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Erica Puisis writes about home products for The Spruce and specializes in interior design and plant care. She's contributed to Forbes and smart home blogs like Smart Home Solver and TechDigg.
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Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later as an engineer for the IBM Corp. He is also a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics including environmental science and houseplants.
In This Article
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A portable washing machine can save you time and money if you’re tired of constant runs to the laundromat. Manual portable washing machines require time and effort (albeit less time than hand-washing your clothes), semi-automatic models do most of the work for you, and fully automatic options are basically downsized versions of regular washing machines—they do it all.
We researched the best portable washing machines, including manual, semi-automatic, and fully automatic options, evaluating each for ease of setup and use, efficiency, wash cycles, effectiveness, power source, and more.
"Using a portable washing machine doesn't have to mean compromising," says Jawad Ahmed, a laundry merchant at The Home Depot. "With a smaller load capacity, a compact washer can penetrate deep into fabrics to eliminate dirt and odors, saving you water and energy with the same outstanding cleaning performance as a regular-sized washer." Taking that into consideration, we identified portable washing machines in a wide range of types and sizes that have enough cleaning power to handle your clothes, linens, and other household fabric items.
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This compact but powerful portable washing machine from Black+Decker has a 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, a digital control panel with features like delay wash and child lock, and a viewing window so you can watch the suds go to work.
Most portable washers are best suited for handling the laundry needs of one or two people. For this model, expect the stainless steel drum to hold about 3.5 pounds of laundry, which may equate to a pair of medium jeans, a medium sweatshirt, and two XL T-shirts. (As a result, it’s not the most spacious washer on our list, but also not the smallest.)
An impeller plate ensures gentle but thorough action as the machine cycles through one of five different wash settings: heavy, gentle, normal, rapid, and soak. You can adjust the cycle based on the load size (small, medium, or large) and a timer displays the remaining minutes left in the cycle. With a top spin speed of 983 RPM, this washer powerfully expels the remaining moisture as the cycle ends.
If you can work with the somewhat small drum capacity and don’t mind a cold water wash (the only temperature setting recommended by the manufacturer), the Black+Decker BPWM09W cleans efficiently without using much energy. It only costs about $3 annually, according to estimates on the product’s Energy Guide label—and it’s easy to maneuver because it has two rear caster wheels and weighs 48 pounds, which is significantly less than other portable washers on our list.
Type: Automatic | Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet | Weight: 48.4 pounds | Cycles: 5
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The best bang for your buck is this semi-automatic machine: the Auertech AU0004 Portable Washer at just over $100. It plugs into a standard, 120V outlet and has two tubs: for washing and for spinning out water. You do have to move your laundry from the wash tub to the spin tub to complete the cycle, but the process is simple.
When properly loaded, you can expect your laundry to emerge from the spin tub damp-dry thanks to the 1,300 RPM motor (about 300 more RPMs compared with our best overall). If you don't mind the extra step in the wash process, and a few less features compared with the best overall, this is the pick for you.
Some other features that make the Auertech AU0004 a great value include an adjustable agitation setting for the wash cycle (making the washing machine more suitable for washing delicates), and separate timers to adjust the length of the wash and spin cycle. Abide by the capacity limitations for the wash tub (9 pounds of clothes) and the spin tub (5 pounds of clothes) for the best results. You can put more inside this washer at one time compared with our best overall.
It’s also worth noting that the drain hose is relatively short. You may need to drain the water from the spin tub into a bucket if you don’t have a suitable drain spot nearby. However, another pro is that this pick is almost half the weight of our best overall pick, making it easier to transport.
Type: Semi-automatic | Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 22 pounds | Cycles: 2
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For a portable washing machine that functions similarly to a full-size version, consider the Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer. It looks like a conventional, top-loading washer, but it has a smaller footprint, four caster wheels for easy mobility, and offers both permanent and portable installation options. There are six wash cycles to pick from and a detergent dispenser, which is not found on most other portable washing machines.
The stainless steel drum resists corrosion and offers a smooth surface that won’t snag any of your clothes swished around by the impeller plate (more compact than a central agitator, it’s what shifts your clothes at the bottom of the washer).
Similar to our best overall pick, you can check in on the wash process by peeking through the viewing window on the top of the washer or at the minutes remaining in the cycle, brought to you by the countdown timer.
You’ll spend more for this portable washer than any other machine on our list, but it has a reputation for being easy-to-use and reliable, much like many other Whirlpool products. The average capacity (1.6 cubic feet) is ultimately the biggest downside of this washer that feels otherwise like a full-sized model.
However, it’s not a deal-breaker for households with one or two people, or if you wash small loads regularly. You can fit just over 4 pounds of laundry in a single load, equal to two pairs of jeans and a sweatshirt, or two beach towels.
Type: Automatic | Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet | Weight: 81 pounds | Cycles: 6
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This top-load washer from Magic Chef is a great fit for apartments or other small living spaces that won’t accommodate full-size washing machines, which are usually 24 inches or more in width. The Magic Chef MCSTCW17W5 is just 20 inches wide but has a 1.7-cubic-foot drum with enough capacity to wash medium-sized loads, including bed sheets or light blankets.
There are six wash cycles, including settings for bulky items, delicates, and heavily soiled loads. Thanks to designated hot and cold water inlets on the back of the machine, you get cold, warm, or hot water setting options. All of these cycle selections are shown on electronic controls along the LED display panel at the front of the machine.
One thing to note is that this washing machine for small spaces weighs more than some other portable picks. At 72 pounds, it’s not the heaviest on our list (that designation goes to our best splurge pick), but it’s also not as easy to maneuver on its rear wheels as the 48-pound Black+Decker BPWM09W (which is our top pick). If you have a designated laundry area in your apartment, though, it might be worth it to gain the extra capacity that’s afforded by the larger drum of this Magic Chef model.
Type: Automatic | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Weight: 72.8 pounds | Cycles: 6
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A manual portable washing machine requires a little effort to operate but offers the freedom to do laundry without needing a power supply or a water hookup—at home, in an RV, while camping, or just about anywhere. The Laundry Alternative WonderWash is one of the most popular picks for a non-electric washer because it's fast, simple to use, and has a surprisingly large capacity for its small footprint.
It’s even capable of washing jeans and towels, which are often too heavy and bulky to be effectively cleaned by manual portable washing machines. To clean a full, 5-pound load of laundry, you’ll need 6 liters of water and 4 tablespoons of detergent.
When we tested the WonderWash, it met our expectations for a quick and efficient wash time—requiring about two to four minutes, pending the soil level and size of the load. The only load that didn’t come completely clean the first time through the manual washer was a load of muddy, dirty items that needed to be rinsed and re-washed to be completely clean.
While there’s a lot to like about the convenience and affordability of the WonderWash, the biggest drawbacks are its limitations for very large items—like bed sheets—and the fact that it doesn’t wring out excess moisture from the clothes. You’ll have to squeeze out your items before using a portable dryer or line-drying. Those limitations aren’t unique to this pick, but they’re something to be aware of when you’re making a buying decision.
Type: Manual | Capacity: 0.7 cubic feet | Weight: 5 pounds | Cycles: Not applicable
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The Giantex Mini Washer is a smaller version of a semi-automatic portable washer that uses a single tub to wash and spin your laundry. It weighs only 11 pounds, half the weight of the other semi-automatic portable washer on our list—the Auertech AU0004—so it’s very lightweight and suitable for storage in a closet or under the sink. It’s an especially good choice for students in a dorm that need an effective but space-saving portable washing machine.
The laundry tub holds up to 5.5 pounds of laundry for washing. That’s not going to cover a week’s worth of laundry, but it’s enough capacity to wash two pairs of jeans and four T-shirts at a time. Just keep in mind that the spin capacity is much less (1.1 pounds), so you might have to run the spin cycle in batches if you’ve washed a full load.
That being said, the same limitations apply for our other semi-automatic pick, so it’s not a total deal-breaker. A dial at the top of the machine allows you to set a 10-minute wash timer or 5-minute spin timer as well, so you can set this machine and then come back to take care of any necessary next steps.
Type: Semi-automatic | Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 11 pounds | Cycles: Not applicable
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For a portable washer to use while camping, we recommend the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag. This manual option is an obvious pick for off-grid situations because it requires no electricity, minimal water (1 to 1.5 gallons), and takes five minutes or less to use.
To save space for other gear, it weighs only 5 ounces and folds up small enough to fit in the pocket of your backpack. The flexible and lightweight material is easier to pack than other portable washing machines for camping, which often have a bucket-like design.
The Scrubba Portable Wash Bag does its job by using an internal washboard to remove dirt and grime from the contents of the bag. As an example of what you might wash in a single load, you can fit two T-shirts, two pairs of socks, and two pairs of underwear inside the tub. Admittedly, that’s not a lot.
At 0.2 cubic feet, this portable washer’s capacity is the smallest on our list, but the wash process is fast and simple enough to repeat as needed.
To use this portable washer on the go, you fill the bag with up to 1.5 gallons of water and a small amount of detergent. After securing the top, you’ll need to let the air out of the bag using the specialized valve, and then scrub for three to five minutes before rinsing the contents of the bag for clean, fresh clothes.
Type: Manual | Capacity: 0.2 cubic feet | Weight: 0.3 pounds | Cycles: Not applicable
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A laundry pair, like this GE Portable Washer and its compatible, portable electric dryer, provides a start-to-finish solution for clothes care. The 2.8-cubic-foot washer is roomy enough to wash an average-sized load for a one to two-person household, and the 3.6-cubic-foot dryer can finish the job by removing any remaining moisture from your clothes, towels, and other items in less time than using a clothes rack for air-drying.
This portable washer and dryer set is a great option for apartments or condos that don’t have a designated laundry room. The 24-inch washer is slim enough to fit in tight spaces and equipped with four caster wheels so you can easily maneuver it. An optional stacking kit mounts the dryer above the washing machine—creating a laundry center configuration that saves space and makes it simple to load your damp items into the dryer.
We’re impressed by the fact that the GE GNW128PSMWW washer has eight cycle settings to ensure a complete clean for towels, delicates, whites, jeans, and more. (This is the most cycle options of our entire list.) Although there is no steam setting like you’d find on some full-sized washing machines, there’s more room to customize the cycles than what you’ll find on more basic portable washers.
Like our best splurge pick, this washer’s stainless steel drum offers corrosion-resistance and a longer life of service compared to plastic ones. The front-load dryer offers three cycle settings, including an option for cottons, timed dry, and no heat.
Type: Automatic | Capacity: 2.8 cubic feet | Weight: 99 pounds | Cycles: 8
The best portable washing machine is the Black+Decker BPWM09W Portable Washing Machine thanks to its surprising amount of features to streamline your laundry routine. This electric model has a high spin speed for faster drying, a viewing window, and digital controls so you can pick from five cycle settings or a delay wash option. If you’re shopping for a manual washer to use just about anywhere, we suggest the capable The Laundry Alternative WonderWash. It can hold 5 pounds of laundry and has a hand crank so you can turn and tumble your clothes—no need for an electrical outlet or water hookup.
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There are two types of portable washers: electric (which includes both automatic and semi-automatic models) and non-electric (also known as manual). Electric models cost more but mean less hands-on work, while non-electric washers can be used in almost any scenario, regardless of whether you have a power supply or water connections.
Electric portable washers are further divided based on whether the wash and spin cycles take place in the same basket (automatic), or whether you need to move wet items from a wash basket to a spin basket (semi-automatic).
The average capacity of a portable washing machine is between 1 and 3 cubic feet or about one to 10 pounds of laundry. That’s less than a full-size washer but enough to wash up to several outfits at a time or a bed sheet or a few towels.
“If you are hanging your garments, or putting them in a dryer, your drying time will be longer as manual washing machines aren't able to extract as much water from the clothes," says Shirley Hood, appliance expert at ABT Electronics. Manual washers usually have the smallest capacity; a cubic foot or less of capacity is typical, which equates to less than 5 pounds of clothes.
The fact that this type of portable washer has a motor means that you don’t have to supply the power to clean your clothes but it’s not a “load-and-go” option like an automatic portable washer.
These are a lot like scaled-down full-sized washing machines.
If you’re used to a full-size washing machine, the GE Portable Washer with Stainless Steel Basket and it’s matching electric dryer are a great option, because the washer has 2.8 cubic feet of capacity to wash a full load for one or two people, plus a dryer to complete the laundry process.
Manual portable washing machines have no installation or hookup requirements; you’ll simply need to fill the wash drum and supply the necessary force to clean your clothes yourself. That’s why this type of washer is popular for camping or travel, but it requires the most effort on your part.
For example, the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag can be used anywhere—a hotel room, an RV, or your campsite—but you’ll have to massage your laundry inside the laundry bag to make the most of the internal washboard.
On the other hand, semi-automatic and automatic washing machines require a power source (a standard, 120V household outlet) and water connection. You may also need a special aerator screen on your faucet and you might need to leave the faucet on throughout the wash cycle (meaning you can't use it then).
Regarding electrical requirements, portable washing machines plug into a typical outlet but don’t overlook the amp draw, especially if you do not have a dedicated circuit for the washer. “If you are washing your clothes in the kitchen, using the toaster or the coffee pot while you are washing clothes could be too much for your kitchen circuit and it could trip the breaker,” advises Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance
Like a full-size washing machine, a portable washing machine needs to drain at the end of the cycle. In most cases, you’ll have the portable washer connected to a sink faucet and it’ll send the used water down the drain by means of a drain hose. With that in mind, you will need to have a deep sink that drains quickly and is able to handle the flow of water draining out, according to Shimek.
Most semi-automatic portable washers are only equipped with a single cycle, although a timer might give you the option to shorten or extend the cycle length. For automatic portable washers, however, you’ll typically have at least a handful of cycles to choose from to address the needs of delicates to heavily soiled loads.
That’s one reason that we recommend the Black+Decker Small Portable Washer as the best overall portable washer. It has five cycle settings to pick from and you can customize the load based on size (small, medium, and large).
When deciding which type of portable washer is right for your situation, Shimek says to consider how much storage space you have to keep the machine when it’s not in use, how far you will need to move it, and how easy it is to move the washer.
For easier maneuverability, look for a model that has caster wheels or handles. Since these appliances aren’t designed with stationary use in mind, they often have caster wheels and sometimes handles so that it’s easier to position the washer near a sink for use or store it away in a closet afterwards.
The larger the washing machine, the more important it is that you consider its portability. The Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer weighs 81 pounds, but it’s mounted on caster wheels so it’s not too challenging to move it from one spot to another as needed.
Some portable washers are equipped with a viewing window—usually a glass or plastic pane—that lets you see the cycle in action. It’s helpful if you want to check on what phase of the wash cycle is currently underway. You’ll usually find this feature on automatic portable washers, like the Black+Decker Small Portable Washer, which is fully loaded with features despite being compact and affordable.
A detergent dispenser isn’t found on most portable washers but you can find it on the most advanced automatic models, like the Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer. This feature ensures that detergent is added to the wash at just the right time in the cycle to ensure maximum effectiveness and even distribution throughout the load. It’s one feature that makes a portable washer function more similarly to a standard, full-size washer.
Can you wash jeans, sheets, or towels in a portable washing machine?You can wash large or bulky items—like jeans, sheets, and towels—in all but the smallest of portable washing machines. Of course the capacity of the washer will determine how many of each item you can wash at once and many portable washers might be limited to just one or two large items at a time. Even still, being able to wash these items at home might be more convenient than taking them to a laundromat, even if it means running multiple loads in a row.
Do portable washing machines use a lot of water and electricity?Because of their compact size, automatic portable washing machines do not use a lot of water and electricity—especially in comparison to some full-size appliances. To better understand the energy efficiency of a portable washer, look for a yellow Energy Guide label, when available. This will help you to understand the anticipated cost of electricity for the appliance (assuming average use). Manual washing machines use even less resources. Because they don’t require power, there’s no electricity required and the design of these washers usually requires minimal water usage. For instance, the compact Scrubba Portable Wash Bag only needs 1 to 1.5 gallons of water to wash a single load (which might consist of a couple T-shirts and a few undergarments).
Erica Puisis is a freelance writer and product researcher for The Spruce with years of experience testing and writing about small and large appliances, including washing machines and dryers. To find the best options for portable washers, she thoroughly researched the latest models available and compared features that matter the most, like capacity, installation requirements, and cycle options.
