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Getting a portable dishwasher for the boat
We are a family of four, and we have most of our meals on board. That leads to quite a bit of dirty dishes, and so far we've done them by hand.
For the Swift Trawler 37 we have decided to get a portable dishwasher, since it - unlike the new ST43 - doesn't come with a pre-installed drawer dishwasher as an option.
We have researched three main contenders:
What they have in common
The three dishwashers share some traits we thought important for use on our boat:
- no water connection requirement, they have a water tank just like a coffee maker
- can be connected to a faucet, if preferred
- energy and water efficient
- enough capacity for a typical meal (excluding pots etc)
- compatible with standard gel and powder (normal-sized tabs contain too much detergent)
- lightweight enough to lift out of the way when not in use (e.g. to store in a lazarette)
- water drains to the sink through a hose
- receive good reviews
Capsule
The Capsule was originally a 2021 Kickstarter project, with the first units shipping late 2022. Its narrow design makes efficient use of counterspace, and the external water tank makes it easy to refill without having to use a separate water jug.
Pros
- carry handle
- carry bag (option)
- fits the largest plate diameter
- dual racks to maximize use of space
- takes up minimal counter space thanks to its narrow design
- only uses 0.17 kWh for a 15-minute cycle (perfect if cleaning right after a meal)
Cons
- no see-through window
- no color customisation options
- external water tank provides flexibility and can make refilling easier, but it also means two items on the counter
Hava R09
The R09 was released in 2025 as the successor of the R01 from 2021. Its cubic design and see-through panel makes for a nice dishwasher-y aesthetic, but it lacks the UV-sanitising feature of the other two.
Pros
- see-through front panel
- large capacity in number of items
- integrated water softener
- class D energy rating
- delayed start option
Cons
- no UV light for sanitising items
- uses more water
Bob
Released in 2020, Bob is the OG dishwasher of the bunch. Both its body and panel colors are customisable, and the option to create custom cycle programmes enables you to adapt it for your typical use.
Pros
- customisable appearance with plentiful color options
- 320x240px color LCD screen
- programmable custom wash programs
- Bob "cassettes" simplifies dosage of soap and rinse aid (but regular gel or powder works too)
- the most silent-running of the three
Cons
- no fruit cleaning cycle
- UV light is an optional extra
Specifications comparison
Our pick
I think any of these three will work well on a boat. However, we have yet to choose since we're still awaiting delivery of our Swift Trawler 37. While we're leaning towards the Capsule for its carry handle and efficient use of counterspace, we first have to get exact measurements in the boat to figure out which one best fits both the galley and storage spaces.
I will update this post once we've made our decision and have been able to test it on the boat.