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.
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.