The 10 Best Washboards
Special Honors
Wonder Wash The Wonder Wash is a portable, hand-operated option that can clean clothes in one or two minutes. It doesn't require electricity or use very much water, and is relatively gentle on clothes. While it weighs a mere six pounds, it still has enough capacity to launder about ten t-shirts or two pairs of jeans at a time. laundry-alternative.com
Editor's Notes
August 13, 2020:
We wanted to include washboards made from a range of materials and in various designs, since these features can make models better suited for certain uses. The MZD 50 is a simple grooved board that can be used with any container you have handy, and is best-suited for smaller items like underwear and socks. The Dyxoo 20 doesn't need to be used with an additional container, because it has an incorporated basin that can hold up to 4-quarts of water. The wood construction of the Topbathy 40 and the Living Plus Natural are a more attractive choice than some alternatives, but are both a bit heavier than plastic models. The Columbus Maid-Rite 2072 also stands out for having a very eye-catching design and could even be used as decor to add a bit of rustic charm to a space.
Small ones like the Topbathy Bamboo, the Inomata 1764 and the Living Plus Natural work well for camping or road trips, or when you'd just prefer not to go to the laundromat. Taking portability to a whole new level, we have the Anfun Mini, which includes three handheld, washboard-like scrubbers that come in several colors.
None of these use electricity and typically you'll use less water than traditional washing machines for a load of laundry. Of course, they do require quite a bit of elbow grease, so if you prefer something that doesn't demand as much manual effort, but which can still help you save on utility costs, you may be interested in a portable washer instead. If you want a futuristic item that cleans clothes in addition to rigid items like tools and optical gear, look at our list of ultrasonic washers.