Last Updated on April 1, 2024 by Jessica Lauren Vine
Are you wondering if you should get a dishwasher for your RV and want to know what the best
Depending on the age and size of your RV, there’s a good chance it didn’t come with a dishwasher. However, while most smaller and non-custom-built RVs don’t have dishwashers pre-installed on them, they typically have preparations made when they’re built for quickly adding a dishwasher.
If you don’t have a dishwasher installed on your RV but want to add one, it’s important to choose the best one for your needs. Modern RV dishwashers are designed to be efficient, durable, and to clean your dishes while taking up as little space as possible. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and choosing one that fits your RV is essential.
If you’re a full-time RVer or do a great deal of camping, it might be worth your time to install a dishwasher in your camper. They will save you a ton of time that you could be spending with your family enjoying life. To help you make your decision, we’ll provide a buying guide and a list of some of the best RV dishwashers on the market.
Overall Best RV Dishwasher
If you want the best of the best, this is the
Danby Quiet 6 RV Dishwasher
- 6 Wash Settings
- Compact & space saving
- Easy to set up
- Not as spacious as the previous model
If you’re looking for the best
This little guy weighs less than 50 pounds, which makes it easy to move around if you opt to use it as a countertop dishwasher. The main reason that the Danby takes the top spot on our list is because it checks so many different boxes. It’s fairly energy-efficient, affordable, uses surprisingly little water, and has a decent amount of interior storage.
The biggest advantage that the Danby has over other models is how quiet and versatile it is. Aside from its noise level, it isn’t technically the best at anything else, but it ranks near the top in everything. It’s the best all-around option for all RVs, no matter their size or whether you need a built-in or countertop dishwasher.
Pros
- It can be used as a countertop or built-in dishwasher
- Uses a limited amount of water and electricity during operation
- Includes six different wash cycles and settings
- Fairly spacious on the inside despite being small on the outside
- Affordable
- Lightweight and portable
Cons
- Although efficient, it could use less power and less water for optimal efficiency.
Runner Up for Best RV Dishwasher
If you don’t want to go for the best of the best, this
Farberware Countertop RV Dishwasher
- 5-Liter Built-in Water Tank
- 45.5 lbs
- Factory tested
- Space saving
- No water hookup needed
- Quick wash available
- No space for rinse aid
Although this dishwasher is listed as a countertop variety, like the Danby, it can get installed as a built-in. Doing so is pretty easy, and you might not even need assistance from a professional plumber, thanks to its genius design engineering. It didn’t take the top spot on our list as the best overall
It’s roughly the size of a portable oven and weighs around 45 pounds. The Farberware uses just five liters of water during operation, making it one of the most efficient dishwashers on the planet. You can fit anything into this dishwasher as long as it’s 12 inches or less in circumference, which should include most of the dishes and cups you take camping with you.
It includes five different wash cycles, including a setting specifically for baby and medical items called Steam Mode. With a wash time of just forty minutes, this dishwasher works quickly and efficiently to clean anything and everything in your RV. Although fast and efficient, this dishwasher doesn’t have much interior space and might not be the best option for larger RVs.
Pros
- Compact
- Relatively easy to install and use
- Five different wash cycles
- Includes a Steam Mode that’s safe for baby items and medical devices
- Lightweight
- Can be a countertop or built-in unit
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Not a ton of interior space
Best RV Dishwasher for Large RVs
For those of you that have a large RV, this is a good
SPT Energy Star Portable RV Dishwasher
- 8 Place Settings
- 6 Wash Programs
- Time Delay Feature
- Spot for rinse aid
- Quick and simple connection
- Automatically dispenses detergent and rinse agent
- Top rack comes off the rails too easily
If you have a motorhome, fifth-wheel, or RV with ample interior space and want to add a dishwasher to the mix, the STP Energy Star Portable Dishwasher is the one for you. While it’s labeled as a portable dishwasher, it weighs over 100 pounds and is much better suited as a permanent, built-in dishwasher.
Regardless of how you use it, however, the STP is a beast when it comes to washing dishes. It has enough interior space for up to eight place settings and is the size of most residential dishwashers. In addition to being high capacity, this dishwasher is also high-powered. It uses around five gallons of water every cycle but is extremely quiet despite this.
The only downside of this dishwasher has to do with many of its advantage: the size. Because it’s as big as a residential dishwasher and operates similarly to one, it’s difficult to install on your own.
Pros
- Big and powerful
- It has enough interior space to fit most types of dishes
- Very quiet during operation
- It can be used as a portable dishwasher or a built-in
Cons
- Fairly expensive
- Difficult to install and heavy
Best RV Dishwasher for Tight Spaces
If you have a tight space in your RV then this
Della Compact Mini Dishwasher
- 6 Wash Cycles
- 20 lbs
- 6 Place Settings
- Doesn't use a lot of water
- Cleans dishes well
- Easy hookup
- Some customers reported leaks
If your RV is pretty small and you have limited space for a built-in dishwasher, the Della Compact Mini is an excellent option. Despite being small on the outside, this little guy is anything but mini on the inside. One of the nicest features of this dishwasher is that you can build it into your kitchen or set it on top of a counter. Either way, it will wash your dishes just the same.
This little dishwasher comes in stainless steel for durability and aesthetics, and it has six different wash settings to choose from. You can fit anything from large pots and pans to small utensils and cups into the Della Compact Mini. It’s also fairly easy to install and use and has spots to put detergent and rinse aid into the washer separately for optimal cleanliness and best results.
Pros
- Fairly easy to install and operate
- Offers six different wash settings and has spots for detergent as well as a rinse aid
- Very compact and perfect for tight spaces
- Highly affordable in comparison to other dishwashers
Cons
- Although spacious inside, it doesn’t have as much space as larger models.
Best Countertop RV Dishwasher
Want to have an
Vesta Countertop RV Dishwasher
This one has some stock issues, so keep an eye out for when it comes back up.
Most RV dishwashers get built into your kitchen, similar to how they are in a house. However, if you don’t have the space or tools to build a dishwasher into your kitchen, your only option is to have a countertop one. If this is the conundrum you’re stuck in, the Vesta Countertop RV Dishwasher is the answer to your prayers.
While countertop dishwashers like the Vesta are usually smaller than built-in varieties, they offer enough space to get the job done. The Vesta Countertop Dishwasher has seven different settings and only weighs 65 pounds, so you can move it around as necessary. It’s also a fairly efficient option, using less than 2 gallons of water per cleaning cycle.
If you don’t like the countertop option, Vesta also has a full line of built-in dishwashers. No matter what you’re looking for, there’s a good chance that Vesta has it.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- Seven different washing settings
- Very efficient
- Sleek design that includes black and stainless steel
Cons
- It doesn’t have as much interior space as built-in options
How to Choose the Best RV Dishwasher
The Type You Need
The first thing you should consider when choosing your dishwasher is the type of unit you need. In general, you get to choose between a built-in dishwasher and a countertop one. Built-ins are more challenging to install, but they’re usually bigger and will fit into your RV permanently. Countertop models are small enough to move around, making them portable, but they also have less interior space.
Size
Anyone with experience living in an RV for any amount of time knows how important storage space is. The bigger your dishwasher is, the more dishes you’ll be able to wash, but the more space it will take up.
Interior Space
The size of the dishwasher and the amount of interior space it has often go hand in hand. However, choosing a suitable dishwasher can maximize your interior space while minimizing the overall size.
Efficiency
Being in an RV doesn’t mean you don’t want to be efficient. Good dishwashers should operate with as little water and electricity as possible.
Ease of Use and Installation
If you want to save money, you should purchase a dishwasher that you can install yourself. You also want to pick a simple, easy-to-use model with a small learning curve.
Wrapping Up the Best RV Dishwashers for 2022
While many variables and factors go into picking the suitable dishwasher for your RV, choosing the right one will make your life much easier. It will also allow you to use the time to hang out with your family or enjoy nature that you would otherwise spend washing dishes. By using our buying guide and picking a dishwasher from this list, you will have one of the best RV dishwashers on the market.
Jalin's day job has been working as an HVAC professional but it's transitioning to full time writer and RVer.
- How Long Do RV Generators Last? 2024 Answer - October 29, 2022
- How Do RV Generators Work? 2024 Answer - October 28, 2022
- How Do You Attach an Awning to an RV? - October 16, 2022
