HAVA Countertop Dishwasher With Water Tank Review

On this page (16 sections)

1. HAVA countertop dishwasher specs at a glance
2. Size and clearance on your counter
3. Capacity: 11 in plates and four full place settings
4. Tank mode and faucet hookup: check your faucet first
5. Tank mode or faucet mode: which to pick
6. Programs, detergent and drying
7. Water use, power and noise: what HAVA says
8. Weight, moving and setup
9. What comes in the box
10. Compared with the COMFEE' and Hermitlux
11. Using it in an RV or small kitchen
12. Who the HAVA suits
13. Who should skip the HAVA
14. When HAVA's softener model makes more sense
15. Our score and what it weighs
16. HAVA countertop dishwasher review verdict: bigger plates and a lighter carry

The HAVA countertop dishwasher is a 5-liter, no-install unit that takes dishes up to 11 in when they're loaded at an angle. It suits a small kitchen, RV or apartment where bigger plates and a lighter carry matter most.

We compared the specs against what a renter, an RV owner or a small-kitchen buyer needs. This review covers size, tank and hookup, capacity, detergent, drying, weight and who should skip it.

Our countertop and portable dishwashers guide explains how tank, faucet and portable models differ, if you're still choosing.

HAVA countertop dishwasher specs at a glance

The table puts the main figures in one place, and HAVA's own claims are marked as claims.

Size and clearance on your counter

The HAVA measures 16.8 in deep, 16.7 in wide and 18 in tall, so it is a little taller than the COMFEE'. Its depth fits a standard counter with room left at the back.

HAVA gives no wall-cabinet gap, so leave a few inches above the 18 in height for loading. For a compact pick with a different footprint, see our best mini dishwashers for small kitchens roundup.

Measure these first

Take four numbers before you shop, and compare them with the unit.

• The counter depth and the width of the spot.
• The height from the counter to the bottom of the wall cabinet, which must clear 18 in with room to spare.
• The distance from the spot to the outlet, against the 55 in power cord.
• Your largest plate, against 11 in at an angle.

Capacity: 11 in plates and four full place settings

HAVA says the unit holds more than 30 pieces and up to four full place settings. Four full settings is the number to plan around, since it tells you how many dishes a load really takes.

A 10 in dinner plate is under the 11 in limit, which HAVA gives for dishes loaded at an angle. That makes the HAVA the better pick of the three units we compare for bigger plates.

Many small households will find four settings enough, while a bigger family will run the unit more often. Count a normal day's dishes and measure your largest plate before you decide.

Loading bigger plates and bowls

Load 11 in plates at an angle, since that is how the HAVA fits them. Keep bowls and cups from blocking the plates, so each piece has room for water to reach it.

HAVA says its spray arms have 14 water ports that spray from the top and bottom for 360 degree coverage. Give the arms a clear path, and don't pack the rack so tightly that the spray can't get through.

Plan each load around the four full place settings, not the 30 piece figure. Use the cutlery basket for forks and spoons, so they don't nest together.

Tank mode and faucet hookup: check your faucet first

The HAVA runs from its 5-liter built-in tank, or it connects to a faucet with the included inlet hose. Either way, the unit needs power and a drain.

HAVA countertop dishwasher faucet and tank setup

Adding water by hand to the 5-liter tank is the simplest route, since it doesn't touch the plumbing. It's the one to use if your faucet is hard to match.

For faucet mode, connect the included 61 in inlet hose to the faucet. HAVA doesn't mention an adapter, so confirm that your faucet works with the hose before you count on this mode.

Check your faucet first: the aerator type, the thread and whether it's a pull-down or spray model all matter. Follow the manual for the connection, and 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.

Tank mode or faucet mode: which to pick

Pick tank mode if your faucet is hard to match, and faucet mode if you'd rather skip filling by hand. Tank mode means a refill for each cycle, since the tank holds about one cycle's worth.

Faucet mode skips the refill, but it depends on your faucet. The 61 in hose gives you room to place the unit, which is a real advantage over a short hose.

Programs, detergent and drying

The HAVA has six programs: Normal, Speed, Soft, Heavy, Fruit and Dry. The Heavy mode washes at 167°F, which HAVA calls great for oily dishes.

HAVA describes its drying as 60 minutes of hot air followed by 72 hours of automatic ventilation. HAVA says that keeps the dishes dry and helps prevent odors, which is the brand's claim.

HAVA says to use dishwasher-specific detergent, and that pods, liquid and powder are all acceptable. The dispenser takes about 0.2 to 0.3 oz, so measure before each load.

For more on choosing a product, read our countertop dishwasher detergent guide.

Water use, power and noise: what HAVA says

HAVA says each cycle uses 5 liters of water. It puts that at about a quarter of what handwashing uses, which it describes as a 75 percent cut in water.

A 5-liter tank holds about one cycle's worth, so tank mode means a refill for each load. If you run a load every day, decide early whether to fill by hand or use the faucet.

HAVA says the unit operates at 950 W. It publishes no noise figure, so if a quiet kitchen matters, compare it with the COMFEE', which is rated at 62 dB.

For an outside efficiency label, look for Energy Star certified dishwashers at energystar.gov.

Weight, moving and setup

The unit weighs 13 kg, about 28.7 lb. That is about 8 lb lighter than the COMFEE', which matters on a narrow door or a short staircase.

Plan the route before the unit 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.

Set it on a flat, level counter, and read the manual's first-run steps before you add water. HAVA says a small amount of leftover water inside is normal after its factory tests.

Unplug the unit before you check any hose, connection or drain. If a problem keeps happening, contact HAVA or a repair pro.

What comes in the box

The box includes a cutlery basket, a drain hose, an inlet hose, a drying system and a user manual. HAVA also mentions an included fruit basket for produce.

Check the contents against that list when it arrives. Keep the manual with your order, since the connection and detergent steps are there.

Compared with the COMFEE' and Hermitlux

The HAVA takes the biggest plates of the three, and it sits in the middle on weight. The table puts the figures side by side.

The Hermitlux also holds four place settings and has a glass door. If you want to see the wash through the door, read our Hermitlux 5-liter review.

Using it in an RV or small kitchen

In an RV or small kitchen, plan around the 5-liter tank and the waste water. Fill the tank before each load, since it holds about one cycle's worth.

Plan where the drain hose will go before you set the unit, since the waste water needs a sink or a drain. Keep that route short and clear, so the hose doesn't kink.

For a wider look at RV-friendly units, see our best countertop dishwashers for RVs and campers roundup.

Who the HAVA suits

The HAVA suits a buyer who washes 10 in and 11 in plates and wants a lighter unit. It also suits renters and RV owners who want a tank model with no installation.

• You wash 10 in plates or bigger often.
• You want a unit that's easier to carry.
• Four full place settings per load works for your household.

A tank model with no installation is easy to set up in a rental, and it goes with you when you move.

Who should skip the HAVA

Skip it if you cook for a bigger household and want fewer runs each day, since four place settings is small. Skip it also if the faucet connection or the cabinet gap isn't settled.

• A household that needs more than four place settings per load.
• A kitchen with low cabinets, since the unit stands 18 in tall.
• A buyer who needs to confirm that the 61 in hose fits their faucet.

If you want a see-through door with the same four place settings, try the Hermitlux. For a delayed start, look at HAVA's softener model or the larger BLACK+DECKER BCD6W.

When HAVA's softener model makes more sense

HAVA's newer model adds a built-in water softener, 8 wash programs, a child lock and an 18-hour delayed start. It keeps the same 5-liter tank and a similar footprint of 16.86 x 16.75 x 18.05 in.

HAVA says you choose the softener setting based on your water hardness, to prevent limescale buildup inside the machine and watermarks on dishes. That is the brand's claim, and it only matters if your water is hard.

HAVA also states a one-year warranty for this softener model, which is worth a look if coverage matters to you.

Our score and what it weighs

The HAVA scores 8.3 because its tank, plate size and light weight are clear. The four place settings and the lack of a noise figure hold it back.

Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. It sits just below the COMFEE' at 8.5, mainly for the adapter in the COMFEE' box.

1

HAVA Countertop Dishwasher

Best for bigger plates and a lighter move

8.3/10Our score

• 5 liter built-in tank, no installation
• Dishes up to 11 in loaded at an angle
• Up to four full place settings
• About 28.7 lb (13 kg)

A 5-liter, no-install unit that takes dishes up to 11 in loaded at an angle. It weighs about 28.7 lb, an easier carry than the COMFEE' at 36.6 lb.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Takes dishes up to 11 in loaded at an angle
• About 28.7 lb, lighter than the COMFEE'
• 61 in inlet hose for faucet mode
• Drying with 60 minutes of hot air

Cons

• Four place settings is a small load
• Tank mode means a refill for each cycle
• Faucet mode depends on your faucet and the included hose

HAVA countertop dishwasher review verdict: bigger plates and a lighter carry

Pick the HAVA if you need 11 in plate room and a lighter unit, and four full place settings fit your household. Pick the COMFEE' if you want the faucet adapter in the box and your plates stay under 9.5 in.

For the full side-by-side, read our COMFEE' vs HAVA countertop dishwasher comparison.

Frequently asked questions

Is the HAVA countertop dishwasher worth it for a small kitchen?

It can be, if you want a 5-liter tank unit that takes 11-inch plates at an angle and weighs about 28.7 pounds. Four full place settings is a small load for a bigger household, and the unit stands 18 inches tall, so measure your space first.

How much water does the HAVA use per cycle?

HAVA says each wash cycle uses 5 liters of water, about a quarter of what handwashing uses, and that comparison is the brand's own claim. The 5-liter tank holds about one cycle's worth, so tank mode means a refill for each load.

What detergent works in the HAVA?

HAVA says to use dishwasher-specific detergent, and that pods, liquid and powder are all acceptable, at about 0.2 to 0.3 oz in the dispenser. Follow the manual for the exact amount and the dispenser steps, and measure the dose before each load.

Does the HAVA need a faucet?

No, you can add water by hand to its 5-liter built-in tank, though the unit still needs power and a drain. You can also connect the included 61-inch inlet hose to a faucet, but check the aerator type and thread first and follow the manual.