Pros and Cons of All-in-One Washer-Dryer Combos

Washer-dryer combos wash clothes the same way that traditional washers do—they wash, tumble, and rinse, then flush excess water and detergent down a drain. Their mechanism for drying clothes, however, is different. 

The combination machines we’ve tested dry clothes using either condensation drying technology or energy-efficient heat pump technology—both of which take longer to dry clothes than traditional dryers that vent moisture outside. (Most washer-dryer combos are ventless, and require a drain or water-collecting reservoir for moisture removal.)

Condensing dryers heat air in the drum to absorb moisture from clothes, then pass the hot moist air over a cool heat exchanger that condenses the moisture and drains it through a drain line.

A heat pump dryer also uses hot air to absorb moisture, which is passed through an evaporator that collects the water and reuses the hot air in a loop system until clothes are dry. Clothes from a heat pump dryer may not feel as dry or warm to the touch as those dried in a traditional dryer until they are shaken out. 

Despite the amount of time they take to dry clothes, heat pump dryers are highly energy-efficient, using at least 28 percent less energy than a standard dryer, according to Energy Star. For example, in our tests, the all-in-one GE Profile PFQ97HSPVDS heat pump washer-dryer took 3½ hours to dry a 12-pound laundry load but used half as much energy as the GE Profile PFD95ESPTDS, a front-load-style electric dryer that dried the same size load in less than an hour.

But heat pump dryers come with a bit of a quirk: They exhaust cool air as part of the drying process, which can have an effect similar to an air conditioner. This might be appreciated more in summer months than winter. While they generally cost more to purchase, heat pump dryers may qualify for some tax rebates.

Because they use lower temperatures, heat pump dryers also surpass condenser dryers when it comes to efficiency. “Condenser dryers dry quicker and use a higher temperature, so they are less energy-efficient than heat pump dryers,” says Handel. Whether condenser dryers are more or less energy-efficient than traditional vented dryers is harder to say; our tests are not conclusive. But, Handel says, "I think it would be safe to say that in general heat pump dryers are the most efficient, condensing dryers are in the middle, and then come traditional electric."

They’re space savers. As one unit, washer-dryer combos can save space in your laundry room, especially if you lack room for two machines. Most measure within a few inches of traditional front-load washers (although the GE model we tested was significantly taller, so be sure to check the measurements on the model you intend to buy). Because they are ventless, they aren’t hostage to an exhaust vent. You can place them along any wall with a water line, even in a kitchen or bathroom. You also may not need the 220-volt outlet required of most conventional dryers; the four combo machines tested by CR all run on 110 volts.

You can still wash and dry separately. You can opt to run these machines as you would an ordinary laundry pair, using just a wash or just a dry cycle. But that negates one of their prime advantages. (In our tests, we run the cycles separately.)

You can control your schedule. All-in-ones promise no more cycle-chasing, tumble-watching, or needing to leap into action at the sound of a buzzer. Combos are convenient because they offer one-and-done loading and automatic wash-and-dry, and some machines don’t require lint filter cleaning (the LG and Whirlpool models in our ratings send lint down the drain).

They’re efficient washers. The four models we tested proved to be high-performing, quiet washers that are superb in energy and water efficiency, and very gentle on fabrics.

They can be pricey. All-in-one washer-dryers can cost $2,000 or more. The good news is that prices are leveling off (GE’s combo washer-dryer launched at nearly $2,900; now it’s priced at less than $1,800). By comparison, the Whirlpool washer-dryer we tested costs about the same as a Whirlpool front-loader in our ratings.

Drying times are long. As noted above, it can take hours to dry a load of clothes in a combo machine. “It took over 3 hours to dry a 12-pound load in the combo we recently tested and over 2 hours for an 8-pound load,” says Handel. (CR’s drying performance scores combine test results from three types of load: a 12-pound load of mostly cotton jeans and towels, an 8-pound load of mixed synthetics, and a 3-pound load of delicates.) Handel says that drying times can vary greatly among heat pump and condenser dryers. The four models CR tested run on 110 volts, compared with the 220-volt power required of most conventional electric dryers. Less voltage means less power can be supplied for heat, which can prolong drying times, Handel says.

Drum capacities are limited. Washer-dryer combos range in size from compact to full-sized, with drum capacities ranging from 1.6 cubic feet to 5.3 cubic feet—more typical of washing machines than dryers. By comparison, the drum capacity of traditional gas and electric dryers ranges from 7 to 9 cubic feet. That means there’s less room for air to circulate, extending drying times (and the larger the load, the less circulation). Extended drying time factors into the low drying performance score in our ratings. In addition, only the largest capacity combos can handle large, bulky items such as comforters (CR recommends a capacity of at least 4.5 cubic feet for washing those). Investing in a full-sized combo with a larger capacity drum can also improve drying performance and drying times.

You can’t wash and dry at the same time. All-in-one machines don’t allow you to multitask by washing your next load while another load dries. So doing four loads in a day can take 8 to 10 hours. Who has that much time? And the dual functionality can be impractical if you wash a lot of delicate clothes that you don’t want in a dryer. If so, you’ll have to program the washer-dryer functions independently.

Washer-dryer combos can do it all if you give them time. Whether they make doing laundry easier is harder to figure out. There’s little doubt that they make laundry day longer than using a single washer and dryer. Convenience is in the eye of the launderer.

Weighted down by poor drying scores, the combination machines we’ve tested don’t rate highly overall in CR’s performance tests. So before you invest in an all-in-one washer-dryer combo, consider whether it’s right for your home and lifestyle. If your home lacks laundry space or venting, a washer-dryer combo might be a good fix. But be aware that exceedingly long drying times will test your patience. (And like Tom Petty said, “The waiting is the hardest part.”) While these machines can give you a respite from the laundry room, they don’t really save time overall. And you’ll still have to fold clothes on your own.

We tested four all-in-one washer-dryer combos for washing and drying performance, water and energy efficiency, noise, gentleness, vibration, and convenience. The machines we tested range from 4.5 cubic feet to 5.3 cubic feet, and all four are Energy Star certified.