Product review (5 stars): Cold, dead hands.
I bought this little gem during a Christmas sale (on another site, so be sure to shop around) because I was having carpal tunnel release surgery on both of my hands. I chose the smaller portable model because my kitchen is early 1950's small and I wanted a dishwasher that would fit into my snug little space as well as to function as an island. This is perfect. I've run it several times and the dishes come out dry, clean, and spotless. It is quiet and my dishes feel so clean, they're practically sterilized.
The machine arrived at the store where I picked it up. The box looked like it had been through hell, but I inspected everything after unpacking and there were no scratches, dents, or wheel problems. With the help of a series of 3 YouTube videos, I was able to set it up, plug it in, fill it, and run it right away!
So far, it doesn't leak and holds a lot more dishes than you would think it could. Doesn't leak (some reviewers have said that theirs did) and is pretty quiet.
I have washed plastic, glass, silverware, wood, and pots and 12" pans in here without any problems. I mostly use the dirty dish/slow wash setting (about an hour and a half) because I want my dishes as clean as possible and I run mine over night, but I'll bet the lower/faster setting (about 45 minutes) would work just fine. If I try it and it doesn't, I'll update.
I didn't get water softener salt, but I did get Finish brand (liquid and quantum soap powdered gel packets). Some have said that powdered soap doesn't work in this machine, but I haven't had a problem at all. Maybe because the whole compressed tablet drops at once? I also absolutely don't open mine early in the wash to let the door fully open like it does in the video...I just start it and walk away.
This thing has quickly made its way into the top 5 all time must-have-can't-live-without appliances in my kitchen. Anyone trying to take this would have to pry it from my (literally) cold, dead hands. Lol!