This portable washer is a great small space hack
Our team is dedicated to finding and telling you more about the products and deals we love. If you love them too and decide to purchase through the links below, we may receive a commission. Pricing and availability are subject to change.
While doing laundry isn’t the most exciting chore, it is one of the most important.
According to Real Simple, washing your clothes regularly is essential for staving off body odor and looking presentable as well as keeping your clothes looking new. But every clothing item really has a washing schedule of its own. For example, did you know that you should wash anything white or silk after every wear but that you can wear your skirts and jeans after about five wears before tossing them in the washer?
Good Housekeeping also shares that you don’t only need to wash your clothes, but you need to also sanitize your washer with a product like Lysol’s Laundry Sanitizer or Affresh’s Washing Machine Cleaner to ensure that your machine is clean and in proper working condition.
However, washing machines are typically one of the biggest appliances in a home so if you live in an apartment or another small space like a camper, getting that big washer dryer duo might not be in the cards for you right now. Luckily, you can bring home a portable washer and still get the job done without taking up as much space.
Portable washers (aka very small washing machines) are typically used in bathrooms or kitchens so that they can hook up to a convenient water source and then later be stored away when not in use. It’s also important to note that these machines are not dryers — but most models have a spin cycle to help get the water out of fabrics.
While there are several compact washers on the market, the Magic Chef Compact Portable Top Load Washer is one of the highest-rated models that we’ve found to date for under $200.
Shop: Magic Chef Compact Portable Top Load Washer, $190.97
Credit: Home Depot
This 0.9-cubic-foot washer is great for small spaces thanks to its petite stature and, while it’s tiny, it packs a punch. With a durable stainless steel interior, this washer has three different water level options, five different wash programs and a maximum spin speed of 680 revolutions per minute. For context, a typical washing machine can spin up to 800 RPM.
The Magic Chef washer also has an electronic signal panel and one “water supply hose and adapter is included for connection to cold water faucet.” More than 360 reviewers have given the product a five-star rating on Home Depot’s website, and one please user shared, “my clothes seem to come out cleaner. The machine is small and compact but very powerful.”
Another reviewer said that in addition to being impressed by how well it worked, it was also a high-quality looking product: “It has chrome detailing, a solid, sturdy glass top lid and looks like a legitimate, quality-made, pint-size washer.
Some users did express that the installation to get the washer set up was a bit difficult due to semi-vague instructions, but that after their first load was done, the process was simple.
While the Home Chef model was the best option that we found for under $200, if you’re looking to splurge a bit you can also find portable washers from name brands like Black + Decker and Insignia for around $250-$300.
The Insignia 5-Cycle Top-Loading Portable Washer is a bit bigger (at 1.6 cubic feet) while the Black + Decker Portable Washer is the same size and weight as the Home Chef washer but about $60 more. However, all three models are tiny and fully equipped to do the same job.
If you liked this story, you may want to read about satisfying laundry folding board.
More from In The Know:
Nadya Okamoto wants to talk about your period
Woman shares routine to flawlessly cover up acne
From beauty staples to kitchen essentials: These items are only $1
