Giantex EP21684 Portable Washer Review
Our verdict
The Giantex EP21684 is the benchmark portable washer at $149.99. A 20 lb drum, 1350 RPM spin, and a 4.2-star average from more than 15,200 buyers make a strong case for it across nearly every value dimension. The one real trade-off is the semi-automatic design, which requires you to move laundry between tubs manually.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Renters and small families who want to handle full-sized loads, including jeans, sheets, and towels, without paying for a laundromat or installing a permanent machine. The 20 lb capacity is a genuine differentiator in this price range.
Skip if
You want a single-button, fully automatic cycle where the machine handles everything from fill to drain to spin without intervention. The semi-automatic design requires you to stay engaged and manage each step manually.
- Load capacity 20.0 lb
- Load type Top Load
- Installation Freestanding
- Cycles 4000
- Spin speed 1350 RPM
- Operation Semi Automatic
- Priced 12% below the category median ($169.99 across 88 tracked models)
- Load capacity of 20.0 lb - larger than 64% of the 88 models we track
- Cycles of 4000 - higher than 98% of the 88 models we track
Our scorecard
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Owner rating4.2/5
4.2 average across 15,200 owner ratings
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Popularity5.0/5
15,200 owner reviews, more than most models here
The overall score is owner satisfaction weighted by how many reviews back it, so a high rating from few reviews counts for less. The bars below show where this model stands against the other portable and full-size washers and dryers we track in this category on price, popularity and size. Context, not marks against it, and our read of the data, not a lab test.
Specifications
- Load capacity
- 20.0 lb
- Load type
- Top Load
- Installation
- Freestanding
- Cycles
- 4000
- Spin speed
- 1350 RPM
- Operation
- Semi Automatic
- Controls
- Push Button
- Drum
- Plastic
- Color
- White & Blue
- Finish
- Painted
- Dimensions
- 15 X 24.8 X 28.5 In
- Weight
- 28.0 lb
- Voltage
- 120 Volts
Overview
The Giantex EP21684 is a semi-automatic portable washer with a top-load design and a 20 lb capacity, putting it well above the 5 to 13 lb range typical of comparably priced compact models. At $149.99, it is one of the most affordable washers in its weight class. The 1350 RPM spin speed is high for a portable unit, which means clothes emerge noticeably drier than they would from machines spinning at 800 or 1000 RPM.
The physical footprint measures 15 x 24.8 x 28.5 inches. That is compact enough for a small apartment utility area or a bathroom with a bit of floor space, but it is not a countertop appliance. Weight is 28 pounds, light enough for one person to reposition without major effort. The drum and body are plastic, and the push-knob controls are deliberately simple with no digital display.
The buyer data is the most compelling argument for this machine. Over 15,200 ratings at a 4.2-star average, combined with 20 or more units moving per month, confirms this is not just a popular product on paper. That volume of feedback provides a realistic picture of long-term satisfaction that a 58-review product simply cannot match. The catch, repeated in many buyer comments, is the twin-tub workflow: you fill the wash tub, let it agitate, then move wet clothes manually into the spin compartment. That two-step process takes roughly 30 minutes per load and requires you to stay nearby.
Pros
- 20 lb capacity is one of the largest available in portable washers under $200
- 1350 RPM spin speed extracts water effectively, cutting drying time
- 4.2-star average from 15,200+ ratings is a reliable sample size
- At $149.99, the price-to-capacity ratio is among the best in the category
- 28 lb body is light enough for one person to move or store
- Standard 120-volt plug works in any US residential outlet
Cons
- Semi-automatic operation: you must move clothes between wash and spin tubs manually
- Plastic drum is less resistant to long-term wear than stainless steel
- No digital controls or cycle presets, just manual timing knobs
- Dimensions (15 x 24.8 x 28.5 inches) require dedicated floor space
- Painted exterior finish may chip after sustained use
Performance notes
A 20 lb capacity in a portable washer is enough for a full queen sheet set, a week of clothes for one person, or five to six pairs of jeans in a single cycle. The 1350 RPM spin is the key differentiator from cheaper models: clothes that come out of a 1350 RPM spin are close to what a dryer would produce in a short cycle, which matters if you are air-drying in a small apartment. The trade-off for that high spin speed is the twin-tub layout. After the wash cycle, you lift wet laundry from the larger wash compartment and place it into the spin basket, then activate the spin separately. Total time from start to finish, including filling and draining, runs 25 to 35 minutes depending on load size. The 120-volt requirement is standard, and hose connections fit most kitchen and bathroom faucets.
What buyers say
More than 15,200 ratings at 4.2 stars is a category-leading combination of volume and score for a portable washer under $200. Consistent monthly sales above 20 units confirm ongoing market confidence rather than a one-time spike. Buyer patterns across this volume typically show appreciation for the capacity and spin performance, with recurring notes on the manual transfer step as the main adjustment period. Compared to alternatives like the Avanti CTW84X0W-IS (3.7 stars, 58 reviews) or the Costway GT-23104-CYWH (3.7 stars, 4,900 reviews), the EP21684 leads on both rating and review depth.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the Giantex EP21684 require a faucet hookup?
Yes, it includes fill and drain hoses designed to connect to a standard kitchen or bathroom faucet. The semi-automatic design means you connect the fill hose to run water in, then drain the wash tub via gravity before moving clothes to the spin basket.
Can this machine handle a queen-size comforter?
The 20 lb capacity can fit a twin or full-size comforter. A queen comforter in heavier materials may be at the edge of the drum size, and a king comforter is too large. Always check the care label and avoid packing the tub so full that the agitator cannot move freely.
How long does a full wash cycle take?
The wash timer is adjustable, typically set to 10 to 15 minutes for a normal load. After transferring clothes to the spin basket, spin runs about 5 minutes. Including fill and drain time, a complete load takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish.