The Best Portable Dishwashers for Apartments, RVs, and Other Small Living Spaces

ProsLarge capacityHard food composerSanitization settingIf you want the power of a full-size dishwasher without the commitment of a permanent appliance fixture, this GE is your best bet. The freestanding model offers powerful cleaning in a body that can carry almost as much as a full-size option.Unlike other portable models where there is generally a notable size drop-off, this GE doesn’t sacrifice much while still being mounted on wheels that can roll it into a closet or laundry room when not in use.Beyond this, the portable dishwasher comes with an auto-sense setting that adjusts water temperature to optimize the cleaning cycle based on the size of the load and how heavily soiled the items are. It even comes with a hard food disposer that shreds up food particles to prevent them from causing clogs.Key SpecsDimensions 23.6 x 25.4 x 36 in.Weight147 lbCapacity12 place settingsStyleFreestandingEnergy Star-Certified?YesSpecial FeaturesHard food disposal, sanitize settingPros8 different wash cyclesCompatible with most faucet designsConsRequires creative loading to get full capacity usageFew countertop portable dishwashers offer as much customization in cleaning style as this one from Comfee’. The dishwasher has eight different cleaning modes spanning everything from a 20-minute mini-party rinse for soiled glasses to a 100-minute heavy-duty wash for dishes with caked-on food.Despite being a countertop model, the portable dishwasher boasts up to six place settings in a single wash, making it great for small families or multiday camping trips where you don’t want to run it every day and waste the water.That said, it uses as little as 2.7 gallons of water per wash, so it will save you a significant amount of water per wash in comparison to doing it by hand.Key SpecsDimensions19.7 x 21.7 x 17.2 in.Weight46 lbCapacity6 litersStyleCountertopEnergy Star-Certified?YesSpecial Features8 wash cyclesAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsQuiet operationDoesn't need to be hooked up to a faucet to runConsWill not fit any pots or pansThis compact and affordable countertop dishwasher is ideal for small homes or campers that don’t have the space for larger models. At the same time, it’s one of the few that can fully operate without the need for running water. Simply fill up the water tank and let it run.As a result, it’s great for RVs where you may not have a significant water reservoir. That said, the dishwasher is still quite a powerful cleaner. Especially on baby/strong mode, where it can heat water up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect spotless dishes.Key SpecsDimensions16.85 x 16.73 x 18.03 in.Weight28.6 lbCapacity5 litersStyleCountertopEnergy Star-Certified?NoSpecial FeaturesDual spray arms, baby modeProsQuietHard food disposal Sanitize settingConsSmaller capacity than other freestanding models we recommendThis dishwasher from GE operates at just 52 decibels, making it an extremely quiet option for your kitchen in spite of its freestanding build. It’s slightly smaller than many other standalone models, measuring just 18 inches wide, but it can still hold up to eight place settings in each load, making it great for families or dinner parties.The GE portable dishwasher has three cleaning cycles—auto-sense, light wash, and heavy wash—and the auto-sensing option uses a beam of light to measure soil levels and water temperature, adjusting the ideal cycle time accordingly.You also have an option for a high-temperature rinse that sanitizes your dishes, and the hard food disposer chops up any leftover food particles to prevent the dishwasher from getting clogged.Key SpecsDimensions18 x 25.3 x 36 in.Weight133 lbCapacity8 place settingsStyleFreestandingEnergy Star-Certified?YesSpecial FeaturesHard food disposal, sanitize settingAdvertisement - Continue Reading BelowProsSeveral wash cyclesDual spray armsVery few countertop dishwashers offer the same level of variability in cleaning modes as this option from Black and Decker. The dishwasher comes with seven different wash cycles to choose from: intensive, normal, eco, glass, 90-minute, rapid, and soak.This countertop dishwasher comes with a quick-connect adapter for your kitchen faucet, and it has a child lock to ensure no one starts it unintentionally. The interior of the appliance has both upper and lower spray arms to get everything clean, and a three-part filter system prevents food from clogging the unit’s pump. It also comes with a removable filter so you can replace it over time and keep the machine running efficiently.Key SpecsDimensions21.7 x 21.5 x 17.2 in.Weight46.2 lbCapacity6 place settingsStyleCountertopEnergy Star-Certified?YesSpecial FeaturesDelayed start, heated dryProsBuilt-in water tankFruit wash settingsCompactSimilar to the Euhomy model, this countertop dishwasher comes with a built-in tank so it doesn’t need to be connected to a faucet in order to run. It can also carry up to four place settings at a time. While this isn’t going to blow anyone away, it means you can run this comfortably after dinner with your family without needing to run several cycles in a row.Despite its portable size, the dishwasher comes with five different cleaning cycles including a baby mode that brings the water temperature up to 167 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal sanitization.Key SpecsDimensions16.73 x 16.85 x 18.03 in.Weight26.4 lbCapacity4 place settingsStyleCountertopEnergy Star-Certified?NoSpecial FeaturesBuilt-in water tank, fruit-wash cycleTom Price is a reviews editor for Popular Mechanics while also contributing to Runner's World, Best Products, and Bicycling. Here at Popular Mechanics, Tom loves testing out home appliances, smart tech, gear for city life and outdoor adventures, small gadgets like watches and multitools, and anything else you can find piled up at his hoarder's nest of a desk. Prior to working here, Tom attended NYU, graduating with a degree in English and a minor in creative writing. He also wrote for Best Reviews, The Daily Beast, and other publications covering tech, fitness gear, gadgets, and lifestyle products. Furthermore, he covered startup news, pop culture, and even professional wrestling. To follow more of his work, check back here for new stories.John Gilpatrick is a Senior Reviews Editor for Popular Mechanics, covering tools, home appliances, yard and garden accessories, and smart home tech. He previously worked for Men’s Health and has bylines on numerous other websites, covering topics as disparate as nutrition, tech, and pet care. He is also a former film critic who’s unusually fond of the Star Wars prequels, and he appeared on Pop Culture Jeopardy in 2025 while wearing jorts and a fanny pack. He is a member of the Online Film Critics Society (OFCS).