We’ve all been there, the mountain of plates after dinner, staring back at you like some kind of ceramic Everest. Sure, full-size dishwashers exist, but what if you don’t have the space? Or you’re renting, travelling, or simply hate the idea of installing yet another appliance?
Enter The Capsule, the new countertop dishwasher from Loch Electronics. It promises to take the pain out of dish duty while sipping water (just 2.6 litres on a quick wash!) and even sprinkles in some sci-fi flair with UV light drying (perhaps useful for sterilising gamepads?). It doesn’t need plumbing; instead, it runs on two external tanks, one for clean water and one for waste. This makes it great to have within a flat or even a camper van.
More Time for Life, Less Scrubbing!
It sounds like the ultimate “lazy-but-eco-friendly” solution. But does it actually deliver, or is it just a gimmick in a glossy box? Let’s dig in.
Design
Lifting it out of the box, The Capsule dishwasher looks like the love child of a bread maker and a microwave, but in a good way. It’s sleek, modern, and clean enough that you wouldn’t mind showing it off on your counter. The front panel is minimalist, the edges soft, and it definitely avoids that clunky “white goods” look that makes most dishwashers feel like utility boxes. It looks more like a white PC case in all honesty.
The design’s real party trick is hidden in plain sight: two transparent external tanks. One holds fresh water, the other takes waste (if you’re not using the drain hose option). They are clear, so you can actually see if things are getting gross, a genius move, because hidden slime pipes are one of the least glamorous parts of dishwasher ownership!
Inside, Loch has gone for a stainless-steel tub instead of cheaper plastic, which is a huge win for heat retention, durability, and that premium “ting” sound when you knock it. I still remember the day my Bosch dishwasher decided to die, thanks to the tub not being fully stainless steel and separating from the plastic bottom.
Specs in Bite-Sized Pieces:
- Size: 26.2cm wide × 46.5cm high × 51.5cm deep
- Weight: 12 kg (light enough to lift, but not featherweight)
- Tank size: 18.6cm wide × 14.7cm high × 18.1cm deep (both clean and waste)
- Capacity: Up to 25 items (or 35 with the Dual Tray accessory)
- Noise: 57–58 dB (quieter than a normal conversation)
- Water use: 2.6 L on quick wash
- Energy: 137–184Wh per cycle, rated “E” in EU/UK
- Heat: Washes up to 75 °C (hot enough to blitz germs)
- Drying: Condensation drying + UV sterilisation
- Wash modes: 10 total, from Eco to Baby Bottle
On paper, it’s a smart balance: small enough to fit in a flat or van, but roomy enough to actually be useful. I managed to fit a 31cm frying pan in there, that’s impressive for something that could almost pass as a chunky bread bin.
Functionality:
Here’s where many compact dishwashers fall flat, they just can’t fit enough stuff to be worth it. The Capsule, however, is surprisingly roomy thanks to those external tanks freeing up space inside. Standard mugs, bowls, and plates slide in fine, and with the dual tray add-on you can get creative with lids and cutlery stacking.
You do need to be a bit Tetris-minded, but hey we are all gamers here! This isn’t a “just throw it in” machine, but if you’re living in a small space, you’re probably already good at Tetris.
The Capsule offers 10 different wash modes, which range from the everyday such as Eco, Quick, Glass to the specific Baby Bottle mode, which from my time raising my children, must kill germs harder than your average cycle. Each one varies in time and water use, but even the “thorough” washes sip far less than you’d waste by hand-washing.
The star here is the temperature: hitting 75 °C means grease, germs, and stubborn pasta sauce stand little chance.
Noise & Energy
At 57–58 dB, The Capsule hums along at the sound of background conversation. It’s not silent, and you’ll hear it if you’re watching Netflix in the same room, but it won’t drown out the dialogue.
Energy usage, where my day job lies, is where things get interesting. The Capsule has been given a prestigious Energy Star rating in the US, which is a great sign. However, over here, the EU/UK slapped it with an “E” rating, which feels less impressive. It’s probably because smaller dishwashers don’t benefit from scale efficiency; still, per load, it’s using very little power.
Drying
Where some dishwashers go wrong is in the drying. The Capsule goes for the double act of condensation drying and, not seen much in a household dishwasher, UV light sterilisation.
While condensation drying is pretty standard, UV light is used to zap the chamber with rays to sterilise anything the hot water didn’t. Personally, I have only seen this used mainly in commercial settings, so to see it in a domestic is great.
It’s a clever workaround to bulky heating elements, and while plastic items may still come out a bit damp (like in most dishwashers), the combo adds a reassuring layer of hygiene. If you’re into baby bottles, chopping boards, or just a clean freak, the UV is a strong selling point.
Conclusion
The Capsule is one of the most interesting kitchen gadgets we’ve seen in years. It’s not just another mini dishwasher; it’s a rethink of how dishwashing can work in spaces where plumbing, size, and portability matter. At £399.99, it is a premium but space-saving product.
Does it replace a full-size machine? Of course not. If you’ve got a family of five and Sunday roasts are your weekly sport (like they are here), The Capsule will struggle to keep up. But if you’re living solo, as a couple, or in a van, it could genuinely change your life!
Loch Electronics’ Capsule Dishwasher receives the Thumb Culture Gold Award!
Disclaimer: A sample was received in order to write this review.
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