Best Portable Washing Machine · Camping & Travel

Best Portable Washing Machine for Camping and Travel

For camping, vans and travel, use a washer that needs no electricity: our top pick is the WonderWash, a hand-crank washer that takes about 2 gallons of water per load. For hands-free washing with a spin, the foot-pedal Yirego Drumi costs more; for a backpack, the 5.3-ounce Scrubba bag rolls up small. Wherever you wash, keep soapy water well away from lakes and streams.

Hand-crank drum washer on a picnic table at a forest campsite, clothes drying on a line between trees

Our top 3

Top picks at a glance

Best for camping#1
The Laundry Alternative WonderWash washer

The Laundry Alternative WonderWash

Budget price range

No power, about 2 gallons of water, and a 1–2 minute crank per load.

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Best hands-free#2
Yirego Drumi Foot-Powered Washer washer

Yirego Drumi Foot-Powered Washer

Mid-range price range

Foot-pedal washing with a spin step, up to about 4.4 lb by the brand.

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Best for travel#3
Scrubba Wash Bag washer

Scrubba Wash Bag

Budget price range

A 5.3-ounce wash bag for a day’s clothes in a hotel room or tent.

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In detail

Who each one suits

Specifications and capacities are each brand’s own; awards are credited to the publishers that gave them. We did not test these machines ourselves.

Best for camping#1

The Laundry Alternative WonderWash

A hand-crank washer that needs no electricity and no plumbing. You add about 2 gallons of water, clothes and a little detergent, seal the lid and turn the crank for one to two minutes. HGTV named it its best budget manual washer, and Apartment Therapy’s reviewer liked it for small loads.

Why it stands out

  • No outlet, no faucet hookup, no pump, and about 5.7 lb.
  • Uses about 2 gallons of water per load, by the brand’s figure.
  • The Laundry Alternative backs it with a 3-year warranty.
TypeHand-crank, no electricity
Capacity (brand)5 lb dry weight
Weight5.7 lb
Fill & drainFill by hand (about 2 gal); drain spout
Hot waterCold or warm water (brand)

Good fit if

  • You camp, live in a van or tiny space, or face power cuts.
  • You wash light clothes and delicates in small loads.

Skip it if

  • You have limited grip or shoulder strength: BestReviews notes it takes time and effort.
  • You want clothes spun: there is no spin, so they come out wet unless you add a spin dryer.
  • You wash thick towels or bedding.

Pair it with a spin dryer such as the Ninja if you want clothes close to dry in minutes.

Best hands-free#2

Yirego Drumi Foot-Powered Washer

A foot-pedal washer that washes and spins without electricity. Yirego says it handles up to about 4.4 lb in 5–10 minutes with about 10 liters of water; HGTV named it its best manual washer.

Why it stands out

  • Washes and spins in the same drum, so clothes come out less wet than from a hand-crank washer.
  • Foot-powered, which leaves your hands free.
  • Drains through a tube at the back.
TypeFoot-pedal, no electricity
Capacity (brand)Up to 4.4 lb (brand)
WeightNot stated
Fill & drainFill by bucket or hose; drain tube
Hot waterNot stated by the brand

Good fit if

  • You want off-grid washing with a spin step and can pay a mid-range price.
  • You wash small loads of gym clothes or delicates.

Skip it if

  • You are on a budget: the WonderWash costs far less.
  • You wash more than a few pounds at a time.

Some buyer reviews on the brand’s own page report bearing or rust problems after months of use.

Best for travel#3

Scrubba Wash Bag

A 5.3-ounce roll-top bag with a flexible washboard inside. You add a little water and detergent, seal it, and rub the clothes against the nodules. Scrubba says one load is about two T-shirts, two pairs of socks and two pairs of underwear.

Why it stands out

  • Folds down to the size of a small water bottle and weighs about 150 g.
  • Uses 1–3 gallons of water, by Scrubba’s figures.
  • HGTV named it its best travel washer; PureWow picked it for camping and travel.
TypeHand wash bag for travel
Capacity (brand)2 tees, 2 socks, 2 underwear
Weight5.3 oz
Fill & drainFill by hand; 1–3 gal
Hot waterNot stated by the brand

Good fit if

  • You travel carry-on only, backpack or camp.
  • You wash one outfit at a time.

Skip it if

  • You want to wash at home: it is a travel tool.
  • You wash bulky sweaters or towels.
Also worth a look

Laundry Alternative Ninja Spin Dryer

A standalone spin dryer that removes water by spinning at 3,200 RPM, with no heat and no vent. The Laundry Alternative says it removes up to 90% of moisture in about 3 minutes and holds up to 22 lb of wet clothes.

Why it stands out

  • Plugs into a regular outlet; no vent hose, no heat.
  • Turns hand-washed or WonderWash clothes from dripping to damp in minutes.
  • 3-year warranty from the brand.
TypeSpin dryer, no heat
Capacity (brand)Up to 22 lb wet clothes
Weight19.7 lb
Fill & drainDrains through a spout into a tub, sink or bucket
Hot waterNot applicable

Good fit if

  • You hand-wash, use a manual washer or a twin tub with a small spinner.
  • You air-dry and want clothes to dry faster.

Skip it if

  • Your washer already spins well.
  • You have nowhere to drain the water that comes out.

Off the grid this weekend?

A hand-crank washer and a line between two trees cover a family camping trip. Bring biodegradable soap.

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Tips

Three things that make the difference

01

Wash 200 feet from water

Leave No Trace says to carry water 200 feet from streams or lakes, use small amounts of biodegradable soap, and scatter strained wash water broadly.

02

Follow the land rules

On National Forest land, federal rules prohibit placing anything that pollutes in or near a stream or lake. In national parks, washing clothes at public water outlets is banned except at designated spots.

03

Wring less, hang more

Manual washers do not spin much water out. Hang clothes in sun and breeze, or add a spin dryer if you have power at base camp.

Honest note

Manual washers take effort. BestReviews says the WonderWash takes time and strength to operate, and clothes come out wet because there is no spin. They suit light clothes and small loads, not heavy towels or bedding.

FAQ

Questions people ask

What is the best washing machine for camping?

Our pick is the WonderWash: it needs no power, uses about 2 gallons of water and washes a small load in one to two minutes of cranking, according to the brand. For a backpack, the Scrubba wash bag is lighter.

Is there a washing machine that does not need electricity?

Yes. Hand-crank washers like the WonderWash, foot-pedal washers like the Yirego Drumi and wash bags like the Scrubba all work without power.

How do you wash clothes while camping?

Fill a manual washer or bag with water carried away from the stream, wash with a little biodegradable soap, and scatter the strained water broadly at least 200 feet from water, as Leave No Trace advises.

How much does the Scrubba hold?

Scrubba says one load is about two T-shirts, two pairs of socks and two pairs of underwear, using roughly a gallon of water at its best working level.

Do manual washers clean as well as electric ones?

We found no side-by-side test. Scrubba claims its bag is twice as effective as hand washing, citing tests it does not name. Treat manual washers as a step up from hand washing, not a match for a machine.

How do I dry clothes when camping?

Wring gently and hang them. If you have power, a spin dryer like the Ninja removes up to 90% of moisture in minutes, according to The Laundry Alternative.

Clean clothes, no outlet required

Want the full picture? See all our best portable washing machine, compared by home type, and the FAQ on hookups, drying and care.