COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher With Water Tank Review
This COMFEE' countertop dishwasher review finds a tank-fed, no-install unit for small kitchens, but its 9.5 in plate limit and 36.6 lb weight rule it out for some homes. Check your plate size and counter gap first.
On this page (17 sections)
- COMFEE' countertop dishwasher specs at a glance
- Size and clearance under wall cabinets
- Capacity: 30+ items and a 9.5 in plate limit
- Tank mode and faucet hookup: check your faucet first
- Tank mode or faucet mode: which to pick
- What a tank model asks of you
- Programs, detergent and drying
- Noise, water and energy
- Weight and moving it through a small space
- What comes in the box
- How it compares with the HAVA and Hermitlux
- Setting it up on the day it arrives
- Where it fits and where it doesn't
- Who the COMFEE' suits
- Who should skip the COMFEE'
- Our score and what it weighs
- COMFEE' countertop dishwasher review verdict: plates under 9.5 in
The COMFEE' countertop dishwasher is a 1.32 gal (5 liter) unit with a built-in tank and no installation. It suits a small kitchen when your plates stay under 9.5 inches and you can lift 36.6 lb.
We compared the specs against what a renter, an RV owner or a small-kitchen buyer needs. This review covers size, hookup, programs, weight and who should skip it.
If you're still choosing between tank, faucet and portable models, our countertop and portable dishwashers guide explains the three types.
COMFEE' countertop dishwasher specs at a glance
The table below puts the main figures in one place, and the brand's own claims are marked as claims.
| Spec | COMFEE' |
|---|---|
| Size | 17.13 in deep, 16.53 in wide, 17.24 in tall |
| Weight | 36.6 lb |
| Water tank | 1.32 gal (5 liters), built in |
| Capacity | 30+ items, plates up to 9.5 in |
| Inlet hose | 1.44 ft, adapter included |
| Water pressure | 0.04 to 1.0 MPa |
| Programs | Six, plus an Air Refresh drying mode |
| Controls | Touch, with an LED display |
| Noise | 62 dB |
| Color | Black |
COMFEE' sells the unit for small houses, apartments, dorms, boats and campers. That is the brand's own pitch, and the rest of this review checks it against the numbers.
Size and clearance under wall cabinets
The COMFEE' needs more than 19.6 in between the countertop and the wall cupboard. Its body is 17.24 in tall, so that cabinet gap is the number that can rule it out.
The footprint is 17.13 in deep and 16.53 in wide, so it sits on a standard counter with room to spare. For more compact picks, see our best mini dishwashers for small kitchens roundup.
Measure these before you order
Write down these numbers and compare them with the unit. If a number is close to the limit, choose a different unit rather than squeezing this one in.
- The counter depth, from the wall to the front edge.
- The height from the counter to the bottom of the wall cupboard, which must clear 19.6 in.
- The door and hallway widths on the route in, plus any corners or steps.
- Your largest plate, since the COMFEE' tops out at 9.5 in.
Capacity: 30+ items and a 9.5 in plate limit
COMFEE' says the unit holds 30+ items, but the plate limit is 9.5 in. A standard 10 in dinner plate won't fit, so the item count only helps if your plates are small enough.
For one or two people, 30+ items is a workable load. A bigger household will run it more often.
A mix of bowls, cups and cutlery fills the rack differently than plates do. The item count depends on what you wash, so compare it with a typical load from your own kitchen.
Tank mode and faucet hookup: check your faucet first
The unit runs from its 1.32 gal tank with no hookup, or it connects to a faucet with the included hose and adapter. Both ways need power, and the waste water still needs a place to drain.
COMFEE' countertop dishwasher faucet and tank setup
Fill the tank by hand using the filling guide that comes with the unit. For faucet mode, the included hose and adapter connect the unit to the faucet, at a water pressure of 0.04 to 1.0 MPa.
Check your faucet first, since the aerator type, the thread and whether it's a pull-down or spray model decide the fit. The hose is 1.44 ft long, so the unit has to sit close to the sink in faucet mode.
Follow the manual for the connection steps. Ask a licensed plumber before you change anything in the plumbing.
For a tank-only setup with no faucet work, see our best countertop dishwashers with a water tank roundup. To see how a unit with no plumbing works from start to finish, read how a countertop dishwasher with no plumbing works.
Tank mode or faucet mode: which to pick
Pick tank mode if your faucet doesn't suit the adapter, and faucet mode if you'd rather skip filling by hand. Your faucet decides more than your preference does.
Tank mode keeps the faucet out of the job, but you carry water to the tank for every run. Faucet mode removes the filling step, but it depends on your faucet, the adapter fit and a hose that is only 1.44 ft long.
If you're unsure, start in tank mode while you check the faucet. That needs no plumbing change at all.
What a tank model asks of you
A tank model still needs an outlet, a hand fill and a place for the waste water to go. A built-in tank changes where the water comes from, not what the rest of the setup needs.
At 1.32 gal, the tank is small, so plan to refill it for each load. Keep the water pitcher near the sink and fill on a flat, level counter so spills stay away from the cord.
COMFEE' also says the unit has leakage protection. That doesn't replace the basics, so unplug the unit before you check any hose, connection or drain.
Programs, detergent and drying
The COMFEE' has six programs, including Normal, Rapid, Fruit and Glass. One high-temperature cycle heats the water up to 162°F, which COMFEE' calls great for really dirty dishes.
The Air Refresh mode circulates air to keep the dishes and the machine dry and fresh. COMFEE' says it helps remove moisture and odors, and you can turn it off if you don't need it.
COMFEE' says to use standard dishwasher powder or detergent, since regular liquid dish soap causes problems. The Fruit program needs no detergent, and the Rapid program needs half the usual amount.
The fruit basket in the box pairs with the Fruit program. For more on choosing a product, read our countertop dishwasher detergent guide.
Noise, water and energy
COMFEE' rates the unit at 62 dB. If you run late loads in a small space, that figure is worth weighing against how close the bed or couch sits.
COMFEE' also says the unit uses about a third of what handwashing uses, without saying whether that means water or energy. It gives no per-cycle water figure, so don't plan around a number it hasn't published.
If an outside efficiency label matters to you, look for Energy Star certified dishwashers at energystar.gov.
Weight and moving it through a small space
At 36.6 lb, the COMFEE' is a heavy carry through a narrow door or up a step. Plan the route before it arrives, and clear any tight corners on the way to the counter.
If you move it alone, keep the load close to your body and lift with your legs. If lifting is the main worry, compare it with the lighter HAVA in our COMFEE' vs HAVA countertop dishwasher comparison.
What comes in the box
The box includes a water pitcher, a fruit basket, the quick-connect inlet hose with its adapter, and a drain. Check the contents against that list when it arrives, especially the adapter if you plan to use faucet mode.
How it compares with the HAVA and Hermitlux
The HAVA is the lighter option with the biggest plate limit, and the Hermitlux is the lightest with a glass door. The COMFEE' is the one with the faucet adapter in the box.
| Feature | COMFEE' | HAVA | Hermitlux |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 36.6 lb | About 28.7 lb | About 26.5 lb |
| Largest plate | 9.5 in | 11 in, at an angle | 10.25 in, at an angle |
| Inlet hose | 1.44 ft | 61 in | 59 in |
| Height | 17.24 in | 18 in | 18.03 in |
The HAVA and Hermitlux both hold four place settings. For a closer look, read our Hermitlux 5-liter review.
Setting it up on the day it arrives
Set the unit on a flat, level counter, then read the manual's first-run steps before you add water. Confirm the drain has a clear place to go, such as a sink.
Keep the box contents together until you've run the first load. If the adapter or pitcher is missing, contact COMFEE' before you start.
Where it fits and where it doesn't
The COMFEE' fits best in places where plumbing is a hassle and plates are small. It fits worst where cabinets sit low or plates run big.
- A studio or one-bedroom with a sink beside the counter: tank mode or faucet mode both work, and the 1.44 ft hose reaches if the unit sits next to the sink.
- An RV or camper kitchen: the tank means no hookup, but check the 19.6 in cabinet gap first.
- A dorm or office kitchenette: the 17 in footprint is small, though 36.6 lb is a lot to carry up stairs.
- A family kitchen with 10 in dinner plates: this is the case to skip, since the plate limit is 9.5 in.
Who the COMFEE' suits
The COMFEE' suits a small kitchen, apartment or RV where a tank-fed unit with an adapter for faucet mode is the right fit. It works best for a household that keeps its plates under 9.5 in.
- A small kitchen with plates under 9.5 in.
- A renter who wants a unit with no installation.
- An RV or apartment owner who can handle a 36.6 lb carry.
If you cook for a bigger household, see our best countertop dishwashers for apartments roundup for other capacity options.
Who should skip the COMFEE'
Skip it if you use 10 in or larger plates often, since the 9.5 in limit leaves them out. Skip it also if you need to lift the unit alone up stairs or through tight spaces.
- Your plates run larger than 9.5 in.
- You need to carry the unit up stairs alone.
- Your cabinet gap is under 19.6 in.
- Your faucet doesn't suit the adapter, and you don't want to fill the tank by hand.
Our score and what it weighs
The COMFEE' scores 8.5 because its tank, adapter and item count are clear. Its weight and plate limit hold the score back.
That puts it a little above the HAVA at 8.3, mainly for the adapter in the box. The HAVA wins on plate size and weight, which is why the two scores sit so close.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for.
COMFEE' Countertop Dishwasher
- 1.32 gal (5 liter) built-in tank
- Faucet hose and adapter included
- 30+ items, plates up to 9.5 in
- Six programs and an Air Refresh drying mode
A compact countertop unit with a 1.32 gal built-in tank and no installation needed. It fits a small kitchen best when your plates stay under 9.5 in and you can lift 36.6 lb.
Pros
- Built-in tank, so no installation needed
- Faucet hose and adapter included
- 30+ items and six programs
Cons
- Heavy at 36.6 lb
- Plates top out at 9.5 in
- The 1.44 ft hose means faucet mode needs a close sink
COMFEE' countertop dishwasher review verdict: plates under 9.5 in
Pick the COMFEE' if your plates stay under 9.5 in and you want the faucet adapter in the box. Pick the HAVA if you need 11 in plate room, or the BLACK+DECKER if you need six place settings.
For a side-by-side with the HAVA before you choose, read our COMFEE' vs HAVA countertop dishwasher comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Is the COMFEE' countertop dishwasher worth it for a small kitchen?
It can be, if your plates stay under 9.5 inches and you want a tank unit that also takes a faucet adapter. It needs no installation and holds 30+ items, but at 36.6 pounds it's a heavy carry, so plan the route before you buy.
Does the COMFEE' need a faucet to run?
No, it runs from its built-in 1.32 gallon tank, which you fill by hand, though it still needs power and a drain. You can also connect it to a faucet with the included hose and adapter, but check your faucet first, since the aerator type and thread decide the fit.
Can plates bigger than 9.5 inches go in the COMFEE'?
No, COMFEE' gives 9.5 inches as the largest plate size, so a standard 10-inch dinner plate is over the limit. If your plates are bigger, the HAVA takes dishes up to 11 inches loaded at an angle, so look at that model instead.
What detergent should you use in the COMFEE'?
Use standard dishwasher powder or detergent, not regular liquid dish soap, since COMFEE' says dish soap causes dishwasher problems. The Fruit program needs no detergent and Rapid needs half the usual amount, so follow the manual for the exact dose and the dispenser steps.
