Can You Put a Countertop Dishwasher Under the Sink?
Some countertop dishwashers can go under the sink, but most are made to sit on a counter or table. Any change to the plumbing belongs with a licensed plumber, so follow the maker's manual first.
On this page (11 sections)
- Can a countertop dishwasher go under the sink?
- What do the four products here allow?
- What does a cupboard placement change?
- How much room does a countertop dishwasher need?
- Is a rolling table a lower-risk alternative?
- Counter, table or cabinet: which spot suits a countertop dishwasher?
- What should a plumber check before any under-sink install?
- Can a tank model sit under the counter?
- What are the risks of an under-sink setup?
- Which setup mistakes should you avoid?
- Pick a countertop dishwasher setup: under the sink or beside it
Most countertop dishwashers are made to sit on a counter or table, so putting one under the sink is not the usual setup. A few makers do allow cabinet or under-sink placement, and that choice can mean changing plumbing.
We compared two countertop models that name a cabinet or under-sink option, plus two rolling tables that keep the unit beside the sink. Our countertop and portable dishwashers guide covers the full range.
Can a countertop dishwasher go under the sink?
Some can, but most are made for a counter or table, so check the maker's install options before you measure the space under your sink. The answer changes from one model to the next.
GE says its Profile countertop model can sit on a counter, be built into cabinetry or fit under a shallow 6-inch sink. Optional trim kits for the cabinet versions are sold separately.
Putting a countertop dishwasher under the sink: the plumbing
Under most sinks, the drain pipes already take up the space, and some cabinets also hold a garbage disposal. A dishwasher there means working around those pipes, and that can change your plumbing.
Follow the maker's manual for any connection, and ask a licensed plumber before you change the water line, the drain or the cabinet. Our can you install a portable dishwasher permanently guide covers the same plumbing limits for portable units.
What do the four products here allow?
Only the GE Profile names under-sink placement, and the COMFEE' names a cupboard instead. The table shows where each one can sit and how big it is.
| Product | Where it can sit | Size, D x W x H (in) | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| GE Profile 6-place | Counter, built into cabinetry or under a shallow 6-inch sink | 20.13 x 21.7 x 17.3 | 50 lb |
| COMFEE' 6-place | Counter, table or cupboard | 19.7 x 21.7 x 17.2 | 46 lb |
| VEVOR rolling table | Beside the sink on casters, top shelf 36 x 24 in | 24 x 35 x 33 | 29 lb, top shelf rated 176 lb |
| ThreeHio rolling cart | Beside the sink on casters, three tiers | 15.75 x 23.62 x 30 | 11 lb, 210 lb recommended |
Neither rolling option touches the plumbing, since both simply hold things beside the sink. The GE Profile weighs 50 pounds, the heavier of the two dishwashers, so lifting it into a cabinet takes help.
What does a cupboard placement change?
A cupboard placement keeps the unit out of sight, but it still needs a faucet connection, a drain and room for the door. Those needs don't go away because the unit sits in a cabinet.
COMFEE' says its 6-place model can sit on a counter or table or fit into a cupboard. Plan for the faucet connection and the drain before you commit to the space.
Leave room for the door to open fully and for the hoses to reach without kinks. If the cupboard is a sink base, the plumbing questions above apply in full.
How much room does a countertop dishwasher need?
Measure the height, depth and width of the space, plus room for the hoses and the door, before you pick a model. The GE Profile is 20.13 inches deep, 21.7 inches wide and 17.3 inches tall.
The COMFEE' 6-place model is 19.7 inches deep, 21.7 inches wide and 17.2 inches tall. Both come with inlet and drain hoses, so leave room for them to bend without kinks.
What comes in the box
The GE Profile includes a cutlery basket, a drain hose, an inlet hose and a power cord. GE says its unicouple makes the faucet hookup quick.
The COMFEE' 6-place model includes an inlet hose, a drain hose, a faucet adapter, a quick connect and a user manual.
Both carry the Energy Star label, which you can read about at energystar.gov.
Compare the outside size with your space, not the model's name, since a label such as 6-place doesn't give the full footprint. For the outside sizes of more models, see small dishwasher dimensions.
Check the exact size before you order.
Measure the space in four spots
Take these four measurements before you buy anything for the space.
- The height under the sink, from the cabinet floor to the underside of the sink.
- The depth from the front of the cabinet to the back wall, since the unit and its hoses have to fit inside.
- The width between the pipes, so the unit doesn't press against them.
- The path for the hoses from the faucet and the drain, with no sharp bends.
Write each number down next to the unit's outside size. If any space is smaller than the unit, that setup won't work, and a rolling option may suit better.
Is a rolling table a lower-risk alternative?
Yes, a rolling table keeps the unit beside the sink without touching the plumbing under it. Set the unit on the table so the hoses reach the faucet and drain without changes under the cabinet.
Remember that dishes and water add to the empty weight. Check that the unit sits steady before you run a cycle.
Tiny-house kitchens often have the least room, so our best dishwashers for tiny houses covers models for that footprint. A table also gives you a surface for detergent and rinse aid within reach.
Check the size and load on the table or cart
The VEVOR top shelf is 36 by 24 inches and rated for 176 pounds, well above the 46 and 50 pound dishwashers. Two of its four casters have brakes, so set them before you start a cycle.
The ThreeHio cart is 15.75 inches deep, shallower than both 6-place units, which are 19.7 and 20.13 inches deep. That makes it a supply cart for detergent, rinse aid and towels, not a base for these two.
Adjustable shelves and assembly
The VEVOR's undershelf adjusts between two heights, with 15.7 to 22 inches between the shelves. VEVOR says gloves are required during assembly, and a wrench and set screws come in the box.
The ThreeHio cart comes with assembly instructions, and the version here has no power outlet. Two of its four casters can be locked.
Counter, table or cabinet: which spot suits a countertop dishwasher?
Pick the counter if you have the space, a rolling table if you don't, and a cabinet only when the maker allows it and a plumber agrees. Each spot trades counter or floor space against plumbing risk.
The counter keeps the hoses short and the faucet within reach. It costs you about 21.7 inches of width and 17 inches of height on a 6-place unit.
A rolling table frees the counter and can move out of the way. It needs floor space beside the sink and a top deep enough for the unit.
A cabinet hides the unit, but it is the option most likely to need plumbing changes. That is where the maker's manual and a licensed plumber matter most.
What should a plumber check before any under-sink install?
A plumber should check your water supply, drain path, shutoff valves and cabinet space before any under-sink install starts. Those four checks decide whether the unit can go in as planned.
Ask about the existing water line and whether it suits the unit's faucet connection. Ask where the drain connects, and whether the unit's drain hose can reach it without a change to the pipe.
Ask whether the shutoff valves can be reached once the unit is in place. Ask about the cabinet too, including whether the sink base needs any cutting or new panels.
Get the answers in writing, and ask the plumber to follow the maker's manual for the connection.
Can a tank model sit under the counter?
A tank model can sit under a counter if you can reach the tank to fill it. Hermitlux says its 5-liter tank model can still be filled when it is placed under the counter.
That is a brand claim, so check how far you can reach into the cabinet before you buy. A tank model still needs power, hand-filling and a drain path for the used water.
A tank model avoids the faucet connection. Our countertop dishwasher with no plumbing post explains how that works.
What are the risks of an under-sink setup?
The main risk is that the change touches your water line and drain, so a mistake there can cause leaks inside the cabinet. Pipes under the sink are hard to reach, so any fix there is slow and awkward.
Faucet connections depend on your faucet, so check your faucet first and follow the maker's manual. If you rent, ask your landlord before any change under the sink.
If any step looks like plumbing, stop and call a licensed plumber.
Which setup mistakes should you avoid?
Four mistakes come from skipping a check, and each takes a few minutes with a tape measure to avoid.
- Measuring the width only, and forgetting the depth and height.
- Ignoring where the drain hose has to go, including any sharp bends.
- Buying a cart without checking that its top is deep enough for the unit.
- Forgetting the door swing and the room you need to load and unload the racks.
Pick a countertop dishwasher setup: under the sink or beside it
Pick a counter, table or rolling table if you want to avoid plumbing changes. Pick an under-sink setup only if the maker allows it and a licensed plumber handles the work.
Pick a rolling table if you rent, want the unit to move or have a cabinet that is already full. Pick the GE Profile if you plan an under-sink install and have a licensed plumber ready.
If you're weighing a countertop model against a rolling portable, see countertop vs portable dishwasher. For a safety check on any model, the Consumer Product Safety Commission posts recall notices.
Frequently asked questions
Can a countertop dishwasher go under the sink?
Some can, since GE says its Profile can sit on a counter, be built into cabinetry or fit under a shallow 6-inch sink, but most countertop dishwashers are made for a counter or table. Follow the maker's manual, and ask a licensed plumber about any plumbing change.
Does an under-sink dishwasher need plumbing work?
Under-sink placement usually means working around the water and drain pipes, which can change your plumbing. The GE Profile and the COMFEE' 6-place model both connect to a faucet, so follow the maker's manual and ask a licensed plumber before any change.
How big is a countertop dishwasher?
The GE Profile measures 20.13 inches deep, 21.7 inches wide and 17.3 inches tall. The COMFEE' 6-place model measures 19.7 inches deep, 21.7 inches wide and 17.2 inches tall, so add room for the hoses and the door when you measure.
Can you put a countertop dishwasher on a rolling cart?
Yes, if the table is deep enough and rated for the weight. The VEVOR table's 36 by 24 inch top shelf is rated for 176 pounds, which covers a 46 to 50 pound unit, but the ThreeHio cart is only 15.75 inches deep, too shallow for either 6-place model.
