The Worst Countertop Dishwasher Brands To Avoid (& Better Alternatives To Try)

A dishwasher is an appliance that is both luxurious and functional in the same breath; but while you can technically survive without a dishwasher, no one really wants to (especially if you have multiple people living in your home). If your home or apartment currently lacks a functioning dishwasher (or is laid out in such a way as to make an undercounter dishwasher an impossibility), you might be tempted to install a countertop dishwasher, which can provide dish cleaning within the footprint of a microwave. These appliances can be useful, but it's worth knowing which countertop dishwashers are the worst brands that you should watch out for.

There are several brands of countertop dishwashers that have their share of cons. One such brand is BlitzHome. Its smart, WiFi-compatible dishwasher is affordable ($289) but lacks enough positive customer reviews to garner confidence, with numerous buyers cautioning against its poor performance. Several reviews mention issues such as the app not functioning, the product arriving with mold in it, and the dishwasher simply not working. 

Another brand that is best to avoid is Midea. Its 5-liter countertop dishwasher, which costs $269.09, has only a 4.0-star rating average on Amazon despite being on the bestseller list. Customers mention that the dishwasher has insufficient water pressure and that there were cracks on the base, resulting in a messy and defective product. One review states, "You probably need to pay for a more expensive one so at least you know it won't fall apart after two months."

While there are certainly plenty of brands that might let you down, don't lose hope! Many reputable manufacturers of countertop dishwashers exist. The No. 1 bestseller on Amazon is from the brand COMFEE', whose portable 6-liter countertop dishwasher costs $315.99 and has a 4.2-star average with over 4,400 reviews. Customers compliment the device for its cleaning performance, as well as quiet operation, and recommend that you purchase it if you're tired of handwashing your dishes. 

Another brand worth your consideration is Danby. Known for its high-performance, compact appliances, Danby has a six-cycle countertop dishwasher available from Home Depot for $325.80. This appliance is affordable, and customers like how the machine operates quietly, saying it works well for small dishes. One review says, "This is the greatest little dish washer. With some technique you can fit a lot in there and it does such a good job at getting the dishes spotless."

Finally, if you're in the market for a solid and affordable countertop dishwasher, consider Hermitlux, whose portable 5-liter dishwasher ($269.75) has a 4.4-star rating average. Customers say the device is easy to use and fits larger dishes well, in addition to doing a great job of cleaning food residue. One customer writes, "I highly recommend this dishwasher if you have limited space in your home. It was an absolute lifesaver. It turned me from a dishes-hater to a dishes-lover!" If you find yourself frustrated by the constant cycle of washing dishes by hand, choosing the right countertop dishwasher brand could be a game changer.