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The 8 Best Portable Washing Machines of 2025

Wash your clothes, linens, and more wherever you are

Person loading a towel into a Whirlpool Compact Top-Load Washer that's hooked to a faucet

The Spruce / Jay Wilde

If you’re tired of constant runs to the laundromat and want to bring the convenience of a washer to wherever you are, a portable washing machine is the answer. There are three types to consider: manual portable washers require more time and effort (albeit less time than hand-washing your clothes), semi-automatic machines do most of the work for you, and fully automatic options are basically downsized versions of regular top-load washers, doing it all.

We vetted the best portable washing machines, including all three types, evaluating each for its ease of setup and use, efficiency, wash cycles, effectiveness, power source, and more. The biggest thing to consider is that these machines can be just as powerful as their larger counterparts; they mainly differ in the amount of features included and drum space.

"Using a portable washing machine doesn't have to mean compromising," advises Jawad Ahmed, a laundry merchant at The Home Depot, adding, "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."

Using that advice, we identified various portable washing machines with enough cleaning power to handle your clothes, linens, and other fabrics. They range from $50 to $1,000 and come from reliable appliance brands like Whirlpool, GE, and Magic Chef, and would be perfect for an apartment, RV, camping situation, or home in the middle of a laundry room remodel.

What We Like
  • Five wash cycle settings

  • Powerful spin cycle leaves clothes damp instead of dripping

  • Convenient features like a timer, child lock, and delayed start function

What We Don't Like
  • Only cold water is recommended by manufacturer

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

What We Like
  • Timers for wash and spin cycles

  • Can adjust agitation for delicates

  • Spin cycle is even more powerful than our top pick's

What We Don't Like
  • Short drain hose; might need to manually drain the washer

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

What We Like
  • Permanent or portable installation options; also has four wheels

  • Six wash cycles and a detergent dispenser

  • Has a stainless steel drum

What We Don't Like
  • Larger and more expensive than what some may need

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

What We Like
  • Hot and cold water inlets

  • Electronic controls with LED display

  • Six wash cycles and a detergent dispenser

What We Don't Like
  • May not last as long as other picks

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

What We Like
  • Great for camping or RVs

  • Can clean a full, 5-pound load of laundry at one time

  • Easy to use and understand

What We Don't Like
  • Sheets or other very large items won’t fit inside

  • No spin cycle; have to manually squeeze the water out

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

What We Like
  • Lightweight and easy to store; great option for dorm rooms

  • Timers for wash and spin cycles

What We Don't Like
  • May need to run the spin cycle in batches

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

What We Like
  • Folds up very compactly when not in use

  • Only requires 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per load

  • Process only takes three to five minutes

What We Don't Like
  • Can leak, plus no spin cycle included

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

What We Like
  • Largest capacity of the picks on our list

  • Eight wash cycles and a stainless steel drum

  • Can be stacked for a more compact laundry situation

What We Don't Like
  • Stacking kit sold separately

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

Final Verdict

The Black+Decker BPWM09W Portable Washing Machine is the best portable washing machine, with a ton of great features to streamline your laundry routine, a relatively large capacity, and a fast spin cycle that helps dry out your clothes. For a lower-cost, manual option that gets dirt out fast, check out The Laundry Alternative WonderWash. It holds five pounds of laundry and doesn't require power or a dedicated water line.

Best Portable Washing Machines

Hilary Allison / The Spruce

What to Look for in a Portable Washing Machine

Picking the Right Type and Capacity for Your Home 

As we mentioned above, there are three 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 they're a lot easier to use.

Non-electric washers cost less and take up less space (and you can use them where there isn't any electricity), but you need to put in manual effort to provide cleaning action.

Electric portable washers are further divided based on whether the wash and spin cycles take place in the same basket (automatic) or whether wet items need to be moved from a wash basket to a spin basket (semi-automatic).

What capacity do I need?

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-sized washer but enough to wash up to several outfits at a time, or a bed sheet or a few towels.

Manual Portable Washers

Manual portable washers are a good option for a lot of circumstances, but there are some important factors that you need to consider.

  • You’ll fill and empty the washer to start and end the wash cycle.
  • You supply the agitation force, usually by turning a crank handle, like the one you will find on the simple (but effective) WonderWash.
  • You wring items out by hand—there is no spin cycle.
  • That means longer drying times.

“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, too; a cubic foot or less of capacity is typical, which equates to less than 5 pounds of clothes. 

Semi-Automatic Portable Washers

This type of portable washer has a motor, so you don’t have to supply the power to clean your clothes. However, it’s not a “load-and-go” option like an automatic portable washer.

  • You don't need to turn a crank because these washers use electric motors.
  • You do need to manually move clothes from a wash tub to a spin basket to complete the cycle.
  • Spin baskets are usually more limited (it’s not unusual to see the capacity cut by more than half), so you have to run a couple of spin cycles to complete your load.
  • This type of washer can fit an outfit or two at a time (like a pair of jeans, a T-shirt, and a sweatshirt).

Automatic Portable Washers

These are a lot like scaled-down, full-sized washing machines.

  • There's no crank or transfer of clothes with this type of washer.
  • Automatic portable washers are smaller, with wheels attached so you can position the washer near a water connection for use and then roll it away for storage afterward. 
  • Capacity varies widely, with the most compact options holding around 1 cubic foot of laundry and the largest options accommodating 3 cubic feet or more.

If you’re used to a full-size washing machine, the GE Portable Washer with Stainless Steel Basket and its matching electric dryer are a great option. The washer has 2.8 cubic feet of capacity to wash a full load for one or two people, and the matching portable dryer completes the laundry process.

Installation Requirements and Hookups 

Portable washing machines all have one thing in common: you don't need to hook them up permanently. Some come with the option to hook them up like a full-sized appliance, but you can use temporary connections as well.

  • Manual portable washing machines have no installation or hookup requirements, so you can use them anywhere. You'll typically want to set up near a sink for easy access to water and a drain, though, since you need to add water (and empty it) manually. The Scrubba Portable Wash Bag (our best for camping pick) can be used anywhere:a hotel room, an RV, or a campsite.
  • Semi-automatic and automatic washing machines require a power source in the form of a standard 120V household outlet. Some of them require you to add water manually, while others can connect to a faucet, and some have optional, permanent water connections. Most will drain into a sink (or any other convenient drain) but some have optional, permanent drain connections.

The Available Cycle Options

Most semi-automatic and manual portable washing machines only provide a single wash option, which isn't ideal if you wash a variety of fabrics. Some do include a timer that lets you extend the cycle length, though, which is good for more heavily soiled loads.

For an experience that's closer to a full-sized washer, most automatic portable washers include multiple cycles. You'll typically have access to at least four to five cycles.

That’s one reason we recommend the Black+Decker Small Portable Washer as the best portable washer. It has five cycle settings, and you can customize the load based on its size. 

Any Caster Wheels and Handles for Moving the Machine 

When deciding which type of portable washer is right for your situation, Ron Shimek, president of Mr. Appliance, says to consider: how much storage space you have to store 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. Also, look for a model that's lighter to lift and push around. The larger the washing machine, the more important it is that you consider its portability.

For example, the Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer (our best upgrade pick) weighs 81 pounds, but it’s mounted on caster wheels. It's not too challenging to move it from one spot to another as needed due to the wheels, but could be considered better for a permanent-like installation.

Standout Features 

A Viewing Window

Some portable washers are equipped with a viewing window, which may take the form of a clear plastic or glass pane. We like this option because it lets you see the cycle in action so you can check in on what phase of the wash cycle is currently underway. You’ll usually find a viewing window on automatic portable washers, like the Black+Decker Small Portable Washer.

A Detergent Dispenser

Detergent dispensers allow you to drop in your favorite laundry soap and then let the washing machine add it to the load as needed—a nice convenience that isn't absolutely necessary. This is a rare feature in portable washers, but you will find it in higher-end models like our best upgrade pick.

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-sized washer. 

FAQ
  • Can you wash jeans, sheets, or towels in a portable washing machine?

    The main limitation of portable washing machines is that they have smaller drums, which means you can't wash as much laundry at one time. That same limitation means you can't fit especially bulky items.

    All of our recommendations have enough space for at least one pair of jeans. If you need to wash bulkier items, like a comforter, then you'll typically need to head to a laundromat.

  • Do portable washing machines use a lot of water and electricity?

    Automatic and semi-automatic washing machines use electricity, but not very much. Some are so efficient that they only use a few dollars of electricity each year, but they use more power the bigger they get. The same is true for water: the bigger the capacity, the more water is used.

    For a better understanding of power use and efficiency, we recommend looking for the yellow Energy Guide label on any portable washing machine that you're interested in. The label will tell you how much electricity you can expect the appliance to use each year.

    Manual portable washing machines don't use any electricity at all, and they typically don't use much water either. A good example is the Scrubba Portable Wash Bag, which can clean a couple of shirts and some undergarments with about a gallon of water.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jeremy Laukkonen is an updates writer for The Spruce with over a decade of experience writing about small and large appliances, including washing machines and dryers. He's currently vetting the best portable washing machine to install in his motor home and is keen to find a fully automatic model that will fit in the limited available space.

To identify all the best portable washers for various situations, Laukkonen thoroughly researched the latest models from all the top manufacturers, carefully comparing cycles, features, dimensions, weight, and other factors to find the best options.

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