International Builders' Show Product Preview: GE Profile WPDH8800J Washer With SmartDispense
All washing machines are set-it-and-forget-it when it comes to the water—but it’s still up to you to measure and add the detergent. We’ve seen liquid-detergent-and-fabric-softener dispensers for washers before, but GE’s new Profile WPDH8800J front-loader (left in the photo) is the first washer designed to dole out the right amount of detergent and softener based on the load size, soil level, fabric, cycle, or even water hardness. Called SmartDispense, the new feature is built into the pedestal below the Energy Star–qualified washer and has a claimed capacity of up to 350 ounces of detergent and 85 ounces of fabric softener—roughly six months’ worth for a typical household.
Costing $1,800 with the pedestal, the washer and its matching model DPVH880 dryer, $1,329, aren’t cheap. If you’re willing to dispense with the SmartDispense feature, you’ll find high-scoring front-loaders from our washer tests for as little as $650 and top-loaders starting at $400.
The washer and dryer will be in stores in July.—Kimberly Janeway
Essential information: Read our latest report on washers and dryers.
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Posted by: Ge Washer | Feb 12, 2008 11:21:41 AM
When do these come out?
Posted by: Joe E | Feb 20, 2008 2:23:57 PM
What's old is new again.
Kelvinator, GE and others sold top-loading washers with liquid detergent dispensers back in the 1950s shortly after Lever Bros. (now Unilever) introduced Wisk.
Posted by: Lawrence Prichard | Mar 9, 2008 8:11:30 AM
I was most dismayed by the video segment. It sounded like an advertisement.
Posted by: Soup | Mar 24, 2008 11:22:52 PM
According to www.appliancist.com, this laundry pair is slated to hit the floor in fall 2008.
-Soup
Posted by: Michael S | Aug 25, 2008 11:01:53 PM
Hey Joe you must have missed the part where it says it holds "roughly six months worth" of detergent and fabric softener. If memory serves me right, those machines from the '50s only dispensed what was needed for one load. Just a small difference, I can see how you might have missed that... NOT! Add Energy Star efficiency and the newest sound dampening features and I'd say these have about as much in common with fifty year old appliances as I do.
Oh, and they come in RED dude.
Posted by: S.O. | Dec 6, 2008 8:14:55 PM
I purchased the White set at Fry's on 11/22/08. right out of the box it was defective. Timer would start over, it shook and sounded like a freight train, it kept "thinking" it was off balance when it wasn't (this was according to the GE tech that came out). He said it was the computer board. Being only 9 days old I returned it to Fry's and they promplty gave me another new washer. Same problems and even more! This one would start, go to 28mins, back to 36mins and add more soap and water. 4x it did this! I stopped the washer and put it in rinse and spin seeing that the basket was now FULL of soap and water! It cycled and started over for 45 mins! No extra high spin either. I returned it for a refund and went to Sears. They are delivering MOnday, 12/8/08. I am hoping it was just a bad batch from Fry's. I really like the potential these have but if this one has problems, EVERYTHING goes back and I will try LG!
Posted by: LaVonne Reiser | Mar 18, 2009 1:16:21 PM
We purchased the set the first day they were available. I am not happy with the quality of the washing machine and wondering if I am not doing something wrong...? My laundry especially my towels never smell clean. I even use the HE fabric softer smart dispense system. The Sears service man who first hooked up the machine for us did it wrong and did not have the smart dispense hoses hooked up to the correct tanks, and therefore no soap was being dispensed into the cycle. After a few months of figuring something just was not right.. we called sears sent a guy out and because these machines are so knew the service guys know very little about them. After about 2 hours of tinkering he finally figured out the hose issue and fixed it. I thought my problems were gone but my clothes still do not seem very clean.... any suggestions from anyone or is anyone else seeing this same problem?
Posted by: david cruz | Mar 29, 2009 12:36:54 AM
I purchased the G.E profile with smart dispense pedestals. Within a month i had 5 different service calls. The smart dispense system does not work still. The techs can not fix them yet they refuse to deem them unrepairable so that G.E can issue me a new pair. 5200.00 for the new top of the line washer and dryer!!! What a waste of time and money..I think i will go with the newest Whirlpool front loaders or the new electrolux