Skip to content
  1. Black Friday Sale Now LIVEshop here
  1. Free shipping on orders over £30
3 Things to Know Before Buying a Countertop Dishwasher

3 Things to Know Before Buying a Countertop Dishwasher

Nov 07, 2025

You’ve decided it’s time to stop being on dish-duty. Great choice.

Maybe you’ve looked into installing a full-sized dishwasher, but the cost, plumbing, or lack of space makes it a non-starter.

That’s okay.

You’re not actually missing out on any of the real tech by going for a countertop model instead.

The mechanics are the same (a rotating sprayer washing dishes on racks) and they’ve been that way for decades.

In fact, this 1949 patent by David A. Meeker and Russell C. Geiger from Hobart shows almost exactly the same core design still used today.

So now that you know the difference between a full-sized and countertop dishwasher is mainly about size and not capability, you can confidently pick the one that fits your space, budget, and lifestyle.

But before you bring a countertop dishwasher home, there are a few important things to think about.

Here are three factors to consider to help you find the right one for you.

1. Understand Your Space

Countertop dishwashers now come in a variety of sizes, and you need to make sure yours will fit the space you have.

Don’t limit yourself to the kitchen. Dishwashers like Capsule don’t need a connection to plumbing or even to be close to a sink.

    • What’s the maximum height you can get away with before hitting top cabinets?
Capsule tip 1: Capsule is 18.3in (45.6 cm) tall, perfect to fit under standard cabinet heights.
Capsule tip 2: Most countertop dishwashers have a water tank you need to fill from the top. Capsule dishwashers don’t: The water tank is separate, so you won’t need to reach up and can make the most of your vertical space.
    • Would it be easier to keep it completely separate, say, on a side counter or island?
Capsule tip 3: Most compact dishwashers need to connect directly to a faucet, which limits placement. Capsule dishwashers solve this problem with a dual-tank system: one fresh-water tank and one waste-water tank, meaning it can work anywhere: under most standard cabinets, beside the sink, or even away from it altogether. Ideal for apartments, camper vans, or shared kitchens where every centimetre matters.

2. Will Your Current Dishes Fit?

Here’s the thing: plates come in more shapes and sizes than you’d think. From deep bowls to oversized dinner plates, not every mini-dishwasher can handle your tableware.

    • Check interior dimensions and rack design before buying. Lots of countertop dishwashers are made for the Asian market, where small bowls and plates are the norm.
Capsule tip 4: Capsule dishwashers’ tall, flexible interior can handle plates up to 12in (30 cm) wide and fit around 35 individual items in one load; more than enough for two to four meals’ worth of dishes.
    • Are there any “nice-to-haves” you’d like your dishwasher to feature?
Capsule tip 5: If you have babies in the household, Capsule (but not Capsule Solo) has a sanitizing cycle perfect for cleaning baby bottles. It’s also great if you’re health-conscious and want to sanitize cutting boards or other items.

3. Saving Water and Energy

Let’s talk numbers, because they’re pretty striking.

According to research from the UCLA Institute of Environment and Sustainability, washing dishes by hand can use around 50 litres of water, 2.6 kWh of power, and about an hour of your time per wash.

Modern dishwashers, especially compact, green-tech ones, use a fraction of that. A typical eco dishwasher consumes about 6.5 litres of water and 0.67 kWh per cycle.

Capsule tip 6: Capsule dishwashers go even further, using only 0.7 gallons (≈ 2.6 litres) of water for its 15-minute quick wash. That’s roughly one-tenth the water of handwashing, and it cleans, dries, and sanitizes your dishes while you do anything far more interesting.

Just a Final Thought

A countertop dishwasher isn’t just about convenience: it’s about making space for what matters. Maybe you’re living tiny, going green, or just done arguing about whose turn it is. Models like Capsule prove that small appliances can make a big difference.

Marketing Team

Shop Capsule
RV couple - desktop