11 Best Washer Dryer Combos for Your RV
Washing and drying clothes in your RV can be a nightmare with never enough space and wet towels hanging everywhere. Stopping at laundromats and dry cleaners is not always an option and it can get rather expensive very quickly.
Yet, there is usually not enough room for a full-size washer and a dryer set in your RV, so what are you supposed to do? You guessed it, get a small portable combo!
If you have never lived in a small apartment or traveled in a camper before, you might think these small machines are just like the bigger ones, except they hold fewer items. Well, sorry to say it, but you would be wrong.
Most portable washing machine/dryer combos used in RVs do not use warm air to dry the clothes, using a spin cycle instead. They come in different sizes and also have either a single- or twin-tub design. You can either fill and drain them manually or use hoses and faucet adapters, which may or may not be included in the package.
If you are determined to get a washer-dryer combo that uses air to dry clothes, you will need a bit more space. There are both vented and ventless options out there, and in this review, I will review both.
To make it as simple as possible, ask these questions before buying a washer-dryer combo for your RV or small flat.
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Questions to Ask Before Getting a Washer Dryer Combo for Your RV
- What is the load capacity? Most combos are quite small and can only hold a limited number of items, so the lazier you are or the larger your family, the bigger the machine needed.
- Do you want the washing machine to be portable? If you need to move the washing machine around, then only the lighter spin dry machines are suitable for you. All the air dry combos out there weigh well over 100 lbs.
- What is the size and does it fit in an RV? It sucks to find out that the unit you ordered does not fit into your RV or small bathtub. Do not make this mistake by checking the measurements of the unit (not the box!) first.
- Do you want an air dry or spin dry machine? There are pros and cons to both. While the air dry version will get your garments drier, they will also wrinkle them more. On top of this, you will need a bit of extra space. If you are happy with slightly damp clothes (and depending on the material, they can get them almost dry, especially polyester blends), you can get a spin dry combo, which will be smaller and cheaper.
- Do you want a vented or ventless washer-dryer? If you decide to go with an air dry option, you need to decide if you are happy with a ventless machine or need a vented one. If you go with vented washer-dryer, then you will also have to install an exhaust vent in your RV. If you don’t want to bother with making a hole for the vent, you must be prepared to spend more money on water, as the ventless machines consume more and take longer to dry clothes.
- Does it come with inlet and drain pipes? How long are they? You need to know how far from the faucet and drain hole to install your machine.
- Does it come with adapters? Sometimes you need to buy adapters for the hoses separately.
- Does it have drain pump? This is important if the drain hose is higher than the water level in your machine. Gravity duh!
Best Spin Dry Washer/Dryer Combos Out There
Lets start with the cheaper and more lightweight washer-dryer options, which are spin dry machines. If you need to have a portable washing machine, then these are the only viable options out there.
1. Best Choice Products SKY2767 Portable Laundry Washing Machine
This compact washing machine is a top-loading unit where the washing and drying cycles happen in two separate tubs. However, the drying cycle is spin-dry only, and it doesn’t apply heat to the clothes. The weight limit for the washer is 8 lbs while the limit for the dryer is 5 lb.
When you open the box, there is a plastic smell, but it should disappear after few weeks. You get an inlet hose and a drain hose, both of adequate length.
The adapter, however, included in the inlet hose doesn’t fit all garden faucets. What is also really annoying is the two- month warranty period.
When you wash your clothes, light stains are easily removed and they come out clean. You might have to do several loads, though, as the washer is less effective when fully packed (like most washing machines). There is no automatic rinse cycle, and if you want to rinse, just repeat the wash cycle without detergent.
Do keep in mind that even when using the dryer, cotton fabrics are still rather damp and you have to hang them in a rack to fully dry them out. But for fabrics that dry faster, such as polyester, the spin cycle should be enough. You should know that there is no drain pump in the system, and if your drain hose is directed upwards, you won’t be able to fully empty the machine.
You get a 15-minute timer for washing and a five-minute timer for drying. In most cases, you don’t have to exceed the limit when your clothes aren’t that dirty.
It efficient with water and detergent, and clothes don’t have to be fully submerged. For an 8-lb load, a tablespoon of liquid detergent is more than enough, saving you a lot of water and detergent in the long run. For a smaller machine, the vibrations are quite noticeable and it is not that quiet, so place cardboard or a rug under it.
PROS
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and detergent
CONS
- Plastic smell for a few weeks of use
- Two-month warranty
- No drain pump
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
- Less efficient and more vibrations with a heavier load
2. Giantex Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine
There are two options to choose from with this washing machine from Giantex. The grey-colored lid model has a 16-lb capacity while the blue-colored one can hold slightly more (17.6-lbs) clothes. The washing and drying stages occur in different tubs, and you can do both at the same time. However, the drying tub is spin-dry only and doesn’t apply heat to clothes.
You get an intake hose and a drain hose, but they are quite short, and come without an adapter to connect it to a faucet. Do keep in mind that there is no drain pump, and the appliance only drains fully when the drain hose is directed downwards.
When it comes to cleaning clothes, it has no problem removing light stains, but some users have reported issues with really heavy stains. It cleans better when the load is lighter, and it’s best not to exceed 10 lbs.
It doesn’t automatically rinse after washing; the rinse cycle is pretty much like the wash cycle but without the detergent. After rinsing, the dryer is able to remove about 80 – 90 % of the water and the five-minute timer is sufficient in most cases. When you touch a garment, it is still damp but your fingers aren’t wet. There is a 6-lb limit for the dryer, and exceeding that will leave the clothes more wet.
The machine is quite efficient in its use of water and detergent. However, the manual is confusing about how much water you need to add. Based on user experience, you should add less than what is recommended by the manufacturer, so the tub doesn’t overflow and damage the electronics in your RV. For the stated amount of water, two tablespoons of detergent is enough. Anything more and you have to add another rinse cycle, which is just unnecessary.
When the machine is running, it doesn’t shake as much as some models, and it is not even noticeable if your load is balanced. Even when it is against an RV wall, there are no perceptible vibrations.
PROS
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and detergent
CONS
- Instruction manual is confusing
- Less efficient and more noisy with a heavier load
- No drain pump
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
3. SUPER DEAL Compact Twin Tub Washing Machine
This compact washing machine has two load capacities: a 10 lbs and a 13 lbs load. It is a top-loading unit, and the washing and drying happen in separate tubs. Fortunately, you can wash and dry clothes at the same time, but the dryer accommodates fewer clothes than the washer. It is also spin-dry only, where no heat is applied to remove moisture. For a full list of specs and reviews, check it out here.
When you open the box, you will notice a slightly unpleasant “brand new” smell, but it does not last as long as with other models. The machine has an intake port on both the washer and the dryer side. It helps that you have an option where to connect your hose, depending on which side is closer.
You get an intake hose and a drain hose in the package, and it even comes with an adapter. What is disappointing, however, is that the adapter doesn’t actually fit most faucets. Both the drain hose and the power cord are shorter than usual, so you will be stuck near a wall to use this machine.
Shortcomings aside, it does a good job in cleaning clothes. You might have do a couple of loads if you have a big pile of laundry as it does not hold that much. There is also a 15-minute timer, more than enough time for the wash cycle.
The machine doesn’t rinse automatically, so you need to reset the timer for the wash cycle without detergent. When it comes to the dryer, cotton garments are usually still damp after the dryer cycle and you have to continue drying them outside. There is no drain pump either, so the machine has to rely on gravity to remove the dirty water.
It does, however, a great job in maximizing soap and water usage. A tablespoon of detergent is enough if the tub is three quarters full and the clothes are fully immersed in water.
Keep in mind, too, that the more clothes in a load, the noisier the machine becomes. Heavy garments like jeans and thick towels cause more vibrations, but having a cardboard or a rug underneath will minimize this.
PROS
- Two load capacities available
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and soap
CONS
- Intake hose doesn’t fit most faucets
- Drain hose and power cord are short
- Less efficient and noisier with a heavier load
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
4. KUPPET Compact Twin Tub Washer and Spin Dryer Combo
There are three load capacities to choose from with this washing machine. The 9-lb unit comes in blue and purple, while the 13-lb and 17-lb units only come in white. They are all top-loading and the twin-tub design allows for washing and drying to be done simultaneously. The dryer uses a spin-dry function only, so your clothes aren’t exposed to heat. This is both a good and a bad thing. Good if you don’t want to damage your garments, bad if you want to get them bone dry.
Inside the delivery box, you get an intake hose and a drain hose. The drain hose, however, cannot be detached, so replacing it in the future, if you need it, wont be easy. There is also no drain pump in the machine that can fully drain the gray water if your hose is directed upwards.
When it’s time to clean your dirty socks and underwear, the machine performs well in removing lighter stains. Food and sweat stains are washed away without a problem, and even heavier stains come out fairly well if you don’t over stack the machine. It can’t rinse automatically, though, so you just have to repeat the wash cycle without adding the detergent like with other machines on this list.
After rinsing, you can’t load all of the clothes from the washer because the dryer is somewhat small. The Kuppet can remove about 90% of the water; and depending on the garment, the results ranges from dry to damp.
There is a timer included for both the washing and drying cycles. Usually, the 15-minute timer for washing is long enough to clean most clothes. The five-minute timer for the dryer is adequate too, and repeating the process doesn’t make much of a difference. It’s wiser to do small batches for a shorter washing time, since the machine is less efficient with heavier loads. For a regular load, the machine uses about 1/4 cup of detergent
The bigger unit is reported to vibrate less than the smaller one, so if that is really an issue for you, keep that in mind.
PROS
- Three load capacities to choose from
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and soap
CONS
- Less efficient and noisier with a heavier load
- No drain pump
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
5. DELLA Electric Compact Washing Machine
This small compact washing machine has a load limit of 8.8 lbs for washing and 4.4 lbs for drying. You load your clothes at the top and wash and dry at the same time. There is no heat applied during the drying cycle, however, so it only spin-dries the clothes.
You get a long intake hose and a detachable drain hose in the package, but there is no adapter, so you must buy it separately. There is also a small drain pump in the machine which is great for draining the gray water.
During use, the unit is quite capable of cleaning food, sweat, and dirt stains on clothes. It has a 15-minute timer for the washing cycle, which, in most cases, is more than enough. It is wise not to not exceed the weight limit because it takes longer to clean a heavier load. There is no automatic rinse cycle with the Della, so you need to repeat the wash cycle without soap.
The machine is quite efficient in using water and detergent. But try not to add more water than 3/4 of the tank or it may cause an overflow.
After rinsing, the dryer removes the excessive moisture from the clothes. It can fully dry smaller garments like socks and underwear, but shirts and pants come out somewhat damp. This Della washing machine isn’t noisy and vibrations only occur when washing garments like a big towels or more than one pair of heavy jeans. As long as the load isn’t beyond the weight limit, it remains stable.
PROS
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and soap
CONS
- Intake hose doesn’t have an adapter for faucets
- Less efficient and noisier with a heavier load
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
6. Think Gizmos TG23 Portable Twin Tub Washing Machine
This stylish portable washer-dryer combo has a top-loading design and two tubs for washing and drying. The weight limit of the washer is 8 lbs while the dryer limit is only 4.4 lbs. You can wash and dry clothes at the same time, but the drying cycle doesn’t use heat. It only spins to remove moisture after rinsing, but is quite powerful. It is similar to the spinner you find in locker rooms.
In the box, you get an intake hose with an adapter that you can attach to a faucet and drain hose. You can also hand fill the machine and drain it manually in the tub.
The expensive-looking machine weighs 28 pounds and has a minimum water capacity of about 18 liters and maximum limit is 24, so do not exceed these parameters.
The washer will fit around three sweaters and three pairs of pants or about 10 T-shirts, so it’s a decent size for a portable machine.
The machine makes the most of the water and detergent. You only have to fill up the tub until the clothes are immersed. Go beyond that and you risk overflowing the machine during the wash cycle.
The spin drier is surprisingly powerful, and for smaller items, it will spin dry them in 2-3 minutes (like socks, underwear, etc). If the garment is larger, you might have to hang it to fully dry it.
The machine doesn’t have a drain pump, so you have to avoid the drain hose pointing upward when it drains.
When you have clothes in the machine, it is also important to distribute them evenly inside the tub. This avoids unnecessary vibration because the weight in the tub is balanced.
PROS
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and soap
- 1 year warranty
- great for small spaces
CONS
- Intake hose doesn’t have an adapter to fit faucets
- Less efficient and noisier with a heavier load
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
- Cycles are easy to customize
7. Panda PAN56MG1 Compact Portable Washing Machine
This compact washing machine is offered in two capacities: 11 lbs and 15 lbs. It loads clothes through the top lid (with see-through window) and is fully automatic.
In the package, you get an intake hose both for hot and cold water (both are identical). You also get sink and quick connect hose adapters, so you can connect the unit to a garden faucet or a kitchen sink faucet if you wish. There is a drain hose, too, but it is only three feet long, so you need to extend it if you are far from a drain.
In using the machine, you have four settings (standard, heavy, delicate, quick wash) depending on the kind of garments. The cycle is about 42 minutes long and will clean your clothes nicely. The lint filter catches a lot of lint compared to other machines, so you need to clean it regularly. Thankfully, there is also a drain pump in the machine, so you don’t have to rely on gravity alone to drain all the water.
It is also important to note that if you open the top lid while the machine is running, an error message pops out and it stops. But don’t worry, simply close the lid and the cycle resumes. It also pretty quiet compared to other machines so no need to worry about excessive noise.
PROS
- Two capacities available
- Fully automatic
- Intake hoses and adapters are included
- Four settings for different kinds of clothes
- Runs quietly
- 1 year warranty
CONS
- Washing and drying can’t be done at the same time
- Drain hose is too short
- No heat applied during drying
- Lint filter clogs up faster than usual
- Too heavy to be portable
8. XtremePowerUS Portable Compact Washer with Built in Pump (33L Washer & 16L Spin Dryer)
Similar to the Della washing machine, this portable unit (22″ x 15.5″ with handles) is a twin-tub design in which the washer and dryer are two separate tubs. You can wash and dry simultaneously, but the dryer doesn’t use heat and only spins to remove moisture. It has a weight limit of 8.8 lbs for the washer and 5.5 lbs for the dryer. Like other machines on my list, it uses 110 volts.
Inside the package, you get an intake hose and drain hose, both of which are rather short. You get a drain pump but no adapters for a faucet, so you will need to purchase them separately.
You can use this machine in your bathtub and fill it with a bucket if you want to do it faster. Putting it in the bathtub also helps drain it easier, as the hose needs to be leveled, which is difficult as it is on the bottom.
What is truly disappointing is that there is no instruction manual in the box. While this may be fine for experienced users, it is going to be challenging for new users given that some features are lacking.
There is a 15-minute timer for the washer, and as long as you don’t exceed this weight limit, you don’t have to go more than 15 minutes. For towels and sheets, this is enough if they aren’t heavily stained. It can fit about three adult outfits and bed sheets as well.
The portable machine is also quite efficient in using water and detergent, so it is ideal for RVs and small apartments. You only need to fill the water up the level where all your clothes are immersed. Anything more and your machine is likely to overflow.
After the detergent has been rinsed off, the dryer removes most of water remaining in your clothes, but not all – the bigger the garment, the more likely it is to remain damp. There is a five-minute timer sufficient for normal use.
The machine runs quietly and doesn’t vibrate much. Just keep the tubs balanced and it will be reasonably noiseless.
PROS
- Washing and drying can be done at the same time
- Effective in cleaning clothes
- Timer for washing and drying is more than enough
- Efficient in using water and soap
- Easy to clean
- Spin drier is fast
CONS
- Intake hose doesn’t have an adapter to fit faucets
- Less efficient and noisier with a heavier load
- No automatic rinse cycle
- No heat applied during drying
- Lint trap does not work that well
- Can leak when filled to the max
9. Giantex Portable Compact Full-Automatic Washing Machine
This compact washing machine is fully automatic with a capacity of 8 lbs. It is top-loading and has a single tub, where washing and drying happen in the same place.
You get an intake hose and a drain hose in the package, and there is an adapter for a garden hose, but weirdly enough, it doesn’t fit most of them. You either have to go the hardware store or online to find the proper adapter. There is no adapter for a kitchen sink either, which is a bummer.
You can set the timer for each cycle (soak, wash, rinse, spin) and choose five different programs (a combination of different cycles) and let the machine do the work. You get to choose the length of each cycle, which is great, and also choose the water level from 16 liters (L for LOW) to 30 liters (H for HIGH), depending on how many clothes you have to wash.
What is annoying, however, is that the H setting almost always causes the tub to overflow during the wash cycle.
This machine is not huge (as you can see from the capacity), and it holds two jeans and a T-shirt or perhaps three large towels. You also don’t have the option of adjusting the intensity of the wash, which is a bit disappointing if you ever need to wash delicate garments.
But aside from this, the machine cleans your clothes without major problems and the drain pump is helpful in draining all the gray water, so don’t have to rely solely on gravity.
The machine uses about 8-9 gallons of water for a full load and the same for the rinse cycle.
You should distribute your clothes evenly inside the tub because this reduces unnecessary vibration during the spin cycle.
PROS
- Fully automatic
- Intake hose and drain hose are included
- Three settings for different water levels
- Runs quietly
CONS
- Washing and drying can’t be done at the same time
- Adapter for garden hose doesn’t fit
- No adapter included for a kitchen faucet
- The H water level almost always overflows
- You can’t adjust the intensity of the wash
- No heat applied during drying
- Lint filter clogs up faster than usual
- Only 6-month warranty
10. Best Vented Washer/Dryer- Splendide WD2100XC
Most smaller campers and RVs do not have room for full-size washers and dryers. If you are one of the lucky ones, you should really get a vented or ventless dryer that uses hot air and not a spin cycle to dry clothes, towels and sheets. Even though these machines cost quite a bit more, the end result will be considerably better.
The first washing machine on our list with an air drying system is one of the top-rated Amazon products out there. It comes with an impressive ten different wash and three dry cycles, and it is highly praised by a lot of full-time RVers. An average wash cycle should take about 40 minutes and in 1.5 hours, it should both wash and dry your items. Depending on the cycle, it will use 7-16 gallons of water, so if you need to save water make sure to choose the right program.
The maximum spin speed is a whopping 1200 RPM (which should help dry heavy cottons 20% quicker than other models out there) and the max load capacity is 11 lbs.
Another thing that most users love about this product is the fact it is not as noisy as most washers (due to its super-silent technology) and given that it measures 23-1/2″ width, 33-1/8″ height, and 22-5/8″ in depth, it takes up about as much space as any standard washer and dryer in your house.
This model is not portable and weighs 155 pounds, so you would need some help installing it in your RV. Some users have complained about the installation, as there are problems removing the shipping bolts at the back, and you may need to get a plumber to do it.
The machine draws 11 amps, 120 volts (60Hz) and 1300W and uses a regular three-prong outlet. Keep in mind that the washer does not actually heat its own water, so you need access to both hot and cold water to use it fully.
This model needs a standpipe of at least 1 ¼” in diameter and a carry-away capacity of 7 GPM or more. The drain pipe itself is about an inch (7/8″) and it should drain the load in 90 seconds. This particular vented model comes only in white, but if you are okay with a ventless version, you can also get a platinum one.
While it does a really good job at washing your clothes, you need to be careful not to overfill it lest the clothes become really wrinkled after the drying cycle.
PROS
- Many different cycles to choose from
- Washes really well
- It really quiet
- Dries clothes completely (but it does wrinkle them)
CONS
- It is very heavy
- Cycles are longer than top load machines
- The user interface is little confusing
- Bit pricey
11. Best Ventless Washer/Dryer- Westland WDC7100XC
The Westland Energy Star is a platinum ventless washer/dryer unit that comes with several auto dry cycles on top of the 10 wash cycles. It is a fairly quiet machine with automatic water level control and has the dimensions of 23-1/2″ in width, 33-1/8″ in height and 22-1/4″ in depth.
The unit is about as heavy as the other air dry unit by Splendid (this one is only 10 pounds lighter weighing in at 145 lbs), so there is no way you can move and install it on your own. A good thing, however, is that is comes with a 5-ft outlet and two 8-ft inlet hoses, so you don’t need to buy them separately.
The Energy Star is really a user-friendly machine that comes with electronic knobs that are soft to touch and a clear display that lets you know the exact time the cycle ends.
Everything is done automatically, so you don’t need to adjust the water level yourself. Plus, it has about a 15-pound wash capacity, which is suitable for small families as well. It uses about nine gallons of water for a standard wash, but it can go as high as twenty gallons for towels and heavy cottons.
Even though the machine has shock absorbers and heavy duty springs, it does shake a bit during the drying cycle. Also, keep in mind that it cannot be stacked, and you will not be able to drain it into sink either.
Even though this machine uses a drum rotation that is bi-directional, you should keep the load fairly small if you want a wrinkle-free result. You should also be aware that ventless machines in general take much longer than vented machines to dry clothes.
PROS
- 1 year warranty (you can add two more years for an additional fee)
- Fairly quiet
- Great wash capacity
CONS
- Takes longer to dry clothes
- Heavy
- More expensive than spin dry models