Camping in the great outdoors is one of the best ways you can spend some quality time with your friends, and family, or even alone in the company of Mother Nature.
If you’re planning on spending some time away from the comforts of home, then you’re going to need portable options such as cooler boxes to replace your home fridge, a generator for electricity, and lastly, a portable washing machine to replace the high-tech, full-size electric one that you’ve got at home.
Portable washing machines are crafty little devices, taking up less than half the space of conventional washing machines and doing just as good a job as their full-size counterparts.
They’re also relatively cheaper and solve many dirty laundry problems as you go off-road for a few days or even weeks.
Our top 3 portable washing machine picks
This is a perfect-sized portable washing machine for the solo or couple traveler. Plus, it requires no electricity, meaning you won’t have to think about having to hook it up to a power source when you’re on the road.
- TACKLIFE 17.6lbs Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine
RV warriors will love the heavy-duty washing quality and the large capacity of this portable washing machine. However, it is important to note that this will most probably not suit any traveling party for less than five people, as it is quite large for a portable washing machine.
The TG23 Twin Tub Portable Washing Machine is a suitable middle ground between the large capacity of the TACKLIFE and the minimal capacity of the Laundry Alternative Wonderwash. With useful features and automatic, easy-to-use functions, this comes highly recommended.
Best portable clothes washing machine for camping
Here is a list of the best-rated portable clothes washing machines on Amazon that are suitable for keeping your laundry fresh and clean while you’re out camping or off-roading.
1. SUPER DEAL Portable Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine
If you need a compact, portable washing machine that can handle both washing and spinning together, the SUPER DEAL Portable Compact Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine could be just the thing for you.
It features powerful performance, with a 1300RPM motor that runs at a max frequency of 60Hz.
The rotary controls are straightforward and easy to use, and the washer holds 8lbs, while the spinner holds 5lbs of laundry.
You can also watch your clothes while they are happy being cleaned through the translucent tub container window on the top of this unit that gives you simple, space-saving, and effective garment washing.
2. Portable Washing Machine TG23 Twin Tub
This portable washing machine features two tubs – one for washing and one for spinning. The washing tub capacity is 7.9lbs, while the spinning tub is 4.4lbs.
The compact and lightweight design complements small spaces such as the inside of caravans or RVs, or even a truck. There is no plumbing required, and all you need is a source of water and a drainage area for the residue.
It is simple to operate – simply add your clothes, water, and detergent, and rinse them through, then use the spin cycle before hanging up your laundry to dry. The included lint filter will float on the washing water and collects any kind of debris from your dirty clothes for maximum cleaning.
3. COSTWAY Mini Washing Machine with Spin Dryer
The COSTWAY Mini Washing Machine isn’t called a “mini” for nothing – it is very compact, making it great for not only for camping but for dorms, studio apartments, tiny homes, and other applications where limited space is an issue.
It features a 5.5lbs washing capacity, and 1.1lbs spin-dry capacity, and it operates on 170W rated washing power and 120W spin-drying power.
The parts on the COSTWAY Mini Washing Machine are easy to understand and put together, meaning that anyone can use it. The easy-open handle makes for simple operation wherever you use it.
4. Giantex Full-Automatic Washing Machine Portable
If you’re considering a portable washing machine that is a little bigger, this Giantex unit might just be what you’re looking for.
It is significantly bigger than the other ones on this list. In saying that, however, it features a relatively large 9.92lbs load capacity – which is certainly enough for an entire family on the road.
It has a full-sized automatic washing machine look and feels, with a stainless steel liner tub, an inbuilt drain pump with automatic drainage, and an LED display with ten pre-programmed wash cycle buttons to give you a fully automatic washing experience – all in a compact package.
5. TACKLIFE 17.6lbs Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine
This portable washing machine is great for RV trips for those with large families or those traveling with a big entourage.
It has a wash capacity of 11lbs and a spin capacity of 6.6lbs, making it the biggest one on this list. It is constructed out of robust plastic, which doesn’t rust, and the powerful, long-lasting motor gives it 300W of washing power and 100W of spinning power.
The precise timer control lets you choose the wash and spin times separately for maximum usability.
6. The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Retro Colors
This is the basic, bare-bones solution to getting your dirty laundry effectively cleaned when you don’t have any access to electricity while on the road.
The fully manual operation features a hand-crank unit that washes a maximum load of 5lbs, and it easily cleans and drains in a matter of minutes.
The super compact size makes it ideal for small, frequent loads and delicates such as woolens, silks, knitted dresses, and cashmere garments.
It uses less water than hand washing and comes with a 3-year warranty for your peace of mind.
Manual vs. electric-powered washing machines
Unlike electric-powered washing machines, manual washing machines require you to assemble parts together and use a little mechanical logic to understand what each part of the machine does.
There are usually three main parts to a manual washing machine – the containment section, the drainage section, and the agitator section.
The containment section holds all your clothes and soapy water inside it, while the drainage section drains out the residue water after your clothes have been washed, and the agitator section comprises some type of spinning mechanism to mix and rigorously wash your clothes in a similar fashion to an electric-powered washing machine.
The agitator section may be a hand crank or a foot pedal. On the more basic models of portable washing machines, you’ll find that the entire mechanism features nothing more than a bucket and a plunger.
