small households
Best Countertop Dishwashers for Small Households
Countertop dishwashers for small households sized for one or two people, where a 2 place setting tank model run daily beats a half-empty hookup unit.
Our top picks at a glance
Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher FDW05ASBWHA
Renters who want no hookup and extra modes for bottles and produce.
HAVA R01 Countertop Dishwasher
Couples who want a tank model with a dedicated dry mode.
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with Water Tank
Singles, dorms, and offices where a small no-hookup unit covers cups and plates.
The short answer
Most small households should pick a tank model, led by the Farberware FDW05ASBWHA. Step up to the Danby DDW621WDB only if you regularly cook multi-pan meals.
The picks, ranked
| Pick | Capacity | Wash Cycles | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher FDW05ASBWHABest for Couples | 2 place settings | 5 cycles | 36.4 lbs | Check price |
| 2HAVA R01 Countertop DishwasherBest Drying for Couples | 2 place settings | 5 cycles | 28.7 lbs | Check price |
| 3Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with Water TankBest for Singles | 2 place settings | 5 cycles | 26.5 lbs | Check price |
| 4Danby DDW621WDB Countertop DishwasherBest if You Cook Often | 6 place settings | 6 cycles | 46.3 lbs | Check price |
Best for Couples
Farberware Complete Portable Countertop Dishwasher FDW05ASBWHA
Tank model with a built-in 5 liter reservoir, baby care, and fruit wash modes.
Two place settings match a couple's daily dishes, and the tank avoids tying up the faucet in a small kitchen.
Strengths
- Built-in 5 liter water tank needs no hookup
- Can also connect to a faucet when convenient
- Baby care and fruit wash cycles beyond standard modes
- Compact footprint for a tank model
Limitations
- Holds about 2 place settings, far less than hookup models
- Tank needs refilling for consecutive loads
- Drying is fan assisted rather than heated
| Capacity | 2 place settings |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.5 x 17.1 x 17.1 inches |
| Weight | 36.4 lbs |
| Wash Cycles | 5 cycles |
| Warranty | 1 year |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the freedom to place it anywhere near an outlet
- Recurring praise for the baby care cycle from new parents
- Many owners say it handles a couple's daily dishes well
- Owners value not needing a landlord approved installation
Common complaints
- Complaints that capacity is smaller than photos suggest
- Some owners tire of refilling the tank
- Occasional complaints about items staying damp without the door opened
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Farberware official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Renters who want no hookup and extra modes for bottles and produce.
Skip if: Skip if you regularly wash full place settings for four or more people.
Best Drying for Couples
HAVA R01 Countertop Dishwasher
Tank dishwasher with five modes and a dry cycle aimed at couples in small apartments.
The dedicated dry mode matters when a small household runs one load at night and wants dry dishes in the morning.
Strengths
- Built-in tank plus faucet connection option
- Five modes with a separate dry cycle
- Holds plates up to about 11 inches loaded at an angle
- Compact square footprint
Limitations
- Capacity remains a two person proposition
- Tall for some under cabinet spaces
- Brand support network is smaller than Danby or Breville scale brands
| Capacity | 2 place settings |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches |
| Weight | 28.7 lbs |
| Wash Cycles | 5 cycles |
| Warranty | 1 year |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise the dry mode for reducing towel finishing
- Recurring praise for quiet running in small apartments
- Many owners like the clear loading guidance
- Owners value using it in rentals without plumbing changes
Common complaints
- Complaints about arranging larger plates at an angle
- Some owners wish for a larger tank
- Occasional complaints about longer total time with dry mode on
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: HAVA official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Couples who want a tank model with a dedicated dry mode.
Skip if: Skip if low price is the priority, as budget tank models cost less.
Best for Singles
Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with Water Tank
Compact tank dishwasher with five programs and a glass door for small spaces.
The smallest capacity here is a feature for one person: fill it in a day, run it, and avoid both hand washing and a half empty large machine.
Strengths
- Built-in tank works anywhere with an outlet
- Five programs including fruit and eco
- Compact size fits tight counters and dorm rooms
- Visible window makes it easy to check a cycle
Limitations
- Smallest capacity in this list
- No room for large pots or sheet pans
- Basic drying leaves some moisture
| Capacity | 2 place settings |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 16.9 x 16.5 x 18.1 inches |
| Weight | 26.5 lbs |
| Wash Cycles | 5 cycles |
| Warranty | 1 year |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise true portability between rooms and rentals
- Recurring praise for handling one person's daily dishes
- Many owners like the simple push button programs
- Owners say it beats a sink full of dishes in tiny kitchens
Common complaints
- Complaints that capacity is easy to overestimate
- Some owners find the tank fill opening fiddly
- Occasional complaints about plastics coming out wet
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Hermitlux official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Singles, dorms, and offices where a small no-hookup unit covers cups and plates.
Skip if: Skip if you cook with large pans or host more than two people regularly.
Best if You Cook Often
Danby DDW621WDB Countertop Dishwasher
Six place setting hookup dishwasher with a stainless interior and strong cycle range.
Keen home cooks generate more than two place settings of prep dishes. The Danby six place setting interior absorbs that extra volume.
Strengths
- Full 6 place setting capacity with cutlery basket
- Stainless steel interior resists stains and odor
- 6 wash cycles including energy saving and glass
- Electronic controls with delay start up to 8 hours
Limitations
- Requires faucet connection and adapter fit
- At 17.2 inches tall it needs cabinet clearance
- No built-in water tank option
| Capacity | 6 place settings |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches |
| Weight | 46.3 lbs |
| Wash Cycles | 6 cycles |
| Warranty | 1 year parts and labor |
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Owners praise cleaning results on daily loads compared with hand washing
- Recurring praise for the stainless interior staying fresh
- Many renters value that it needs no permanent installation
- Owners like the delay start for running it off peak
Common complaints
- Complaints about faucet adapters not fitting some modern faucets
- Some owners find large dinner plates fit tightly
- Occasional complaints about cycle length on intensive settings
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Sources: Danby official product specifications, Major retailer product listings, Published kitchen gear reviews
Best for: Apartments and small households that can hook up to a faucet and want full capacity.
Skip if: Skip if you cannot use a faucet adapter or need a model that works with no hookup at all.
FAQ
Questions, answered straight
How often will two people run a tank dishwasher?
Typically once a day, or twice on heavy cooking days. That is normal for the format and still uses less water than repeated hand washing.
Can I wash wine glasses in a compact model?
Yes on the glass or delicate cycle, if stem height fits the interior. Measure your tallest glass against the listed interior clearance before buying.
Do small dishwashers clean as well as full size ones?
On standard loads, owners report comparable results. The difference is capacity and drying, not basic soil removal, provided dishes are loaded with space between items.