The Magic Chef MCSTCW20S5 is a 2.0 cu. ft. top-load washer built for apartments, dorms and vacation homes rather than family laundry. Six automatic cycles, three water levels and three temperature settings cover most of what a small household produces, and the stainless steel tub, LED display and built-in detergent dispenser are unusual at this size. Video reviewers found the spin cycle louder than expected. It is a second washer, not a replacement for a full-size machine.
Full review
2.0 cubic feet, 37 inches tall, 77.2 pounds
The cabinet stands 37 inches high, 21.7 wide and 22.2 deep, and the machine weighs 77.2 lb, light enough for two people to carry up a stairwell. Adjustable legs and casters let it be leveled and rolled out of a closet when it is needed. Allow extra vertical clearance above it for the lid to open fully.
Six cycles and an impeller, not an agitator
The six automatic cycles are normal, heavy, delicate, quick, bulky and spin-only, with three water levels and three temperatures behind them. Washing is done by an impeller and pulsator rather than a center agitator, which is gentler on fabric and leaves more usable tub space, but is less aggressive on heavily soiled loads.
Stainless tub, LED display, built-in dispenser
The inner tub is stainless steel, which resists rust and is the main reason the machine feels better built than its size suggests. A glass lid with a soft close lets you watch the load, and the LED panel makes cycle selection obvious even in a dim laundry closet. A built-in detergent dispenser is rare on a compact washer.
The spin cycle is the loud part
Wash phases are quiet; the spin is not. Reviewers consistently flag the top of the spin cycle as louder than expected, and the vibration carries through a hard floor into the room below. Leveling the machine carefully and standing it on a rubber mat are the standard fixes, and neither of them eliminates the noise.
800 RPM spin and a 2.0 cu. ft. drum
Those two numbers set the ceiling on what this washer can do: small, frequent loads rather than a week of family laundry banked up for Saturday. Bulky items technically have a cycle, but a comforter will fill the drum on its own and come out wetter than a full-size machine would leave it.
Quick-connect to a faucet, one year of cover
It needs a standard 120-volt outlet and a hot and cold supply, and the included quick-connect kit attaches it to a faucet without a plumber. Owners report the connection can weep if it is not tightened properly, so watch it through the first fill. Cover runs one year on parts and labor, which is standard and not generous.
Strengths
- +2.0-cu. ft. capacity is perfect for apartments, vacation homes or any small laundry space
- +LED digital display makes selecting wash settings intuitive and easy
- +Six fully automatic wash cycles including normal, heavy, delicate, quick, bulky and spin only
- +Built-in detergent dispenser adds convenience for compact washer
- +Stainless steel inner tub feels durable and contributes to overall quality feel
Watch-outs
- −Noise level during spinning is a little louder than expected
- −Delay start function is present but not highlighted as a major benefit
How it compares
The Magic Chef Compact Top Load Washer provides a good balance of capacity and functionality for small spaces, offering more wash cycles than the portable models like the Giantex and Superday. While the Giantex is more compact, it lacks the LED display and detergent dispenser of the Magic Chef. The Superday's plastic build and poor spin performance make it less reliable. The Magic Chef's stainless steel tub and intuitive controls make it ideal for renters and dorm dwellers.
Rating sources
“the Magic Chef topload compact washer is a fantastic choice for those in need of a compact yet efficient washer it provides a solid balance of performance features and value”
“this washer is the best for small spaces especially if you live in a small apartment it is the best it was money well spent”
Our 4.3 score is the average of these published ratings. Ratings marked * were derived from the reviewer’s written analysis or video transcript — the publisher didn’t print an explicit numeric score, so we inferred one from their own words. Click through to verify. More about methodology.
