Imagine reclaiming precious cabinet space in your kitchen. Are you tired of bulky dishwashers eating up valuable real estate? Many homeowners face this exact problem, especially in smaller kitchens or apartments where every inch counts. Choosing an under-sink dishwasher can feel like a maze of confusing features and sizes.
You want clean dishes without sacrificing storage, but the sheer number of models makes picking the perfect fit a headache. Will it really save space? Will it clean as well as a full-sized one? These are the real worries people have. This post cuts through the confusion.
By the end of this guide, you will understand exactly what makes a great under-sink dishwasher. We will break down the key features and help you weigh the pros and cons. Get ready to discover how this clever appliance can transform your kitchen layout and your dishwashing routine.
Top Under Sink Dishwasher Recommendations
- 6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.6″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and has a plate size of up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
- Simple Installation- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
- 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
- Heavy Program- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 154℉, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
- Speed Program- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with Energy Star compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.
- Revolutionary 3-in-1 Design: Merge your kitchen sink and dishwasher seamlessly with the FOTILE SD2F-P5L, optimizing kitchen efficiency and hygiene in compact spaces. Equipped with a 360° rotary spray arm and pasteurization mode, it effectively tackles dirt and eliminates 99.99% of residues, ensuring sparkling clean dishes with each wash.
- Customizable Cleaning Modes: Choose from 4 cleaning modes—Eco, Delicate, Normal, and Intensive—to suit your dishwashing needs, from fragile items to heavily soiled pots and pans. Complete a full wash cycle in just 45 minutes, saving you time without compromising on cleaning performance compared to standard models.
- Efficient Energy and Water Conservation: With only 159 kWh of energy consumption per year and requiring just 3 gallons of water per cycle, this dishwasher is environmentally friendly and cost-effective. Its intelligent 360° cleaning system targets blind spots for thorough cleaning, ensuring no corner is left untouched.
- Sanitizing Pasteurization Process: Addressing 99.99% of residues, the pasteurization mode heats water up to 158˚ and provides convection drying for sanitized dishes and reduced towel drying. Built-in child safety lock prevents the top door from opening during operation, ensuring peace of mind and safety in the kitchen.
- Space-Saving Efficiency and Ergonomic Design: Maximize kitchen space with this unique combination of a kitchen sink and dishwasher, ideal for apartments or homes with limited space. Crafted with stainless steel, it offers a sleek look, prevents rust and build-up, and ensures long-lasting durability for years to come.
- 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐏𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: Euhomy Portable Countertop Dishwasher: Compact yet powerful, measuring just 16.83 x 16.73 x 18.03 inches. Its spacious interior efficiently cleans over 30 items at once, including plates up to 10.25 inches. Holds: 4 Plates, 4 Small Plates, 4 Small Cups, 4 Bowls, 2 Glasses, and 7 sets of Forks, Knives, and Spoons. Includes added convenience with a dedicated cutlery holder, a fruit basket, and a kettle. The perfect space-saving solution for homes, apartments, dorms, boats, and RVs
- 𝐍𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝: Our Euhomy countertop dishwasher offers two water supply options: tank mode and faucet mode. In Tank Mode, simply fill the built-in 5L (1.32-Gallon) reservoir—the automatic water level indicator tells you when it's perfectly filled and ready to clean. Use Faucet Mode by attaching the included inlet hose directly to your kitchen tap for a continuous supply of water. With dual modes, this compact dishwasher offers effortless operation and adapts to any kitchen setup—no permanent installation required
- 𝟔 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬: The Euhomy compact dishwasher boasts 6 programs for your family: Normal, Quick, ECO, Baby Care/Heavy Duty, and Fruit, Dry. The Quick offers a 29 minutes fast wash. While the Baby Care/ Strong mode of our mini dishwasher operates at a scorching 167°F, ensuring baby products and greasy dishes are thoroughly rinsed. The dishwasher also features a dual spray arm system that provides 360° cleaning, ensuring thorough washing of accessories—even pet bowls, collars, leashes, and more. Customized cleaning is easy with this versatile dishwasher
- 𝟑-𝐢𝐧-𝟏 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐃𝐫𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Not just a sideboard and compact dishwasher, but also a dish dryer. The Euhomy dishwasher provides 60 minutes of hot air drying followed by 73 hours of automatic ventilation after each wash, keeping your dishes free from unpleasant odors. *The drying mode can be used with any wash cycle except Fruit mode, and it can also operate independently
- 𝐄𝐜𝐨-𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐫: This compact dishwasher saves up to 80% water compared to handwashing. Its 5L (1.32-gallon) water tank can handle multiple cleaning operations. Certified by ETL and DOE for safety, quality, and energy-saving performance, it also comes with a 1-year warranty. We're always here to help with any questions!
- 6 Place Setting- A perfect size (H17.2″×W21.6″×D19.7″) for 2-3 people, COMFEE’ compact dishwasher is suitable for dorms, RVs, and apartments. This countertop dishwasher can fit up to 70 pieces of tableware and has a plate size of up to 10 inches in diameter. Note: COMFEE dishwashers are tested at the factory before they are shipped. If your new dishwasher has some water inside, this is normal.
- Simple Installation- COMFEE' portable dishwasher can be connected to faucet directly (Suitable adaptor needed). Depending on your needs, it can be flexibly placed on the table or fitted in the cupboard.
- 8 Washing Cycles- Most of the cleaning cycles, including Heavy, Normal, Baby-Care, ECO, Glass, and Speed, helped with extra-drying function, and deliver sparklingly cleaned and dried dishes. Three more cleaning options, including Speed, Mini-party, and Rinse, are designed for COMFEE' compact dishwasher, providing high flexibility for you to choose in different situations.
- Heavy Program- Heavily soiled dishes are cleaned evenly with 12 washing nozzles, accompanied with 360° spiral spray wash to ensure complete washing of all the dishes from all angles. Also, high water temperature, which is up to 68℃, together with high water pressure, offer you the best cleaning towards the most stubborn stains.
- Speed Program- Only takes you 45 minutes to get all dishes cleaned, perfect for hurry-up situations, like holding a multi-round party. Accompanied with compliant, water consumption can be as low as 2.77 gallons of water, which greatly saves your costs.
- Please make sure the distance between your countertop and wall cupboard is more than 19.6" 【No installation needed】: Adding water manually in the 5L built-in water tank, you can put the dishwasher in any suitable place without connecting to tap water. Or it can be hooked to the kitchen faucet directly with the included water hose (Adapter included).Water pressure : 0.04 - 1.0MPa.
- [ Ultra-compact Design]: The ultra-compact design allows the dishwasher to wash 30+ items（Max to 9.5-inch plates) at a time while occupying a small area, which is ideal for small houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs.
- [ 6 Program Options ]: NORMAL, RAPID, STEAM, FRUIT, GLASS washing programs, and AIR REFRESH extra drying mode meet all your daily needs. Note: Use the standard dishwasher powders or detergents because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems. (No detergent is needed for the FRUIT program, and RAPID just needs half of the standard quantity. )
- [ 192 ℉ HIGH-TEMP HYGIENE ]: The HYGIENE wash cycle boosts water temperature to 162 ℉ Rinsing and Max to 192 ℉ which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes and is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children’s dinner sets.
- [ Extra Drying & Stay Fresh ]: Circulation of AIR REFRESH removes moisture and odor, keeping your plates and machine dry and fresh for a long time. The function is enabled by default and you can also inactivate the function if unnecessary.
- Slimline Design with Large Capacity : The Midea built-in dishwasher boasts a slim body that takes up minimal space and is easy to fit. It features a digital control panel with an LED display and has been thoughtfully designed to accommodate larger plates, pots, and pans up to 11 inches in height.
- 8 Place Settings Dishwasher : With dimensions of 22.6D x 17.6W x 32.4H with adjustable legs, this under sink dishwasher provides a spacious and flexible interior for maximum dishware loading.
- 6 programs+3 functions : The 18-inch dishwasher offers six programs, including Heavy, Normal, ECO, Delicate, Quick, and Rinse washing programs. It also features Heated Dry, Hi-Temp, and Sanitize functions that meet all your daily needs. Note: ONLY use detergent specially for dishwasher because regular liquid dish soap will cause dishwasher problems.
- Heated Dry : Smart dishwasher ensures the best drying performance. The extra drying function offers a thorough drying performance (except for the Rapid and Self-clean cycle) with no additional towel drying required.
- HI TEMP : The HYGIENE wash cycle maintains the water temperature at 136°F (58°C) max , which can tackle even the heaviest soiled dishes. It is also suitable for cleaning baby bottles and children's dinner sets.
- 3 Easy Install Options — Countertop, built-in, or under-sink installation gives you the flexibility to place this compact dishwasher anywhere you need it. The included unicouple makes faucet hookup quick and simple.
- Large Capacity in a Small Footprint — Fits 6 place settings, 11" dinner plates, and up to 24 bar glasses. Ideal for apartments, condos, RVs, basements, and wet bars.
- Smart Features with Built-In WiFi — Connect with the SmartHQ app to customize cycles, monitor status, receive alerts, and unlock additional features from anywhere.
- Quiet & Efficient Performance — Operates at just 52 dBA, delivers ENERGY STAR certified efficiency, reduces water use by over 75% when compared to handwashing, and features Auto Open Dry for ecofriendly drying.
- 【SMALL SIZE, LARGE CAPACITY】This portable dishwasher only measures 16.9 x 16.8 x 18.1 inches, but holds 4 full place settings and fits up to 12" dishes loaded at an angle, easily meeting daily needs for a family of 3-4; the double-layer design offers enough space for 4 x serving bowls, 4 x cups, 4 x small plates, 4 x dinner plates, 7 x spoons, 7 x forks and 7 x knives; perfect for small-sized houses, apartments, dorms, boats, and campers/RVs
- 【NO INSTALLATION NEEDED】This countertop dishwasher supports 2 water supply modes, including a faucet mode and water tank mode; a built-in 5 L water tank allows instant use when fully filled. The automatic water level indicator lets you know when the correct water level has been reached; to use the faucet mode, simply connect the water inlet hose to the machine and faucet
- 【BABY CARE MODE】This compact dishwasher offers 5 wash cycles - Normal, Speed, Soft, Baby Care/Heavy, and Fruit; the Baby Care/Heavy mode with 167 °F washing temperature is suitable for baby products and oily tableware, which rinses them thoroughly and gives glassware a sparkling clean finish
- 【3-IN-1 FUNCTION】Featuring a Dry mode, this machine is equipped with the features of a dishwasher, dryer, and cabinet, making taking care of your dishes and glassware a breeze; 60 minutes of hot air drying will automatically start after the wash cycle is finished, keeping your dishes dry and odorless; 72 hours of automatic ventilation stores your tableware in sanitary condition, providing clean dishes whenever you need them
- 【FULLY EQUIPPED】The storage rack and cutlery basket make it easy to clean ''top rack only'' dishwasher safe items such as knives, forks, and spoons, leaving more space for dishes and small pots; lower and upper spray arms give dishes a streak-free deep cleaning, and the included fruit basket stores fruits and vegetables neatly and cleans them
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Under-Sink Dishwasher
Under-sink dishwashers are smart choices for small kitchens or homes needing extra cleaning power. These compact units fit neatly under your counter, saving valuable floor space. This guide helps you pick the right one for your needs.
1. Key Features to Look For
When shopping, several features make a big difference in how well the dishwasher works for you.
- Capacity and Size: Measure your under-sink space carefully. Most compact models handle 4 to 8 place settings. If you only wash dishes for one or two people, a smaller unit works great.
- Wash Cycles: Look for varied cycles. A “Quick Wash” saves time for lightly soiled items. A “Heavy Duty” cycle tackles baked-on food. Some models include a sanitize option, which boosts hygiene.
- Noise Level (Decibels – dB): Dishwashers can be loud. Lower decibel ratings mean quieter operation. Aim for models under 50 dB if your kitchen is near living areas.
- Drying Method: Some use heat to dry dishes, which uses more energy. Others use condensation drying, which saves energy but might leave a few drops of water.
- Delay Start Timer: This feature lets you set the dishwasher to run during off-peak electricity hours, saving you money.
2. Important Materials Matter
The materials inside the dishwasher affect its lifespan and cleaning performance.
The interior tub is very important. Stainless steel tubs last longer and handle high heat better than plastic tubs. Stainless steel also resists staining and odors. Look at the racks, too. Coated metal racks prevent rust and protect your glassware.
3. Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Good quality means better cleaning and fewer repairs.
Factors That Improve Quality:
- Spray Arms: More spray arms (or better-designed ones) ensure water reaches every corner. High-quality spray arms use powerful jets.
- Filtration System: A good filtration system catches large food particles. This prevents clogging and keeps the water cleaner during the cycle.
- Reliable Motor: A strong, efficient motor ensures consistent water pressure throughout the wash.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
Cheap plastic components break easily. If the control panel feels flimsy, the unit might not last long. Skip models that lack proper insulation, as they tend to be noisier.
4. User Experience and Use Cases
How you plan to use the dishwasher guides your final choice.
Small Apartment Living: For couples or single people, an under-sink model replaces handwashing entirely, keeping the sink clear. You appreciate the compact size and quick cycles.
RV or Cabin Use: These units are perfect where space is extremely limited. Their smaller footprint makes installation easier in non-traditional spaces.
Extra Capacity: If you often host small gatherings, an under-sink unit acts as a secondary dishwasher, running while your main one is full.
User experience often hinges on installation ease. If you are not a DIY expert, check reviews mentioning simple hookups. Loading can be slightly lower than standard dishwashers, so bending slightly might be necessary—something to consider if you have back issues.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Under-Sink Dishwashers
Q: How much space do I really need?
A: You must measure the width, depth, and height under your sink cabinet. Standard sizes exist, but always check the specific model’s required cutout dimensions before buying.
Q: Are they hard to install?
A: Installation is similar to plumbing work. You connect the water supply and drain lines, and you need an electrical connection. Many people hire a plumber for the best results.
Q: Do they use more water than large dishwashers?
A: Usually, no. Because they are smaller, they clean fewer dishes per load, often resulting in less overall water use per meal washed compared to running a huge dishwasher half-full.
Q: Can I still use my garbage disposal with one installed?
A: Yes, often you can. The dishwasher drain line usually connects near the garbage disposal inlet. Ensure your plumbing setup allows for both connections.
Q: How long do these compact dishwashers typically last?
A: With good maintenance, a quality under-sink dishwasher lasts between 8 to 12 years, similar to full-sized models.
Q: What is the main disadvantage compared to a full-size unit?
A: The biggest drawback is capacity. They cannot handle large pots, serving platters, or dishes from a big family dinner all at once.
Q: Do they require special detergent?
A: No, most use standard dishwasher pods, powder, or liquid detergent. Check the manual to confirm, but they generally work with regular products.
Q: Are they energy efficient?
A: Many modern compact models earn high Energy Star ratings. Look for models that use efficient drying methods to maximize energy savings.
Q: Will the heat damage the cabinet above it?
A: Reputable models are well-insulated. The heat generated during the cycle escapes through the front panel or vents, not usually upward into the countertop.
Q: What is the average cleaning time for a normal cycle?
A: A standard cycle usually runs between 60 to 90 minutes. Quick cycles might finish in 30 to 45 minutes.
Hi, I’m Larry Fish, the mind behind MyGrinderGuide.com.. With a passion for all things kitchen appliances, I created this blog to share my hands-on experience and expert knowledge. Whether it’s helping you choose the right tools for your culinary adventures or offering tips to make your kitchen more efficient, I’m here to guide you. My goal is to make your time in the kitchen not only easier but also enjoyable! Welcome to my world of kitchen mastery!