Danby DWM030WDB portable washer review

The Danby DWM030WDB is a compact and inexpensive portable washer with a good selection of washing cycles.

Danby DWM030WDB portable washer review
(Image: © Amazon)

Top Ten Reviews Verdict

If you live in a small space, the compact Danby DWM030WDB will save you trips to the laundromat.

Pros

  • +

    Lint trap

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    Quiet running

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    Extra compact

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    Five washing cycles

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    Super low running costs

Cons

  • -

    Cold water only

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    Only slightly smaller than models with much larger capacities

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If you live in a small apartment or need an inexpensive portable washing machine for your home, the Danby DWM030WDB is a good option. It has five cycles: heavy, normal, gentle, rapid, and soak. 

The major drawback of this washer is that it is designed to run on cold water. It is possible to do laundry with only a cold cycle - some of the top washers have cold cycles for delicates, after all. The Danby DWM030WDB is by far the most compact of the best portable washers we reviewed, and with 0.9 cubic foot capacity it will run at about a quarter of the capacity offered by the standard top load washer.

Danby DWM030WDB: What you need to know

This portable washer has a powerful 900 RPM spin speed and an above average 160 RPM wash speed. Despite this, users have reported that it runs quietly and can reliably clean loads laundry (which is the main thing we're after here). With a 0.9 cubic foot capacity, there's no denying that this machine isn't ideally built for family-sized washes. 

Large loads may take a few washes to complete, but that's the trade-off many happy users have made when they don't have enough space for a traditional washer, but are tired of the effort it takes to go to a laundromat. 

The Danby DWM030WDB has two rollers. It's portable and small in size, meaning you can store it in the corner of a bathroom or in a closet until you're ready to use it once more. When you're handling a small space such as an apartment, dimensions really matter. The Danby DWM030WDB is 18.06 inches deep, 17.68 inches wide, and 31.5 inches tall. That makes it the smallest portable washer we reviewed - even smaller than the Magic Chef MCSTCW16W4, although considering the difference in capacities (the Magic Chef MCSTCW16W4 can handle 1.6 cubic foot), there's not much in it. 

Danby DWM030WDB portable washer review: a top down shot showing the inside of the washer

(Image credit: Amazon)

Can you use warm water in the Danby DWM030WDB? Well, there's nothing stopping you, but Danby has said that it's for cold water washes only. There's nothing wrong with washing your laundry with only cold water, but for some this is an off-putting aspect of the Danby DWM030WDB, and not a problem you'll have with some of the larger options out there. If you do want the option of hot washes when buying a washer, consider the GE GNW128PSMWW.

The major payoff you get with this option is that its estimated annual energy and water cost is only $3. That's super efficient, even when compared to the most energy efficient models we reviewed. 

There's five cycles to choose from in the Danby DWM030WDB, including heavy, normal, gentle, rapid, and soak washes. There's also a built-in auto-balancing function, and a buzzer which sounds when your cycle is finished. The stainless steel drum shouldn't rust, but if it does, you're covered by the same one year warranty which covers all of the portable washers we reviewed.

Should you buy the Danby DWM030WDB? 

Is the Danby DWM030WDB the right washer for you? If you're in a small space or household and looking for an inexpensive portable washer, then it is one of the best options you'll find. With some nice features such as five cycles and a buzzer for when your cycle finishes, there's a lot on offer for the money. The major downside for some will be the lack of hot water wash options, so consider if this is a deal breaker before you buy.

Millie Fender
Head of Reviews

Millie Fender is Head of Reviews at Top Ten Reviews. She also works on our sister sites: Real Homes, Ideal Home, Homes & Gardens, and Livingetc. As Head of Reviews, Millie is on a mission to make sure that we are reviewing all of the latest and greatest products for you and your home, whether it's a vacuum cleaner or an inflatable hot tub.