The Quietest Washing Machines

If your washing machine is on the primary floor where you live, you will agree with me on this:

A washer and dryer can be loud—especially if near the bedroom or a baby room.

You can try keeping it in the basement—but I’d still prefer to keep the laundry room near living areas to avoid inconvenience.

Tired of the constant whirring noise, I spent a good dozen hours looking for low-decibels washing machines.

If you find yourself in the same boat, I have good news for you:

I’m going to share everything that I have learned to help you choose the best quiet washing machine.

Note: If you’re serious about eliminating noise from your home, you might also want to consider replacing your existing appliances like the space heater with a silent space heater. This handy resource will help you select one—whether for office or for home.

1. RCA RPW091 0.9 cu. ft. Portable Washer

Looking for a quiet top-loading portable washing machine? Consider having a look at the RCA RPW091.

This is a top-loading model and it has an LED display panel which is always good to have. It has a steel drum that is made to withstand the maximum revolutions while at the same time allowing for effective cleaning. Moreover, don’t have to worry about rusting.

It has a capacity of 0.9 cubic feet—this might be a good choice if you live alone or in a small family.

It has a sleek and stylish design and comes in trendy blue and white colors.

The rollers, along with its lightweight nature means that it’s a perfect pick for portability.

It has a sound output of fewer than 72 decibels—which is slightly higher than a normal human conversation.

You can use your sink water as a source of water because of this machine inbuilt Quick-Connect Sink Adapter. It has 5 washing cycles so you can adjust it according to your needs.

The only downside is its capacity. If you have a huge family, you might need to make multiple trips for laundry.

Pros:

• Compact and portable
• Lightweight
• 5 wash cycles
• Quick-Connect Sink Adapter
• LED display panel
• Stylish design

Cons:

• Small capacity

2. Panda PAN56MGP3 1.34cu.ft Portable Machine

Looking for a top-load portable washing machine for your condo and apartment? Panda PAN56MGP3 is another great option.

It is compact which is perfect for small loads for daily usage, you can use it in apartments, dorms, RVs, and it just the right size to be the second washer in your house.

Weighing around 59 pounds, this machine is lightweight and has a compact design.

Its sturdy and quiet design accommodates up to 10lbs. of laundry in its stainless-steel drum which is durable and resists rust and chipping.

This portable top load upper drainage washing machine offers 10 different washing programs set with the touch of a button. 5 water level settings to make sure your clothes come out as clean as can be.

It has electronic control with an LED display.

My only gripe is that it has only 1 water inlet. However, it can be connected to a standard faucet using the inlet hose and quick adapter in the package. It’s also a little shaky during the spin cycles.

Pros:

• Run washing, rinsing and spinning functions in cycle automatically
• Easy to operate
• Transparent top so you can see the clothes inside when the machine is running
• Quiet

Cons:

• Might shake or jump during the spin cycles
• Hooks to the sink only

3. hOmeLabs 0.9 Cu. Ft. Portable Washing Machine

hOmeLabs is a great energy-efficient and portable washing machine.

You can put nine-pounds of clothing into the washing drum, at any time. But, anything more than that, and you are going to have a much more difficult time using this washing machine.

It also has a transport wheel for easy portability.

It features a transparent lid, so you can see exactly what is happening, at any moment of the washing process. There are five different washing programs and three water level selections that you can choose from.

One great thing about the machine is that due to its design, it doesn’t use that much electricity. It uses 120v of power and due to is low energy usage, it is also quiet. It runs at 70 decibels—which is pretty quiet for a washing machine.

The stainless steel washtub is sturdy, durable, and rust-resistant. It shouldn’t rust over time.

Pros:

• Energy efficient
• Low noise
• LED digital display
• Portable
• Transparent lid and LED display

Cons:

• May vibrate during washing cycle

4. Giantex Portable Compact Machine

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Giantex Portable Compact Machine is an eco-friendly and full-automatic top-load washer.

This top-load machine is small and compact—and hence easy to move around. With a modest capacity of 7.7lbs, it isn’t suitable for a large load. However, it can take a set of clothes, or a few towels with ease and provide a thorough clean.

With the multi-functional programs, you will be able to easily regulate all the functions of the system. The eco-friendly design also makes the washer user-friendly and great for daily laundry. It has 5 programs and 3 water levels for choosing. It is fully automatic and doesn’t require a huge space to set up.

The noise levels are around 72 decibels—which is pretty good for a product of this type.

It has a built-in drain pump, which leads the way for automatic drainage. Although the maintenance of the water hose may be a little tedious.

Pros:

• Eco-friendly design
• Fully automatic
• Gravity drain
• 3 water levels
• Spin wash and spin dry

Cons:

• Maintenance of water hose might be a little tedious

5. Best Choice Products Portable Compact Twin Tub Laundry Machine

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Best Choice Products Portable Compact is a compact, noiseless washer that with high-load capacity.

It is compact and lightweight, weighing only 23.9 pounds. If you travel often, you can even take it with you!

This compact machine is still able to handle 13 pounds of laundry; 8 pounds for the washer and 5 pounds for the spin cycle. So it is not only lightweight, it is equally efficient.

It saves time as well. If your loads are smaller, then you can expect all your laundry to be done in less than half an hour. The entire cleaning process can be completed in 20 minutes.

Despite being so efficient, it is as noiseless as it can be. It produces around 60dB of sound.

Unlike the RCA RPW091, this machine can hold a lot of load in one use. It has a great twin tub design, which means one side is a dedicated washer while the other is a spin dryer.

Pros:

• Compact; easy for traveling
• Lightweight
• Holds a lot of laundry in one wash
• Efficient- 20 minutes for one full cycle
• Super quiet

Cons:

• Durability can be an issue if not used properly

6. Haier HLP21N Pulsator 1-Cubic-Foot Portable Washer

Haier HLP21N is a portable washer that is great especially for apartments or RVs.

This is a portable washer with a 1-cubic-foot stainless-steel tub for loads up to 6 pounds in every wash. With a weight of 43 pounds – this washer is compact and lightweight. It is easy to move it around with the help of the smooth-rolling casters attached to it.

It comes with 3 different wash cycles as well as 3 different water levels. The machine’s electronic controls have LED indicators. The machine also has lights that allow you to monitor the status of the cycle as well as signal the end of a cycle.

If you’re not used to doing laundry, then the clear top can help you to take a peep at your laundry as the machine is the expediting mode.

You can also connect it to the faucet using the quick-connect sink adapter that it comes with. The adjustable leveling leg lets you ensure that the level loads are just perfect.

The machine remains quiet during the wash and rinses cycles – around 72 decibels. It does emit a bit of whirring sound during the spin cycle, though. It’s still perfectly acceptable if you ask me though.

If you hear any thumping sound, then the load in the washer might be unbalanced. If something like this happens, the machine will beep and stop indicating that you should balance the load in the wash basket before the cycle can continue.

Pros:

• Compact and lightweight
• Portable
• 3 wash cycles
• Quick connect sink adapter

Cons:

• Whirring sound during the spin cycle

Buying Guide: What To Consider When Buying Quiet Washing Machines?

Noise Level

Since you are looking for a quiet washing machine, this, obviously is an essential factor. Sound is measured in decibels. Washing machines ranging from 60-80 decibels are considered fairly quiet.

When it comes to washing machines, noise is produced at two stages; during the wash and during the spin. Usually, the spin cycle makes a lot of noise, due to its motor.

Types of Machines

Top Load

The cover at the top helps in loading and unloading of clothes. The round vessel performs the washing, rinsing, and drying in the fully automatic machine. If you’re an elderly person or have joint problems while bending, you might want to consider getting this one.

Front Load

In this machine, the clothes are loaded from the front side. They are good for compact areas.

Spin or Pulse

Spin is a process used to clean the specks of dirt and stains are from the clothes while washing. Needless to say, the traditional ones are noisy and bulkier.

On the contrary, the recent models use vibrating pulses to get the clothes free from stains and dirt. Vibrating pulse is a process that produces noise less than a normal human conversation.

So by simply opting for a pulse machine, you can cut out considerable noise.

Portability

Portable washers generally benefit from a lower noise profile thanks to their compact design and smaller loads—which is ideal for when you want to wash clothes in different rooms of the house.

Depending on your need, you can opt for a portable option if you want to move the machine for one place or room to another.

Efficiency & Energy Cost

A larger washer might use quite a bit more electricity than a smaller alternative, so if you want to avoid spending a lot of money on electricity, consider getting a top-load washing machine that is Energy Star certified.

When compared with traditional washing machines, top-load units tend to offer better energy efficiency, and they’re much more efficient over a long period of time.

Flexibility

Some of today’s quietest washing machines are designed to be lightweight and portable, connecting to standard faucets for use anywhere where there is a water connection. This flexibility variance can come in handy because it will make sure your machine can be connected to the outlet at your home.

Eco Ratings

If you’re looking for a low energy option, make sure that any models you’re considering come complete with a good energy rating and reasonable water consumption levels. If you are concerned about energy usage, looking for the eco ratings to find the best eco-friendly option.

Giantex Portable Compact Machine has an eco-friendly design.

Functionality and Wash Cycles

If you don’t want to repeatedly run the washer for another load, you might want a washing machine holding a bigger drum. The bigger drum size will let you finish laundry faster because you won’t have to do as many loads.

Most top-load washers have a larger capacity than traditional models. The problem with traditional models is that they use an agitator, which reduces the unit’s total capacity.

Many options are available today, depending on your usage, family size, etc. you need to choose the one that works best for you. I always prefer and recommend washing machines with different cycles because it caters to the needs of your family having different requirements for their clothes. 

Smart Machines

Many washers these days come with smart features. For example, you could control your washer with a smartphone.

Obviously, such machines with smart features tend to be a little expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why Is My Washing Machine Vibrating?

Usually, faster spin cycles lead to the vibration of the washer. You need to first identify why your machine is vibrating.

The vibration is usually caused by leveling issues, stacking kit issues, an unbalanced load or insufficient floor bracing.

How to Make a Washing Machine Quieter?

Here are a few steps to quieten a washing machine:

1. A few quick fixes
   • Move your clothes around in the middle of a spin cycle.
   • Use smaller loads of clothes when filling your washing machine.
   • Remove the shipping bolts by hand or with a wrench.
2. Level the washer
3. Replace the shock absorbers

How Many Decibels Is a Quiet Washing Machine?

When it comes to calculating the noise produced by a washing machine, the average volume of the machine’s wash and spin cycles is measured in decibels (dB).

Remember, the higher the dB the louder (noisy) the machine would be.

However, anything below 50 dB is considered “ultra-quiet”. Although, 60-80 decibels is a quiet range.

What Is a Quiet Mark?

Quiet Mark is the international approval award program associated with the UK Noise Abatement Society charitable foundation. It encourages companies worldwide to prioritize noise reduction within the design of everyday machines and appliances, and find solutions to noise problems.

What Type of Washing Machine Is Better: Top-loading or Front-loading?

Here are some pointers on a top-load washer:

• Less expensive
• Fewer features
• The higher long-term cost of ownership
• Harsher on clothes
• Easy to use, convenient

Here are some things to note about front-load washers:

• More expensive
• More luxury features
• More energy & water efficient
• Gentler on clothes
• Cleans better
• Less noisy in use
• Expensive than top-load machines

What Is an Integrated Washing Machine?

An integrated washing machine is the one that is placed behind the cupboard door.

How Many Years Does a Washing Machine Last?

The average life expectancy of a new washing machine is 11 years.