Best Dishwasher for a Small Apartment in Citrus Heights: Compact Options That Actually Work
By the City Appliances Team, Citrus Heights, CA | Last updated: October 27, 2026
The best dishwasher for a small apartment depends on your hookup, household size and space. Renters with no dishwasher hookup should choose a countertop model for one or two people, or an 18-inch portable dishwasher on wheels for more dishes. If you have an 18-inch cabinet opening with plumbing, an 18-inch built-in is the best fit.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the hookup. No plumbing means countertop or portable. An 18-inch opening with water, drain and power means a slim built-in.
- Match capacity to your household. One or two people can live with a small countertop unit; three or more need about 8 place settings.
- ENERGY STAR calls any dishwasher that holds fewer than 8 place settings and 6 serving pieces “compact”.
- In Sacramento-area listings checked October 27, 2026, new countertop dishwashers started around $224 and 18-inch built-ins around $349.
- In Citrus Heights, a compact dishwasher can be new, open-box or refurbished, and each comes with a different warranty.
Quick Pick: The Best Compact Dishwasher for Your Apartment
| Your apartment | Best dishwasher type | Why |
| Renting, no dishwasher hookup, 1 to 2 people | Countertop dishwasher | Sits by the sink and needs no plumbing work |
| Renting, no hookup, you cook most nights | 18-inch portable dishwasher | More place settings, rolls to the sink on wheels |
| Own your condo, or your landlord approves, 18-inch opening | 18-inch built-in dishwasher | Permanent, out of the way, typically quieter |
| 3 or more people, very little space | 18-inch portable or built-in | A countertop unit will be too small |
What Is the Best Dishwasher for a Small Apartment? Answer 3 Questions
- Do you have a dishwasher hookup? If not, your choice is a countertop or portable dishwasher. If you have an 18-inch opening with water, drain and power, a slim built-in becomes an option.
- How many people are you washing for? FOTILE, a dishwasher maker, suggests about 4 place settings is enough for one or two people who run a load daily, and 8 or more for three or more people.
- Where will it live? On the counter, on the floor or in a closet between loads, or in a base cabinet.
Answer those three and the right type usually picks itself.
What Counts as a Compact Dishwasher?
A compact dishwasher holds fewer than 8 place settings and 6 serving pieces, under the ENERGY STAR definition. Anything that holds more is a standard-capacity dishwasher.
In practical terms, an apartment-size dishwasher comes in three formats. Whirlpool lists built-in and portable dishwashers in a standard 24-inch width and a compact 18-inch width, and portables also come as smaller countertop models. Whirlpool defines one place setting as a large and small plate, a bowl, a coffee cup and saucer, a glass and utensils.
Countertop vs Portable vs 18-Inch Built-In Dishwasher
| Countertop dishwasher | 18-inch portable dishwasher | 18-inch built-in dishwasher | |
| Where it goes | On the counter beside the sink | Rolls to the sink, stored on the floor or in a closet | In an 18-inch base cabinet opening |
| Hookup | Kitchen faucet adapter | Faucet adapter; faucet needs a removable aerator | Permanent water, drain and electrical connections |
| Capacity | About 2 to 6 place settings (FOTILE) | About 8 to 10 place settings (FOTILE) | Generally up to 8 place settings (Whirlpool) |
| Space you give up | About 16 to 22 inches of counter (FOTILE) | Floor or closet space | One base cabinet |
| Big pots and pans | Best for plates, bowls, glasses and utensils | Better, with adjustable racks | Better, with adjustable racks |
| Lease-friendly | Yes, no permanent install | Yes, no permanent install | Needs landlord approval if you rent |
| Noise | Varies by model | Varies by model | Insulated built-ins tend to be quieter than portables (Whirlpool) |
You can compare more on Whirlpool’s guide to portable vs built-in dishwashers.
Best Dishwasher by Apartment Situation
Best for renters with no dishwasher hookup
A countertop or portable dishwasher. Neither needs permanent installation. Both connect to the kitchen faucet with an adapter and drain into the sink. Pick countertop if you are short on floor space, and portable if you need more capacity.
Best for one or two people
A countertop dishwasher. It handles a day’s plates, bowls, glasses and utensils without giving up a cabinet. It is not the right choice if you wash a lot of large pots and pans.
Best for a small kitchen where you cook every day
An 18-inch portable dishwasher. It holds more place settings than a countertop model, and adjustable racks make room for pots. Browse our portable dishwashers in Citrus Heights to see the 18-inch and 24-inch options.
Best if you own your condo or your landlord approves
An 18-inch built-in dishwasher. Whirlpool’s compact built-in size is 18 inches wide, 35 inches tall and 24 inches deep, so it fits where a narrow base cabinet sits today. Read our guide to built-in dishwasher installation in Sacramento before you commit.
What Do Compact Dishwashers Cost in the Sacramento Area?
These are new-unit prices from Google Shopping listings shown for the Sacramento area on October 27, 2026. They change often and do not include delivery or installation.
| Compact dishwasher type | Example listings | Listed price range |
| Countertop dishwasher | SPT, RCA, SIMZLIFE, BLACK+DECKER, Magic Chef | $223.55 to $365.99 |
| 18-inch portable dishwasher | Hamilton Beach, SPT, BLACK+DECKER, GE | $500 to $879.99 |
| 24-inch portable dishwasher | GE | $615.30 |
| 18-inch built-in dishwasher | Midea, Honeywell, EdgeStar, Frigidaire, GE Profile | $349 to $928.80 |
Two things stand out. Countertop models are the cheapest way in. And although Whirlpool notes that portables may be priced lower than some built-ins, the 18-inch portables in these local listings were often priced above the cheaper 18-inch built-ins. A built-in still needs installation, so compare the total cost.
City Appliances sells new, open-box and refurbished dishwashers, so our prices depend on the unit and its condition. Browse our dishwashers for sale in Citrus Heights or call for current stock and pricing.
Will a Compact Dishwasher Fit? Measure Before You Buy
Countertop dishwasher
- Measure the height under your upper cabinets. Our countertop models need about 16 inches of height clearance.
- Measure counter width beside the sink. Plan for 16 to 22 inches (FOTILE).
- Check that the faucet can take an adapter.
18-inch portable dishwasher
- Check that your faucet has a removable aerator.
- Measure the path from the storage spot to the sink.
- Measure the closet or floor space where it will stay between loads.
18-inch built-in dishwasher
- Measure the opening: width, height and depth (Whirlpool’s compact size is 18 x 35 x 24 inches).
- Confirm water, drain and electrical connections are available at the opening.
- If you rent, get written landlord approval first.
Renting in Citrus Heights? What to Check First
A large share of Citrus Heights households rent. U.S. Census QuickFacts puts the owner-occupied rate at 60.7% for 2020 to 2024, which means roughly 4 in 10 homes are rented, across 33,687 households. Median gross rent was $1,827.
If you rent, a countertop or portable dishwasher is usually the safer choice because it needs no permanent installation. Before you buy, check three things: whether your lease allows appliance changes, whether your faucet takes an adapter, and whether delivery involves stairs.
How Efficient Are Compact Dishwashers?
ENERGY STAR sets separate limits for compact and standard dishwashers:
| ENERGY STAR category | Capacity | Energy limit | Water limit |
| Compact | Fewer than 8 place settings + 6 serving pieces | 155 kWh per year or less | 2.0 gallons per cycle or less |
| Standard | 8 or more place settings + 6 serving pieces | 240 kWh per year or less | 3.2 gallons per cycle or less |
These criteria took effect July 19, 2023. One honest caveat: ENERGY STAR’s dishwasher guidance notes that because of their smaller capacity, compact models may use more energy than standard models over time. A dishwasher uses about the same energy and water no matter how full it is, so run full loads. Check the yellow EnergyGuide label to compare yearly energy use between models.
New, Open-Box or Refurbished Compact Dishwasher?
Each condition carries a different warranty at City Appliances:
| Condition | Warranty |
| Open box | 1-year manufacturer warranty |
| Refurbished | 60-day in-home repair or replacement warranty from City Appliances |
| Brand new | 1-year third-party warranty through Consumer Priority Service (CPS) |
All sales are final, so the warranty covers repair or replacement rather than returns. Used units are tested before we send them out. If you are weighing materials as well as price, our comparison of stainless steel vs plastic tub dishwashers explains the trade-offs.
What Does It Cost to Get a Compact Dishwasher Into Your Apartment?
| Item | City Appliances terms |
| Delivery within 10 miles | Free |
| Delivery beyond 10 miles | Extra charge |
| Stair carries or non-elevator delivery | Extra charge |
| Haul-away of your old appliance | Free with delivery |
| Installation | Free on the 1st floor |
| Financing | Up to $5,000 |
5 Questions to Ask Before You Buy a Compact Dishwasher
- How many place settings does it hold, and is that enough for my household?
- Is it new, open-box or refurbished, and what warranty comes with it?
- Does it fit my faucet, counter or cabinet opening?
- Is it ENERGY STAR certified, and what does the EnergyGuide label show?
- What will delivery cost to my address, including stairs?
Find a Compact Dishwasher in Citrus Heights
Not sure which type fits your kitchen? Bring your measurements to our Greenback Lane store, or contact us with your space and household size, and we will show you the countertop, portable and 18-inch dishwashers we have in stock.
City Appliances 8038 Greenback Ln, Citrus Heights, CA 95610 Call or WhatsApp: +1 916-501-6182 Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
In Short
The best dishwasher for a small apartment in Citrus Heights is a countertop model for one or two renters with no hookup, an 18-inch portable for renters who cook more, and an 18-inch built-in if you have the cabinet opening and plumbing. Measure first, match place settings to your household, and check the warranty that comes with new, open-box or refurbished units. For compact dishwashers with free local delivery, visit City Appliances at 8038 Greenback Ln or call +1 916-501-6182.
Sources checked October 27, 2026: ENERGY STAR, Dishwashers and Key Product Criteria; Whirlpool, Portable vs. Built-In Dishwashers; FOTILE, Best Dishwasher for a Small Kitchen; U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Citrus Heights city; Google Shopping listings for the Sacramento area; City Appliances product and Delivery & Return pages.
FAQ
Can you run a portable dishwasher overnight?
Whirlpool does not recommend it. A portable dishwasher can be louder than a built-in, and Whirlpool suggests disconnecting the hose from the kitchen faucet after the wash and dry cycle. Check your model’s user manual.
Does a countertop dishwasher need to connect to a faucet?
Not always. Some countertop dishwashers have a built-in water tank that you fill by hand, so they work without a faucet connection. Others connect to the kitchen faucet with an adapter.
Can you use the kitchen sink while a portable dishwasher is running?
Usually not. A portable dishwasher takes its water from the kitchen faucet, so the faucet is tied up during the cycle. A built-in dishwasher connects to your home’s plumbing, so you can use the sink while it runs.
Can a portable dishwasher move with you to a new apartment?
Yes. Because it needs no permanent installation, Whirlpool notes that a portable dishwasher can move with you to your next home.
What decibel level counts as a quiet dishwasher?
FOTILE describes under 50 dB as very quiet, and the low 50s as audible but easy to talk over. Every 10 dB sounds about twice as loud, so a few decibels make a noticeable difference in an open-plan apartment.
Is a dishwasher cheaper to run than washing dishes by hand?
Yes. According to ENERGY STAR, a new certified dishwasher uses less than half the energy of washing by hand, saves about 8,400 gallons of water a year, and can cut utility bills by about $220 a year.