Best Portable Washing Machine · Baby Clothes & Small Loads

Best Portable Washing Machine for Baby Clothes and Small Loads

For baby clothes, socks and other small loads between big washes, a mini washer with a spin basket is the easiest fit: our top pick is the COSTWAY 5.5 lb. It sits on a counter or closet shelf and runs a quick wash in minutes. A mini washer is not a replacement for your main washer for cloth diapers, though: diaper brands call for full-size, hot, heavy-duty routines.

Small mini washer on a bathroom counter next to a stack of folded pastel baby clothes and tiny socks

Our top 3

Top picks at a glance

Best for baby clothes#1
COSTWAY 5.5 lb Mini Washer washer

COSTWAY 5.5 lb Mini Washer

Budget price range

A 5.5 lb electric mini with a removable spin basket and quick, standard and deep wash settings.

See specs ›
Best foldable#2
GRINCHAT Foldable Mini Washer washer

GRINCHAT Foldable Mini Washer

Budget price range

NBC Select’s best budget pick: a 3.5 lb collapsible tub for a few small items.

See specs ›
Best non-electric#3
The Laundry Alternative WonderWash washer

The Laundry Alternative WonderWash

Budget price range

A hand-crank washer for delicates and small loads, about 2 gallons of water each.

See specs ›

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 baby clothes#1

COSTWAY 5.5 lb Mini Washer

A countertop-size washer for small, frequent loads: baby clothes, underwear, socks, gym wear and scrubs. COSTWAY rates it at 5.5 lb, with a removable spin basket that goes in the same tub after washing.

Why it stands out

  • About 11 lb and 14 by 15 by 20 inches, small enough for a closet shelf.
  • 170 W motor and quick, standard and deep wash settings (6, 9 and 12+ minutes).
  • Gravity drain hose built in; 365-day warranty.
TypeMini, with removable spin basket
Capacity (brand)5.5 lb
Weight11 lb
Fill & drainFaucet hose; gravity drain hose
Hot waterBrand gives no temperature limit

Good fit if

  • You wash a few small items every day or two.
  • You want something electric that fits on a counter or in a dorm-sized space.

Skip it if

  • You need to wash towels, jeans or sheets.
  • You want a separate spin tub that runs while you wash.
Best foldable#2

GRINCHAT Foldable Mini Washer

A foldable silicone bucket washer for a handful of small items, which collapses flat to store. NBC Select named it its best budget pick and was clear about the limits: it is not for larger clothes, and it has no spin basket.

Why it stands out

  • About 3.5 lb and folds down, so it fits in a drawer or suitcase.
  • 11-liter tub for socks, underwear and baby clothes.
  • 1-year warranty.
TypeFoldable mini bucket washer
Capacity (brand)11 L tub, small items
Weight3.5 lb
Fill & drainFill by hand
Hot waterNot stated by the brand

Good fit if

  • You want to wash a few small things in a dorm, hotel or RV without hand washing.

Skip it if

  • You want clothes spun damp-dry.
  • You wash anything bigger than a few small items.
Best non-electric#3

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.

Also worth a look

BLACK+DECKER 0.9 cu ft Portable Washer

The smallest fully automatic washer here, and the one HGTV named its best overall portable washer. At 0.9 cu ft and a brand-rated 6.6 lb, it suits one person doing small, frequent loads in cold water, and it is light enough (44.1 lb by the brand’s figure) to roll into a closet.

Why it stands out

  • Five presets (Heavy, Gentle, Normal, Rapid, Soak) plus custom wash, rinse and spin times.
  • Quick-connect adapter for a single kitchen faucet is in the box; the manual covers both inside- and outside-threaded faucets.
  • HGTV puts it at about 300 watts, low enough that it calls the washer generator-friendly.
TypeFully automatic, top load
Capacity (brand)0.9 cu ft, 6.6 lb
Weight44.1 lb (brand)
Fill & drainQuick-connect sink adapter; drains to a 32–39 in sink or standpipe
Hot waterCold water only

Good fit if

  • You live alone in a studio, dorm-style room or small apartment.
  • You are happy washing in cold water: the manual says to operate it with cold water only.
  • Your sink or tub edge sits 32–39 inches high, the drain height the manual asks for.

Skip it if

  • You wash towels or bedding for a family. NBC Select listed it as the smallest of its picks.
  • You want hot or warm washes.
  • You need an RV washer: BLACK+DECKER’s larger models’ manuals say they are not designed for RVs.

Daily small loads?

A mini washer saves running a full drum for a few onesies and socks. Keep heavy washes for your main machine.

Read buyer reviews ›

Tips

Three things that make the difference

01

Wash new clothes first

The AAP’s HealthyChildren.org says it is generally a good idea to wash all clothes before use, and that many parents simply wash baby clothes with the family’s laundry.

02

Go fragrance-free if skin reacts

HealthyChildren.org suggests a milder or fragrance-free detergent if your baby shows signs of skin irritation, and says soap flakes, unlike detergents, can strip flame retardance from sleepwear.

03

Mind the water temperature

Small washers set limits: Danby and Magic Clean say water at 122°F or hotter can deform plastic parts.

Honest note

We found no diaper brand or pediatric source saying a mini washer can handle a full cloth-diaper routine. Kanga Care’s guide calls for a cold prewash, then a hot Heavy or Bulky wash with extra rinses, and Thirsties says low-water washers may not clean diapers thoroughly.

FAQ

Questions people ask

What is the best mini washer for baby clothes?

Our pick is the COSTWAY 5.5 lb mini: it is electric, has a removable spin basket and fits on a counter. For the smallest space, the foldable GRINCHAT collapses flat but has no spin.

Should I wash baby clothes separately?

Not necessarily. HealthyChildren.org says many parents simply wash baby clothes with the family’s laundry, and suggests a milder detergent only if the baby’s skin reacts.

Can a mini washer wash cloth diapers?

We found no source saying it can do a full routine. Cloth diaper brands call for heavy-duty, hot washes with extra rinses; Kanga Care also gives a hand-wash method with a bucket and plunger.

How much fits in a 5.5 lb mini washer?

About one outfit plus small items, or a day or two of baby clothes. Keep towels, jeans and sheets for a bigger machine.

Do mini washers spin?

Some do. The COSTWAY 5.5 lb has a removable spin basket; the GRINCHAT foldable has none, so clothes come out wet.

Can I use a mini washer in a dorm or hotel?

Check the rules first. Rutgers lists washing machines among prohibited residence-hall items. A foldable mini is easy to store if your housing allows it.

Small loads, done in minutes

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