Costway GT-23104-CYWH Portable Washer Review
Our verdict
The Costway GT-23104-CYWH is among the least expensive portable washers you can find at $85.99, and the 45 dB noise level is a genuine advantage. But a 5.5 lb capacity and a single manual cycle place firm limits on usefulness. It works for washing a few garments at a time, not for replacing a laundromat run.
Check price on AmazonBest for
Someone in a dorm, van, or tiny studio who needs to wash individual garments or delicates on a tight budget and cannot accommodate anything larger than a countertop appliance.
Skip if
You expect to wash jeans, towels, or anything larger than a light shirt. The 5.5 lb ceiling is strict, and manual operation means you will be managing the water yourself throughout.
- Load capacity 5.5 lb
- Load type Top Load
- Installation Countertop
- Cycles 1
- Operation Manual
- Controls Knob
- Priced 49% below the category median ($169.99 across 88 tracked models)
- Load capacity of 5.5 lb - smaller than 92% of the 88 models we track
- Cycles of 1 - lower than 89% of the 88 models we track
Our scorecard
-
Owner rating3.7/5
3.7 average across 4,900 owner ratings
-
Popularity4.8/5
4,900 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
- 5.5 lb
- Load type
- Top Load
- Installation
- Countertop
- Cycles
- 1
- Operation
- Manual
- Controls
- Knob
- Drum
- Polypropylene
- Noise
- 45.0 dB
- Color
- Blue
- Finish
- Plastic
- Dimensions
- 13.5 X 14 X 20 In
- Weight
- 12.1 lb
- Voltage
- 110 Volts
Overview
The Costway GT-23104-CYWH measures 13.5 x 14 x 20 inches and weighs just 12.1 pounds, making it one of the lightest portable washers on this site. At $85.99, it competes at the low end of the price spectrum. The single manual cycle is controlled by a knob, and the plastic drum is sized for roughly one or two lightweight clothing items.
The 45 dB noise rating is notably low. Most compact washers operate between 55 and 72 dB, so the Costway is quieter than most options in the segment. That matters in apartments where sound travels through walls and floors. The 5.5 lb capacity, however, is the bottleneck. That is enough for a couple of T-shirts or a few items of underwear but not a meaningful laundry session.
The review picture is mixed. A 3.7-star average from 4,900 reviews is a large enough sample to draw some conclusions: buyers are not uniformly satisfied, and the sub-4.0 rating at that volume typically reflects recurring complaints about durability or limited functionality. Zero recent purchases suggest the model is not currently gaining traction against competitors. The Giantex EP21684, which costs $64 more, provides 20 lb of capacity, a 1350 RPM spin, and a 4.2-star average from four times as many reviews.
Pros
- At $85.99, one of the lowest prices in the portable washer category
- 45 dB noise level is quieter than most comparable compact washers
- 12.1 lb weight makes it genuinely easy to carry or stow
- 13.5 x 14 x 20 inch footprint fits on a countertop or tight shelf
- Standard 110-volt plug, no special power requirement
Cons
- 5.5 lb capacity is the smallest in this comparison, barely enough for one outfit
- Single manual cycle with no fabric-specific settings
- Manual fill and drain, requiring constant user management
- 3.7 stars from 4,900 reviews indicates recurring dissatisfaction at scale
- Plastic construction may show wear quickly under regular use
Performance notes
At 5.5 pounds, the usable capacity is about two or three lightweight shirts or a handful of socks. Attempting to fill beyond that risks poor agitation and incomplete rinsing. The knob-controlled single cycle sets wash time but nothing else: no temperature selection, no pre-soak, no delay start. You add water manually via bucket or hose, run the cycle, and drain manually. The 45 dB rating is accurate relative to the category and makes it the best noise performer among the small countertop washers compared here. The 12.1 lb body is light enough that vibration during agitation may cause it to shift on a smooth countertop, so placing it on a non-slip mat is advisable.
What buyers say
Four thousand nine hundred reviews at 3.7 stars is a significant data set, and the sub-4.0 score at that volume is meaningful. It points to a pattern where a sizable portion of buyers found the machine did not meet their expectations, likely due to capacity limits or durability over time. Zero units bought recently suggests current shoppers are choosing alternatives when comparing features side by side. The score contrast with the Giantex EP21684 (4.2 stars, 15,200 reviews) is notable: the volume difference alone shows which machine the market has gravitated toward.
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Frequently asked questions
How much laundry can the Costway GT-23104-CYWH actually hold?
The 5.5 lb limit works out to two or three lightweight shirts or the equivalent in socks and underwear. Heavier items like denim, thick towels, or bedding exceed the weight limit and will not agitate properly in the small drum.
Does it need a permanent faucet connection?
No. This is a fully manual washer. You fill it using a garden hose or bucket, run the cycle, and drain it by tipping or connecting to a drain hose. No faucet adapter is needed.
How does this compare to the Giantex EP21684?
The Giantex EP21684 costs $149.99, which is $64 more, but holds 20 lb (versus 5.5 lb here), includes a 1350 RPM spin function, and earns a 4.2-star average from over 15,000 reviews. The Costway is cheaper and quieter, but the capacity gap is substantial.