Cons:

• Most pans probably won’t fit
• A bit bulky for extremely small kitchens
• Silverware rack may not fit larger utensils

The basics

The setup: This dishwasher needs a power source as well as an outlet for the drainage hose. That means it has to be near an outlet as well as a sink, or a bucket, or, if you live on the first floor, I suppose you could throw that hose out your window and hope for the best. Whatever you choose, you’ll want to make sure that wily hose stays where it’s supposed to so that you can avoid unwanted dishwater dripping.

In terms of water sources, you have two options. You can either hook up a hose from your kitchen faucet into the back of the dishwasher or use the included pitcher to fill the built-in water tank for each wash. Personally, I found it easier to fill the tank instead of installing and uninstalling a hose for each wash, but beware: If the dishwasher’s water tank is not adequately filled, it will beep very loudly and aggressively until it is, at which point it will give you a few more aggressive beeps before starting the wash cycle. 

The cycle options: The Farberware countertop dishwasher has several different wash cycles options for different purposes, which you can select via the digital control panel on the front. “Normal” is the cycle that you’ll want to use for dirtier dishes as it runs for just over two hours, while “Rapid” is a quick 40 minutes for less intense messes. “Glass” is meant to leave your glassware spotless, and the “Baby Care” wash program steams to sanitize bottles. There’s also a “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. 

The Farberware mini dishwasher can compete with its full-size counterparts in terms of dishwashing power because it uses what is essentially the same techniques and technology on a much smaller scale. It has two sprayer arms—a rotating one below and a static above—to ensure dishes are cleaned from every angle. Just like a full-size dishwasher, water gets heated up to around 136 degrees in the normal cleaning cycle to get rid of those tough, stuck-on foods. Despite its impressive power, this dishwasher is whisper silent. The only sound is a slight hum and, if you really listen, a little splashing. I have to say, its low purring combined with the fact that my dishes were getting cleaned while I scrolled through TikToks read Tolstoy on my couch was incredibly relaxing for some reason. When the cycle has finished, the hot water evaporates off the clean dishes with the help of a fan-led air-dry cycle, which leaves dishes spotless. 

The limitations: At just over 17 inches wide, Farberware’s countertop dishwasher is among the smallest on the market—which is great! A small dishwasher means even more counter space is left for cooking. It does, however, also mean that the dishwasher’s capacity is slightly more limited than some competitors. I didn’t have trouble fitting in the place settings—flatware, silverware, cups—and cooking utensils I used for a meal for two, but, aside from a smallish saucepan, pots and pans will have to be done by hand. 

What does it do well?

It sets up fast. This countertop dishwasher can essentially be used right out of the box. It’s intuitive, and once the hoses are connected and the water tank is full (and the beeping has stopped), you’re ready to wash your first load of dishes.