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Life’s too short to spend any of it doing the dishes. However, not all of us are lucky enough to have the space for a standard-size dishwasher while anyone in a rented property may prefer to choose one they can install without drastically altering the kitchen and even take with them when they move on.
If you have an area of worktop to spare, a tabletop dishwasher – also called countertop, compact or portable – may be the answer to your washing up woes. Though they’re too small to clean bigger dishes and pans, they can certainly get your plates, cups and glasses sparkling. They also use a lot less energy than a full-size machine though performance is often just as good as the bigger version.
All these appliances will still need fresh water and a place to drain waste water. Some can be connected to a standard tap with a quick connect adapter while a second drain hose removes waste water into the sink.
In between uses, the dishwasher can be stored elsewhere although a plumber can also connect the machine to the drainage system for a more permanent solution, just as you would with a full-size model. Some machines also allow you to add water manually and drain waste water into a bucket so you can use the dishwasher anywhere you need.
Other features to look for include a drying function, a rinse aid dispenser to make sure your glasses come out squeaky clean and rapid or intensive cycles. Consider the number of place settings the machine can hold and make sure you measure carefully before buying as some models still take up considerable space on the worktop.
How we tested
We installed a range of tabletop dishwashers in our own home to see how they fared cleaning dirty dishes over several days, looking particularly for streak-free glasses, cups without coffee stains and plates that came out gleaming. These are the machines that really cleaned up.
The best tabletop dishwashers for 2024 are:
- Best overall – Bosch serie 4 freestanding compact dishwasher SKS62E32EU: £558, Appliancesdirect.co.uk
- Best for drying – Zanussi ZDM17301WA table top dishwasher: £349, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for those living alone – Klarstein aquatica 54.5cm countertop dishwasher: £225, Amazon.co.uk
- Best for awkward spaces – Comfee mini plus dishwasher TD305-W compact table top dishwasher: £358, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – ElectriQ freestanding mini table top dishwasher with glass front: £289, Amazon.co.uk
- Best looking – Russell Hobbs RHTTTDW6B table top dishwasher: £236, Amazon.co.uk
