Washing machines in general are one of (if not) the most convenient modern appliances we have today. The portability aspect of it makes things considerably easier. Nothing beats the pleasure of having something that makes your life easier and comfortable, right?
Getting the best portable washing machine will not only save you bucks, but also the drama-filled trips to the communal laundry rooms.
Besides, this machine is also convenient in the sense that, it does not take up much space and all it needs to function is a sink with a working faucet that fills and drains.
Therefore, it’s ideal for space-challenged homes. It may also come in handy when you go on vacation.
Having choices is a good thing, especially if there is a variety to choose from. But trying to choose from the ever-expanding list of washers can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing.
It’s for this reason that we decided to do a thorough research on these portable washing machines to help make choosing easier.
We have researched, analyzed and compiled a list of the best options on the market you can depend on and crucial features to look out for in a washer.
OUR TOP PICKS
| Product Name | Dimensions (H × W × D) | Weight | Material | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Haier HLP21N Pulsator Portable Washer | 30 × 17.6 × 17.3 inches | 43 pounds | Stainless Steel | 1 cubic feet |
| Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine | 22.8 × 14.2 × 25.6 inches | 28 pounds | plastic | 7.9lbs |
| Haier HLP24E Portable Washer | 20.1 × 19.7 × 35.5 inches | 61 pounds | steel | 1.5 cubic feets |
| The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Compact Mini Washing Machine | 16 × 12 × 12 inches | 5.5 pounds | plastic | 0.23 cubic feet |
| RCA RPW091 Portable Washer | 16 × 17.5 × 30.5 inches | 50 pounds | steel | 0.9 cubic feet |
| Midea MAE50 Portable Washing Machine | 20.7 × 20.3 × 37 inches | 68.3 pounds | Stainless Steel | 1.6 cubic feet |
Haier HLP21N Pulsator Portable Washer
This lightweight and compact washer is one of the best portable options out there. In fact, the Haier HLP21N Pulsator Portable Washer is the best value unit we’ve come across.
It’s a reasonably priced washer that features three water cycles and three electronically controlled water levels. If there is a last minute need for a certain dress or pants, you can opt for the quick cycle.
Normal is best for soiled, sweaty or dirty load of clothes. But for heavy amount of dirt or staining, the heavy cycle will provide the higher spinning speed that is needed.
Furthermore, the pulsator washing technique is effective yet gentle on laundry.
The unit comes with fill and drain hoses as well as a quick connect sink adaptor making it very easy to set up. The casters allow you to move the machine with ease and without damaging the floor. This easy mobility is super convenient for houses with no laundry room.
Another great feature is LED indicator lights that display the status of the wash cycle. What’s more, the end-of-cycle signal will notify you once the laundry is done.
The pause button is there to give you extra control in case you want to attend to something urgently or add more laundry.
The not so cool thing about this unit is that it can only accommodate 1 cubic feet of laundry inside.
Pros
- Powerful and easy to set up
- Offers quiet operation
- Space saving and lightweight
Cons
- Its capacity might be too small
- Clothes might come out wrinkled
Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine
When it comes to performance, affordability and portability, the Panda Small Compact Portable Washing Machine does a pretty good job.
Its space saving and lightweight design makes it the ideal choice for small living spaces like RVs, converted buses and trailers.
Although the spin dryer capacity is twice smaller than the washing drum, it achieves an impressive 1300 RPMs thus wringing your clothes nearly dry.
It’s worth noting, this washer is not fully automatic, so you’ll need to do a handiwork of transferring the washed clothes to the spun dry tub.
This XPB36 model is extremely simple to set up and install. You just connect the unit to a sink which fills the tub with water, and then turn on the wash cycle timer.
Additionally, it has a drainage pump out, hence you can drain it anywhere you feel appropriate such as the backyard, bathtub. This unit is not only easy to set up, but has user friendly controls too.
The knob display has only 3 dials that are clearly labeled making it easy to understand and breeze to use.
Pros
- Highly effective spin dryer
- Very easy to set up and use
- Cheaper compared to other similarly-rated units
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not fully automatic washer
Haier HLP24E Portable Washer
It’s not surprising another Haier brand made our list of the best portable washers out there.
High-end features, top loading design, great performance, lightweight and a moderate price are unusual traits, especially when combined in one portable washing machine.
But this Haier HLP24E Portable Washer has them all making it the perfect choice for your home.
Just like the HLP21N, this unit uses a pulsator system instead of a traditional agitator, thus creating a powerful and effective wash action.
It is also extremely gentle on clothes as the pulsator does not come in contact with them. With a spinning speed of 800 rpm, this washer sieves out as much water as possible.
In addition, the machine has 4 wash cycles and water levels, hence it can handle heavy sturdier materials such as towels to lighter fragile items such as baby clothes and underclothing.
It also includes a spin only cycle as well as 2 special options for rinsing and spinning the clothes.
This unit features a top loading design for a comfortable and easy loading of your clothes. For your convenience, it also features a delay-start function which allows you to prepare a load and have it start a certain number of hours later.
This option comes in handy if you’re planning to be away for a day. Moreover, the LED time indicator helps you keep track of each cycle and end-of-cycle signal alerts you when your laundry is done.
You can also monitor the status of your laundry via the clear plastic window. The only missing piece in this unit is the casters.
However, it has cabinet handles which makes it easier for you to carry it from one place to the other.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Accommodates medium-sized loads
- Comes with a noise reduction plate
- Durable stainless steel material
Cons
- Does not come with wheels
The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Compact Mini Washing Machine
The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Compact Mini Washing Machine is the only non-electric unit that made our list and with good reasons.
Yes, it’s a hand operated washing machine that’s not only easy to clean and economical, but also environmentally friendly.
This washer weighs only 5.5 pounds, making it the most portable machine we have reviewed here.
This extreme level of portability not only makes it a breeze to move from one room to another, but you can easily take it with you just about anywhere.
So, if you live alone or in a tiny apartment, this washer might really come in handy. It’s also ideal for families that do frequent small loads of laundry or any environmentally conscious individual out there.
The compact design means it only uses small amounts of water and detergent. This saves you money while saving the environment at the same time.
This Wonderwash machine offers easy and fast yet gentle way to clean clothes which means they last much longer.
Another incredible thing that sets itself apart from other non-electric washers is the ability to accomplish desired results over a short period of time with little to no effort at all.
Pros
- Eco friendly
- The price is very affordable
- Highly portable
- No electricity is needed thus saving you money
- A generous 3-year warranty
Cons
- Only accommodates small loads of laundry
- It can be tiring to use since its hand operated
RCA RPW091 Portable Washer
If you are looking for a reliable washer that will serve you well in a long term, this is it.
The RCA RPW091 Portable Washer drum is made using steel. And there’s no other material that can match the durability and potency that steel provides.
This washer features an impressive 5 water cycles and 3 water levels, giving you versatility when cleaning your clothes as well as cutting down on water wastage.
It also uses a pulsator for a more effective and gentler wash.
Besides the easy to operate LED display panel, this unit automatically turns itself off when laundry is done. To top it off, it has an error alarm that alerts you when you mess things up.
It’s also equipped with rollers and side handles for easy movement. Basically everything in this unit screams convenience.
Pros
- Very quiet operation
- Easy to use and store
- Durable construction
- Numerous options for washing your clothes
Cons
- Handles small loads
Midea MAE50 Portable Washing Machine
Despite being the heaviest unit on our list, the Midea MAE50 Portable Washing Machine is an excellent washer that comes with incredible features and performance.
It’s compact and sturdy, making it the perfect size for small living areas.
This washer is equipped with rollers for easy movement around the house. So you can roll the washer from one room to another without breaking your back.
It also has side handles, allowing you to carry it if for some reasons you don’t want to roll it.
When it comes to versatility, no washer on our list can challenge the Midea MAE50. It boats 3 water temperature combinations including warm/cold, hot/cold and cold/cold as well as 6 pre-programmed washing cycles.
This means the machine can handle all sturdy and toughest items you can throw at it. Moreover, the size of the washing drum is a bit bigger than others that we have reviewed here. Although the drum sizes are not that far apart, but they surely make a difference.
This washer features a top loading design, making loading and unloading of clothes quite easy. It also uses an impeller action technique which helps deliver efficient, gentle and thorough cleaning.
For your convenience, this model comes with a delay start and end-of-cycle signal functions. It is both easy to use and install. However, this washer is a bit on the higher end as far as prices are concerned.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- Several selectable wash cycles
- End of cycle alerts
- Decent drum size
Cons
- Can be a bit bulky
Now let’s look at the most important factors to consider when shopping for a portable washing machine.
Things to Look Out For When Shopping For a Portable washing machines
Even though standard washing machines sales continue to grow, most people still want to a have a portable washer not only because they can take it wherever they go, but it’s also convenient for their small living spaces.
If you need to get one for your upcoming vacation or replace your old washer, it’s always a good idea to brush up on important things to consider before making that purchase.
Capacity
The maximum load capacity is one of the most important aspects to consider when shopping for a portable washing machine.
These washers come in different sizes and can accommodate individuals who live alone to those in tiny apartments as well as small families.
If perhaps you live alone and you’re looking for a machine that can handle your loads, anything between 1 cubic feet will do just fine.
If you have a small family, however, 1.5 cubic feet and beyond will serve you just okay. And if you need to wash heavy duty items such as a full-sized/weighty duvet or comforter, you’ll need a unit with around 2.6 cubic feet or more.
Water Cycles
Most portable washing machines offer the normal, quick and heavy cycles. However, you should opt for machines that offer a variety of cycles as they give you versatility when washing your clothes.
Tip: the cycle you choose can make a difference in how your clothes look. So always read the manual first.
Portability and Style
Portable washing machines are available in different sizes and styles. The size of the washer you need should depend on the amount of space you have.
If there’s literally not enough space in your house, buying a smaller washer is the most sensible thing to do. However, if you want a larger unit which can accommodate your laundry at once and space is a non-issue, go for it.
Most portable washers come in either top-load or front load design. Most top loaders occupy less space; they do a better cleaning job, use less water and are less expensive than front loaders.
Ease of use
Easy to use is another important feature to consider. It’s worth mentioning most portable washers are easy to operate and install. But there are some that are more involved and require you to manually operate them.
Always opt for a machine that will not give you headaches each time you want to do the laundry.
Drying function
Spin drying is also an important function to have in a portable machine. The spin cycle basically removes as much water as possible from the cloth to make them dry faster.
If you are not interested in direct hands on labor, this feature will come in handy. However, some portable washers are not fully automatic; hence you’ll need to transfer the washed load to the spin dryer.
Budget
The price of the portable washing machine is also something to take into account. You should always determine how much money you’re willing to spend on the product.
If you are on a strict budget, there are washers less than $100 that may do the job for you.
However, if you are looking for a quality washer with numerous wash settings and features, expect to dish out $200 and above.
Conclusion
Even though there are hundreds, if not thousands of portable washing machines out there, our top picks are among the best options in the market today you can rely on to enhance your washing experience.
We also believe this guide has provided you with great insights in regards to buying the right portable washer for your needs.
Remember, we always value and appreciate your comments, opinions or corrections. Please feel free to chime in!
