Picture this: you're hauling a week's worth of laundry three blocks to the nearest laundromat, feeding quarters into machines that smell like mildew, and waiting 90 minutes just to get clean clothes. If that sounds familiar, the Auertech portable washing machine might be exactly what you've been looking for.
This Auertech portable washing machine review covers everything you need to know before buying — from how it works day-to-day to who it's best suited for and what its real limitations are.
What Is the Auertech Portable Washing Machine?
Auertech makes twin-tub portable washers in three sizes: 14 lb, 20 lb, and 28 lb capacity. All three models share the same core design — a compact, freestanding unit with a wash tub on one side and a spin tub on the other. No permanent hookup required.
Key specs across the lineup: - Motor speed: 1300 RPM spin cycle - Drain method: Gravity drain with included hose - Power: Standard 110V household outlet - Design: Twin-tub, semi-automatic operation
The twin-tub setup means you wash in one compartment, then transfer clothes manually to the spin side to extract water. It's more hands-on than a traditional washer, but that's also why it's so compact and affordable.
How Does the Auertech Washer Actually Perform?
Let's be direct: this is not a set-it-and-forget-it appliance. Based on our Auertech mini washer review, the experience is more like assisted hand-washing than full automation. But within that context, it performs well.
Wash cycle: You fill the wash tub with water (hot or cold — your call), add detergent, load clothes, and set the timer. Cycles typically run 10–15 minutes for lightly soiled items, up to 20 minutes for heavier loads.
Spin cycle: Transfer clothes to the spin drum, set the spin timer for 3–5 minutes, and the 1300 RPM motor extracts a surprising amount of water. Clothes come out damp rather than soaking, cutting dry time significantly.
Cleaning quality: For everyday items — t-shirts, underwear, socks, gym clothes — the results are genuinely good. Heavily soiled work gear or thick denim may need a second wash cycle, but that's true of most compact washers.
Pro tip: Use a small amount of high-efficiency (HE) detergent. Regular detergent creates excess suds that can overflow the tub and reduce wash quality.
Who Should Buy the Auertech Portable Washing Machine?
The Auertech portable washing machine hits a sweet spot for a specific type of person. Here's who gets the most value from it:
- Apartment dwellers with no in-unit laundry and no desire to deal with shared laundry rooms
- RV and van life people who need laundry capability without hookups or weight limits
- College students in dorms or off-campus housing where full-size washers aren't allowed
- Campers and seasonal cabin users who want clean clothes without a trip to town
- Backup laundry option for households when the main washer breaks down
The 14 lb model works well for one or two people washing small loads daily. The 20 lb version handles slightly larger loads and is the most popular size. The 28 lb model is better if you're washing for a family or prefer doing less-frequent, larger loads.
Pro tip: For a two-person household, the 20 lb model is the sweet spot. It handles a couple days' worth of clothes per cycle without being overly bulky.
Setup, Use, and Maintenance
Getting started with the Auertech washer takes less than 10 minutes out of the box.
Setup steps: 1. Place the unit near a sink or bathtub for water access 2. Connect the inlet hose to your faucet (adapters included) or fill manually with a bucket 3. Route the drain hose into the sink or tub 4. Plug into a standard 110V outlet
Daily use workflow: 1. Fill wash tub — approximately 12–15 liters of water depending on load size 2. Add a small amount of HE detergent 3. Load clothes and set wash timer (10–15 min) 4. Drain wash water via the gravity drain 5. Optional: rinse cycle with clean water (5 min) 6. Transfer to spin drum, spin for 3–5 minutes 7. Hang or machine-dry as usual
Maintenance is minimal. Wipe down the interior after each use, leave the lids open to air dry, and clean the lint filter (located inside the wash tub) every few uses. The gravity drain means no pump to clog or maintain.
Pro tip: Place the unit on a small rubber mat to reduce vibration noise during the spin cycle. The 1300 RPM spin creates noticeable movement on hard floors.
Honest Pros and Cons
No Auertech washer review would be complete without a straight look at the tradeoffs.
Pros: - Genuinely compact — fits in a closet, under a counter, or in an RV - No permanent installation or plumbing required - Affordable price point compared to full-size or all-in-one units - 1300 RPM spin extracts water effectively, reducing dry time - Three size options for different household needs - Easy to move and store when not in use
Cons: - Semi-automatic means manual water filling and clothes transfer - Not suitable for large loads like comforters or heavy blankets - Gravity drain requires positioning near a floor-level drain or lifting the unit - No built-in water heater — you control water temperature at the source - Twin-tub design takes up more counter/floor space than a single-tub unit
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use the Auertech portable washing machine in an apartment?
Yes, absolutely. This is one of its strongest use cases. Because it connects to a standard faucet with an adapter and drains into a sink or tub, you don't need dedicated laundry hookups. Just roll it out, hook up to the kitchen or bathroom faucet, and you're good to go.
Q: How much water does it use per cycle?
A typical wash cycle uses 12–15 liters (3–4 gallons) of water. That's significantly less than a standard top-load washer, which uses 40–45 gallons per load. For water-conscious users, the savings are real.
Q: Can it handle jeans or towels?
Jeans and light towels work fine in the 20 lb and 28 lb models. Thick bath sheets or heavy denim may need to be washed in smaller batches. The 14 lb model is better suited to lighter items like t-shirts, underwear, and gym clothes.
Q: How loud is it during the spin cycle?
The spin cycle is audible — roughly comparable to a box fan on high. It's not silent, but it's not disruptive at normal hours. The rubber mat tip above helps reduce vibration transfer to floors and cabinets.
Q: Does the Auertech mini washer come with everything needed to start?
Yes. The Auertech package includes a drain hose, inlet hose with faucet adapter, and a lint filter. You'll need HE detergent and a water source, but no additional hardware.
The Bottom Line
If you're tired of the laundromat grind and don't have in-unit laundry, the Auertech portable washing machine is a practical, affordable solution that actually works. It asks for a bit more involvement than a full-size washer, but what you get in return is clean clothes on your schedule, at home, without the overhead.
For apartment dwellers, RV owners, and college students especially, the tradeoffs make complete sense. Pick the size that matches your household — 14 lb for solo use, 20 lb for couples, 28 lb for families — and you'll wonder why you waited so long to ditch the laundromat.
Check out the Auertech portable washing machine on Amazon and see which size fits your space.