The 8 Best Portable Washing Machines of 2025

Best Overall

Black+Decker Small Portable Washer

$260 at Amazon $260 at Wayfair $268 $260 at Home Depot

This model from Black+Decker is our favorite portable washing machine. It's not only compact (it weighs less than 50 pounds!), but is also powerful enough to get your clothes really clean, 0.9 cubic feet at a time. We like that it includes a digital control panel too, which makes it easy to access settings like a delayed wash mode or child safety lock. It even includes a viewing window so you can watch the suds go to work—something that you will find in other models, but isn't always a guarantee.

Most portable washers are best suited for handling the laundry needs of one or two people, and you'll typically need to run more loads each week than you would with a full-sized washer. This one holds about 3.5 pounds of laundry in its steel drum, which is enough for a medium pair of jeans, a medium sweatshirt, and two XL T-shirts. It's not the most spacious on our list but has a good balance of size and capacity that works for most.

This washer also uses an impeller plate for gentle but thorough cleaning as the machine cycles through one of five different wash settings: heavy, gentle, normal, rapid, and soak. You can also adjust the cycle based on the load size (small, medium, or large) and a timer displays the remaining minutes left in the cycle.

One of our favorite things is that this washer spins at up to 983 RPM, which expels most of the moisture toward the end of the cycle and is perfect if you don't have a clothes dryer at your disposal. That said, Black+Decker is keen on only using this machine with cold water, but cold water washes can require less energy since the water doesn't need to be heated. As a result, according to estimates on the product’s Energy Guide label, this washer only costs about $3 annually to operate.

This washer is pretty easy to maneuver thanks to the inclusion of two rear caster wheels, as well, and ultimately has all the best features at a reasonable price point, making it our top choice.

_{Type: Automatic | Capacity: 0.9 cubic feet | Weight: 48.4 pounds | Cycles: 5}

Best Value

Auertech Portable Washing Machine

$110 at Amazon

With a price tag that's about half that of our overall best recommendation, we think that the Auertech ‎AU0004 Portable Washer provides a ton of value. It plugs into a standard, 120V outlet and has two tubs: one for washing and one for spinning out water. The semi-automatic layout is more labor intensive since you need to physically pull your wet laundry out of one tub and move it to the other mid-cycle, but the spin tub leaves fabrics fairly dry at the end.

Auertech doesn't say how much space the washer has in cubic feet, but they do say that you need to limit the wash tub to nine pounds of clothes (and just five pounds in the spin tub). That's actually more space than our overall best pick—but, again, you have to put in more effort with this one.

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 so you can adjust the length of the wash and spin cycle. 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 overall best recommendation).

One issue, though, is that the drain hose is pretty short, so you may need to drain the washer into a bucket; an additional step that adds even more work to each load.

_{Type: Semi-automatic | Capacity: Not listed | Weight: 22 pounds | Cycles: 2}

Best Upgrade

Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer

$1,049 at Home Depot $944 at Lowes View on Build.com

The Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer costs almost the same as some of our more budget-friendly, full-sized washer picks, but it's about as close as it gets to a full-sized, fully automatic machine. It has six wash cycles to pick from and a detergent dispenser, which is not found on most other portable washing machines. However, it just has 1.6 cubic feet of space to keep things compact for an apartment, condo, or other small space that has electrical connections.

The smaller footprint is paired with four caster wheels for easy mobility. The portable washer also offers both permanent and portable installation options, so you can install it in a small laundry room or store it in a closet and only pull it out on wash day. 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—the same washing mechanism found in our overall best pick.

Like our overall best recommendation, 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. Again, you’ll spend more for this portable washer than any other machine on our list, but we think that the capacity and full range of cycle options make it a worthy upgrade for those who want a machine that feels a bit more permanent.

You can fit just over 4 pounds of laundry in a single load, which equates to about two pairs of jeans and a big sweatshirt, or two beach towels. 

_{Type: Automatic | Capacity: 1.6 cubic feet | Weight: 81 pounds | Cycles: 6}

Best for Apartments

Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer

$390 $370 at Amazon $370 at Walmart $720 at Target

This portable washer from Magic Chef is a great fit for apartments or other small living spaces that won’t accommodate full-sized washing machines, which are usually 24 inches or more in width. This option 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. It's the second-most spacious on our list.

This model includes six wash cycles, with settings for bulky items, delicates, and heavily soiled loads. (This is comparable to our best upgrade pick that also has six cycle options.) Thanks to designated hot and cold water inlets on the back of the machine, you get cold, warm, or hot water setting options, just like you would with a full-sized washing machine. These cycle options are displayed on an electronic control panel on the front of the washer for easy access. 

One thing to note is that while this is a great washing machine for small spaces, it weighs more than some other portable picks. At 72 pounds, it’s not the heaviest on our list (our best upgrade pick takes home that distinction), but it’s also not as easy to maneuver on its rear wheels as our overall best recommendation. We think the extra capacity is worth it though, especially if you have room in your apartment for a small laundry room and a more permanent installation.

Compared to our best upgrade pick, it's also about $600 less. It also has a detergent dispenser, stainless steel drum, and delay start function. The difference? This machine might not last you quite as long. We here at The Spruce have personal experience with Whirlpool laundry machines—the brand behind our best upgrade pick—and can attest to their unbeatable reliability and longevity.

_{Type: Automatic | Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Weight: 72.8 pounds | Cycles: 6}

Best Manual

The Laundry Alternative Portable Mini Washing Machine

$70 at Amazon $70 at Wayfair View on Laundry-alternative.com

If you don't have the space or energy source for an electric washer, the Laundry Alternative WonderWash is a fantastic option that gets clothes clean with some time and effort. We like that this manual washer lets you do your laundry without a power supply or a water hook-up. It can be used at home, in an RV, while camping—just about anywhere.

Don't be fooled by the small size and simple design, though—this non-electric portable washer is 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, 4 tablespoons of your favorite detergent, and an arm to turn the crank.

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. It's like a little cement mixer that tumbles your clothes clean, and we didn't even feel overly fatigued after using it. The only load that didn’t come completely clean the first time through was a load of muddy, dirty items that needed to be rinsed and re-washed. 

While there’s a lot to like about the convenience 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 your clothes. You’ll have to squeeze out your items before using a portable dryer or line-drying your items. 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}

Best Mini

Giantex Mini Washer and Spinner Combo

$90 at Amazon View on Giantex.com

If you have limited space but aren't interested in a manual option, 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 11 pounds, half the weight of our best value pick (our other semi-automatic recommendation), 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 your 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; 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: 2}

Best for Camping

Scrubba Portable Wash Bag

$55 at Amazon View on Thescrubba.com $55 at REI

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 (including our best manual pick).

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 bag. Admittedly, that’s not a lot, but the process is fast and simple enough that you can repeat it as often 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}

Best Portable Washer and Dryer

GE Portable Washer & Portable Electric Dryer Set

$999 $899 at Home Depot View on Lowes View on Sears.com

If you have limited space and want to squeeze in a washer and dryer set, this GE Portable Washer and its compatible, portable electric dryer provide 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 equipped with four caster wheels so you can easily move it as needed, too. 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, white clothes, 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 upgrade pick, this washer’s stainless steel drum also offers corrosion resistance and a longer life 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}