If you feel that you spend far too much of your time washing and drying dishes, it might be time to consider investing in a dishwasher. Perhaps you think you don’t have the space for another big appliance, but there is a dishwasher designed for just about any kitchen. Whether you want to buy a portable dishwasher or you want a built-in dishwasher, our dishwasher reviews will help you decide which is the best dishwasher for you. If space is an issue for you, one solution is to have a portable dishwasher. These can be easily manoeuvred into small spaces and moved around if you need them to be. So, if you’re a fan of home improvements, this might be a great option as it allows for great versatility.

Just because they’re portable, doesn’t mean these great dishwashers cut corners in terms of appearance, functionality or usability. Modern dishwashers are full of fantastic features, and portable dishwashers are no exception. There are certain things to make sure you consider before you buy a portable dishwasher. Firstly, there is always the price to consider, and like most things, there is a portable dishwasher for almost any budget. There is also the physical appearance of the dishwasher to consider, and how easy the manufacturer has made the appliance to use. The level of difficulty of installation is also important, but the key things to consider are the functions and performance that the dishwasher offers.

Where the controls have been situated can impact on the overall appearance of a portable dishwasher. Most dishwashers have a minimal number of simple buttons and dials located on a front control panel, towards the top of the main door. However, some of the best portable dishwashers have taken the time to use touch-sensitive control panels to give these appliances more of a luxury element. Team this with the fact that all the controls are often hidden away on the best portable dishwashers, and you could be looking at a very attractive appliance that would be a positive addition to your kitchen. So, if you’re reading through higher-end portable dishwasher reviews, look out for those features but if not, just focus on how in-keeping the controls are.

Dishwashers come with a range of capacities, and the same can be said for portable dishwashers. You can find everything from a 4-place setting capacity, to a 13-place setting capacity. A 13-place setting capacity is often only found in the best portable dishwashers and is a great choice if you have a big family or often find yourself entertaining large groups of people. Make sure to also look out for cutlery trays in portable dishwasher reviews, as not all portable dishwashers have these. 

Performance

Portable dishwashers, just like any kind of dishwasher, can come with a large variety of great functions, so it’s important to know which are the most crucial to look out. This is especially important if you have a tight budget to stick to and need to prioritize certain functions. Most portable dishwashers have 6 wash cycles, so you shouldn’t be looking for any less than that. Make sure they include a heavy-duty cycle and a fragile cycle to cover all bases. You might be lucky enough to find an affordable dishwasher with a drying cycle, but this is often only found in the best portable dishwasher and isn’t something to prioritize, as cleaning ability is the most important thing.

Energy efficiency is something every dishwasher manufacturer is now aiming towards, not just for the best portable dishwashers.  Manufacturers know how important it is to not only keep costs low for users but also to reduce the impact of appliances like these on the environment. So, energy efficiency is definitely something to look out for in portable dishwasher reviews.

Cleaning quality is obviously a key feature to consider. It’s rare to come across a portable dishwasher that doesn’t deliver when it comes to cleaning power, but it’s still important to make sure they have certain cleaning features. Things like automatic detergent and Rinse Aid dispensers ensure a thorough clean so make sure it has these. Some of the best portable dishwashers have two spray arms for extra water coverage, but this is rare so don’t worry if it just has the one.

The controls on your portable dishwasher must be simple and easy to use, with clear labels. The best portable dishwashers tend to hide their controls away and use flashy features like touch sensitive buttons and digital displays which are nice however, this does not necessarily mean they are easier to use, so think carefully before you buy. Another important feature which is often over-looked in portable dishwasher reviews, but which can really make a difference to your day-to-day life is the noise level of your portable dishwasher. Noisier dishwashers can be very intrusive and frustrating to have in your home, so make sure you look for noise levels below 55 decibels.

Installation

Installation is something no one really enjoys, but a lot of the best portable dishwashers have taken measures to make it as easy as possible. If you’re a novice, look out for dishwashers with quick-connect kitchen faucet adapters. These allow you to simply attach your portable dishwasher to a kitchen faucet connection. Another thing to look out for in portable dishwasher reviews is leak protection. Not all dishwashers have this, but it can give great peace of mind, especially if you’re going to be installing it yourself.

Build Quality

Build quality is pretty important when it comes to dishwashers as the better the build quality, the longer your dishwasher will last. This means that you will save money long term as you won’t need to keep replacing it every couple of years. The most important thing to look out for in portable dishwasher reviews is the use of stainless-steel as this is the most durable material that can be used in dishwashers. The best portable dishwashers have stainless steel interior tubs, as this is the part which can wear out quickly. Warranties are also a really good way of judging the build quality of a product. If a manufacturer offers a free one-year warranty with their product, it shows that they have faith that it won’t have any faults.

Other portable dishwasher features which will make life easier for you are warning indicator lights and sounds. Some of the best portable dishwashers have a buzzer that sounds to let you know when a cycle has finished, which saves you having to check it all the time. The best portable dishwashers even have digital displays which let you know how long is left of the cycle. Others simply have indicator lights to clarify the options you’ve chosen and if anything is running low, like Rinse Aid. Another feature to look out for in portable dishwasher reviews is a delay start option. This allows you to schedule the start time of a wash cycle for a time that is most suitable to you. This is something to look out for if you have a busy schedule.

Racks

Lastly, the racks in a portable dishwasher can make a real difference to the usability of the product. In portable dishwashers, it’s unlikely that there will enough capacity for three racks but try to make sure you choose a dishwasher with an adjustable top rack. This is something that the best portable dishwashers have, and it helps to make room for a wider variety of dishware shapes and sizes. The best portable dishwashers have additional technology which makes racks easily maneuverable, but as long as they are not faulty, they should be fine.