We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Cleaning Laundry Products The 7 Best Portable Washing Machines of 2024 An easy solution for small apartments and clean clothes on the go. By Kat de Naoum Kat de Naoum Kat is a writer, editor, author, SEO specialist, and mother based in the UK. She has over 10 years of commerce writing experience and has written for a variety of publications, including InStyle, Real Simple, Food & Wine, Southern Living, Shape, Better Homes & Gardens, Parents, and Parenting. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on June 05, 2024 Fact checked by Rich Scherr In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Brian Kopinski A washing machine is generally one of the larger and more expensive home appliances, so if you’re not ready to invest in one yet, have limited space in your home, or need to wash your clothes when traveling, a portable washing machine is the way to go. Portable washers are typically smaller and less expensive than their full-sized counterparts (and also more energy efficient), albeit with a lower capacity and fewer features. Electric models are most often larger than manual options and need to be connected to an outlet and hooked up to a faucet. This is the best option if you need a washer for an apartment and regular use. Manual washers, on the other hand, are more compact, lighter, and require no water or electrical hookups. They’re great for RVs, road trips, and camping, but you need to physically agitate the clothes via a crank. We researched dozens of the best portable washing machines on the market and reviewed them based on size, capacity, number of cycles, portability, and installation to narrow it down to the top seven options. We also sought out advice from Alan Howard, founder of the online appliance community Just Ask Al and owner of Plesser’s Appliances, on what to look for when shopping for a portable washer. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Comfee Washing Machine 2.4 Cu. Ft. at Amazon ($419) Jump to Review Best Budget: ZenStyle Portable Washer Compact Twin Tub at Amazon ($96) Jump to Review Best for Apartments: Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer at Walmart ($370) Jump to Review Best Manual: The Laundry Alternative Portable Mini Washing Machine at Amazon ($70) Jump to Review Best for Camping: Scrubba Portable Wash Bag at Amazon ($55) Jump to Review Best Compact: Giantex Mini Washer and Spinner Combo at Amazon ($90) Jump to Review Best Large Capacity: Black + Decker Small Portable Washer 3.0 cu. ft. at Amazon ($480) Jump to Review Best Overall Comfee Washing Machine 2.4 Cu. Ft. PHOTO: Amazon $419 at Amazon View on Feelcomfee.com View on Furnitureshippedfree.com What Stands Out It has a spacious 2.4-cubic-foot capacity and multiple wash cycles and water level options. What Could Be Improved It may be too large for small spaces and has a slightly higher price point compared to some other portable washing machines. This Comfee portable washing machine is our best overall pick as it impressively offers many of the same perks of a full-sized washer—just in a smaller and lighter package. This option may be a little too big for those with extremely limited space, but if you do have an appropriate gap to accommodate its 37.4 by 22.2-inch size, it will cover laundry needs for a single person, couple, or small family. You can even wash sheet sets, bath towels, and jeans. The machine’s spacious 2.4-cubic-foot capacity is quite impressive for a portable washing machine. It allows you to wash more clothes in one go, saving you both time and energy. It has eight wash cycles and three water level options, catering to different fabrics and varying soil levels. There’s a handy LED display that makes it easy to navigate through settings, a child lock for safety, an auto-clean function, and a delayed start feature so that you can schedule your laundry at a time that’s convenient for you. It also has a turbo wash setting that ups the water flow and tempo, offering the same cleaning performance in 20% less time. We also like the soft-close black matte glass lid—no loud slams here! At just over 88 pounds, the energy-efficient Comfee portable washing machine is lighter than other similar machines, so it’s much easier to move around if need be. Capacity: 2.4 cubic feet | Size: 21.7 by 22.2 by 37.4 inches | Weight: 88.2 pounds | Cycles: 8 Best Budget ZenStyle Portable Washer Compact Twin Tub PHOTO: Amazon $86 at Amazon $130 at Walmart $189 at Bed Bath & Beyond What Stands Out It’s affordable, has easy-to-use controls, and a decent capacity for its mini size. What Could Be Improved There aren’t any advanced features, and it may not be as durable as more expensive options. This interesting contraption makes it super simple to wash up to 9 pounds of laundry in one go, even if extra space is not your home’s strong suit. Its tiny size makes it ideal for dorm rooms, studio apartments, and RVs, and since it weighs only 22 pounds, you can pack it up in the trunk and take it with you to an Airbnb or even camping (just note that it will need to be plugged into an electrical outlet). The plastic ZenStyle Portable Washer has two tubs—one for washing and soaking the clothes at 240 watts and the other at 120 watts to spin dry before you hang them up to dry. There are three easy-to-use and intuitive control knobs: the wash timer, which can run for up to 15 minutes at a time, a cycle setting (either soft, standard, or draining), and a spin timer. It comes with a 6.5-foot inlet hose that can be hooked up to a water source (although you can just add water manually if no hookup is nearby) and a drain hose to dispose of the dirty water. It offers peak energy efficiency because it uses minimal water and electricity, and it will save you laundry detergent money, too, since you only need to add a tablespoon for each load. This machine is extra quiet, as its motors are small and not powerful enough to make a racket. Capacity: 1.12 cubic feet | Size: 14.6 by 22.1 by 22.7 inches | Weight: 22 pounds | Cycles: 1 Best for Apartments Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer PHOTO: The Home Depot $370 at Walmart $449 at Home Depot $500 at Target What Stands Out It has a compact design and a durable stainless steel tub, and it’s quiet. What Could Be Improved It has a lower capacity than similarly sized models. The Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer’s small footprint allows it to fit seamlessly into tight spots, yet it still offers a respectable 1.7-cubic-foot capacity. It has a top-load design that makes loading and unloading your clothes a breeze, and it also offers quiet operation so as not to disturb you or the neighbors. It comes with electronic controls and an LED display, and the delayed start feature allows you to take advantage of off-peak utility rates, even when you’re not home. An audible alert will let you know when your laundry is clean and ready to be taken out, and there’s a see-through lid so you can check on the load if you feel so inclined. There are six wash cycles, including delicates, bulky, and heavy duty, plus three water levels that you can set according to the amount of clothes you put in. There’s a one-year warranty on parts, but the best thing about this machine is its high-quality stainless steel drum—Howard says this is the most durable type. At almost 73 pounds, it’s a fairly light washer, but if you need help pushing it around, you could get Magic Chef’s adjustable portable compact washer dolly with wheels for around $30. Capacity: 1.7 cubic feet | Size: 20.3 by 20.7 by 36.6 inches | Weight: 72.8 pounds | Cycles: 6 Best Manual The Laundry Alternative Portable Mini Washing Machine PHOTO: Amazon $70 at Amazon $70 at Wayfair View on Laundry-alternative.com What Stands Out It’s lightweight, easily portable, and requires no electricity. What Could Be Improved It’s not suitable for large loads or heavily soiled items, and the manual crank takes quite a bit of effort. This cute retro-style washer is actually a pleasure to look at, and that’s not something you can say about most portable washing machines. The Wonder Wash is a manually operated laundry system that can clean small loads in just one to two minutes. It requires zero hookups to water or electricity and is very gentle on clothes, keeping them in tip-top shape. It can handle up to eight dresses, 10 T-shirts, or two pairs of jeans at a time. Its low weight (just 6 pounds) and tiny frame (16 inches tall) makes it perfect for off-grid living, camping trips, RV adventures, small apartments, or even for those who want to reduce their environmental footprint. This charming machine can be compactly stored away and is little enough to be used on a countertop. There are even grippy feet to keep it in place while you’re cranking away. Talking of cranking, although you’ll only need to be turning it for a couple of minutes, prepare to get a good workout. There’s also no spinner, so you’ll have to exert a little bit more energy wringing out the washed items. While its cleaning efficiency depends on how long (and how vigorously) you’ve been cranking, the unit uses only 2.6 gallons of water per load and can effectively clean clothes with minimal detergent—just a tablespoon or two will do the trick. Capacity: 0.73 cubic feet | Size: 16 by 12 by 12 inches | Weight: 6 pounds Best for Camping Scrubba Portable Wash Bag PHOTO: Scubba $55 at Amazon View on Thescrubba.com $55 at REI What Stands Out It’s small, weighs under half a pound, is easy to use, and requires no electricity. What Could Be Improved It has limited capacity and may not be as effective at cleaning heavily soiled items. Camping enthusiasts tend to pack light, especially when hiking is involved. For that, lugging along your average portable washing machine won’t really be feasible in these instances. The Scrubba Portable Washing Machine, on the other hand, was designed with campers and travelers in mind, or those visiting places where laundry facilities are scarce. It takes up minimal space in a backpack and adds hardly any weight at all. It feels almost overkill to name this tiny thing a portable washing machine, but that’s exactly what it is. The ingenious device is just 6.3 by 2.3 inches in size, and when not in use, it can fold up so small it can fit in a pocket. It’s basically a bag with a built-in washboard inside. All you have to do is put the clothes in the bag, add up to 3.4 gallons of water, a tablespoon of detergent (add an extra one if your clothes are super dirty), and seal the bag. Next, proceed to knead the sealed bag for a few minutes; the internal washboard helps agitate the clothes for a thorough clean. There’s also a see-through window so you can monitor your progress. You can then take the clothes out, wring them, and hang them to dry. This inexpensive device allows you to clean clothes anywhere and at any time. It comes in four different colors and is backed by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Capacity: 0.45 cubic feet | Size: 6.3 by 2.36 by 2.36 inches | Weight: 0.33 pounds | Cycles: None Best Compact Giantex Mini Washer and Spinner Combo PHOTO: Amazon $90 at Amazon View on Giantex.com What Stands Out This mini unit is a washer and spinner in one, with separate timers for each. What Could Be Improved The spinner capacity is five times less than the washing capacity, so you’ll have to do several spin sessions for a maximum-capacity load. Despite its compact dimensions, the Giantex Portable Washing Machine is a powerful solution to get laundry done either on the go or if space at home is minimal. Weighing just 11 pounds, the machine offers excellent portability without compromising on functionality. It has a 5.5-pound washing capacity, which isn’t large but can accommodate a few items at a time, like T-shirts, underwear, socks, small towels, and lightweight pants or shorts. Its unique two-in-one design combines the spinning and washing functions in one tub, and these can be operated with the single control knob at the top. The machine needs to be plugged into an outlet in order to operate its 170-watt motor, and it comes with a built-in drain hose for easy post-wash water disposal. Using this durable plastic, rust-free washing device is incredibly straightforward: Simply load your dirty clothes, add water and detergent, set the timer via the rotating control knob, and start the cycle. The wash time takes 10 minutes, and the spin takes five minutes to complete, providing you with clean and fresh clothes in a very short amount of time. Although the washing capacity is 5.5 pounds, the spin-dry capacity is only 1.1 pounds, so you’ll have to split up the washed clothes for spinning, perhaps even spinning the items one by one. Capacity: 0.3 cubic feet | Size: 14 by 13.5 by 20 inches | Weight: 11 pounds | Cycles: 1 Best Large Capacity Black + Decker Small Portable Washer 3.0 cu. ft. PHOTO: Amazon $480 at Amazon $475 at Wayfair $480 at Walmart What Stands Out It has a large 3-cubic-foot capacity, built-in wheels to aid portability, a digital display, and one-touch controls for easy operation. What Could Be Improved It may be too large for some, and it costs more than other options on this list. For those with more demanding laundry needs, we recommend this Black+Decker Portable Washer. Whether you're washing clothes for a larger family or having to clean oversized items, it delivers on both capacity and performance. With up to 3 cubic feet of drum space, it can handle even bulky items like blankets and comforters or duvet inserts with ease. Despite its large size, it remains portable, thanks to its two built-in rollers, side handles, and lightweight construction, so you can roll it around wherever you need it to go. It also has an adjustable leveling leg. Offering flexibility in tackling different fabrics, load sizes, and soil levels, this robust washer has six wash cycles (including heavy, delicate, quick, and bulky), three water temperature options (hot, warm, and cold), and three water level settings. Every setting is operated with its own one-touch button and confirmed with handy indicator lights on the straightforward LED digital display. Other features include automatic shut-off, automatic unbalance detection, child lock, delayed start of up to 24 hours, and a top-loading transparent lid for conveniently loading your clothes and monitoring the washing process. A drain hose, water supply hose, and quick-connect sink adapter are included in the box. Capacity: 3.0 cubic feet | Size: 24.8 by 23.7 by 39.4 inches | Weight: 99.2 pounds | Cycles: 6 Final Verdict The energy efficient Comfee Washing Machine is our pick for best portable washer pick because it offers a generous 2.4 cubic feet of capacity, eight wash cycles, three water level options, and excellent features, such as an LED display, a child lock, auto-clean, delayed start, and a quiet, soft closing lid. If you’re looking to spend less, we recommend the ZenStyle Portable Washer. How to Shop for Portable Washing Machines Like a Pro Capacity Ensuring that a portable washing machine has the correct capacity for your needs is the most important thing to look for when shopping around for one. Portable washers typically come in capacities of around 0.3 to 3 cubic feet. A 3-cubic-foot electric portable washing machine, like the Black+Decker Portable Washer, will be large enough to wash a set of bedding and a few towels. A small 0.3-cubic-foot unit, on the other hand, will only be able to fit a few items of clothing at a time. Howard says that most electric portable washing machines can accommodate anywhere from 6 to 14 pounds of laundry, while most manual washers max out at around 5-pound loads. Although most people would likely prefer a larger-capacity portable washer, you have to take the size of your space into consideration as well as your budget, as higher-capacity machines are bigger and more expensive. Size and Maneuverability Portable washing machines range in size from around 15 inches high and 12 inches wide to 40 inches high and 24 inches wide for large-capacity models. They can weigh anywhere from 6 to 100 pounds. Obviously, the lighter and smaller the washer is, the easier it will be to maneuver, but some heavier options feature handles and wheels that enable you to move the appliance around with ease. If you plan to use your portable washer occasionally for camping or in an average-sized RV, a smaller, more compact, and lightweight model, like The Wonder Wash or the Scrubba Portable Washing Machine, will be your best bet. For RV living, small apartments, or as a backup option, you could opt for one of the larger portable washing machines, like the Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer. It will be heavier and taller than other options, but if you’re not planning to move it around much, its larger capacity and enhanced features would make it an excellent option for regular laundry needs. Cycles Manual washing machines do not have any cycle settings—only one basic option. Electric portable washing machines can have anywhere from one to eight cycles, which could include normal, heavy, delicate, speed, bulky, and spin only settings. To choose a portable washing machine with the right amount of cycles for you, you’ll have to consider what type of things you’ll be washing most frequently and then check the machine you have your eye on to see if there’s a corresponding cycle. For example, if you’ll be washing loads of denim or bedding, you’ll need a high-capacity machine with a heavy-duty cycle. If you want a portable washer to mainly wash baby clothes, bras and underwear, and delicate fabrics, look for an option with a delicate cycle. Installation Requirements Only electric portable washing machines have installation requirements. Manual washing machines are usually good to go straight from the box—just add water, your favorite detergent, and dirty clothes, then start cranking or kneading. Some come with a drainage hose to dispose of the dirty water. Most electric options only require an electrical outlet and a hookup to a sink faucet to run. The larger electric washers could be hooked up to a drain pipe, otherwise they, too, will have a drainage hose. Portable washing machines will typically come with all the necessary hardware, like water hoses and sink connectors, along with full instructions. These are pretty self explanatory, and you should be able to complete installation alone. All you have to do is screw the clean water hose securely onto the faucet, then connect the drainage hose which will need to be placed in a sink, bathtub, or drain. Make sure the hose is positioned correctly to prevent leaks or spills. Plug the washing machine into a nearby electrical outlet, and press start. If you don’t feel comfortable hooking up an electric machine by yourself, you could always call in a plumber or handyman. Some of the larger portable washing machines can also be permanently connected to water and electricity (this is great if you have a small apartment and need a washer), but this will likely need to be done by a professional unless you’re familiar with these types of tasks. Another thing to keep in mind regarding installation of an electric portable washing machine is ensuring that the outlet you’ve plugged the machine into is grounded and can handle its voltage and current requirements. Also, avoid using an extension cord as it might not provide sufficient power and could prove to be a safety hazard. Finally, always read the manual, and confirm that you’re comfortable with the installation requirements before buying a portable washing machine. Questions You Might Ask Are portable washing machines worth it? Although they’re not as large, powerful, and feature-packed as standard-size washers, portable washing machines have several advantages. They’re more compact than full-size washers, they’re lighter, and they’re most often more affordable. If you need a backup washing machine, a light model to take on a road trip or camping, have limited space in your apartment, or have a limited budget, then yes, a portable washing machine is totally worth it. Can you wash sheets and jeans in a portable washing machine? A larger portable washing machine with a capacity of 2 to 3 cubic feet will be able to handle lightweight sheets, a couple of pairs of jeans, or a few bath towels. A model with a capacity of less than 1 cubic foot is better suited to T-shirts, underwear, and other small and light everyday wear items. “Portable washers are designed for lighter loads, as the motors and transmission cannot handle things like heavy bedding or many towels,” Howard says. He suggests sticking to the manufacturer’s listed load size, as that will help it last longer and put less strain on the motor. Do portable washing machines use a lot of electricity and water? As portable washing machines are much smaller than full-size washers, they use less water and electricity, so utility bills will be much lower than that of homes with standard models. For example, a standard-size washing machine will typically consume around 0.3 to 0.5 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per load. A portable electric model generally consumes around 0.1 to 0.3 kWh per load. In relation to water consumption, a standard-size washing machine could use 15 to 30 gallons of water per load, while a portable washer may use anywhere from 5 to 15 gallons of water per load. These are approximate estimates as the actual numbers will depend on several factors, such as the load size, selected wash cycle, and energy efficiency rating of the machines. For even more energy efficiency, Howard suggests looking for models with Energy Star ratings. What is the life expectancy of a portable washing machine? “Most portable washers last, on average, five to seven years,” Howard says. He also notes that full-size washers last longer (closer to seven to 10 years). He explains that portable options have a shorter lifespan due to their design and the use of lighter materials. Howard suggests opting for a stainless steel drum as it’s the most durable material. Other factors that could reduce the machine’s longevity include frequency of use, lack of proper care, handling, maintenance (which includes making sure you clean the inside), bad water quality where you live, and environmental conditions, like humidity, moisture, or exposure to elements (if, for example, you have the washer on a covered balcony or in a musty basement). Take Our Word for It This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over 11 years of commerce-writing experience. Kat has been writing for Real Simple since 2019, and she is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing. For this article, Kat reviewed multiple portable washing machine models and researched and considered factors such as each unit’s capacity, size, maneuverability, number of cycles, installation requirements, and overall value for money. We also got expert advice from Alan Howard, owner of Plesser’s Appliances in Babylon, New York, and founder of the online appliance community Just Ask Al. Sophie Dodd also contributed to this piece.