The 8 Best Portable Washing Machines of 2024

Best Overall

Black+Decker Small Portable Washer

$244 At Amazon $244 At Home Depot $244 At Walmart

For a convenient, efficient way to clean your clothes, look no further than this compact but powerful portable washing machine from Black+Decker. It has a 0.9-cubic-foot capacity, a digital control panel with features like delay wash and child lock, and a viewing window so you can watch the suds surround your favorite fabrics.

Most portable washers are best suited for handling the laundry needs of one or two people. For this model, expect the stainless steel drum to hold about 3.5 pounds of laundry, which may equate to a pair of medium jeans, a medium sweatshirt, and two XL T-shirts. (As a result, it’s not the most spacious washer on our list, but also not the smallest.) An impeller plate ensures gentle but through action as the machine cycles through one of five different wash settings: heavy, gentle, normal, rapid, and soak. You can adjust the cycle based on whether the load is small, medium, or large and a countdown timer displays the remaining minutes left in the cycle. With a top spin speed of 983 RPM, this washer powerfully expels remaining moisture as the cycle comes to a close, as well.

If you can work with the somewhat small drum capacity and don’t mind a cold water wash (which is unfortunately the only temperature setting recommended by the manufacturer), the Black+Decker BPWM09W has a lot to offer for a portable washer. It cleans efficiently without using much energy—it only costs about $3 annually, according to estimates on the product’s Energy Guide label—and it’s easy to maneuver because it has two rear caster wheels and weighs 48 pounds, which is significantly less than other portable washers on our list. That fact makes it an exceptionally good pick for anyone that needs a portable washing machine that can be quickly and smoothly rolled in and out of its storage location. 

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

Best Value

Auertech Portable Washing Machine

$110 At Amazon

If you don’t mind an extra step in the wash process (and a few less features in comparison to our best overall pick), the best bang for your buck is this semi-automatic machine: the Auertech ‎AU0004 Portable Washer. It plugs into a standard, 120V outlet and has two tubs: one for washing and one for spinning out water. You’ll have to move your laundry from the wash tub to the spin tub to complete the cycle, but the process is simple and efficient. When properly loaded, you can expect your laundry to emerge from the spin tub damp-dry thanks to the 1,300 RPM motor, without much excess moisture. You can then hang your garments on your favorite clothes-drying rack or clothesline. 

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 to adjust the length of the wash and spin cycle. Just be sure that you abide by the capacity limitations for the wash tub (9 pounds of clothes) and the spin tub (5 pounds of clothes) for the best results. In comparison to our best overall pick, you can put more inside this washer at one time, though.

It’s also worth noting that the drain hose is relatively short. You may need to drain the water from the spin tub into a bucket if you don’t have a suitable drain spot nearby. Notably, this pick is almost half the weight of our best overall pick, making it easier to transport.

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

Best Splurge

Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer

$938 At Home Depot $999 At Lowe's View On Build.com

For a portable washing machine that functions similarly to a full-size version, consider the Whirlpool Compact Top Load Washer. It looks very much like a conventional, top-loading washer, but it has a smaller footprint, four caster wheels for easy mobility, and offers both permanent and portable installation options. There are six wash cycles to pick from and a detergent dispenser, which is not found on most other portable washing machines. 

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 (more compact than a central agitator, it’s what shifts your clothes at the bottom of the washer). Similar to our best overall pick, 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. 

You’ll spend more for this portable washer than any other machine on our list, but it has a reputation for being easy-to-use and reliable, much like many other Whirlpool products. The average capacity (1.6 cubic feet) is ultimately the biggest downside of this washer that feels otherwise like a full-sized model. However, it’s not a deal-breaker for households with one or two people, or if you wash small loads regularly. You can fit just over 4 pounds of laundry in a single load, which may be equal to two pairs of jeans and a 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

$324 At Home Depot

This top load washer from Magic Chef is a great fit for apartments or other small living spaces that won’t accommodate full-size washing machines, which are usually 24 inches or more in width. The Magic Chef MCSTCW17W5 is just 20 inches wide but has a 1.7-cubic-foot drum with enough capacity for washing medium-sized loads, including things like bed sheets or light blankets. 

There are six wash cycles, including settings for bulky items, delicates, and heavily-soiled loads. It’s also possible to pick from cold, warm, or hot water settings, thanks to designated hot and cold water inlets on the back of the machine. All of these cycle selections are easily made using the electronic controls along the LED display panel at the front of the machine. 

One thing to note is that this washing machine for small spaces does weigh more than some other portable picks. At 72 pounds, it’s not the heaviest on our list (that designation goes to our best splurge pick), but it’s also not as easy to maneuver on its rear wheels as the 48-pound Black+Decker BPWM09W (which is our top pick). If you have a designated laundry area in your apartment, though, it might be worth it to gain the extra capacity that’s afforded by the larger drum of this Magic Chef model.

_{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 $70 At Walmart

A manual portable washing machine requires a little effort to operate but offers the freedom to do laundry without the need for a power supply or a water hookup. The Laundry Alternative WonderWash is one of the most popular picks for a non-electric washer because it's fast, simple to use, and has a surprisingly large capacity for its small footprint. It’s even 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 and 4 tablespoons of detergent. In testing 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. The only load that didn’t come completely clean the first time through the manual washer was a load of muddy, dirty items that needed to be rinsed and re-washed to be completely clean. 

Since you don’t need to connect it to a water line and there’s no power plug, you can use this manual washer at home, in an RV, while camping, or just about anywhere, as long as you have a spot to discharge the water after the wash. While there’s a lot to like about the convenience and affordability 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 the clothes. You’ll have to squeeze out your items before using a portable dryer or line-drying. 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

$100 At Amazon

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 only 11 pounds, which is half the weight of the other semi-automatic portable washer on our list—the Auertech AU0004—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 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, so 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: Not applicable}

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. And 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.

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 tub. Admittedly, that’s not a lot. At 0.2 cubic feet, this portable washer’s capacity is definitely the smallest on our list, but the wash process is fast and simple enough that you can repeat it 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

View On Lowe's

A laundry pair, like this GE Portable Washer and its compatible, portable electric dryer, provides 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 slim enough to fit in tight spaces and equipped with four caster wheels so you can maneuver it more easily. An optional stacking kit mounts the dryer above the washing machine—creating a laundry center configuration that saves space and makes it super simple to load your damp items into the dryer. 

In terms of features and cycles, we’re impressed by the fact that the GE GNW128PSMWW washer has eight cycle settings to ensure a complete clean for towels, delicates, whites, 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. The stainless steel drum is another outstanding attribute. Like our best splurge pick, this washer’s drum offers corrosion-resistance and a longer life of service 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}