The Best Camping Portable Washing Machines

Date posted: 3 July 2026

The Best Camping and Portable Washing Machines for Off-Grid Touring

Three weeks into a lap of the country, the laundry doesn't care that you're having a good time. A family of four churns through clothes fast, and the choice out bush usually comes down to a coin laundry you have to drive back into town for, a bucket and a sore back, or a proper camping washing machine that does the job while you sit back. The right portable washing machine is a great comfort upgrade you can make to a touring setup, and for grey nomads and families doing long off-grid trips, it pays for itself in saved laundromat runs within a season.

The problem is the range. There are hand-cranked washers under $80, 12V automatics that run straight off your battery, 240V machines for powered sites, and wall-mounted units that install into the van. They are not interchangeable. A 2kg twin tub that suits a retired couple will not be enough for a larger family, and a machine that needs 240V is dead weight if you free camp most nights. This guide walks through how to choose, then compares the real options we stock.

Camping washing machine in a natural environment

Why a Portable Washing Machine Earns Its Space

Storage in a caravan or 4WD is precious, so anything you carry has to justify the room. A camping washing machine does that on three fronts. First, freedom. You wash when it suits you, at the campsite, instead of planning your route around towns with a laundromat. Second, money. Coin laundries add up over a long trip, and the machine often clears its purchase price inside a few months on the road. Third, water control. The compact units use a fraction of what a home machine does, which matters when every litre comes off your tank.

The trade-off is honest: these machines are smaller and slower than what you have at home, and the manual ones make you do the work. None of them will wash a doona. What they will do is keep a touring wardrobe clean without you ever setting foot in a laundromat.

What to Look For Before You Buy

1. Power Source: Manual, 12V, or 240V

This is the decision that everything else hangs off. Manual washers need no power at all, which makes them unbeatable for remote free camping, but you do the cranking and you wring the clothes out by hand. A 12V machine runs straight off your house battery, so it is the genuine off-grid automatic option if your electrical system can feed it. A 240V machine needs either a powered site or an inverter big enough to handle its draw, which on the larger front loaders is significant. Be honest about where you actually camp. If most nights are off-grid, a 240V-only machine will spend the trip in a cupboard.

2. Load Capacity: Match It to Your Crew

Capacity is quoted in kilograms of dry laundry. A 2kg to 2.5kg machine is plenty for a solo traveller or a couple doing a load every few days. A family will feel the pain at that size, running endless tiny loads, and is far better served by a 3.5kg or 4kg drum. Bigger is not automatically better though. A larger machine is heavier, draws more power, and uses more water per cycle, so a couple who buy a 4kg front loader are carrying capacity they will rarely fill.

3. Water Use: The Number That Bites Off-Grid

When your water comes from a tank, wash cycles add up quickly. The compact automatics can use as much as 78 litres per load on their highest setting, while an efficient front loader rated under the WELS scheme might use closer to 47 litres for a full cotton cycle. Manual washers sip a few litres. A common off-grid trick is to run a wash cycle only and skip the second rinse to save tank water, then go straight to the spin. Look for a machine with adjustable water levels so you can dial the usage down to suit a small load.

4. Footprint and Weight: Will It Actually Fit

Measure the spot before you buy, not after. Top loaders need clearance above them so you can lift the lid, which catches a lot of people out under a bunk or shelf. Front loaders tuck into cabinetry more neatly. Wall-mounted units free up floor space entirely but need professional installation onto a solid wall, because a spin cycle puts real force through the mount. And weight counts toward your payload, so a 47kg front loader is a different proposition to a 2.5kg manual washer when you are watching your rig's limits.

The Best Camping and Portable Washing Machines Compared

Below is the full spread, from a hand-cranked washer you can throw in any boot to a wall-mounted automatic that lives in the van. Every spec here is taken from the product's own listing, so what you read is what you get.

Machine Type Power Capacity Weight Max water use
Coast to Coast Ecospin Manual spin washer None 2L load Not listed A few litres
Companion Ezywash (Rotary) Manual rotary None 2.2kg 2.5kg empty Less than hand washing
Companion Ezywash Twin Tub Twin tub 240V 2kg 12kg empty Not listed
Sphere 240V Mini RV 3.3kg Automatic top load 240V 3.3kg 18.5kg 78L per load
Sphere 12V Mini RV 3.5kg Automatic top load 12V DC 3.5kg 18.5kg 78L per load
Camec Compact RV 4kg Automatic front load 240V 4kg 47kg 47L per cotton cycle
Aussie Traveller Wall Mounted 2.5kg Wall-mounted front load 240V 2.5kg 19KG 43L (standard wash)

Coast to Coast Ecospin Portable Washer

The cheapest way to keep clothes clean off-grid, and the only one on this list that needs nothing but your arm. The Coast to Coast Ecospin is a hand-cranked spin washer that handles up to a 2L load in a couple of minutes, then spin-dries it so it hangs out faster. It is built without protruding parts inside, so it is gentle on clothes, and it takes less effort to turn than a lot of the older hand washers. There is a fold-down crank handle, a locking lid, a directional drain hose and four grippy feet to stop it walking across the table.

  • Hand-powered, no electricity needed at all
  • Washes and spin-dries up to a 2L load in minutes
  • Compact, sturdy build with a tight locking lid
  • Directional drainage hose and four-foot grip base
  • 1-year warranty

This is for the dedicated free camper or the angler who wants a quick wash between main loads and does not want to spend a cent on power or much on water. It will not replace a real machine for a family, but as a low-cost, do-anywhere backup it is hard to argue with.

Companion Ezywash Rotary Washing Machine

A step up in capacity from the Ecospin while staying completely power-free. The Companion Ezywash Rotary washes a 2.2kg load in minutes using nothing but elbow grease, and it uses less water than washing by hand. The body is strong ABS plastic with smooth curved surfaces, so it is weather resistant and rust proof, and it empties through an integrated drain tube. At 2.5kg empty it is light enough to lift in and out of the boot without a second thought.

  • Washes a 2.2kg load with no electricity
  • Uses less water than hand washing
  • Rust-proof, weather-resistant ABS construction
  • Integrated drain tube for easy emptying
  • 2.5kg empty, genuinely portable

This suits a couple or small family who free camp often and want more than the Ecospin's tiny load without taking on any power or inverter requirement. You still wring and hang the clothes yourself, but the bigger tub means fewer rounds.

Companion Ezywash Twin Tub Washing Machine 2kg

The classic caravanner's twin tub, and the cheapest powered automatic-ish option here. The Companion Ezywash Twin Tub has a separate wash tub and spin tub, both rated to 2kg, with an agitating wash action and a timer. You move the clothes from one side to the other yourself, which is the twin tub way, but in return you get a real spin cycle that wrings far better than hand-wringing ever will. It runs on 240V, or off a DC to AC inverter if your setup has one, has two wash levels, runs quietly and is self draining. The strong ABS housing and integrated handles make it easy to shift around.

  • Twin tub design with separate wash and spin tubs
  • 2kg wash and spin capacity with timer
  • Two wash levels: normal and gentle
  • 240V AC, or run it through a DC to AC inverter
  • Self draining, with strong ABS housing and carry handles
  • 240W on wash, 120W on spin

This is the pick for the couple or small family at powered sites, or anyone with an inverter, who wants a proper spin cycle without paying for a full automatic. The catch is the manual transfer between tubs, so it suits people who do not mind being a bit hands-on with the laundry.

Sphere 240V Mini RV Washing Machine 3.3kg

This is where the list crosses into set-and-forget automatics. The Sphere 240V Mini RV takes a 3.3kg load and runs five process settings, from a full wash-rinse-spin that takes about 38 minutes down to a 7-minute spin-only cycle for when you just need to get the salt and sweat out of something. You push a button and walk away. It has an easy-to-read control panel with a time display, an out-of-balance sensor, a stainless steel wash tub and a domestic-style lint filter. The drain hose can run out either the left or right side, which makes it easier to fit into an existing cupboard. It is cold wash only, which is all most cycles need, and uses up to 78 litres per load on the high setting.

  • 3.3kg load capacity with five process settings
  • Full wash-rinse-spin (approx. 38 min) or spin-only (approx. 7 min)
  • Stainless steel wash tub and out-of-balance sensor
  • Reversible left or right drain hose outlet
  • Cold wash only, up to 78L per load on high
  • 18.5kg, 410 x 420 x 740mm (W x D x H)

This is the sweet spot for a couple or small family who mostly stay at powered sites and want a true automatic without the size and weight of a 4kg front loader. If you free camp a lot, look at its 12V sibling below instead.

Sphere 12V Mini RV Washing Machine 3.5kg

The standout for genuine off-grid touring. The Sphere 12V Mini RV is a full automatic that runs straight off your 12V house battery, no inverter and no powered site required. It comes with an Anderson plug pre-fitted as standard so you can connect it quickly to your battery system. It draws around 3.3 amps per wash, which is modest enough that a decent solar and battery setup can run it without drama, and it carries a slightly larger 3.5kg drum than the 240V model. Like the 240V Sphere it offers the five settings, a wash-rinse-spin of about 38 minutes through to a 7-minute spin, plus three water level settings so you can cut water and detergent use on smaller loads. It adds an auto power-off buzzer, a redesigned carry basket with locking clips and rubber hoses with stainless steel screw clamps.

  • Runs on 12V DC, straight off your house battery
  • Pre-fitted Anderson plug included as standard
  • Draws approx. 3.3 amps per wash (160W wash, 130W spin)
  • 3.5kg load, five cycle settings, three water levels
  • Auto power-off, out-of-balance sensor, stainless tub
  • 18.5kg, 410 x 420 x 740mm (plus 240mm with lid up)

If you free camp for days at a time and run a solar and battery system, this is the machine to beat. It gives you a real automatic wash with no reliance on mains power. The only thing to check first is that your electrical setup is happy to feed it, which for most touring battery systems running 3.3 amps is straightforward.

Camec Compact RV 4kg Front Load Washing Machine

The biggest drum here and the most water-efficient automatic, which makes it the family choice. The Camec Compact RV 4kg carries a 3.5-star energy rating and a 3.5-star WELS water efficiency rating, and uses 47 litres per cotton wash cycle, well under what the top-load automatics draw. It runs six wash programs through a touch control panel, has a heated wash function and a drum clean cycle, and includes a safety child lock that is genuinely useful with young kids underfoot. It is built for Australian conditions and designed to install into caravan and RV cabinetry. Two things to weigh up: it needs 240V at 1,900W, so it wants a powered site or a serious inverter, and at 47kg it is a real chunk of your payload.

  • 4kg capacity, the largest on this list
  • 3.5-star energy and 3.5-star WELS ratings
  • 47L per cotton cycle, the most water-efficient automatic here
  • Six wash programs, heated wash and drum clean functions
  • Safety child lock and touch control panel
  • 240V at 1,900W, 1,000 RPM spin, 47kg, 510 x 490 x 700mm
  • 12-month warranty

This is for families and longer-term tourers who mostly use powered sites and want home-machine performance and capacity. The heated wash and 4kg drum handle the volume a family generates, and the WELS efficiency keeps water use sensible. Just confirm you have the floor space, the payload and the 240V supply before committing.

Aussie Traveller Wall Mounted Washing Machine 2.5kg

The space-saver. The Aussie Traveller Wall Mounted machine mounts to the wall and frees up your floor entirely, which in a small van is worth a lot. It is a quiet front loader with a 2.5kg capacity and eight wash settings, including an 18-minute quick wash, a steam wash, a drum clean, a high-temperature clean and winter drainage protection. The water is heated automatically for hot wash cycles, and it runs through an illuminated touch screen that is easy to use at night. The white outer panels suit most caravan interiors.

  • Wall-mounted to free up floor space
  • 2.5kg capacity, eight wash cycles
  • 18-minute quick wash, steam wash and drum clean
  • Automatic water heating for hot wash cycles
  • Illuminated touch screen for night use

This suits a couple in a smaller caravan who want a permanent, tidy washing solution without giving up cupboard or floor space. The one thing to plan for is installation: a wall mount has to go onto a solid wall and is best fitted by a professional, because the spin cycle puts real load through the bracket.

Which Washing Machine Is Right for You?

There is no single best machine here, only the best machine for how you travel.

If you only take one thing from this guide, let it be the power question. Decide where you genuinely camp first, then let that narrow the field before you even look at capacity or price.

Browse the full range of manual washing machines and the wider camping bathroom and laundry range to round out your setup, including clotheslines, baskets and laundry powders made for life on the road. All available with Australia-wide delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I run a portable washing machine off-grid?

Yes, but it depends on the machine. Manual washers like the Ecospin and the Companion Ezywash Rotary need no power at all, so they work anywhere. For an automatic off-grid, the cleanest option is a 12V machine such as the Sphere 12V Mini RV, which runs straight off your house battery and draws around 3.3 amps per wash. A 240V machine can also run off-grid, but only through an inverter sized to handle its draw, which on a front loader pulling 1,900W means a large and expensive inverter.

How much water does a camping washing machine use?

It varies a lot by type. The compact top-load automatics like the Sphere models can use up to 78 litres per load on their highest water setting, while a WELS-rated front loader such as the Camec Compact RV uses around 47 litres for a full cotton cycle. Manual washers use only a few litres. To stretch tank water off-grid, run a wash cycle only and skip the second rinse, and choose a machine with adjustable water levels so you can match the water to the load size.

What size washing machine do I need for a family?

A 2kg to 2.5kg machine will frustrate a family because you end up running constant tiny loads. For a family, a 3.5kg drum like the Sphere 12V or a 4kg front loader like the Camec is far more practical and cuts the number of cycles you run. The trade-off is more weight, more power draw and more water per load, so only size up if you will actually use the capacity.

Do I need 12V or 240V?

Match it to where you camp. If you mostly stay at powered sites or caravan parks, a 240V machine is simpler and gives you the widest choice. If you free camp off-grid for days at a time, a 12V machine that runs off your battery is the better fit, or a manual washer that needs no power. A twin tub or other 240V unit can also be run off a DC to AC inverter if your electrical system has one sized for it.

Where can I install a washing machine in a caravan?

Top loaders need clearance above them to lift the lid, so avoid mounting one tight under a shelf or bunk. Front loaders tuck into cabinetry more easily and suit a built-in look. Wall-mounted machines free up floor space entirely but must be fitted to a solid wall, and because the spin cycle puts real force through the bracket they are best installed by a professional. Always measure the space and check your weight allowance before buying, since a 47kg front loader is a meaningful chunk of payload.

Do portable washing machines spin dry clothes?

The powered and twin tub machines do, and a proper spin cycle gets clothes far drier than hand-wringing, so they dry quicker on the line. Most manual washers do not spin dry, with the exception of the Ecospin, which has a hand-powered spin function. With any of them, Australia's climate does most of the drying work for you once the clothes are on the line.