For some, laundry day is a chore — tossing in your heap of need-to-be-cleaned clothes, running your favorite laundry detergent and waiting for what seems like eternity. Add in the fact that you might have to share and pay to use a washer machine in the basement of your apartment building or down the hall in your dorm, laundry day just got a lot worse. Fighting your neighbor for an open machine, running down the street to find more quarters, the cons list of communal washer and dryer machines is endless.
The solution? Portable washing machines. For smaller households these babies will become your saving grace. Simply connect the machine to a faucet as a water source, plug it in and you’re in business!
“Portable washers typically have a smaller load capacity than other types of washers, but they can be ideal for a one or two-person household,” Daniel Galinsky, merchant of laundry at The Home Depot, told the New York Post. “Anything tossed into a normal washing machine such as clothes, towels and delicate items can be tossed into a portable washing machine. Be careful to not overload the washing machine when filling it, too.”
Below, New York Post Shopping rounded up the 6 best models on the market, along with an in-depth FAQ section with expert tips on what to know before using one.
Click to jump to a specific category:
- Best Portable Washing Machine Overall
- Best Budget Portable Washing Machine
- Best Portable Washing Machine for Apartments
- Best Portable Washing Machine for Camping
- Best Mini Portable Washing Machine
- Best Large Capacity Portable Washing Machine
Best Portable Washing Machine Overall
BLACK+DECKER Small Portable Washer
- Dimensions: 17.7″ D x 17.3″ W x 31.1″ H
The BLACK+DECKER Small Portable Washer is our top overall pick for its high-tech design that’s less than $300. Not only does it hail from a reputable brand we trust (with nearly 4,000 rave reviews, may we add) but it also has five cycle options to choose from — heavy, gentle, normal, rapid and soak — and an easy-to-use LED display.
Not only that, but this portable washing machine has three water level choices for small, medium and large loads alike. It features a durable, rust and corrosion-resistant stainless steel tub with a transparent quiet-close lid. All in all, it’s a worthy purchase if you’re on the market for one.
Best Budget Portable Washing Machine
SUPER DEAL Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine
- Dimensions: 13.5″ D x 23″ W x 26″ H
For less than $100, the SUPER DEAL Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine is a wonderful choice for on-the-go laundering. It doesn’t compromise quality, either, with its 13-pound capacity and a built-in gravity drain. With the twin tub dual function design, this model can save you precious time thanks to its ability to wash and spin dry loads at the same time.
More, the washer control timer runs for up to 15 minutes, while the spin cycle timer runs for up to 5 minutes each load. It’s your atypical washing machine — but in portable form.
Best Portable Washing Machine for Apartments
Auertech Twin Tub Mini Portable Washing Machine
- Dimensions: 15″ D x 27″ W x 32″ H
Ideal for storing in your closet or spare mud room-type of area, the Auertech Twin Tub Mini Portable Washing Machine is our top pick. It’s clad with a built-in drain pump that’s ideal not just for apartments but also for dorm rooms, RVs and more.
Additionally, users can control washing time, washing mode and spinning time through its three control switches on the panel. On the panel, there are two water inlets for connecting the hose to easily add water.
Best Portable Washing Machine for Camping
The Laundry Alternative WonderWash Portable Washing Machine
- Dimensions: 12″ D x 12″ W x 16″ H
Isn’t this retro-inspired portable washing machine from The Laundry Alternative simply beautiful (side note: we never thought we’d be this mesmerized by a mini cleaner, but here we are). The WonderWash is budget-friendly too, available in other fun colors and has an outdoor cooler-like design that fits in with your on-the-go camping aesthetic.
Impressively, it upholds more than 5,000 positive reviews and features a hand-crank maneuver that can wash a 5-pound load. Simply put, it’s worth your hard-earned coin.
Best Mini Portable Washing Machine
GRINCHAT 1L Large Capacity Mini Portable Washing Machine
- Dimensions: 12.5″ D x 12.5″ W x 13.5″ H
Miniature and large capacity? Now that’s the hallmark of a suitable portable washing machine. The GRINCHAT 1L Large Capacity Mini Portable Washing Machine is the one we recommend, a No. 1 Amazon best-seller and easy to move to and fro.
This model brilliantly adopts a foldable design (making it a worthy portable pick) and features a semi-automatic cleaning function, complete with three-minute, five-minute and 10-minute 3-mode timer buttons.
Best Large Capacity Portable Washing Machine
COMFEE Portable Washing Machine
- Dimensions: 20.7″ D x 20.3″ W x 36.6″ H
One of the most popular models on the market is the COMFEE Portable Washing Machine. This model has garnered more than 7,000 glistening reviews — just as glistening as the sparkle your clothes will see after using it — and boasts an impressive 11-pound capacity. It’s a larger model than most, so be sure to keep that in mind, but still a miniature and more portable alternative to your traditional major appliance.
What’s more, this model has six commonly used programs including normal, quick, heavy, bulky, delicate and spin Only. You can also add extra rinse time by pressing the “extra rinse” button. You’ll also appreciate its three water temperatures to personalize your wash time.
An FAQ on Portable Washing Machines
Ahead, Galinsky gives us the 411 on portable washing machines — including what to look for in a particular model before making your purchase.
What is a portable washing machine?
First things first — what is a portable washing machine, and why is it worth the buy?
“Portable washers are useful for small spaces that can’t accommodate a full-size washer,” Galinsky told The Post. “Most have adapters that let you use a faucet as a water source, and the extracted water drains into a sink.”
Even better, many portable washers can be wheeled out of sight for storage when not in use.
How do portable washing machines differ from traditional washing machines?
Using a portable washing machine doesn’t have to mean compromising.
“At just a smaller load capacity, most compact washers’ function on enhanced washing motions to penetrate deep into fabrics to virtually eliminate dirt and odors, giving you water and energy savings with the same outstanding cleaning performance as a regular-sized washer,” Galinsky notes. “These machines will change the way you think — and the way you live.”
How do portable washing machines work?
Most portable washing machines need to be attached to a faucet as a water source, and the extracted water drains into a sink. Once hooked up, portable washers work the same way as a typical washing machine as they both have automatic cycles.
“We recommend opening the faucet and checking if the water supply hose connector is firmly tightened and that there is no water leaking before using the product,” he adds. “If the water supply hose connectors are loose, it may result in water leakage.”
Pro tip: If you want to store your washer, simply unplug it, drain any remaining water from the drainpipe and hook the pipe onto the back of the washer. Disconnect the water inlet hoses from the faucets and move washer to new location.
What are the benefits of using a portable washing machine?
A nifty feature of portable washing machines is their easy-to-use LED displays and alerts at the end of each cycle, allowing them to reduce the stress and time sent on laundry.
Water level settings offer energy savings, and dispensers disburse products like fabric softener at the right point in the wash cycle. “With a range of fabric, soil level and temperature settings for clothing that rivals full-sized machines, there’s no reason not to save some space and money,” Galinksy said.
Portable washing machines with a delayed start are a perfect choice for light sleepers or families with infants — he adds — allowing you to wash a load when it’s most convenient and least distracting.
And, remember — portable washing machines are perfect for anywhere you have limited space, when not in use, many portable washers can be wheeled out of sight for storage.
What to look for when shopping for a portable washing machine, per a laundry expert
According to Galinsky, key factors to consider when purchasing a portable washing machine include size, features and settings, load capacity as well as water and energy usage.
- Size: Portable washing machines are perfect for anywhere you have limited space, providing convenience for those living in dorms, RVs and apartments. To find the best compact machine for your available space, measure its height, width and depth. Also, measure how far the drainpipe or water hose could reach your water source. The same goes with your electrical source! However, if you’re tight on reach, an extension cord works well too.
- Features and settings: All washing machines are unique and come with different features. The more advanced models feature settings beyond the standard delicate and bulky selection, ranging from automatic temperature and twin-wash capabilities to a delay start function and advanced vibration control. Consider the type of clothes you often wash to determine the best fit for your needs.
- Capacity: Be honest with yourself and estimate how much laundry you do weekly and make sure you find a machine that can handle that amount. Depending on the size of your household, you might need to narrow your search to machines with higher capacities.
- Water and energy usage: A green flag to look for is a machine that won’t hurt your pockets at the end of each month. To make the most informed decision, in addition to the amount of water you estimate to use each month, review the portable washer’s annual energy consumption (kWh/year). This consideration can help you save much energy, allowing you to spend less on the electric bill.
What type of detergent do you use for a portable washing machine?
Use only high-efficiency (HE) detergent in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. HE detergents are formulated specifically for high-efficiency washers and contain suds reducing agents. Do not use hardened detergent. Hardened detergent can accumulate inside the washer and may result in water leakage.
How do you clean and maintain a portable washing machine?
For the exterior: Use a soft cloth to wipe up all detergent, bleach or other spills as they occur. You can clean the control panel with a soft, damp cloth. However, do not use abrasive powders, cleaning pads or spray cleaners directly onto the panel.
For the Interior: Clean the interior of your washer periodically to remove any dirt, soil, odor, mold, mildew, or bacterial residue that may remain in your washer as a result of washing clothes. Without proper cleaning, your machine may result in unpleasant conditions, including odors and/or permanent stains on your washer or laundry.
“Run a quick cycle with some bleach every month to clean the tub,” Galinsky adds. “This will also help to remove mold which may occur inside the washer.”
Check out the New York Post Shopping section for more content.