What Kind Of Washer & Dryer Is Best For My RV?
RVs are getting bigger, better, and more comfortable to live in.
Extra large 5th-wheels and travel trailers can have large residential sized fridges, recliners, multiple bedrooms, and even specific storage areas and plumbing for compact RV washers and dryers.
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Full-time living in an RV doesn’t mean you have to go to the laundromat all the time. You can wash your clothes right at the campsite.
In this review, I’ll go over all kinds and sizes of RV washers and dryers. Some are for campers with spaces made specifically for them and others are portable and will fit in pretty much any camper.
All of these require electricity, whether it’s from hookups at a campground, a portable power station (click to see reviews), or a generator (click to go to inverter generator reviews).
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Best Small Washer
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Best RV Washer & Dryer Reviews
If your camper has a spot for an RV washer and dryer already set up then the LG washer dryer combo might be the best option.
The unit measures 25.5 inches deep, 24 inches wide, and 33.5 inches tall.
It weighs 150 lbs when empty so make sure you calculate that weight into the overall weight of your RV so you don’t go over the GVWR.
One really nice thing about this RV washer dryer combo is it uses a regular 110V plug that goes in a regular wall outlet.
The Amp rating is 10 which means it won’t use more than 1,100 watts per hour.
A 2,000 watt generator should be able to run this easily and even a large battery bank will be able to power it.
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The load capacity is 2.3 cubic feet which is enough room for about 10-12 lbs of laundry.
The washer part has 14 different wash programs. It also has hot water wash and rinse options.
The spin speed can reach up to 1,400 RPMs which is pretty fast for a regular washer.
It will use different amounts of water depending on the amount of clothes and the wash program chosen.
It’s a high efficiency camper washer which means it does use less water than a standard washing machine.
The dryer part is ventless which really makes it RV friendly. There are different dryer temperatures and different manual time settings you can choose from.
The is a fantastic choice for campers with washer hookups already installed.
It’s going to be great if you mostly stay in RV parks with full hookups and the larger size makes it perfect for small families.
PROS
- Washer Dryer Combo
- Large Capacity
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Ventless Dryer
- Heated Dryer
CONS
- Heavy
- Large
- Higher Water Usage
- High Electrical Usage
- Requires Permanent Water & Drain Hookups
2. Equator 24 Inch Combo Washer Dryer
The Equator is another compact washer dryer combo that is perfect for an RV that already has washer hookups.
It measures 22 inches deep, 23.5 inches wide, and 33.5 inches tall.
It weighs 161 lbs empty.
It runs on 110 volt power and plugs into a regular wall outlet. The amp rating is around 13.6 and the max watt hour usage will be 1,500.
The volume of the inner drum is 1.6 cubic feet, which can take around 10 lbs of laundry.
The washer part has 7 different main settings and smart sensors which automatically sense the amount of clothes being washed and adds the perfect amount of water.
The spin speed can reach up to 1,200 RPMs.
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The dryer part has heated drying options as well as simple spin drying options that use less power.
It can be vented or ventless which is another thing that makes it great for campers.
One really cool thing about this RV washer is the winterize setting.
When putting your camper in storage for the winter you have to winterize all of the plumbing. That includes the camper washer.
With the winterize setting you just add some antifreeze to the soap dispenser and just start the quick 2 minute winterize cycle.
The Equator 24 Inch Combo Washer Dryer is going to be fantastic for summer campers who store their RVs during the winter.
It’s pretty heavy and has a little bit of higher power usage than the LG RV washer reviewed above but the winterize mode is pretty cool and it does a great job washing and drying clothes.
PROS
- Washer Dryer Combo
- Large Capacity
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Ventless Dryer
- Heated Dryer
- Winterize Mode
CONS
- Heavy
- Large
- Higher Water Usage
- High Electrical Usage
- Requires Permanent Water & Drain Hookups
3. Giantex Washing Machine With Spin Dryer
The Giantex twin tub compact washing machine and spin dryer is a great option for those who need to save space and power when doing laundry while camping.
It measures 15 inches long, 24.8 inches wide, and 28.5 inches tall.
It weighs only 28 lbs.
The way this works is there’s one side that is a washing machine and one side that spins at a fast rate to get the water out of clothing.
The compact washing machine part can hold up to 11 lbs of clothes.
To fill it with water you can either add some directly to the wash tub or use an included hose that connects to the faucet. You then put the hose in a water inlet opening on the top of the washer that will spray water into the tub.
This isn’t like a standard washer. It doesn’t require as much water or time to wash clothes but it gets them just as clean.
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There’s a wash timer that can be set anywhere from 3 to 15 minutes, and a wash selector that can adjust the power from soft, normal, to heavy.
The drain doesn’t use a pump to get the water out of the portable washer which means you will need to let it drain into something down low like a shallow bucket.
The spin dryer can hold half of what the washer tub can, 6.6 lbs. That’s mostly because the clothes will be a lot heavier when wet and it’s recommended to split a wash load in half when using the spin dryer.
When you load a spin dryer make sure the clothes are sitting even and pushed down.
If the dryer starts to wobble and bounce around when you start the spin dryer it means the clothes are sitting unbalanced and you will need to readjust them inside the tub.
The spin dryer can reach speeds of up to 1,350 RPMs. That’s not nearly as fast as some single spin dryer units but it’s good enough to make your clothes damp instead of soaking wet so they air dry faster.
The timer on the spin dryer can be set from 1 to 5 minutes.
The power usage is what makes this an awesome RV washer and dryer. The max watts used is 300 and that’s mostly when the spin dryer is running.
The longest you will wash and dry together is 25 minutes which is only 126 watts used if it were to use the 300 watts of power the entire time, which it won’t.
This is awesome for campers using solar power and small power stations like this (click to see review).
For small campers and full-time RVers who are looking to save water and power when doing laundry the Giantex Washing Machine With Spin Dryer is a fantastic choice.
It’s technically an RV washer dryer combo and it’s both small and lightweight for travel.
PROS
- Washer Dryer Combo
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Ventless Dryer
- Very Low Power Usage
- Small & Lightweight
- Separate Spin Dryer
- Can Add Water Directly To Drum
CONS
- Won’t Get Clothes Completely Dry
- Low RPM Spin Dryer
- Very Basic Washer
4. COMFEE Portable Washing Machine
The Comfee portable washing machine is just a compact washer and not a dryer. It’s perfect to pair with a spin dryer like one of the ones linked to in the FAQ section or you can just hang up your clothes and let them air dry.
It measures 20.7 inches long, 20.3 inches wide, and 36.6 inches tall.
It weighs 70.5 lbs.
The difference between this RV washing machine and the big ones at the beginning of this review is it’s more portable, smaller, and it can be hooked up to a faucet which means it’s much easier to install in a camper.
It can wash up to 11 lbs of laundry at a time. There are 6 different wash programs. It can wash or rinse with hot water and there’s even a delay start feature like a standard washing machine.
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The final spin reaches up to 840 RPMs. That’s not quite as fast as most washing machines but your clothes won’t be soaking wet which makes them dry faster on a clothesline.
There are wheels on the back of the unit to help with portability.
The power usage is decent on this mini washer, it uses up to 720 watts. That’s going to mostly be during the final spin cycle and it won’t use that much power when washing but it is pretty high and something for boondockers to think about.
This is an awesome unit for campers who usually have water and electricity hookups.
The COMFEE Portable Washing Machine is going to wash your clothes better than most of the other small washers in this review but it does use quite a bit of power.
Its small size and easy install does make it very RV friendly and it’s a great option for campers that don’t have a specific area for a washer with all the hookups preinstalled.
PROS
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Compact Size
- Excellent Washing Capabilities
- Easy Install
CONS
- High Power Usage For A Mini Washer
- Not A Fast Spin Dry
- Heavy
- Must Be Connect To Faucet Or Plumbing To Run
5. Giantex Compact Washing Machine
There are two Giantex washers in this review. They make some excellent small washers for RV use and I wanted to add their version of a small washer that’s a little fancier than the washer spin dryer combo reviewed above.
It measures 19 inches long, 19 inches wide, and 33.5 inches tall.
It weighs 51 lbs.
The water supply to this portable washer can come from either a faucet or standard laundry room plumbing. You need to be able to leave the faucet on while the machine is washing.
There are 10 washing modes and 8 water level options. That’s a good feature for boondockers wanting to save a little water.
You can wash up to 10 lbs of laundry at a time.
This is just a small washing machine with no dryer, but it does have a spin dry at the end of each wash cycle.
Giantex doesn’t state the actual spin speeds this compact washer can reach but when comparing similar models my guess is it’s around 800 RPMs.
That’s enough to get clothes from soaking wet to damp which makes them much easier to air dry. You could also pair it with a fast spin dryer or a compact heat dryer.
The drain can be placed in the sink or tub. It uses a water pump and not gravity since it’s too heavy to lift which is a good feature.
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One super useful thing on this RV washer is the adjustable feet. Washing machines and spin dryers must be level to function properly and a camper isn’t always perfectly level.
All you have to do is adjust the feet so the washer can be level even if the place it’s standing isn’t.
The power usage is very low for an automatic small washer like this. It uses a maximum of 330 watts per hour. That’s great for dry campers who are using small generators or solar power and battery banks.
The Giantex Compact Washing Machine is small, very lightweight for washer, has versatile water and drain options, and it does a great job getting clothes clean.
It’s a fantastic choice for all kinds of RVers from those who mostly stay in RV parks to dry campers who use get 110 volt power from alternate sources.
PROS
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Compact Size
- Excellent Washing Capabilities
- Easy Install
- Pretty Lightweight
CONS
- Not A Fast Spin Dry
- Must Be Connect To Faucet Or Plumbing To Run
- Won’t Get Laundry Completely Dry
6. BLACK & DECKER Portable Washer
Black+Decker makes some awesome appliances and their portable washer is great for RV use.
It’s 17.7 inches long, 18.1 inches wide, and 31.5 inches tall.
It weighs 44 lbs.
It’s a little smaller than the similar RV washers reviewed above but it makes up for it in washing power and low energy consumption.
It can take up to 7 lbs of laundry.
There are 5 cycle settings that will wash anywhere from 19 to 52 minutes.
The ending spin cycle reaches up to 900 RPMs which is actually pretty good for a small washer. You can run just the spin dry as well which can get your clothes even dryer faster.
It’s for cold water only. You get water to it via a hose that connects to a faucet.
The drain hose can go in the sink or tub since it used a pump to get the dirty water out.
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This also has adjustable feet so you can make it level even if your camper isn’t.
The power usage is super low at a maximum of just 240 watts.
Since the spin dryer will only get your clothes to a damp dry you can pair this with the Black+Decker portable dryer (click to view on Amazon).
It’s a small electric dryer that only uses a maximum of 1,400 watts. It’s 17.1 inches long, 23.6 inches wide, and 27.5 inches tall.
It weighs only 48.4 lbs.
If your RV has the space for it this could be the ultimate RV washer and dryer that doesn’t use a ton of power and is very portable.
The BLACK & DECKER Portable Washer is the best small washer in this review and a great choice for campers that have a good spot for it.
It’s not super lightweight so I don’t recommend it for RVers who need a washer they can put in a storage area when not in use but for most big campers it’s a great choice.
PROS
- High Efficiency Washer
- Plugs Into Regular Outlet
- Compact Size
- Excellent Washing Capabilities
- Easy Install
- Very Low Power Consumption
CONS
- Not A Fast Spin Dry
- Must Be Connect To Faucet Or Plumbing To Run
What To Look For In An RV Washer & Dryer
Small Size
It’s a given that an RV washer and dryer needs to be small because the living area in an RV is small when compared to a house.
Some RVs do have a specific area that’s made for a compact washer and dryer but most do not.
If you want one for your RV, figure out where you are going to be able to put it and look for a camper washer that’s the right size.
One of the washers in this review is really portable and can be put away after you’ve used it. If there isn’t a good spot you can permanently put a washer in it’s a good option.
Also, measure how wide the RV door is. It doesn’t matter how big the space for an RV washer and dryer is if you can’t fit it through the door.
Easy Install (Water & Drain)
The RVs that come with a spot for a washer normally also have traditional hookups ready to go. It makes the installation a lot easier, just make sure the RV washer you choose can fit.
If your camper doesn’t have the plumbing for a washer your options are to get a small washer that hooks up to a faucet or can have water dumped into it.
They will also need somewhere to drain but the good news is most of the compact washing machines that hook up to a faucet will also be able to drain into the sink.
Low Electrical Usage
Even if you live or camp in an RV park with full hookups you aren’t going to be able to install a regular 30 amp dryer like the kind found in a home.
You will need to get a washer and dryer that only uses a standard 20 amp plug. Luckily RV washers and dryers like the ones in this review can plug into standard wall outlets.
If you are a boondocker who uses generators or batteries to get 120 volt power you will need to make sure whatever you choose can be run by your electricity source.
The RV washer dryer combos use the most electricity while the washers with spin dryers use the least.
Type Of RV Dryer
In a home a regular dryer uses a ton of power, they even require a special 30 amp plug.
RVs don’t have the electrical capabilities that a house does, even when plugged into 30 or 50 amp shore power. You won’t be able to get a super high powered dryer into your camper.
You can get a heated camper dryer, but just know it’s going to take a lot longer to get laundry completely dry. This is normally fine for those connected to shore power but if you’re using a generator or batteries it’s not going to be so easy to run a low powered dryer for a long time.
Spin dryers don’t use any kind of heat or air to dry laundry. Instead, they spin really fast to suck as much water out as possible.
A dedicated spin dryer can reach speeds that are twice as fast as a washer’s spin speeds. But even a super powerful spin dryer won’t be able to get your clothes 100% dry.
It will get them close to dry and use a lot less power than an electric dryer.
After a good spin, laundry normally only takes a few hours hanging on a clothesline to dry.
My Pick For Best RV Washer & Dryer
Giantex Washing Machine With Spin Dryer
When looking at most RVs like motorhomes, travel trailers, and 5th-wheels, most of them don’t have a spot for a permanent washer and dryer.
The ones that do can get an awesome compact washer dryer combo like the ones at the beginning of this review, but most just don’t have a place for a camping washer to sit at all times.
That’s why my choice for the best RV washer and dryer overall is the Giantex with the spin dryer.
It’s by far the most portable option in this review weighing only 28 lbs. You will be able to get it out for laundry day and put it away when you’re done with it.
The spin dryer part is also really fast, it’s not as fast as a large spin dryer like the one linked to in the FAQ section but it’s almost as fast as a standard home washer.
The clothes will be damp but not soaking wet, and you won’t’ have to wring them out.
The washer part is very simple but effective. Because of the small drum, it can wash clothes just as well as a large washer but in half the time.
I also really like that you can either hook it up to a faucet or just fill it up with water using a bucket.
That means you can use it pretty much anywhere as long as you have somewhere for it to drain.
The energy usage is also very low.
Putting all of the pros together it’s definitely one of the best camping washer and dryer on the market today.
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Frequently Asked Questions About RV Washers & Dryers
What Is A Spin Dryer?
A spin dryer is used to get water out of laundry without using any air like a traditional dryer does. Instead, the inner tub spins at a high speed to suck as much water out of the laundry as possible.
Most washing machines have a spin cycle at the end which is a type of spin dryer but they usually don’t spin as fast as a spin dryer does.
In our RV we use a hand turned portable washer (click to view on Amazon) made by a company called “The Laundry Alternative” and a spin dryer made by the same company called the Ninja (click to view on Amazon).
The Ninja spin dryer can reach speeds up to 3,200 RPMs, a standard washing machine spins from 800 to 1,600 RPMs.
A spin dryer like the Ninja is much faster than a washer which means your laundry comes out a lot dryer.
The laundry won’t come out 100% dry, but it’s pretty close. Just lightly damp.
It’s dry enough to completely dry on a clothesline in the sun in just a few hours.
The dry time is way faster when your laundry comes out of a spin dryer than when you hang it up directly from a washing machine.
That’s why I recommend pairing a spin dryer with an RV washing machine.
What Size Washer Fits In An RV?
RVs come in all different sizes, the kind of washer that will fit in your RV depends on where you have space for it.
Compact and portable washers and dryers like the ones in this review are all good size options for campers.
The biggest thing to think about when choosing the right size of camper washer is the width of the door to your RV.
Many people don’t think about what they can actually get through the door when they purchase furniture and appliances for their campers.
Sure there’s a lot of room inside but one thing you can’t make larger is the door.
The average width of a camper door is 26 inches but that width can be slightly smaller or larger depending on the make and model of your RV.
Our small Class C motorhome only has a 22 inch wide door. That means the larger RV washers in this review wouldn’t even fit through it.
Have any more questions about RV washers and dryers or doing laundry in an RV? Leave a comment below.
