9 Best Countertop Dishwashers With a Sterilize Cycle (November 2026)
The best countertop dishwashers with a sterilize cycle include the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher (best overall), the Hermitlux 7-Program Countertop Dishwasher for no-hookup use, and the HAVA 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher for baby bottles.
On this page (9 sections)
- The best countertop dishwashers with a sterilize cycle
- How these countertop dishwashers compare
- How we compared these models
- What should you check before buying a countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle?
- Do you need a water hookup or a built-in tank?
- How much counter space does a hot-wash model take?
- Which models suit quiet kitchens and hard water?
- Do drying and storage features matter after a hot wash?
- Verdict: which countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle should you buy?
The best countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle for most homes is the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place, which pairs a Baby-Care program with a 154°F Heavy wash and an extra-drying function. For a tank model that skips the faucet, choose the Hermitlux.
For hard water that dulls a hot wash, the HAVA with a water softener is the better fit.
A sterilize cycle matters most when bottles, sippy cups or greasy pans pile up faster than you want to hand-scrub. The models here reach those temperatures in different ways, and only some can do it without a hookup.
Use this guide to match the cycle, water supply and size to your counter. If you want the wider field first, our best countertop dishwasher roundup covers the category from top to bottom.
Our picks at a glance
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Check itHAVA Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener
Best for hard water - 5
Check itEUHOMY 6 Programs Countertop Dishwasher Portable
Best for fast cycles - 6
Check itAIRMSEN No-Hookup Countertop Dishwasher
Best for large loads - 7
Best for RV and dorm kitchensCheck it - 8
Check itBLACK+DECKER Countertop Dishwasher
Best for stainless interiors - 9
Check itAIRMSEN Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener
Best for spot-free glassware
The best countertop dishwashers with a sterilize cycle
The COMFEE' leads on cycle strength and drying, while each other pick wins on one specific need: a no-hookup tank, hard water, speed or a bigger stated load. Match the cycle name and the water supply to your kitchen before comparing anything else.
COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher: Best overall
- 8 wash programs including Baby-Care
- Heavy cycle reaches 154°F
- Energy Star rated
- 6 place settings
A Baby-Care cycle and a 154°F Heavy wash make it the strongest sanitizing pick here. The 6-place tub still fits a 2-3 person household.
Pros
- Baby-Care cycle for bottles
- Heavy wash reaches 154°F
- Energy Star rated
Cons
- Needs a faucet hookup
- Nearly the largest footprint here
The COMFEE' is the pick for most people because its Baby-Care cycle and 154°F Heavy wash give you a real hot-wash option for bottles, greasy pans and everyday plates. It fits 6 place settings and plates up to 10 inches across, which covers a 2-3 person household.
Eight programs include Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass and Speed, and each gets an extra-drying function. The Speed program finishes in 45 minutes and uses as little as 2.77 gallons of water.
The 12-nozzle, 360° spiral spray does the heavy lifting on baked-on food. At 52 dB it is louder than the tank models, so keep that in mind if it sits near a living area.
Its footprint is nearly the largest here at 21.7 in wide and 46 lb, so measure before you commit. It also needs a faucet hookup, since there's no built-in tank.
That trade-off buys the bigger tub and the strongest cycle set in this group. Run the Baby-Care cycle for bottles and the Heavy cycle for pans, then let the drying function finish the job.
Hermitlux 7-Program Countertop Dishwasher: Best for no-hookup use
- Built-in 5L water tank
- 7 wash programs plus 3 extras
- 18-hour delay start
- 60-minute hot air drying
The 5L tank lets you run a hot wash without tying up the faucet. Seven programs and an 18-hour delay suit small kitchens and RVs.
Pros
- Tank mode needs no hookup
- 18-hour delay start
- 72-hour ventilation
Cons
- Fewer place settings than the COMFEE'
- Fruit cycle skips the dry
Hermitlux solves the hookup problem with a 5L built-in water tank, so you can place it wherever the counter is free and fill it by hand. Seven wash programs include Standard, Quick, Strong, ECO, Glass and Self-clean, plus Delay, Child Lock and Dry extras.
Its stated load is 5 place settings and over 30 items, with 10.25-inch plates loaded at an angle. Fourteen water jets spray from top and bottom for 360° coverage.
The 18-hour delay lets you run a hot cycle overnight or at off-peak power times. The 59-inch inlet hose covers a reach to most kitchen sinks when you switch to faucet mode.
The 60-minute hot air drying and 72-hour ventilation keep dishes fresh between runs. That's a real help for bottles you want dry and odor-free.
The tank also means no faucet is tied up during the cycle. If your faucet is the only water source in a small kitchen, this is the practical pick.
The main trade-off is fewer place settings than the COMFEE'.
HAVA 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher: Best for baby bottles
- Baby Care mode at 167°F
- Built-in 5L water tank
- 60-minute hot air drying
- 72-hour ventilation
Its Heavy/Baby Care cycle hits 167°F, the hottest wash here for bottles and oily dishes. The tank makes it easy to place near a crib or RV sink.
Pros
- 167°F Baby Care wash
- Tank or faucet water supply
- Fruit basket included
Cons
- Smallest place setting count here
- No water softener
HAVA's Heavy/Baby Care cycle washes at 167°F, the hottest wash in this roundup. That makes it the strongest sanitizing pick for baby bottles, silicone and oily cookware.
It supports tank or faucet water, so it works in an RV or dorm as easily as a kitchen.
The stated load is 4 place settings and over 30 items, with 11-inch plates at an angle. Six programs cover Normal, Speed, Soft, Heavy/Baby Care, Fruit and Dry.
Fourteen water ports spray from top and bottom for full coverage. At 950 W it draws more power than the Energy Star models, so the eco case is about water use more than electricity.
The 60-minute hot air drying plus 72-hour ventilation keeps dishes dry and odor-free. HAVA also includes a fruit basket for produce.
The catch is the smallest place setting count in this group. If bottles matter more than plate count, the 167°F wash outweighs that limit.
HAVA Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener: Best for hard water
- Built-in water softener
- 8 wash programs
- Optimized ECO mode
- 18-hour delay start
The softener tackles limescale so hot washes keep their bite in hard-water homes. An 8-program panel and a 5L tank keep setup simple.
Pros
- Softener fights limescale
- 8 wash programs
- Child lock and delay start
Cons
- Softener needs salt
- Interior is plastic, not steel
The HAVA with a water softener is the pick for hard water. Its built-in softener takes dishwasher salt and reduces limescale, so the hot wash and drying keep working at full strength.
That also helps stop watermarks on glasses and bottles.
Eight wash programs and an optimized ECO mode cover everyday loads and baby bottles. The 5L tank means no plumbing, and the child lock plus 18-hour delay suit homes with kids or pets.
The redesigned rack takes more items and promises 360° cleaning. The interior measures about 13 by 13.77 by 10.83 inches with the basket in place, so check your tallest glasses against that figure.
The trade-off against the plain HAVA is upkeep: the softener needs salt to keep doing its job. Its interior is polypropylene rather than steel, like most tank models here.
Pick it if your water leaves white spots on glasses; skip it if you'd rather not manage salt.
EUHOMY 6 Programs Countertop Dishwasher Portable: Best for fast cycles
- 29-minute Fast cycle
- Baby Care/Heavy Duty at 167°F
- 40 dB noise rating
- Built-in 5L tank
The Fast cycle finishes a full wash in 29 minutes, handy when bottles pile up. A 40 dB rating also makes it the quietest model in this group.
Pros
- 29-minute Fast cycle
- Quietest here at 40 dB
- Baby Care/Heavy Duty at 167°F
Cons
- Powder or tablets only
- Tank holds 5L
EUHOMY is the speed pick. Its Fast cycle finishes a full wash in 29 minutes, so bottles and plates clear fast when the sink is full.
A 40 dB rating also makes it the quietest model here, which helps in an open kitchen or a small apartment. Its sound reduction system and LED interior light round out the convenience side.
The Baby Care/Heavy Duty mode heats water to 167°F for baby bottles, greasy cookware and even pet bowls and leashes. The dual spray arm system covers top and bottom.
A 5L tank or a faucet connection gives you two water options. The tank's water level indicator tells you when the fill is right.
The 60-minute hot air drying and 73-hour ventilation keep dishes dry between cycles. One limit to know: EUHOMY says to use powder or tablets and not liquid detergent.
If speed and quiet matter more than place setting count, this is your model.
AIRMSEN No-Hookup Countertop Dishwasher: Best for large loads
- Washes 40+ items per cycle
- Fits 12-inch plates at an angle
- Built-in 5L tank
- 167°F high-temp wash
It takes 40+ items and 12-inch plates at an angle, the biggest stated load here. The 167°F wash and tank suit families of 3-4 without a hookup.
Pros
- Biggest stated capacity here
- 167°F wash
- No hookup needed
Cons
- Plates need an angle to fit
- Plastic interior
AIRMSEN's no-hookup model makes the biggest stated load claim here: 40+ items per cycle, with 12-inch plates fitted at a slight angle. That suits a family of 3-4 who would rather run one large hot wash than two small ones.
It has a 5L tank for tank mode or a faucet hose for direct supply. The 167°F wash plus 14 nozzles and a 360° spiral spray handles stubborn stains.
Its two extra functions add 60 minutes of drying and 72 hours of ventilated storage. The angled LED touch screen and glass door let you watch the wash.
It is rated at 106 kWh per year and comes in a green finish.
The catch is that 12-inch plates need an angle to fit, so the load is less tidy than a square tub allows. The interior is plastic.
Pick it for volume, not for neat stacking.
NOVETE Countertop Dishwasher: Best for RV and dorm kitchens
- Built-in 5L water tank
- 5 wash programs
- Baby Care/Heavy at 167°F
- 72-hour ventilation
A 5L tank and compact frame make it easy to move between RV, boat or dorm counters. Baby Care/Heavy runs at 167°F for bottles and greasy dishes.
Pros
- Tank mode for tight spaces
- 167°F Baby Care/Heavy wash
- Light at 28 lb
Cons
- 4 place settings only
- Plastic interior
NOVETE fits the small-space life. A 5L tank and a 28 lb frame make it easy to move between an RV counter, a boat galley or a dorm desk.
The Baby Care/Heavy mode washes at 167°F for bottles and oily dishes.
The stated load is 4 place settings and 12-inch plates at an angle, with a double-layer rack for bowls, cups, plates and cutlery. Five programs include Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care/Heavy and Fruit.
The Speed mode cleans in 29 minutes when you're in a hurry. The rack and storage basket make it easy to separate cutlery from top-rack-only items.
The 60-minute hot air drying and 72-hour ventilation keep dishes ready to use. The trade-off is capacity: 4 place settings is the smallest here alongside the HAVA.
If you move the machine often or live alone, that's a fair swap.
BLACK+DECKER Countertop Dishwasher: Best for stainless interiors
- Stainless steel interior
- 6 wash cycles
- Energy Star certified
- 6 place settings
Its stainless tub resists stains and holds heat for drying. Six cycles include Heavy and Glass, and the Quick Connect faucet hookup skips plumbing.
Pros
- Stainless steel interior
- Energy Star certified
- Quick Connect faucet hookup
Cons
- No tank mode
- Nearly the largest footprint here
BLACK+DECKER is the pick when the tub material matters. Its stainless steel interior resists food stains and holds heat for better drying.
Six cycles include Normal, Rinse, Glass, Eco, Speed and Heavy, and the unit is Energy Star certified.
The Quick Connect assembly hooks straight to a faucet with no plumbing or permanent install. It fits 6 place settings and plates up to 10 inches.
Electronic controls with an LED display handle the cycle, delayed start and child lock. The detergent dispenser takes powder, tablets or pods, and a three-part filter keeps food out of the spray.
The delayed start runs in 2, 4 or 8-hour steps. There's no tank mode, so it needs a faucet.
If you want a stainless interior and a straightforward hookup more than the hottest wash, this is the fit. The trade-off is that its top cycle is Heavy rather than a named Baby-Care program.
AIRMSEN Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener: Best for spot-free glassware
- Built-in water softener
- 8 programs plus 3 extras
- 29-minute Speed cycle
- 1-18h delay start
A softener plus a 167°F wash keeps hard-water spots off glasses. Eight programs and a 29-minute Speed cycle cover bottles and quick loads.
Pros
- Softener for spot-free glass
- 167°F wash on most cycles
- Delay start and child lock
Cons
- Needs dishwasher salt
- Lowest score here
The AIRMSEN softener model rounds out the list for spot-free glassware. Its softener plus a 167°F wash on most cycles keeps hard-water film off glasses and bottles.
Eight programs include Standard, ECO, Speed, Strong, Glass, Fruit and Self-Clean, plus Dry+ mode.
The 29-minute Speed cycle covers quick loads. Delay start runs from 1 to 18 hours and the child lock keeps small hands out.
A 5L tank or a faucet hose gives you placement freedom. It holds 40+ items with plates up to 10.24 inches.
Dry+ adds an extra hour of hot air plus 72 hours of air circulation, and the display shows "St" when it is storing dishes.
The softener needs dishwasher salt, and this is the lowest-scored model here because of that upkeep. Pick it for hard water and glassware; skip it if you want the simplest possible routine.
How these countertop dishwashers compare
Every pick here runs a hot wash, but they split into faucet models and tank models. The faucet units offer bigger tubs and more place settings; the tank units trade some capacity for placement freedom.
| Product | Best for | Size (W x D x H) | Capacity | Noise | Our score |
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| COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher | overall | 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 in | 6 place settings | 52 dB | 9.1 |
| Hermitlux 7-Program Countertop Dishwasher | no-hookup use | 16.85 x 16.73 x 18.23 in | 5 place settings | 8.7 | |
| HAVA 6-Program Countertop Dishwasher | baby bottles | 4 place settings | 8.6 | ||
| HAVA Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener | hard water | 5L tank | 8.5 | ||
| EUHOMY 6 Programs Countertop Dishwasher Portable | fast cycles | 16.83 x 16.73 x 18.03 in | 5L tank | 40 dB | 8.3 |
| AIRMSEN No-Hookup Countertop Dishwasher | large loads | 16.75 x 16.86 x 18.05 in | 40+ items | 8.2 | |
| NOVETE Countertop Dishwasher | RV and dorm kitchens | 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 in | 4 place settings | 7.9 | |
| BLACK+DECKER Countertop Dishwasher | stainless interiors | 21.6 x 19.7 x 17.24 in | 6 place settings | 7.8 | |
| AIRMSEN Countertop Dishwasher With Water Softener | spot-free glassware | 16.85 x 16.73 x 18 in | 40+ items | 7.4 |
The faucet models, the COMFEE' and the BLACK+DECKER, fit 6 place settings and use the largest footprints. The tank models, led by the Hermitlux, HAVA and EUHOMY, keep a 5L reservoir and go wherever the counter is free.
Nearly all the tank units sit within a fraction of an inch of each other at roughly 16.8 inches wide and 18 inches tall.
Wash heat is the second split. The HAVA, EUHOMY, AIRMSEN and NOVETE top out at 167°F, the COMFEE' Heavy cycle reaches 154°F, and the BLACK+DECKER doesn't name a sterilize cycle.
Match the cycle name to what you actually need to sanitize.
How we compared these models
We compared the published specs for each model: wash temperature, cycle names, water supply, capacity, size and drying. Our score weighs those specs and features against what a shopper searching for a countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle wants.
The score favors models with a named high-temp cycle, a clear drying function and a water supply that fits small kitchens. We also weighed footprint and load size, since a hot cycle you can't fit your dishes into isn't much help.
Noise, energy figures and interior material broke ties among close calls.
What should you check before buying a countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle?
Start with the cycle name and its temperature. A "sterilize" or "Baby Care" label means little without the degree figure.
The models here publish 154°F to 167°F, so compare those numbers directly.
Does the cycle name match your dishes?
Baby-Care cycles target bottles and silicone. Heavy cycles target greasy pans.
Glass cycles protect delicate stemware. Pick a model whose named cycle covers the items you plan to run most often.
How hot does the wash actually get?
The HAVA, EUHOMY, AIRMSEN and NOVETE reach 167°F. The COMFEE' Heavy cycle reaches 154°F.
A hotter wash sanitizes more thoroughly, but check that your dishes and bottles are rated for that heat.
What do you plan to sterilize?
Bottles and sippy cups need a gentle but hot cycle. Pans and pet bowls need pressure more than heat.
If you mainly sanitize bottles, choose a model with a dedicated Baby Care cycle and a drying function.
What detergent does each model accept?
The AIRMSEN models accept pods, liquid or powder. EUHOMY asks for powder or tablets and rules out liquid.
BLACK+DECKER takes all three in its dispenser. Check the detergent you already buy before you pick, since a model that rejects pods changes your shopping list.
Do you need a water hookup or a built-in tank?
A tank model lets you run a hot wash without tying up the faucet. A faucet model gives you a bigger tub and an endless water supply.
Pick by your kitchen layout, not by the feature list.
When a tank model makes sense
RVs, dorms, boats and kitchens with one faucet all benefit from a 5L tank. The Hermitlux, HAVA, EUHOMY, AIRMSEN and NOVETE models all fill by hand and still need a drain to a sink.
The AIRMSEN and NOVETE kits even include a pitcher for filling the tank without splashing.
When a faucet model wins
If you have counter space near the sink and want 6 place settings, the COMFEE' and BLACK+DECKER hook straight to the faucet. The faucet models also skip the tank refill step between cycles.
The BLACK+DECKER adds a 2, 4 or 8-hour delayed start on top of its Quick Connect hookup.
The drain still matters
Tank models avoid the water inlet but not the drain hose. Plan a path to the sink, or a nearby basin, before you set the machine down.
The inlet hoses here run about 60 inches, so a sink within reach makes either mode easier.
How much counter space does a hot-wash model take?
Plan for about 17 to 18 inches of height and roughly 22 inches of width and depth on the larger models. Leave clearance above for the lid or door and the water tank.
The tank models run smaller, around 16.7 to 16.9 inches wide. The COMFEE' and BLACK+DECKER are the wide pair at about 21.6 to 21.7 inches.
The Hermitlux asks for at least 20.08 inches between the counter and wall cabinets.
Measure the space under your cabinets before ordering. A model that fits the counter but not the gap above it will sit in the way every time you load it.
For a wider tub, see our large countertop dishwasher picks.
Which models suit quiet kitchens and hard water?
Hard water and open kitchens each change the pick. A softener protects the hot wash from scale, and a low noise rating keeps the cycle from taking over the room.
Softeners for hard water
The HAVA with a water softener and the AIRMSEN softener model both take dishwasher salt. Scale coats heating parts and leaves spots that look like poor cleaning.
In hard-water areas, a softener keeps a 167°F wash effective over time. If your water leaves white film on glasses, choose one of these two.
Quiet operation
The EUHOMY is rated at 40 dB, the quietest here. The COMFEE' is rated at 52 dB.
If the machine sits near a living area or a home office, the lower figure matters more than an extra program. Our quiet countertop dishwasher roundup covers more low-noise models.
Portable setups
For an RV or a rental where you move the unit often, a light tank model wins. The NOVETE at 28 lb and the Hermitlux at 30.9 lb are easier to shift than the 46 lb COMFEE'.
See our portable countertop dishwasher guide for more on moving between spots.
Do drying and storage features matter after a hot wash?
They do, because a hot wash leaves moisture behind. A 60-minute hot air dry plus 72-hour ventilation keeps dishes and bottles dry and odor-free between cycles.
The COMFEE' adds an extra-drying function to most cycles. The Hermitlux, HAVA and EUHOMY offer 60 minutes of hot air drying and 72 hours of ventilation.
The AIRMSEN no-hookup model and NOVETE follow the same pattern. The AIRMSEN softener model adds Dry+ for an extra hour plus 72 hours of air circulation.
If you run bottles and then leave them overnight, choose a model with storage ventilation. It's the difference between dry, ready bottles and a damp tub that smells by morning.
On models with a fruit cycle, remember that drying does not run with that cycle, so produce comes out wet by design.
Verdict: which countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle should you buy?
For most kitchens, buy the COMFEE' Energy Star 6-Place for its 6 place settings, Baby-Care cycle and 154°F Heavy wash. Pick the Hermitlux for a no-hookup 5L tank.
Choose the HAVA with a water softener if your water is hard, or the plain HAVA if bottles are the main job and you want 167°F.
The rest are easy calls. EUHOMY for speed and quiet, AIRMSEN for the biggest stated load, NOVETE for an RV or dorm, BLACK+DECKER for a stainless interior and a faucet hookup, and the AIRMSEN softener model for spot-free glass in hard water.
Decide by your water supply and your hottest cycle, and the pick follows.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
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Frequently asked questions
What temperature counts as a sterilize cycle on a countertop dishwasher?
Most models here top out at 167°F on a Baby Care or Heavy cycle, and the COMFEE' Heavy cycle reaches 154°F. Those temperatures clean and sanitize well for home use.
They are not the same as a medical autoclave, so use them for dishes and bottles rather than clinical sterilization.
Can a countertop dishwasher with a sterilize cycle run without a faucet hookup?
Yes. The Hermitlux, HAVA, EUHOMY, AIRMSEN and NOVETE models have a built-in 5L tank you fill by hand.
Fill the tank, pick your hot cycle and start.
Tank models still need a drain path to a sink.
Is a high-temp wash safe for baby bottles and plastic dishes?
Check the item first. Baby Care and Heavy cycles at 167°F suit most bottles and silicone.
Skip BPA plastics and anything not marked dishwasher safe.
The EUHOMY guide says not to wash BPA plastic products in it.
Does a water softener matter for a sterilize cycle?
It matters in hard water. Limescale coats heating parts and leaves spots that can look like poor cleaning.
The HAVA and AIRMSEN softener models take dishwasher salt and reduce scale, so the hot wash keeps working at full strength.
How much counter space does a countertop dishwasher need?
Plan for about 17 to 18 in of height and roughly 22 in of width and depth for the larger models. Leave vertical clearance above the unit too.
The Hermitlux needs at least 20.08 in between the counter and wall cabinets.
