Loch Capsule Solo Dishwasher Review – Countertop dishwasher for compact living spaces

I reviewed the Daan Tech Bob Mini Dishwasher back in November 2020 and was surprised by how much demand there was for countertop dishwashers.

There are plenty of options on the market, but at the time, that was the smallest and also the most attractive of the alternatives.

More recently, Loch Electronics sent me their Capsule Solo dishwasher. It is another relatively attractive dishwasher, and it stands out from the crowd due to its tall, narrow design, which makes it take up less counter space than many alternative options.

Specification / Features

• Capacity: 25 items, including a 31 cm frying pan or 31×8.5 cm cast iron pot. Extensible to 35 items by fitting the Dual Tray (sold separately).
• Dimensions: W26.2 × H46.5 × D51.5 cm
• Materials: Stainless steel interior, BPA-free plastic exterior
• Water usage: 2.6 L per quick wash
• Wash cycles: 7, including Eco, Glass, Gentle, Daily, Quick, Intensive and Fruit/Veg Wash
• Sanitisation: 75 °C (167 °F)
• Drying: Active fan-assisted drying
• Water source: Clean water tank
• Waste water: Drainage to sink, or to an additional Water Tank (sold separately)
• Noise level: 60 dB
• Portability: Top handle, optional Travel Bag
• Safety features: Slow steam release. No auto-opening door (safer for children and pets)
• Sustainability: The only compact dishwasher with an energy rating of E in the UK/EU and Energy Star certified in the US

Capsule Solo vs Capsule

With a quick glance at the two Capsule dishwashers, you may struggle to work out the difference between the two, other than the £50 price premium for the standard Capsule.

They both have the same dimensions, weight and overall capacity.

Looking through the specs, the more expensive Capsule isn’t necessarily better.

• Wash Cycles:
  • Capsule Solo supports 7, including Eco, Glass, Gentle, Daily, Quick, Intensive and Fruit/Veg Wash
  • Capsule supports 10 (including Baby, Eco, Glass, Quick)
• Drying:
  • Capsule Solo uses Active fan-assisted drying
  • Capsule uses condensation drying with UV light
• Water Source:
  • Capsule Solo is limited to just the water tank
  • Capsule can use both the water tank and the mains
• Noise:
  • Capsule Solo is a touch louder at 60 dB, which I would guess is due to the active fan-assisted drying
  • Capsule has a noise level of 58db

Design

Capsule Solo’s most immediate appeal is its compact footprint. Every other compact dishwasher option I have tested or surveyed in UK stores is both wider and deeper – the Capsule Solo’s design squeezes into spaces where even appliances marketed as “small” would not fit. It genuinely looks more like a tall bread bin than a shrunken full-size dishwasher. Build quality is good; the stainless steel interior is more robust and hygienic than the plastic tubs found on competing models. The external finish feels solid, but the styling will not be to all tastes, particularly the white plastic outer casing.

Loading is straightforward, with racks that can be adjusted for pans or plates, though there’s inevitably a compromise compared to a full-sized unit. Tall wine glasses fit fine, but delicate stemware may need careful arrangement.

One small gripe is the cutlery tray – it has a tendency to tip or move when loading heavier items and does not lock rigidly into place. It’s functional, but could be improved with a solid clip or fixture.

Set Up

One of the best things about the Capsule Solo is that setup is genuinely simple. Since it does not require plumbing, you just position it, fill the clean water tank, and place the waste exit into a sink, bucket or optional tank. The process takes less than five minutes. For those used to the faff of plumbed-in machines, this is a welcome change. I advise positioning it where the door can open fully and the hose can drain freely.

I encountered no major setup challenges, though the control panel’s lights are a touch dim and can be hard to read in very bright sunlight or under direct kitchen spotlights. This is an annoyance if your kitchen is naturally well-lit.

Performance

Over several weeks of use, cleaning performance was consistent across almost all wash cycles, although the quick wash (which is only 15 minutes) is best reserved for lightly soiled items. Daily and Intensive washes managed even dried-on food, and it handled two full place settings without issue. The Eco mode did an acceptable job on mixed loads, though it left some plastics with a fine water mist.

I tested wash cycles with standard dishwasher tablets, powder and liquid – all were accepted, something not possible with the proprietary cassette designs from Daan Tech Bob Mini and other brands. This brings ongoing cost savings and avoids the hassle of sourcing detergent refills.

Fruit/Veg Wash is a niche feature, mostly washing with cold water. It was useful for cleaning carrots and apples, though root vegetables really need a pre-scrub. The utility of this mode will depend on your shopping habits.

Drying is the Solo’s weakest area. The fan-assisted system does a decent job, but if you’re used to full-sized dishwashers that actively heat and then vent steam, expect some residual damp – especially on hollow cups or plastics. I often find myself leaving items to drip-dry for 10 or 15 minutes after a cycle.

The 60dB running noise is quite audible. Compared to the latest full-sized models, which get as quiet as 45dB, the Solo is more noticeable, though not loud enough to interfere with normal conversation. In a small flat with thin walls, you might wish for quieter operation.

Price and Alternative Options

The Capsule Solo has an RRP of £350, while the Capsule is £400.

The Daan Tech Bob Mini Dishwasher I reviewed back in 2020 was £300 at the time of writing, and it is currently £340. This uses quite expensive proprietary cassettes for the dishwasher detergent.

Countertop dishwashers are far from a new invention, and Amazon has many alternatives, albeit not as sleek or attractive as the Capsule Solo or Daan Tech Bob Mini.

One of the main differentiating factors about the options on Amazon is that they are all much wider, so therefore take up more counter space.

The Karlxtom Table Top Dishwasher is available for £210, which claims to clean 4 full place settings, but it measures 46cm wide, making it 75% wider than a capsule.

The COMFEE’ Table Top Dishwasher is well reviewed and priced at £235, but is 42cm wide or 60% wider than the capsule.

Overall

While I don’t have a great deal of experience with tabletop dishwashers, nor much need for one in my home, the Loch Capsule Solo is an excellent option.

You pay a premium, but it is both more attractive and more practical than the many alternative options on Amazon due to the narrower design. This makes it much more practical in compact living spaces.

It has the advantage over the Daan Tech Bob Mini as you can use standard washing powder, which should make the long-term running costs lower.

Depending on your living arrangements, I think the standard Capsule could be worth the extra just for the option to have it plumbed into your mains.

I think the Solo is perhaps something that is best suited to people with alternative living arrangements, such as campervans and canal boats.

Overall, if you lack the space for a proper dishwasher, then the Loch Capsule Solo gets a strong recommendation from me.