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From small apartments to #vanlife, these pint-sized powerhouses keep your clothes so fresh and so clean.

For decades, laundering clothes at home was only possible for those with spaces big enough to accommodate standard washers and dryers. Thankfully, things have changed, and now living in a small apartment—or even on the road—doesn’t bar you from having freshly laundered clothes right at home. There are now tons of affordable and effective portable washing machines on the market, many of which offer the same bells and whistles as regular washing machines, just on a much smaller scale.

Portable washing machines are the ideal solution for homes without an official laundry room, including small apartments, tiny homes, boats, and RVs. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve put together our top picks, along with a short buying guide to help you choose the best portable washing machine for your space, budget, and lifestyle.

Although portable washing machines tend to have widely varying features, they generally fall into two basic categories: manual and electric. Both have distinct advantages, depending on your situation.

Manual portable washing machines are the most eco-friendly choice since they’re powered by human labor rather than outside energy sources. They’re usually the most budget-friendly options and the best fit for off-the-grid lifestyles or places where power outlets aren’t consistently available. Unfortunately, they usually involve foot pedals or hand cranks, which may make them more difficult for some individuals with disabilities or dexterity concerns. They also tend to be smaller than electric models, which is great for portability for mobile lifestyles, but means you’ll have to do your laundry in small batches.

Electric portable washing machines run the gamut when it comes to price, but many of the more expensive models perform as well as traditional washing machines and have many of the same features. If you’re looking for the best portable washing machine for an apartment, electric units are usually an excellent choice since they’re the easiest to use.

With the exception of having to be hooked up to a sink, most function just like a regular washing machine, right down to the LED screens. Bear in mind that “portable” is relative; electric portables can stand three feet tall and weigh as much as 100 pounds, although there are smaller and lighter options available, too.

The largest unit we've listed holds about half as much laundry as a conventional full-size unit. Some of the smallest portables are only large enough for a few garments at a time. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t rate capacity in a uniform way: Some use volume, others list by weight. What’s best for you comes down to your living situation. If you have the space to store a larger unit, you’ll rarely regret it.

The number of small washing machines on the market has proliferated in recent years, and to narrow down the selections for this piece, we surveyed the market, consulted expert reviews, and studied consumer feedback. We also made it a priority to select portable washing machines for different budgets, lifestyles, and living spaces to ensure this guide was as inclusive as possible.

It’s hard to go wrong with the GE 2.8-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer. This electric unit is a real winner when it comes to ease of use. It’s a snap to connect to your kitchen or bathroom sink, and its one-touch controls allow you to pick between four different temperatures and eight wash cycle options to accommodate various fabrics.

The capacity is about half of what you’d get with a full-size washing machine, which is generous for a portable model and makes it ideal for large families or anyone who needs to wash a lot of clothes. It also has load sensors to save water when washing smaller loads.

The unit is a hefty 100 pounds, but its caster wheels make it easy to zip the machine back and forth from your sink to where you store it.

The Yirego Drumi Portable Washing Machine is manually operated, but unlike many other models in this category, it operates via a foot pedal, which many users found less labor-intensive than crank models.

This unit is made from stainless steel, aluminum, and thick ASA plastic (a tough and durable ABS alternative that’s widely used in the automotive industry). Despite the use of these durable materials, some users note that the machine's springs failed within the first few months of use.

A full cycle in this machine takes about 10 minutes, alternating between filling with water, working the foot pedals, draining the unit, refilling with clean water, and repeating the process. The drum is removable, so you can give it a good rinse to make sure it’s clean for your next batch.

The unit is portable enough to use in an RV or boat, and while—at $399—it’s more expensive than your average manual portable washing machine, the quality of the unit and ease of operation justify the price.

If you’re looking for the convenience and modern features that come with an electric washing machine but don’t want to invest a ton of money because you’re in a rental unit or other potentially non-permanent space, the Black+Decker Portable Washing Machine is a solid choice.

This machine comes in three sizes for different space considerations, laundry needs, and budgets. The middle option, at 1.6 cubic feet of capacity, has six different cycles to choose from. It lacks load sensors, but the water level can be adjusted with the touch of a button for small, medium, or large loads. This unit weighs about 70 pounds, but built-in side handles and rollers make it easy to move around.

The Laundry Alternative Wonderwash Non-Electric Compact takes the prize when it comes to portability and affordability. It measures 12 x 16 x 12 inches and weighs just 5 pounds, so it’s easy to take with you on camping trips, or just about anywhere else you may travel.

The retro design is fun and fitting for a hand-crank model. The hand-crank also means you’ll get a bit of a workout when you use it, which is either a deterrent or a benefit, depending on your situation and perspective. Luckily, most batches of laundry are done in one to two minutes, although it's better to rinse, refill, and repeat the process to truly get your clothes clean.

Some users have reported leakage when using extremely hot water, so for that reason, we recommend you use cold or warm water only for this unit.

The Super Deal Portable Compact Washing Machine gives you the easy functionality and benefits of an electric model combined with lightweight portability. It doesn’t have wheels, but at 22 pounds, it’s reasonable to lift and carry from place to place.

There are only standard and soft cycles, but you can select wash and spin timing via the dial adjusters. The body is made of blue-tinted, translucent, high-density plastic so you can watch the machine at work. Since this portable washing machine comes with two tubs, you can put in a new load of laundry when you transfer the first load into the second tub for the spin cycle. Both sides can also be used together for larger single loads.

If money is no object, this Whirlpool model is hard to beat. There are five different temperature settings for wash and rinse, and you can customize your wash by adding or reducing the time on any of the six wash cycles. There are separate dispensers for bleach, detergent, and fabric softener, just like you’d find on high-end full-size models, and the stainless steel drum was designed not to snag delicate clothing.

Its caster wheels make it easy to position near your sink, but it can also be converted with leveling feet for a more permanent installation if you have enough space. Considering its high price, this nifty model is best suited to households looking for a long-term laundry solution.

If you’re looking for a portable washing machine with settings galore for different fabrics, this Giantex Full-Automatic Washing Machine has you covered, with a 1.34-cubic-foot load capacity, 10 different wash settings, and eight different water-level settings. Luckily, the LED display makes the various settings easy to identify and use, and this model is easily connected to your sink. This machine automatically adjusts for load imbalances during spin cycles—a nice touch if you leave it unattended.

The downside of this unit is that it doesn’t come with wheels, which can make it cumbersome to move if you don’t have a permanent place for it. However you can always put it on top of a roller dolly to make it easier to move back and forth from a storage space.

If you want to wash and dry your clothes in one fell swoop, this is the gadget for you! This compact machine features twin-tub design, and it is easy to operate.

The washing machine in this model does have about twice the capacity as the dryer, so you may have to go through two drying cycles for a single wash load. This machine is light and small enough to move around as needed. Plus, it features a 15-minute timer and 5-minute spin timer per load, and you can choose to add or subtract time as needed.

If you have a small space, but want the convenience of a standard washing machine, this is a great option. This Magic Chef washer includes all of the standard features of a regular washer, including a see-through window, electronic controls, LED display, stainless steel inner tub, detergent dispenser, and two rear water inlets. It is portable, but isn’t easy to move at 148 pounds, so it's a better option for people who plan to keep it one place.

This portable washer is one of the best manual-powered washers on the market, capable of efficiently cleaning bulky items like jeans and sweatshirts. It is hand-powered, non-electric, and offers superior cleaning power with its easy up and down cranking motion.

The 5-gallon bucket holds the equivalent of a small load in a traditional washer. The bucket is easy to fill in a sink, tub, or with a hose. It is also portable, lightweight, cleans clothes in about 20 minutes, and is ideal for RV, camper, or dorm living.