I’ve been renting for twelve years. In that time, I’ve moved five times and dealt with four different landlords who all swore their kitchens were “fully equipped.” None of them had a dishwasher. So I bought my own. Twice. First a Farberware FCD06ABWHHA, then a Bosch SHSM63W55N. Both are compact. Both fit under most counters. But they are not the same machine. Here’s what I learned after 18 months of using each.
Why a Compact Dishwasher Exists (and Why Renters Need One)
The fundamental problem is simple: landlords don’t install dishwashers in rental kitchens. It costs them money and they get no rent increase from it. So you either hand-wash everything for years or you buy a machine you can take with you.
A compact dishwasher — either a countertop model or a 18-inch portable unit — solves this. It fits into existing cabinet spaces, connects to a standard faucet, and rolls away when you move. I’ve hauled my Bosch up three flights of stairs twice now. It’s worth the sore back.
What Counts as “Compact” in 2026
Two main types exist. Countertop dishwashers sit on your counter. They’re about 18 inches wide, 17 deep, and 18 tall. They hold roughly six place settings. The Farberware FCD06ABWHHA is this type. Portable dishwashers sit on the floor, are about 18 inches wide, 24 deep, and 34 tall. They hold eight to ten place settings. The Bosch SHSM63W55N is this type.
Both connect to your kitchen faucet with a quick-connect adapter. No plumber. No permanent installation. That’s the whole point for renters.
What Nobody Tells You About Faucet Adapters
The included adapter in the Farberware box worked on exactly one of my four apartment faucets. The Bosch adapter worked on three. You will likely need to buy a universal adapter set ($8 to $15 on Amazon) if your faucet is pull-down or has an unusual thread. Expect this. It’s a 10-minute fix, not a return reason.
Bosch vs Farberware: The Specs That Actually Matter
| Spec | Bosch SHSM63W55N | Farberware FCD06ABWHHA |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Portable (floor) | Countertop |
| Place settings | 8 | 6 |
| Noise level | 48 dB | 52 dB |
| Wash cycles | 6 (including Heavy, Auto, Speed60) | 6 (including Heavy, Normal, Rapid) |
| Drying | PureDry (condensation + fan) | Heated dry (fan) |
| Water usage per cycle | 2.4 gallons | 3.2 gallons |
| Price (2026) | $550–$650 | $220–$280 |
| Countertop space needed | None | 18″ x 17″ |
The Bosch is quieter, uses less water, and holds more dishes. The Farberware costs half as much and fits in a small kitchen with zero floor footprint. Which one wins depends entirely on your counter space and budget.
The Bosch: Worth the Money If You Have the Floor Space
I bought the Bosch after six months with the Farberware. My main complaint with the Farberware was capacity. A single dinner plate, a bowl, a glass, and a couple of utensils filled half the basket. Running it daily meant two cycles for a normal dinner. That got old.
The Bosch SHSM63W55N fits eight place settings. That’s a full day’s dishes for two people — plates, bowls, mugs, cutlery, a small pan, and a cutting board. I run it once every evening. Done.
Noise Matters More Than I Expected
In my first apartment, the Farberware sat on the counter six feet from my couch. At 52 dB, it was loud enough that I couldn’t watch TV during the wash cycle. The Bosch at 48 dB is noticeably quieter. I can have a conversation standing next to it. In a studio or open-plan rental, this difference matters.
Drying Performance: Bosch Wins by a Mile
The Farberware uses a heating element and a fan. It dries dishes okay but leaves water pooling on the top of upside-down bowls and inside cups. The Bosch uses PureDry — a condensation drying system with a mineral that absorbs moisture. Dishes come out bone dry. Plastic containers still have some droplets, but that’s true of every dishwasher I’ve tried.
The Farberware: Better for Tiny Kitchens and Tight Budgets
I don’t want to trash the Farberware. It served me well for six months. If you have zero floor space — a galley kitchen where every inch is accounted for — a countertop model is your only option. The Farberware fits on a standard counter and weighs only 23 pounds. I could lift it onto a shelf when not in use.
When the Farberware Makes Sense
- You live alone or cook minimally. Six place settings is fine for one person’s plates and utensils.
- Your counter has a free 18-inch stretch. Measure first. Most counters have this, but many don’t.
- Your budget is under $300. The Farberware costs $220 to $280. That’s less than a month’s rent in most cities.
- You plan to move again within a year. The Farberware is easier to pack and carry.
What the Farberware Gets Wrong
The included silverware basket is flimsy. The tines on the bottom rack bent after three months. The heated dry cycle uses a lot of electricity — about 1.2 kWh per cycle versus the Bosch’s 0.8 kWh. Over a year, that’s about $20 extra on your electric bill. Not huge, but worth knowing.
The biggest issue: the Farberware doesn’t clean baked-on food as well as the Bosch. I had to pre-rinse casserole dishes or run the Heavy cycle, which takes 2.5 hours. The Bosch’s Auto cycle handled the same dishes in 90 minutes with no pre-rinse.
Three Mistakes Renters Make When Buying a Compact Dishwasher
I made two of these myself. Learn from my stupidity.
Mistake 1: Not Measuring the Cabinet Opening
Standard rental countertops are 24 inches deep. The Farberware is 17 inches deep — fine. But the Bosch is 24 inches deep. If your counter has a lip or a cabinet overhang, the Bosch might not fit flush. Measure the depth from the back wall to the front edge of the counter. Subtract an inch for clearance. If you get less than 24 inches, buy the Farberware or a different portable model.
Mistake 2: Forgetting About the Faucet
Both machines connect to your kitchen faucet. If you have a pull-down sprayer head, the quick-connect adapter may not fit without a separate aerator adapter. I bought a DANCO Universal Faucet Adapter Kit (part 80070) for $12. It solved the problem. Don’t assume the boxed adapter will work.
Mistake 3: Ignoring the Drain Hose
Portable dishwashers drain into your sink. The drain hose needs to reach from the machine to the sink basin. Most hoses are about 5 feet. My Bosch’s hose reached fine. The Farberware’s hose was 4 feet — too short for my second apartment where the machine sat on the other side of the sink. I had to buy a 6-foot extension hose for $9. Check your sink-to-machine distance before you buy.
Compact dishwashers are getting better every year. The 2026 models from both brands include more efficient pumps and better insulation. I expect the gap between budget and premium to shrink. But right now, if you have the floor space and the budget, the Bosch SHSM63W55N is the better machine. If you’re squeezed for space or cash, the Farberware FCD06ABWHHA will get the job done — just pre-rinse your pans.
