7 Best Compact Dishwashers for Home Kitchens (November 2026)
The best compact dishwashers for home kitchens include the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher for most home kitchens, the COMFEE' Mini Countertop Dishwasher With 1.32 Gal Tank for kitchens with no free faucet, and the EUHOMY 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher for open-plan living.
On this page (9 sections)
- Best compact dishwashers for home kitchens
- How these compact dishwashers compare
- How we compared these compact dishwashers
- What should you measure before buying a compact dishwasher?
- Which compact dishwasher fits your kitchen?
- How many place settings do you need?
- Faucet hookup or built-in tank: which is better for you?
- How loud and how efficient are compact dishwashers?
- Verdict
The best compact dishwasher for most home kitchens is the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher, because it packs eight cycles, a 154°F heavy wash and a 45-minute speed cycle into a 21.7-inch cabinet that sits on your counter. Pick a slim built-in instead if you'd rather free the counter and can give up a base cabinet.
This guide covers both kinds. Countertop models need no installation, while an 18-inch built-in washes more dishes but needs a cutout and plumbing.
If you only have room beside the sink, our roundup of the best countertop dishwasher picks goes deeper on tank and faucet models. For a camper or van, the best dishwashers for an RV or camper covers the low-power options.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for most home kitchensCOMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
9.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for kitchens with no free faucetCOMFEE' Mini Countertop Dishwasher With 1.32 Gal Tank
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
- 4
Check itCOMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher
Best slim built-in for small kitchens - 5
Check itMidea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher
Best for fitting under an existing counter - 6
Check itHoneywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place
Best for ADA-height counters - 7
Best for very tight countersCheck it
Best compact dishwashers for home kitchens
The COMFEE' 6-place countertop model takes the top spot for its cycle range and plate clearance. The rest of the list covers quieter countertop units, no-plumbing tanks and slim built-ins for kitchens that can spare a cabinet.
Every model here is either a countertop unit or an 18-inch built-in, so the first decision is where the machine will live.
COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher: Best for most home kitchens
- 6 place settings
- 8 washing cycles
- 154°F heavy wash with 12 nozzles
- 45-minute speed cycle
- 2.77 gallons in the lightest cycle
Eight cycles and a 45-minute speed wash make it the most flexible countertop model here. It holds plates up to 10 inches across and connects straight to the faucet.
Pros
- Eight wash cycles
- 45-minute speed wash
- Plates up to 10 inches fit
Cons
- Widest countertop model here
- Needs a faucet adapter
COMFEE' suits a kitchen where the sink has a free faucet and the counter has about 22 inches to give. Its eight cycles go further than most rivals here, covering heavy, normal, baby-care, eco, glass, speed, rinse and a mini-party mode.
The heavy program runs 12 nozzles and a 360° spiral spray at up to 154°F. That's the setting for baked-on grease; the speed cycle finishes in 45 minutes for a quick turnover before guests arrive.
It holds six place settings and takes plates up to 10 inches across. COMFEE' says the lightest cycle uses 2.77 gallons and the unit is Energy Star rated.
The inner tub is stainless steel, and the touch controls sit behind an LED display.
The trade-off is width: at 21.7 inches it's the broadest countertop model here. It also needs the included faucet adapter fitted to your tap.
The unit weighs 46 pounds, so it's movable but not something you'll shift every night. Choose it for the cycle choice and the plate size, and measure your counter first.
COMFEE' Mini Countertop Dishwasher With 1.32 Gal Tank: Best for kitchens with no free faucet
- 1.32 gal built-in tank
- 6 programs
- 162°F hygiene cycle
- Air Refresh drying mode
- Holds 30+ items
Fill the tank by hand and skip the faucet connection entirely. The 162°F hygiene cycle handles greasy loads and baby bottles.
Pros
- No plumbing needed in tank mode
- 162°F hygiene cycle
- Air Refresh keeps dishes dry
Cons
- Loudest model here at 62 dB
- Smaller plate size than the top pick
COMFEE' designed this one for kitchens with no spare faucet. A 1.32-gallon built-in tank fills by hand from the included pitcher, so you can set it anywhere with power.
A hose and adapter are in the box if you'd rather connect to the tap.
Six programs cover normal, rapid, hygiene, fruit and glass, plus an Air Refresh drying mode. The hygiene cycle reaches 162°F, which is hot enough for greasy pans and little one's dinnerware.
It washes 30 or more items per load and takes plates up to 9.5 inches. That's smaller than the top pick, so wide dinner plates may need angling.
The fruit program needs no detergent, and rapid calls for half the usual amount.
Its weak point is sound: at 62 dB it's the loudest model here, and you'll hear it from the next room. The tank also needs a refill before each cycle.
It's heavier than the EUHOMY and NOVETE countertop models, so moving it between rooms takes more effort. Pick it when plumbing isn't an option and the noise won't bother you.
EUHOMY 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher: Best for open-plan living
- 40 dB quiet wash
- 5L built-in tank or faucet
- 29-minute quick cycle
- 60 minutes hot air drying plus up to 73 hours ventilation
- Plates up to 10.25 inches
It runs at 40 dB, so you can start a load during a call or after dinner without raising your voice. The tank mode also means no permanent hookup.
Pros
- 40 dB is the quietest here
- Fits plates up to 10.25 inches
- Up to 73 hours of ventilation after drying
Cons
- Faucet adapter sold separately
- Tank holds only 5 liters
EUHOMY is the pick for open-plan homes and anyone who runs the dishwasher while working or sleeping. It runs at 40 dB, well below the other countertop units here, and its tank or faucet setup means no permanent installation.
The 5L tank fills by hand, and a water-level indicator shows when it's ready. Six programs include a 29-minute quick cycle and a baby care/heavy mode that reaches 167°F.
Dual spray arms cover the load from both directions.
Drying runs 60 minutes on most cycles, and the dry mode adds up to 73 hours of ventilation to keep dishes fresh. It fits plates up to 10.25 inches and holds 30-plus items.
It's one of the lightest countertop models here, second only to the NOVETE.
One catch: the faucet adapter for the tap connection is sold separately. If you plan to run it from the sink rather than the tank, budget for that part.
Our guide to the quietest countertop models has more on sound levels.
COMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher: Best slim built-in for small kitchens
- 18-inch slim built-in
- 8 place settings
- 6 wash cycles plus heated dry
- Adjustable top rack lifts 1.97 inches
- 52 dB
A slim cabinet frees counter space and takes 8 place settings, more than any countertop model here. The top rack adjusts to clear deep pots.
Pros
- 8 place settings
- Adjustable top rack
- Heated dry on most cycles
Cons
- Needs a cabinet cutout and plumbing
- Takes more floor space than a countertop unit
This is the best built-in alternative for anyone who can lose a base cabinet. The COMFEE' 18-inch built-in takes 8 place settings, more than any countertop unit here, and its top rack adjusts up by 1.97 inches to clear deep pots.
Six cycles run from heavy to quick and rinse, with heated dry on all but the rapid and self-clean cycles. A hi-temp option pushes water to 136°F for greasy loads and baby bottles.
The tub is stainless steel and the unit is Energy Star rated.
It measures 17.6 inches wide by 22.6 deep by 32.4 high, with adjustable legs. That fits the same cabinet slot as many full-size units, so it's a clean replacement when an old dishwasher dies.
It runs at 52 dB, about the level of a normal conversation.
The catch is installation: it needs a cutout, a water line and a drain. It also takes floor space a countertop model doesn't and weighs 54.7 pounds.
Choose it for capacity and a clear counter; skip it if you rent or can't modify the cabinetry.
Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher: Best for fitting under an existing counter
- 18-inch slim built-in
- 8 place settings
- 6 programs plus heated dry and sanitize
- Plates up to 11 inches tall
- Energy Star certified
The same 8-setting slim cabinet as the COMFEE' built-in, with an 11-inch plate clearance and a sanitize function. It's a straightforward swap for a tired under-counter unit.
Pros
- 8 place settings
- 11-inch plate clearance
- Energy Star certified
Cons
- No noise figure published
- Needs full under-counter installation
Midea's slim built-in matches the COMFEE' on settings and footprint, so the choice comes down to plate clearance. It takes plates up to 11 inches tall, which suits larger dinnerware and shallow pans.
Six programs cover heavy, normal, eco, delicate, quick and rinse, with heated dry, hi-temp and sanitize functions. The sanitize cycle holds water at 136°F, which is useful for baby bottles and cutting boards.
It's Energy Star certified and the tub is stainless steel.
The cabinet is 17.6 inches wide, 22.6 deep and 32.4 high with adjustable legs, the same slot as the COMFEE' built-in. That makes it a direct swap if your opening is already cut.
The push-button controls with an LED display are the same style too.
Midea doesn't publish a noise figure for this model, so ask the seller if quiet running matters to you. Pick it when wide plates and sanitize matter more than a documented sound level.
Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place: Best for ADA-height counters
- 18-inch built-in, ADA-compliant height
- 8 place settings
- 6 wash programs
- 24-hour delay start
- Stainless steel tub
It's built to ADA counter height, so it fits lower worktops that standard slim models can't reach. Six programs and a 24-hour delay give you some scheduling room.
Pros
- ADA-compliant height
- 24-hour delay start
- Stainless steel tub
Cons
- No noise figure published
- Fewer cycle choices than the COMFEE' built-in
Honeywell's model is the one to check when your counter is lower than standard. It's ADA-compliant at 32.4 inches high, so it fits worktops built for seated use where other slim models won't clear.
Six wash programs cover pots and pans, normal, china, quick, rinse and energy saver, and a 24-hour delay start lets you run loads at off-peak times. The tub is stainless steel and the unit is UL and Energy Star certified.
Two racks plus a removable cutlery basket hold the load.
It's 18 inches wide by 22.6 deep, so the opening is slightly wider than the COMFEE' and Midea slim models. Plan the cutout around that extra width.
At 70 pounds it's the heaviest machine here, so allow help on install day.
Honeywell lists 14 place settings in its copy but 8 in the title and specs, so go by the 8-setting figure when you plan loads. There's no published noise figure either.
Choose it for the ADA height and delay start, not for a quiet kitchen.
NOVETE Countertop Dishwasher: Best for very tight counters
- 5L built-in tank or faucet
- 5 programs
- 167°F baby care cycle
- 60 minutes hot air drying
- Holds 4 place settings
The smallest footprint among the tank models, with a tank that fills by hand and a baby care cycle at 167°F. Four place settings suit one or two people.
Pros
- Smallest footprint among the tank models
- Tank mode needs no plumbing
- 167°F baby care cycle
Cons
- Only 4 place settings
- No noise figure published
NOVETE is the option for a one-person kitchen or a tight counter corner. Its footprint is just 16.9 by 16.8 inches, and it holds 4 place settings.
A 5L tank fills by hand for no-plumbing use, and a faucet hose is included for a tap connection. Five cycles include normal, speed, soft, baby care/heavy and fruit.
The baby care cycle reaches 167°F, and a 29-minute speed wash suits a quick turnaround.
Drying runs 60 minutes after the wash, and the unit ventilates every 75 minutes for up to 72 hours to keep dishes dry. A fruit basket and cutlery basket come in the box.
The double-layer glass door has an LED lamp so you can watch the cycle.
The limit is capacity: 4 settings means a load most days for two people. The machine also weighs 28 pounds.
There's no published noise figure. Pick it when space is the binding constraint; step up to the top pick if you can fit 21.7 inches.
How these compact dishwashers compare
The table lines up the picks by size, capacity and installation, which are the three facts that decide most kitchen fits. Read down the capacity column first, then check the width against your counter.
Noise figures matter too, because a kitchen counter puts the machine right next to the people using it.
| Product | Best for | Size (W x D x H) | Installation | Noise | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher | most home kitchens | 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 in | Countertop or cupboard | 52 dB | 9.1 |
| COMFEE' Mini Countertop Dishwasher With 1.32 Gal Tank | kitchens with no free faucet | 16.53 x 17.13 x 17.24 in | Countertop, tank or faucet | 62 dB | 8.9 |
| EUHOMY 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher | open-plan living | 16.73 x 16.83 x 18.03 in | Countertop, tank or faucet | 40 dB | 8.8 |
| COMFEE' 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | slim built-in for small kitchens | 17.6 x 22.6 x 32.4 in | Built-in under counter | 52 dB | 8.7 |
| Midea 18 Inch Built-in Dishwasher | fitting under an existing counter | 17.6 x 22.6 x 32.4 in | Built-in under counter | 8.6 | |
| Honeywell 18 Inch Dishwasher with 8 Place | ADA-height counters | 18 x 22.6 x 32.4 in | Built-in under counter | 8.2 | |
| NOVETE Countertop Dishwasher | very tight counters | 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 in | Countertop, tank or faucet | 7.9 |
How we compared these compact dishwashers
We started with fit, because a compact dishwasher that won't sit on your counter or slide under your cabinet is no use. Every model here is either a countertop unit up to about 22 inches wide or an 18-inch slim built-in.
From there we weighed capacity in place settings and plate clearance. A 4-setting model runs daily for two people, while an 8-setting built-in covers a family of four every other day.
The smallest unit here takes plates up to 9.5 inches; the widest built-in clears 11-inch plates.
Cycle range and water temperature came next. Higher wash temperatures handle grease and baby bottles, and a speed cycle under 45 minutes matters when you host.
The fastest cycle in this group is 29 minutes, and the hottest wash runs at 167°F. We also noted published noise levels and Energy Star ratings where the brands give them.
Last, we looked at installation. Countertop models split into faucet-connected and tank-filled types, and the tank models suit rentals and kitchens with no free tap.
Slim built-ins need a cutout, a water line and a drain. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
What should you measure before buying a compact dishwasher?
Measure the counter width and depth, the clearance to your upper cabinets, and the cabinet opening if you want a built-in. These three numbers rule out more models than any feature list does.
Countertop fit
Allow about 17 to 22 inches of width and depth, depending on the model. The COMFEE' 6-place needs 21.7 inches wide and 19.7 deep; the NOVETE needs 16.9 by 16.8.
Add a little space behind the unit for the hoses.
Vertical clearance
Leave more than 19 inches from counter to upper cabinets so the lid opens. EUHOMY recommends over 19 inches, and COMFEE' asks for 19.6 inches on its tank model.
A tight gap makes loading awkward.
Cabinet opening for a slim built-in
The 18-inch models here run about 17.6 to 18 inches wide and 32.4 inches high. Measure the cutout and the door swing, and check that the water line and drain can reach.
The Honeywell needs a slightly wider opening at 18 inches.
Which compact dishwasher fits your kitchen?
The answer comes down to counter space, plumbing and how many dishes you make in a day. A countertop unit is the low-effort choice; a slim built-in is the capacity choice.
If you have a free faucet and counter room
Go with the COMFEE' 6-place. It connects straight to the tap, needs no cabinet work, and its eight cycles cover everything from a quick glass wash to a greasy pan load.
If you have no free faucet
Pick a tank model. The COMFEE' Mini and the NOVETE both fill by hand and run anywhere with power.
They're also the easiest to move between a kitchen and a laundry room. The EUHOMY offers tank mode as well, and it's the quietest of the three.
If you want a quiet kitchen
The EUHOMY at 40 dB is the clear pick. If you need a built-in and quiet matters, the COMFEE' 18-inch runs at 52 dB, which is about the same as a normal conversation.
If you can give up a base cabinet
Choose a slim built-in. The COMFEE' and Midea 18-inch models both take 8 place settings and free your counter.
The Honeywell is the one to check for an ADA-height counter.
How many place settings do you need?
Count the dishes you use in a day and divide by two to get a rough setting count. Most couples do fine with 4 to 6 settings, while families of four want 8.
4 to 6 settings for countertop models
A 6-setting countertop unit like the COMFEE' top pick runs one load a day for two or three people. A 4-setting model like the NOVETE needs a load most days for the same household.
8 settings for slim built-ins
The 18-inch built-ins here take 8 settings, roughly double a countertop load. That means fewer cycles per week, but only if you have the cabinet space to install one.
A built-in also clears your counter of the machine and the dirty dishes waiting to go in.
Faucet hookup or built-in tank: which is better for you?
A faucet hookup wins for daily loads because there's no refilling. A built-in tank wins for rentals and kitchens with no free tap, at the cost of a manual fill each cycle.
Faucet-connected models
The COMFEE' 6-place and the COMFEE' built-in run from a tap. The COMFEE' countertop model needs a suitable faucet adapter, and the EUHOMY sells its adapter separately.
Faucet mode runs without a fill step. Check that your tap thread matches the adapter before you buy, because a mismatch means a second trip to the hardware store.
Tank-filled models
The COMFEE' Mini, EUHOMY and NOVETE each carry a 5L to 1.32-gallon tank. You fill by hand from a pitcher before each cycle.
That's slower but needs no plumbing and lets you place the unit anywhere. A full tank is the practical water limit per cycle, so tank mode suits small daily loads rather than a week of dishes.
How loud and how efficient are compact dishwashers?
Quiet models run around 40 dB and the noisiest here hit 62 dB. Water use varies too, from about 2.77 gallons on the lightest cycle to a 5L tank per load.
Sound levels to expect
The EUHOMY is the quietest at 40 dB. The COMFEE' 6-place and the COMFEE' 18-inch built-in both sit at 52 dB.
The COMFEE' Mini is loudest at 62 dB. Midea, Honeywell and NOVETE don't publish a figure.
Water and energy
The COMFEE' 6-place is Energy Star rated and uses as little as 2.77 gallons on its lightest cycle. Its published energy use is 174 kWh per year.
The COMFEE' and Midea built-ins are Energy Star certified. Tank models use whatever you pour in, so a 5L fill is the practical limit per cycle.
Heated dry cycles add to energy use, so run them only when you need cabinet-ready dishes.
Verdict
For most home kitchens, buy the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher. It's the best compact dishwasher here for cycle range and plate size, and it goes on your counter without a cutout.
Pick the EUHOMY if quiet running matters most. Choose a COMFEE' Mini or NOVETE tank model when there's no free faucet.
And if you can lose a base cabinet, the COMFEE' 18-inch built-in washes more dishes and clears your counter. Measure your space first, then buy the one that fits.
For larger countertop units with more room for dishes, see our guide to the best large countertop dishwasher.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for most home kitchens
COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
9.1/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for kitchens with no free faucet
COMFEE' Mini Countertop Dishwasher With 1.32 Gal Tank
8.9/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a compact dishwasher?
A compact dishwasher is usually a countertop model with 4 to 6 place settings or an 18-inch slim built-in with about 8. Anything wider is a full-size unit.
Measure your counter depth and the gap under your cabinets before choosing.
Do compact dishwashers need to be hooked up to a faucet?
Not always. Several countertop models here have a built-in tank you fill by hand, so no plumbing is needed.
Tank models need refilling each cycle, while faucet models run continuously from your tap.
How much counter space does a compact countertop dishwasher take?
Plan for roughly 17 to 22 inches of width and depth, depending on the model. Leave more than 19 inches of vertical clearance to your upper cabinets so the lid opens fully.
A slim built-in frees the counter entirely.
Is a compact dishwasher quieter than a full-size one?
It can be. The EUHOMY countertop model runs at 40 dB, while the COMFEE' top pick and the COMFEE' built-in sit at 52 dB.
A full-size unit typically runs in the mid-40s to low-50s.
Can a compact dishwasher handle pots and pans?
A slim built-in can, if the rack adjusts for height. The COMFEE' 18-inch model lifts its top rack by 1.97 inches to clear deep pots.
Countertop models fit plates up to about 10 to 12 inches and suit everyday dishes better.
