The best countertop dishwasher under $500 is the AIRMSEN TDQR09. It adds a built-in water softener to a no-hookup 5L tank design, offers 8 programs with washing up to 167°F, and is backed by a 2-year warranty.
We compared eight top-rated countertop dishwashers under $500 on Amazon and used only the specs each brand lists: capacity, programs, water supply, noise, softeners, size and warranty. Prices, ratings and review counts come from Amazon at the time of writing.
Spending more than $300 gets you water softeners, stainless steel interiors, detergent dispensers, auto-open drying and hotter sanitizing cycles. Below are our top picks, a comparison table, detailed reviews, a buying guide and FAQs.
Top 3 Countertop Dishwashers Under $500 at a Glance
AIRMSEN TDQR09 with Softener
Magic Chef MCSCD6W5
COMFEE’ Miniplus CDC17P2AWWCountertop Dishwashers Under $500 Compared
| Image | Product | Key Specs | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. AIRMSEN TDQR09 with Softener Best Overall | Built-in water softener · 8 programs + Dry+, up to 167°F | 4.7/5 199 reviews | Check Price |
| 2. Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 Best 6-Place Setting | 6 place settings · Stainless steel interior | 4.4/5 93 reviews | Check Price |
| 3. COMFEE’ Miniplus CDC17P2AWW Best Hygiene | 6L tank or faucet · Hygiene cycle up to 192°F | 4.2/5 3,062 reviews | Check Price |
 | 4. HAVA TDJR09 Best Value with Softener | Built-in water softener · 8 programs, 18-hour delay | 4.3/5 1,933 reviews | Check Price |
 | 5. Midea MDC22P2ASS Best ENERGY STAR 6-Place | 6 place settings, 70 pieces · ENERGY STAR certified | 4.2/5 130 reviews | Check Price |
 | 6. EdgeStar DWP63 Stainless Interior Value | 6 place settings · Stainless steel interior | 4.0/5 55 reviews | Check Price |
 | 7. EUHOMY DW002-5A Quietest | 40 dB · 8 programs incl. Self-Clean | 4.5/5 307 reviews | Check Price |
 | 8. COMFEE’ CDC22P1BBB Best Budget 6-Place | 6 place settings · ENERGY STAR | 4.1/5 3,760 reviews | Check Price |
1. AIRMSEN TDQR09 with Softener – Best Overall
AIRMSEN Countertop Dishwasher with Built-in Water Tank & Softener
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 from 199 reviews
Pros
Cons
The AIRMSEN TDQR09 is the best countertop dishwasher under $500. It adds a built-in water softener to AIRMSEN’s well-reviewed tank design, offers 8 programs with high-temperature washing up to 167°F and comes with a 2-year warranty. It has 4.7 stars from 199 reviews and costs about $330.
If you live with hard water, the softener is the feature that matters most: it uses dishwasher salt to prevent spots on dishes and scale inside the machine – something most compact dishwashers skip.
Key features
Integrated softener. AIRMSEN says the softener supports dishwasher salt to prevent spots on dishes and inside the machine.
8 programs and 3 extras. Standard, ECO, Speed (29 minutes), Strong, Glass, Fruit, Self-Clean and Dry+, plus child lock, a 1–18-hour delay start and the softener. All cycles except Fruit use high-temperature washing up to 167°F.
Hot air drying. One hour of hot air drying runs automatically after most cycles; Dry+ adds another hour and 72 hours of air circulation to keep dishes dry and odor-free.
What it’s like to own
It needs no hookup: fill the 1.3-gallon (5L) tank and start washing, or connect it to a faucet. At 16.85 x 16.73 x 18 inches and 28.9 pounds, it fits most countertops and holds over 40 items per cycle, with plates up to 10.24 inches.
AIRMSEN notes you may see a little yellow water at first – it comes from the food-grade resin in the softener. It includes inlet and drain hoses, a pitcher and a 2-year warranty.
Best for: Hard-water homes, apartments and RVs.
May not fit: Households that need 6 place settings.
2. Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 – Best 6-Place Setting
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 from 93 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 is the best 6-place countertop dishwasher under $500, with a stainless steel interior, 52 dB operation and a detergent and rinse aid dispenser. It has 4.4 stars from 93 reviews and costs about $414.
It is built more like a full-size dishwasher, just smaller.
Key features
6 place settings. A rack with a cup shelf and flatware basket makes loading easier.
Six cycles. Heavy, normal, light, speed, glass and rinse.
Delay start. Delay up to 24 hours in 1-hour increments.
What it’s like to own
It measures 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches and weighs 49.5 pounds. A quick-connect assembly, hoses and faucet adapter are included.
Magic Chef gives a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Best for: Couples and small families.
May not fit: Renters without a faucet adapter.
3. COMFEE’ Miniplus CDC17P2AWW – Best Hygiene
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 from 3,062 reviews
Pros
Cons
The COMFEE’ Miniplus is the best countertop dishwasher for sanitizing, with a Hygiene cycle that reaches up to 192°F. It costs about $346 with 4.2 stars from 3,062 reviews.
Its door opens automatically after each cycle and a turbofan clears steam for faster drying.
Key features
192°F Hygiene. Rinses at 162°F and reaches up to 192°F for baby bottles and heavily soiled dishes.
Auto-open drying. Plus a UV hygiene program.
6L tank. Or connect to a faucet with the quick connect.
What it’s like to own
It uses 6L of water and 0.35 kWh per normal cycle, per COMFEE.
It measures 16.53 x 17.13 x 18.3 inches and has an LED display, viewing window and leak protection.
Best for: Parents and germ-conscious users.
May not fit: Quiet apartments.
4. HAVA TDJR09 – Best Value with Softener
Countertop Dishwasher with Water Softener & Enhanced Energy Efficiency
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 from 1,933 reviews
Pros
Cons
The HAVA TDJR09 adds a water softener and an optimized ECO mode for about $369. It has 4.3 stars from 1,933 reviews and ranks #9 in Countertop Dishwashers.
It is a well-reviewed alternative to the AIRMSEN.
Key features
Water softener. Set it to your water hardness to prevent limescale.
8 programs. Touch screen with child lock and 18-hour delay start.
Redesigned rack. Holds more items with 360° coverage.
What it’s like to own
It measures 16.86 x 16.75 x 18.05 inches, with a 13 x 13.77 x 10.83-inch interior.
HAVA provides a one-year warranty.
Best for: Hard-water homes.
May not fit: Quiet-first buyers.
5. Midea MDC22P2ASS – Best ENERGY STAR 6-Place
Midea Countertop Dishwasher Portable, 6 Place Settings, Energy Star
Amazon rating: 4.2/5 from 130 reviews
Pros
Cons
The Midea MDC22P2ASS is an ENERGY STAR 6-place countertop dishwasher for about $340, with 4.2 stars from 130 reviews.
Midea says it suits 2–3 people.
Key features
6+2 cycles. Auto, Heavy, Normal, Quick, Rinse and Delicate, plus Extended Dry and Power Wash.
Quiet. 52 dB.
Water saving. Uses 2.77 gallons per cycle.
What it’s like to own
It measures 22 x 20 x 17.25 inches.
It connects to a faucet with a suitable adapter.
Best for: Small families.
May not fit: No-faucet kitchens.
6. EdgeStar DWP63 – Stainless Interior Value
EdgeStar DWP63 21-5/8 Inch Wide 6 Place Setting Countertop Dishwasher – White
Amazon rating: 4.0/5 from 55 reviews
Pros
Cons
The EdgeStar DWP63 is a 6-place countertop dishwasher with a stainless steel interior for about $329, with 4.0 stars from 55 reviews.
EdgeStar says its low profile fits under most cabinetry.
Key features
7 cycles. Heavy, normal, light, glass, baby care, speed and rinse.
LED controls. Child lock and delayed start.
Stainless interior. Durable construction.
What it’s like to own
It weighs 44.1 pounds and measures 20 x 23.8 x 22 inches.
It has a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Best for: Stainless-interior seekers.
May not fit: Short cabinet clearances.
7. EUHOMY DW002-5A – Quietest
EUHOMY Countertop Dishwasher Portable, 8 Programs with 5L Tank, Black, 40dB
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 from 307 reviews
Pros
Cons
The EUHOMY DW002-5A is the quietest pick at 40 dB and ranks #1 in Portable Dishwashers on Amazon. It costs about $264 with 4.5 stars from 307 reviews.
It adds Glass and Self-Clean to EUHOMY’s 6-program model.
Key features
8 programs. Normal, ECO, Quick, Baby Care/Strong (167°F), Glass, Fruit, Self-Clean and Dry.
Tank or faucet. 5L tank or G3/4 faucet hookup.
Quiet. 40 dB.
What it’s like to own
It holds 30+ items and plates up to 10.25 inches.
EUHOMY recommends leaving more than 19 inches of vertical clearance.
Best for: Studio apartments.
May not fit: Big loads.
8. COMFEE’ CDC22P1BBB – Best Budget 6-Place
Amazon rating: 4.1/5 from 3,760 reviews
Pros
Cons
The COMFEE’ CDC22P1BBB is the budget 6-place pick at about $279, ranking #2 in Countertop Dishwashers with 4.1 stars from 3,760 reviews.
It fits up to 70 pieces.
Key features
8 cycles. Including Heavy, Baby-Care, ECO and Speed.
ENERGY STAR. Efficient water and energy use.
360° spray. 12 nozzles.
What it’s like to own
It measures 21.7 x 19.7 x 17.2 inches.
Hoses and adapters are included.
Best for: Value seekers.
May not fit: Tiny counters.
How to Choose a Countertop Dishwasher Under $500
Water softener for hard water
If your water is hard, a built-in softener (AIRMSEN TDQR09, HAVA TDJR09) helps prevent spots and scale. They use dishwasher salt.
Tank model or 6-place model
Tank models (AIRMSEN, COMFEE Miniplus, HAVA, EUHOMY) need no hookup and hold 30–40 items. Six-place models (Magic Chef, Midea, EdgeStar, COMFEE) fit up to 70 pieces but connect to a faucet.
Sanitizing temperature
For baby bottles and greasy dishes, look for high-temp cycles: 167°F (AIRMSEN, EUHOMY) or up to 192°F (COMFEE Miniplus).
Drying
Hot air drying, auto-open doors and turbofans (COMFEE Miniplus) dry dishes faster and reduce odors.
Interior and build
Stainless steel interiors (Magic Chef, EdgeStar, COMFEE 6-place) are durable. Magic Chef includes a detergent and rinse aid dispenser.
Noise and size
EUHOMY lists 40 dB; most others list 50–62 dB. Check height and weight: 6-place units weigh 25–50 pounds.
FAQ
What’s the best countertop dishwasher under $500?
The AIRMSEN TDQR09, with a built-in softener, 8 programs and a 2-year warranty.
Do I need a dishwasher with a water softener?
If you have hard water and see spots or scale, yes. AIRMSEN and HAVA include one.
Which countertop dishwasher holds the most?
Six-place models like the Magic Chef, Midea, EdgeStar and COMFEE fit up to 70 pieces.
Which is the quietest?
The EUHOMY DW002-5A, listed at 40 dB.
Which has the hottest cycle?
The COMFEE’ Miniplus Hygiene cycle reaches up to 192°F.
Do I need a faucet adapter?
Six-place models usually connect to a faucet and may need an adapter; tank models can run without one.
Final Verdict
The AIRMSEN TDQR09 is the best countertop dishwasher under $500, combining a water softener, 8 programs, high-temperature washing and a 2-year warranty.
For a full 6-place setting with a stainless interior and detergent dispenser, the Magic Chef MCSCD6W5 is the pick. For sanitizing, the COMFEE’ Miniplus reaches up to 192°F.
Choose the HAVA TDJR09 for a softener at a lower price, the Midea for ENERGY STAR 6-place washing, the EdgeStar for a stainless interior, the EUHOMY for quiet and the COMFEE 6-place for value.
Quick picks:
- Best overall: AIRMSEN TDQR09
- Best 6-place: Magic Chef MCSCD6W5
- Best hygiene: COMFEE’ Miniplus
- Quietest: EUHOMY DW002-5A
- Best budget 6-place: COMFEE’ CDC22P1BBB
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