Splendide Combination Washer and Dryer Review – The Ultimate RV Laundry Solution?
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If you are an RV enthusiast that spends a significant amount of time on the road, keeping your clothes clean and smelling fresh can be a real hassle. Sure, you can try to plan trips to a laundromat, but this is not always practical, especially if you are exploring remote, off-grid locations. Even if there is a laundromat nearby, having to drive a full-size RV down narrow streets and then find suitable parking can be a nightmare.
This is where compact, RV-specific combination washers and dryers can really come in handy. These specialized machines were designed for the express purpose of washing clothing, bedding, towels, and more in the confines of cramped quarters. While most are designed specifically for RVs, they tend to be versatile machines that work just as well for marine applications, as well as installation in tiny houses, off-grid cabins, and other dwellings where space is at a premium.
How Can We Help?
If you are looking for a more convenient way to wash your laundry while you travel by RV, or if you are just limited on space and require an off-grid laundry solution, we are here to help!
To do so, we will be reviewing the Splendide brand, as they specialize in high-performance and compact RV and marine-specific laundry machines. More specifically, we will be reviewing their compact combination washer and dryers, as they are perfectly suited for use in a tiny house, off-grid cabin, RV, boat, camper van, or anywhere else that has limited floor space.
Since they draw relatively little power compared to conventional washing and drying machines, it is even possible to run these compact combination washers and dryers off on pure solar power. In other words, they are designed to be the ideal off-grid laundry solution, which is why we are going to take a closer look and see if they actually live up to their reputation.
About the Splendide Brand
Splendide was originally founded in 1984 with the aim of manufacturing the highest quality, space-saving laundry appliances ever made. Shortly after hitting the market, their specialized laundry machines quickly gained a dedicated following, especially amongst RV owners; however, they have also become a popular option for those that own tiny houses, boats, off-grid cabins, and camper vans, and even just small condos and apartments.
Westland Sales:
Splendide is actually just a subsidiary company that operates under the Westland Sales brand. While Splendide’s entire focus is compact combination washer-dryers and lightweight stackable washer-dryers, Westland Sales offers a wider range of energy-efficient and compact appliances that are specifically designed for use in small spaces, like miniature dishwashers.
The Westland Sales brand was actually founded in 1967 and since then, they have remained headquartered in Clackamas, Oregon. Today, the brand overseas Splendide, as well as Vesta, specializes in space-saving and energy-efficient dishwashers.
Splendide Brand Reputation:
One of the main features that sets the Splendide brand apart is how unique its designs are. This is because they work closely with a small team of skilled designers and engineers to ensure that all of their appliances deliver the highest levels of performance, while still being built to the smallest dimensions possible.
Not only does Splendide have a reputation for offering high-performance laundry appliances that are significantly smaller than their full-sized alternatives, the brand also has an outstanding reputation for reliability.
While the Splendide brand, as well as their parent company, are both headquartered in the United States, all of their space-saving laundry machines are manufactured in their dedicated European factories. During every stage of the manufacturing process, consistency and quality are the most important concerns. This is the main reason why their compact appliances are known for their outstanding reliability.
To ensure that their European-made, compact washers and dryers always perform to the standards expected by their customers, Splendide maintains over 400 qualified and dedicated service centers throughout the United States and Canada. All of their appliances are also backed by a 1-year warranty, which Splendide allows buyers to extend to a 5-year warranty at the time of purchase.
What Does the Splendide Brand Offer?
The Splendide brand has a fairly limited product catalog, which is actually part of the reason why they have been so successful. Rather than spread themselves too thin, the brand focuses on two primary types of laundry machines – combination washer-dryers, and stackable washers and dryers. On top of that, they also have a small range of accessories, including their own natural laundry detergent, as well as various brackets, venting kits, and replacement parts.
As far as combination washers and dryers go, Splendide offers two types, a vented combo washer-dryer, and a ventless combo washer-dryer. Both options are designed to save as much space as possible, while still offering the same level of performance you would expect from a full-size, high-end combination washer dryer.
Not only are their combination washer and dryer laundry machines only 24 inches wide and incredibly compact in their design, but they are also extremely energy efficient, which is another reason why they have become so popular amongst RV enthusiasts and other groups that spend significant amounts of time off-grid.
Our Review of the Splendide Combination Washer and Dryer
Now that you know a little bit more about the Splendide brand and their reputation within the portable appliance industry, we can get into our review of their highly-regarded combination washer and dryer.
Ventless and Vented Options:
Splendide offers two versions of their combination washer and dryer. The first, which is called the Splendide WDV-2200-XCD Vented Combo Washer-Dryer, acts just like a standard combination washer and dryer, but it is much smaller.
The second option, which is called the Splendide WDC-7200-XCD Ventless Combo Washer-Dryer is fairly similar, but it does not need to be vented, which can be incredibly useful for those that are planning to install it in a location where venting is not a possibility.
Aside from the fact that one version requires the installation of a venting system, while the other can function without, the two appliances are incredibly similar. While not needing to vent your laundry machine can be convenient, as well as time-saving during installation, the ventless version does come with a slightly higher price tag, so you will have to decide if it fits within your budget, or if you even need a ventless dryer in the first place.
Since the ventless version relies on the buildup of internal condensation, it is slightly less effective at drying clothes, especially when the clothes being dried are made from thicker fabrics. You will also need to empty the condensation tank, which is fairly easy to do, but still an extra step you will need to follow.
Overall, there is very little to separate the two appliances, so those that are interested in a Splendide Combo Washer-Dryer should simply take their own personal preferences and budget into consideration when choosing between the two versions.
Compact and Lightweight Design:
Without any doubt, the first thing that you will notice about Splendide’s combination washer and dryers is their incredibly compact design. Both the vented and ventless versions are only 24 inches in width, which is incredibly compact when you consider the fact that a typical washer and dryer will require at least 54 inches of space.
Where they really save on space is their narrow depth and height. In most cases, a conventional washing machine, meaning one that does not double as a dryer, will have a depth of around 35 inches and a height of closer to 45 inches. On the other hand, the combination washer and dryers from Splendide only have a depth of 22.5 inches and a height of just 33 inches! This means you can easily install a Splendid Combo Washer-Dryer in a location where a conventional washer and dryer simply would not fit.
Not only are they much smaller, they only weigh 148 lbs! This is great news for anyone that is hoping to install one in an RV, camper van, or any other mobile living arrangement where weight is a concern.
Outstanding Performance:
While you may assume that such a compact combination washer and dryer would not be as effective as full-sized washing and drying machines, the truth is both the vented and ventless versions of Splendide’s combination washer and dryers perform just as well as their much larger counterparts.
Of course, they cannot accept the same volume of dirty laundry, but this is a very reasonable compromise when you consider the fact that you can install one of these appliances in locations where a full-sized machine would not be possible or practical.
Both the vented and ventless versions can accept 15 lbs worth of dirty laundry during the washing cycle and 11 lbs worth of wet laundry during the drying cycle. Even if you have to wash your laundry in multiple loads, or simply wash more frequently than you would at home, this is far more convenient than taking your clothes to a laundromat.
We also found that even the dirtiest clothes came out clean and smelling great; however, it is important to note that we did not over-pack it during our tests. As is the case with any type of laundry machine, attempting to over-pack a machine can negatively impact performance, as well as potential risk damaging the motor within the machine.
Convenient Features:
While it would not be surprising if the combination washer and dryers from Splendide did not have many bells and whistles, especially given their small size, they are actually outfitted with some really convenient features.
For starters, both models are outfitted with a modern digital display, so you can easily view the remaining time on the cycle, the temperature, and more. Everything is also controlled with a simple knob and three buttons, so it is very user-friendly.
Despite the small size, it also features an extra-wide door, which makes it much easier to load and unload your laundry. When the washer is running, an automated dispenser adds detergent, bleach, and softener at the ideal times.
When you are running the dryer setting, variable spin speeds, and dual-rotating drum work in conjunction to ensure maximum drying performance. In most cases when you are using a miniature dryer, it can take multiple cycles to dry fabrics; however, the Splendide two-in-one washer and dryers are incredibly effective.
Splendide Washer Dryer Combo Specifications
- Dimensions: 23-1/2″W x 22-5/8″D x 33″ to 33-3/8″H (adjustable leveling feet)
- Cycles: 9 wash, 3 dry, 1 clean
- Maximum Spin Speed: 1200 rpm
- Buttons: Start/Pause, Water Temp, Spin Speed, Super Wash/Mute, Prewash, Low Heat, Delay Start, and Timed Dry/Key Lock
- Additional Features: Auto water level, auto load balancing, end-of-cycle chime, and self-cleaning lint filter
- Maximum Wash/Dry: 15 / 11 lbs
- Electrical Requirements: 120V
Total Weight: 148 lbs.
What is Our Overall Impression of the Splendide Combination Washer and Dryer?
Overall, we have been incredibly impressed by both the ventless and vented version of the Splendide Combo Washer-Dryers. First of all, it performs exceptionally well, especially for such a compact two-in-one washer and dryer.
While performance and size are critical, especially when you are limited on space, it is also incredibly energy and water efficient, which, again, is very useful when you are planning to install it in an RV, or any sort of off-grid location.
To add to its efficiency, and the auto-load sensor also quickly detects the volume of laundry you have loaded, so it can minimize and conserve water. It also only requires a 120V power hookup, as opposed to a 240V hookup, which is typical with a full-sized machine. Once again, this is incredibly useful when you are planning to operate it off-grid using stored battery power, which would be the case in an RV or camper van.
It also offers some incredibly convenient features, like the digital display, a self-cleaning lint filter, and an extra-wide loading door. We really did not expect to see these types of things in such a space-saving appliance.
With 10 unique washing cycles, 3 drying cycles, water temperature selection, and a display screen that offers up-to-the-minute status updates, this really is a high-end appliance that Splendide has somehow managed to fit into an extremely small package.
After thoroughly reviewing this combination washer and dryer, it has become incredibly clear to us why it is so popular within the RV and off-grid communities!
Why Choose the Splendide Combination Washer and Dryer
As we highlighted above, this unique combo washer-dryer is the ideal option for anyone that would like to have the ability to wash their clothing but is also very limited on space.
Not only are they compact, but they also feature heavy-duty shock absorbers, which ensure that vibrations will not be felt while the machine is operating. This is incredibly useful for anyone planning to install one in an RV, boat, camper van, or any other location where stability is important.
They are incredibly easy to install and they can also be winterized very easily. As mentioned above, Splendide backs all of their appliances with a 1-year warranty; however, for a small fee, you can extend that to a 5-year warranty. While their appliances are all known for their outstanding reliability, it never hurts to have additional coverage.
Running a Splendide Combination Washer and Dryer Off-Grid:
While the compact and lightweight design are the most common reasons why people choose a combination machine from Splendide, their unrivaled energy efficiency and relatively low power requirements also make them ideal for off-grid applications.
Given that it only draws 120V on its most demanding setting, you can even run this appliance off of a basic solar generator, like the Bluetti AC200 Max Solar Generator, or the EcoFlow Delta MAX Solar Power Station.
Simply by pairing a Splendide Combo Washer Dryer with an appropriate solar generator and several solar panels, you would have the opportunity to wash and dry your clothes in even the most remote locations. This surely beats driving into town to spend multiple hours waiting around in a laundromat.
The minimal water requirements also ensure it is suitable for off-grid situations where you do not have a conventional water hookup. Reserve tanks and water that is sourced from a well will work just fine. The option to choose a ventless version is also incredibly useful for those that do not have the luxury of drilling a ventilation hole, such as anyone that is planning to install one in a boat or RV.
Simply put, this is the ultimate laundry system for anyone that lives off-grid, travels by RV, or is simply looking for a compact and energy-efficient appliance.
Final Words
While there are several options on the market today, we firmly believe that nothing comes close to matching the performance and convenience you get with the compact combination washer and dryer from Splendide. It is built to an exceptional standard and performs just as well as you could ever hope!
