What to expect from a dishwasher under $400?
These dishwashers offer an excellent all-round cleaning experience as well as the added benefit of being small and rather compact in size. This means they can be easily placed around the kitchen on a selection of surface types, or even in an RV, meaning you don’t need a specific gap in your kitchen to install them in.
However, it’s worth remembering here that because of the smaller and more portable design of these dishwasher types, you won’t be able to place as many dishes in them as if you would, say with a larger freestanding dishwasher. However, they will still offer a cleaning experience to the same specifications as their bigger counterparts.
Key features to look for in a dishwasher under $400
There are many additional features in each dishwasher of which you need to get an idea to ensure your product ticks all of your boxes and is the perfect final purchase for your requirements.
Dimensions
Though all of these products are the more portable and therefore more accessible for smaller living spaces and kitchen areas, you may still need to get an idea of the space you want your dishwasher to fill before buying it. This is because though each countertop dishwasher may claim to be smaller in size than the average standalone dishwasher, they all differ in their final measurements.
If you want to place your product in between a cabinet or a restricted area, it is essential to ensure you can not only fit the dishwasher in here but also allow for the room that is required to run the necessary hose connectors to the sink. Additionally, your portable dishwasher will also need to be near a power outlet.
For a smaller kitchen, you might want to get a somewhat compact 18-inch dishwasher that will quite easily fit into practically any layout. Moreover, there are many integrated dishwashers on the market today, so you can install it right into your kitchen cabinet. Keep in mind, though, that such models are on the pricey side.
Capacity
The number of place settings you can use as a maximum in your dishwasher will significantly affect how much washing you can get done in the one cycle. Alternatively, you may want a model which has adjustable or extra loading racks, baskets or space aids to work with the types of kitchenware which you predominately use. While most portable dishwashers will state how many specific place settings they can accommodate, if you tend to accumulate a lot of pots and pans, you may find yourself needing to do an additional wash for these, alongside your usual plate and cutlery wash.
Number of cycles
These counter-top dishwashers are naturally limited in the number of cycles they offer, but you need to ensure that your dishwasher can perform the sequence you require or are most likely to use on a regular basis. As standard, dishwashers will come with six primary cycles including normal, heavy, Eco, glass, speed, and rinse. The more extensive the dishwasher, the more cycles it will offer, but as long as you have these six cycles, you can be assured of a decent clean each time. It is worth noting however that some machines don’t always offer the Eco wash, which can be a concern for many regarding saving water and conserving energy.

Hot water connection and water heating
Something that may affect where you place your dishwasher is the availability of your hot water connection. Because of the permanent location of their sinks, many people have no choice other than to put their portable dishwasher right next to this for it to work. This place, however, is not always where they would have preferred it to go and, many a time isn’t the most practical of solutions when looking at storing the dishwasher permanently.
Your dishwasher has to be connected to a sink through a water faucet adaptor to be able to work correctly and receive water. Not only that, but this water needs to be heated when it enters the dishwasher as portable heaters rely on hot water coming into the dishwasher rather than heating it once it’s inside the machine. This water must be heated as cold water will not clean anything you place inside the dishwasher, just as hand washing them in cold water would have no effect.
Water consumption
The water consumption of your dishwasher may become vital information, in particular if you are on a water meter and need to keep an eye on your water usage. Those Eco-friendlier of products, as well as those with high energy star ratings, will naturally consume less water in the cleaning process. Look at whether your dishwasher offers a quick wash, express wash, or an Eco-friendly cycle if water consumption is a major concern for you. Otherwise, strive for A-rated where possible. Some products will these days inform you of the expected amount of money running your portable dishwasher will cost you over a year, based on an average amount of usage.

Warranty
Some manufacturers will offer product warranties or aftercare and support once you have purchased your dishwasher. Check the terms of each supplier carefully if you think this would be a good idea. This may include looking at whether you can get parts replaced or call outs to fix or replace your product should you need it. This can consist of replacement filters and washers, for example, which are all vital to the continued and successful running of your dishwasher over many years. Again, such warranties may all depend on your usage and if you are willing to pay a little extra for continued ongoing support, or whether you intend to fix it yourself should any problems arise.
Safety and care
Water and electricity do not go together. Therefore, when purchasing your dishwasher and subsequently using it, make sure that you are careful and keep the plug away from the sink area. This is especially important for those portable dishwashers which will need to be placed right next to the sink. You’ll also need to keep an eye on where the drainer hose goes, keeping it away from any other electrical appliances in the process. Additionally, if you’re more than likely to move your portable dishwasher around, take care when picking it up and moving with it, ensuring it is empty as you do so.