose your mode of heavy, normal, light, china/crystal, energy saver, and rinse. There is no heating element to dry your dishes. I have a dishwasher with heat dry, disable it, and never use it since it’s too hot, melts plastic, and costs a fortune to run. Just open the door and let it air dry.

The inside door has the soap and rinse-aid dispenser.

The filter is removable to clean, but if you rinse big bits and pieces off your dishes, you won’t need to clean it.

It is Energy Star^® certified and ADA compliant. The water usage is 3.96 gallons with a quiet noise level of 55 dB. You can delay the start from 2- to 4-hours.

The legs are adjustable to fit up to your countertop bottom. The power supply connection is on the right.

Plug the UL^® listed 3-prong grounded 6-foot cord into a North American 110/120-Volt, 50/60-Hz outlet. It is not 220-Volts. It is 8.5-Amps. You can hardwire it directly.

The unit measures 17-5/8- to 18-inches wide x 22.5-inches deep (with door 90° open 45.5-inches) x 32-1/2- to 35-1/4-inches tall (using adjustable feet). It weighs 65-pounds.

It comes with a User’s Manual and a 1-year Limited Warranty on the entire appliance, parts, and labor.

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Tips Using Your Dishwasher

• It’s best to use gel or liquid detergents rather than powdered ones so not to clog up inside the dispenser.
• It is not necessary to use a rinse-aid, but that will remove water spots and hard water stains.
• Dishwashers do not have built-in food disposals so it’s a good idea to rinse your dishes and pots well so not to have to remove and clean the filter.
• Do not use extension cords! Have a licensed electrician customize your cord. You will need a 15-Amp breaker for the 110-Volt dishwashers.
• Don’t overload your dishwasher. Dishes won’t get clean layered over one another.
• Always run your hot water before starting the dishwasher; it will not clean with cold. In winter, it will take longer for the hot water to get hot at the faucet.
• Don’t use a light short cycle if your dishes are grimy because they won’t get clean and you’ll have to start over again using more water.
• If your dishwasher soap contains a rinse-aid, there’s no need to add another rinse-aid.
• To clean a dirty dishwasher and have it smell better, just put a cup of distilled clear vinegar in the bottom and let it run a normal cycle.
• Once a month, wash the rubber seals and lid areas inside with detergent and dry.
• Be sure your hot water heater is set at 120- to 125-degrees F. Most new hot water heaters that are not digital are factory set at 123-degrees F. I had to get a new one, so now I know.
• Never use liquid dish detergent in your dishwasher; it will over suds, run all over the floor and you will have a mess to clean up.
• For large pots and pans, hand wash them in the sink as you did before you had your dishwasher.
• Plastic items should be placed on the top rack.
• Wash your dish sponge and pot cleaning brushes in the utensil section for a clean bacteria-free item.
• Save energy and soap by running only a full load.
• If you have a garbage disposal, run it to clear out the drain so nothing gets back into the dishwasher.
• Do not put Teflon^® coated, ceramic cookware, or aluminum cookie sheets in your dishwasher.

How to Load a Dishwashers video.

10 AWESOME DISHWASHER TIPS! How to Wash Dishes and Silverware the Fast and Easy Way video.

Final Thoughts

The best rated dishwashers have been evaluated here for your convenience when shopping online. Amazon.com^® offers the best prices, deals, and shipping options.

Leave your questions and/or comments below and I will reply to each of you. Happy shopping!