6 Best Compact RV Washer Dryer Combos For Small Bathrooms Nomads Swear By

There’s a moment every nomad dreads: the overflowing laundry bag and the looming trip to a questionable laundromat. For those of us living in tight quarters, the idea of in-house laundry feels like an impossible luxury. But adding a compact washer dryer combo to a small RV bathroom is more than just a convenience—it’s a massive upgrade in self-sufficiency and quality of life on the road.

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Sizing Your RV Laundry for a Tiny Bathroom

The first rule of small-space installation is to measure everything twice. Then measure a third time. Don’t just measure the cabinet or closet where the unit will live; measure the RV’s entry door, the hallway width, and any tight corners you’ll have to navigate to get it inside. I’ve seen more than one RVer buy the perfect machine only to realize it won’t fit through the bathroom door.

Beyond the simple height, width, and depth, you have to account for functional space. You need clearance in the back for water hookups, the drain hose, and the vent if you choose a vented model. You also need to ensure the door can swing open fully without hitting the toilet or a wall. Weight is the other critical factor. A 150-pound combo unit can significantly impact your RV’s balance and cargo capacity, so check your specs before you buy.

Finally, let’s talk about capacity. It’s tempting to get the largest drum size you can find, but in an RV, smaller and more frequent loads are often the reality. A smaller, 1.5 cubic foot machine that fits perfectly is infinitely more useful than a 2.7 cubic foot monster that requires you to tear out a wall. The goal is to integrate laundry into your life, not rebuild your life around your laundry machine.

Splendide WDV2200XCD: The RV Gold Standard

If you ask ten full-time RVers what washer dryer they use, at least half will say Splendide. This machine is the industry benchmark for a reason: it was designed from the ground up for the unique challenges of a life in motion. It’s built to withstand the vibrations and constant jostling of travel, a feature that residential units simply don’t account for.

The WDV2200XCD is a ventless condenser model, which is a huge advantage for simple installation in a small bathroom. Instead of pumping hot, moist air outside through a new hole in your RV wall, it uses cold water to condense the moisture from your clothes, which then drains out the standard drain hose. The major tradeoff is time. A full wash and dry cycle can take three hours or more, so you learn to run it while you’re out for the day or overnight.

Think of the Splendide as a long-term investment in reliability. It’s not the cheapest, fastest, or quietest option on this list, but it is a purpose-built workhorse. For full-timers who value dependability above all else, this is often the smartest choice. It just works.

LG WM3488HW: A Quiet, High-Efficiency Choice

Sometimes, you just want the quiet performance of a high-end residential appliance. The LG All-in-One brings that level of refinement to the RV world. Its most significant feature is the Inverter Direct Drive motor, which connects directly to the drum, eliminating the belts and pulleys that create noise and vibration in other machines. For a small, shared space where every noise is amplified, this is a game-changer.

This unit also boasts a larger capacity (2.3 cubic feet) than most RV-specific models, allowing you to wash bulkier items like blankets or a full set of sheets in one go. Like the Splendide, it’s a ventless condenser dryer, making installation straightforward. It’s also incredibly efficient with both water and electricity, which is a major bonus when you’re trying to conserve resources off-grid.

The catch? It wasn’t designed for a life on wheels. While many nomads use it successfully, you must secure it meticulously to prevent damage from road vibration. It’s an excellent option for those who are mostly stationary or travel on well-paved roads and prioritize quiet operation and larger load sizes.

Equator Pro Compact: Super Slim for Tight Fits

Every inch matters in a tiny bathroom, and the Equator Pro is the master of narrow spaces. With a depth of just 22 inches, this machine can slide into shallow closets or tight corners where no other all-in-one unit would dare to go. This is the problem-solver for skoolie conversions with awkward layouts or vintage trailers with non-standard dimensions.

One of its best features is its convertible drying system. Out of the box, it functions as a ventless condenser dryer. But if you have the ability to vent to the outside, you can switch it to vented mode for faster, more efficient drying. This flexibility is invaluable, allowing you to adapt the machine to your specific RV and installation constraints.

The direct tradeoff for its slim profile is a smaller drum capacity, typically around 1.6 cubic feet. This isn’t the machine for a large family, but for a solo traveler or a couple, it’s more than adequate for daily laundry. You choose the Equator when the physical footprint is your number one, non-negotiable priority.

Giantex Portable Twin Tub: A Budget Solution

Let’s shift gears to a completely different approach. The Giantex twin tub isn’t an automated, all-in-one combo; it’s a highly effective, semi-automatic system for those with serious constraints on budget, power, or weight. It’s a simple machine: one small tub for washing and a separate, smaller tub for spin-drying.

The process is hands-on. You fill the wash tub with water, add soap and clothes, run the wash timer, and then manually move the wet clothes to the spin tub. The spinner is surprisingly powerful, wringing out an incredible amount of water and leaving clothes just damp enough to hang dry quickly. The entire unit is lightweight, uses very little electricity, and can be stored away when not in use.

This is not a "set it and forget it" appliance. It requires your active participation. But for under $200, it offers total freedom from the laundromat. For the minimalist RVer who doesn’t mind a bit of manual effort, it’s a brilliant and practical solution that sips both water and power.

Magic Chef All-in-One: Compact and Capable

The Magic Chef sits in a sweet spot between RV-specific models and high-end residential units. Originally designed for small apartments, its compact dimensions and reliable performance have made it a popular choice for RVers looking for a balance of features and value. It’s a no-nonsense machine that gets the job done without a premium price tag.

Typically featuring a 1.6 to 2.0 cubic foot capacity and ventless drying, it has all the core functions you need for life on the road. It offers a variety of wash and dry cycles, giving you more control than some of the more basic models. While it may not be as quiet as the LG or as road-ready as the Splendide, it’s a dependable workhorse that has proven itself in countless RV installations.

Consider the Magic Chef the pragmatic choice. It’s a great all-around performer that provides the convenience of an all-in-one unit without some of the specialized features—or the associated cost. If you’re looking for a solid, mid-range option that just works, this is a strong contender.

Costway Portable Washer: Top-Loading Simplicity

For those who can’t commit to a permanent installation, the portable top-loader is a fantastic alternative. The Costway portable washer is a single-tub unit that handles both washing and spin-drying in one drum. Its biggest advantage is the dead-simple setup: a hose connects directly to your bathroom or kitchen sink faucet for water intake, and it drains right back into the sink.

This isn’t a true dryer. The spin cycle, much like the Giantex, removes the majority of water, leaving clothes damp but not dripping. You’ll still need to hang them to dry fully, but the process is fast. Because it’s a top-loader, you can easily add a forgotten sock mid-cycle, and the whole unit is light enough to be stored in a shower or closet when you’re done.

This machine is perfect for van lifers, weekend campers, or anyone who wants to avoid cutting holes and running new plumbing lines. It’s the ultimate low-impact solution, providing the core benefit of on-demand washing without the complexity of a permanent combo unit. It’s about gaining independence with minimal modification to your rig.

Installation Tips for a Small RV Bathroom

Installing a 150-pound spinning machine in a vehicle requires more than just sliding it into place. Your RV’s floor was not designed to support that kind of concentrated, dynamic load. You must reinforce the floor beneath the unit, typically by adding a layer of 3/4-inch plywood to distribute the weight and absorb vibration.

Plumbing and electrical connections need to be road-ready. Always use braided stainless steel water supply hoses, as standard rubber hoses can burst under the constant vibration of travel. Make sure the unit is plugged into a dedicated circuit that can handle the electrical load, usually a 15-amp GFCI outlet. When tapping into your RV’s PEX plumbing, use proper crimp fittings and install a drain pan underneath as a cheap insurance policy against leaks.

Securing the unit itself is paramount. It’s not enough to hope it won’t move. Use heavy-duty steel L-brackets to bolt the machine’s feet directly to the reinforced floor. If possible, add brackets to secure the top of the unit to the wall behind it. This prevents the machine from tipping or literally vibrating itself to pieces on a bumpy road.

Finally, even "ventless" dryers need ventilation. A condenser dryer heats up and releases warm, humid air into the bathroom. Without proper airflow, you’re creating a perfect environment for mold and mildew. Ensure your bathroom has a powerful, high-volume exhaust fan and run it during every dry cycle to pull that moisture out of your rig.

Ultimately, the best RV washer dryer is the one that fits your space, your budget, and your travel style. Whether it’s a top-of-the-line Splendide or a simple twin-tub spinner, taking control of your laundry on the road is a liberating step. Choose the solution that aligns with your reality, and you’ll never have to hunt for quarters again.