The Farberware Portable Countertop Dishwasher delivers full-size cleaning power in a compact design, effectively handling tough food residue without requiring a water hookup. Bon Appétit praised its ability to clean dishes thoroughly in a two-hour cycle, while Taste of Home noted its quiet operation and ease of use. However, reviewers criticized the frequent refills needed for the 5-liter tank and limited capacity for larger utensils. Best for small households or those without space for a full-size dishwasher, but not ideal for larger families or those wanting a more convenient refill process.
Full review
Real-World Performance
Professional reviewers consistently praised the Farberware countertop dishwasher's cleaning efficacy, with Bon Appétit's Sam Stone noting it 'passed all of my tests with flying colors' and left dishes 'completely grime-less.' The appliance successfully tackled stuck-on food and required no pre-rinsing, a feature that impressed Taste of Home's Annamarie Higley who found it 'a countertop powerhouse.' The machine operates at 136 degrees Fahrenheit during normal cycles, which is sufficient to break down tough residues, as confirmed by Epicurious's Caroline Lange who noted it 'managed to be both bulky and small' but still performed effectively. The two spray arms—rotating below and static above—ensure comprehensive cleaning coverage, with RTINGS' testing showing it can clean dishes as thoroughly as full-size models. However, some reviewers like Epicurious noted that while the normal cycle (2 hours 10 minutes) was effective, it didn't dry dishes completely, requiring additional towel work.
Build Quality and Design
The Farberware dishwasher measures 17.3 x 16.5 x 17.3 inches and weighs 43 pounds, making it substantial enough to be stable but portable enough for renters or small spaces. Apartment Therapy's Lizzy Francis found it 'light enough for me (a petite person) to move around from counter to counter' and appreciated its sleek appearance. The unit includes a glass door with interior lighting that stays on during the first few minutes of operation, a feature that both Francis and Bon Appétit's reviewer found entertaining. The design accommodates a 12-inch plate capacity and includes a rolling rack, clip-on silverware tray, baby bottle holder, drain hose, and faucet supply line. However, the water tank capacity of 5 liters (three pitcher fills) was cited as a limitation by Taste of Home's Higley, who noted it 'requires three trips to fill the tank' and the small opening caused spillage issues. The magnetic door latches and window for monitoring progress were also noted as user-friendly features.
What Reviewers Loved
Multiple reviewers highlighted the dishwasher's quiet operation and the significant time-saving benefits it provided. Bon Appétit's Stone described it as 'whisper silent' and noted that the 'low purring combined with the fact that my dishes were getting cleaned while I scrolled through TikToks' made it 'incredibly relaxing.' Taste of Home's Higley appreciated that it 'makes me feel like I have a standard dishwasher at my service' once connected to a faucet, and she found the 'normal cycle, which takes just over two hours, includes drying.' The convenience of not requiring plumbing installation was a major selling point for Apartment Therapy's Francis, who called it 'renter-friendly' and 'perfect for a single person' or small households. The ability to manually fill the tank with the included pitcher was also praised, particularly by those who didn't want to deal with plumbing. Additionally, the 'Baby Care' cycle for sterilizing bottles and the 'Fruit Wash' setting were noted as useful extras, with Bon Appétit's reviewer stating the 'Fruit Wash' setting 'specifically for, yep, washing fruit—which, to me, seems extra, but if you'd like to put your apples in a 20-minute wash cycle, I'm confident they would come out sparkling.'
Where It Falls Short
Despite its many strengths, several reviewers identified significant drawbacks. Epicurious's Caroline Lange criticized the machine's 'bulky and small' nature, noting it occupied 'most of the space typically occupied by the dish towel' but could only wash 'a fraction of what was dirty'—three or four plates, bowls, glasses, and a few utensils. The water tank capacity was also a point of contention, with Taste of Home's Higley reporting that 'the pitcher holds less than two liters of water, so it requires three trips to fill the tank' and that 'the opening to the cavity in which you pour the water is small and lends itself to spillage.' The 'rapid cycle' was noted to produce wet dishes that require drying, and the 'normal cycle' was criticized for not drying dishes completely. Additionally, the unit's size was problematic for extremely small kitchens, with Bon Appétit's reviewer noting it was 'a bit bulky for extremely small kitchens.' The silverware rack was also mentioned as potentially problematic for larger utensils, and the dishwasher's capacity was insufficient for larger households, with some reviewers finding it only suitable for one or two people.
Who It's Best For
Based on the reviews, the Farberware countertop dishwasher is best suited for single-person households, couples, or renters who lack space or plumbing for a full-size dishwasher. Apartment Therapy's Lizzy Francis, who lives in a New York City apartment, found it ideal for her family of two, noting it 'really does work for me and my husband' and could accommodate 'four glasses, two bowls, and two dinner-sized plates alongside food containers and forks and knives.' The appliance is also recommended for those who work from home and cook frequently, as Taste of Home's Higley noted, 'I work from home and cook three square meals in my kitchen each day' and found the dishwasher 'convenient enough to make these gripes worth it.' It's also ideal for individuals who want to avoid the hassle of hand-washing dishes, as Bon Appétit's reviewer stated, 'Using a countertop dishwasher changed the way I experienced cooking. Instead of spending the entire cooking process quietly resenting all the time I'd spend washing the pots and dishes afterwards, I discovered a sense of calm.' However, it's not recommended for larger families or those with extensive dishwashing needs, as its capacity is limited to a few place settings at a time.
How It Compares to Alternatives
The Farberware model stands out for its versatility in water source options, offering both manual filling via a pitcher and faucet connection, which makes it more adaptable than many competitors. Unlike some portable dishwashers that require permanent plumbing, the Farberware's built-in 5-liter water tank allows for easy portability and installation. However, it's priced at around $300-$350, which is mid-range compared to other countertop models that can range from $200 to nearly $800. Epicurious's reviewer noted that while it 'does have one feature that makes it more valuable than many: a convenient built-in water tank that lets the washer run without being hooked up to the faucet,' it still 'managed to be both bulky and small' compared to alternatives. Bon Appétit's reviewer emphasized its ability to 'compete with its full-size counterparts in terms of dishwashing power,' but noted that it's 'smaller than a real dishwasher, but just as effective.' The Farberware model's inclusion of multiple wash cycles including 'Baby Care' and 'Fruit Wash' sets it apart from simpler models, though some reviewers questioned the necessity of the 'Fruit Wash' setting.
Value at This Price
At a price point of approximately $300-$350, the Farberware countertop dishwasher offers good value for its features and performance, particularly for those who prioritize convenience and space-saving design. Taste of Home's Annamarie Higley found it 'worth the cost' and noted that it 'makes me feel like I have a standard dishwasher at my service.' The appliance's ability to save time and reduce the chore of hand-washing dishes, especially for busy individuals or small households, justifies its cost. However, some reviewers questioned whether the price was justified for those with larger dishwashing needs, given its limited capacity. Bon Appétit's Sam Stone gave it a 9.3/10 rating, praising its effectiveness and the significant reduction in dishwashing time and effort. The unit's ability to use only 1.3 gallons of water per cycle, which is less than both traditional dishwashers and hand-washing, also contributes to its value proposition. While it may not be the cheapest option, its combination of features, performance, and adaptability makes it a solid investment for the right user base.
Long-Term Durability
Based on the reviews, the Farberware dishwasher has shown durability in regular use, with multiple reviewers noting it held up well over extended periods. Apartment Therapy's Lizzy Francis reported having used it 'daily, sometimes multiple times a day, since we got it' and found it 'really held up to constant use.' She also mentioned doing routine maintenance like wiping it dry, cleaning the filter, and checking for mold buildup, which she noted 'stays pretty consistently wet in there.' Taste of Home's Annamarie Higley, who has been using hers for three months, found it 'convenient enough to make these gripes worth it' and noted that it 'was convenient enough to make these gripes worth it.' However, the unit's reliance on a water tank and frequent manual refills may pose long-term maintenance challenges. The dishwasher's performance under constant use was consistent, with reviewers noting that it 'doesn't require a faucet hookup' and 'is designed to either be hooked up to a sink or you can fill the tank manually,' which suggests it's built for regular, albeit intermittent, use. The machine's ability to handle various dish types, including plastic containers and baby bottles, indicates it's robust enough for everyday household needs, though it's not recommended for heavy-duty commercial use.
Strengths
- +Just as effective as full-size dishwasher despite smaller size
- +No water hookup required; uses 5-liter tank filled manually with included pitcher
- +Quiet operation with only slight hum and splashing sounds
- +Two-hour normal wash cycle effectively cleans dishes without rinsing needed
Watch-outs
- −Limited capacity of just two place settings
- −Water tank requires frequent refills with small pitcher, causing spillage
- −Silverware rack may not fit larger utensils
How it compares
While the Farberware model is just as effective as full-size dishwashers, it has a much smaller capacity than the Danby and Comfee models, limiting its use for larger households. Its two-hour wash cycle is faster than the Hava and Midea models, but the need for frequent manual refills makes it less convenient than the Comfee or Hermitlux versions.
Who this is for
At a glance: small households wanting efficient cleaning.
Why you’d buy the Farberware Portable Countertop Dishwasher
- Just as effective as full-size dishwasher despite smaller size.
- No water hookup required; uses 5-liter tank filled manually with included pitcher.
- Quiet operation with only slight hum and splashing sounds.
Why you’d skip it
- Limited capacity of just two place settings.
- Water tank requires frequent refills with small pitcher, causing spillage.
- Silverware rack may not fit larger utensils.
Rating sources
“The Farberware countertop dishwasher is a compact and convenient way to clean your kitchen. Our editor can attest—she's been using hers for three months now.”
“The Farberware countertop dishwasher has glowing reviews from The Cut and more than 1,600 elated folks on Amazon, who claim it's "worth the cost," "pretty damn quiet," "perfect for an apartment" (or, writes another, an RV), "a powerhouse," "sleek, sexy," and even "a depression-fighting minion."”
“The Farberware Compact Portable Dishwasher is a smaller, cheaper version of its professional-level dishwasher, but it's still a cleaning powerhouse.”
Our 4.1 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
