Potent Portables: Compact Dishwashers for Small Kitchens
Here are our favorite compact and portable dishwashers.
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Living with a small kitchen doesn't mean that you need sacrifice your passion for cooking or hosting guests. Portable dishwashers can be stored in closets or nooks, then wheeled into your kitchen and hooked up to the faucet at a moment’s notice. This is a major convenience for people who have no time (or inclination) to wash dishes by hand, yet no space to hold a full-size, built-in dishwasher.
With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some the top portable and compact dishwashers we’ve tested.
Maytag MDC4809PAB ($625-$749)
The Maytag MDC4809PAB is big and heavy—anything but compact. But it’s on wheels and can easily be hooked up to your kitchen faucet. It even has counter space on the top of the machine in case you need extra room for choppin' broccoli. At $749 it’s the most expensive machine on this list, but it’s also full-sized, meaning you can fit just as many dishes as a regular built-in dishwasher. This is a great option for folks who love to cook but don’t have the room for a permanent dishwasher installation.
Edgestar DWP61ES ($224-$389)
Winner of our 2012 Best of Year Award for Top Compact/Portable Dishwasher, the Edgestar DWP61ES is fast, efficient, powerful, portable, and affordable. Set it on a countertop near a faucet, and you're good to go.
The downside is the lack of space; we were only able to fit four place settings. Of course, this is a sacrifice you need to make if you’re looking for something both cheap and portable. We found the low capacity to be more than acceptable in light of its nifty, niche advantages.
Sunpentown SD-2201W (MSRP: $238)
The cheapest machine on our list, the Sunpentown SD-2201W can fit on your counter and stored in a closet when not in use. But don’t assume that its tiny size equates to poor wash performance.
The best thing about the Sunpentown is price—when it's cheaper than the Edgestar. The Edgestar has the edge (pun!) in terms of performance, and it often sells for even cheaper than the Sunpentown. But if you see a good price on either, don't be afraid to buy.