Need help deciding which portable washing machine to buy? We’re here to help you find the best portable washing machine on the market today to meet your needs with our handy buyer’s guide.
Let’s dive in…
A Complete Buyer’s Guide to Portable Washing Machines
What’s A Portable Washer ?
A portable washing machine is a small appliance used for washing garments. The main difference between a portable washer and the regular washer is that the former is smaller in size and much easier to move than the latter.
As such, portable washing machines are perfect for people living in small houses or apartments where space is limited. Some have wheels and can be moved with ease from one storage area to another, like from the bathroom to the kitchen or the closet.
Keeping in mind that portable washers have a small capacity, they’re only suitable when you don’t have much space or when you’re travelling and want to take a washing machine.
How Does A Portable Mini Washing Machine Work ?
A portable washing machine normally has a wash tub and some varieties also have a separate tub for spinning and drying. Typically, there are also buttons on the machine, and sometimes even an LCD screen to help you operate the machine with ease.
Which Is The Best Portable Washing Machine To Buy In 2020 ?
What Should I Look For When Buying A Portable Washing Machine ?
If you’re planning to buy a portable washer, here are the most important features to look for to ensure you’re buying what suits you perfectly:
Size
This is obviously the most important considerations to make, as it’s what defines whether or not a machine is truly portable. A regular portable washer measures around 20 by 20 by 30 inches, and some models measure even less.
The whole idea of portability is that the machine is easy to move from place to place, so apart from the size dimensions, you also want to consider the weight.
If you want something truly portable, buy a washer that weighs less than 40 pounds. Such a machine is easy to move from one spot to the other within the house and when it comes to travelling, it will give you little to no trouble when loading it onto the car or truck.
How Many dB Is A Quiet Washing Machine ?
A particularly quiet model, is a machine that’s below 50 dB. 40 to 80 dB is the average for most washing machines.
What Brand Of Portable Washing Machine Is The Quietest ?
Our reviews of the 20 best portable washing machine in 2019 shows the :
- Haier HLP21N 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer.
As the quietest washing machine reviewed by us.
How to Use a Portable Washing Machine
Using a portable washing machine is very easy. You just use the inlet pipe to add water from your sink to the wash tub and clean little loads of garments at a time, draining the dirty water through a separate pipe.
As the operation might differ a bit between different machines, it’s always good to read your washing machine manual first.
Let’s look at the general process of using a portable washer.
Load the Washer using These Steps:
Add Your Clothes
As you’re using a compact washer, you will have to wash small loads at a time. Most compact machines can hardly hold a load of more than ten pounds, but once again, your manual should have the exact figure. We recommend subtracting a pound or two from the recommended weight to achieve the best results. So, if the manual says 9 pounds, put in 7 pounds.
When loading the laundry, it’s always a good idea to separate the clothes by fabric type and color to avoid staining or scratching. With portable machines, liquid detergents tend to perform the best. Feel free to add a fabric softener.
Connect the Inlet Pipe
Washing machines typically have both an inlet and drainage pipe. Take the inlet pipe and hook it up to your sink faucet. Turn on the water and fill water up to the suitable level. Most of the time, there will be a mark in the wash tub indicating the maximum level of water that can be added.
Also, bear in mind the temperature of the water you’re using. For instance, brightly-colored clothes should be washed with cold water.
Connect the Power and Start Washing
Once you’ve added the clothing and filled the water, it’s time to plug in the machine, hoping you’ve placed the washing machine in a spot where its cable can reach the power source.
Hint: use an extension socket if the wall outlet is too far. But, note that some portable washers don’t work very well with extension sockets.
Turn on the machine and start washing. There should be a timer on the machine that you can use to set the wash cycle and generally, the more heavily soiled your load is, the longer the cycle needs to be.
Drain the Water
When the wash cycle is complete, drain the dirty water using the instructions on your manual. With some machines, all you have to do is press a button and the water will be drained. Of course, before pressing the button, you want the drainage hose to be in the sink to avoid flooding the floor.
Rinse the Load
This step may or may not be necessary depending on your machine. While some machines require a rinse cycle, others are designed such that you can just dry the clothes directly after washing.
If you have to run a rinse cycle, be sure to drain the water afterwards.
Dry the Clothes
Some machines have a dryer built into them. If you have such a machine, all you have to do is pick the clothes from the wash tub and place them in the dryer tub, usually in lesser loads. After that, you just press the appropriate button and the clothes are dried.
If your machine doesn’t have a dryer, you have other options – you can use a separate drying machine or air dry the garments on a clothing rack or line.
With that aside, it’s time to see the differences between a portable washer and a full-size washer.
How Do Portable Washers Differ from Full-Size Washers?
If your space is limited and you need to do laundry, what you need is a compact washer as opposed to the regular, full-size washer.
As the name denotes, a portable washing machine is easy to move from one place to another, meaning its size is small as well. Here are the main differences between a portable washer and a full-size one.
How Big Is A Portable Washer ?
There are two aspects related to the size – the dimensions of the machine and the washing capacity, which is defined by the size of the wash tub.
A typical full-size washer measures around 30 by 33 by 43 inches (length, width, and height) and its capacity is normally over 20 pounds. Some large-size washers are even double that size, and their washing capacity is also much more. With some of these machines, you can wash as many as 35 towels in a go.
In contrast, a portable washing machine measures much less. For example, the Best Choice Products Portable Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine measures just 23 by 13.5 by 26 inches. Portable washers also have much smaller wash tub capacity.
The Best Choice Products Portable Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine, for instance, can only wash up to 8 pounds of clothing at a time.
We can’t talk of the size without mentioning the weight. While full-size machines may weigh over 80 pounds, most portable washers weigh less than 40 pounds and some weigh even less than 20 pounds.
How Much Does a Good Washing Machine Cost ?
Full-size washing machines are bigger and their washing capacity is much more than that of compact washers, and as such, it is to be expected that they cost more, sometimes much more.
Let’s take the Electrolux EFLS627UIW 27 Inch Front Load Washer and the Panda PAN56MGW2 Top Load Washer as our examples. The Electrolux EFLS627UIW 27 Inch Front Load Washer is a full-size washing machine with a capacity of 4.4 cubic feet and it’s currently going for around 950 USD on Amazon.
The Panda PAN56MGW2, on the other hand, has 1.6 cubic feet, which is obviously much smaller, and it’s presently going for around 239 USD.
As you can see, there’s a significant price difference between full-size and compact washers.
Perhaps we should also mention that full-size washers attract more costs in water and energy bills than small washing machines. That’s because they use considerably more water and electric energy to do laundry.
Installation
Portable washers are designed such that they can be moved easily from one point to the other, and this is made possible by their light weight and other features like the casters (on some). They, therefore, don’t need any complex installation; all you have to do is ensure the appliance is properly levelled and perhaps near a sink and a power socket.
Large-size washers, however, typically need installation and some even need to be affixed to the floor using fasteners. You also have to choose the location carefully as moving a full-size washer is not very easy due to the immense weight.
Those are the main differences between portable and full-size washers. Maybe you have heard some folks saying that full size washers clean better than portable ones but we’d like you to know that’s not very accurate.
Actually, the performance of a washing machine depends on a few aspects, mainly the features.
Who Would Get the Most Use Out of a Portable Washer ?
Wondering if a portable washer suits you? Here are the sorts of people who would benefit most from the appliance.
Those Dwelling in a Mobile Home
With a mobile home, you probably have a washer hookup. The major problem here is space. A compact washer is small and it takes just a little space and furthermore, when you’re not using it, you can just store it in the hall closet.
Those living in an Apartment
If you live in an apartment, chances are that you don’t have a washer hookup.
The potion you’re left with is to use the common washer, which has to be loaded with coins, normally charging between one and three dollars per load. The charge is not very economical but that’s not even the real problem. Here’s the deal – do you know who has used the machine before or what they’ve washed in there?
That’s why you need your own portable washing machine.
Families with Little Kids
If you have little kids, you’ll agree that there are many times when you deal with unexpected messes and that you have to do laundry frequently. It’s likely that the sort of laundry you have to do often involves small loads of clothes, and therefore, we’d suggest using a small washer as opposed to the regular big washer.
Why? It is more economical as you’ll use far less water and electric energy.
Those Who Move Frequently
Maybe the nature of your job requires you to move a few times in the year or you just love a nomad life. In both cases, a portable washer would help a lot, as it’s easy to move and load onto the truck; just like moving a small refrigerator.
Moreover, there’s almost 100 percent certainty that the little washer will fit into any house or apartment.
Those Who want to Save Money on Water and Energy
If you’re using a full-size washing machine and the water and energy bills are straining your finances, it’s probably time to try a portable washer.
Although you’ll likely use more time to clean a big load, as a little washer cleans small bits at a time, you’re likely to note a significant reduction in the bills, even as far as half the former bills.
College Students
It’s almost impossible to fit a full-size washer into the dorm, as the space is already squeezed. Then again, having to lug your laundry to your parents’ house now and then or to the laundromat isn’t always convenient. Hence, getting a small washing machine would be a great idea.
With it, you get to save money and clean your garments inside the campus.
Which is Better Top Loading or Front ?
Is it a front loading or top loading machine? A top loading machine is obviously easier to operate as you don’t have to slouch each time you load the clothes, but it typically consumes more energy than a front loading one.
The difference in power consumption is miniature so we’d encourage you to get a good top-loading washer for the ease of operation.
Capacity
Portable washers come in varying sizes so you’ll want to consider your needs. While some compact washers have a wash tub capacity of as few as 5 pounds, others can wash a load of up to 13 pounds.
Those with lesser capacities are less expensive, costing less than 100 dollars, and they’re also more portable.
Benefits of Using a Portable Washing Machine
Wondering what makes a portable washing machine handy? Looking for reasons good enough to get it? Well, here are the main advantages of the portable washers.
They Are Portable
This is apparently the main benefit of a portable washer. Unlike a full-size washer, it can be moved from place to place. Due to its small size, and of course the little weight, which seldom exceeds 40 pounds, the portable washer is easy to lift and move around in the house.
Some compact washers have casters, making the movement even easier.
They Don’t Need Much Space
The next benefit of the portable washers is that they’re compact, and thus don’t require much space either for operation or storage.
A good portable washer can fit under the cabinet comfortably, and thus you don’t need to worry about where you’re going to store it. You can also keep it in a corner in your kitchen without worrying about it getting in the way as it’s only a small appliance.
They Don’t Consume Much Power or Water
Full-size washers are some of the biggest power and water consumers but a portable washer is much different. As a matter of fact, a portable washer can use as little as quarter the energy and water that a large-size washer uses.
They’re Easy to Operate
The best portable washers are designed with features such as an LED screen and buttons to make configuration super easy for you.
Some even have buttons for choosing different water levels and wash cycles to make it possible for you to perform the wash just the way you want it.
What Styles of Portable Washing Machines Are Available ?
The style of a portable washer is normally defined by two aspects:
• The type of loading
• The style of washing
The Type of Loading
Based on the type of loading, there are two different styles of washing machines – top loading and front loading. Top loading washers have their wash tub opening at the top side, and they’re really simple to operate as the user doesn’t have to slouch to load their laundry.
Front loading washers have their wash tub opening on the front face and while they’re not as easy to use as the top loading washers, they typically consume less power.
The Style Of Washing – Is An Agitator Or Impeller Better ?
Based on the washing style, there are also two styles of washers – agitators and impeller (pulsators).
Agitators have a stick (or two) within the wash tub, which is called the agitator. The agitator oscillates back and forth within the tub, mixing the clothes thoroughly with the water and detergent to remove the dirt. While the agitators are very effective and achieve a super clean washer more quickly, their action is forceful and may damage soft fabrics and sensitive garments.
Pulsators have a rotating plate at the bottom and although these washers don’t have as much washing power as the agitators, they’re gentler and thus more suitable for soft fabrics and sensitive garments.
How Do You Clean A Portable Washing Machine ?
Ever peeped inside your portable washer? Maybe you haven’t but keep this in mind – it’s a washer and its work is removing dirt from your clothes. While most of the dirt is dispelled through the drain, some of it remains in the washer, mostly stuck onto the wash tub’s wall.
If that soap and dirt filth is left in there, it will slowly reduce your machine’s washing capability, until the washer eventually becomes useless.
Choose a Cleaning Product
You can use bleach or vinegar; either of these will clean the wash tub’s interiors, efficiently removing the stuck soap scum and the dirt. If the filth is a lot, you’d better off be using bleach as it’s more effective. Vinegar is more suitable for those who love natural solutions.
Run the Wash Cycle
Here, you’re not placing clothes in there but rather running the wash cycle with the cleaning product and water.
First, empty the washer and run hot water into the wash tub, to the level that it is just full. After that, switch on the washer and let it run with just water.
After a few moments, perhaps a minute or two, put the cycle on pause and add the bleach of vinegar. Note, you shouldn’t use both products but just one of them.
Resume the cycle and let it run to completion.
When the cycle is finished, the grime should all be gone but if there’s still some, repeat the process.
This process should remove most of the filth but you may need to use your hands if there are stubborn stains.
To do that, mix three cups of vinegar with some hot water in a container and use a towel and the mixture to scrub the wash tub.
These Tips Will Help You Keep Your Washer Clean For Longer:
When you’re done washing the clothes, drain the dirt water immediately and run the washer with hot water for 20 seconds to rinse out any remaining filth.
Leave the lid open after every wash. This will help the water inside to evaporate and ensure there’s no dampness in there.
How Easy Is It to Move a Portable Washing Machine
A washing machine’s portability is determined by its size and weight. Most portable washing machines weigh under 40 pounds and their size is typically around 20 by 20 by 30 inches. This means it’s easy to move a portable washer from place to place.
And on top of that, some portable washers have wheels, boosting the portability even further.
How Much Does a Good Portable Washing Machine Cost ?
A regular small washer goes for around a hundred bucks, and some models cost much lower than that. That’s definitely very affordable compared to the large-size washing machines, which typically cost over 600 USD.
The best place to find compact washers at competitive prices is here…
How Much Water Does a Portable Washing Machine Use ?
If you’re using a non-portable washer, that means you’re spending between 30 and 40 gallons of water per day. The charge per 10 gallons is around 3 cents in the US. If you’re using 40 gallons, that means you’re going to pay 12 cents per day, and if you’re doing 20 washes in a month, it means you’ll pay 2.40 dollars at the end of the month.
A portable washer uses 10 to 15 gallons per wash. If you use 15 gallons per wash and do 30 washes per month, you’re going to spend 450 gallons at the end of the month and dividing that by 10 and multiplying it by 3, the bill will be 1.35 dollars at the end of the month.
That’s proof that a portable washer doesn’t increase your water bill but rather reduces it. The difference might seem small but for those using more water, it can be quite significant.
Final Word
A portable washer is definitely one of the handiest devices you can have if you’re living alone or in a small family especially one with little kids. It’s can also be very useful if you’re living in a small house or apartment as it doesn’t consume much space. And if you’re planning to go camping or on a trip, a compact washer will be very appropriate as it’s lightweight and easy to move.
See if you can get a good portable washer that fits you here, by checking out our best portable washing machines in 2019.
Happy washing!