Top 5 Portable Washers: Review & Buyer's Guide

Imagine this: You’re camping deep in the woods, or maybe you’re living the van life, and your clothes are starting to smell… less than fresh. Or perhaps you live in a tiny apartment where a full-sized washing machine just won’t fit. Sound familiar? Laundry doesn’t stop just because you’re on the go or space is limited.

Finding the perfect portable clothes washer can feel like a huge chore itself. Should you choose a spinner? A manual tub? Do you need electricity, or should it be hand-cranked? The market is flooded with confusing features and sizes, making it tough to know which one truly tackles dirt without taking up all your precious room.

Don’t let dirty laundry cramp your adventure or shrink your living space any longer! In this guide, we cut through the noise. We will break down the best portable washers available today, focusing on power, portability, and ease of use. Get ready to discover the perfect solution to keep your clothes clean, no matter where life takes you. Let’s dive into finding your ultimate laundry sidekick!

Top Portable Clothes Washer Recommendations

Bestseller No. 1

BLACK+DECKER 0.9 Cu. Ft. Portable Washer, 6.6 lb. Capacity Washing Machine for Homes & Apartments, 5 Wash Cycles, Quick Connect Sink Adapter and Drain Hose Included, Transparent Lid, BPWM09W, White

Multiple Wash Cycles: Wash your laundry at home with this Black and Decker portable washer. Our portable clothes washer has 5 cycle selections: Heavy, Gentle, Normal, Rapid, and Soak.
Cold Water Wash Only: This portable washing machine offers 3 water level choices for small, medium, and large loads up to 6.6 lbs. capacity for cold water only temperature settings.
Stainless Steel Tub: Our 0.9 cu. ft. portable laundry machine features a durable, rust and corrosion-resistant stainless steel wash tub with top loading transparent quiet-close lid to view contents.
Safety Features: Our small washing machine features auto unbalance detection to ensure laundry is cleaned at peak performance, as well as auto shutoff safety features and child lock protection.
Portable Convenience: Connect and disconnect this apartment washing machine with ease and transport from kitchen or bathroom to storage closet on two roller wheels with side handles when its needed.

SaleBestseller No. 2

Auertech Portable Washing Machine, 28lbs Twin Tub Washer Mini Compact Laundry Machine with Drain Pump, Semi-automatic 18lbs Washer 10lbs Spinner Combo for Dorms, Apartments, RVs

[Large Capacity Twin tub Washer] Auertech portable mini washer has two separate tubs, washing tub and spin tub, allowing you to wash and dry clothes at the same time. The compact and lightweight design makes it easy to fit in bathrooms or closets. Perfect for dorms, apartments, RVs, etc. Note: There is water in the washing machine because it is tested before packaging, we do not sell used products!
[Powerful Performance] Equipped with a 1300 rpm powerful motor, clothes can be washed quickly and efficiently. Washer capacity: 18lbs, Spin capacity: 10lbs. Recommended maximum water line: 13.5 inches. The transparent window allows you to see the process of washing or spinning. Our mini washer machine can achieve low consumption and save water, while free your hands.
[Equip with Drain Pump & Adjustable Inlet Hose] This portable washing machine equipped with a drainage pump. You can choose freely drain water to a higher position or a convenient place randomly. You never need to worry about the drainage problem.
[Separate Time Control & Lint Filter]Users can control washing time, washing mode and spinning time through the three control switches on the panel. There is two water inlets on the panel for connecting the hose to easily add water. With the simple control panel, this mini washer is easy to operate and you can get clean clothes in three steps.
[Product Usage Tips] 1. Don't overload. Overload may cause the motor to turn on overheating protection. 2. Balance the spinner to prevent it from losing balance, hitting the inner walls, stopping work. 3. If the machine doesn’t drain, check that the water hose is not clogged or bent, which may prevent the spinner from working properly. 4. Make sure the drain height is less than 45 inches.

SaleBestseller No. 3

Portable Washing Machine, 16L Upgraded Mini Washer with Spin Basket Laundry Machine, 3 Cleaning Modes Suitable for Small Clothes, Foldable Design Ideal for Hotel, Home, Apartment and Campain

【Portable Washing Machine】Portable washer with spin basket and Foldable Design, The body weighs only 3.6 lbs, compact and easy to carry, ideal for your apartment, dorm, hotel, travel or camping
【Multiple Cleaning Modes】This mini washing machine offers 3 different cleaning modes, with 3-minute, 5-minute and 10-minute 3-mode timer buttons, allowing you to choose the appropriate setting based on your needs
【Folding Design】This small portable laundry machine cleverly adopts a foldable design, which measures 12x12x13 inches when unfolded and 12x12x7 inches when folded, its collapsible lets you tuck it effortlessly under beds in closets or between kitchen cabinets, without taking up too much space in your home
【Food Grade Material】The laundry machine is made of TPE and food-grade silicone material to protect your health and that of your family, Suitable for washing intimate apparel such as baby clothes, diapers, underwear, towels, socks
【Worry Free After Sale】We are always committed to providing better products and services to our customers. If you have any questions, please contact us, we will provide you with satisfactory customer service

SaleBestseller No. 4

BLACK+DECKER Small Portable Washer, Washing Machine for Household Use, Portable Washer 2.0 Cu. Ft. with 6 Cycles, Transparent Lid & LED Display

15.4 LBS. OF LAUNDRY PER LOAD—Wash up to 15.4 lbs. of laundry per load with this superior BLACK+DECKER best portable washer. Our portable clothes washer (21.6” x 22.2” x 37.4”) has 6 cycle selections—Normal, Heavy, Delicate, Quick, Bulky, and Spin Only. Even suitable for baby clothes, diapers, and lingerie.
IMPRESSIVE FUNCTIONALITY—With your new washer machine (79.4 lbs.) you have 3 water level choices for small, medium, and large loads as well as Hot, Warm, and Cold temperature settings. You can even select Delay Start up to 24 hours.
STAINLESS STEEL TUB— This 2.0 cu. ft. portable washing machine features a durable, rust and corrosion-resistant stainless steel tub with top loading transparent quiet close lid. See your clothes cleaned in real time with our outstanding impeller washer!
ADDITIONAL FEATURES—There’s a lot going on with our amazing washing machine, including auto unbalance detection to ensure your laundry is being cleaned at peak performance as well as auto shutoff safety features and child lock protection.
DESIGNED FOR MOBILITY— This fantastic portable clothes washer machine can be transported from room to room thanks to two rollers, two side handles, and adjustable leveling legs. Also included with our compact washer is a quick connect adaptor, water supply hose, and drain hose.

SaleBestseller No. 5

COMFEE’ Washing Machine 2.4 Cu.ft LED Portable Washing Machine and Washer Lavadora Portátil Compact Laundry, 8 Models, Environmentally Friendly, Child Lock for RV, Dorm, Apartment Magnetic Gray

AUTO CLEAN - COMFEE' 2.4 Cu.ft portable washer maintains a clean and healthy washing environment with powerful water flushing technology that utilizes inner and outer drums to reduce dirt and residues.
STRONG DECONTAMINATION (Hygiene+ mode) – With Three-times the rinsing cycle of most normal portable washers, COMFEE' washing machine creates enhanced water flow to give you a highly effective washing performance.
UPGRADED TURBO WASH – With a stronger water flow and washing tempo our Turbo Wash technology saves you time while still giving you a great and powerful clean. Space-Saving design is ideal portable washer for apartment.
DEEP CLEAN – Using Larger impellers with a unique water cube flow our Water Magic Flow Technology helps avoid excessive friction and tangles of cloths by circulating water streams from 3 different water channels.
SOFT CLOSE – Gone are the loud sounds of the door slamming with our soft edge door made from anti-fingerprint matte materials that add to its sleek and elegant design. The glass lids allow you to see if you added that shirt you need for work tomorrow and lets your mind rest at ease.

SaleBestseller No. 6

Comfee Portable Washing Machine, 0.9 cu.ft Compact Washer With LED Display, 5 Wash Cycles, 2 Built-in Rollers, Space Saving Full-Automatic Washer

The full-automatic washing machine equipped with Heavy, Soft, Normal, Rapid, and Soak 5 programs and 3 water levels, you are allowed to quickly start the machine the way you like. You are also welcomed to customize your washing program by selecting load size, adding addiwash time, rinse time, and spin time.
This top load compact washing machine with the only 18.1inch in width, 17.7inch in-depth, and 31.5inch in height, this portable washer is able to be stored easily. You can store it in your cabinet, RV, dorm, or even bathtub! Even better, it comes with wheels and carries handles for easy movement. It is a perfect choice for small households with limited space and minimal laundry loads.
With the transparent lid design, this washing machine allows you to see and monitor the water and washing conditions. Featuring a durable rust-resistant steel inner tub, lint filter, water inlet and drain pump which allows you to easily drain out dirty water. Also, this portable laundry washing machine has an LED display that shows the time left to finish.
This compact design washing machine has DOE (Department of Energy) certificate that clearly shows how much energy would be consumed on national average conditions. Saving as much as 87.5% energy consumption comparing to similar models. It equips with a powerful and durable motor, up to 840 RPM spin speed but quiet when running.
Unbalance could be a very serious issue for washing machines. It could cause washing machine to "dance on the floow", or even worse, to unleash itself from the water inlet, leaking everywhere. Equipped with Auto Unbalance Detection (AUD) , however, it's able to automatically fix the unbalance issue through allowing more water to come in. It will also alert the user if the problem can't be fixed, ensuring a safe and pleasant experience.

SaleBestseller No. 7

Portable Washing Machine - 16L Mini Foldable Washer with Spin Basket, Deep Cleaning for Small Clothes & 3 Cleaning Modes, Collapsible Laundry for Apartment, Dorm, Hotel, RV and Travel (Green)

Advanced Cleaning Technology: 2026 upgraded portable washing machine combines powerful physical spinning with blue light technology to achieve an exceptional clean; This mini washing machine delivers a deep, hygienic refresh for baby clothes, intimate wear, socks, and towels, effortlessly lifting away residues in a compact, user-friendly design
Portable & Space-Saving: Weighing a mere 3.6 lbs, this portable washer machine is incredibly easy to carry; Its smart folding design shrinks from 12.5x12.5x13 inches down to a slim 12.5x12.5x6 inches for storage; Tuck it under a bed, in a closet, or a cabinet, making it the perfect laundry solution for small apartments, dorms, and travel
Powerful Spin, Gentle Care: This portable clothes washing machine offers three customizable timer modes (3, 5, or 10 minutes); The quick 3-minute power spin mode handles daily essentials efficiently, while all cycles provide a handwash-level gentle clean that protects delicate fabrics like silk and lingerie, keeping them in perfect shape
TPE Food-Grade Material: Your family's comfort is our priority; Constructed from food-grade TPE and skin-safe silicone, this small washing machine portable provides a gentle yet thorough clean; It's perfectly suited for washing delicate items, including baby clothes, underwear, and other personal garments
Effortless Compact Living: Engineered for reliability in small spaces, this portable washing machines for apartments is the ultimate compact living companion; It eliminates tedious handwashing, offering a convenient and efficient way to manage delicate laundry anywhere—from your studio apartment to your next camping trip

Bestseller No. 8

Portable Washing Machine,16L Upgraded Large Capacity Portable Washer With 3 Modes Deep Cleaning.Suitable For Travel, Camping,Apartments, Dormitories, Hotels

【Portable Washing Machine】 The portable washer weighs only 3.5 lbs, featuring an ultra-lightweight body that's highly portable. It's the perfect choice for camping, traveling, as well as use in apartments, dormitories, and hotels
【Powerful Stain Removal】 This mini washing machine provides all-round imitation hand scrubbing, suitable washing speed, and strong decontamination
【Foldable Design】 This small portable washing machine adopts a clever foldable design. When unfolded, its dimensions are 12 x 12 x 13 inches. After folding, it shrinks to 12 x 12 x 6 inches. This foldable feature allows for easy storage under the bed, in the closet, or between cabinets without taking up too much space
【Multiple Cleaning Modes】 This foldable washing machine has a semi - automatic washing function and is equipped with three - mode timer buttons (3 minutes, 5 minutes, and 10 minutes), enabling you to easily meet various washing requirements.
【Worry - Free After - Sales Service】 We are fully committed to providing high - quality products and excellent customer service. If you have any questions, please contact us. We will offer you satisfactory customer service. How to contact us: Log in to your Amazon account > Select "Your Orders" > Find the order ID > Click "Contact Seller"

Your Guide to Choosing the Best Portable Clothes Washer

A portable clothes washer is a fantastic gadget. It lets you wash small loads of laundry anywhere. Think apartments, RVs, camping trips, or dorm rooms. Choosing the right one means looking beyond just the size. This guide helps you pick the perfect match for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping, certain features make a big difference in how well the washer works and how easy it is to use.

Capacity and Size

Load Size: Check the capacity. Most portable washers handle 5 to 15 pounds of dry laundry. A smaller unit is great for single people or just rinsing baby clothes. Larger units handle more clothes but take up more space.
Footprint: Measure where you plan to keep it. Some models are taller towers, others are squat tubs.

Washing Power and Speed

Motor Type: More powerful motors spin faster and clean better. Look for RPM (revolutions per minute) if available; higher is usually better for drying.
Wash Cycles: Simple models only offer one cycle (wash/spin). Better models include gentle, normal, and heavy-duty options.

Ease of Use and Drainage

Controls: Simple dial controls are often the most reliable. Digital controls look modern but can sometimes break easier.
Drainage: How does the water get out? Gravity drainage is simple but requires you to place the unit near a drain. A built-in pump makes draining much easier, especially if you are far from a sink.

Important Materials and Build Quality

The materials used determine how long your washer lasts and how safe it is for your clothes.

Tub Material

Plastic Tubs: Most portable washers use strong plastic (like polypropylene). This keeps the unit light and prevents rust. Ensure the plastic feels thick, not flimsy.
Stainless Steel Drums: While rare in the smallest units, stainless steel drums are more durable and gentler on fabrics than rough plastic.

Hoses and Connections

Check the quality of the inlet and drain hoses. Sturdy, thick rubber hoses last longer than thin, flimsy plastic ones. Poor quality hoses can crack during transport or use.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Quality isn’t just about the brand name; it’s about how the machine handles the job.

Factors That Improve Quality:

Separate Spin Tub: High-quality twin-tub models have one tub for washing and a separate, faster-spinning tub for water extraction. This dries clothes better.
Quiet Operation: Better insulation and balanced motors reduce noise significantly.

Factors That Reduce Quality:

Weak Agitators: If the central plastic piece that moves the water is thin, it might not clean heavy dirt effectively.
Fixed Drain Hoses: If the drain hose is permanently attached and cannot be easily removed or adjusted, it makes storage and setup difficult.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about *where* and *how* you will use the washer.

Apartment Living

If you live in a small apartment, look for a compact, lightweight model that fits under a counter or inside a closet when not in use. Twin-tub models are popular here because they let you wash and spin almost simultaneously.

Camping and RVs

For travel, prioritize low power consumption (especially if using battery power or limited shore power) and simple setup. Gravity draining works well at campsites if you have a designated grey water bucket.

Hand-Washing Alternative

These machines save your back and hands. They are excellent for delicates, cloth diapers, or heavily soiled workout gear that you don’t want mixing with your main laundry load.

10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Portable Clothes Washers

Q: How much electricity do portable washers use?

A: Most use very little electricity, often between 150 to 300 watts. They are much more efficient than standard home washing machines.

Q: Can I use these washers for heavy, muddy clothes?

A: They work best for light to medium soil loads. Very heavy, muddy items might require pre-soaking or multiple short cycles.

Q: Do portable washers need special plumbing?

A: No. They usually connect to a standard kitchen or bathroom faucet using an adapter hose, and they drain into a sink or bathtub.

Q: What is the difference between a single-tub and a twin-tub washer?

A: A single-tub washes and spins in the same drum. A twin-tub has two separate drums—one for washing and one dedicated to faster water extraction (spinning).

Q: How loud are these machines when running?

A: They are generally louder than full-sized machines, especially during the spin cycle. Look for models advertised as “quiet” if noise is a concern.

Q: How long does a complete wash cycle take?

A: A typical wash cycle, including rinsing and spinning, usually runs between 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the settings you choose.

Q: Can I use regular laundry detergent?

A: Yes, but use less! Since these washers use less water, using too much regular detergent creates excessive suds, which can hinder the cleaning action.

Q: Are these good for washing large towels?

A: No. They are designed for small loads. Trying to wash heavy, water-logged items like large bath towels will overload the motor.

Q: How do I ensure the clothes come out mostly dry?

A: Choose a model with a high spin speed (higher RPM) in the spin tub. The faster it spins, the more water it pulls out of the fabric.

Q: What is the typical warranty period for a portable washer?

A: Most manufacturers offer a limited warranty, usually covering parts and labor for 90 days up to one year.