Best Countertop Dishwashers for Apartments
The best countertop dishwashers for apartments include the COMFEE' 1.32 Gal Countertop Dishwasher for renters without a faucet hookup, the Midea 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher for a lighter six-place unit, and the COMFEE' 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher for two or three people.
On this page (10 sections)
- How we picked these six small dishwashers for apartments
- Small dishwashers for apartments compared by size, hookup and capacity
- The six best small dishwashers for apartments in detail
- Programs and drying for a small apartment load
- Matching a small dishwasher to your apartment kitchen
- Faucet hookup or tank for an apartment kitchen
- Renter rules, moves and taking the unit with you
- Space, clearance and weight in a small apartment kitchen
- Noise, power and water in a small dishwasher for apartments
- Which small dishwasher for an apartment fits you
If you rent an apartment, a small dishwasher can fit your kitchen without a permanent install. The six countertop models here are built for that kind of space, and they differ mostly in how they get their water.
All six can connect to a faucet, but the COMFEE' 1.32 gallon model is the one built around its own 5 L tank. Whether you can use a faucet is the first question to answer, so start there.
In a rental, three things usually matter most: whether the unit fits your counter, whether you can connect a faucet, and how heavy it is to move. The other features are useful, but those three decide most choices.
For the full set of options, see our countertop and portable dishwashers guide. If you are still deciding whether a countertop model is worth the money and space, read are countertop dishwashers worth it first.
Our picks at a glance
-
1
Best for renters without a faucet hookupCOMFEE' 1.32 Gal Countertop Dishwasher
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a lighter six-place unitMidea 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for two or three peopleCOMFEE' 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
- 4
Check itFarberware 6-Place Compact Dishwasher
Best for a faucet hookup with adapters included - 5
Check itBLACK+DECKER BCD6W Countertop Dishwasher
Best for a delayed start and a child lock - 6
Check itGE Profile 6-Place WiFi Dishwasher
Best for WiFi control from a phone
How we picked these six small dishwashers for apartments
We looked at size, hookup, weight, capacity and noise, since those decide whether a unit fits a rental. Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
A renter needs a unit that fits the counter, connects to a faucet or runs from a tank, and can move with you. We weighted size and hookup most, then weight, then programs and extras such as a delay start.
Because most renters have limited counter space and no say over the plumbing, we put hookup first. A unit that sits on the counter is also easier to take with you when you move, and easier to stop using if the lease changes.
We also checked the features that make a unit easier to live with, such as a child lock, a drying step and a delayed start.
Four of the six give a noise level, three at 52 dB and one at 62 dB.
We compared the specs and features, and we did not run these units ourselves. Scores run from 7.6 to 8.7 because the six differ on hookup, weight and the features that matter in a rental.
Small dishwashers for apartments compared by size, hookup and capacity
All six stand about 17 inches tall, so the real differences are width, depth, weight and how each unit gets water. The COMFEE' tank model is the only one that can run without a faucet.
| Product | Best for | Size | Capacity | Hookup | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMFEE' 1.32 Gal Countertop Dishwasher | renters without a faucet hookup | 16.53 x 17.13 x 17.24 in | 30+ items | 5 L tank or faucet | 8.7 |
| Midea 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher | a lighter six-place unit | 22 x 20 x 17.25 in | 6 place settings | Faucet quick-connect | 8.5 |
| COMFEE' 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher | two or three people | 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 in | 6 place settings | Faucet with adapter | 8.4 |
| Farberware 6-Place Compact Dishwasher | a faucet hookup with adapters included | 19.7 x 21.7 x 17.2 in | 6 place settings | Faucet, adapters included | 8.2 |
| BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Countertop Dishwasher | a delayed start and a child lock | 21.7 x 21.5 x 17.2 in | 6 place settings | Faucet, adapter included | 8.0 |
| GE Profile 6-Place WiFi Dishwasher | WiFi control from a phone | 21.7 x 20.13 x 17.3 in | 6 place settings | Faucet unicouple included | 7.6 |
The COMFEE' 6-place and the Farberware have the same footprint, 19.7 by 21.7 in, just turned sideways. The COMFEE' 6-place weighs 46 lb, but Farberware doesn't publish a weight, so ask before you choose between them.
Skip the COMFEE' tank model if you need plates bigger than 9.5 in. Skip the COMFEE' 6-place, the BLACK+DECKER and the GE Profile if you move often, since all three weigh 46 lb or more.
The six best small dishwashers for apartments in detail
The COMFEE' tank model scores highest because it is the unit here built around its own tank. The GE Profile scores lowest because it weighs 50 lb, the most of any unit here, and needs a faucet connection.
COMFEE' 1.32 Gal Countertop Dishwasher
- 1.32 gal (5 L) tank
- 30+ items, plates up to 9.5 in
- Faucet adapter included
- 62 dB noise level
The unit here built around its own tank. It weighs 36.6 lb and comes with a faucet adapter if you want that option.
Pros
- Runs from a 5 L tank with no faucet
- Faucet adapter included
- Shortest body in this group at 17.24 in tall
Cons
- Plates top out at 9.5 in, the smallest limit here
- Needs more than 19.6 in between the countertop and the wall cupboard
The COMFEE' tank model is the pick for a renter who can't or won't connect to a faucet. Its 1.32 gallon (5 L) tank lets you run it on a counter with no hookup.
It holds 30+ items per load, with plates up to 9.5 in. That limit is the smallest in this group, so check your dinner plates before you buy.
COMFEE' lists six programs, including Normal, Rapid, Fruit and Glass, with Air Refresh as an extra drying mode. At 17.24 in tall it is the shortest unit here, but COMFEE' recommends more than 19.6 in between the countertop and the wall cupboard.
At 36.6 lb it is lighter than the three six-place units that weigh 46 to 50 lb. It is also the loudest figure here, at 62 dB compared with 52 dB for the COMFEE' 6-place and the Midea.
For a closer look, read our COMFEE' countertop dishwasher review. If you are weighing a tank against a faucet hookup, our water tank vs faucet hookup comparison explains the tradeoffs.
Midea 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
- 6 place settings
- Auto, Heavy, Normal, Quick, Rinse and Delicate cycles
- Delay start from 1 to 24 hours
- 52 dB noise level
A six-place unit that weighs 25.3 lb. Midea gives it a 52 dB noise level and says it is Energy Star certified.
Pros
- Lightest six-place unit here, at 25.3 lb
- Delay start from 1 to 24 hours
- Midea says it is Energy Star certified
Cons
- Faucet hookup needs a suitable adapter, so check your faucet
- Plates up to 10 in only
The Midea is the lighter six-place pick at 25.3 lb, which makes it easier to lift in and out of a cabinet space. It holds six place settings, and Midea says it fits up to 70 pieces of tableware and plates up to 10 in.
Its cycles include Auto, Heavy, Normal, Quick, Rinse and Delicate, with an extended dry and a power wash option. A delay start runs from 1 to 24 hours.
Midea says the unit runs at 52 dB and that it is Energy Star certified. Midea also says the unit uses only 2.77 gallons of water.
Midea says it connects to a faucet with a suitable adapter, and it also says its tank design makes adding water easy. Check your faucet first, and read the manual to see which way you will fill it.
At 17.25 in tall and 22 in wide, it is the widest unit here, so measure your counter and the space above it before you buy.
COMFEE' 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
- 6 place settings, up to 70 pieces
- 8 washing cycles including Heavy, Normal, ECO and Speed
- Speed program in 45 minutes
- 52 dB noise level
Six place settings and up to 70 pieces of tableware. COMFEE' says it suits two or three people and uses as little as 2.77 gallons per cycle.
Pros
- Six place settings with extra-drying on most cycles
- Speed program finishes in 45 minutes
- COMFEE' says it is Energy Star certified
Cons
- At 46 lb it is heavy to move
- Needs a suitable faucet adapter
The COMFEE' 6-place unit fits six place settings and up to 70 pieces of tableware. COMFEE' says it suits two or three people, which is a good fit for a couple or a small household.
It has eight washing cycles, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Glass and Speed. Most of the cycles add an extra-drying function, so dishes come out dry.
The Speed program takes 45 minutes, and the unit runs at 52 dB. COMFEE' says it uses as little as 2.77 gallons of water per cycle and that it is Energy Star certified.
At 46 lb and 21.7 in wide, it is a big unit for a small apartment kitchen, so measure the counter depth before you buy.
It connects to a faucet with an adapter, so check your faucet first, including the aerator and whether it is a pull-down or spray model.
Farberware 6-Place Compact Dishwasher
- 6 place settings for plates up to 10 in
- Seven programs with extra-drying on several cycles
- Quick connect assembly
- Adapters included
A six-place unit with the faucet hardware in the box. Farberware includes folding rack shelves and a cutlery basket.
Pros
- Adapters and quick-connect parts included
- Folding rack shelves and a cutlery basket
- Seven programs in all
Cons
- Runs from a faucet only, with no tank
- Farberware doesn't publish a weight or noise level, so ask before you buy
Farberware includes a quick-connect assembly and adapters, which helps if you want a faucet hookup without buying extra parts. It fits six place settings and plates up to 10 in, with folding-down rack shelves and a cutlery basket.
The unit has seven programs in all, including Heavy, Normal, Eco, Glass and Speed. It adds an extra-drying function to several of those cycles.
Farberware gives the footprint as 21.7 in deep, 19.7 in wide and 17.2 in tall. It doesn't publish a weight or a noise level, so ask before you buy if either matters to your move or your neighbors.
It runs from a faucet only, with no tank. Check your faucet and the drain path before you order, and follow the maker's manual for the connection.
BLACK+DECKER BCD6W Countertop Dishwasher
- 6 place settings
- 7 wash cycles with a delayed start
- Child lock
- Stainless steel interior
A delayed start of up to 24 hours and a child lock. At 46.2 lb, it is one of the heavier units here.
Pros
- Delayed start of up to 24 hours
- Child lock and stainless steel interior
- Faucet adapter and drain hose included
Cons
- 46.2 lb is heavy for a renter who moves often
- Water drains to a nearby sink, so the spot must suit the drain
The BLACK+DECKER BCD6W is the pick for a delayed start and a child lock. Its delay runs up to 24 hours, and the child lock helps keep the controls secure.
It has seven wash cycles, including Normal, Intensive, Eco, Glass and Rapid, and a stainless steel interior. The rack takes plates up to 10 in in diameter.
The quick-connect assembly hooks to the faucet with a drain hose and a faucet adapter included. Water will need to drain to a nearby sink, so check that the drain path works before you buy.
At 46.2 lb and 21.7 in wide, it is one of the heavier units here, so it is a hard fit for a renter who moves often. BLACK+DECKER says to clean the full filter assembly once a week if you run it every day.
For more on this model, read our BLACK+DECKER BCD6W review.
GE Profile 6-Place WiFi Dishwasher
- 6 place settings, fits 11 in plates
- WiFi with the SmartHQ app
- 52 dBA noise level
- Unicouple faucet hookup included
App control through SmartHQ. GE says it reduces water use by over 75% compared with handwashing, and at 50 lb it is the heaviest unit here.
Pros
- Start and monitor cycles from a phone
- Largest plates here, up to 11 in
- GE says it is ENERGY STAR certified
Cons
- 50 lb, the heaviest unit in this group
- Runs from a faucet only, with no tank
The GE Profile is the smart pick on this list. It has WiFi that works with the SmartHQ app, so you can start and monitor cycles from your phone.
It holds six place settings and fits 11 in plates, the largest plate size among the six. GE says it runs at 52 dBA and is ENERGY STAR certified, and that it uses over 75% less water than handwashing.
It attaches to a faucet with a unicouple, which is included. Check your faucet first, including the aerator type, before you order.
At 50 lb it is the heaviest unit in this group, so it suits a renter who can keep it in one spot. If app control matters more than weight, it's the one to consider.
Programs and drying for a small apartment load
Most of these six run a standard wash and a drying step, so pick the program you'll use every day. A quick cycle suits a few plates, and a heavier cycle suits a full load of greasy dishes.
Quick cycles for a few dishes
The COMFEE' 6-place Speed program finishes in 45 minutes, and GE offers a 30-Minute Quick Wash. The Midea includes a Quick cycle, and the BLACK+DECKER has Rapid and 90 Minutes cycles.
A quick cycle saves time on a light load, but it may not clean a full, heavily soiled load as well as a heavier program. Pick the quick cycle for a few plates and a longer cycle for a full rack.
Heavy cycles and drying
COMFEE' says its 6-place Heavy program uses 12 washing nozzles and a 360 degree spray for heavily soiled dishes. Farberware says its extra-drying function adds heat to the final rinse on the Heavy, Normal, Eco and Glass cycles.
GE includes Auto Open Dry, which it describes as an eco-friendly way to dry dishes. The COMFEE' tank model has an air refresh drying mode, and the Midea includes an extended dry function.
Drying adds time to each cycle, so the full run is longer than the wash alone. Check the total time before you plan a load around work or sleep.
The Midea, the BLACK+DECKER and the GE Profile all offer a delayed start, so a load can finish at a time you choose. That helps if you want a clean kitchen when you wake up or get home.
Detergent for a small apartment dishwasher
Use detergent made for dishwashers in any of these units. BLACK+DECKER says its detergent dispenser accepts powder, tablet and pod detergents, and it also has a rinse aid dispenser.
COMFEE' says its 1.32 gallon model needs standard dishwasher powders or detergents, because regular liquid dish soap causes problems. Our countertop dishwasher detergent guide covers what to buy and how much to use.
Matching a small dishwasher to your apartment kitchen
Match the unit to your counter first, then to your faucet and your lease. These three kitchens cover most rentals.
A studio with a short counter
The COMFEE' tank model is the narrowest at 16.53 in wide and the shortest at 17.24 in tall. It runs from its tank, so it doesn't have to sit beside the sink, but it still needs an outlet and a drain spot.
A galley kitchen with a standard faucet
A six-place unit fits here if the counter is deep enough. The Midea is 20 in deep and weighs 25.3 lb, so it is the easiest of the six-place units to lift in and out of a cabinet.
A shared kitchen with thin walls
Pick one of the 52 dB units if noise travels in your building. The Midea, the COMFEE' 6-place and the GE Profile all give 52 dB, while the COMFEE' tank model gives 62 dB.
Faucet hookup or tank for an apartment kitchen
A faucet hookup means no refills before each load, but it depends on your faucet type. A tank model avoids the faucet entirely, but you fill it by hand before a cycle.
The COMFEE' tank model is the one in this group built to run without a faucet. The other five are set up around a faucet connection, so the choice comes down to your kitchen.
Checking your faucet before you buy a small dishwasher
Look at the aerator type, the thread and whether the faucet is a pull-down or spray model, since those decide which adapter fits. Write down the faucet brand and model, so you can match the adapter before you order.
Follow the maker's manual for the connection. If you aren't sure how to connect, ask a licensed plumber rather than changing the faucet yourself.
When a tank model makes more sense
A tank model makes more sense if you can't connect to a faucet, or if your lease rules out a faucet connection. The COMFEE' tank unit runs from its 5 L tank, and it still needs an outlet nearby and a drain spot.
If you are not sure what your lease allows, ask your landlord before you connect anything.
When a faucet doesn't suit your kitchen
Some kitchens have a faucet that won't take a standard adapter, or a sink that is hard to reach with a hose.
In that case, the COMFEE' tank model gives you a fallback, since it runs from its own tank. The other five are built around a working faucet connection.
Renter rules, moves and taking the unit with you
A portable unit comes with you when you move, which is the main reason renters pick one. It also sits on the counter, so you don't change the cabinets to use it.
For a broader look at this choice, see countertop vs portable dishwasher, which compares the two styles side by side.
Moving a small dishwasher out of an apartment
Empty the unit and drain the hoses before you pack it, and follow the maker's manual for the steps. Keep the original box and the manual if you can, since they make the move easier.
Weight matters on a move. The Midea at 25.3 lb and the COMFEE' tank model at 36.6 lb are easier to carry than the 46 to 50 lb units here.
Secure the hoses and the cutlery basket in the box so they don't shift in transit. A unit you can carry with one person is the easiest to keep through a move, which is why weight matters as much as hookup for many renters.
Renter-friendly setup with no changes
Stick with units that sit on the counter and connect with a hose, since they don't change the cabinets or the plumbing. Check your lease anyway before you connect anything to the faucet.
Avoid any step that changes the plumbing or the wiring. If a setup seems to need that, follow the maker's manual and ask a licensed plumber or electrician instead.
Lease and landlord questions to ask first
Ask your landlord whether a countertop dishwasher that connects to a faucet is allowed in the unit. Ask about the drain too, since the waste water needs a place to go.
If the landlord agrees, ask for that in writing, and keep a copy with your lease. A written answer is easier to show than a verbal one.
Space, clearance and weight in a small apartment kitchen
The six units share a similar height, but the clearance above the counter matters more than the height. Only COMFEE' gives a clearance figure in this group, at more than 19.6 in for the tank model.
Measure the space above the counter before you buy any unit here. For a full table of sizes, see small dishwasher dimensions.
Measuring the counter and the space above it
Measure the counter width and depth in the exact spot you'll use, not across the whole room. Then measure from the counter up to the bottom of the nearest wall cabinet, since that gap sets the clearance.
Write down all three numbers before you shop. Compare them with the sizes in the table above, and add a little room for the door to open and for the hoses to reach the sink.
How much room a six-place unit needs
A six-place unit stands about 17 inches tall and 20 to 22 inches wide. Measure the counter width and add a little room for the door and the hoses.
Check the depth too. Several six-place units are about 20 to 22 inches deep, so a shallow counter may not take them.
Noise, power and water in a small dishwasher for apartments
Four of the six give a noise level, and three of those give 52 dB, the quieter end of this group. The COMFEE' tank model gives 62 dB, the loudest figure here.
The COMFEE' 6-place unit uses 174 kWh per year, and GE gives its figure as 155 kWh per year. Those are annual energy figures from the brands, so compare them as a guide.
If you share a wall with a neighbor, the 52 dB units are the better pick than the 62 dB COMFEE' tank model. The brands' figures are a guide, not a promise, but the gap is worth weighing.
COMFEE' and Midea both give 2.77 gallons as their water use. Both numbers are the brands' own figures, so treat them as a guide.
The COMFEE' 6-place, the Midea and the GE Profile all say they carry the Energy Star label. To see what that label covers, visit energystar.gov.
For a look at how much water a dishwasher uses compared with washing by hand, read dishwasher vs hand washing.
Which small dishwasher for an apartment fits you
Pick the COMFEE' tank model if you can't connect to a faucet, and pick the Midea if weight matters most. Pick the COMFEE' 6-place if two or three people share the kitchen, and pick the Farberware if you want the adapters in the box.
Pick the BLACK+DECKER if a delayed start and a child lock matter, and pick the GE Profile if you want app control and can handle 50 lb.
Measure your counter and the clearance above it first, then choose the unit that fits your space. For a shorter list built around tight spaces, see mini dishwashers for small kitchens.
Our top 3 picks at a glance
-
1
Best for renters without a faucet hookup
COMFEE' 1.32 Gal Countertop Dishwasher
8.7/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
2
Best for a lighter six-place unit
Midea 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
8.5/10 our score
See it on Amazon -
3
Best for two or three people
COMFEE' 6-Place Countertop Dishwasher
8.4/10 our score
See it on Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is the best small dishwasher for an apartment?
It depends mostly on your faucet, since the COMFEE' 1.32 gallon model runs from its own 5 L tank and needs no hookup. If you can connect to a faucet, the Midea is the lightest six-place unit here at 25.3 lb, and the Farberware includes its adapters.
Do you need a faucet for a countertop dishwasher in an apartment?
Only five of these six need a faucet, since the COMFEE' 1.32 gallon model can run from its own tank. Every unit still needs an outlet nearby and a place for the waste water to drain, so check both before you order.
How big is a small dishwasher for an apartment?
Most six-place models here stand about 17 inches tall and measure 19.7 to 22 inches wide, while the COMFEE' tank model is narrower at 16.53 inches. Measure your counter depth and the clearance above it before you buy, and keep a little room for the hoses and the door.
Are countertop dishwashers good for renters?
They can be, because they sit on the counter, don't change the cabinets and go with you when you move, which suits a rental. Check your lease before you connect anything to the faucet, and follow the maker's manual for every step.
