The Best Portable Dishwasher

I’m a journalist covering vacuums and floor care on Wirecutter’s appliances team. I have also assisted in developing and executing tests for full-size dishwashers and dishwasher detergents. For this guide, I did the following things:

• I spoke with industry sources and surveyed reviews to determine which models to evaluate.
• I tested 10 portable and countertop dishwashers for over 100 hours in our test facility in Long Island City, New York.
• Like all Wirecutter journalists, I review and test products with complete editorial independence. I’m never made aware of any business implications of my editorial recommendations. In accordance with Wirecutter standards, I return or donate all products I’ve tested after my assessment of them is complete; this may involve longer-term testing. I never hang onto “freebies” once testing is done. Read more about our editorial standards.

Maybe you live in a small apartment or a home that lacks the kitchen space or water hook-ups to accommodate a built-in dishwasher. Or perhaps you rent from a landlord who’s not interested in installing a built-in dishwasher. For all of these scenarios, a portable or countertop dishwasher could be a great solution. These models could also be useful in a guest house, a home bar, a mobile home, or an RV. As long as you have a sink or other water intake for installation, these machines could potentially ease your dishwashing woes.

A portable dishwasher is similar in most ways to a traditional, built-in dishwasher. But a portable model can be moved around on its wheels, and it has to be hooked up to a faucet when you’re using it. In order to get a portable dishwasher correctly attached to your particular sink, you might have to use or buy an adapter kit. During testing I learned that hose-style extendable faucets would not work with a portable dishwasher, and some further research backed that up.

If you rent, check your lease before you buy a portable dishwasher, since some rental agreements prohibit them.

A countertop dishwasher would likely be a better fit for a one- to two-person household, but this type is not without its drawbacks. I struggled to fit plates bigger than 10 inches in diameter — or even taller glasses or deeper pots and pans — into most of the models I tested. And these machines take up a lot of space on a counter.

For most people, hand-washing is a better option than owning a countertop model, and you’ll save cash and counter space. If you’re concerned about water usage (admirable!), you can take simple steps to conserve water when you’re hand-washing dishes, including turning off the faucet after wetting and soaping your sponge and filling your dirty-dish basin. (Water from a faucet runs much faster than you might think: 1.5 to 2 gallons per minute. So running a faucet for just three minutes will use nearly as much water as running a load of dishes in a modern, efficient dishwasher.) Check out our guides to sponges, dish soap, and dish racks to create your ideal setup.

Whether you choose a portable or a countertop dishwasher, keep in mind that it might take more time and effort to set up a machine’s water line (or fill its internal tank) than it takes to simply hand-wash dishes.

I tailored our standard dishwasher testing protocol to fit portable and countertop models.

Here’s what I evaluated:

Cleaning performance: I tested each dishwasher’s cleaning power across multiple cycles. With portable models, I simulated the dish load of a family of four, and with countertop models, I simulated the dish load of a two-person household. I did many loads, filling the machines with plates, glasses, utensils, and silverware covered in a variety of hard-to-wash stains: eggs, oatmeal, peanut butter and soy sauce, jam, creamed corn, pasta and tomato sauce, tomato juice, coffee, wine, and lipstick. I observed how well the filter and/or built-in food grinder performed. And I used the same amount of standard powder detergent in each model I tested.

Cycle length and type: I focused on the performance of each machine’s normal and quick-wash cycles, and I took note of automatic sensor-driven modes and eco modes that purported to conserve water. While it might seem convenient to have a bevy of cycle options, many modes I came across were unnecessary for day-to-day cleaning (we did not test these settings). Instead, adjustable settings and temperature-boosting options proved more useful, allowing for a certain degree of customization. (Choose a more delicate, quick wash for wine glasses, for example, or the Sturm und Drang of a heavy cycle for crusty pots and pans.) I also paid attention to how dry dishes were after a cycle in each machine.

Installation and operation: Considering how often you’d connect these dishwashers to your faucet (or refill a tank), I assessed how simple it was to set up each machine. I also took into account how quietly cycles ran.

Racks and design: Any machine can fit a bunch of thin plates, but you probably own a wonderful array of tableware. So I evaluated how many dishes could reasonably fit in each machine and then compared that with the manufacturer’s claims, and I took note of any drops in performance when I overfilled the racks. I favored thoughtfully designed racks with well-spaced tines, which allow for comfortable loading of curved plates, deep bowls, cups, glasses, and silverware. And I appreciated machines that could accommodate a wide variety of dishes, particularly because that meant running fewer loads. I also noted each machine’s build quality, and I documented any features that felt dinky or prone to breaking — particularly the tub material (stainless steel is preferable to plastic), the spray arm(s), and the rack(s).

Top pick

Top pick, The best portable dishwasher GE GPT145SSLSS

GE GPT145SSLSS

This 18-inch portable dishwasher offers the best combination of excellent cleaning and ease of use. It’s expensive, though.

Buying options: $849 from The Home Depot, opens in a new tab

Top pick, The same portable dishwasher, but bigger GE GPT225SSLSS

GE GPT225SSLSS

This 24-inch portable dishwasher fits more dishes per wash than the 18-inch version, but it's slightly harder to maneuver and store. And it’s also expensive.

Buying options: $849 from The Home Depot, opens in a new tab

The GE GPT series portable dishwashers — both the 18-inch (GPT145SSLSS) and 24-inch (GPT225SSLSS) versions — combine prime performance and versatility with a fairly easy setup. They are my first choice. (I tested the 24-inch model.)

This machine is simple to set up and run. The input and output hoses come pre-attached to the dishwasher (this is not always the case with portable models), and that makes installation fast; you just need to figure out the right faucet adapter for your sink from the included options. Once you’ve done that, it’s easy to connect the machine to water and get it up and running. (You might not even need a wrench for any part of it!)

The only part of installation that might call for someone else’s help is when you’re attaching the casters to the bottom of the dishwasher, since this requires a little lifting.

The control panel is intuitive and simple to use. You can choose between a light wash, a heavy wash, or an auto-sense mode. You can also select a higher temperature wash (either “wash boost” or “sanitize”) before you hit start. (A delayed start is also available, but since your sink needs to be running to operate the machine, this doesn’t seem practical.)

It accommodates multiple place settings. The 24-inch version comfortably fits up to 12 place settings, and the 18-inch model accommodates up to eight place settings. With a bit of maneuvering, you can put pots, pans, casseroles, and other bigger dishes on the bottom rack. The 24-inch model provides a bit more leeway, but the 18-inch machine can hold most average-size pots and pans with some finagling.

And it cleans dishes very well. As long as you scrape your dishes before washing and use a good dishwasher detergent, the GPT dishwasher can successfully tackle most stains or crusted-on bits. Even when I was using an average powder detergent, this machine scored exceptionally well on its sensor cycle. It did struggle with a touch of dried egg here and there (only the best dishwashers on extended cycles, using dynamite detergent, can fully eliminate this type of stain). And on its light quick cycle, the GPT dishwasher removed even less egg from plates, yet it still effectively cleaned sticky messes like jam and coffee grinds, guacamole, and pudding. It even eradicated an unholy mix of peanut butter, applesauce, and soy sauce.

Compared with the full-size, built-in dishwashers I’ve tested, the GPT holds its own. And like most full-size GE dishwashers, the GPT has a built-in food-grinder; this is a nice touch for a portable model that outputs dirty water into your sink.

The 1.5-inch-thick top works as additional counter space. The 18-inch version’s top measures 3 square feet, and the 24-inch model’s top is a little over 4 square feet. And even though you can’t chop food directly on the surface, it’s sturdy enough to accommodate a cutting board (just be sure to lock the casters before getting to work).

The 24-inch model comes in three finishes. Choose from stainless steel, white, or black. The 18-inch version is available only in stainless steel.

How the GE GPT series portable dishwasher has held up

Flaws but not dealbreakers

This machine cannot be hooked up to a traditional water line without some extra work. If you’re in the narrow set of circumstances where you need a portable dishwasher to connect to a standard water line, you’ll have to look elsewhere (and do a bit more plumbing work). That being said, if you have access to a traditional water line, you likely could put in a regular dishwasher.

It’s expensive, in both sizes. Both versions typically cost around $850. So this machine is as much as or more expensive than at least two of our standard dishwasher picks. But the best-in-class performance and ease of use make this model worth the investment.

If you want something that’s less expensive than our top pick and you don’t mind a trickier setup: The SPT SD-9263 cleaned nearly as well as our top pick, and it’s about $200 less. Unfortunately, its input and output hoses are much more difficult to set up — so much so that you might need some plumbing skills or professional assistance to properly install them. (I set this up myself and dealt with leaking dirty water during a cycle.) Also, this machine’s mode selection and buttons are less clear and not as simple to operate as those on the GE GPT series dishwashers. But if you’re handy and want to save some money, the SPT machine is worth a look.

Best for...

Best for..., Best for a countertop dishwasher Loch Capsule

Loch Capsule

This countertop model cleans well and takes up less real estate than its competitors. But this type of dishwasher has its drawbacks, so make sure you really need it.

Buying options: $460 from Amazon, opens in a new tab

Countertop dishwashers have plenty of issues, but if you think this type will work for you, I recommend the Loch Capsule. It’s a strong cleaner, and it takes up less counter space than any other model I tested, thanks to its slim profile and external water tank.

This machine cleans thoroughly, quickly, and quietly. The Capsule has two spray arms (one at the front and one at the back), and they helped the machine zap almost every mess I threw at it, regardless of cleaning mode. On its long cycle (which runs for a little over two hours), the Capsule cleaned the toughest messes (baked-on egg, tomato sauce, yogurt, and starchy pasta) almost completely, even when I used an average powder detergent. And the quick cycle did yeoman’s work of handling dirty plates. This machine runs at a moderate hum, similar to that of an average vacuum cleaner.

A decent number of bigger dishes can fit inside. With most countertop dishwashers, you have to tilt larger plates, and then it’s harder to get them fully clean. The Capsule is tall enough to fit larger plates, and there’s a thin gasket on the inner lip, so dishes fit without much leaning. And I noticed very few missed spots after a cycle. This machine can accommodate two to three place settings (more than other small countertop models we tested could fit). You can even wash a small frying pan (10 inches in diameter or less), a casserole dish, or a sauce pot (likely one at a time).

It has two water-source options. You can hook the Capsule up to a sink or a water line, but this model doesn’t include a hose or adapter (you can buy a hose separately). Most conveniently, the dishwasher comes with an easy-to-fill external water tank, which sits next to the machine as it runs. When a cleaning cycle ends, the tank expels dirty water into the sink. (If you’d like a completely closed system, you can buy a second external tank. It draws water into the machine from one tank and outputs dirty water into another tank, and you can dispose of the waste water wherever you’d like.) When the tank is not in use, it can be stored in a cupboard or under the sink.

It’s a reasonable size. At about 20 inches tall, 10 inches wide, and 20 inches deep, the Capsule takes up less space than a traditional toaster oven. That being said, make sure to measure your space before taking the plunge: A Wirecutter writer couldn’t find a convenient spot for it in her small-space kitchen and ultimately decided that hand-washing dishes was easier.

Operating it is intuitive. The buttons and time indicator sit front and center on the door, and cycling through its 10 modes is easy.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The shape is odd, and loading it takes some practice. The Capsule looks like a regular dishwasher that’s been dragged and resized into a tall, thin, long rectangle. But you don’t load it like you would a regular dishwasher. It’s easiest to load the rack from back to front, with the rack fully pulled out. If you remove the silverware basket, the process is simpler.

We’re not sure how it will hold up. This machine seems well built, and it has a stainless steel tub, which is ideal with any dishwasher. But the Capsule hasn’t been around long enough to generate a ton of durability intel. (The company claims it will refund damaged or defective orders.)

Detergent pods aren’t recommended. Powder, gel, liquid, or tablet detergents are fine to use, but pods “are too powerful for Loch’s efficient water usage,” according to the model’s instructions. This is a bit disappointing since pods typically clean dishes a touch better in general, and they’re easier to maneuver than heavy boxes of powder.

Some of the modes seem gimmicky. The somewhat-confusing “fruit washing” mode (yes, it’s intended for washing actual fruit) and a UV-light-aided sterilization mode are overkill for most people, and I didn’t test them.

You can’t watch your dishes being washed. That zen moment of watching water swirling around the dishes matters to some people, and many countertop dishwashers I’ve tested have a little viewing window. The Capsule offers no such fun. In fact, the company claims the machine cleans and dries dishes better without a window.

It’s not cheap. The Capsule typically costs around $460. (You could skip the dishes and spend that money on some nice nights out!)

If you’re willing to wait (or are in Europe): I tested the Bob Dishwasher in early 2025, and it was excellent. Since then, the French company Daan Tech has ceased US sales of the Bob indefinitely, citing market uncertainty and tariff fears. If the Bob ever comes back in stock, however, I’d recommend it over other countertop models with internal tanks (it performed better than our top pick overall).

If you have a big countertop, or you want a small built-in dishwasher: The sizable GE Profile PZF560 cleans as well as (or better than) our countertop pick. But it’s really big (17.5 inches high, 22 inches wide, 20 inches deep), so it’s hard to envision many spaces where it could comfortably live. It has to be hooked up to a sink or water line to operate (it does not have an onboard tank), and that puts it somewhere between a short portable dishwasher with no wheels and a countertop dishwasher that’s too large for most counters. Also, fitting larger plates requires some leaning and finagling. The PZF560 is best used as a small built-in dishwasher, similar to a drawer-style model. So it might make sense in a rental home, an accessory dwelling unit, or an RV, or as part of a luxe home-bar setup.

If you like the Loch Capsule, but you don’t need a water-line connection: A pared-down version of our pick, the Loch Capsule Solo has three fewer modes than the Capsule and no water-line plumbing connections. The Capsule Solo typically costs about $60 less than the Capsule. And while I think it’s worth paying extra for more flexibility, you can save a little money if the external tank alone will do.

The Danby CounterTop Dishwasher is similar in size to the GE worth-considering pick, and it cleans soiled dishes almost as well. But its hoses are finicky.

Liam McCabe wrote a previous version of this guide. This guide was edited by Andrea Barnes and Ingrid Skjong.