A compact dishwasher is arguably your best bar companion. After a large gathering or party, it earns its keep by cleaning up all the dirty dishes and glassware for you. Today, many fine dishwashers are available for your home bar, but how can you tell which are the best?
Dishwashers feature a wide variety of styles and functions. To gain an edge, manufacturers add amenities like delayed wash cycles, adjustable racks, and sleek exteriors. Plus, the machines vary in degrees of quietness, dependability, and ease in loading. Sometimes all of these functions are not necessarily when a good old drying rack will do for example.
Whether your bar can hold an 18-inch or 24-inch dishwasher, shopping for the right one can get very involved. We intend to help you with a list and rundown of the three best dishwashers for the home bar.
1. hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher
Simplicity and ease of use are the trademarks of the hOmeLabs Compact Countertop Dishwasher. This machine is a real space saver that fits directly on countertops or tabletops because of its small dimensions. It’s ideal for small living units without a built-in dishwasher or dwellings with limited space.
The wash cycles allow you to save energy, water, and time. For instance, you can adjust for:
- Heavy or normal loads
- Glassware only
- The most economical settings
- Speed
Since the hOmeLabs Compact Dishwasher weighs only forty-four pounds, you can quickly move it around to suit your needs for your bar space.
Specifications
Certified by Energy Star, this machine only uses 120 volts. Plus, despite being lightweight, it is very durable. The dimensions are 17.2 inches in height, 21.6 inches in width, and 19.6 inches deep. This machine comes with a product warranty.
Features
These are some of the exceptional features that help this machine stand out.
Water Saver
The hOmeLabs dishwasher uses only 3.1 gallons of water per cycle. By contrast, it takes 8 to 27 gallons to wash the same amount of dishes by hand. So, you save water, time, and a little money off your utility bill.
Easy Set-Up and Use
With your new countertop dishwasher, set-up is a breeze. It only takes a few minutes without any tools involved. All you need to do is connect the inlet, drain hose, and faucet adapter. These accessories are compatible with round faucet outlets with 55/64”-27 male or 15/16”-27 female threads.
The control panel is easy to use. It doesn’t have fancy program options, just a delay button that lets you pause the wash cycle.
Don’t Worry About Streaks.
his machine has a rinse aid dispenser that removes smudges from coffee cups, dinner plates, glass, and china. For quality wash cycles, an indicator light will alert you when it’s time to refill the dispenser. You can also prevent harm to your machine by using rinse aids that are compatible with automatic dishwashers.
What are Customers Saying?
Many hOmeLabs compact customers love the time saved from not having to put dishes through a second washing. Others show satisfaction with the machine’s ability to take high volumes of use. For such a small unit, most users report that they are impressed by the number of dishes and silverware it holds.
2. SPT Energy Star Portable Dishwasher
If you favor contemporary style, you’ll love having this 18” inch dishwasher as your bar mate. It combines excellent cleaning action with designer flair, capable of complementing almost any bar top. Plus, the machine allows you to customize nearly every dishwashing chore with ease.
The SPT Energy Star Dishwasher is quiet and efficient. It has a rack configuration that positions the dirty dishes for maximum exposure to the wash. Plus, the stainless steel interior contributes to the immense amount of wear and tear it can take.
Specifications
Sound engineering and precision are evident in the specs for this dishwasher. Here are some of the most influential details.
- 5-gallon capacity
- It has a space-saving dimension of 23.63” in depth, 17.64” in width and 35.63” in height.
- 118 lbs in weight
- Stainless steel construction
- Noise level of 52 decibels
- Rinse aid warning indicator with a refill reminder
Features
The SPT dishwasher has these features.
- Place setting capacity of eight: This feature gives you tremendous stacking capability.
- Programmable operation: You’ll have a choice of cleaning time and the type of wash you want.
- Adjustable upper rack: When you have a lot more fabulous dishes, the feature comes in handy.
- Error Alarm: It shows default codes that pinpoint the problem. The corresponding solution is in the owner’s manual.
- Batteryless operation: Fully AC powered component reduces unpleasant surprises due to sudden shutoffs.
- Hassle-free faucet adapter: By connecting to any faucet, this feature makes installation and transfers very easy.
- Automatic Detergent and Rinse agent dispenser: This feature helps prevent streaking and cloudy glassware.
What are Customers Saying?
Most satisfied customers appreciate the reliable performance of the SPT dishwasher. Along with being a valuable bar appliance, some users take it with them when they go RVing. There is equal satisfaction with the number of dishes it can hold and how clean they get, even with hard water.
This dishwasher gets the best response from single people, couples, and small families for its size. Having a quick, simple, and convenient way to clean dishes is this machine’s specialty. The most common complaint is the cord is a little short. However, an extension cord can solve that problem.
3. Bosch Ascenta 24” Stainless Steel Fully Integrated Dishwasher
Bosch dishwashers have a long reputation for quiet performance. To this point, the Bosch Ascenta lives up to the hype. If your bar has room for a built-in model, this machine is a fine choice.
The Ascenta represents the best engineering and design that Bosch has to offer. It has highly advanced features with top-grade materials. Because it satisfies all the customer satisfaction points, Ascenta has proven its worth of the Bosch name.
Specifications
The Ascenta is 35 inches in height, 47.5 inches in depth, and 23.6 inches in width. For your convenience, the size is adjustable. These dimensions also allow for a taller stainless steel tub with a larger load capacity than most bar dishwashers.
Just as important, the noise rating is Quiet (46-50), and the sound rating is 50 decibels. The EcoSense Wash Management System and the automatic temperature control help Ascenta comply with all the government energy-saving guidelines. Other important specs are:
- This dishwasher has a direct feed.
- It has a self-cleaning filter and water filtration.
- It has six cycle options.
- The Ascenta can handle 14 place settings.
Features
Cutting edge features are the reason the Bosch Ascenta is a leader in the compact dishwasher field. Here are some of its best offerings:
- Your dish will get an exceptional cleaning with the Advanced PrecisionWash system. It has smart sensors that continuously monitor progress and high force spray arms that target every plate, glass, and silverware.
- The stainless steel tub and polypropylene bottom combine to make a sound foundation.
- Also, the stainless steel protects against fingerprints, smudges, and debris.
- The half load option on the cycle panel allows you to do a quick washing of a select few items.
- Your dishes dry without a heating element because of PureDry™. Also, it gives you the freedom to put your plastic anywhere.
- Even if your machine is running or not, 24/7 Overflow protection stops annoying leaks.
What Are Customers Saying?
Conservation and budget-minded customers, particularly like the Bosch Ascenta. They point out the water and energy-saving features that don’t compromise the machine’s high cleaning performance. Some consumers have replaced other top brand machines with this dishwasher because of its quietness and low maintenance.
Many customers express amazement for their ability to handle much larger loads than other compact dishwashers. Also, they comment on how clean the dishes get just on the standard-setting. As it stands, a vast majority of present users would recommend Bosch Ascenta to a friend.
What You Should Look For In a Dishwasher for a Home Bar
As demands on our time get greater, an excellent compact dishwasher can be a blessing. Aside from deep cleaning action, compact dishwashers have many efficient, convenient, and energy-saving options. We will take a more in-depth look at the most vital qualifiers.
Good for Glassware
Cloudy glassware is the pits. Have you ever noticed that your glassware looked dirty just before your dinner guest sat down at the table? It’s even worse when the glasses have an unpleasant odor. Dishwasher detergents and rinse aid additives are chancy solutions to this problem, and they can lead to more frustration.
Before you look for a dishwasher that helps with cloudy glassware, you must be familiar with the causes. The two leading causes of cloudy glassware are hard water and glass corrosion.
- Hard Water: Hard Water build-up occurs when small deposits accumulate in your dishwasher. These are mineral deposits that adhere to glassware and dishes to cause a cloudy residue.
- Glass corrosion: This damage primarily occurs from extended dishwashing cycles and overexposure to heat. This corrosion happens over time, but overwashing speeds up the process.
Fortunately, you can combat this problem by making some proactive dishwashing buying decisions. Some key dishwasher features help prevent cloudy glassware.
For challenging water problems, dishwashers with stainless steel tubs repel hard water stains and odors. Also, they fight corrosive elements that make the tub receptive to mineral deposits and food residue. If cloudy glassware is a concern, be wary of hard plastic tubs.
You can deter glass corrosion by choosing a dishwasher with variable wash cycle selections. For instance, if your load is glassware dominant, you should have the option of having a shorter wash cycle.
Size
For bars and countertops, size matters. You need a unit that has a small footprint while delivering fantastic results. By comparison, built-in dishwashers come in 24-inch models that fit below kitchen counters. Their place setting capacity is around 12 to 16 settings.
Bar or countertop dishwashers generally measure 18-inches. Some models are available in 24 inches. Typically, they can handle 8 to 10 place settings. A few models accommodate 12. If you value the load capacity over the space economy, the 24-inch dishwasher would be a better choice for you.
Aside from the width, there is not much difference in the dimensions of the 18 inch and 24-inch models. So, it depends on whether 6 inches of width matter to you.
Stacking and Racking Features
These features are easy to overlook, but they can affect the number and type of dishes you can load. Some models have stacking and racking configurations that cater to larger plates. Others lean toward talk glass or stemware.
The best bar dishwashers have adjustable or removable shelves. Some have multi-use racks. In small spaces, it is best to have more loading options than fewer.
Performance Features
On dishwashers, the number of washing levels is the most significant performance influencer. It determines the distribution and the pathways of the jets of water. A three-cycle system is sufficient for a good cleaning. For more money, extra cycles provide more coverage. Along with the basic cycle settings, your dishwasher may have these unique cycles.
- Auto clean: An electronic sensor regulates the cycle’s duration and intensity, depending on the amount of dirt.
- Half Load: You can wash one rack at a time.
- Power Wash: This cycle focuses on baked-on food with a forceful stream of hot water.
- Rinse/hold: When you want to rinse off a few dishes before you have a full load, this feature comes in handy.
Another primary performance consideration is the noise level. A rating below 45 decibels is sufficiently silent. Readings 45 and 50 decibels are equivalent to birds chirping outside your window. 50 and over is the conversation level. It depends on your noise tolerance level.
Hard Food Disposal
This pre-installed feature saves you from scraping stubborn food particles and pre-washing your dishes. It removes food residue during the first rinse cycle. As a result, these food particles won’t smear your clean dishes.
Other models do this job with self or manually cleaned filters. If you don’t know, make a point to find out the type of filtration system your new dishwasher has.
Saving Energy
If you want to ensure your machine is energy-efficient, look for the Energy Star symbol or the Consortium of Energy Efficiency certification. Technology and advanced engineering have helped produce more energy smart dishwashers. At the same time, the wash cycles have gotten longer.
Some dishwashers compensate for this with low water requirements or quick wash cycles.
These features are particularly beneficial to users on metered water use. If your electric bill is time-of-use based, you can save energy by choosing a dishwasher with a delay start option.
Conclusion
There are many compact dishwashers that you can choose for your bar companion, but these three machines represent the best. If you value simplicity, versatility, and ease of use, the hOmeLabs compact countertop may be your top choice.
The SPT Energy Star is the top contender for extraordinary cleaning ability and stylish appearance. On the other hand, you may be looking for the added capacity that the Bosch Ascenta supplies. Either way, your bar will be far more functional with any other of these three dishwashers.