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Are you tired of going to the laundromat or washing your clothes by hand? Buying a small, portable washing machine can solve that problem for you. To help you select the washer that’s right for you, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best portable washing machines on Amazon. Here are our top five recommendations.
Top 5 Portable Washing Machines
- Easiest To Move: hOmeLabs Portable Washing Machine
- Best For RVs: COSTWAY Portable Washing Machine
- Best Spin Feature: Giantex Portable Compact Washing Machine
- Best Medium Capacity: SUPER DEAL Portable Mini Washing Machine
- Best Large Capacity: Auertech Portable Washing Machine
Easiest To Move: hOmeLabs Portable Washing Machine
The hOmeLabs Portable Washing Machine has a tall and skinny design, allowing it to take up minimal space in your RV, dorm room, home, or apartment. Though it weighs close to 45 pounds, it’s easy to move out of the way, as its base has two wheels. Plus, your purchase comes with all of the accessories you need to assemble and use it.
Key Features
- 17.7 by 18.1 by 31.5 inches
- Six-pound total clothes capacity
- 44.1 pounds
- Digital control panel
What Customers Are Saying
Customers said that this washer worked and moved well. Some also mentioned that the manufacturer provided solid customer service, helping them to resolve any issues they had. Those who were unsatisfied said that the machine was loud.
Best For RVs: COSTWAY Portable Washing Machine
The COSTWAY Portable Washing Machine has a compact design to fit in any RV. With a large washing capacity and powerful motor, this machine can clean clothes in 15 minutes. Plus, it can be powered by a solar generator, allowing you to use it when you’re on the go and don’t have access to electricity.
Key Features
- 25 by 14 by 28.5 inches
- 11-pound washer capacity
- 6.6-pound spinner capacity
- 17.6-pound total clothes capacity
- 29 pounds
- Three knobs
What Customers Are Saying
Those who loved this portable washing machine listed its maneuverability, low noise level, and efficiency as their favorite qualities. Those who were unsatisfied with their purchase said that its parts broke easily.
Best Spin Feature: Giantex Portable Compact Washing Machine
The Giantex Portable Compact Washing Machine is semi-automatic and easy to assemble. Like the other machines in this review, it has a spin function. However, the function on this machine spins faster at 1,350 revolutions per minute to get your clothes drier.
Key Features
- 24.8 by 15 by 28.5 inches
- 11-pound washer capacity
- 6.6-pound spinner capacity
- 17.6-pound total clothes capacity
- 28 pounds
- Three knobs
What Customers Are Saying
Most reviewers listed maneuverability, value, and quiet operation as qualities that they enjoyed about their purchase. Customers who weren’t satisfied with the product said that it leaked from the bottom.
Best Medium Capacity: SUPER DEAL Portable Mini Washing Machine
The SUPER DEAL Portable Mini Washing Machine is designed to be user-friendly while maintaining powerful performance. It holds up to eight pounds in its washer section and five pounds in its spinner section for a total capacity of 13 pounds.
Key Features
- 23 by 13.5 by 26 inches
- Eight-pound washer capacity
- Five-pound spinner capacity
- 13-pound total clothes capacity
- 26.4 pounds
- Three knobs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were pleased with the performance of this washer, though it took a week or two for them to figure out the optimal way to use it. They also liked how little space it took up in their kitchen or bathroom. A common complaint among dissatisfied customers was that the hose that came with it was too short.
Best Large Capacity: Auertech Portable Washing Machine
The Auertech Portable Washing Machine has a long-lasting, water-saving, and low-noise motor. It can dry clothes quickly during its spinning cycle and clean clothes effectively during its washing cycle. With a total capacity of 20 pounds, this washer is perfect for larger families that need to wash a lot of clothes at once.
Key Features
- 24.5 by 14.5 by 27.5 inches
- 12-pound washer capacity
- Eight-pound spinner capacity
- 20-pound total clothes capacity
- 24 pounds
- Three knobs
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praised the machine’s lightweight nature and effectiveness in all of its cycles. However, some customers said that the machine suddenly stopped working after a few months of ownership and that the manufacturer refused to give them a refund.
Buyer’s Guide
It’s important to find a portable washing machine that meets your needs. Here are three factors to consider during your laundry appliance search.
Functionality
Most portable washing machines have washing and spinning functions. The washing function cleans your clothes much like a standard washer. The spinning function removes most of the water from your clothes to speed up the air-drying process. Some washing machines have one tank for washing and spinning, while others have separate tanks to allow you to wash and dry loads at the same time.
Capacity
Portable washing machines with separate washing and spinning tanks will give you separate capacities for each tank as well as an overall capacity. The spinning capacity is usually around five to 10 pounds, while the washing capacity is slightly larger at around 10-15 pounds. Consider the amount of clothing you plan to wash each load, as this will help you determine how large of a capacity you need. Customers with large families should opt for a machine that has a washing capacity of at least 10 pounds.
Maneuverability
Some washing machines are designed to be more portable than others. Customers who plan to move their machine often should look for a product that is either lightweight or has wheels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How noisy are portable washers?
Most portable washers are designed to make minimal noise. However, a common complaint among customers who have purchased portable washers is that they make rattling noises.
Can I use fabric softener in a portable washing machine?
Most portable washing machines don’t come with a fabric softener dispenser. However, you can still use it by pouring it directly onto your clothing. Some manufacturers recommend diluting your fabric softener before adding it to the washing machine.
Will the spin cycle dry my clothes?
Spin features on portable washing machines are designed to partially dry your clothes so that they’re damp instead of wet. Many customers buy a drying rack to place next to their washing machine to finish the drying process.
Why Trust The This Old House Reviews Team
This Old House has empowered homeowners for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement content in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content on its website and social media platforms. The This Old House Reviews Team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content to help inform your purchasing decision for just about any item or resource that you might need for your home. The This Old House Reviews Team has written over 1,000 reviews on products in the home space, from cordless drills to kitchen trash cans, lawn mowers, and dining room decorations.
We recommend products in each review using an intensive research process, spending hours combing through the best available models on Amazon. For a product to make our list of top picks, it must hold a solid sales record on Amazon, have consistently positive customer reviews, and offer unique features, among other factors. After narrowing down our list of recommendations, we conduct additional research and sometimes in-person testing to ensure that the products meet our standards. Once we conclude the research phase, we craft a well-rounded, user-friendly article that includes our recommended products and additional information to help homeowners like you make the right purchase.
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