Washing machines are one of the most heavily used appliances in the typical home. They’re also one of the more expensive ones in the average household. That’s why people want to replace them fast when they break. Here are a few contenders for the best washing machine under 500 dollars. We’ll share the pros and cons of each of these small, cheap, and portable washing machines.
Table of Contents
Top 4 Best Washing Machine Under 500 Review
01. Panda Brand Model PAN6320W Portable Washing Machine
This washing machine is a small, compact unit suitable for apartments and dorm rooms. It can hold up to ten pounds of clothing. With the 1.34 cubic foot capacity, you could wash a blanket or towels but not a large bedspread.
Features
One benefit of the design is that it will fit in small water closets or the corner of the pantry, assuming you have water and drain connections for it. But it is designed for use in places where you don’t have a full washer hookup. For example, you can provide the necessary water with a faucet and adapter hose.
Another benefit of the compact design is that you can truly take it with you. This machine could fit in a small house, or you can take this appliance with you when you move. However, it probably isn’t compatible with the average RV. It is made to plug into a standard 110 volt power outlet.
This has all the features of a standard top-loading washing machine. It has ten different washing programs. It can safely wash delicate table cloths and bras or thoroughly rinse dirty jeans. It lets you set different water levels, too.
Issues
One downside of the unit is the mediocre quality. The drain pumps won’t last as long as the ones in a large washing machine, and it is hard to get replacement parts.
If you drop it while moving it, the washbasin is prone to cracking and leaking. Another problem is the water supply hose if you have to get water from the faucet. It is only three feet long. This can limit where you can put the washer.
Pros:
- Doesn’t require full utility hookups
- Fits almost anywhere
- All of the functionality of a larger washing machine
Cons:
- Breaks easily
02. Panda Brand Model PAN6360W Washing Machine
This is another Panda washing machine. It is slightly larger than the first one on our list. For example, it has a 1.54 cubic foot or 12 pound capacity. That’s 20 percent larger. This portable washing machine is made to work wherever you have space for it. It can be plugged into the average 110 volt power outlet. It uses a three foot hose to get water from a faucet.
Features
This washing machine has many of the same features as full-sized washing machines. It has eight different washing programs and four different water levels. It can wash delicate items on a gentle cycle or dirty work clothes in a heavy duty cycle. It is unusual for having a basic air dry cycle, though this does not eliminate the need to hang clothes out to dry.
Issues
One issue with this washing machine is the relative lack of supporting hardware. You have to pay more to get the roller table to make this washer truly portable. You get a short three foot hose to connect it to a faucet. This is rarely good enough for home owners, so you’ll need to buy a different, longer hose on your own.
You may want a replacement faucet adapter, too, because it leaks. The washtub may leak if hit by anything or dropped hard on the ground, too.
Pros:
- Relatively large volume for a portable washing machine
- Full functionality
- Added drying cycle
Cons:
- Needs additional hardware to work as well as advertised
03. Panda Model PAN50SWF2 Portable Washing Machin
This is a 1.6 cubic foot washing machine by Panda. This gives it an 11 pound capacity. Like other portable washing machines, you can plug it into a standard wall outlet and connect it to the kitchen sink and start doing laundry. It has six different wash cycles ranging from delicates to heavy-duty.
This model has a pulsator that gives it the ability to thoroughly rinse dirty clothes. There is also a spin-only cycle. This is the best washing machine under 500 for those who want to handle relatively large, dirty loads with a small, portable machine.
Features
Unlike the first portable washing machines on our list, this portable washer has a sleek, clean white body. It will look like every other appliance in your home unless you opted for a stainless steel clothes dryer or refrigerator. It won’t stand out as a portable, temporary appliance in the average kitchen or mud room. The washer is relatively quiet, too.
This washer has two built-in rollers to allow you to move it around without having to put it on a separate roller. This washing machine by Panda is unusual for having a clear window in the door to the top-loader that lets you see what is going on inside of the washing machine.
Issues
The washer is not very durable. The wash basket itself can get displaced. Then the unit is unbalanced, prone to sloshing water while trying to wash your clothes. The body is prone to being dented or damaged during shipment, too.
The control board is as advanced as that on a larger washing machine. The downside is that it is more likely to short out or have buttons break.
Pros:
- Moderately large capacity for a portable washer
- Better able to handle very dirty clothing
- Built-in wheels
Cons:
- Mediocre reliability
04. Comfee Brand Washing Machine
This is a 0.9 cubic foot washing machine. It can hold up to 8 pounds of clothing. It is a small, compact washing machine intended for use in dorm rooms, small apartments, and RVs. This is the best washing machine for under 500 dollars for those who want clothes washer that fits almost anywhere.
Features
This washing machine has fewer settings than others on our list. For example, it has five programs and three water levels. On the other hand, at 18 by 18 inches, it will fit in small closets or niches in the kitchen.
This unit has a transparent lid that lets you see what is going on inside of the washing machine. It also has a timer to let you see how much time is left on the wash cycle.
Issues
If this unit gets unbalanced, it can tip over and make a major mess. It can try to solve the problem by letting in more water, but this can contribute to a bigger mess.
This washer is one of the cheapest on our list. It is also one of the weakest. You could see anything from the sensors to the lid break off. And you can’t really get replacement parts.
Pros:
- Fits almost anywhere
- Clear window
Cons:
- Limited features
- Not durable
05. Think Gizmos Brand Model TG23 Washing Machine
The small, compact washer is so small it could fit under your kitchen sink. This washing machine has a 7.9 pound capacity if it is only washing dirty clothes. If you’re going to run things through a spin cycle to get them as dry as possible, it only has a 4.4 pound capacity. It actually has two different tubs for that purpose.
Features
It works fast and can wash clothes in 15 minutes and spin/rinse them in five minutes. This is unusual in having a lint filter in addition to the standard wash basket.
It can connect to a standard wall outlet and use water from a kitchen sink.
Issues
The spin cycle capacity is so low that you may have to take wet clothes out and run two different spin cycles to get clothes dry enough to hang out to dry. The spinner is not as effective as the washer.
The washer is cheap, and this affects the quality of the manufactured product. It may develop holes in the drain hose. The washtub and faucet adapter tend to leak, too.
Pros:
- One of the smallest washers on the market
Cons:
- Rinse/spin is the chokepoint in this process
Conclusion
The best washing machine for your RV, small condo laundry closet, or dorm will literally fit your lifestyle. It needs to hold the standard load of laundry you have and thoroughly wash it while fitting in the space that you have. The only question is which washing machine on our list does that for you.