Victoria
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Our quick picks
Ranked by what each one is best at, not by a score we made up. Ratings are what the product showed on Amazon when we last checked — how we rank.
- The size that fits a real household load without needing a laundry room.
- At 1.6 cubic feet and 11 lbs capacity, this is large enough to wash a genuine load rather than a few items, while still rolling out of a cupboard and connecting to a kitchen tap.
- The smaller version, for one person and a small flat.
- Half the capacity of its larger sibling, with five wash cycles and an LED display.
- The same size class, with quiet operation as the selling point.
- A 6.6 lb capacity with five wash cycles, built around quiet running.
- 25 lbs of washing plus a dryer, in one moveable unit.
- The reason this matters: in a flat with no outdoor space and no vented dryer, wet laundry has nowhere to go.
- A full-size machine, included because it is often the better answer.
- At 4.5 cubic feet with a 1,300 RPM spin and ENERGY STAR certification, this is a conventional washing machine, not a portable one.
- Automatic operation with as few controls as possible.
- This sits in the middle of the portable range: automatic washing rather than a twin tub, compact, and deliberately simple to operate.
- Wash and spin in separate tubs – faster, cheaper, more work.
- A twin tub has one tub that washes and one that spins, and you move the laundry between them.
- The biggest capacity here, with a built-in drain pump.
- Check the current price on Amazon
- Folds flat, holds 16 liters, and fits in a suitcase.
- As a travel item rather than a household appliance, it makes sense.
- Three cleaning modes, folds away, costs very little.
- The same category as the 16L model, with three cleaning modes for different fabric types.
Everything below is the why: the specifications that settle the choice, and where each pick falls down.
Portable washing machines exist for one reason: a lot of homes have no laundry hookups. Apartments, older rental buildings, dorms, RVs and boats all have the same problem, and the answer is a machine that connects to a tap, drains into a sink, and rolls out of the way afterwards.
The category covers four quite different things, though, and the listings blur them together: fully automatic portables, twin tubs, washer-dryer combos, and foldable travel washers that are essentially motorised buckets. They are not interchangeable, and buying the wrong type is the usual source of disappointment.
A note on method: we have not run these machines ourselves. Our picks are based on manufacturer specifications, machine type and patterns across owner reports. Capacity figures are manufacturer claims measured under ideal loading.
What got a product on this list
We separated by machine type first, then sorted within each type on:
- Realistic capacity. Stated pounds assume perfect loading. Bulky items take far more room than the number suggests.
- Spin extraction. Portable machines spin more slowly than full-size ones, so laundry comes out wetter and takes much longer to dry.
- Drainage method. A built-in drain pump can push water upward. Gravity drainage cannot, which constrains where the machine can sit.
- Automatic or manual. Twin tubs are faster and cheaper but need supervision. Automatic machines do not.
Each machine gets a role rather than a rank, because a foldable travel washer and a 26 lb twin tub are not competing purchases.
Our picks, in one table
Comfee 1.6 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine – Magnetic Gray
The Comfee’ 1.6 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine offers 11 lbs capacity, 6 wash programs, and a built-in drain pump. Compact, quiet, and mobile with wheels, it’s perfect for apartments, RVs, or camping.
Comfee Portable Washing Machine, 0.9 Cu.Ft
The Comfee 0.9 Cu.ft Portable Washing Machine features 5 wash cycles, an LED display, and 2 built-in rollers for easy mobility. Compact, fully automatic, and energy-efficient — perfect for small spaces
BLACK+DECKER Portable Washing Machine, 0.9 Cu. Ft
The Black+Decker 0.9 Cu.Ft Portable Washer offers 6.6 lb capacity, 5 wash cycles, and a quick-connect sink adapter with drain hose. Compact and easy to use, it features a transparent lid — perfect for homes and apartments
Auertech Portable Washer and Dryer Combo Set
The Auertech Portable Washer and Dryer Combo includes a 25 lbs fully automatic washer with 10 wash cycles and a 12 lbs dryer with 6 drying modes. Compact, efficient, and perfect for apartments, RVs, or dorms
BLACK+DECKER 4.5 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer
The Black+Decker 4.5 Cu.Ft Front Load Washer features 12 wash cycles, hot and cold inlet hoses, and an LED display. ENERGY STAR certified, it delivers powerful, efficient cleaning in a full-size design.
SereneLife PUCWM200 Portable Machine Full
Compact yet efficient, the SereneLife PUCWM200 combines automatic washing functions with quiet performance, bringing convenience to any living space
COSTWAY Portable Washing Machine, Twin Tub 20 Lbs Capacity
The Costway Twin Tub Washing Machine features a 20 lbs large capacity, separate washer and spinner for faster cleaning, and a compact design ideal for small spaces
Costway Twin Tub Portable Washing Machine 26lbs
This washer features a 26 lbs total load capacity for larger laundry, a built-in drain pump for quick water removal, and a compact design that fits perfectly in small spaces
16L Foldable Portable Washing Machine
This 16L foldable portable washing machine offers deep cleaning for underwear, baby clothes, and small garments. Lightweight, low-noise, and energy-efficient, it’s perfect for apartments, dorms, hotels, or travel
LGLRTD Portable Foldable Washing Machine
This compact, foldable washer features three cleaning modes for versatile use and is perfect for small loads like baby clothes or underwear — ideal for travel and limited spaces.
The 10 Best Portable Washing Machines, Reviewed
1. Comfee 1.6 Cu. Ft. Portable Washing Machine — Best Overall
The size that fits a real household load without needing a laundry room.
At 1.6 cubic feet and 11 lbs capacity, this is large enough to wash a genuine load rather than a few items, while still rolling out of a cupboard and connecting to a kitchen tap. Six wash programs and fully automatic operation mean it behaves like a normal washing machine, not like a tub you have to supervise.
What we like
- 11 lbs handles a real load, not just a few garments
- Fully automatic — fill, wash, drain and spin without intervention
- Connects to a standard tap; no plumbing installation
- Rolls away between washes
What you give up
- Still small compared with a full-size machine — bedding is a struggle
- Spin speeds are lower, so clothes come out wetter
- Needs somewhere to drain, usually a sink or bath
- Not as gentle on fabrics as a full-size drum
Right for: apartments, small households and homes without hookups. Skip it if: you regularly wash bedding or large loads.
Check the current price on Amazon →
2. Comfee 0.9 Cu. Ft. Portable Washing Machine — Best Compact Automatic
The smaller version, for one person and a small flat.
Half the capacity of its larger sibling, with five wash cycles and an LED display. For a single person, a studio flat, or a second machine for delicates, 0.9 cubic feet is enough and the reduced footprint matters more than the capacity does.
What we like
- Small enough for an actually tiny flat
- Fully automatic operation
- LED display and cycle selection
- Light enough to move without wheels
The part that annoys people
- 0.9 cu ft is a small load — expect to wash more often
- Not suitable for towels or bedding
- Lower spin speed leaves laundry damp
- Small drum can tangle longer items
Right for: one person, studios and dorms. Skip it if: you are washing for more than yourself.
Check the current price on Amazon →
3. BLACK+DECKER Portable Washing Machine 0.9 Cu. Ft. — Quietest Compact
The same size class, with quiet operation as the selling point.
A 6.6 lb capacity with five wash cycles, built around quiet running. In a studio flat where the machine is a few feet from the bed, or in an open-plan space, noise is the specification that decides whether you run it in the evening or wait.
What we like
- Quiet enough to run in an open-plan or studio space
- Five cycles covering normal, delicate and quick washes
- Compact footprint
- Straightforward controls
Where it disappoints
- 6.6 lb capacity is small
- Not for towels, bedding or bulky items
- Lower spin extraction than full-size machines
- Requires tap connection and drain access
Right for: studios and noise-sensitive spaces. Skip it if: you need capacity.
Check the current price on Amazon →
4. Auertech Portable Washer and Dryer Combo — Best With Drying
25 lbs of washing plus a dryer, in one moveable unit.
The reason this matters: in a flat with no outdoor space and no vented dryer, wet laundry has nowhere to go. A combined unit washes and then dries in the same appliance, which removes the drying rack from the living room entirely. Capacity here is also the largest in this group.
What we like
- 25 lbs capacity is large for a portable unit
- Washes and dries without moving the laundry
- Removes the need for a drying rack or line
- Fully automatic washer side
The drawbacks
- Combo units dry slowly and in smaller loads than they wash
- Drying adds significant time and electricity cost
- Larger and heavier than single-function portables
- More components means more potential faults
Right for: flats with no drying space. Skip it if: you have a line, a balcony or a separate dryer.
Check the current price on Amazon →
5. BLACK+DECKER 4.5 Cu. Ft. Front Load Washer — When Portable Is Not Enough
A full-size machine, included because it is often the better answer.
At 4.5 cubic feet with a 1,300 RPM spin and ENERGY STAR certification, this is a conventional washing machine, not a portable one. It is here because many people searching for a portable washer actually have space and hookups, and would be better served by a full-size machine: bigger loads, far better spin extraction, lower running cost.
What we like
- 4.5 cu ft handles bedding and full household loads
- 1,300 RPM spin leaves laundry much drier, cutting drying time
- ENERGY STAR certified — lower running cost per load
- Twelve cycles including specialist programs
The catch
- Requires plumbing hookups and permanent space
- Not moveable in any practical sense
- Higher upfront cost
- Needs a dedicated drain, not a sink
Right for: anyone with hookups and space. Skip it if: you truly cannot plumb a machine in.
Check the current price on Amazon →
6. SereneLife PUCWM200 Portable Washing Machine — Best Simple Automatic
Automatic operation with as few controls as possible.
This sits in the middle of the portable range: automatic washing rather than a twin tub, compact, and deliberately simple to operate. For someone who wants to load it, press one button and walk away, the reduced complexity is the feature.
What we like
- Automatic operation without twin-tub supervision
- Simple controls with little to learn
- Compact and light
- Quiet for its class
Where it falls short
- Modest capacity
- Lower spin speed than larger portables
- Fewer program options than premium portables
- Still needs tap and drain access
Right for: simple everyday washing in a small space. Skip it if: you want cycle flexibility.
Check the current price on Amazon →
7. COSTWAY Twin Tub Portable Washing Machine 20 lbs — Best Twin Tub
Wash and spin in separate tubs — faster, cheaper, more work.
A twin tub has one tub that washes and one that spins, and you move the laundry between them. That sounds like a drawback and partly is, but it also means you can wash a second load while the first spins, the cycle times are much shorter, and the machine is cheaper and simpler. For camping, RVs and outdoor use, it is the practical choice.
What we like
- Wash and spin simultaneously — faster through a pile of laundry
- Much shorter cycles than automatic machines
- Simple mechanically, with less to fail
- Cheaper than automatic portables of the same capacity
What owners complain about
- You must move the laundry between tubs yourself
- Not automatic — it needs supervision
- Spin tub holds less than the wash tub
- Can be noisy at spin
Right for: RVs, camping, and anyone washing large quantities quickly. Skip it if: you want to press a button and leave.
Check the current price on Amazon →
8. Costway Twin Tub Portable Washing Machine 26 lbs — Largest Twin Tub
The biggest capacity here, with a built-in drain pump.
26 lbs total load capacity puts this at the top of the portable range, and the built-in drain pump means it can push water out rather than relying on gravity — which matters if the machine sits below the sink or drain point.
What we like
- 26 lbs is the largest capacity in this group
- Built-in drain pump removes the need for gravity drainage
- Twin tub speed advantage on large quantities
- Good for families without hookups
The downside
- Large for a portable machine — check where it will live
- Still requires manual transfer between tubs
- Heavier to move than small portables
- Louder than automatic machines
Right for: families without hookups, and high-volume washing. Skip it if: space is tight.
Check the current price on Amazon →
9. 16L Foldable Portable Washing Machine — Best for Travel
Folds flat, holds 16 liters, and fits in a suitcase.
A foldable washer is a bucket with a motor, and that is not a criticism — it packs flat, weighs almost nothing, and will wash underwear, baby clothes and shirts in a hotel room or a campervan where nothing else would fit. As a travel item rather than a household appliance, it makes sense.
What we like
- Folds flat for packing and storage
- Very light and portable
- Useful for underwear, baby clothes and small items
- Low cost
What you give up
- Tiny capacity — a few items at a time
- No real spin cycle, so laundry comes out very wet
- Not a household washing machine in any sense
- Manual filling and emptying
Right for: travel, camping and baby clothes. Skip it if: this would be your main machine.
Check the current price on Amazon →
10. LGLRTD Portable Foldable Washing Machine — Best Budget Travel Washer
Three cleaning modes, folds away, costs very little.
The same category as the 16L model, with three cleaning modes for different fabric types. For a caravan, a boat, a long trip, or a spare washer for delicates, it does a specific job cheaply and takes up almost no space when not in use.
What we like
- Folds down to almost nothing
- Three modes for different fabric types
- Cheapest option here
- Useful as a secondary washer for delicates
The part that annoys people
- Very small capacity
- No meaningful spin extraction
- Manual filling and draining
- Not durable enough for daily household use
Right for: occasional travel use and delicates. Skip it if: you need to do household laundry.
Check the current price on Amazon →
How to Choose a Portable Washing Machine
Check your tap and your drain first
Portable machines connect to a tap with an adapter and drain into a sink, bath or standpipe. Before buying, check that your tap accepts an adapter — many modern mixer taps do not — and that the drain point is not higher than the machine unless it has a drain pump.
Understand the four types
- Automatic portable: behaves like a normal washing machine, smaller. The default choice for a flat.
- Twin tub: separate wash and spin tubs, you move the laundry between them. Faster and cheaper, needs supervision.
- Washer-dryer combo: washes and dries in one unit. Useful with no drying space; slow and expensive to run.
- Foldable travel washer: a motorised tub for a handful of items. A travel accessory, not a household appliance.
Be realistic about capacity
Stated capacities assume tightly packed loading. A 1.6 cu ft machine handles a normal daily load of clothes; it does not handle a duvet, and towels will fill it quickly. If you regularly wash bedding, no portable machine will satisfy you.
Expect wetter laundry
Full-size machines spin at 1,200–1,400 RPM. Portables spin far slower, which means clothes come out noticeably wetter and take much longer to dry. In a flat with no drying space, that is the argument for a combo unit despite its drawbacks.
Consider whether you actually need portable
If you have hookups and floor space, a full-size machine washes more, spins better, and costs less per load to run. Portables are a solution to a constraint — if you do not have that constraint, they are a compromise for no reason.
Mistakes that cost money
- Buying a twin tub expecting automatic operation. They need you present throughout.
- Not checking tap compatibility. Many mixer taps will not take an adapter.
- Underestimating drying time. Low spin speeds leave laundry very wet.
- Buying a foldable washer as a main machine. They hold a few items.
- Ignoring where the machine lives between washes. Wheels help; measure the storage space too.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do portable washing machines need plumbing?
No permanent plumbing. They connect to a tap with an adapter and drain into a sink, bath or standpipe. What you do need is a compatible tap and an accessible drain point.
How much laundry can a portable machine actually wash?
Less than the stated capacity suggests. A 1.6 cu ft machine handles a typical day’s clothing for one or two people. Towels and bedding fill it quickly and generally wash poorly.
What is the difference between a twin tub and an automatic portable?
An automatic machine fills, washes, drains and spins on its own. A twin tub has separate wash and spin tubs, and you move the laundry between them. Twin tubs are faster through a large pile and cheaper, but they need you present.
Do washer-dryer combos dry properly?
They dry, but slowly, in smaller loads than they wash, and at higher electricity cost than a vented dryer. They are a solution for homes with no drying space, not a performance upgrade.
Can I use a portable washer in an RV?
Yes, and twin tubs in particular are popular for RVs and campsites because they need less water and complete cycles quickly. Check water supply and greywater capacity before relying on one.
Why does laundry come out so wet?
Portable machines spin much more slowly than full-size ones. Less water is extracted, so drying takes considerably longer. A higher spin speed is the specification to prioritize if drying space is limited.
So what should you buy?
For most people in a flat without hookups, the Comfee 1.6 Cu. Ft. is the right size and the right level of automation, with the 0.9 Cu. Ft. version for tiny spaces and the BLACK+DECKER 0.9 if noise matters most.
If you are washing for a family without hookups, the Costway 26 lb twin tub gets through far more laundry per hour than any automatic portable, provided you are willing to move the load between tubs. With no drying space at all, the Auertech washer-dryer combo solves that problem in one appliance.
And if you have hookups and floor space, take the BLACK+DECKER 4.5 cu ft seriously. A portable machine is a workaround for a constraint — if you do not have the constraint, a full-size machine washes better and costs less to run.
Prices and availability on Amazon change frequently — check the product page for current information before buying.
