The R09 adds a softener. Decide whether that solves your problem.
Start with the R01 when you want a straightforward tank-filled dishwasher and its documented loading limits suit your dishes. Give the R09 more attention when adjustable water softening or its delayed-start controls are features you expect to use.
Both need filling access, drainage and space to open the door. Neither becomes an under-18-inch choice just because it is called compact. This comparison is based on manufacturer documents, not a hands-on cleaning contest.
R01: a practical baseline
Compare its current offer first if your priority is moving everyday plates and cups out of the sink and you do not need the R09’s softener.
R09: a specific reason to upgrade
Consider it when hard-water upkeep or scheduling matters enough to justify any extra purchase cost and salt maintenance.
What actually differs?
| Buying question | HAVA R01 | HAVA R09 |
|---|---|---|
| Water supply | 5-liter tank or faucet connection | 5-liter tank or faucet connection |
| Water softener | Not listed as an R01 feature in HAVA’s model comparison | Adjustable softener; dishwasher-salt instructions in the manual |
| Rated capacity | HAVA’s comparison lists two place settings | Manual lists three place settings |
| Scheduling and controls | HAVA’s comparison lists no delayed start or child lock | 1–18-hour delay and a control-button lock |
| Cabinet-height check | 18.1-inch listed body height | 18.05-inch manual / 18.1-inch product-page height |
Hard water: useful feature, extra upkeep
If mineral buildup is a known concern in your kitchen, the R09 offers something concrete to investigate. Its manual explains hardness settings and a separate salt reservoir. Check your actual water hardness and follow the setup directions; do not buy on the assumption that the appliance will cure every cloudy-glass problem.
If your water is already soft, the value case is different. Compare the price difference with how much you would use delayed start or the revised rack. The presence of a softener alone does not prove cleaner dishes or lower running costs.
Salt is a supply for the softener, not a detergent substitute. Our detergent guide separates format, dose and rinse-aid decisions so you do not buy a generic bundle that suits the wrong machine.
Three place settings does not guarantee room for your third meal
The capacity labels are manufacturer ratings. They do not tell you whether a large bowl crowds out your mugs, whether a pan blocks the spray arm, or how angled plates affect the rest of a load.
Write down your largest daily plate, the number of cups, and any awkward container you use every day. Then compare that list with each loading diagram. If your main reason for buying is a large item with unconfirmed fit, resolve it before ordering. Use the plate and loading worksheet to keep that decision concrete.
“Fits on the counter” needs a second check
Both machines use a top-fill tank. A counter spot can accommodate the body and still make filling awkward under a wall cabinet. Allow for the open door, hose routing and a secure drain destination too.
The R09 manual and product page give slightly different size figures. For a tight opening, confirm the current US installation drawing rather than picking the smaller number. Our fit checker screens the R01 and Danby DDW631SDB only; it does not certify R09 fit.
Compare the offer after choosing the feature you need
Choose the R01 shortlist if the existing design meets your load and space requirements and the R09 additions do not solve a problem for you. A feature you will never use need not win the purchase.
Choose the R09 shortlist if its water softener or controls matter to your routine and you accept the additional checks. Read the full R09 research review before following the offer.
We do not publish a fixed price gap because offers change. Check the same purchase conditions—new or used, seller, delivery and returns—on both listings. Our budget guide helps you include supplies and setup, and the setup checklist covers what to arrange before the box arrives.
Evidence behind the comparison
- HAVA R01 product page: water options, dimensions and loading guidance.
- HAVA R09 product page: HAVA’s R01/R09 comparison; these are manufacturer feature claims.
- R09 manual, printed page 8: capacity and dimensions. Printed pages 12–13: delay, control lock and softener instructions.
Research checked October 5, 2026. We have not independently tested washing, drying, noise or reliability. The kitchen photograph is lifestyle imagery, not evidence of product testing.