The Leisurewize Twin Tub Washing Machine is the leading all-round option in this comparison. Argos lists it at £140.00, with a 3kg washing capacity, a 2.5kg spin capacity and separate wash and spin tubs. It can be filled manually and emptied into a bucket, so permanent plumbing is not required.
The table compares documented portable models by format, capacity, use and listed UK price. The Leisurewize is the clearest small-load option; the B&Q model offers the largest stated washing capacity; and the foldable and manual machines are aimed at very small or occasional loads.
| Portable washing machine | Format and capacity | Most suitable for | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leisurewize Twin Tub | 3kg wash; 2.5kg spin | Small regular loads | £140.00 |
| B&Q 8.5kg Twin Tub | 6.5kg wash; 2kg spin | Larger loads | £143.99 |
| Leisurewize LWACC169 Twin Tub | 3.5kg twin-tub model | Compact twin-tub washing | £107.99 |
| eBay 4.5kg Mini Twin-Tub | 4.5kg mini twin-tub with dryer | Lower-cost small loads | £88.90 |
| eBay 3.5kg Fully Automatic | 3.5kg fully automatic with spin dryer | Less manual handling | £145.99 |
| eBay 12-litre Foldable Washer | 12-litre foldable washer | Very small travel loads | £25.07 |
| eBay Manual Hand-Crank Washer | Manual portable washer | Occasional off-grid washing | £30.99 |
Prices are the listed UK prices in the linked retailer or marketplace results; marketplace prices and listings can change.
The Leisurewize Twin Tub is the leading documented all-round option here. Argos gives it an approximate customer rating of 4.5 out of 5 from 358 reviews, with 92% of customers recommending it. Its 3kg wash capacity suits small loads, while the separate 2.5kg spin tub removes water before clothes are hung to dry.
It measures H57 × W60 × D36cm and has two wash settings, up to 15 minutes of wash time and up to five minutes of spin time. Water is added manually and drained into a bucket. It uses a UK three-pin plug, with a supplied power cable typically around 1–1.5m long.
Choose the Leisurewize for a named UK-listed twin-tub machine with straightforward manual water handling. Choose the B&Q model if washing capacity matters more than a smaller wash load.
The B&Q 8.5kg Twin Tub Portable Washing Machine has the largest stated washing capacity in this comparison: 6.5kg for washing and 2kg for spinning. B&Q lists it at £143.99.
It has separate washer and dryer tubs, a 15-minute timer, a drain hose and a water-inlet hose. B&Q describes the spin dryer as removing approximately 90% of the water, after which clothes should be hung up to finish drying. The “dryer” is therefore a spin dryer rather than a heated tumble dryer.
The model is sold and shipped by CLASSYCEDAR UK LTD, is available online only and is not stocked in B&Q stores.
The eBay 4.5kg mini twin-tub washing machine with dryer is the clearest lower-cost twin-tub option in this comparison, listed at £88.90. It has a larger stated capacity than the foldable machines while remaining below £100.
For the lowest listed price, an eBay 12-litre foldable portable washing machine costs £25.07. A manual hand-crank portable washing machine costs £30.99 and requires manual operation, making it suited to small, occasional loads.
The eBay listing also includes a Leisurewize LWACC169 3.5kg twin-tub machine at £107.99, with free delivery in two to three days shown on the product page. It is a named alternative to the unbranded marketplace options, but it costs more than £100.
A manually filled and emptied twin-tub machine is a practical format for camping, caravans and other places without a fixed washing-machine connection. The Leisurewize Twin Tub can be filled manually and emptied into a bucket, with a 3kg washing capacity and dimensions of H57 × W60 × D36cm.
The separate wash and spin tubs mean that clothes are moved between stages. The B&Q model offers a larger 6.5kg wash capacity, but its water-inlet hose and larger format make it a different choice from the manually handled Leisurewize.
Choose the format according to load size, storage and how much manual handling you want.
| Type | Best suited to | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Twin-tub | Regular small loads | Separate washing and spinning tubs; clothes are moved between them. |
| Fully automatic compact | Less manual handling | The eBay example is listed with a 3.5kg capacity and spin dryer. |
| Foldable washer | Travel and restricted storage | Small, collapsible format; the listed example has a 12-litre capacity. |
| Manual hand-crank | Occasional off-grid washing | Manual operation without the format of a powered twin-tub machine. |
It can be worthwhile where space or plumbing is limited. The Leisurewize Twin Tub handles small loads and can be filled and drained manually, but it is not a full-size automatic washing machine.
The Leisurewize Twin Tub is the strongest all-round choice in this comparison. The B&Q 8.5kg Twin Tub is the better option for its 6.5kg wash capacity, while the eBay 4.5kg mini twin-tub offers a lower listed price.
For travel, the 12-litre foldable washer is the smallest listed option by stated capacity and price. For a machine with separate washing and spinning, the manually filled Leisurewize Twin Tub is the more substantial option.
Not always. Argos states that the Leisurewize Twin Tub does not require plumbing: water can be added manually and emptied into a bucket.
Usually, “dryer” means a spin tub that removes water rather than a heated tumble dryer. The B&Q model’s spin dryer removes approximately 90% of water, after which clothes should be hung to finish drying.
