Buy a Small Washer
When we talk about a small washing machine, we are talking about washers with a 6kg or 7kg fill weight. The fill weight in kilos indicates how much laundry will fit in the drum per wash – in other words, the capacity of the washing machine.
Small washing machines are perfect for a smaller household or family, with up to 2 people. They allow you to run small loads without having to wash with a half-empty drum. That’s not very good for your washing machine, and it uses a lot of water and energy unnecessarily. That’s why we recommend singles and couples to go for a small washing machine. These have a fill weight that matches the amount of laundry that you will be washing each week or so.
Best Small Washer of 2024
Are you looking for the best small washing machine available right now? We are here to help! Especially for a small household, you will find below a list of the best small washing machines of this moment. Of course, we’ve taken the fill weight into account, but we’ve also looked at noise levels, different wash modes, energy efficiency and customer reviews. Which small washing machine will you choose?
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Best small washing machine
Affordable and efficient, the Whirlpool WTW4816FW is a top load washer that delivers. The 3.5 cu. ft. maximum capacity is enough to handle your daily laundry needs. The measurements are 27 inches deep, 42 inches high and 27.5 inches wide and weights just 160 lbs. It’s compact so it will fit in the smallest laundry spaces and closets. This wash basket is made of smooth, white porcelain designed specifically to help prevent even the most delicate fabric from snagging. It consumes at little as 274kWh or energy per year while delivering great cleaning load after load.
Enjoy the 12 different wash cycle options. Wash any type of laundry from delicates to bulky items and ensure that they are getting the clean and care they need. The Bulky Items/Sheets cycle takes care of bedding as well as those bulky winter jackets. The washer fills with enough water to wet down the load before the wash cycle begins, then uses a higher water level than other cycles. Save time with the Quick Wash cycle that's designed to clean small, lightly soiled loads in 30 minutes. Choose the water level you need for the cycle you want. No matter which cycle you choose, Water Level Selection lets you select Auto Fill to adjust water based on load size or the Deep Water Wash option to help break down loose soils with more water. Use the washing machine’s maximum spin speed of up to 700 RPM to remove excess moisture on fabric so your clothes can spend less time in the
dryer or hanging in the clothesline. Take on your toughest loads. The traditional dual action spiral agitator provides the wash action and cleaning performance to give your clothes the clean it needs. Don't worry if you left a few of your items behind with Add-A-Garment. Extra time before the spin cycle starts lets you toss in any missed or forgotten items.
The Whirlpool WTW4816FWdoes comes with a drain hose.
Look no further than the Amana NTW4516FW for your next budget-friendly and no-nonsense top load washer. Get the cleaning power you need without the extra bells and whistles that just drive the prices up. The 3.5 cu. ft. maximum load capacity is ample enough to take on your daily laundry needs. It weighs just 133 lbs. and it’s compact, with measurements of 27 inches deep, 42 inches high and 27.5 inches wide, so it will fit in most smaller laundry spaces. The porcelain tub is not only durable but also helps protect fabrics from snags.
Handle dirty laundry daily while saving money because this machine only uses 162kWH of energy per year. The maximum spin speed of 680 RPM ensures that extra moisture is removed from your clothes’ fabrics at the end of the cycle, so drying time will also be faster. The 8 wash cycle options provide you with a variety of choices without overcomplicating things. Provide a gentle, effective wash for your sensitive items with the dedicated delicates cycle. The deep water wash option lets you add water enough to fill the tub so you can wash bulky items and bigger loads more effectively. Even the most sensitive skins are protected with Extra Rinse. Remove excess detergent, fabric softener, and other laundry chemicals with the extra rinse option. Don’t worry if you forgot to add a piece of clothing before pressing “start” because the late lid lock gives you some extra time to throw in any missed items before the spin cycle starts. Some soils clean better in cold water while some clean better in warm water. With 5 separate temperature settings, you have the ability to choose the right temperature for every load, for any type of dirt.
Amana washers are proudly designed, engineered and assembled in the United States of America.
The Amana NTW4516FW comes with a drain hose.
The Hotpoint brand appliances work as hard as you. The same is true with the Hotpoint HTW240ASKWS, a compact top load washer, which comes at a fantastic price point. It comes with a 3.8 cu. ft. total capacity which is plenty to handle your everyday laundry needs. Weighing just 138 lbs., with measurements of 27 inches deep, 47 inches high and 27 inches wide, this washer is the perfect size for many smaller laundry spaces.
Consuming as little as 187kWh or energy per year, this washing machine is built to last for the long-haul, your family will use it for years and years to come. The maximum spin speed of 700 RPM guarantees that excess moisture is removed from the fabrics at the end of the cycle, so you spend less time drying clothes and more time doing what you love. The sensible 10 wash cycle options give you plenty of choices without overcomplicating things. Wash different types of fabrics from your delicates to your bedding.
Delivering amazing washing performance with its heavy-duty agitator, this washing machine guarantees thorough, effective cleaning of all your clothes. The stainless-steel basket is long-lasting, low maintenance, resists rust and won’t chip or peel and furthermore protects your clothes from snags. PreciseFill automatically fills the perfect water level for your load size or select your preferred water level from 4 different choices. Choose Deep Rinse to remove leftover detergent, fabric softener and stubborn dirt. The bleach dispenser automatically mixes bleach with the wash water for optimal dilution and whitening action. The rotary electronic controls with cycle status lights lets you know the progress of the wash cycle with just a quick glance.
Proudly made in the United States of America, this machine is simple and no-nonsense but gets the work done.
The Hotpoint HTW240ASKWS does not come with accessories.
The Maytag MVWC465HW is a top load washer that features a large total maximum capacity of 3.8 cu. ft., allowing you to freely wash larger loads and bulky items like comforters, beddings and jackets. Suited for smaller laundry spaces with compact measurements of 27 inches deep, 42 inches high and 27.25 inches wide. This machine weighs a measly 126 lbs.
Take care of stubborn stains and dirt while consuming just 254kWh or energy per year. The maximum spin speed of 680 RPM, removes excess moisture on fabrics so your clothes come out dryer at the end of the cycle and spend less time hanging outside in the clothesline or your tumble dryer. A total of 12 different wash cycles are available to choose from, giving you the freedom to wash all sorts of laundry from delicates to bulky items.
The PowerWash cycle gives this washer the most powerful cleaning in its class, combining different wash actions and heated water to drive powerful cleaning. Paired with the PowerWash agitator, clean any load size thoroughly and efficiently, removing stubborn stains. Add more water to the load with the Deep Water Wash option. The extra water works with the PowerWash agitator to effectively break down crusted on dirt. The Auto Sensing option adjusts the water level automatically to match the load size, providing more effective and concentrated cleaning. Wash away excess detergent, fabric softener, and other laundry chemicals with the Deep Rinse option. Chose the Quick Wash for a 30-minute fast cleaning of smaller loads. Make two steps into one with the Colors with Soak cycle or the Whites with Soak Cycle. Soak fabrics for ten minutes and automatically run the Colors or White cycle after. Additional features include the cycle status indicator which lets you know when the cycle has ended, the late add (pause) feature which allows you to add more clothes in the middle of the cycle, and a stainless-steel drum which makes your washer rust-resistant and more low maintenance.
The Maytag MVWC465HW includes hoses and a power cord.
Buying a small washing machine; what should you look for?
The size and the amount of fill weight are very important when buying a new washing machine, but there are a lot of other considerations. Washing machines have an incredible amount of specifications, and with a lifespan of around 10 years, you may forget what to look out for. Here are all of our tips for buying a small machine.
Type of washer
Small machines are available in both top-load and front-load versions. A front loading machine (±60cm wide) is the most popular, these have the door at the front so you can put a tumble dryer on top of your washer if needed. A top loading washer is generally slightly narrower (±40cm wide), but also higher and has the door to the drum at the top. Top loading washing machines are often chosen by the elderly or those with back problems because they require less bending.
Energy label
If you are a single or two person, you can save a lot of energy and water by choosing a small washing machine. This is good for the environment, but it also keeps your bills low. By choosing an energy efficient washing machine, you can save even more money. The prices of these machines may be a little higher, but they will save you a lot of money every month. Unfortunately, washing machines with a 6kg or 7kg fill weight are not often energy efficient. The most common energy label for small washing machines is energy label D. To be recognised as an ‘energy efficient washing machine’, you need to have energy label A, B or C. There are some small washing machines available with energy label A, B, and C.
RPM
The RPM of a washing machine indicates how many rounds the drum spins per minute while it is spinning. The faster this happens, the drier your laundry will be. At 1600 RPM, your laundry will be as dry as possible. There are some small washing machines that spin at 1600 rpm. However, most machines spin at 1400 rpm, which is also considered a ‘high number of rpm’s’. You choose whether to put your clothes in the dryer after washing, or to hang them up.
Sound level
The sound level of a washing machine indicates in decibels (dB) how much noise a washing machine produces when it is at its loudest – during the spin. 78 dB or more is considered loud, 74 dB to 77 dB is considered normal, 72 dB and 73 dB is considered quiet, and 71 dB and less is considered extra quiet. Most small washing machines have the noise level ‘normal’. It is recommended that these washing machines be placed in an enclosed area of the house, such as the attic or an enclosed kitchen. If you want to use your washing machine at night, it is best to look for a ‘quiet’ or ‘extra quiet’ washing machine.
Ease of Use
New, modern washing machines now offer more and more options to make washing easier for the user. For small machines, consider options like a load sensor, delayed start, add wash, app controls and a self-cleaning detergent drawer. Do you think you could benefit from these extra features? Then make sure your new washing machine has these options.
Wash programs
All washing machines offer different wash programs. Depending on the make-up of your household, you may need certain programs such as special wash programs for delicate clothes, stains, wool, jeans, sportswear, extra hygienic washing and shirts.
Buy a camping washing machine
If you are looking for a very small washing machine, for example for camping, you have come to the right place. This device is also known as a mini washing machine and has a fill weight (drum capacity) of between 2 and 5 kg. Because they are small, you can easily take your mini washing machine with you on holiday, especially in the caravan or camper. With this, you have your own personal washing machine on the campsite, but you can also do your laundry in the open air, as long as you have a water and electricity connection. A mini washing machine is perfect for washing clothes, but they are often too small for bedding.
Because a mini washing machine is small and runs shorter wash cycles, it usually uses less water and energy than a regular washing machine. For that reason, they almost always have energy label A or B. Most energy efficient washing machines are slightly more expensive, but mini washing machines are often priced much lower.
Camping washing machines usually have a RPM of 1200. Compared to regular washers, a mini washer has a low RPM, but the difference is small. At 1200 rpm, your laundry remains quite damp, but during the spin cycle, enough water is extracted from it to allow it to air dry further.
Benefits and drawbacks small washing machine
There’s a lot of information on this page, we understand that you might not be able to see the wood for the trees. To give you a clear overview of why you should or should not buy a small washing machine, here are the pros and cons.
Advantages
- A 6 kg or 7 kg load is perfect for a 1 or 2 person household. You won’t have to save laundry or wash with a half-empty drum. This means you’ll use less water and energy.
- A small washing machine takes up less space, leaving you with plenty of room for other items.
- Free to choose between a front- and top loading washer.
Disadvantages
- If your family grows, the small washer may quickly become too small. Will you be adding a third person soon? You may want to consider an 8kg machine in the meantime.
- Less choice of energy efficient washing machines.
- Less choice of silent or extra quiet machines.
- More options are available.
