Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher 5-Liter Tank Review

On this page (17 sections)

1. Hermitlux countertop dishwasher specs at a glance
2. Size and clearance under your cabinets
3. Setting it up on the day it arrives
4. Tank mode, faucet mode and the funnel
5. Tank mode or faucet mode: which to pick
6. The funnel and what might be missing from the box
7. Programs, drying and the controls
8. Racks, basket and loading plates at an angle
9. Weight and moving the Hermitlux
10. Water, energy and detergent
11. How the Hermitlux compares with the COMFEE' and HAVA
12. When the 7-program Hermitlux makes more sense
13. Where the Hermitlux fits best
14. Who the Hermitlux suits
15. Who should skip the Hermitlux
16. Our score and what it weighs
17. Hermitlux countertop dishwasher verdict: a glass door in a small kitchen

The Hermitlux countertop dishwasher is a 5-liter unit with a glass door, four place settings and a built-in tank. In tank mode it needs no hookup, which suits a small kitchen with at least 19.88 in of cabinet gap.

It fits a small kitchen where a see-through door and a compact footprint matter more than a big load. We compared the specs against what a renter, an RV owner or a small-kitchen buyer needs.

Hermitlux also sells a 7-program model, which appears below as a comparison. Our countertop and portable dishwashers guide explains the main types if you're still choosing.

Hermitlux countertop dishwasher specs at a glance

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

Size and clearance under your cabinets

The Hermitlux needs at least 19.88 in between the countertop and the wall cabinets, and it stands 18.03 in tall. That cabinet gap is the first number to check.

The footprint is 16.73 in deep and 16.85 in wide, which is close to the HAVA and the COMFEE'. Measure the space above your counter before you order, since the gap decides whether the unit fits at all.

For a wider look at counter space, see our small dishwasher dimensions guide.

Numbers to write down

Put these figures next to your own measurements before you commit.

• Cabinet gap: at least 19.88 in, against your counter-to-cabinet height.
• Footprint: 16.73 in deep and 16.85 in wide, against your free counter space.
• Plates: up to 10.25 in at an angle, against your biggest dinner plate.
• Hose: a 59 in inlet hose, so the sink can sit a few feet away in faucet mode.

Setting it up on the day it arrives

Set the unit on a flat, level counter, and leave room behind it so the hoses can lie without kinking. Read the manual's first-run steps before you add any water.

Hermitlux says a small amount of leftover water inside a new unit is normal after its factory tests. Unplug the unit before you check any hose, connection or drain.

Plan a clear place for the waste water to go, such as a sink, before the first load.

Tank mode, faucet mode and the funnel

The Hermitlux runs from its built-in 5-liter tank, or it connects to a faucet with the included 59 in inlet hose. Either way, it needs power and a drain.

Hermitlux says the funnel gives precise control of the water flow and helps prevent overflow. Use it every time you fill the tank by hand.

Hermitlux countertop dishwasher faucet and tank setup

Fill the tank with the funnel, since that keeps the flow controlled. The tank holds 5 liters, so count how many loads you run a day to see how often you'll refill.

For faucet mode, connect the 59 in inlet hose between the unit and the faucet. Check your faucet first: the aerator type, the thread and whether it's a pull-down or spray model decide the fit.

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.

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. The 59 in hose gives faucet mode more reach than the 1.44 ft hose on the COMFEE'.

Tank mode keeps the faucet out of the job, but you carry water to the unit for each run. Faucet mode removes that step, but it depends on a faucet that works with the hose.

If you're unsure, start in tank mode while you check the faucet. That needs no plumbing change at all.

The funnel and what might be missing from the box

Hermitlux says some units may arrive without the adapted funnel, because of a change between old and new batches. Check for it as soon as you open the box.

The box should hold a cutlery basket, a drain hose, a drying system, an inlet hose and a user manual. If the funnel is missing, contact Hermitlux before you start filling the tank.

Programs, drying and the controls

The Hermitlux has five programs: Standard, Fast, ECO, Strong and Fruit. It also has a drying function that runs after the wash, which Hermitlux says keeps tableware dry.

Hermitlux describes the drying as high temperature plus PTC hot wind, and says it suits oily tableware and glassware. The manual covers how long the drying step takes and how to pick it.

The controls are touch buttons on top, with an LED display. The glass door lets you watch the wash without opening the unit, which helps you know when a load has finished.

Hermitlux says dual high-pressure spray arms give dishes a streak-free clean. That is the brand's claim about the spray pattern.

Racks, basket and loading plates at an angle

The dish rack and the cutlery basket are metal coated with a PA powder finish, and the tub itself is plastic. The rack is where your plates sit, so it's the part you handle most.

Load 10.25 in plates at an angle, since that is how the unit fits them. Keep bowls and cups from blocking the spray arms, so water can reach each dish.

For care, follow the manual. Keep the basket and rack clear of food scraps before each load.

Weight and moving the Hermitlux

At about 26.5 lb, the Hermitlux is lighter than both the HAVA and the COMFEE'. That is about 2 lb less than the HAVA and about 10 lb less than the COMFEE'.

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.

A lighter unit still needs room for the door to open, so check the path as well as the weight.

Water, energy and detergent

Hermitlux gives an energy figure of 0.38 kWh. Treat that as the brand's own number, and compare it with other brands only on the same terms.

For detergent type and dose, follow the manual. For a general guide to choosing a product, read our countertop dishwasher detergent guide.

If an outside efficiency label matters to you, look for Energy Star certified dishwashers at energystar.gov.

How the Hermitlux compares with the COMFEE' and HAVA

The Hermitlux is the lightest of the three and the one with a glass door. The table puts the figures side by side.

Choose the COMFEE' if the faucet adapter in the box matters most, and the HAVA if bigger plates matter most. Our COMFEE' vs HAVA countertop dishwasher comparison covers those two in detail.

When the 7-program Hermitlux makes more sense

Hermitlux's 7-program model adds a delayed start of up to 18 hours and room for five place settings. It weighs more at 30.9 lb, and it stands 18.23 in tall.

Its programs include Standard, Quick, Strong, ECO, Fruit and Glass, and it also has delay, child lock and dry functions. Hermitlux says the dry function works with any cycle except Fruit.

That model needs at least 20.08 in between the countertop and the cabinets, 0.2 in more than the unit in this review. It's the one to compare if a delayed start matters more than weight and a smaller cabinet gap.

Where the Hermitlux fits best

The Hermitlux fits best where counter space is short and the load is small. Its low weight also makes it the easiest of the three to shift between the counter and a cupboard.

• An apartment with a short counter: the 16.7 in by 16.9 in footprint takes far less counter than the 21.5 in by 21.7 in BLACK+DECKER.
• An RV or camper kitchen: Hermitlux sells it for campers, and the tank means no hookup, but check the cabinet gap first.
• A shared kitchen or dorm: a glass door makes it easy to see when a cycle is done.

It fits worst in a household that cooks for four or more, since four place settings fill up fast.

Who the Hermitlux suits

The Hermitlux suits a small kitchen or RV where a glass door and a 5-liter tank matter more than a big load. Its weight and compact footprint make it easier to move than the COMFEE' or the BLACK+DECKER.

• A small kitchen with at least 19.88 in of cabinet gap.
• A buyer who wants to see the wash through a glass door.
• A household whose daily dishes fit four place settings.

The built-in tank means no permanent hookup, which suits a renter who wants a unit that can move with them.

For RV picks beyond this model, see our best countertop dishwashers for RVs and campers roundup. If the HAVA looks closer to your needs, read our HAVA countertop dishwasher review.

Who should skip the Hermitlux

Skip it if your plates run larger than 10.25 in, or if your cabinet gap is under 19.88 in. Skip it also if you need a delayed start or a load bigger than four place settings.

The BLACK+DECKER BCD6W holds six place settings, though it needs a much larger counter.

• Your plates run larger than 10.25 in.
• You need a delayed start, which the 7-program model offers.
• Your cabinet gap is under 19.88 in.

Our score and what it weighs

The Hermitlux scores 8.1 because its glass door, tank and light weight are clear. The four place settings and the funnel question hold the score back.

Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. It sits a little below the HAVA at 8.3, mainly because the HAVA takes bigger plates.

1

Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher

Best for a small kitchen that wants a see-through door

8.1/10Our score

• 5-liter built-in tank, no hookup needed
• Glass door and touch controls
• Four place settings, plates up to 10.25 in at an angle
• 59 in inlet hose for faucet mode

A 5-liter countertop unit with a glass door and four place settings. It fits best when your plates stay under 10.25 in and you have at least 19.88 in between the countertop and the cabinets.

See it on Amazon

Pros

• Glass door lets you watch the wash
• Five programs, including ECO and Fruit
• About 26.5 lb, lighter than the HAVA and COMFEE'

Cons

• Four place settings is a small load
• Some units may arrive without the adapted funnel
• Needs at least 19.88 in of cabinet gap

Hermitlux countertop dishwasher verdict: a glass door in a small kitchen

Pick the Hermitlux for a see-through door and a lighter 5-liter unit. Pick the HAVA for 11 in plates, or the COMFEE' for the faucet adapter.

For a side-by-side with the other two 5-liter units, read our COMFEE' vs HAVA countertop dishwasher comparison.

Frequently asked questions

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

It can be, if you want a 5-liter countertop unit with a glass door and four place settings. It needs no hookup in tank mode, but it needs at least 19.88 inches of cabinet gap, and four settings means a bigger household will run it more often.

Does the Hermitlux need a faucet?

No, tank mode uses the built-in 5-liter tank, which you fill by hand with the funnel, though the unit still needs power and a drain. Faucet mode uses the 59-inch inlet hose, so check your faucet first, since the aerator type and thread decide the fit.

How much cabinet clearance does the Hermitlux need?

Hermitlux says you need at least 19.88 inches between the countertop and the wall cabinets, and the unit itself stands 18.03 inches tall. Measure that gap first, since a smaller one won't leave room for the unit, and check the 16.73-inch depth too.

What if my unit comes without the funnel?

Hermitlux says some units may arrive without the adapted funnel, which tank mode uses for controlled filling, so contact Hermitlux before you start filling. Ask for the right funnel in writing, and keep your order record and the box until the matter is settled.