Washing your clothes while on the road doesn’t have to be a chore. With a portable washing machine, you can avoid the hassle and expense of going to a laundromat.
Portable washers come in a variety of shapes, sizes and power options. But all models operate on the same principle of using an inlet hose for water and an outflow hose for draining.
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Considerations for Travelers
A Portable Washing Machine is a handy way to keep up with laundry in tiny homes, RVs, and other tight spaces that can’t accommodate large, full-sized machines. These mini washers are usually big enough to handle small to medium loads, like bath towels, bedding, workout wear, and underwear.
Electric portable washers work in a similar way to traditional machines, only they don’t require permanent hookups to water lines; you simply fill and drain them using a hose or faucet attachment. Having one of these handy laundry machines is an excellent investment for anyone who spends lots of time away from home. They can eliminate the need to stop at laundromats and save money over the long haul.
Size and Capacity
There’s nothing worse than forgetting to put the drainage hose in the sink and having sudsy water jettison all over your floor—not only is it frustrating but also likely to get you kicked out of your apartment. This is why many landlords don’t allow tenants to have portable washing machine.
The top-loading design makes it easy to load and unload your laundry, and the washer’s 1.6 cubic foot capacity allows you to wash more clothes or towels in each cycle than with a sink-based model. The machine offers six wash cycles, and you can choose your desired water settings.
This machine is lightweight and portable, and it has wheels for easy movement. It can fit in most RVs, tents, and tiny homes, as well as dorm rooms and apartments.
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Power Options
Portable Washing Machine uses a significant amount of water and electricity. If you’re attempting to reduce your travel footprint, consider choosing an option that uses less electricity and less water than traditional washing machines.
A portable washer that comes with a delay start function can help you save money by delaying the start of the cycle. This can help prevent your laundry from using up all of your available hot water or consuming excess energy while you’re away from the machine.
Electric portable washing machines plug directly into a power outlet and operate similarly to full-sized washers. They’re ideal for travelers who want to avoid paying for laundromats or those who live in a dorm room or other small space with limited access to utilities.
Portability
Portable washing machines are designed to be used on the go and don’t require hooking up to permanent hot and cold water hoses. Most models come on wheels so you can easily move them to a sink when it’s time to wash clothes.
Look for a model that has a quick-connect faucet adapter, like the Black+Decker BPWM09W Portable Washing Machine, so you can use it with your existing bathroom or kitchen faucet without a separate hose. This feature makes it even easier to set up your machine and get started.
While this portable washer doesn’t have the capacity of our top pick, it still has a large drum that can accommodate a full load of laundry. It also offers more cycle selections and options than many other compact electric washers.
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Compactness
If you’re tent camping or glamping, for instance, a portable washing machine might help you keep up with your laundry without having to visit a laundromat. These mini machines are typically big enough to handle small t0 medium loads of clothing and bedding. They’re also compact enough to easily fit in tight spaces, and most of our top picks have wheels for easy movability.
Our budget pick, the WonderWash, is especially affordable and requires no power or tap connection. Its small capacity means that you’ll likely need to wash several smaller loads of laundry per trip, however. And it’s not as fast as a larger, electric portable washer.
Washing Programs and Features
A Portable Washing Machine offers a convenient way to wash your clothes on the road. It works by attaching to a faucet using a hose and uses less water and electricity than a standard washing machine.
Look for models with a viewing window so you can check on your laundry throughout a cycle. Some portable washers also include a start delay button to let you decide when the machine should begin.
Choose a model that has a quick-connect faucet adapter for easy hookup to your RV or campsite sink. This is a feature that many of our top picks include. It allows you to skip the step of filling and emptying the washer’s tub, which saves time.
