When you think of a clothes dryer, you probably picture a huge, heavy machine. If you live in a small space, or if you don’t want to invest in a full-sized dryer, a portable option might be a reasonable alternative. These are small and lightweight, so you can move them easily.
Portable clothes dryers are particularly useful for compact living arrangements, where you just don't room for a full sized washer\dryer. Tiny city apartments, cabins, and RVs are all great candidates for these small appliances. You can take it out when you need to do laundry, and stow it away in a more convenient storage space the rest of the time. This maximizes your available room and still adds the functionality of a full-service dryer.
Even though a portable dryer is more affordable than a full-size model, it’s still an investment. That’s why it’s important to find a model that fits into your space and has the drying power you need. If you’re living in an RV or another situation with limited power, make sure that your outlets can support the unit. Below, we’ve listed our five favorite portable clothes dryers.
Top 5: Portable Clothes Dryers Review
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The Sentern Portable Dryer delivers a surprising amount of power in a small package. It features a 120-volt heating unit that creates 140 degrees of heat — enough to dry everything from jeans to towels. This model holds up to 8.8 pounds of clothes.
This product comes with four different heat options: hot, warm, cool, and dry. If you choose the hot cycle, your clothes run for 120-200 minutes. On the air dry setting, the cycle runs for up to 80 minutes. There’s also an anti-wrinkle setting, which helps release the creases from your clothes in 30-60 minutes.
If you’re living in a compact space, extra noise can be disturbing. That’s where this Sentern model comes in handy — it’s engineered to run quietly, so you can sleep or go about your business easily. Plus, with the sophisticated air intake filter, the unit uses electricity efficiently to keep your power bills down.
It measures just 24 inches x 27 inches x 18 inches, so you can pop it on top of a counter for temporary use. It’s also small enough to install under a counter top in your RV or mobile home. Between uses, it fits into most closets. Weighing in at 66 pounds, it’s relatively easy to lift on your own.
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This Giantex Washing Machine and Spinner does two things: it cleans your clothes and spins the water out, so they dry faster. If you’ve been hand-washing clothes at home or in your RV, this compact machine can be a lifesaver.
Technically, this compact machine isn’t a dryer. Instead, it uses a spinner to remove most of the water from your clean clothes. That way, you can hang them or place them on a rack and enjoy dry clothes in less time. Compared to a compact heat dryer, this option uses less energy — an ideal solution if you want to go green or cut your utility bills.
Its features two tubs for easy clothing separation. The total wash time takes just 15 minutes, speeding up your laundry process. If you want to spin the clothes, the cycle takes about 5 minute; however, since the spinner can only hold 6.6 pounds, you may need to run it more than once. It’s a good idea to set the washer in a tub or in a tiled area while it runs.
With its lightweight design, this unit is a breeze to move. You can set it up quickly and then transfer it to storage, all without assistance.
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The Panda Portable Dryer is a spin model — that means that instead of heat, it removes moisture by spinning the clothes at 3200 RPM. A gravity drain at the bottom ports the water away from the fabric. At the end of a cycle, your clothes are nearly dry; simply hang them up to complete the process.
Equipped with a standard 110V plug, this Panda dryer is designed to work in any household outlet. That’s a big advantage, especially if you’re in a dorm room, houseboat, or RV. Plus, it uses a reasonable amount of power to keep your utilities manageable.
Since this unit comes with a drain, you don’t need to worry about using it in a tub. Put it anywhere you have space and let it run; you can collect the water by putting a bucket or large bowl under it. This flexibility is useful in a compact or carpeted space. The feet are covered with rubber to help stabilize the unit as it spins.
Using the Panda spin dryer is a breeze — all you need to do is flip the switch to the on position. Between uses, you can leave it in plain view or store it in a closet. Weighing in at just 22 pounds, it’s easy to lift.
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The ZENY Washer and Dryer combines a small washing machine and an even smaller spin dryer. If you live in a small space, this powerful unit offers a complete laundry solution. This model uses a two-tub design. The wash tub, which holds up to 8 pounds, runs for 15 minutes. Then, you can place 5 pounds of clothes in the spin tub, which spins them for up to 5 minutes. Alternatively, you can run both at once.
Like other spin dryers, this model gets clothes almost all the way dry. It speeds up the line-drying or racking-drying process, all without heat. That’s a convenient option if you want to spend less time on laundry and use less electricity.
The Zeny unit is engineered specifically for small spaces, making it a convenient solution for RVs and city apartments. When you need to use it, put it on any stable surface, and place a bucket under the gravity drain; you can also put it in the tub or shower for ease of use. After you’re done, the washer/dryer is small enough to store in a closet.
If you need to reduce noise for neighbors or kids, this might be a good option. It’s designed to run without vibrating, so it’s quiet and safe for city apartments with thin walls or floors.
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The Costway Dryer uses electric heat to dry your clothes. With five different heat settings, it’s easy to customize it to suit any type of clothing. Plus, since it holds up to 10 pounds of clothes, you can dry more at once.
Built with 850W of power, it runs for up to 200 minutes on its highest setting. That’s a little more than three hours, which means that you can set it to run while you sleep or while you’re out. Since it features a quiet design, you don’t need to worry about vibrations.
This tiny product weighs in at just 37.3 pounds. It’s a breeze to lift, so you can move it to a convenient spot on laundry day and stow it away in a closet between uses. Alternatively, mount it permanently in your RV or home.
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best portable clothes dryer
Each of these portable clothes dryers can help you remove the water from your freshly washed laundry. Whether you want a heat-based model or a spin-dryer, each one gets the job done. Our favorite model, however, is the Sentern Dryer. With its powerful heat settings and quiet operation, it runs without excess noise and leaves your clothes looking great.
Ready to have a dryer in your home? Order the Sentern model today!
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portable clothes dryer Buying Guide
As you’re choosing the one you want, there are a number of factors to consider — especially if you plan to use your dryer in a compact space. Plus, these appliances don’t come cheap; with a little up-front research, you can make sure that you’re making the right choice for your budget and your living space.
Ease of Use
When you’re drying your clothes, you probably don’t want to spend time deciphering symbols and complicated cycles. That’s why it’s a good idea to look for a model that is simple and easy to use. Look at the control panel — if it’s easy to understand, you’re probably good to go.
Drying Options
Most portable clothes dryers don’t come with as many drying options as a full-size model. However, you can certainly find options with more than one heat setting. If you have many delicate clothes, or if you need to dry heavy items, it’s a good idea to look for a dryer with low, medium, and high heat settings. That way, you can select the temperature setting and protect your clothes. You can also choose a spin dryer, which uses less electricity but doesn’t dry clothes completely.
Weight
Are you planning to move your portable dryer around your space? If so, it’s a good idea to check out the total weight of each unit. Make sure that you can comfortably lift the dryer, either on your own or with assistance. If you’re installing it in an RV, it’s helpful to know how much weight you’re adding to your rig for fuel economy and safety purposes.
Cycle Time
Because they’re smaller than traditional options, portable models tend to have longer cycle times. Some are longer than others; be sure to check out the expected drying periods before you purchase. That way, you can pick a model that fits into your lifestyle. If you like to do laundry last-minute before work, for example, one with a four-hour dry time probably won’t work for you.
Noise Rating
If you’re looking for one to install in an RV or a very small apartment, noise matters. As you’re considering different portable clothes dryers, look at the noise rating. Is the unit designed to run quietly? Does it have vibration-dampening technology? These factors can reduce excess sound in a small space, which increases your quality of life considerably. This is particularly true if you plan to run the dryer while you sleep.
