Best tabletop dishwashers 2024: compact cleaning for small kitchens
Would you love to have a dishwasher but are short on space in your kitchen? Here are the best compact tabletop dishwashers to add to your countertop, as recommended by Mumsnet users.
By Lucy Cotterill | Last updated Jul 18, 2024
The best dishwasher can certainly take the stress out of washing up, but if your kitchen is on the small side, you may struggle to even accommodate a slimline dishwasher in the limited space you have available.
While you will find significantly less choice of brands and models to choose from than a standard freestanding or integrated dishwasher, a tabletop style can make a great solution for your kitchen. These small, compact appliances are installed on top of your counters, accommodating small loads of pots and plates without needing to sacrifice one of your kitchen cupboards. There's also no need to bend down to physically load and empty them, so tabletop dishwashers are a great choice for those with more limited mobility, as they can be used more conveniently at standing height.
To bring you our pick of the best tabletop dishwashers you can buy today, we sought out tried-and-tested feedback from Mumsnet users, analysing recommendations for the compact dishwashers they have used in their own homes and would happily suggest to others. We then combined our investigations from the Mumsnet forums with wider consumer research and the views of leading industry experts, so we’re confident we’ve found the best tabletop dishwasher for your home, whatever your needs or budget.
Bosch Series 4 Freestanding Compact Dishwasher SKS62E32EU
Relatively quiet for a tabletop design
Suitable for small families
Easy-to-read LED display showing time remaining
Convenient auto programme
Choice of six programmes including extra dry and glass 40°C
Delay function (three, six or 24 hours)
Needs to be installed by a plumber
Pricey
Price on writing: £549 | Capacity: 6 place settings | Energy rating: F | Dimensions: H45 x W55.1 x D50cm | Weight: 21.3kg | Noise levels: 49dB
While plumber installation is recommended, this Bosch Series 4 Compact Dishwasher is a great all-rounder for small kitchens, boasting glowing reviews from Mumsnet users and consumers alike.
Offering capacity for up to six place settings, this compact yet spacious dishwasher is well suited to small families. While some freestanding compact designs can be noisy, this tabletop Bosch dishwasher comes with EcoSilence - a brushless, energy-saving motor that runs relatively quietly for this type of model, producing a volume of 49dB during the cycle.
There is a range of programmes to choose from - including a glassware cycle to protect your wine glasses and stemware, an extra dry cycle so things like Tupperware aren't left with water droplets, and a convenient quick wash for those days when you’re really in a hurry.
Alternatively, you can opt for the auto programme, which adjusts the cycle automatically depending on the volume of dishes and how dirty the load is, so you’ll only use the amount of water and energy you need. Thanks to the LED display, you can clearly see how long is remaining on the programme, leaving you free to go about your day.
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Cookology CTTD6 Compact Mini Portable Tabletop Dishwasher
Rapid 30-minute wash
Seven programmes including eco wash for reduced water and energy consumption
No plumbing required (can be fitted to a kitchen tap)
Six place settings
Stylish silver design with touch panel controls
Visual reminders when it is time to replace the rinse aid and salt
May struggle to accommodate larger plate sizes
The eco cycle is long (around three hours)
Adapter required to use with a kitchen tap
Price on writing: £200 | Capacity: 6 place settings | Energy rating: F | Dimensions: 50 x 55 x 43.8 cm | Weight: 20kg | Noise levels: 49dB
A small and compact countertop dishwasher, available in a choice of three colourways (silver, black or white), the Cookology CTTD6 offers an affordable and portable way to add a dishwasher to your kitchen or caravan.
It can be installed in two ways - either by plumbing under your kitchen sink or simply connecting to your kitchen tap with the waste water running down the drain. You will need a separate adapter to do the latter, however, so it’s worth factoring that into the price.
With an easy-to-use touch panel and enough space for up to six place settings, the Cookology CTTD6 is well suited to small households, although some reviewers struggled to accommodate larger dinner plates due to the dishwasher’s limited height.
There are seven programmes to choose from, including an intense wash for heavily soiled contents and a convenient ‘rapid 30’ quick wash, making after-dinner clean-ups a doddle. The three-hour eco cycle may be lengthy, but it is the most energy-efficient setting if you’re looking to consume less water and energy.
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The door opens automatically at the end of the cycle
30-minute quick cycle
Easy-to-use touch panel
The glass front allows visibility of the contents
Range of six programmes including baby care cycle for bottles
Easy to install using drain hose included
Only holds two place settings so best suited to solo users/infrequent use
Only fits plates of up to 24cm in height
Not very efficient
Fairly noisy
Price on writing: £255 | Capacity: 2 place settings | Energy rating: G | Dimensions: D42 x W44 x H44 cm | Weight: 14kg | Noise levels: 58dB
Accommodating just two place settings and plates up to 24cm in height, the Klarstein Amazonia Table Top Dishwasher may be small, but it’s certainly mighty, with a portable, compact design offering impressive cleaning results. Easy to use without installation or plumbing required, it uses a refillable water tank and waste water flows into your sink using the drain hose included.
With a choice of six programmes, you can easily tailor the wash to your contents, including a 30-minute quick wash and cycles suitable for cleaning baby bottles and glassware.
We love the glass-fronted door that provides clear visibility of your contents, and as the door opens automatically at the end of the cycle, your dishes dry quickly after each wash, reducing the need for a wipe-over with your best tea towels.
No installation needed - uses a six-litre water tank
LED digital controls
Viewing window
The door automatically opens at the end of the cycle
High-temperature hygiene cycle ideal for baby bottles
29-minute quick wash
One to 24 hour delay start
Noisy
Price on writing: £240 | Capacity: 3 place settings | Energy rating: F | Dimensions: 43.5D x 42W x 46.8H cm | Weight: 14.5kg | Noise levels: 58dB
If you’re really short on space, the compact COMFEE' Mini Plus Dishwasher could be a great solution, with a tiny footprint suitable for even the smallest of kitchens. It’s a little noisier than some compact models, but with no water hookup required, it’s super easy to use. Simply fill the internal six-litre water tank and allow the generated wastewater to drain into your sink or a bucket.
Despite its small size, the COMFEE’ is surprisingly spacious, accommodating up to three place settings and plates of up to 27cm - a greater height than many other compact tabletop appliances. We love how the raised utensil rack allows convenient cleaning of your cutlery without taking up valuable shelf space, and with a viewing window, you can keep an eye on the contents during the cycle.
There is a range of programmes to choose from, including a super fast 29-minute quick wash and a high-temperature hygiene cycle, ideal for sterilising baby bottles. The door opens automatically at the end of the cycle for impressive drying results, so you won’t need to pop your dishes on a drying rack before you stow them away.
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Six place settings
29-minute quick cycle
Intensive cycle for dried-on food and stains
Delay timer up to eight hours
Built-in tank (can be used without plumbing)
Fairly quiet for a compact design
Maximum plate size is 25.8cm
Price on writing: £220 | Capacity: 6 place settings | Energy rating: F | Dimensions: 50D x 55W x 43.8H cm | Weight: 21kg | Noise levels: 49dB
If you’re looking for value for money, this electriQ Table Top Dishwasher makes a great option for compact kitchens. Despite its relatively affordable price tag, it offers capacity for up to six place settings (around 66 pieces) making it ideal for small to medium households. While plate sizes are limited, its spacious layout includes a cutlery basket and glass supports that prevent them from moving around during the wash.
With a built-in water tank, it’s quick and easy to set up without plumbed installation. You can use this design on your countertop, draining wastewater into the sink or opt to install it as an integrated model if you prefer.
There are six programmes to choose from, including a 29-minute quick wash cycle and an intensive setting to tackle more stubborn, dried-on food stains. You can even set a delay timer to start the cycle up to eight hours later - a useful tactic if you want to benefit from off-peak energy prices.
Eco cycle
Modern design in a choice of three colours
Rapid 30-minute quick cycle
Relatively quiet running volumes
Up to six place settings
Affordable price tag
Maximum 25cm plate size
Cutlery drawer takes up a lot of space
Wider footprint than some of the other models above
Price on writing: £239 | Capacity: 6 place settings | Energy rating: F | Dimensions: 50 x 55 x 44 cm | Weight: 20kg | Noise levels: 49dB
If you are keen to maintain a seamless aesthetic, the Russell Hobbs RHTTTDW6B Dishwasher comes in a choice of three colourways, with a stylish design that won’t look out of place amongst your other freestanding appliances. We love the relatively quiet running volume, making it a discreet and welcome addition to an open-plan kitchen.
It does require some basic plumbing using a cold water connection, but if you want to keep it portable, you can simply connect this to your kitchen tap with an extension cable and allow the wastewater to drain into your sink.
Whilst its overall footprint is larger than some of our best tabletop dishwasher picks above, this design can accommodate up to six place settings. However, it is worth noting that the maximum plate size is 25cm and the cutlery tray does take up a fair bit of space due to its central location.
With a choice of six programmes, including an eco and quick wash cycle, you can easily tailor the wash to suit your contents, and it also features an intensive high-temperature cycle to tackle the dirtiest of dishes.
What is a tabletop dishwasher?
Unlike traditional freestanding, integrated or slimline dishwashers, tabletop dishwashers are compact appliances that are designed to sit on top of your kitchen countertops. While they generally have a lower capacity than traditional dishwashers, they are well suited to those with smaller kitchens or reduced mobility, as you can load and unload at standing height.
How big is a tabletop dishwasher?
While the individual dimensions will vary from one brand to the next, most countertop dishwashers can accommodate between four and six place settings. This is around half the capacity of a slimline dishwasher (which has around nine to ten place settings) and significantly less than a full-sized dishwasher (between 12 to 15 place settings).
With just one rack inside rather than the two you’d find in a full-sized dishwasher, tabletop dishwashers tend to be around 45cm in height.
How much does a countertop dishwasher cost to run?
According to Which?, countertop dishwashers cost between £28 and £43 a year to run, which is cheaper than running a full-sized dishwasher. That said, when you consider the small capacity of these compact models, the cost per place setting is actually significantly more.
What to look for in a countertop dishwasher
Here are some things you may want to consider when choosing the right tabletop dishwasher for your needs:
No of place settings: How much space do you need your dishwasher to accommodate? Tabletop dishwashers are substantially smaller than full-size and slimline models, accommodating between two and six place settings as standard. If you are a larger family, you may need to opt for a model with six place settings or you will need to run it more regularly.
Eco cycle: Whilst tabletop dishwashers aren’t generally as energy efficient as full-sized appliances, most have an eco cycle to save water and energy consumption. They may take longer to clean as a result, but they are a better and more energy-efficient way to run your dishwasher.
Number of programmes: How many programmes does the dishwasher have? Is there a quick wash option for when you are short on time?
Style and design: How visually pleasing is the dishwasher? Is there a choice of colour options to help match your kitchen design? You may also want to consider the overall dimensions if you’re planning to sit it on your kitchen countertops, as some designs have a bigger footprint than others.
Do I need to plumb a table top dishwasher into the water supply?
Some tabletop dishwashers come with an internal water tank and do not need to be connected to a separate water supply. Instead, simply place the outlet hose into the sink to drain wastewater.
Other tabletop dishwashers require a cold water source, which is either plumbed in or can be connected to your cold water tap using an extension.
Each appliance may vary in terms of its connection requirements - some come with inlet pipes included, whilst others require a separate purchase. We recommend you check the full product specifications and consider the logistics of your kitchen before selecting your choice.
How we chose the best tabletop dishwashers
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
To bring you our definitive list of the best compact dishwashers you can buy today, we first sought the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, getting their feedback on the tabletop dishwashers that they rate, recommend and use in their own homes.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsnet users highlighted products that they felt were overpriced, difficult to install or simply failed to restore dishes to their former glory.
Expert opinions
Next up, we considered reviews and feedback from trusted industry experts. We want to be confident that the countertop dishwashers we recommend are fit for purpose, so we looked out for award-winning products or those that were well regarded in the marketplace.
Verified customer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best tabletop dishwashers on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth consumer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, John Lewis and Appliances Direct.
About the author
Lucy Cotterill is a mum of two and a Content Writer at Mumsnet, specialising in parenting and lifestyle product reviews and round-ups. Having written product reviews on her own blog Real Mum Reviews since 2012, Lucy has extensive experience researching and exploring the pros and cons of best buys, scrutinising expert guidance and consumer feedback to help people make informed purchase decisions.
Having recently bought her first-ever slimline dishwasher in 2022, Lucy knows only too well the benefits that a clean and high-performing dishwasher can bring when juggling family life. Lucy's also written several Mumsnet round-ups of top home appliances, including the best budget dishwashers, the quietest dishwashers and the most energy-efficient dishwashers.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.
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