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Ever needed a clean work shirt or a load of gym clothes and ended up spending the evening at the laundromat? A portable washing machine can bring those smaller loads home without a dedicated laundry hookup. Connect it to a suitable faucet, position the drain hose, and it washes, rinses and spins in one tub.
That can save a trip. It doesn’t necessarily eliminate laundry day. These machines still need a compatible water supply, somewhere safe to drain, and a place for wet clothes to dry. We compared five automatic washers with those limits in mind. The biggest practical difference is whether you’re washing a few things between trips or trying to handle most of your regular clothing at home.
TL;DR - Our top pick: The COMFEE CLV16N2AMG is our pick for larger everyday loads: its rated 11-pound capacity is a meaningful step up from the smallest machines here. For occasional small loads, the cheaper COMFEE CLV09N1AMG takes less storage space. Neither is a heated dryer.
Prices and the Main Differences
New US offers checked October 8, 2026, listed from lowest to highest price. All five were sold and shipped by Amazon.com with active purchase controls and free standard delivery to the displayed US destination. Prices exclude tax; availability and delivery vary by address. These are regular offers, not Prime-only, credit-card or used-item prices.
| Product | Price checked | What you get | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti CTW84X0W-IS | $229.47 | Lowest checked price; eight programs including tub cleaning | Smallest tub, at 0.84 cu. ft. |
| COMFEE CLV09N1AMG | $259.00 | Compact 0.9 cu. ft. machine with five programs | Still a small-load washer |
| BLACK+DECKER BPWM09W | $276.99 | 6.6-pound rated load; clear model-specific support documentation | No capacity advantage over the COMFEE 0.9 |
| Midea MLTW09M1BWW | $279.00 | Extra-rinse control and a dedicated drum-clean program | Extra programs don’t make the tub bigger |
| COMFEE CLV16N2AMG | $345.00 | 1.6 cu. ft., rated for 11 pounds; six programs | Considerably heavier and wider |
Will One Actually Work in Your Apartment?
Before picking a brand, walk through the route from your sink to the place you’ll dry the clothes.
- Check permission and the faucet. Confirm that your building permits a portable washer. The quick-connect instructions describe a threaded faucet, usually with a removable aerator. A pull-out spray head isn’t automatically compatible. Send the washer and faucet manufacturers the exact models if the connection is unclear; an adapter included in the box isn’t a promise that it fits every sink.
- Measure the drain route, not just the washer. The BLACK+DECKER manual, page 18, specifies 32-39 inches for a standpipe or laundry tub. The Avanti manual, page 11, specifies a drain-hose high point 2.5-3.25 feet above the floor. Follow the chosen model’s diagram and secure the hose. Dropping it on the floor or loosely over a sink is not an equivalent installation.
- Check the outlet and operating space. These are freestanding top loaders. Leave room for hoses, an open lid and the clearances in the manual. Use a suitable grounded outlet; don’t plan around an extension cord or a wet power strip. A washer that fits in a closet may not fit there while operating.
- Plan where the clothes will dry. Spinning removes water, but shirts and towels still need a drying rack, clothesline where permitted, or a separate dryer. If a rack blocks the only walkway, the laundry problem has moved rather than disappeared.
- Think about putting it away. Rear rollers help on a flat floor. They don’t make a roughly 40-70-pound appliance easy to carry up stairs, across thresholds or into a bathtub. Empty and disconnect it according to its manual before moving it.
For example, a 0.9 cu. ft. machine can be a sensible way to keep up with underwear and work clothes while using larger machines for bedding. Buying the larger COMFEE makes more sense when repeated small loads would consume the evening and you have enough room to leave it near the sink.
If you’re solving the same lack-of-hookups problem for dishes, our countertop dishwasher guide distinguishes faucet-fed machines from models you can fill with a pitcher. Don’t assume these washers have that same tank-filling option.
Feature Comparison
Dimensions below are manufacturer body measurements, width x depth x height, not required installation clearances. All five use on-machine controls; none needs an app or subscription.
| Product | Capacity | Body size, inches | Useful controls | Water-supply detail |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avanti CTW84X0W-IS | 0.84 cu. ft. | 17.5 x 18.25 x 31.25 | Eight programs; three load sizes; tub clean | Manufacturer specifies cold-water inlet |
| COMFEE CLV09N1AMG | 0.9 cu. ft. | 17.7 x 18.1 x 31.5 | Five programs; adjustable water level | Cold-water faucet operation |
| BLACK+DECKER BPWM09W | 0.9 cu. ft.; up to 6.6 lb. | About 17.69 x 18.06 x 31.5 | Heavy, Gentle, Normal, Rapid, Soak | Cold water only |
| Midea MLTW09M1BWW | 0.9 cu. ft. | About 16.9 by 17.7 footprint; 30.9 high; confirm W/D orientation | Extra Rinse, Baby Care and Drum Clean | Manual specifies cold-water connection |
| COMFEE CLV16N2AMG | 1.6 cu. ft.; up to 11 lb. | 20.3 x 20.7 x 36.6 | Six programs; temperature selection; delay start | Separate hot/cold hookups supported; manual recommends cold washes with single-faucet adapter |
1. Avanti CTW84X0W-IS
Buy Avanti CTW84X0W-IS on Amazon ->
Image: Avanti.
Price checked October 8: $229.47 new.
Key specs: Capacity: 0.84 cu. ft.; Programs: 8; Load-size settings: 3; Body size: 17.5 x 18.25 x 31.25 inches; Manufacturer weight: 39.69 lb.
The Avanti is the lowest-cost way into this shortlist for small, frequent loads. Its official specifications include a stainless-steel tub, separate spin and tub-clean programs, and a supplied sink attachment. Tub cleaning is useful maintenance, not a substitute for removing debris and following the cleaning instructions.
One important correction to the retail copy: Avanti specifies a cold-water inlet. Don’t buy this model expecting the advertised three-temperature description to establish hot-water washing. The installation manual also requires its inner safety lid to be installed and two inches of side/rear space. Those details affect everyday use more than the number of programs.
It isn’t the right size for someone trying to move large weekly laundry loads out of the laundromat. At the checked price, though, it deserves consideration for socks, underwear and other modest loads when the installation fits.
2. COMFEE CLV09N1AMG
Buy COMFEE CLV09N1AMG on Amazon ->
Image: COMFEE.
Price checked October 8: $259.00 new.
Key specs: Capacity: 0.9 cu. ft.; Body size: 17.7 x 18.1 x 31.5 inches; Manufacturer weight: 44.1 lb.; Supply: 120 V.
The smaller COMFEE makes sense for keeping up with clothing between larger laundry trips. Its manufacturer specifications establish the compact dimensions and rear wheels; the owner’s manual covers five programs and water-level selection. An automatic cycle handles the wash/rinse/spin sequence without transferring wet clothes to a second tub.
The small footprint is the attraction, not a dramatic capacity advantage over the Avanti. It cost $17.99 less than the BLACK+DECKER 0.9 at our check, with a similar basic small-load role. That makes price, fit and your preferred controls more useful deciding factors than an unsupported claim that one washes better.
Don’t choose this size if your main frustration is having to split every basket into multiple loads. The 1.6 cu. ft. COMFEE costs more and takes more room, but it addresses that problem directly. For the 0.9 model, follow the manual’s cold-water faucet setup rather than assuming a kitchen mixer tap makes it a hot-wash machine.
3. BLACK+DECKER BPWM09W
Buy BLACK+DECKER BPWM09W on Amazon ->
Image: BLACK+DECKER product support.
Price checked October 8: $276.99 new.
Key specs: Capacity: 0.9 cu. ft., up to 6.6 lb.; Programs: 5; Water levels: 3; Water temperature: cold only; Manufacturer weight: 44.1 lb.
The BPWM09W offers a clearly documented 6.6-pound load limit and straightforward controls for small loads. Its product-support page lists Heavy, Gentle, Normal, Rapid and Soak, plus an adjustable front foot and two rollers. Gentle and Soak give you options for different laundry, but the garment’s care label still decides whether it belongs in a machine.
Check measurements against that support page and the manual, not the oddly ordered dimensions in the Amazon summary. The manufacturer lists about 17.69 inches wide, 18.06 deep and 31.5 high. The lid needs additional opening space.
There isn’t a documented capacity reason to pay more for this over the COMFEE 0.9. Don’t buy it expecting a larger load or hot-water washing. It remains a reasonable alternative when its controls, documentation or current offer suit you better.
4. Midea MLTW09M1BWW
Buy Midea MLTW09M1BWW on Amazon ->
Image: Midea.
Price checked October 8: $279.00 new.
Key specs: Capacity: 0.9 cu. ft.; Programs: 6; Controls: Extra Rinse and child lock; Water supply: cold.
The Midea stands out here for its rinse and maintenance controls rather than extra capacity. The model’s manual, printed pages 17-20, identifies Normal, Heavy, Quick, Baby Care, Spin Only and Drum Clean. Baby Care increases rinsing; it isn’t evidence that the machine sterilizes clothing. Drum Clean is run without laundry in the tub.
Extra Rinse gives you a direct way to add rinsing when appropriate, although correct detergent dosing comes first. The manufacturer page and manual identify the same model; the linked retail offer is the US listing, not the Canadian store price. One fit detail needs care: the page labels the body 16.93 inches wide and 17.72 deep, while the manual’s side-view diagram labels 16.9 inches. Confirm the width/depth orientation with Midea before buying for a tight alcove, and allow additional hose and lid space.
The extra controls won’t help if you simply need a bigger drum. Don’t buy this 0.9 cu. ft. model to solve a large-load problem. Also follow the manual’s cold-water connection instructions rather than reading a sanitizing marketing claim as proof of a particular heated wash temperature.
5. COMFEE CLV16N2AMG
Buy COMFEE CLV16N2AMG on Amazon ->
Image: COMFEE.
Price checked October 8: $345.00 new.
Key specs: Capacity: 1.6 cu. ft., up to 11 lb.; Body size: 20.3 x 20.7 x 36.6 inches; Manufacturer weight: 70.5 lb.; Programs: 6.
This is the strongest fit here for bringing more of your ordinary clothing laundry home. COMFEE’s official page specifies an 11-pound load, while the manual provides Normal, Heavy, Delicate, Quick, Bulky and Spin Only programs. The larger tub is a real reason to spend more; a Bulky label is not permission to force a comforter into it.
The extra capacity costs $86 over the smaller COMFEE at the checked prices. You also take on a wider, taller machine with a manufacturer-listed weight above 70 pounds. Don’t choose it if you need to lift the washer into storage after every use. Rear rollers make repositioning on a suitable floor easier, not lifting.
Its hot/cold connection options need explaining. The manual supports separate hot and cold supply hookups, but recommends cold washes when using the single-faucet quick adapter. Temperature buttons aren’t an internal water heater. For a renter connecting temporarily to a kitchen sink, capacity is the main upgrade, not a guaranteed new hot-wash capability.
Will It Save Money, or Just Time?
Use the cost of the trips you would actually avoid. Suppose a $345 washer replaces two $4 wash cycles per week, and you allow $1 per week for its additional water and electricity. That is an illustrative $7 weekly saving, or about 49 weeks to recover the machine price. Those inputs are assumptions, not measured operating costs or local utility quotes.
If you still take the same bedding and towels to the laundromat, pay for drying, or make more little loads than expected, the calculation changes. Detergent, a drying rack, approved connection parts and any delivery/setup costs also belong in your budget. For some households, the benefit is simply having clean clothes without arranging another trip.
Air-drying also puts moisture into the room. Check actual humidity before adding more with a bedroom humidifier, and give wet laundry adequate space and ventilation. Buying a washer shouldn’t leave you with permanently damp towels in a closed room.
Who Should Buy What
- A few loads between laundromat trips: Compare the COMFEE 0.9 and lower-priced Avanti. Installation fit comes before small differences in tub volume.
- More regular clothing at home: The COMFEE 1.6 offers the meaningful capacity increase in this group.
- Extra rinse and drum-clean controls in a small body: Look closely at the Midea.
- A simple cold-water alternative with a specified load limit: The BLACK+DECKER is worth comparing when its controls or current offer suit you better.
- No approved hookup, drain or drying space: Hold off. A cheaper twin-tub washer still needs filling, draining and manual transfer, while a full washer-dryer combo is a different installation and budget. Neither automatically solves those constraints.
FAQ
Can a portable washer use any kitchen faucet?
No. These manuals describe specific threaded connections and adapters. A fixed faucet with a removable aerator may be suitable; a pull-out sprayer or unusual faucet needs confirmation. Compare the actual faucet and washer instructions before ordering, including pressure and hose reach. Don’t treat a photograph of a sink hookup as proof it works in your apartment.
Does a portable washing machine dry clothes?
These five spin clothes but do not tumble-dry them with heat. Expect damp laundry at the end. A drying rack, suitable clothesline or separate dryer is still part of the routine. Some twin-tub listings call their spin basket a dryer; that wording does not establish heated drying either.
Can I wash bedding and bath towels?
Check the item’s care label and the machine’s load instructions. A few small items are a different load from a heavy duvet, even when both fit through the lid. Don’t compress bedding into a small drum or use a pounds figure as a guarantee for every fabric. Keeping access to a larger washer for bulky loads may be the more workable arrangement.
Which washer is quietest for an apartment?
There isn’t comparable noise evidence here that supports naming a quietest winner. A level, firm installation and a balanced load matter, and spin vibration can carry through a building. Follow the model’s leveling instructions and your building’s laundry-hour rules. Auto-unbalance detection is a useful control, not a promise of silent operation.
Bottom Line
A portable washer is most useful when it removes a recurring chore from your week. For larger ordinary clothing loads, we’d start with the COMFEE CLV16N2AMG. For a few things at a time, spending less on the smaller machines is reasonable. Before either purchase, make sure the sink connection, drain and drying routine work in the home you actually have.
This article contains affiliate links. PicksLab may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Our recommendations are based on the review method described in this article.
