Best for…
This countertop model cleans well and takes up less real estate than its competitors. But this type of dishwasher has its drawbacks, so make sure you really need it.
Countertop dishwashers have plenty of issues, but if you think this type will work for you, I recommend the Loch Capsule. It’s a strong cleaner, and it takes up less counter space than any other model I tested, thanks to its slim profile and external water tank.
This machine cleans thoroughly, quickly, and quietly. The Capsule has two spray arms (one at the front and one at the back), and they helped the machine zap almost every mess I threw at it, regardless of cleaning mode. On its long cycle (which runs for a little over two hours), the Capsule cleaned the toughest messes (baked-on egg, tomato sauce, yogurt, and starchy pasta) almost completely, even when I used an average powder detergent. And the quick cycle did yeoman’s work of handling dirty plates. This machine runs at a moderate hum, similar to that of an average vacuum cleaner.
A decent number of bigger dishes can fit inside. With most countertop dishwashers, you have to tilt larger plates, and then it’s harder to get them fully clean. The Capsule is tall enough to fit larger plates, and there’s a thin gasket on the inner lip, so dishes fit without much leaning. And I noticed very few missed spots after a cycle. This machine can accommodate two to three place settings (more than other small countertop models we tested could fit). You can even wash a small frying pan (10 inches in diameter or less), a casserole dish, or a sauce pot (likely one at a time).
It has two water-source options. You can hook the Capsule up to a sink or a water line, but this model doesn’t include a hose or adapter (you can buy a hose separately). Most conveniently, the dishwasher comes with an easy-to-fill external water tank, which sits next to the machine as it runs. When a cleaning cycle ends, the tank expels dirty water into the sink. (If you’d like a completely closed system, you can buy a second external tank. It draws water into the machine from one tank and outputs dirty water into another tank, and you can dispose of the waste water wherever you’d like.) When the tank is not in use, it can be stored in a cupboard or under the sink.
It’s a reasonable size. At about 20 inches tall, 10 inches wide, and 20 inches deep, the Capsule takes up less space than a traditional toaster oven. That being said, make sure to measure your space before taking the plunge: A Wirecutter writer couldn’t find a convenient spot for it in her small-space kitchen and ultimately decided that hand-washing dishes was easier.
Operating it is intuitive. The buttons and time indicator sit front and center on the door, and cycling through its 10 modes is easy.
Flaws but not dealbreakers
The shape is odd, and loading it takes some practice. The Capsule looks like a regular dishwasher that’s been dragged and resized into a tall, thin, long rectangle. But you don’t load it like you would a regular dishwasher. It’s easiest to load the rack from back to front, with the rack fully pulled out. If you remove the silverware basket, the process is simpler.
We’re not sure how it will hold up. This machine seems well built, and it has a stainless steel tub, which is ideal with any dishwasher. But the Capsule hasn’t been around long enough to generate a ton of durability intel. (The company claims it will refund damaged or defective orders.)
Detergent pods aren’t recommended. Powder, gel, liquid, or tablet detergents are fine to use, but pods “are too powerful for Loch’s efficient water usage,” according to the model’s instructions. This is a bit disappointing since pods typically clean dishes a touch better in general, and they’re easier to maneuver than heavy boxes of powder.
Some of the modes seem gimmicky. The somewhat-confusing “fruit washing” mode (yes, it’s intended for washing actual fruit) and a UV-light-aided sterilization mode are overkill for most people, and I didn’t test them.
You can’t watch your dishes being washed. That zen moment of watching water swirling around the dishes matters to some people, and many countertop dishwashers I’ve tested have a little viewing window. The Capsule offers no such fun. In fact, the company claims the machine cleans and dries dishes better without a window.
It’s not cheap. The Capsule typically costs around $460. (You could skip the dishes and spend that money on some nice nights out!)
