Are you struggling to choose between a washer dryer combo and a standalone washer and dryer? This article will help to solve your dilemma. Discover why you might need combination washer dryers and the essential features to look for when buying one. Finally, choose the most suitable combo for your household from our top five picks.
If you’re in a hurry, our recommendation for the best washer dryer combo in the UK is the HAIER i-Pro Series 7 HWD100-B14979. Select it from the table of contents below to skip to the review.
Table of Contents
What is a washer dryer?
As the name implies, this appliance combines a washing machine and a dryer in a single cabinet. Typically, it does all the work that standalone washers and dryers do but with the advantage of reduced footprint and sometimes energy consumption.
If you’re also looking for a convenient way to do your laundry with minimal intervention on your part, a washer dryer is worth considering. You can put your dirty clothes in when retiring to bed knowing that you’ll wake up to clean, dry and ready wear for the new working day. No need to move your laundry between appliances or hang it out to air dry. That right there is the magic of combination washer dryers!
Why choose a washer dryer combo?
Washer dryer combos offer several unique features that make them a better choice than two separate units:
Space saving
If you live in a flat or a small home, chances are you won’t have space for both a washing machine and a tumble dryer. A combined washer dryer naturally takes half the space whilst doing the job of both appliances.
Convenience
You won’t need to transfer piles of wet clothes manually from one machine to the next. Simply load your dirty clothes into the unit, set a timer and come back to find clean, dry clothes. What’s more, they often come with a wide range of features allowing for specific programs to precisely match each load.
Eco friendly
Many modern washer dryer combos use only slightly more power than a single washing machine. Those that have been awarded an A or A+ rating by the Energy Saving Trust are more likely to help you reduce your overall water and power use.
Easy installation
Unlike standard tumbler dryers, most combination washer dryers do not need to be vented. Moisture from the drying process is condensed and then directed strain into the drain that is fitted to remove wastewater. This means that there is no need for extra installation or to find some where to put the large, annoying vent hose.
Pros and cons of washer dryers
Pros
- Enjoy two laundry functions in one unit
- No need to manually transport the clothes from one machine to another
- The washer and dryer functions can work independently of each other
- The costs of buying and running this appliance are often lower than having two standalone machines
Cons
- Some inefficient washer dryer machines use a lot of power especially in the drying cycle
- Load capacity for some dryers is quite limited compared to that of a standalone dryer
What should I look for when buying a washer dryer?
Not all washer dryers are built to the same standards, to ensure that you find the right one for you it’s essential to make yourself familiar with the fine details:
Safety features
Washer dryers can be supplied with several functions that will give you peace of mind if you have a house full of children or pets. Look out for door locks and child locks that prevent them from fiddling with the controls. Other useful safety features can help prevent leaks and often include an automatic overflow feature.
Multiple wash programmes
Look for a machine that incorporates numerous settings as this possibly means more functionality and diversity in the types of laundry it can handle. For example, some washer dryers come with programmes for cleaning duvets, cotton, silk and delicates.
Load capacity
A common mistake made by many washer dryer users is to either overfill or under-fill the drum. Overfilling can result in your clothes not getting s thorough clean and under-filling often leads to a waste of both water and energy. The best way to avoid this is to get a machine with a drum capacity that matches the size of your average load.
Spin speed
How fast your machine rotates determines how long your dryer takes to remove water from the laundry after a wash cycle. The best washer dryer combos come with spin speed ranges of 1000-1600 rpm. The higher, the better. On the other hand, speedier machines will often generate higher noises and consume more energy.
Other details you might want to consider include:
- A wrinkle release or refresh function to help you quickly straighten your clothes
- A moisture sensor to automatically adjust the drying time
- Steam function for effective removal of stains and wrinkles
- A Wi-Fi connection to help you control your machine remotely
Top 4 best washer-dryers in the UK
These are our picks of top four washer dryers available in the UK, based on factors such as price, energy and water efficiency, programmes, drum size and dimensions:
No 1: HAIER i-Pro Series 7 HWD100-B14979
HAIER i-Pro HWD100-B14979 model details |
|
| Price (£) | 729.99 |
| Energy rating | A |
| Water usage (litres) | 22800 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Wash capacity (kg) | 10 |
| Drying capacity (kg) | 6 |
| Quick wash (min) | 15 |
| Special programmes | Babycare, Express 15’, Mix, I-time, I-Refresh |
| Dimensions (cm) | H85 x W59.5 x D53 |
No.2: LG V7 FWV796WTSE
LG V7 FWV796WTSE model details |
|
| Price (£) | 679 |
| Energy rating | E |
| Water usage (litres) | 33000 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Wash capacity (kg) | 9 |
| Drying capacity (kg) | 6 |
| Quick wash (min) | 59 |
| Special programmes | Allergy care, Baby steam care, Download cycle (rinse + spin), Mixed fabric, Speed 14, TurboWash |
| Dimensions (cm) | H85.0 x W60.0 x D57.0 |
No 3: Bosch Serie 6 WDU28561GB
BOSCH Serie 6 WDU28561GB model details |
|
| Price (£) | 949.99 |
| Energy rating | E |
| Water usage (litres) | 30000 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Wash capacity (kg) | 10 |
| Drying capacity (kg) | 6 |
| Quick wash (min) | 15 |
| Special programmes | EcoPerfect, HygieneCare, Mixed Load, Night Wash, SpeedPerfect, Sportswear, Super Quick 15 |
| Dimensions (cm) | H84.8 x W59.8 x D61.6 |
Best washer dryer under £400: Logik L8W5D20
Logik L8W5D20 Model Specification
| Price (£) | 329.99 |
| Energy rating | E |
| Water usage (wash, spin, dry) (litres) | 27200 |
| Spin speed (rpm) | 1400 |
| Load capacity (wash/dry) (kg) | 8/5 |
| Special programmes | 1 hour wash and dry, 20 rinse and spin, eco-mode |
| Dimensions (cm) | (H)85 x (W)59.5 x (D)63 |
Conclusion
The demand for washer dryers continues to rise in the UK, as a result, more manufacturers have spent time on improving their functionality and efficiency. The right washer dryer has the potential to be a game changer for your laundry habits can save you space, time and money. Getting a model that is the best match for your needs will result in a device that could last you for many years, so it’s well worth taking your time to make the best choice.