Finding the best portable dishwashers can be a daunting task as it is something that requires some testing over a good period of time before you can really get any statistics.
Now for me, I’m mostly the traditional dishwashing type of dude but there are those nights that I just want to go right to bed after dinner and that is why I was in search for a portable dishwasher.
My dishwashing hacks were starting to get played out and I needed to find something that can add some time back to my schedule.
Finding this perfect portable dishwasher was not that easy although I was just looking for something that didn’t need some crazy install and didn’t require me to take out parts of my kitchen just to get it in.
This is what started my hunt for the best portable dishwashers and boy was it a journey.
I had no idea that there were so many but with some research and
How did I decide on what is best?
Well, let me just break it down for you real quick as finding best is not always the easiest of tasks.
The first thing we always consider when picking any “best” product is its quality.
If something won’t last for a long time, there is just no use in getting it.
Next, I always look out for your wallet.
There are great products out there that don’t require a huge investment and although a lot of them are pricey, we try to find those that are very budget friendly, especially for us parents.
Not so much into the cosmetic side of things but we definitely need functionality.
As long as it isn’t complicated and does what it is supposed to do, it probably wasn’t a hard job for the dishwasher to join this list.
This post did take a lot of research and time so please enjoy what we have put together here for you.
Table of Contents
Bosch 300 Series Dishwasher
Bosch dishwasher’s are renowned for their energy efficiency, low water consumption, super quiet performance and most importantly, their superior cleaning ability.
The Bosch 300 series dishwasher features a stainless steel panel with a bar handle and the controls for the dishwasher are integrated across the top.
The interior of the dishwasher is lined completely in stainless steel.
This stainless steel lining assists in the drying process and the machine dries by means of condensation.
The top rack in the machine is adjustable and can be raised or lowered depending upon the size of the load that you wish to wash on each rack.
This dishwasher features a variety of cycles.
Using the correct cycle is one of the important features for success with a Bosch dishwasher.
In order to be effective, follow the recommendations in the user guide for type and quantity of soap to use and always keep a rinse agent in the machine.
An indicator light in the display will alert you when it is time to add more rinse agent to the machine.
When loading the machine avoid placing spoons with the bowl side up where water might rest in the bowl after the washing has been completed.
Also avoid plastics in the machine because they are unable to absorb heat and therefore will not dry.
In the base of the Bosch 300 dishwasher you will find a flow-through filter and this filter is designed to trap any particulate matter that was not dissolved during the high temperature wash.
This filter should be removed at least once a month and rinsed in the sink and when you replace the filter be sure to screw it firmly in place so the blue arrows line up, this will ensure that no debris comes back in the machine.
During a washing cycle, when using soap tabs that also include rinse agent it’s important to still keep the rinse agent compartment full.
When rinse agent is included in a tab unfortunately it tends to get washed out during the wash cycle and you need your rinse agent to be present in the machine for the perfect drying because the Bosch machines dry by condensation.
You may find some additional water left on the inside of the door this is quite normal and it will not affect the drying of your dishes and this condensation can be removed with a kitchen towel.
Using your Bosch dishwasher in the way that it was designed to be used will give you sensational results.
For about $700, this is my absolute favorite dishwasher on this list.
Maytag MDB4949SD2 Dishwasher
The fingerprint-resistant Maytag top controlled dishwasher doesn’t sport the sleekest design but it is one of the quietest and most powerful models of the dishwashers available today, this machine operates so quietly you’ll hardly hear it running.
The Maytag top control dishwasher is fairly nondescript; there is a small pinhole towards the top right corner of the front panel.
When the unit is running the pinhole emits a blue light similar models have the on light as part of the top control panel which can make it hard to see breaking up.
The width of the front panel of the Maytag measure is 24-inches, it is 30 3.5 inches tall, 25.2 5 inches wide and 23.8 8 inches deep you’ll need a clearance area at 49.5 inches for this dishwasher to fit perfectly in your kitchen.
Miele G4930SC Jubilee Dishwasher
It is a double plus energy rated appliance.
An average dishwasher uses an average of 20 liters to fill a sink but this machine uses approximately 14 liters and that wash cycle will tackle food clogged to your plates or pots which is quite impressive.
It features a child lock which is handy because they can’t open it in mid cycle and also they can’t go adding things without you knowing.
This dishwasher is really roomy with lots of space for pots, pans etc.
What is really special about this is that all the baskets are adjustable which is called a 3d adjustable tray and that means that basically the middle section will drop down and make lots of space so you can put larger utensils in it so things like a potato masher fit in really easily.
The middle drawer can be moved up or down which makes either more room in the middle drawer or the bottom drawer and what I really like about this and I think it’s really clever is that the bottom drawer has really clever little play tracks which can either be put up to slaughter plates in or you can swap them down to sit bigger things like a large saucepan.
It has a delayed timer which allows you to set a delay so the dishwasher will come on between 30 minutes and 24 hours later so that’s really good if you want to take advantage of your tariffs being cheaper at night.
Another thing with this dishwasher is that it is ridiculously quiet and when it’s on you can barely hear it and I feel like you can have it on and be asleep in the next room and you wouldn’t even know it was on.
LG LDF5545 Dishwasher
The LG LDF dishwasher is on par with some of the Bosch dishwashers and that is huge because Bosch is one of the biggest names in dishwashing.
The cleaning power of this machine is virtually unparalleled, as there are very few machines that can do a better job than this dishwasher.
The normal and turbo cycles removed almost all the stains from dishes and the heavy duty cycle helps to produce one of the perfect cleans.
For a $600 dishwasher, it’s really quite versatile.
It features a wide range of cycle options, you have got the ability to wash half loads and you get to pick whether you are doing the upper zone or the lower zone which makes for really economical cleans if you don’t usually need to fill up the dishwasher.
Also, it has energy saving options as well as an overnight dry option, when you want to run a cycle right before bed you have also got the ability to use higher temps.
Although, it does not have a specifically designated sanitized option which for folks with small children who are very particular about removing germs that might be a turn-off.
Inside you have got a stainless steel tub and the sound rating on this machine is roughly on par with the noisier Bosch 300 models.
That means it’s going to be quiet, it’s not going to be silent this would do well in an apartment even if your bedroom is fairly near to the kitchen but you will know when it’s running.
The cutlery basket is actually my least favorite component of this machine because it is wide and you don’t have the ability to separate it into smaller compartments.
The racks themselves are quite customizable and the bottom is adjustable so that’s going to give you a pretty wide level of versatility for loading large casserole dishes or saucepans and on top not only do you get even more adjustable times but you also have the option to raise or lower the upper rack.
There are three specific settings for the height, so whether you are fitting in large stemware or even a glass of vase you should be able to get it to fit somehow.
Danby Portable Dishwasher DW1805W
The Danby portable dishwasher is great for small kitchens.
It is portable on wheels and it is basically about half the size of a regular dishwasher.
It is 18 inches wide in its counter height, so depending on your kitchen layout you can have it right next to your stove and you can use it as an extra counter space.
When you are ready to do a load of dishes it’s really easy to do.
You just roll the Danby dishwasher over to your sink and you’re ready to go.
All the hoses are tucked in and you have got your water inlet and drain and then your power cord.
The dishwasher comes with a little snap-on connector which screws onto your faucet depending on whether your faucet screws on the inside or the outside.
It is threaded on both sides and on the bottom is the drain hose so it drains directly into your sink just like having your faucet on and at a pretty low flow so it won’t flood your sink over. Another nice feature is that there is also a little red button on the connector and this little button allows you to release the water pressure.
When you are done doing your load of dishes you just press it after you turn off your water of course and it releases any extra pressure so that when you disconnect the little mounting clip you don’t have any spray.
What is nice is that you can fit large plates, you can fit pots and pans; the rear prongs even fold down so if you want to fit like larger pots for washing and it comes with a silverware basket.
Another great feature is that it features an adjustable tap so you can actually take it out and put it down a notch to have a little more room.
It is pretty deep as it holds full-size cups and then it’s basically just like a regular dishwasher in that there is your dishwasher detergent dispenser and then you also have a rinse aid dispenser so your jet dry type product which helps in drying because the dishwasher does also dry.
The interior is stainless steel which is really nice because you are not going to have a problem with the interior corroding over time because stainless steel is really durable a lot better than the plastic portable dishwashers that are also out there on the market.
Danby portable dishwasher is great because it is portable and it is easy to hook up to your sink.
Bosch 800 Series Dishwasher
The Bosch 800 series 24-inch 44-decibel stainless-steel tall tub dishwasher with the third rack. This dishwasher can hold 16 play settings and with the third rack and a tub that’s three inches deeper than most 24-inch dishwashers.
It holds 30% more dishes, the middle rack can be adjusted to three different heights for flexibility and accommodate tall items and the third rack that slides out at the very top is perfect for small and thin items like utensils, kitchen gadgets, and lids.
Now Bosch claims the 800 series is the quietest dishwashers in North America and this model is rated at 44 decibels.
The company actually includes a red light to shine on the floor to show you that it’s running.
The Bosch uses specially designed drain pumps and the solid bass to muffle motor noise but one big difference you can spot prior to installation is the insulation there are multiple layers of coated metal and cotton fiber wrapped around this thing.
Once opened up you notice the controls are mounted on the top of the door so they are out of sight. The Bosch 800 series dishwasher holds an incredible number of dishes it’s virtually silent.
Electrolux dishwasher with IQ touch controls
Electrolux is putting a new spin on clean providing professional-grade speed an innovative spray arm that gives you four hundred percent more water coverage.
The 30-minute fast wash cycle gives you a five-star cleaning before the next course is served and since the dishwasher is so quiet you can run it without disturbing the party.
From sports bottles to heavy-duty pots and pans target wash zones take aim at the most challenging dishes with flexible spray jets that focus on stubborn soils and hard-to-reach places.
It gives you an opportunity to organize dishware and customize your dishwashing experience from the perfect stemware grips which gently hold up to nine of your stemware and other delicate items.
It features a third level rag that offers convenient space for all of your kitchen utensils.
Also, the Electrolux dishwasher offers luxury soft grip racks to hold your dishware securely in place.
Kenmore Elite 24 Inch Dishwasher
This dishwasher is a stainless steel model and there are a lot of neat features.
If you’re looking to put your pots and pans in or just a really heavy-duty wash it will do that really well and it can actually be heated dry or air dry and put it on a delay if you want to start your dishes overnight and have them cleaned.
The good thing about this dishwasher is it is very quiet so you can be in another room pretty close to the dishwasher while it’s going and it’s not going to affect any conversation you are having, it’s not going to affect watching television or anything like that, it is really quiet.
It has got a reasonable amount of capacity not huge and at the same time not small either.
A good feature of this dishwasher which I think gets lost sometimes when you are shopping for dishwashers is that it still has a food compactor so it kind of tears up any big chunks of food you leave on your dishes.
Some dishwashers these days don’t have that, so food will get collected at the bottom but it won’t get taken away you will have to clean it manually after the dishwasher runs.
This one kind of eats up that food and then disposes of it just like the food disposer you have in your sink, so kind of the same function there.
Now the one thing that this model doesn’t have which other models of similar size and other similar features do have is that it’s sort of plastic on the inside and does not have stainless steel walls which are in vogue these days.
So that’s probably the only downside to this dishwasher.
It is reasonably priced and it has the capacity for powder wash and little pod.
You can use rinse agent to have your dishes come out really clean.
There is not too much need for pre-washing, you can kind of throw in dirty dishes and the machine will take care of it.
I definitely recommend this Kenmore dishwasher as it is reasonably priced and has a pretty solid set of features.
Hotpoint LTF11m132C Dishwasher
The Hotpoint dishwasher has eleven programs that are designed to meet the demands of modern family life.
It is unbelievably quiet and it features a triple plus energy rating; meaning it is very economical to use.
This coupled with its large 92 capacity holding approximately fourteen play settings make it ideal for large families.
It has two orange clips on either side in the main compartment; this allows you to higher and also to lower the top drawer making it extra flexible.
At the bottom drawer, you will see there are extra prongs that can lift up allowing for extra plates to be stacked or alternatively fold flat for more pots and pans.
The other handy feature of the dishwasher is if you have highly soiled items such as pots and pans it allows you to zone off by pressing a button on either the bottom or alternatively the top for extra cleaning.
What this subsequently does do is it saves water rather than having to use extra water to fill the hole of the dishwasher.
Another great feature of the dishwasher is that it includes a self-cleaning option and it also has a delayed start that allows you to adjust to when you wish to start the unit.
It has got a 30-minute express wash. Also, for mothers out there, there is also a sanitizing option ideal for babyís bottles that are required to be hygienic.
One of the key features is that it allows you to adjust the amount of salt it uses on every wash, therefore, ensuring that you have excellent cleaning results every time.
DD60DDFHX Fisher & Paykel Dishwasher
It offers a truly unique dishwashing experience as you have all of the usual benefits that you would expect to find with a traditional dishwasher but you also have the added bonus of having two independent equally sized drawers just for your added convenience.
On the inside, it features a sleek and solid handle without drawer opening.
There are nine different wash programs available and it is programmed to memorize the last cycle that was used.
It has the auto lock function which means even if you have little children running around it won’t be a problem.
Your dishwashing is quicker and your life is made that little bit easier thanks to the fantastic design.
The top drawer is a bench height so there is less need for bending you don’t have to get onto your hands and knees for loading, unloading and also adding detergent to the dishwasher so it takes away all the stress and the strain that is associated with your traditional dishwashers.
It features really well-made fully flexible racking system and there are loads of rooms inside this dishwasher so you will be able to fit in everything from your pots and your pans to your bowls and your plates after your big family feast.
And all of that racking is adjustable as well so you can move that around as you need to when it comes to placing in your cups and also your long stem wine glasses.
There are the light indicating senses which lets you know when the salt is too much and also when the rinse aid needs replacing.
There is also a flow through detergent dispenser, with this that detergent is fully dissolved into the water before it touches any of your dishes so those nasty black spots that can happen from detergent damage shouldn’t really occur so you can use all of your favorite cookery and cutlery for even longer.
The main benefit of the double dish drawer is the fact that you essentially have two separate dishwashers and you are able to have your different programs running even at a different time should you want to.
Conclusion
Well there you have it!
With all the portable dishwashers out there, these have managed to stand out from the rest.
They are all reasonable in pricing, have a lot of great reviews, and will definitely get the job done.
I hope this guide has helped you find the best portable dishwashers as I’m sure it is not easy doing it on your own.
If you have any experience with these dishwashers, please share your experience.
And if you know of any portable dishwashers that are worthy of being part of “the best”, please share that too.
Thanks for reading!
Let me start by saying your website is beautiful and Thank you very much!
I was clueless as to whether or not a portable dishwasher was actually portable, whether you can move it if you move or if they were permanently installed? You answered those questions. Now I can make plans to purchase one. The dishwasher I have now was already installed when I moved in but it seems ready to give up. I could use a new one.
Thanks Linda! Preinstalled dishwashers are always great so I would try to see what can be done to give it some kind of a tune up. Now if you absolutely need a new one then any of the ones on this list will work great.
So informative! You even let us know which ones are good with plastics. I wish I could fit even that portable dishwasher into my RV but that would take up a lot of water in the tank and I think showers are more important! I am very surprised most of them are on Amazon as well!
Yeah Amazon carries a lot of stuff and I’m glad they do too as I kind of got tired of creating multiple accounts just to buy one product from every other store.
I like that Miele can save 6 liters for every 20 liters and my mother wants to buy a dishwasher which all the baskets are adjustable. So far I could not understand what it is but after reading this I do. However I wonder how is the overall quality of this specific model?
There are actually a lot of good reviews for that model Furkan so the quality is definitely there! None of the dishwashers on this list are of poor quality, so rest assured that these are all top of the line.
Nice review comparing the best portable dishwashers. Very informative with lots of details. I’m in the market for a new dishwasher as my current dishwasher’s motor burned out so your review came to me with perfect timing.
Dishwashers can be pretty pricey so it’s good to know the best of the best.
Thanks Karen and I hope this list has helped you find one that works best but also affordable for you.
Hi John,
Awesome review!
My dishwasher broke up a few days ago, and now I am looking for a new one. You have provided a lot of great information, and I thank you for it. The one that I like the most is the last one on the list ( DD60DDFX). I wanted to check further info on Amazon, but I didn’t find any link to it. The picture also doesn’t link to Amazon. Is this machine still for sale?
Thank you in advance and waiting for the answer:)
I wasn’t able to find it on Amazon so you might have to go to the official Fisher and Paykel site to get one. I will try to see where else, but for now that’s all I can find as far as getting it online.
Thanks to this post i can stop looking into what dishwasher i need. I’ve been looking for weeks as my current dishwasher is on its last leg (?). But i only got overwhelmed by thousands of models with little to no info other than its size and price.
I think the Fisher & Paykel dishwasher is just what i need, to think you can run different cycles as if you had two dishwashers is a dream for someone that tends to avoid the kitchen cuz the dirty dishes never run out 🙁
So thank you :D, i will also consider the other models you mentioned but i’m done getting lost on the web.
Not a problem Arlet and I’m glad you got the help you needed!
I didn’t know it before getting my second dishwasher, but the brand does matter when it comes to quality of the dishwashing process. My first dishwasher was Electrolux and it served me nearly 9 years. It was a really great dishwasher, reasonably priced and performing well. When I got my second dishwasher – I got Beko as it was really affordable and I thought – well, all the dishwashers are the same, it is just the brand and the price that changes. but well – I was wrong. My current dishwasher performs badly to very badly by leaving the dishes dirty so I have to rinse them clean before putting in the dishwasher – but what’s the point then of having a dishwasher? So I know that before my next dishwasher purchase (that will be very soon :)) I will do thorough research and you have provided some really great options in your article.
Thanks for the advice Arta!
Hi John, thanks for this post. This was a great article for me to read as I have recently fancied getting a dishwasher but don’t have room in my kitchen which is rather small to get one that needs to be plumbed in.
To see your post here on portable dishwashers was ideal. The one that really got my attention was the Danby one. Now that I have come across this I will have a better look at them all.
Thank you once again for this post.
You’re welcome Cheryl and good luck with your new purchase!
Hey John,
Thanks for sharing. I was interested in your post because am looking for a dishwasher for my parents.
Those that you’ve listed in your article are the best, but the price is not affordable for all, in my opinion.
I use Bosh as a dishwasher, and it’s beautiful, but I’ve paid for it around $500.
Even though they are all excellent dishwashers, which one of them would you recommend as the best one.
I love the sound of the Fisher and Paykel dishwasher. For a small family this is perfect! I have 2 regular sized dishwashers and half the time I put them on half empty. I don’t like leaving dirty dishes in for too long because then it gets smelly. So I end up wasting a lot of water and electricity. My sister is looking into dishwashers now, I’m going to tell her about this one. I’m sure she’s going to love it!