Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher Review (2025): The Ultimate Solution for Small Spaces?

Are you tired of the endless cycle of washing dishes by hand in your cozy apartment, RV, or dorm room? The thought of installing a full-sized dishwasher can be daunting, if not impossible, due to space constraints, plumbing limitations, and rental agreements. For years, the only solution was a dish rack and a bottle of soap. But what if there was a better way? What if you could reclaim your time and get sparkling, sanitized dishes without a major renovation? Enter the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher, a compact powerhouse designed specifically for modern, small-space living.

This review will serve as the most comprehensive guide available for the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher (Model: HDW5CW01). We’ll dive deep into its features, performance, and real-world user experiences to determine if it’s the right appliance to solve your dishwashing dilemmas. We're leveraging official product specifications and candid customer feedback to give you the unvarnished truth about this popular portable dishwasher. Is it the kitchen game-changer it claims to be? Let's find out.

Product Scorecard

• Build Quality: 8/10. The unit's construction, featuring a blend of durable plastic, a stylish glass door, and metal racks coated with PA powder, feels solid and built to last for a countertop appliance.
• Value for Money: 9/10. By offering the cleaning power of a larger machine and significant water savings of up to 83% over handwashing, this dishwasher provides exceptional utility and long-term value for its price point.
• Ease of Use: 7/10. While the core operation is straightforward with its clear LED display, the customer-reported poor instructions and a potentially awkward water-filling process introduce a minor learning curve.
• Performance: 9/10. Its dual spray arm system provides true 360° cleaning coverage, consistently delivering exceptionally clean, spotless, and dry dishes that rival the results of full-sized models.

Unboxing and First Impressions

Based on user feedback, the unboxing experience for the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher is overwhelmingly positive. Customers report that the unit arrives very well-boxed and in perfect condition, which is a crucial first step for any appliance purchase. The immediate impression is that of a compact yet sturdy machine. Weighing in at 35.3 pounds, it has enough heft to feel stable on the counter without being impossibly heavy to position. The black glass door provides a sleek, modern aesthetic that can blend seamlessly into various kitchen decors, a significant step up from the utilitarian look of older portable appliances.

Before you purchase, the single most critical step, echoed by every experienced user, is to measure your space. The official dimensions are precise: $16.85" W x $16.73" D x $18.23" H. Hermitlux wisely advises that you must have at least $20.08" of vertical clearance between your countertop and any overhanging wall cabinets. This is non-negotiable. Taking a moment to measure will save you the headache of a return and ensure a perfect fit from day one. Many users have found a perfect home for it on the counter right next to the sink, which is ideal for the drain hose placement. If it won't fit under your cabinets, any stable, level surface near the sink will suffice. If you're ready to make the upgrade, you can find the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher here: Check Price on Amazon.

Core Feature Deep Dive: Is It Mighty or Just Mini?

Compact Size with Surprising Capacity

Let's talk about what can actually fit inside. The manufacturer states a "5 Place-Setting Capacity," which includes accommodating over 30 pieces of kitchenware and plates up to $10.25" inches when loaded at an angle. This is where we need to manage expectations, as this has been a point of contention in user reviews. While the machine is a workhorse, some of the promotional photos may be slightly optimistic, suggesting a larger interior than reality.

A more realistic daily load for one or two people might include a few dinner plates (angled correctly), some bowls, a couple of glasses or mugs, and a collection of silverware. One user provided a crucial reality check: the silverware basket's design is restrictive. The small, slotted top is too narrow for many common cutlery handles. The simple solution? Remove the top piece of the basket entirely. This allows you to stand your forks, knives, and spoons freely, and they still come out "spotless."

Similarly, the small pull-down cup rack on the upper level is best suited for very small items like espresso cups or as a shelf for long utensils like spatulas or small baby bottles. It is generally too small for standard $10$-ounce coffee mugs. However, users have adapted, learning how to "maximize the wash load" with experience. After a month of use, one initially skeptical user loved the machine so much they updated their review, noting they happily run two loads a day because it's so easy and effective. The key is to see it not as a replacement for a full-size machine's single-load capacity, but as a powerful tool that eliminates handwashing entirely through smaller, more frequent cycles.

The Power of Portability: No Installation Required

This is arguably the Hermitlux's most significant selling point. For renters, RV owners, or anyone without the ability to tap into existing plumbing, the dual water supply modes are a revelation.

• Water Tank Mode: This is the feature that makes the dishwasher truly "plug-and-play." A built-in $5$-liter water tank means you can set this machine up anywhere there's a power outlet. You don't need to connect it to a faucet at all. To fill it, you simply pour water into the designated receptacle on top of the unit. First-time users note that this can be a little splashy, but practice makes perfect. The newer models come with a special funnel or adapter to make this process cleaner, but for older models or if the adapter doesn't fit under your cabinets, a wide-mouthed canning funnel works wonders. A crucial tip is to have the machine plugged in while you fill it; it will emit an audible beep to let you know precisely when the tank is full, preventing any overfill. This mode liberates you from the tyranny of the kitchen sink, allowing you to place it wherever is most convenient.
• Faucet Mode: For those who prefer a more traditional, set-it-and-forget-it approach, the dishwasher also supports a direct faucet hookup. It comes with an included inlet hose (length: $59.06" inches) that connects to your sink's faucet. This eliminates the need to manually fill the tank for each wash, offering a more automated experience. The setup is straightforward and perfect for users who have a designated spot for the dishwasher and don't mind connecting and disconnecting the hose as needed.

Regardless of the water supply mode, the unit must drain. An outlet hose (also $59.06" inches long) is included for this purpose. It's designed to simply be placed in your sink. Users have found the included suction cup to be effective at holding the hose in place, ensuring the waste water drains correctly without making a mess.

A Symphony of Cleaning: 7+3 Wash Programs

The Hermitlux dishwasher doesn't skimp on options. It offers a versatile suite of 7 primary washing programs and 3 additional functions, all accessible via a clear LED display. This level of control allows you to tailor the wash to the specific needs of your dishes.

The 7 Main Programs:

• Standard: Your everyday cycle for normally soiled dishes.
• Quick: A fantastic time-saver, with users reporting a cycle time of just 29 minutes. Perfect for lightly soiled items or when you need a fast turnaround.
• Strong: The go-to option for tough, baked-on food and greasy pots and pans.
• ECO: An energy-and-water-saving cycle for lighter loads, consuming just $0.38 Kilowatt Hours per cycle.
• Fruit: A unique and highly useful feature. This cycle uses plain water to wash fruits and vegetables, and a dedicated fruit basket is included. Users have enhanced this by adding a bit of vinegar for an even more thorough clean.
• Self-clean: This program helps maintain the dishwasher itself, cleaning the interior and spray arms to ensure optimal performance and hygiene over time.
• Glass: A gentler cycle designed to protect delicate glassware while ensuring a sparkling, spot-free finish.

The 3 Extra Functions:

• Delay: The "up to 18-hour delayed start" is a standout feature typically found on high-end models. It allows you to load the dishwasher and set it to run later, perfect for taking advantage of off-peak electricity rates overnight or simply having the wash finish at a more convenient time.
• Child Lock: An essential safety feature for households with young children, this prevents little hands from accidentally starting or stopping the machine.
• Dry: This function can be added to any wash cycle (except Fruit) or run independently. It uses 60 minutes of hot air drying to ensure your dishes are not just clean, but ready to be put away.

This comprehensive set of options ensures that from baby bottles to delicate wine glasses to post-lasagna pans, you have the right tool for the job. Experience this level of clean for yourself by checking out the Hermitlux dishwasher here: Check Price on Amazon.

Superior Cleaning Performance: The 360° Difference

How does a machine this small get dishes so clean? The secret lies in its dual spray arm design. With 14 powerful water jets spraying from both the top and the bottom, the dishwasher achieves true 360° cleaning coverage. This ensures that water reaches every nook and cranny, blasting away food particles from all angles.

Users consistently rave about the results. One review states, "The dishwasher does get the dishes very clean and I'm quite happy in that regard." Another was "astounded at how clean my dishes get... especially the silverware." They noted that hand-washed silverware would often be spotted after air drying, but items from the Hermitlux emerge "spotless."

One observant user detailed the process during a 29-minute Quick cycle. They noticed three distinct drain-and-fill phases. The first drain released soapy, warm water. The second drain released cleaner, warmer water. The third and final drain released very hot, clear water. This multi-stage rinsing process, combined with the high-temperature final rinse, is key to its effectiveness. It not only cleans but also sanitizes the dishes, offering a level of hygiene that is difficult to achieve with standard handwashing. This high-heat final rinse is a major reason why users feel it's "way better than hand washing."

Advanced Drying and Freshness

A clean dish that is still soaking wet is only half the job done. The Hermitlux excels here with its "Extra Drying & Stay Fresh" system. After the wash cycle, it engages a 60-minute hot air drying cycle. This actively dries the dishes, drastically reducing water spots and meaning you can often put them straight into the cupboard.

But it doesn't stop there. The machine also features a 72-hour automatic ventilation function. This circulates air within the dishwasher for up to three days after a cycle, preventing the stale, musty odors that can develop in a sealed, moist environment. This "Stay Fresh" feature is a thoughtful addition that enhances the overall user experience, ensuring your clean dishes smell as clean as they look.

As a practical tip from a long-term user, some cups and glasses with concave bottoms may still trap a small pool of water. A quick wipe with a towel before putting them away is an easy fix. For best results, leaving the door slightly ajar after the cycle is complete also helps any residual moisture evaporate, a trick that works well for dishwashers of any size.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Exceptional Cleaning Power: Users are consistently impressed and even "astounded" by how clean and spotless dishes and silverware become, citing the dual spray arms and hot water cycles as highly effective.
• Ultimate Convenience: The option to use a built-in water tank without any faucet hookup is a massive advantage for apartments, older homes, and RVs.
• Water and Energy Efficient: It uses only 5 liters of water per cycle, a certified savings of up to 83% compared to handwashing, and has a low annual energy consumption.
• Quiet Operation: The machine is quiet enough to run while watching TV in the same room without being disruptive, with a "relaxing steady rhythm."
• Feature-Rich: Comes packed with 7 wash programs, an 18-hour delay start, an extra dry function, and a child lock, offering the functionality of much larger units.
• Well-Designed Interior Elements: Despite its compact size, the interior rack is designed well enough to accommodate taller plates (up to 10.5 inches) when angled properly.
• Helpful Design Features: The inclusion of a glass window allows users to see the machine in action, and a small vent on the side properly releases steam.
• Fast and Secure Shipping: A customer noted the dishwasher arrived four days earlier than anticipated and was very well-packaged, arriving in perfect condition.

Cons

• Poor Instructions: The included directions are described as "very poor," though users found the machine intuitive enough to set up and operate without them.
• Misleading Capacity Photos: Some of the manufacturer's promotional images appear "photo shopped," leading customers to believe the unit is larger than it is in reality.
• Poorly Designed Accessory Racks: The silverware basket top has holes that are too small for most standard cutlery, requiring its removal, and the pull-down cup rack is too small for anything but espresso-sized cups.
• Awkward Water Filling: Pouring water into the tank receptacle can be splashy without practice or a funnel, and the included adapter may not fit under low-hanging kitchen cabinets.

Who Should Buy the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher?

This appliance isn't for a large family that needs to wash a full dinner's worth of dishes in one go. It is, however, a perfect and life-changing solution for a specific group of people who have been underserved by the home appliance market. You should seriously consider this dishwasher if you are:

• An Apartment Dweller: If you're renting and can't make permanent plumbing modifications, the built-in water tank is your best friend. Say goodbye to your dish rack. You can find this apartment-saving device here: Check Price on Amazon.
• An RV or Boat Owner: Life on the road or water doesn't have to mean disposable plates or endless handwashing. Its compact size and low water consumption are ideal for mobile living.
• A Dorm Room Resident: For students looking to make their small living space more functional and hygienic, this is a massive quality-of-life upgrade.
• A Couple or Single Person: For one or two-person households, the capacity is more than sufficient for daily needs, often requiring just one or two small loads a day.
• Anyone Without a Dishwasher: If you live in an older home or a small house without a built-in dishwasher and lack the space or budget for a major kitchen remodel, this is your stopgap and potentially permanent solution. Why wait for a renovation when you can have clean dishes now? Get yours today Check Price on Amazon.

The Final Verdict

The Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher (Model HDW5CW01) stands out as a powerful, efficient, and remarkably versatile appliance that delivers on its primary promise: to get your dishes sparkling clean without the need for professional installation. While it has some minor flaws, such as subpar instructions and awkwardly designed small racks for cups and silverware, these are easily overcome with minor adjustments and a bit of user experience.

Its strengths are undeniable. The dual-mode water supply provides unparalleled flexibility for renters and RV owners. The array of 7 washing programs, combined with an extra dry function and an 18-hour delay timer, offers a level of customization rarely seen in this category. Most importantly, its core cleaning performance is outstanding, thanks to the 360° dual spray arms and high-temperature rinses that leave dishes spotless and sanitized.

It successfully bridges the gap between the drudgery of handwashing and the commitment of a full-sized dishwasher. It saves time, saves an incredible amount of water, and delivers a better, more hygienic clean. For those living in small spaces, it's not just an appliance; it's a significant upgrade to your daily quality of life. If you've been on the fence, the overwhelmingly positive long-term user experiences suggest this "small but mighty" machine is a worthy investment.

Ready to banish handwashing from your life forever? You can purchase the Hermitlux Countertop Dishwasher with confidence by clicking here: Check Price on Amazon.