In this review, we'll be taking a look at the Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer to help you decide if it's the right solution for your laundry needs. There are a number of key things to consider when choosing any kitchen appliance, including size, cost, performance and energy efficiency, so we'll be covering all of these areas in depth to ensure that you make an informed buying decision.
1.6 cubic feet capacity
Costs $949 (MSRP)
Stainless steel wash basket
Not Energy Star rated
Lid and control locks
Made in the US
One-year limited warranty
Five cycle settings
Costs approximately $13 a year to run
Maximum spin speed is 850 rpm
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, a quick summary: like all the best portable washers, this top-loading model boasts a compact design (1.6 cubic feet), making it ideal for smaller living spaces. As for installation, it can be plumbed in as a permanent fixture or rolled out on an 'ad hoc' basis, depending on your requirements. Though it's one of the most expensive portable washers on the market at $949 (manufacturer's suggested retail price), the Whirlpool WTW2000HW does offer an impressive range of features, including five wash cycles and the same amount of temperature settings, a maximum spin speed of 850RPM, an option to add or deduct time from any cycle, and an EasyView glass lid that will enable you to keep tabs on your load mid-wash. On the downside, the machine is not as energy-efficient as some of the products on our best portable washers list, and does not have an Energy Star rating.
As for the manufacturer's credentials, Whirlpool's pedigree speaks for itself. Founded in 1911, the Michigan-based company is now recognized as one of the world's leading kitchen appliance producers, with a range that spans everything from washers/dryers to cookers and microwave ovens.
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: How big is it?
- Height: 46 (in)
- Depth: 23 (in)
- Width: 21 (in)
If you live a transient lifestyle that involves frequently moving from one home to the next, then it might make sense to invest in household appliances that you can easily take with you. Portable clothes washers were designed for this very purpose. Smaller and lighter than standard washing machines, they're much less hassle to cart around and are generally a better fit for apartments, student accommodation, and other temporary residences.
The Whirlpool WTW2000HW is one such machine, measuring 23”D x 21”W x 37”H and weighing 81 lbs (note that the stated height measurement is with the lid closed – when open, the machine stands 46 inches tall). While it's one of the larger portable washers on the market, the machine’s capacity of 1.6 cubic feet isn't the biggest we've come across. The GE GNW128PSMWW, for example, boasts a capacity of 2.8 cubic feet. However, that machine is a slightly more cumbersome unit at 37.4”D x 24”W x 24.5”H, so you'll need to weigh up what matters most to you. (By the way, if you're looking for a much smaller machine, you could try something like the Danby DWM030WDB mini portable washer, which is just 17.7”D x 18.1”W x 31.5”H. This model only offers a 0.9 cubic feet capacity, though.)
A washer with a capacity of 1.6 cubic feet will handle up to 11 lbs worth of washing at a time. To give you an idea of how much that is, a large towel weighs around 1.6lbs, meaning you'll be able to wash six or seven per cycle. If, however, you're looking for something that will wash your king-size comforter, then you should look at standard-sized washing machines as it's widely accepted that such an item requires a drum capacity of at least 3.8 cubic feet.
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: How easy is it to install?
Most portable washers require you to hook them up to your sink faucet and a mains socket in order for them to work. The Whirlpool WTW2000HW goes against the grain here, though, as it gives you the choice of doing this or properly plumbing it in for a more permanent arrangement. If you go for the former option, set-up couldn't be easier. Simply roll the washer into place using the casters on the bottom, activate the levelling feet, connect the fill-and-drain hose to your faucet (an adapter is supplied) and hook up the machine to the nearest mains socket using the 120V cable. If you choose the more permanent option, the good news is that Whirlpool has included very detailed installation instructions within the user manual. You'll need a range of tools, including a utility knife, an adjustable or open-end wrench and a pair of pliers – as well as a bit of patience!
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: What’s good about it?
Available in white, the Whirlpool WTW2000HW is a sleek-looking machine with an easy-to-read, top-facing control panel. Here, you can choose from five different wash cycles, including Normal, Delicate, Heavy Duty, Rinse and Spin, as well as five different water temperatures – Tap Cold, Cold, Cool, Warm and Hot. It's also possible to manually add or subtract minutes for a more bespoke wash. Having so many options available means that you can tailor your cycles according to fabric type, soil levels, etc, which can not only help to prolong the life of your items but also save you money on energy bills. The GE GNW128PSMWW offers even more wash cycles (eight in total, including a jeans wash and a speed wash), though that machine only gives you the choice of four water temperatures.
The Whirlpool WTW2000HW's maximum spin speed is 850RPM, which is the joint second fastest of all the products in our best portable washers guide (the Danby DWM030WDB is slightly quicker at 900RPM, but that doesn't offer anywhere near the capacity that this one does). Using an impeller system, it'll drive your clothes and linen from the perimeter of the stainless steel wash basket to the centre, providing a gentler yet more thorough clean. Speaking of that basket, the machine offers a separate Clean Washer Cycle, which enables you to give it a good rinse every 30 cycles to keep things in optimum condition.
Elsewhere, there are separate dispensers for fabric softener, detergent and bleach – not as common as you might expect with portable washers – along with lid and control locks for protecting your kids and keeping the machine protected from them. The EasyView glass lid is quite stylish, but we've never been compelled to monitor a load mid-wash, so it certainly wouldn't be a deal-breaker for us.
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: What’s not so good about it?
According to our calculations, the average cost of a portable washer is $423. That places the Whirlpool WTW2000HW (MSRP $949) very much at the upper end of the price scale. Even taking free delivery and a one-year limited warranty into consideration, that's a lot of money to spend. We wouldn't mind if it was top-of-the-class in every area, but it's not: the GE GNW128PSMWW offers a larger capacity and more wash cycles; the Insignia NS-TWM16WH9 is lighter and more energy-efficient; while the Danby DWM030WDB has a faster maximum spin speed. They're not meant as massive criticisms of the Whirlpool machine, which does things either very well or quite well. It's just that, for the price, you'd expect it to be the perfect all-rounder.
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: How efficient is it?
The Whirlpool WTW2000HW uses 100kWh per year and does not have an Energy Star rating. Only one product on our best portable washers list has a worse energy efficiency rating than that, the GE GNW128PSMWW; expending an average of 136kWh per year (remember, though, that the GE machine has a considerably larger capacity than Whirlpool's offering). In all honesty, the energy efficiency rating won't make a huge difference to your utility bills, with 100 kWh costing around $13 per year. However, if you're looking for an eco-friendly option, you might want to consider something like the Magic Chef MCSTCW16W4 which only uses 63 kWh per year.
With some washing machines, you get the option to run a 'quick' cycle, which can help to reduce energy. That's not the case with the Whirlpool WTW2000HW, although being able to choose cooler temperatures, and manually reduce the cycle time where appropriate, should make some difference.
Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer: User reviews
There aren't a wealth of comments about this portable washer online. On Whirlpool's own website, the WTW2000HW has been rated just 14 times, receiving a fairly mediocre overall score of 3.6 out of five. Of those 14 users, eight gave the machine the maximum five stars. One of those wrote: “I have been very happy with it. It was easy to install, is easy to use, and has a very good selection of cycles and temperatures.” Others hailed the machine's ease of use and the fact that it fitted “perfectly” inside their apartment. A few of the comments were negative, though, with one person saying the washer had broken five days after delivery, and another observing that the wash basket could be bigger.
Should you buy the Whirlpool WTW2000HW portable washer?
The Whirlpool WTW2000HW is a good-quality portable washer, made by a manufacturer with a proud pedigree. It offers decent performance with a fast maximum spin speed and a good choice of cycle options. On the downside, it is expensive, it doesn't have the capacity to handle really large loads, and it's also not as energy-efficient as some of the machines we've tested. Also bear in mind that this is one of the larger portable washers on the market, and if you have a really compact living space, you might want to consider a smaller machine such as the Danby DWM030WDB.
