Our Top Pick: The Best Portable Washing Machine for Most Campers
The best portable washing machine for most camping situations is the 20L Upgraded Portable Mini Washing Machine. Its collapsible design makes it easy to store in an RV or car, it uses minimal water, and its spin basket speeds up drying time. This type of mini washer is perfect for travelers who have access to an electrical outlet, whether at a campsite, in a van, or at a motel.
While electric models dominate for convenience, the best option for backpackers and off-grid adventurers is a manual one. The Scrubba Wash Bag offers a machine-quality wash without any power source. The choice between them depends entirely on your access to electricity and your need for portability.
Top Pick: 20L Upgraded Portable Mini Washing Machine
Best For: RV campers, car campers, and anyone with a power source.
This mini clothes washing machine represents a popular and effective design for portable laundry. Weighing only 3.5 pounds and folding down to a compact size (around 13 by 13 inches), it is easy to pack and store. The body is constructed from TPE and food-grade silicone, making it a durable and safe choice for washing everything from dirty hiking socks to baby clothes.
Operation is simple. You add clothes, a small amount of detergent, and water, then select a wash cycle. It offers three timer modes: 3, 5, or 10 minutes. The 3-minute cycle works well for a quick rinse of dusty items, while the 10-minute cycle provides a deeper clean for soiled clothes. The machine's internal mechanism creates a vortex that mimics hand washing, effectively removing dirt and grime.
After the wash cycle, you drain the dirty water using the attached hose. Then you can attach the included spin basket for a rinse and spin cycle. This feature is a significant advantage. While it is not a true mini washing machine and dryer, the spin function removes a substantial amount of water, drastically reducing the time clothes need to hang dry. For campers, that means getting clothes dry before nightfall or packing up. With a typical price of $50 to $70, it offers great utility for frequent travelers.
Pros:
- Excellent Portability: Folds down flat for easy storage in a vehicle or closet.
- Effective Cleaning: The wash cycles are surprisingly effective for small loads of lightly to moderately soiled clothes.
- Spin Basket Included: Greatly reduces drying time by wringing out excess water.
Cons:
- Requires Electricity: Useless for off-grid camping without a generator or power station.
- Very Small Capacity: Best for underwear, socks, t-shirts, or baby clothes, not for jeans or towels.
- Weighing only 3.5 lbs, this mini washer is compact and ultra-portable. It folds down from 12.5"×12.5"×13".
- Made of premium TPE and food-grade silicone, this portable washing machine is non-toxic and family-safe.
- Features 3 adjustable timer modes (3min/5min/10min) for flexible cleaning based on your needs. Equipped.
- Boasting a 20L large capacity, it handles multiple small garments in one cycle while operating quietly and.
Also Great: Portable Washing Machine 20L with Spin Basket
Best For: Dorm rooms and small apartments.
This portable small washer machine shares many features with our top pick, including a foldable design and a 20L model designation. According to manufacturer data, its actual internal capacity is 17L, a slight difference that is not noticeable in practical use. It is a strong contender for anyone seeking a compact laundry solution for a dorm, small apartment, or extended stay hotel.
Like other models in its class, it uses minimal water and electricity, making it an economical choice for frequent small washes. The controls are identical, with 3, 5, and 10-minute wash cycles that cater to different soil levels. This mini portable washing machine is ideal for washing delicates that you would not want to risk in a larger, more aggressive machine. The gentle washing action is effective without causing stretching or damage.
The main differentiator is often price and availability. If this model is available at a lower price point, typically in the $45 to $65 range, it provides nearly the same performance as the top-rated version. It serves as an excellent backup choice or a primary washer for a single person in a tight living space.
Pros:
- Energy Efficient: Uses very little power and water compared to full-size machines.
- Gentle on Clothes: Suitable for delicates, underwear, and other small items.
Cons:
- Limited to Small Loads: You will be running multiple cycles for more than a day's worth of clothes.
- Get a machine-quality wash in just minutes with our patented washboard-in-a-bag. Great for travel laundry.
- Weighs only 150g (5.3 oz) and folds to pocket size - the world’s smallest portable washer. Travel light.
- Add clothes, water, and laundry detergent or hand soap. No power or setup. Follow the six-steps printed on.
- Great for socks, tees, underwear, baby clothes and delicates. Use it as a dry bag or laundry bin.
Another Option: 20L Upgraded Large Capacity Foldable Washer
Best For: Washing baby clothes and delicates.
This mini mini washing machine is another variation on the popular foldable design. It also weighs just 3.5 pounds and features the same three timer modes for its semi-automatic cleaning function. The manufacturer highlights its "all-round imitation hand scrubbing" action, which suggests a design focused on a powerful yet gentle cleaning motion. This makes it a particularly good choice for families with infants who need to frequently wash small, delicate baby clothes.
The value of this portable mini clothes washer lies in its convenience. Instead of hand-washing items in a sink or waiting for a full load to run a large machine, you can quickly wash a few necessary items. For travelers, it means packing lighter, knowing you can wash essentials like socks and underwear every couple of days. The included drain hose and spin basket are standard and function as expected, simplifying the process from wash to rinse to pre-dry.
Consider this model if its marketing emphasizes features important to you, such as the specific washing motion, or if it is bundled with useful accessories. Functionally, researched from user reviews, its performance is comparable to other top foldable models.
Pros:
- Lightweight and Compact: Extremely easy to carry and store.
- Simple Operation: Intuitive controls make it easy to use right out of the box.
Cons:
- Spin Basket is Small: The spin basket can only hold a few items at a time, sometimes requiring multiple spin cycles for one wash load.
- Potential for Vibration: On an uneven surface, the spin cycle can cause the unit to vibrate significantly.
- Portable Washing Machine 20L ,Small Foldable Washer with Spin Basket, 3 Mode Deep Clean , Mini Laundry.
- Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside , this portable washer offers a generous 17L capacity.
- Designed as an efficient small washing machine, this portable model minimizes water and power usage.
- Wherever you go, this mini washing machine is the reliable laundry companion you can count on. Whether.
Best Manual Option: Scrubba Wash Bag
Best For: Backpackers, hikers, and off-grid campers.
The Scrubba Wash Bag is the smallest washing machine in the world. It is a completely different approach to portable laundry. It requires no electricity and packs down to the size of a wallet, weighing a mere 5.3 ounces. This makes it the undisputed champion for backpackers, thru-hikers, and anyone counting every ounce of gear. It is not a machine. It is a high-tech wash bag.
Inside the waterproof bag is a flexible internal washboard covered in small nodules. You add clothes (2 t-shirts or a few pairs of socks and underwear), 1 to 1.5 gallons of water, and a bit of laundry soap. Then you seal the bag, release excess air through the twist valve, and rub the clothes against the internal washboard for a few minutes. The nodules provide the agitation needed to scrub dirt from the fabric. A transparent window lets you see the cleaning progress.
After washing, you drain the soapy water, add fresh water for a rinse, and then wring the clothes out by hand. While it does not have a spin cycle, the results are impressive for a manual method. It provides a much better clean than washing in a hotel sink. At around $55, it is a brilliant piece of gear for serious adventurers who need a reliable, powerless washing solution.
Pros:
- Ultra-Portable: The lightest and most compact washing solution available.
- No Power Required: Can be used anywhere you have access to water.
- Effective Cleaning: The internal washboard provides a surprisingly deep clean.
Cons:
- Completely Manual: Requires physical effort to wash, rinse, and wring out clothes.
- Tiny Capacity: Only suitable for 1-3 small garments at a time.
How to Choose a Portable Washing Machine for Camping
Selecting the right mini washer depends on how you travel. Consider these factors before making a decision.
Electric vs. Manual
The most important decision is power source. Electric foldable washers are convenient, fast, and include a spin function to speed drying. They are perfect for RVs, car camping with powered sites, or van life setups with robust battery systems. Manual options like the Scrubba Wash Bag are for everyone else. They are essential for backpackers, tent campers, and anyone traveling where electricity is not guaranteed.
Capacity and Load Size
Do not be misled by the liter designation. A 20L model does not hold 20 liters of clothes. It refers to the total volume. In practice, these machines can handle a few pairs of socks and underwear, two t-shirts, or a collection of baby clothes per load. They cannot wash jeans, sweaters, or towels effectively. Plan on washing small loads frequently rather than large loads occasionally.
Portability and Storage
All the models reviewed here are highly portable. The electric models fold down to a height of just a few inches, making them easy to slide under a seat or into a storage compartment. The Scrubba is in a class of its own, folding small enough to fit in a pocket. Your mode of travel will determine which is a better fit. For a car, the foldable washer is fine. For a backpack, the Scrubba is the only logical choice.
The 'Spin Dry' Function
The term 'mini washing machine dryer' can be confusing. The spin basket included with electric models is not a heat dryer. It spins rapidly to extract excess water from clothes through centrifugal force, similar to the spin cycle on a full-size machine. This is a very useful feature, as it can cut air-drying time in half. Clothes will still come out damp, not dry, and will need to be hung up to finish drying completely.
For more information on outfitting your RV or campsite, see our guide on the best portable washing machines for RV living.
