An RV washer & dryer combo, also known as an RV combo laundry machine, is a portable appliance used to wash and dry laundry on the road. The best RV combo laundry machine will be low cost, easy to set up and use, and compact.
There are two main types of RV washer & dryer combos. The first type, a vented design, relies on the air in the room to dry the clothes and requires a vent to be installed. The second type, a ventless solution, contains and heats the air inside the dryer to dry the clothes (Source).
Ventless units are easier to install and more efficient than vented ones, but they are also more expensive, and take longer than a vented dryer to get everything dry. Vented models are more difficult to install, but get your clothes dry much faster.
Having a washer and dryer in your RV can make a big difference. It costs much less to run small clothes washing machine than it is to take them to a laundromat, plus you don’t have to deviate from your trip in the process. Before you purchase an RV washer & dryer combo, consider the cost, size, and whether it is of the vented or ventless variety. (Source).
In this article, we will pour over the top-rated RV washer & dryer combos. All of the machines in this review will keep your clothes clean while keeping you on the road, whether you are replacing your RV’s current clothes washing machine or you are upgrading an RV that didn’t originally have one.
What Is an RV Washer Dryer Combo?
Table of Contents
- 1 What Is an RV Washer Dryer Combo?
- 2 What Is The Best RV Washer Dryer Combo?
- 3 Comparing The 5 Best RV Washer Dryer Combos
- 4 1. DELLA Small Compact Portable Washing Machine Washer — Best Overall
- 5 2. Splendide WD2100XC White Vented Combo Washer/Dryer — The Best Large Capacity RV Washer/Dryer Combo
- 6 3. XtremePowerUS Portable Compact Washer and Spin Dry Cycle with Built-in Pump — Best for Delicate Clothes
- 7 4. Giantex Portable Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine — The Most Aesthetically Pleasing RV Washer/Dryer Combo
- 8 5. KUPPET Mini Portable Washing Machine — Most Budget-Friendly
- 9 Do RV Washer Dryer Combos Work?
- 10 How to Winterize RV Washer Dryer Combo
- 11 What to Consider When Purchasing a Washer/Dryer Combo
- 12 RV Washer Dryer Combo FAQ’s
- 13 Ready To Buy The Best RV Washer Dryer Combo?
An RV washer dryer combo is a must-have piece of kit for your RV unless you want to queue for coin-operated machines or wear dirty clothes. The RV dryer combo is a portable washing machine that cleans and dries your clothes.
An RV washer dryer combo is also a compact size to not take up too much space in your RV. These machines are functional within your limited space. Often the combo will connect directly to the sink without the need to plumb a separate line.
Many RV Combos are surprisingly quiet when in use. Their compact size makes them useful for tiny houses, small apartments, and dorms where space is limited.
What Is The Best RV Washer Dryer Combo?
One brand that dominates this marketplace is Della. The Della Electric Mini Portable and Compact Washing Machine is often seen topping best buy lists. People love the versatility and ease of use that comes with this model.
To use the machine, you set the timer, fill it with clothes and water and press wash. The clear window at the top of the device allows you to monitor the process. The model also features a drain pump. This will enable you to drain away from the excess water after a washing cycle automatically.
The Della Mini can handle washing loads up to 33L or 8.8lbs. The dryer handles smaller loads of 16L or 4.4lbs. Another attractive selling point about this Della model is that it retails at less than $100.
Comparing The 5 Best RV Washer Dryer Combos
Product Name | |||
---|---|---|---|
DELLA Small Compact Portable Washing Machine Washer | Spin Capacity 3.3 pounds | ||
Splendide WD2100XC White Vented Combo Washer/Dryer | Spin Capacity 11 pounds | ||
XtremePowerUS Portable Compact Washer and Spin Dry Cycle with Built-in Pump | Spin Capacity 4.4 pounds | ||
Giantex Portable Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine | Spin Capacity 6 pounds | ||
KUPPET Mini Portable Washing Machine | Spin Capacity 4.3 pounds |
1. DELLA Small Compact Portable Washing Machine Washer — Best Overall
Della Washing Machine is a top pick for RV enthusiasts because it is small, portable and easy to install into an RV.The machine has a load capacity of 11 pounds making it ideal for light and medium laundry. For an RV — especially if you are traveling alone — light and medium laundry are probably all you will have. The DELLA is easy to use and operate. All you need to do is load the clothes, fill the water, set the timer and start washing.
You do not need to worry about drainage because the unit has a built-in drainage tube that facilitates the drainage of dirty water. In addition, the unit has a highly effective dual function which allows you to spin wash and spin dry at the same time.
Further Review of the DELLA Washer Dryer Combo
You can control these two functions with a timer. With the spin wash, you can set the timer up to 15 minutes. With the spin wash, you can set the timer up to 5 minutes.
DELLA has a clear lid that allows you to monitor both the wash and dry cycle and adjust the settings if so needed. You shouldn’t be afraid of your delicate items because the unit is designed with delicate clothing in mind. It is ideal for delicate clothing such as undergarments, printed t-shirts, towels, and socks.
Finally, it essential to note that DELLA has a quiet operation. Consequently, you will be able to use it in the RV with no disruption.
- It has two separate tubs which can be used concurrently to save on time
- User-friendly controls and features
- It has a powerful motor that facilitates gentle yet effective washing
- It has built-in wheels that facilitate portability
- Great value for money
- The unit is not fully automated
2. Splendide WD2100XC White Vented Combo Washer/Dryer — The Best Large Capacity RV Washer/Dryer Combo
The first thing to note is that the Splendide WD2100XC is a vented machine. That means it needs an external exhaust and makes use of the air within the room to dry clothes. The most significant advantage of a vented washer dryer combo is that clothes dry more quickly.Second, is that compared to other washer dryer combos, the Splendide has a larger capacity. The maximum capacity when washing is 15 pounds and the drying capacity is 11 pounds. Larger capacity allows you to wash more clothes per load.
The unit has 10 wash cycles. For a unit this small, that is pretty impressive. You can choose from the multiple wash cycles based on your clothing’s material. That gives you flexibility and facilitates convenience.
Splendide has an automatic load-sense. That means it will estimate the size of a load and use that estimate to adjust water consumption. If the load is huge, then it will allow for a lot of water.
If the load is small, then the unit will limit water consumption to fit the small load. It is a useful feature that will allow you to save both water and energy. That is especially useful in an RV where water is not that plenty.
Other Features That Sets It Apart from the Rest
The unit has a self-cleaning filter that automatically gets rid of the lint. That ensures the hose does not get clogged leading to an inefficient machine. Splendide has a sturdy build complete with heavy-duty springs and shock absorbers.
As a result, even when traveling on a rough road, the machine is not easily damaged. The sturdiness also contributes to the long-lasting nature of the washing machine.
It is also important to note the brushless and powerful (1200 RPM) motor. The motor facilitates the high performance and silent operation suitable to an RV’s limited space. There is only one thing the Splendide lacks; it is a delay option. The absence of a delay option means you cannot schedule washes.
Also, it is essential to realize that compared to the other washer dryer combos discussed, the Splendide is heavier (145 pounds). Maneuvering it into the RV might take more effort, but the upside is that it can handle all types of clothing from delicate items to jeans and bedsheets.
- The unit is suited to an RV’S limited space because of its small size and portable nature
- It is user-friendly and easy to use
- The unit operates silently
- It comes with useful self-cleaning feature
- The unit lacks a delay option
3. XtremePowerUS Portable Compact Washer and Spin Dry Cycle with Built-in Pump — Best for Delicate Clothes
The XtremePowerUS is ideal for delicate clothes because of its small capacity. It has a capacity of 8.8 pounds for the washing machine and 4.4 pounds for the spinning machines. Examples of delicate clothing the unit handles include undergarments, towels and socks.The unit is more of a mini washer and dryer. While it does not have wheels for portability, it is incredibly light and small. As a result, the washer is easy to carry, and that makes it ideal for an RV. Note that it is also easy to use and install. Setting it up is a matter of minutes.
Thanks to its motor, the XtremePowerUS has a powerful spin-dry cycle (150w). It guarantees your clothes will dry within a short time. That means you can wear them soon after the washing.
More on the XtremePowerUS
That is quite convenient in situations where you have run out of clothes, and you need to rush somewhere fast. The unit has easy to understand controls. It has a washer knob that controls the wash cycle.
Plus, it has a center knob for drain, normal and delicate functions. Finally, it has the dryer knob. While the XtremePowerUS does not have a self-cleaning feature, it makes up for it by ensuring you can clean the built-in lint trap effortlessly.
The unit is efficient because it does not consume a lot of water or time during a wash. However, please note that unless you tighten the screw tight, the agitator might come off.
This is a constant maintenance issue, and you should keep tightening the screw periodically to ensure the agitator holds for as many loads as you wish.
- The unit has a compact size ideal for an RV
- It provides a good capacity for its size
- The unit is easy to use and install
- Highly efficient
- While the built-in pump is a great plus, it lacks consistency
4. Giantex Portable Mini Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine — The Most Aesthetically Pleasing RV Washer/Dryer Combo
While aesthetics is not that important in the larger scheme things, it still helps when an RV washer is aesthetically pleasing. That’s because it will add on to and complement the limited space in the RV.A particular advantage of the Giantex Portable Washing machine is that in addition to being aesthetically pleasing (a blue and white themed body), it also highly efficient and it has numerous useful features.
For one, the washer/dryer combo has a twin tub design. That means you can wash and dry different batches of laundry at the same time. As a result, you save both time and energy.
The unit has an 11-pound load capacity for the washer and 6-pound load capacity for the spinner. Its capacity is comparable to other RV washer dryer combos in the market. This ensures that the unit can handle a broad range of clothing.
What’s Else Makes the Giantex Machine a Good Choice?
The Giantex is portable and also easy to use. Portability comes from the fact that the unit only weighs 32 pounds. The unit has a washer timer of 15 minutes and a spin timer of 5 minutes per load.
However, you can also pre-select a suitable time for a particular load. That gives you more freedom and flexibility compared to some standard units that come with preprogrammed settings.
The unit has a powerful motor that facilitates efficiency — 300w washing power and 110w spinner power. Finally, it is essential to note the filter net on the side of the washing barrel.
The filter net is responsible for filtering lint and dirt when washing. Whenever it needs cleaning, the filter net is easy to remove, easy to clean and easy to put back. That facilitates user convenience.
- The unit is portable and easy to assemble
- It has adequate capacity for an RV washer dryer combo
- The twin tub design is energy efficient
- It has easy to understand controls
- It has a short water inlet hose
- The manual is not clear enough
5. KUPPET Mini Portable Washing Machine — Most Budget-Friendly
The KUPPET mini washing machine is extremely affordable. As the name suggests, it is also very small and light which makes it portable and ideal for an RV.To start with, the KUPPET has a twin tub design which saves time. It also has a transparent cover design that allows you to observe the washing and adjust the settings if need be.
The KUPPET is easy to operate, and you can clean and dry your clothes in only three steps. Regarding washing timing, the unit is very flexible.
That’s because it allows you to choose between 5 washing times—0, 6, 9, 10 and 15 minutes. That means you can assess the condition of the clothes and set the time accordingly.
The unit is durable thanks to the high strength plastic material used. It is also tough, does not discolor and is not easily deformed.
Despite its compact nature, the KUPPET has a powerful motor—1300RPM—that facilitates efficiency. The powerful motor ensures it saves time and energy.
Note also, that you do need to worry about noise. The KUPPET is silent and will not disturb what you are doing.
The unit has additional features such as a water inlet that is easy to set up. It also has Spain cap made of high-quality material to facilitate and enhance the adsorption force of clothes.
- The unit is affordable
- It is easy to install and use
- High-quality thanks to the high-quality
- Available in multiple colors—purple, blue and white allowing you to select your preference
- Highly portable
- The unit might not be ideal for heavy duty clothing
Do RV Washer Dryer Combos Work?
RV washer dryer combos are handy machines. They are effective at cleaning your clothes. You can then load up to ¾ of the load into the dryer.
Many RVers prefer a vented machine over an unvented combo that uses air in the room to dry your clothes. These combos typically use less water and electricity than a vented machine.
While portable washer dryer combos work perfectly well in both cleaning and drying your clothes but your laundry will take longer. RV washer dryer combos usually have a smaller load size than a regular washing machine.
The dryer can take a long time and around three hours to complete one load of washing. Most combos are simple to use with easy to set cycles and timers for you to set.
How to Winterize RV Washer Dryer Combo
A procedure that works well with all washer/dryer combos is to drain the water from the machine. You then need to turn off the water supply at the spigot for the freshwater inlet.
By isolating the machine from the water system, you can then use RV antifreeze in the system.
Now use the dry or wet method to winterize your RV combo. If you’re expecting the weather to drop below freezing for several days, the wet process is usually the best method to pick.
If the weather is not as cold and will stay above freezing, then you can use the dry method. You should always check the manual, though, as some machines should not be used with RV anti-freeze.
To use the wet method, first, turn the machine off and add ½ quart of antifreeze to the drum. Close the door and select spin. Then turn the device on for 1-2 minutes. Turn the machine off and unplug the combo from the electric supply. Finally, turn off and disconnect the water supply hoses and drain away any liquid.
Make sure the washer-dryer is isolated from the shut-off valve. As long as there is no moisture in the drum, then your machine is winterized effectively.
What to Consider When Purchasing a Washer/Dryer Combo
Now that you know the best washer/dryer combo in the market, it is time to decide which one suits you best. There are some things you should consider.
The Load Capacity
Usually, any machine that has both the washer and dryer is known for its compact size. That means you must run smaller loads. However, it is still important to check the load capacity of a machine and determine if it tallies with your needs.
Consider the average number of clothes you usually wash. If they are on the higher side, then a 15-pound load capacity washer such as the Splendide might serve you better.
On the other hand, if the average is on the lower side, then the XtremePowerUS which has a load capacity of 8.8 pounds will suffice.
The Size of Your RV
Consider the size of your RV and determine the space you will set aside for the washer/dryer combo. Once you have a pre-determined location, measure that against the dimensions of the washers you are considering.
If you consider the washers discussed above, the Splendide requires more space than the KUPPET. This can be a problem for those who have limited space.
Steam Cycle
The washer combo needs to be fully functional and ergonomic. It must be capable of cleaning clothes thoroughly in any situation. For that reason, you will need to pay attention to the steam cycles when shopping.
Luckily, there are quite a few models with steam cleaning functionality these days. This useful feature will improve washer efficiency so that even the deep-seated stubborn stains will be rinsed off. To get the better performance of your RV combo, go for an option with high steam cycles.
Noise Level
Standard washing machines and dryers produce loud sounds when operating. Because you probably live in an RV alone; it is important that you find a quieter machine especially if you plan to use it at night.
Go for machines with direct drive or tri-phase motors because they are quiet. You can also find machines with noise mufflers.
Energy Efficiency
Just as with other electrical devices, the goal is always to save money. To that end, it is vital for the machine you end up with being energy efficient.
We suggest that you consider an RV washer dryer combo that has a high Energy Star rating. It will save you money in the long-range.
RV Washer Dryer Combo FAQ’s
Q: How Does an RV Washer Dryer Combo Work?
A: Drying and washing of the clothes are both performed in one drum. There are also models with two separate tubs – one is used for spin-drying and another for washing. Washer dryers switch between these two operations automatically, so there is little or no manual work required.
With regard to the drying/spinning part, there are ventless and vented RV machines available. The vented washer dryers use room air, which is heated and tumbled through the laundry during the drying process. For this type, you will need to make a hole in the wall for exhaust vent.
The ventless RV combos, on the other hand, create steam by heating the air in the drum. They use cold water to condense the steam and cool off the drum. Once the steam turns into water, it is pumped in the holding tank and drain.
Besides Drying and washing your clothes, do you love to maintain the aesthetic appeal of your car and clean it frequently? As dirt and dust get embedded in the car seats, mats, and carpet, a vacuum for car detailing can be a great companion.
Q: How to Use a Washer Dryer Combo?
A: Here are some useful tips on how to use an RV combo:
- Don’t overload your machine;
- Use just one tablespoon of detergent;
- Lock the door properly before starting to wash;
- Shake open your items and reinsert them to stop wrinkling before drying your clothes;
- Clean out the vent lint after drying.
Q: How to Winterize My Washer Dryer?
A: It is critical to winterize your washer dryer combo in order to protect it from freezing during the winter. One of the easiest ways to do it is to empty the water from your RV machine. Thereafter, make sure the water supply is turned off.
Leave the unit isolated and dry when not in use if there’s no shutoff valve around. The rest of the system should be protected with RV antifreeze if needed.
Ready To Buy The Best RV Washer Dryer Combo?
Picking the right portable RV washer dryer combo makes your life easier while on the road. It lessens the chore and ensures you are always in clean clothing. There are numerous stackable RV washer dryer combos in the market to choose from. With so many brands and models, it is a difficult task to find the best ones.
The above guide gives you a starting point by listing the best across all price ranges. In addition to the price, take into account factors such as the size, load capacity, noise level, and energy efficiency when shopping for RV.
Are you worried about dangerous lint buildup in your dryer vent? Does it seem that the dryer is taking longer to dry your clothes? Consider buying the best dryer vent cleaning kits. They ensure the inside of your dryer vent is clean and free of debris.
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