Are you planning to buy a dishwasher but are confused between Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher?
If yes, You are not alone. There are many people who are in the same situation. Our Dishwasher Buying Guide may help you with that. Still, if you are confused, then this article will come to your rescue for sure.
What Is A Built In Dishwasher?
A Built In Dishwasher is designed to be tucked under a kitchen cabinet with a permanent plumbing solution.
Comes in different standard sizes so that it fits your kitchen easily. A Built In Dishwasher adds elegance to the kitchen at the cost of poor accessibility and high service bills.
The noise level is within limits. Thanks to the use of high-quality insulation material with advanced feature sets.
What Is A Portable Dishwasher Or Freestanding Dishwasher?
Portable Dishwashers are meant for moving around wherever and whenever we want. This is also called a free-standing dishwasher. A great choice for people with rented houses.
It can be easily connected to any sink faucet for the water connection. That saves the initial setup cost.
Although a bit noisy, due to the easy access, the service cost is relatively low compared to built-ins.
Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher
These are the two types of dishwashers available in the market from considering installation point of view.
Built In dishwashers can be installed under the kitchen cabinet whereas a Portable dishwasher can be moved around whenever and wherever required.
However, some key differences between the two create all the confusion and as a consumer, you are bound to get confused if you don’t have the skill to choose a dishwasher.
We will evaluate both these types of dishwashers based on the following parameters. At the end of this article, you will be in the right position to choose the best dishwasher for your kitchen.
Installation
When we talk about Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher, the installation makes a huge difference.
If you have your own home or are about to buy a home, then Built In Dishwashers are the best. You can allocate a dedicated space for the dishwasher under the kitchen cabinet.
Trust me, Built In dishwashers look very elegant under the kitchen cabinet. You will need permanent plumbing fixtures under the cabinet for Build In Dishwashers.
In the case of a rented house or if you like appliances moving around, a portable dishwasher is the best choice. It comes with wheels, so you are free to move it anywhere and anytime based on your convenience.
You will just need the kitchen faucet for the water inlet and an opening for the drain water.
Size & Capacity
Built In Dishwashers come in various sizes and capacities. The most common sizes are 12, 14, or 16 place settings. However, if you are looking for a compact dishwasher having an 8, 10, or 12 place setting, portable dishwashers offer more choice.
Built In dishwashers are mostly not available in small size and capacity as the initial setup cost does not justify the investment.
Water Usage
Since there are no differences between Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher in terms of internal construction and working principle, the water usage is almost the same.
The only difference is that in the case of Built In Dishwasher, you need a permanent water connection whereas, in a Portable dishwasher, you don’t need any permanent solution.
For your reference, a typical 12-place setting dishwasher uses up to 25-30 liters of water per wash cycle for lightly soiled dishes.
Noise Level
The noise level makes a difference between the two. Build In Dishwashers are quiet mainly due to the use of better insulation material and tucked under the cabinet.
Portable dishwashers are noisy at times but due to the advanced development in recent times, portable dishwashers are also as quiet as their counterparts.
Please note that the Built-In dishwasher does not come with an outer case as it is supposed to be assembled under the cabinet whereas the portable dishwasher has outer shells.
So in case, you are confused between Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher concerning the noise level, Built-ins are the way to go.
Feature
Built In Dishwashers are feature-rich as they cater to a wider market. Manufacturers are more likely to add advanced features in Built In dishwashers to justify the return on investment.
Portable Dishwashers, although not bare bone, do not come close to Portable Dishwashers in terms of feature list.
So in the race of Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher in terms of features, Built In’s are a better choice.
Maintenance
Maintenance is a big pain for Built In Dishwashers. Especially if you face any issue at the back side of the dishwasher, get ready for a hefty maintenance bill.
Taking out the dishwasher under the cabinet is a tedious task. You may need an experienced technician for that.
On the other hand, servicing portable dishwashers is a breeze. Since the machine is easily accessible, it is easy to service, and the service cost is also very low.
Cost
Due to more features, better noise level, and big sizes, Built-In dishwashers are expensive. Portable dishwashers on the other hand are a great value-for-money option and come with a cheaper price tag than the counterpart.
Difference Between Portable And Built In Dishwasher
| Built In Dishwasher | Portable Dishwasher |
|---|---|
| Typically comes with high place setting | More suitable for low place setting |
| Installed under the kitchen cabinet | It can be moved around anywhere |
| Permanent water connection is required | It can be connected to a sink faucet |
| The noise level is tolerable | This can get very noisy at times |
| Its a feature-rich dishwasher | It is not bare bone but can not compete with the Built-In |
| Maintenance is a messy and costly affair | Maintenance is a breeze |
| The initial setup cost and product cost are high | It’s a budget-friendly option |
Final Verdict: Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable?
Let’s settle this battle between Built In Vs Stand Alone Dishwashers ( Portable Dishwashers) as we have evaluated both these types of dishwashers based on different parameters.
If you have a big family and have your own house, a Built In dishwasher will give you a better return on investment along with great looks to your kitchen.
Although the initial investment is high, the availability of advanced features, big size, and other benefits will add more value in the long run.
Portable dishwashers are only good when you have no option to choose a built-in dishwasher. For bachelors, small families, or for those who stay in rented accommodation, portable dishwashers are a better choice.
FAQ: Built In Dishwasher Vs Portable Dishwasher
Are Portable Dishwashers Worth It?
Yes, it does if you have a small family or if you are staying in a rented accommodation.
The flexibility of moving it around gives it an edge over built-ins. The low initial setup cost and the low service cost make it a better choice among budget-friendly consumers.
Can You Use A Built In Dishwasher As Portable?
Yes, you can. Just remove the wheels and you are good. However, if the control panel is at the top of the dishwasher, putting it under the cabinet may limit your access to it.
Who Makes The Best Built In Dishwasher?
In India, Bosch, IFB, and LG make some awesome dishwashers. For international markets, Whirlpool, Maytag, GE, and Electrolux are the leading manufacturers.