Quick picks
- Best no-plumbing pickComfee CDWMT305W-UK6L water tank or tap hose, 7 programmes, auto door-open drying.
- Best for one or two peopleComfee CDWMT201DW-UKCompact 5L-tank model with a 98°C steam programme.
- Best plumbed-in pickRussell Hobbs RHTTDW6B6 place settings, 6 programmes, 52dB.
- Best for capacityCookology CTTD8WH8 place settings, 8 programmes, 49dB.
Comparison table
Specs as published by Currys, Comfee (via Amazon.co.uk) and Cookology. Dimensions are W × D × H.
| Model | Capacity | Water supply | Programmes | Noise / energy | Size (W × D × H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comfee CDWMT305W-UK | 3 to 4 people (Comfee) | 6L tank or tap | 7 | Energy class D | 42 × 43.5 × 46.5cm |
| Comfee CDWMT201DW-UK | 1 to 3 people (Comfee) | 5L tank or tap | 6 | Energy class D | 42 × 44 × 44cm |
| Russell Hobbs RHTTDW6B | 6 place settings | Tap connection | 6 | 52dB; energy class F | 55 × 50 × 44cm (approx.) |
| Cookology CTTD8WH | 8 place settings | Cold water supply | 8 | 49dB; energy class F | 55 × 52.4 × 59.5cm (approx.) |
The picks in detail
Comfee CDWMT305W-UK countertop dishwasher
This is the one for renters. The Comfee CDWMT305W has a 6-litre built-in water tank: fill it from a jug, load it up, press go. If you can connect it to a tap, it'll do that too, with the supplied hose. It comes with drain and inlet hoses, so the drain hose goes into the sink.
There are seven programmes, including a 72°C Hygiene wash, Intensive, ECO, Glass, a 58-minute wash, Rapid and a Self-Clean cycle. Auto door-open drying pops the door at the end so dishes dry properly rather than sitting in steam. There's also a 1 to 24-hour delay start and a child lock. Comfee says it suits three to four people and fits plates up to 27cm.
- 6L built-in water tank, or tap connection with the supplied hose
- 7 programmes including Hygiene (72°C), ECO, Rapid and Self-Clean
- Auto door-open drying; 1 to 24-hour delay; child lock
- Plates up to 270mm; energy class D
- W42 × D43.5 × H46.5cm; 2-year warranty
Why it's lazy-approved
- No plumber, no landlord permission, no drama
- Door-open drying means fewer wet glasses
Worth knowing
- The tank needs refilling every cycle
- Small capacity compared with a full-size dishwasher
Specs: Comfee listing on Amazon.co.uk.
Comfee CDWMT201DW-UK mini countertop dishwasher
If counter space is really tight, the CDWMT201DW is a compact cube. It's 44cm tall, so it should fit under most wall cupboards. Like its bigger sibling it runs from a built-in tank (5 litres here) or a tap, and Comfee pitches it at one to three people.
The six programmes are Rapid, ECO, Glass, 1 Hour, Fruit Wash and Baby Care, and there's a 98°C Steam Adding+ function. After a wash, it can ventilate the dishes for up to 72 hours to keep them fresh, which is handy if you forget to unload. Plates up to 25cm fit.
- 5L built-in tank or tap connection
- 6 programmes including Fruit Wash and Baby Care; 98°C steam
- Up to 72 hours of ventilated storage after washing
- Plates up to 25cm; energy class D
- W42 × D44 × H44cm; 2-year warranty
Why it's lazy-approved
- Leave clean dishes in for days and they stay fresh
- Small enough for studio flats
Worth knowing
- Really is for one to three people
- Big pans won't fit
Specs: Comfee listing on Amazon.co.uk.
Russell Hobbs RHTTDW6B countertop dishwasher
The Russell Hobbs RHTTDW6B is a more traditional countertop dishwasher that connects to your kitchen tap. In return, you get more capacity: six place settings, with plates up to 25cm. Currys lists a water use of 6.5 litres per cycle.
Six programmes include a Quick 30-minute wash, Eco, Glass and Intensive. There's a 24-hour delay timer so you can run it overnight, and rinse aid and salt indicators so you know when to top up. Currys lists it at 52dB.
- 6 place settings; plates up to 25cm
- 6 programmes including Quick 30, Eco, Glass and Intensive
- 6.5L water per cycle; 52dB; energy class F
- 24-hour delay timer; rinse aid and salt indicators
- Approx. 44 × 55 × 50cm (H × W × D); 20kg; needs a tap connection
Why it's lazy-approved
- No tank to refill
- Delay timer for off-peak washing
Worth knowing
- Needs a tap connection and a drain
- Energy class F
Specs: Currys product page.
Cookology CTTD8WH 8-place table-top dishwasher
Cookology's CTTD8WH squeezes eight place settings into a table-top body, which is a lot for a dishwasher that doesn't go under the counter. If a six-place model would be a squeeze for your household, this is the one to look at.
Cookology lists eight wash programmes, a delay timer and 49dB of noise, the quietest figure in this guide. It needs a cold water supply (a ¾-inch thread) plus drainage, so it's a plumb-in model, not a fill-it-from-the-kettle one. At about 59.5cm tall, measure the space under your cupboards carefully.
- 8 place settings; 8 programmes
- 49dB; energy class F; delay timer
- Needs a cold water supply (¾-inch) and drainage
- Approx. 55 × 52.4 × 59.5cm (W × D × H)
- 1-year warranty
Why it's lazy-approved
- The most capacity here, so fewer runs
- The quietest figure in this guide
Worth knowing
- The tallest and biggest pick
- Plumb-in only
Specs: Cookology product page.
How to choose a countertop dishwasher
1. Tank or tap?
Water-tank models are the renter's friend: no fitting, just fill and go. Tap-connected models are less hassle day to day, but you'll need a suitable tap adapter and somewhere to drain.
2. Measure the space
Check the height under your wall cupboards, the depth of your worktop and the room the door needs to open. The Cookology is nearly 60cm tall; the small Comfee is 44cm.
3. Count your plates
Two-person households can get by with a compact model. Six to eight place settings suit small families, or anyone who cooks a lot. A one-pot slow cooker also helps cut the washing up.
4. Drying
Small dishwashers can leave plastics damp. Auto door-open drying, like on the Comfee CDWMT305W, helps.
5. Loading and what fits
Countertop models are small inside, so think about what you actually wash. Comfee lists plates up to 27cm in the CDWMT305W and 25cm in the CDWMT201DW, and Currys lists 25cm for the Russell Hobbs. Big dinner plates, tall glasses and roasting tins may not fit. Most people still hand-wash a pan or two and let the machine handle plates, cups and cutlery. That's still most of the washing up gone.
6. Where will the water go?
Every model here needs to drain. The usual set-up is the drain hose hooked into the sink, so put the machine on the worktop next to it. Tap-connected models also need a tap they can connect to. Check the manual for the adapter type before you commit.
7. Running costs
Energy labels vary (D to F here). Use Eco programmes and run full loads. A delay timer helps if you're on an off-peak tariff.
FAQ
Do countertop dishwashers need plumbing?
Not always. The Comfee models here have built-in water tanks you fill by hand, and they drain into the sink. The Russell Hobbs and Cookology connect to a water supply.
Are countertop dishwashers worth it?
If you don't have room for a full-size dishwasher, or you rent, they can save a lot of washing up for one to four people. They won't fit big roasting tins.
How much water does a countertop dishwasher use?
The Russell Hobbs RHTTDW6B uses 6.5 litres a cycle, according to Currys. The Comfee models use their 5 to 6-litre tanks.
Can I put a countertop dishwasher under a cupboard?
Usually, but measure first. The models here range from 44cm to about 59.5cm tall, and you need space for the door to open and air to circulate.
Do I need dishwasher salt in a countertop dishwasher?
Some models, like the Russell Hobbs, have a salt indicator. Check the manual for your model and your local water hardness.
Have you tested these dishwashers?
No. These are research-based picks. We've read the manufacturers' and retailers' specs and published UK reviews so you don't have to. We don't publish made-up scores.